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54
nection with the above outbreak and enquiry, and intimated that the
matter was in "course of strict investigation by direction of their
Lordships."
Investigation was indeed necessary as there is but too much reason
to fear that the provisions of the law for the suppression of glanders
had been systematically broken or evaded for a long time; for, on it
becoming known that rigorous proceedings would be taken against
offenders (as the Home Secretary and the Privy Council alike
desired), the police received notice of diseased horses to an extent
far above the previous average, the Inspector for the district having
informed me (at the end of July) that he was having horses destroyed
at the rate of more than 20 in a month. In several cases,
moreover, the authorities discovered diseased horses in respect of which
they had not received notice, and proceedings against the owners having
been instituted, the maximum penalty of £20 was inflicted in each case.
It only remains to state that, having made a careful inspection of the
stables in Colville Mews, I came to the conclusion that the living rooms,
were unfit for human habitation, and I gave a certificate to that effect
to your Vestry, in conformity with the provisions of the Artizans'
and Labourers' Dwellings (commonly known as Torrens') Act. Your
Vestry's Surveyor subsequently made a report on the premises,
showing what alterations, &c., were necessary to fit the rooms for
habitation, and the owner at once consented to make them, and he
will have to make similar alterations in other stables in the same
mews.*
METEOROLOGY.
The mean temperature of the air at Greenwich in 1878 was 490.6
Fahr., or 00.3 in excess of the average of 39 years. The averages for
the four quarters were 41°.5, 540.6, 60°.8 and 41°.6. The highest
reading by day (86°.8) was taken in the week ending June 26, and the
lowest reading by night (120.2) in the week ending December 28. The
hottest week in the year was that which ended June 26 (mean temperature
70°.7); and the coldest that which ended Dec. 14th (mean
temperature 28°.4). The dryness of the atmosphere (i.e., the difference
between the dew-point temperature and air temperature) was 50.8;
* In connection with the outbreak of Glanders, the attention of the Vestry was directed to the
dangerous and unseemly practice of carrying dead horses through the streets, with the head
hanging out, in open and exposed vehicles . and the Vestry requested the Metropolitan Board of
Works to frame a regulation under the Slaughter houses (Metropolis) Act. 1874, to compel
knackers to provide properly enclosed vehicles for the removal of carcases. The Board, while
recognizing the impropriety of the practice referred to, and the desirability of pulling a stop to it,
doubled their power to do as requested; but premised to make a communication. to the knackers,
with a view of carrying out the views of the Vestry.