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41
DAIRIES, COWSHEDS AND MILKSHOPS AND
ICE CREAM VENDORS.
These premises were regularly inspected. There is only one cowkeeper
in the district, one having given up keeping cows during the year under
report.
We had some considerable trouble with two milk sellers, and although
cautioned on several occasions they surreptitiously carried on the business.
However, they were kept under close observation, and in one case the milk
was found stored in a bedroom. Both were summoned, and fines of £2 and
£5 were inflicted.
In my opinion, no person should be allowed to sell milk except under
special conditions, and under a certificate granted from year to year by the
Sanitary Authority, who should have power to absolutely refuse or permit any
person to establish and carry on any milk business upon any premises, unless
the same were suitable, and the persons handling the milk were of cleanly
habits.
OFFENSIVE TRADES.
The business of rag, bone and skin dealers have considerably decreased,
and no serious cause for complaint has been found during the year.
The fried fish business that was established during the year, and for
which the Council gave permission, I am pleased to say, has been carried
on free from any nuisance. We need bye-laws badly for dealing with some
of the old-established businesses, and I hope to see these in force during the
new year.
The gut-scraping business that was established some years ago, previous
to the Council having power to prevent the establishment thereof, is becoming
a very serious nuisance, and cannot go on much longer under the present conditions.
However, the matter is now before the Council, and I trust that in
the coming year this business will be either cleared out of the district, or
constructed so as not to be the serious nuisance it is to the people living in
the vicinity.
THE SHOPS' ACT.
Very few complaints have been received during the year. The Act. during
the year, has been fairly well observed, there being always a few who are
anxious to exceed the limit. The traders generally seemed to be agreed that
early closing is a benefit. Indeed, a certain section have arranged amongst
themselves to close earlier than the Act provides.