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170
Nuisance from Stable Refuse.—Several complaints
of offensive smells from stable refuse were made in the summer
months by parishioners residing in the vicinity of Chepstowvillas,
Chepstow-place, Walmer-road, &c., the said smells being
due to the use of peat litter, and mainly arising in the course
of the removal of the refuse from the premises. I have had
occasion several times to call the attention of the Sanitary
Committee to this subject, and the Committee have caused
communications to be addressed to the proprietors of stables
(mostly large public companies, cab proprietors, &c.) on whose
premises the nuisance arose. The use of peat litter is now
general at such establishments. The material remains in the
stable for some considerable time, and becomes more or less
charged with the products of the decomposition of animal
secretions. It smells badly enough when removed from the
stable for temporary deposit in the receptacle, where, in the
heap, the process of putrefaction goes on with accelerated
speed, the result being that when the refuse is turned over, in
the course of transfer to the vehicle in which it is to be
removed from the premises, offensive gases of a nauseous and
penetrating character are given off, to the annoyance of people
in the vicinity of the premises, and of all who come near the
vehicle in its transit through the streets. I am of opinion that
steps should be taken to abate the nuisance, on complaint, and
to prohibit the recurrence thereof The County Council's byelaw
dealing with the "cleansing of receptacles for dung,"
requires the owner of any such receptacle, once at least in every
week, to cause every such receptacle to be emptied and
thoroughly cleansed. But section 36 (2) of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891, provides that—
"Notice may be given by a Sanitary Authority (by public announcement
in the district or otherwise) requiring the periodical removal
of manure or other refuse matter from stables, cow-houses, or
other premises; and where any such notice has been given, if any
person to whom the manure or other refuse matter belongs, fails to
comply with the notice, he shall be liable, without further notice,
to a fine not exceeding twenty shillings for each day during which
such non-compliance continues."