View report page

142
Removal of Manure.—In the first report for 1898,
reference was made to a communication from the medical
officer of health to the County Council, with respect to the
complaints the Public Health Committee of that body receive,
from time to time, of nuisance arising from accumulations of
stable manure, and to the power the sanitary authority have
(under section 3G of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891) to
collect and remove refuse of this sort within their district, but
without power to charge for such collection and removal. The
committee were considering the question whether, with a view
to facilitate the removal of manure, it was desirable to seek an
amendment of the section, so as to enable the sanitary authority,
as is reasonable, to charge for the said service.* I had no
hesitation in expressing an opinion that such an amendment
of the law is desirable. As a result of the enquiries by the
committee, and on their recommendation, the Council, on 29th
March, instructed the Parliamentary Committee to take the
necessary steps " to obtain such an amendment of the law as
would give the London sanitary authorities power to charge
for the removal of manure, when required by the owner or
occupier of any premises to remove it." The Parliamentary
Committee reported, on 3rd November, stating that the instructions
of the Council to take the necessary steps to obtain such
an amendment of the law, involve an amendment of the Public
Health (London) Act, 1891, which would necessitate the introduction
of a separate Public Bill: it therefore occurred to
them that there were probably other respects in which amendments
in the Act were desired, and which could most conveniently
be dealt with at the same time. The Parliamentary
Committee, accordingly, consulted the Public Health Committee,
and this committee, being of opinion that the question
was not of so urgent a character as to necessitate the
* The question whether the Vestry would be in favour of such a proposed
amendment of the Law having been considered by the sanitary committee, they
advised that no action be taken in the matter, and no action was taken.