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41
All the 10 shops were provided with ice-tanks or safes for cold-storage; in the
case of one shop only was nuisance found from the storage of the boxes in which
the fish is received from the wholesalers. In the case of two shops, however, fish
boxes (containing fish for sale) were found to be placed near the ground level
where they might be contaminated or fouled by dogs, etc. This practice is all
the more objectionable because fishmongers like to keep some kinds of fish, such as
herrings, in the boxes in which they are packed until the actual sale, because if
they are placed in cold storage or exhibited on slabs in the shop front they are apt
to deteriorate in appearance and the selling value is lessened, and moreover, the
scales become a source of nuisance as they wash off readily and accumulate in the
slab wast-e-pipe. In one of the two cases above referred to, the fishmonger was
asked to discontinue placing the boxes in a position where the contents might
become fouled. Tn the other case the shop was within the precincts of the Central
Market where fouling by dogs, etc., would be less likely. Nine of the shops were
provided with suitable sinks for the cleansing and cutting up of the fish and all
had proper metal receptacles for gut and other fish refuse. From one shop this
refuse was removed twice daily and from all the others once daily. Facilities for
personal washing and cloakroom accommodation for the staff were found to be
provided in seven shops, but in the others the only arrangement for personal
washing was at the cutting-up sink.
Fish Stalls.
In addition to the shops referred to above, there are five stalls in the .Borough
for the general sale of fish. At three of these wet, dried and shell fish is sold, at
one wet and dried fish is sold but no shell fish, and at the other wet fish only. The
fish on two of the stalls is protected by linen covers in hot weather. In one case
the stall has a top cover and one has a top cover and side screens. The surfaces
of the stalls were wooden, but on one stall the fish was usually placed on enamel
dishes and on another the fish was displayed as a rule in the market boxes in
which it was delivered to the stall holder. The surfaces on which the fish were
placed were in all cases reported to be satisfactory; no contamination of the fish
by flies or dust was noticed. As regards the storage of the fish it was reported that
in two cases the stock was always sold out daily, in one case the fish left over
at the end of the day was stored in an adjacent shop with which the stall was
connected; in one case the storage was in ice boxes at a store-place in the Borough,
and in the remaining case the storage was in an adjoining Borough. No fish boxes
were found stored at the stalls so close to the ground level as to render the contents
liable to be fouled by dogs, etc. In three cases the receptacles for gut and other
fish refuse were made of wood and in two of metal. The refuse was found to be
removed at least daily and in some cases twice daily.
There was also one stall for the sale of shell fish only. At this stall cockles,
escallops, mussels, oysters, winkles and whelks are all sold in season. The fish is
consumed at the stall. All the plates and other utensils used at the stall were
found to be in a clean condition. The stall is inside the Central Market building
and side screens and top cover were therefore unnecessary. Metal receptacle was
provided for waste matter which was. removed daily by the City Corporation.