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officer of health. They found support to their views in
several quarters, many of the Vestries and District Boards
having passed resolutions adverse to the abolition of private
slaughter-houses. The Society, moreover, found a powerful
auxiliary in the Smithfield Club, whose Secretary reported, at
the Centenary Annual Meeting, that the Council had adopted
a resolution as follows :— "That this Club, being aware of the
proposals of the London County Council to take steps with a
view to the abolition of private slaughter-houses in London,
and the substitution of public slaughter-houses, or abattoirs,
is of opinion that the proposals are unnecessary and inexpedient,
and the adoption of them would be most injurious to
the interests of the Club, and all those engaged in British
pgriculture."
The report of the Public Health Committee, after more
than one adjournment, came before the County Council at
their meeting on 31st January of the present year, when the
first part of the above cited resolution (a) having been put, a
motion to proceed to the next business was moved and carried.
The second part of the resolution (b) was not moved. And so
for the present the subject of public v. private slaughter-houses
is shelved, and with it the further question of meat inspection.
I have thought it well to refer at some length to this
matter, as one of public interest and proper to engage the
attention of Sanitary Authorities. Should legislation ultimately
arise out of the recommendations of the Royal Commission,
it may be expected to follow the lines laid down in
their report, and in the report of the Public Health Committee
of the Council; and the Council, presumably, will be required
to occupy the position the Public Health Committee indicated
in their report, and desire, of "local authority" for all
London. Whether six public slaughter-houses would suffice
for the whole of the metropolis, may be reasonably doubted ;