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61
REMOVAL OF FISH OFFAL, &c.
Since May, 1906, a new system of collecting and removing fish offal from
markets and fishmongers' premises has been in operation in the City.
Hitherto it had been the custom for the Cleansing Department, by an agreement
with the Markets Committee, to remove such material in the ordinary
way as trade refuse, but Messrs. F. S. Hem pieman and Co., of West Ham,
having offered to undertake this work under special conditions free of charge,
a contract was entered into with that firm for this purpose on 21st May, 1906.
The conditions of this contract are that the contractor shall for twelve
months from the date of contract collect and remove, free of charge, between
the hours of 7 p.m. and 9 a.m., all fish offal from the Corporation markets
and fishmongers' premises in the City to the entire satisfaction of the Medical
Officer of Health.
The contractor is to provide a proper number of specially constructed
galvanised iron bins, of a pattern approved by the Medical Officer of Health,
and to thoroughly cleanse and disinfect such bins before returning them to
the markets or shops.
Provision is made in the contract for requiring that the offal collected
shall not be used for human food or food for animals, and for entitling the
contractor to convert it into manurial products. The contract also contains
penalty clauses for ensuring its due performance.
The above arrangement has been found a great improvement upon the
former method, and has been of special advantage at Leadenhall Market,
particularly during the prevalence of warm weather.
The approved bin has two covers, one of which is fitted with an indiarubber
ring inside, and can be so fastened down as to form a hermetically sealed joint,
thus preventing any smell emanating in course of removal.
This form of bin has been found well suited for the purpose, and no
complaints of nuisance have been received.
The experiment has not only been a success, but the City Engineer has
estimated that it will probably result in a considerable saving.