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removal were made at the Town Hall during 1871. More than
half of these, viz. 2007, were made during the first three months
of the 3'ear, when the old system of contracting for a lump sum
was in force, and in the month afterwards before the new
system was properly organised. Now when we consider that at
the present time all complaints are forwarded to us, instead of
partly to the contractors and partly to us, I think we may he
well satisfied at the result. The cost by day work was 3/1, and
on the load system was only 2/8 ½ per load.
Several important matters involving the expenditure of a
great deal of time have been under the consideration of the
Board and the Sanitary Committee. The first which 1 will
mention is the proceedings in Chancery against Mr. Davey for
a nuisance arising from the distillation of gas-tar, and the
production of "light oil" or impure naptha, "dead oil" or
impure carbolic acid, authrecene "green oil" and hard pitch;
also from the manufacture of sulphate of ammonia from gasliquor,
from the burning of "dead oil" instead of coal or coke.
Proceedings had been taken on several occasions before the
Magistrates of the Worship Street Police Court, in this and
former years without permanently good results, so that in April
of this year a summons was taken out, and was adjourned at
the hearing on several occasions to enable the defendant to carry
out the recommendation of Professor Redwood, to construct an
apparatus for absorbing the noxious gases. As all these and
other apparatus previously erected failed to abate the nuisance,
and as the inhabitants complained very much of the abominable
smell, the matter was referred to the Sanitary Committee to
obtain the necessary legal and medical assistance for the
suppression of the nuisance. By their directions I frequently
inspected the premises, and accompanied Drs. Letheby, Odliug,
and Stevenson at their inspections, and made one affidavit