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53
During the year noxious odours prevalent in the district
presented some difficulty as to seat of origin, but eventually the
nuisance was located in premises where linseed oil was being
boiled to a high temperature as a preliminary in the preparation
of a gelatinous product required for the manufacture of printer's
ink. The process is one of gradual oxidation, and is accompanied
by a certain disintegration of the oil and the evolution of
acrolein and acrylic acid, highly irritating products, besides various
amounts of volatile fatty acids, such as propionic, valeric and
butyric. The process was being carried on in open boilers, and,
as no serious attempt was made to incinerate or condense the
fumes, the cause of nuisance became obvious. The trade was
scheduled by the Council as an offensive one under Section 51 of
the Public Health Acts (Amendment) Act, 1907, and submitted for
confirmation to the Ministry of Health towards the close of the
year.
SUPERVISION OF FOOD SUPPLY.
(1) There are 33 dairies and milkshops on the Register,
371 inspections of these premises being carried out during
the year. In 10 cases the premises are used as dairies
only, while in the remaining instances they are of the type
of small general shop, an undesirable combination from a
health point of view, and for the better regulation of which
amended Regulations were issued and brought into use during
the year. There are two cowkeepers in the district, who are also
retail purveyors of milk.
No licences were applied for during the year under the Milk
(Special Designations) Order, 1923.
(2) Slaughter-houses.—Licences were granted in respect of
two slaughter-houses during the year, in addition to which there
is one registered slaughter-house in use since 1847. These
premises received 368 inspections during the year, and one
instance noted in which infringements of the bye-laws had arisen.