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62
. the height of the shed in excess of 16 feet" not being taken
into account in estimating the cubic space. I need hardly remind
your Vestry that 800 cubic feet of air space is the standard amount
adopted by your Vestry, and which for some years has been exacted
by the Justices in respect of new cowsheds in this parish. Henceforth
the requirements of your Vestry in this important particular will have
to be carried out in all sheds, and the rule will apply throughout the
Metropolis.
Among other important "provisions" are those relating to the
paving of the sheds with "impervious material" sloped to the drain,
&c.; and to the erection, outside the shed, of properly constructed
receptacles for receiving dung and litter, and for storing any brewers'
grains intended for the animals, and also for a proper water supply. But
the prescribed (minimum) quantity of water* (12 gallons for each cow
lawfully kept) is insufficient for giving due effect to the regulation for
"cleansing" the shed, though the regulation injudiciously limits the
compulsory cleansing to "once a day." The "provisions" for the
lighting, paving, water supply, &c., of dairies are good as far as they
go, and if properly carried out will prove useful for securing the milk
against contamination, &c.
Already we have been enabled to test the sanitary value of the
Order in Council in one respect, viz., by successfully prosecuting a
dairyman under the section (9) referring to the prevention of contamination
of milk. (Vide page 68).
It may be conceded that the Regulations are not all that could be
desired, and it will be apparent on the face of them that they do not
carry out all the powers contemplated in the 34th section of the Act.
The reason, however, is plain. The Privy Council have permissive
power to make "Orders" as they "think fit" for certain specified
"purposes, or any of them:'' among others "for authorising a local
authority to make regulations" for the purposes named in the section,
"or any of them," and as a matter of fact the Council have
thought fit to limit the powers to be conferred on local authorities by
the order within narrow bounds.
The Metropolitan Board of Works have done as much, perhaps, as
could be expected, under the circumstances, to give effect to the intentions
of the legislature in the "Regulations " lately issued, and the
* The daily supply of water by the Companies averages 30 gallons per head of
the population.