Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington]
This page requires JavaScript
122
twenty shillings a day for default; and yet one of the most
frequent causes of complaint by parishioners, and most common
of recurring nuisances, arises from the neglect of this obligation.
Proceedings have been taken occasionally to recover penalties,
but not with much success, defendants having usually been able
to satisfy the Justices of their inability to perform the duty
required of them. The difficulty often originates with the
coachman, who will not give the refuse away, while the farmer
will not pay for it. At certain seasons there is, no doubt, a
difficulty in getting the receptacles cleared, farmers being too
busy to collect the refuse, which has value for manurial and other
purposes. The quantity made in this large Parish, with its 177
mews, is great, and of an aggregate value, probably, sufficient to
pay for collection and removal. I am of opinion that your Vestry
should undertake the work of collection and removal, as the law
allows, "with the sanction of the owner." The necessary
sanction, often cheerfully given, would be easy to obtain in the
great majority of cases, were it understood that the requirements
of the law would be enforced. Should it be found impracticable
to remove the refuse out of the Parish, it is to be presumed that
the proposed " Destructor " might be made available for dealing
with it. The statutory " notice" requires manure to be removed
" every alternate day," but twice a week in summer, and once a
week in winter, would probably suffice for practical requirements,
were the manure stored in properly constructed receptacles above
ground.
NECESSARY ACCOMMODATION.
There are only thirteen public urinals in the Parish, a totally
inadequate number, and no public water-closets, except at the
rear of the Vestry Hall. Section 88, Metropolis Management
Act, enables the Vestries and District Boards to "provide
and maintain urinals, water-closets, and like conveniences, for
both sexes, in situations where they deem such accommodation to
be required : " but your Vestry's efforts to provide this necessary
accommodation have almost constantly been thwarted by local