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133
REFUSE AND MANURE DEPOTS.
The 13 Public Depots, situated in the Borough, were under
constant (daily, during the summer months) supervision during
1914, and, in connection with the Destructors and Dust Yards
situated in Tinworth Street-(Prince's Ward) and Commercial Road
(Marsh Ward), a large number of visits were paid, but in no instance
was a nuisance discovered with which the Council had to deal before
the Magistrate under the By-laws, having regard to (a) the provision
in the By-laws, which permits of the depositing of refuse and offensive
matters for a reasonable period of 12 hours during the process
of removal, (b) the dislocation of business owing to the war (shortage
of vans, horses and men and difficulties in barging and transport).
Cautionary letters were sent, as required, in one or two instances.
Disposal of House Refuse.
Owing to the war conditions it was deemed advisable, in view
of the difficulties that might arise in the near future with regard to
the removal of house refuse throughout the Borough, to issue
notices amongst the inhabitants requesting them to burn as much of
their refuse as possible on account of the danger to health caused by
keeping refuse near houses during the hot weather. These notices
were issued during August, 1914.
EFFLUVIUM NUISANCES.
Messrs. Houston's Premises, Juxon Street.
During 1914 a Petition*, signed by 27 inhabitants of the neighbourhood,
was dealt with, the petitioners drawing attention to an
effluvium nuisance caused in connection with the Juxon Street
premises of Messrs. John Houston & Co., Ltd., contractors for distillers'
and brewers' by-products, grains and makings collected
under contract from breweries, being dried, and causing thereby a
nuisance, which may be dangerous and injurious to health.
An inspection was made of the premises and action taken, with
the result that a new flue was provided for carrying the vapours
from the dryer directly into the chimney shaft in place of the old
flue, which was found to be defective. It was also suggested that a
roof should be constructed over the pit on the land at the side of the
premises, but as this structural alteration required the sanction of
the landlords and the District Surveyor, it was decided not to use
the pit for the purpose of placing any grain, and orders were given
to secure that all material, on its arrival, should be dealt with forthwith.
The result of the action taken was that the Petitioners made
no further complaint.
* The petition was received at the end of 1913.
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