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taken place, and they are generally in a satisfactory condition ;
and in the small shops where milk is sold there has been
considerable improvement in point of cleanliness, and in
the separation from the place of storage, of substances likely
to contaminate the milk."
PUBLIC HEALTH, (DAIRIES, &c.) BILL, 1883.
In my last Annual Report I referred to the "Public Health,
(Dairies, &c.) Bill," introduced by the Government, with the
object of placing the supervision of dairies, cowsheds, &c.,
under the Sanitary Authorities, it having been found, by experience,
that in many parts of the country the "Dairies, &c.
Order, 1879," framed by the Privy Council under Section
34 of the "Contagious Diseases, (Animals) Act, 1878," was
practically a dead letter, owing to the general failure by
"Local Authorities," (mostly county Magistrates), to appoint
proper officers to inspect dairies and cowsheds, and
generally to carry out the provisions of the Order.* This
Bill was to have transferred to the Local Government Board,
the powers of the Privy Council, with regard to cowsheds,
dairies, and milk shops, ~ including the power of making
"Orders." Had it passed, the Metropolitan Board of Works
would have continued to be the "Local Authority" for the
Metropolis, outside the city; an objectionable arrangement
seeing that the Board have no Medical Officer and no proper
sanitary staff. Under the auspices of your Vestry, a strong
opposition to this part of the Bill was raised, it having been
urged that while it would be well to give the Board power
to frame the bye-laws for the regulation of dairies and cowsheds
&c., so as to secure uniformity, the duty of carrying
out the bye-laws and generally of supervising dairies, cowsheds,
&c., should be intrusted to the Vestries and the
District Boards; these bodies, without exception, having
* The "Local Authorities" for Middlesex, and part of the County of Surrey,
are deserving of honourable mention, for having appointed special officers to
carry out the provisions of the Order.