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of mews, and many complaints come from these places, 1 do not think
any great expense would be incurred in providing the remedy even
in completed sewers. I am further of opinion that so far from closing
existing apertures in the sewers, they might be multiplied with
advantage so as to permit the gases to escape in small quantities from
many points rather than in large volumes from a few. The carbolic
acid powder has been used with good effect as a disinfectant dressing
in and about the ventilating openings and the gullies.
Licensed Slaughter Houses & Cow Sheds.
There are 56 Slaughter Houses and 35 Cowsheds in the Parish.
These places were systematically visited upon several occasions during
the year, and personally inspected by me prior to the annual licensing
day. A careful record was made of the size, construction, and condition
of the buildings. With regard to Cowsheds it may be remarked
that no amount of cubic space for each animal has hitherto
been fixed or exacted by your Vestry. In some parishes a standard
of 1000 cubic feet per cow has been adopted. Were such a standard
adopted in this Parish, it would lead to a large diminution in the
number of cows kept. My experience hitherto has satisfied me that
a great deal more depends on ventilation, and on the way in which
the cows are kept, than on mere allowance of cubic space. But the
question is an important one, and will be kept steadily in view, and
form the subject of specific recommendation at some future time
should it appear necessary or desirable.
Bakehouses.
There are 139 Bakehouses in the Parish, and they have been
systematically inspected during the year, and the provisions of the
Act relating to them duly carried into effect.
Removal of Ashes, &c.
Many complaints were received during the year of neglect on the
part of the Dust Contractors and much valuable time was lost by
the Inspectors in attending to them in reading and replying to
letters, and in visiting the principal localities from which the
complaints came. Fines amounting, in the aggregate, to a large
sum were inflicted upon the defaulting Contractors with good
results.
The Sanitary Staff.
The Sanitary Staff was increased during the year by the appointment
of a third Inspector, to whom no particular district was
assigned. This appointment was made upon the recommendation of
a Special Committee, who entered fully into the Sanitary requirements
of the Parish. It was apparent that in so large a Parish it was
not possible for two Inspectors to perform the many important duties
of the office, and to keep proper records; and thus it happened
that there was little to show in the shape of documentary evi-