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55
them the power to enforce the regulations which it would have
authorised them to make. The Board, therefore, with a view to
independent action referred to the Sanitary Committee the question
of the desirability of bringing the business of a cowkeeper in the
Metropolis under the operation of uniform regulations, and the
Committee ultimately reported in favour of so doing, "chiefly with
a view to improving the present unwholesome condition of the cowhouses
. . . and consequently reducing epidemic "(or rather
epizootic) "diseases in cows "
The Committee regarded the alleged unwholesome condition of the
sheds as the "result ofthe vestries having no statutory power of making
and enforcing regulations, though the cowsheds are to some extent
under their supervision," and they stated their conviction thatthe only
way to remedy the "generally recognised evils" referred to, is to
"bring the cow-houses under the operation of uniform regulations
uniformly enforced;" and "the most expeditious and effective way of
dealing with the question is to declare the business to be an offensive
business under section 3 of the Slaughter Houses (Metropolis)
Act, 1874. "The Board acting on this advice did in October,
1877, resolve and order "That the business of a cowkeeper be
declared to be an 'offensive business' " under the said section.
The 'order' of the Board in such case, however, has no validity
unless confirmed by the Local Government Board; and this confirmation
has been withheld, the Metropolitan Board having been
informed that the powers they seek can be conferred only by a
special Act for which up to the present time they have not shown
any disposition to apply.
There appears no probability of the Government re-introducing,
this year, at least, the "Public Health (Metropolis) Bill," but they
have taken a step which if carried into effect may prove productive
of much good, viz., by proposing to confer power on the Privy
Council to enable them to authorise "local authorities" to frame
bye-laws for the regulation both of cowsheds and dairies, and the
conduct of the business carried on thereat.
Section 28* of the "Contagious Diseases (Animals) Bill," introduced
in the House of Lords by the Duke of Richmond, runs
thus :—
"Dairies and Cowsheds—The Privy Council may from time to
time make such orders as they think fit, subject and according to the
provisions of this Act, for the following purposes or any of them:—
1. For prescribing and regulating the ventilation, drainage,
and water supply of dairies and cowsheds in the occupation
of cowkeepers or dairymen.
2. For securing the cleanliness of milk shops, and of
ing vessels used for containing milk for sale.
*In the "Act" it is the 33rd section; but as I have been unable to procure the
Act I do not know in what precise terms the section has been passed.