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were inspected, and measures taken with the view of securing
satisfactory arrangements.*
PUBLIC HEALTH (DAIRIES, &c.) BILL, 1883.
In a previous 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," was practically a dead letter, owing to the 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.† The object of the Bill
was (among other things) to transfer 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 was
desirable to give the Board power to frame bye-laws for the
regulation of dairies and cowsheds, so as to secure uniformity, the
duty of carrying out the bye-laws and generally of supervising
dailies, cowsheds, &c., should be entrusted to the Sanitary
Authorities, viz., the Vestries and the District Boards, these
bodies, without exception, having Medical Officers and Inspectors
well accustomed to the work. The views of your Vestry were in
*A new "Dairies, etc., Order" came into operation June 30th, 1885, superseding
the Order of 1879.
†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.
G