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96
which include processes of manufacture of a more or less
offensive character, and that it does not appear to the Board
that the mere collection of a mass of refuse matter into one
place is a 'business' within the meaning of the 3rd Section
of the Act." But among "offensive" businesses already
scheduled are those of "bone boiler," "tallow melter," and
"fat extractor," the staple articles of which are obtained
largely from "rag and bone shops." The "processes of
manufacture," moreover, in boiling bones, in melting tallow,
in boiling hog-wash, &c., to extract fat, are not very obvious,
and in any case the bye laws for the regulation of these
"businesses" do not allow collections of bones, fat, &c., to
remain exposed, polluting the air, on the premises. Why,
then, should such matters be allowed to remain exposed, and
to pollute the air in the neighbourhood of the stores where
they are originally collected, and which are far more numerous
than the "manufactories?" The Board was of opinion
that a nuisance such as that brought under their notice
"should be dealt with under the Nuisances Removal Act,"
which, they say, was "intended to apply to such cases."
Doubtless: it was also intended to apply to the cases of the
"offensive businesses" now regulated under the Slaughter
Houses Act, in respect of which the Board is the Local
Authority: but in practice it was found impossible to deal
effectually with nuisances arising in the conduct of those
businesses under the general Act, and so a special Act was
passed. The Board, evidently, were unaware how difficult it
is to deal with recurring trade nuisances under the Nuisances
Removal Act: whilst no one knows better that there
is little difficulty in preventing nuisance when the "offensive
businesses" are conducted subject to bye-laws with appropriate
penalties for offences. In properly constructed premises,
in chambers without openings to the external
atmosphere, and in covered impermeable receptacles, bones,
fat, &c., can be stored without nuisance; and it is to be
regretted that the Board did not see their way to secure these