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186
matter from premises," and it is a question whether it may
not " extend to the case of ' other refuse' than that from
stables, and to ' other premises ' than ' mews, stables, etc.'—
e.g., to the refuse matter of the trades, and on the
premises of fishmongers, poulterers, greengrocers, etc.'' The
Committee, in their report submitted to and adopted by
your Vestry in February, 1886, stated that they thought
it "probable that the terms of the section might be wide
enough to enable your Vestry 'to give notice' to secure
the periodical removal of ' offensive refuse matter' " of the
trades mentioned, and recommended that "proceedings be
taken to give practical effect to this opinion." Under the
provisions of the section quoted, the Poplar District Board of
Works have given notice for the periodical removal of offensive
substances such as fish offal, which is largely produced in the
locality, and is collected by a manure manufacturer, who pays,
something to the fish curers for the privilege. This being as I
thought, one of the instances referred to in the Board's
letter of a " local authority succeeding in effecting the removal
of offensive substances without nuisance,'' I referred to
the Annual Report for 1886-7, of Mr. F. M. Corner,
the Medical Officer of Health for the South District of
Poplar, in which it is stated that " The difficulties attending
the removal of offal from fishmongers without a serious nuisance
being created has not been entirely overcome by the arrangements
of Messrs. and others; many complaints having
been received during the year. The vans alone, in passing
along the streets, have been noticed as offensive, but the worst
evil attends the opening of the vans for the reception of the
fishmongers' collections. The stench from the decomposing
fish is so disgusting that something further should be tried for
its prevention." Mr. Corner later on informed me that "the
nuisance is not done away with by the arrangements of the best
of the Vanners; the open tank and tipping at the door, the
leaving open the door, to level down the offal, and the neglect
to keep receptacles clean, all conduce to just complaints from