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179
In view of the recrudescence of foot and mouth disease the Minister of Agriculture
issued an Order, entitled the Midlands and South of England (Regulations of
Movement of Animals) Order of 1925, which came into operation on 17th November,
1925. The main purpose of the Order, which applied to 37 counties, was to prevent
the holding of any markets of store stock in the regulated area and to control the
movement of store animals generally whilst allowing every possible facility for the
disposal of fat stock intended for immediate slaughter. Markets, sales and exhibitions
of animals were prohibited except in the case of markets or sales of fat stock
for immediate slaughter (such markets to be held under a licence from the local
authority) and sales of animals on farm premises. Arrangements were made by
the exhibition of posters throughout the County for the provisions of the Order
to be brought to the notice of persons affected.
Animals in
Transit.
The Animals (Transit and General) (Amendment) Order of 1925, which came
into operation on 16th March, 1925, was made by the Minister of Agriculture and
Fisheries with a view to preventing the movement along a road, either on foot or
in any vehicle, of cattle or other animals which, owing to old age, infirmity, illness,
injury, fatigue or any other cause, cannot be so moved without unnecessary suffering.
The Order supplements the provisions of the Animals (Transit and General) Order,
1912, which relate to the conveyance of unfit animals by rail or vessel, and empowers
an inspector of the Ministry, or of the local authority, to prohibit the movement of
such animals by road on the service of a notice. The necessary steps were taken
to make known the provisions of the new Order.
To ensure that the requirements of the several Orders in force from time to time
are being observed, and that the animals are free from signs of disease, the Council's
inspectors pay numerous visits to railway wharves, depots, etc., where animals
in transit are collected. The visits during 1925 numbered 2,798, the animals
examined being—horses 3,292, cattle 48,589. sheep 67,513, swine 7,390, making a
total of 126,784. There were 34 infringements, 26 written cautions, 8 cases of
legal proceedings and 5 convictions, with penalties and costs amounting to £99.
Smoke
nuisance.
In consequence of a suggestion made by a stipendiary magistrate in connection
with legal proceedings instituted by the Council against a railway company in respect
of smoke nuisance, it was arranged during the year with the co-operation of all the
railway companies running steam-driven trains in London for a series of joint observations
to be made by the Council's coal officers and the officials of the companies.
These observations extended over the whole of the portions of the companies' lines
within the County. At the suggestion of the officials of two of the companies, the
coal officers concerned took journeys on the foot-plates of engines with a view to
becoming acquainted at first hand with the difficulties and working arrangements of
railway traffic. Each of the companies showed a desire to make the joint observations
successful and afforded full facilities for this purpose.
The results of the observations showed that, although in the normal working
of a railway locomotive, smoke nuisance need not arise, nevertheless, in a variety
of ways, owing to negligence on the part of the company or its servants, nuisance
may, and in fact does sometimes occur. On the other hand it has to be admitted
that, in certain circumstances, the emission of smoke cannot be altogether avoided.
It was felt that the joint observations would prove of considerable value in the
limitation of smoke nuisance from railway locomotives.
During the year the question was considered of promoting legislation with a
view to securing more satisfactory powers to the Council in connection with the
emission of sparks, cinders, etc., from railway locomotives. The question is already
dealt with by legislation to some extent. In the exercise of their statutory powers
railway companies are authorised (Railways Clauses Act, 1845, section 86) to use
and employ locomotives, and the effect of this section is to absolve them from
liability for damage caused by sparks to which they would otherwise be subject