View report page

51
butchers, and others would be prepared to pay the expenses involved in the provision of properlyclosed,
air-tight receptacles and their daily removal by the board. Removal by the sanitary
authority and the supply of clean receptacles in exchange for those which are removed is
obviously the course which would best ensure the systematic removel of such matter without
causing nuisance. The subject was discussed at a conference of sanitary authorities held at the
County Hall in 1900, and the following resolution was passed—
" That in the opinion of the conference the sanitary authority should be empowered
to employ a sufficient number of scavengers, or contract with any scavengers, whether
a company or individuals, for collecting and removing trade refuse of an offensive or
noxious nature from any premises within their district at a charge to be fixed by the
local authority; or, in the event of dispute, by a police magistrate."
In a number of instances sanitary authorities instituted proceedings before a magistrate
for neglect to remove manure. Thus in St. Marylebone such proceedings were taken on two occasions,
in Fulham on fourteen occasions, in Shoreditch on one, in Westminster one, and in
Wandsworth (Clapham) on one occasion. In the case in Shoreditch the London General
Omnibus Company had been advised to provide suitable vans which could be loaded direct from
the stables, and which, when full, could be removed without disturbing their contents. Dr. Bryett
reports that " as a result of the magistrate's order for the abatement of the nuisance the steps
suggested have been taken, and no further complaints have been received." In connection with
the difficulties of securing the removal of stable manure, Mr. Wynter Blyth, writing of St. Marylebone,
says—" The borough, owing to the extension of the suburban districts, is continually
being, as it were, removed farther and farther from the country districts where the manure is
required. The railway rates for such an article as stable manure are prohibitive, and at certain
seasons it is only possible to get manure removed by paying a relatively high price. It may,
however, be stated generally that the manure was better and more regularly removed than in any
previous year." Dr. Newman, referring to Clerkenwell, writes—" There can be no doubt that
owners of manure have increasing difficulties, especially in the harvest time, in complying with
sanitary requirements. Considering the very serious nuisances created in the hot summer months
by collections of manure there certainly should be no relaxation of effort to secure regular and
prompt removal."
The increasing difficulty in securing the removal of manure, and especially to the owner
of small quantities indicates the desirability of the work being undertaken by the sanitarv
authorities, who must for this purpose have larger powers given to them than they
now possess. At the present time they can only undertake the business of collecting
manure when the owners of the manure are in agreement with them or when a
particular collection is in such condition that the sanitary inspector is of opinion
that it ought to be removed. At the conference of sanitary authorities, held during 1900
in the County Hall, already referred to, the conference had before it a suggestion by the Public
Health Committee of the Council that a change in the law should be effected by which the local
authorities might be empowered to collect manure from all stables in their districts, and might
make some charge on the tenants of the stables. The conference adopted the following resolution—"
That in the opinion of the conference the sanitary authority should be empowered to
employ, if they think fit, a sufficient number of scavengers or contract with any scavengers,
whether a company or individuals, for collecting and removing the manure and other refuse
matter from any stables and warehouses within their district at a charge to be fixed by the local
authority; or, in the event of dispute, by a police magistrate."
Removal of house refuse.
In previous reports I have given account of the steps taken in London consequent upon
the County Council having made a by-law in 1893 requiring the removal of house refuse from all
premises not less frequently than once in each week. During 1900 no further inquiries were
made by the Council's Public Health Department as to the extent to which the removal of house
refuse throughout London was carried out in the manner required by the by-law. The
annual reports of medical officers of health, however, show that in a number of districts satisfactory
results were being obtained. The reports in which the subject is discussed are the
following—
Fulham.—" The weekly service of house refuse has been fairly regular, but some better
system of dealing with the arrears consequent upon public holidays should be devised, the complaints
respecting the delay in removal being always numerous after these."
Paddington.—" The house refuse of the parish is removed once a week."
Kensington.—" A call is made at every house once a week, and further improvement is
scarcely possible until the objectionable practice of refuse-harbourage shall have given place to
the more rational system of daily collection from moveable receptacles."
Islington.—" The number of applications for the collection of house refuse has fallen from
10,138 in 1891 to 234 in 1900, consequent upon the establishment of a system of calling at each
house."
Hackney.—In this district the number of applications has fallen from 893 in 1894 to 205
in 1900.
Clerkenwell.—"The dust bins or dust boxes throughout the district have been emptied
weekly, and in courts or sets of buildings common to many families, bi-weekly."
City.—" The skip system for house refuse removal, which commenced in 1892, has been
extended as circumstances demanded, and much benefit has accrued to the persons for whose
relief the method was adopted."
St. Olave.—" This important service continues to be carried out regularly and efficiently,