View report page

20
tend to prevent any nuisance arising. The work has been satisfactorily
performed in all cases. A list has been prepared of all the Fish-curing
Premises in the parish, and a resolution passed that in future they shall
be visited monthly by the Inspectors, and reported on.
Peel Grove.—By direction of the Committee I visited these premises
in company with Dr. Tidy. The following letter will best explain the
matter:—
The Laboratory,
Medical College, London Hospital.
My Dear Dr. Sarvis, 18th April, 1874.
Yesterday afternoon, by your request, and in company with you, I
carefully inspected the premises occupied by William Cushway, in Peel Grove. I was
given to understand by you that the said occupier had no previous intimation of our
visit. The business carried on is what is known as "Fish Drying." The fish (chiefly
herrings) are brought to the premises in barrels, and are, in the first instance, thoroughly
washed. They are then suspended upon wooden sticks in a smoke-house—this is a
building placed in the centre of the premises, chiefly constructed of wood, divided into
several compartments, and provided in the roof with swing shutters. The fish are here
subjected, for about six hours, to the smoke from logs of wood burning in the floor of
the several compartments in which the fish are suspended.
I was struck, first of all, with the extreme order and cleanliness of the whole premises.
The place was well paved, and the paving well pointed. The smoke house itself was
very free from black deposit, proving that the amount of smoke generated must be
comparatively very small.
I am perfectly familiar with the gases and vapors generated by the burning of wood,
and I am convinced there is nothing whatever in the fumes evolved likely to prove a
nuisance, or in any way injurious to health. I certainly think that no action for
nuisance in such a case could possibly be successful, and indeed, in my opinion, such an
action would not be justifiable.
Faithfully yours,
C. MEYMOTT TIDY.
The Committee then visited the premises, but no action was taken in
the matter.
FAT MELTING IN PALM STREET.
A complaint was made respecting a nuisance arising from the process
carried on by a person who purchases old rancid bacon, fat, dripping, &c.,
and boils them down for various purposes. These premises were visited
several times at night by the Committee to watch the process, which
certainly was a nuisance, but the proprietor readily attended to any
alteration that would obviate unpleasantness, so the boiler, shaft, &c.,
were altered, and no complaint has since been made.