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part of the proprietors. But the people living thereabouts are
not of a particularly squeamish character, and they rarely complain.
The Metropolitan Board, referring to this trade and that of a fat
melter, report that "these businesses have been generally well
conducted during the year."
SLAUGHTER-HOUSES.
The licensed slaughter-houses, which in 1874 were 54 in
number, are now only 23, viz., 14 in North Kensington, i.e., the
district north of Uxbridge Road, and 9 in South Kensington, i.e.,
the remainder of the parish south of Uxbridge Road. The
names of the licensees, and the localities of the licensed premises,
are set out in Table XI. (Appendix). The several premises were
inspected, in July, by the Works, Sanitary, and General Purposes
Committee, who found them to be "in a satisfactory condition."
Comparatively little slaughtering appears to be now carried on
in the Parish, and on some of the premises none at all, the
licenses being kept up with a view of maintaining the value of
the premises. Wherever animals were found in the lairs, it was
observed that, in accordance with a frequently repeated recommendation
of the Committee, a supply of water had been provided.
Altogether, the state of affairs has undergone much improvement
since the passing of the Slaughter-houses (Metropolis) Act, 1874 ;
it is desirable, nevertheless, that private slaughter-houses should
give place to public abattoirs, and that the dead meat trade
should be encouraged to the utmost. It would be well, moreover,
looking at the matter from a public-health point of view, could
facilities be increased for bringing consumers into direct
relations with the importers of frozen meat—mutton especially.
This meat, excellent in quality and condition, is often sold by
retail dealers at an unfairly high price as English meat, to the
best of which, so far as my experience goes, it is in no way
inferior.
The licensed premises have been systematically visited
throughout the year by the several Inspectors; and in one case