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104
at the October Sessions, 1879, they announced that any case exceptionally
dealt with on that occasion would be brought under the general rule in
1880. And not only did the magistrates give effect to this their
resolution in respect of Kensington cowsheds, but they extended the
rule throughout the Division, which embraces Chelsea, Fulham, and
Hammersmith. Instead of granting a license without reference to the
number of cows to be kept, or for such a number as the licensee desired,
or the "local authority" or the "nuisance authority" should be pleased
to approve, the Bench having ascertained the cubic capacity of a shed,
divided the area in feet by 800, thus arriving at the proper number of
cows to be kept, and then marking that number on the license.
The 5th regulation, which provides that "the inner walls, doors, and woodwork
shall be covered with hard, smooth, and impervious material," has
been complied with as respects the walls, but in some sheds the woodwork
has not been adequately protected. The first intention of the Board
appears to have been that the woodwork should have been covered with
metal (zinc), as in the case of slaughterhouses, but it is now reasonably
held that the application of taror indestructible (silicate) paint is sufficient.
Many persons prefer limewash to either tar or paint, and when the
woodwork is thoroughly cleansed before the application of the (hot)
wash, and if this is applied with necessary frequency, it no doubt forms
an efficient and satisfactory covering, though it can hardly be described
as "hard or impervious."
As respects lighting and ventilation, your Committee have nothing fresh to
report. The premises appear to be in much the same state as last year,
but the weather having been bright and cool on the day when their inspection
was made and the sheds generally half empty, deficiencies in
respect of lighting and ventilation were not so apparent as on previous
occasions.
The 6th regulation requires provision of receptacles for containing the "dung
and litter," which should be constructed of or lined with impervious
material. This regulation has been very fairly carried out, but your
Committee having observed the great difficulty experienced in emptying
some of the receptacles by reason of their depth, and the filthy nature
of their contents, would recommend that in such cases the front wall of
the receptacle should replaced by a kerb, so that the receptacle may
be thoroughly cleansed without the necessity of the person engaged in
the operation getting into the filth. Sunken receptacles should be filled
up to the ground level, and the bottom of the receptacle cemented.
Your Committee have much satisfaction in reporting that they found the
sheds generally in a good sanitary condition, clean and well kept.
The 22 sheds are licensed for the keeping of 289 cows, but there were only 132
cattle in them at the time of inspection. It was stated however, in
respect of some of the sheds, that other cattle were in the fields,