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169
This work was carried out under the supervision of the
street inspectors whose duties include the inspection of mews.
Difficulty in Securing Removal of Stable Refuse.
The repealed Sanitary Act of 1866 enabled the "Nuisance
Authority" to contract with the occupiers of stables and cowhouses
for the collection and removal of manure or other refuse
matter; but the said Authority could remove it only "with the
sanction of the owner." The Public Health (London) Act,
1891, has not made any material difference in the position, for
section 36 does no more than authorise the Sanitary Authority
to collect and remove the refuse from stables, &c.," the
occupiers of which signify their consent in writing to such
removal," which would have to be effected at the cost of the
said authority. The necessary consent would be forthcoming,
in most cases, if it became known that the requirements of the
law would be enforced in case of neglect by the owner to
comply with the regulations. In many cases money is paid
by the owuers for the removal of the refuse, and there is no
reason why they should not pay the Sanitary Authority a
suitable fee for the service. Many persons would be glad to
do so, and thus relieve themselves of a burdensome obligation.
At the same time, it is not improbable that the large amount
of refuse produced in our numerous mews, would have a value
sufficient to defray the cost of an organised system of collection
and removal to the country. Section 35 authorises a sanitary
inspector to serve a notice on the owner of any accumulation
of manure or other obnoxious matter, requiring him to remove
it, and if the notice is not complied with within forty-eight
(the Bill read 24) hours from the service thereof, the "matter"
becomes the property of the Sanitary Authority, and may be
removed and disposed of by them at the cost of the former
owner. This provision does not, in practice, supersede enforcement
of the regulations by proceedings for the recovery of
penalties ; but it is occasionally useful.