View report page

33
OFFENSIVE TRADES.
The following offensive trades are established in the
Borough:—
Leather Tanning and Fellmongering.
Rag and Bone Yards.
Fish Frying.
The two latter trades are of such a nature that, unless
every possible care is taken, their existence may become
very noticeable through the olfactory sense.
In the case of rag and bone yards, this trade usually
forms part of a larger business, namely, the collection of
waste and scrap material, and when the markets are bad
the premises become filled with huge accumulations of scrap
metal, waste paper and old motor tyres, etc., all of which
form a hideous sight to nearby residents and passers-by.
These accumulations also provide a secure harbour for
vermin.
It is difficult to deal effectively with these premises with
the very limited powers vested in the local authority, as the
accumulations, as such, are not composed of offensive matter
and they only cause an annoyance in an indirect manner.
A rag and bone yard was removed from the register
of permitted premises during 1931 on the grounds that the
trade had been discontinued for more than six months. It
is unlikely that permission would be granted for the trade
to be recommenced in the future, as the place in question
was attached to a private house.
Fish frying need cause no nuisance whatever nowadays,
if proper care is taken; the modern frying apparatus is
constructed so as to collect the steam and vapour from the
pans into condensers, or so that the vapours are converted
by heat into non-odourous gases. Unfortunately, some
fryers leave the pans open during the cooking process and
the fumes from the boiling fat escape freely into the atmosphere.
Possibly this result is not altogether unintentional,
as the location of the shops may thus be drawn to the
attention of potential customers.