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owner a reasonable sum for the service. The Sanitary Committee of the Vestry reported that they
were of opinion that the time had arrived when the vestry should on sanitary grounds undertake
the removal of manure, but the Wharves and Plant Committee were of opinion on financial grounds
that such a scheme was at the present time impracticable, and this view was adopted by the vestry.
Fulham.—The medical officer of health, discussing the same subject, states that the vestry
expressed an opinion in favour of the proposal contained in the letter above referred to. Concerning
smell from peat-moss manure, which he says is " of a most vile description," he states that nuisance
might be avoided if the manure were loaded direct from the stables into covered carts, which should be
removed when full, and he has suggested that the vestry might be able to enforce this under section
21 of the Public Health (London) Act. The solicitor to the vestry was of opinion such proceedings
could be instituted, and the vestry resolved to institute such proceedings should occasion arise.
St. George, Hanover-square.—The mews in the district are generally satisfactory, except during
the summer months, when there is great difficulty in getting rid of the dung, because the farmers are
too busy to fetch it away.
Westminster.—In many instances owners of stables have complained of their inability to get
contractors to remove stable manure. Proceedings were instituted in six cases for non-removal of
manure.
Hampstead.—"The complaints of non-removal of manure were more numerous during the
past than in any former year, and action had to be taken by the inspectors in 264 cases. There are
various establishments in the parish wherein large numbers of horses are kept and in which the use
of peat litter, from motives of economy, is very general. This material becomes highly charged with
urine, and quickly offensive, especially when disturbed for removal in hot weather. It is necessary to
insist that this refuse should be placed at once, on removal from the stable, into the vehicle in which
it is to be taken away from the premises. A more liberal use of the peat, where this material is used,
is advised, it being the habit of the horse-keeper to remove only the soiled portion and to rake up
the rest under the manger during the daytime for night use."
St. Pancras.—The vestry expressed the opinion that power should be given to charge for the
removal of manure when called on by the owner to undertake this duty. Discussing the question
whether the cost of removal of manure when generally effected by the sanitary authority should fall
on the owners of the manure or on the public, the medical officer of health expressed the opinion
that it would be more equitable for this to be borne by the owners. He recommends that manure
should be placed direct into moveable receptacles on wheels, and states that it would be a boon if a
by-law could be made requiring this to be done.
Islington.—The removal of manure from the premises of tramway car and omnibus companies
has been an annoyance to people in the neighbourhood. The manure should be deposited in properly
constructed vans as soon as removed from the stalls.
Hackney.—" Peat moss is used until it is thoroughly saturated with urine, then deposited in
the pit, and after remaining there a sufficient time to set up decomposition of the urea, is disturbed
during the course of removal, to the great annoyance of the neighbourhood, and the remedy is a simple
one. For the dung pit, which is never cleaned out, I would substitute a van or portable dung pit, into
which the stable refuse, direct from the stable, is placed, and when full, have it removed without any
further disturbance of the manure into the country or to the railway depot, the van at the same time
being thoroughly cleaned ; in fact, convert the fixed into a portable dung receptacle." The medical
officer of health states that he has suggested this method to the North Metropolitan Tramway Company
for their stables at Stamford-hill, but they have not adopted it.
St. George-in-the-East.—The vestry is of opinion that there would be advantage if they were
empowered to charge for the removal of manure.
Lambeth.—The medical officer of health states that two railway sidings " are used in the
district as outlets for offensive matters, chiefly manure, and in connection with these (especially in the
summer) complaints havo been from time to time received." Referring to the necessity for outlets for
manure he writes—" This particular business is therefore an essential one, and provided due precaution
is taken to prevent accumulation, &c., and to minimise any nuisance which may arise in connection
therewith, I am unable to advise any further action on behalf of the vestry, with a view to having such
business stopped or interfered with, always provided that the place or places where such businesses
are carried on are suitable and reasonably removed from dwelling-houses and crowded thoroughfares."
He refers to the proviso in section 2 of the Public Health (London) Act, which is to the effect that
" Any accumulation or deposit necessary for the effectual carrying on of any business or manufacture
shall not be punishable as a nuisance under this section if it be proved to the satisfaction of the court
that the accumulation or deposit has not been kept longer than is necessary for the purposes of the
business or manufacture, and that the best available means have been taken for preventing injury
thereby to the public health."
Battersea.—The medical officer of health refers to the power of the sanitary authority to employ
or contract with scavengers to collect or remove the manure and other refuse matter from any stables
or cowhouses within their district, the occupiers of which signify their consent in writing to such
removal, and states that there would be advantage if the authority were empowered to charge for
this service.
liemoval of offensive refuse.
The removal of offensive refuse either in prohibited hours or in a vehicle or vessel not properly
constructed was the subject of proceedings in the following districts—Fulham, Chelsea, Marylebone,
Hackney, Mile-end Old-town and Wandsworth.
During the year difficulty was experienced by persons who remove the offal from fish and
poulterers' shops, owing to prosecutions instituted by the police for the enforcement of the law in the
metropolitan police area outside the administrative County of London, which in respect of the hours of