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and were so satisfied with the interior arrangements, that they
decided to overlook the bad position ; and determined not to oppose
the granting of a licence, on condition that the owner made
certain alterations in the ventilation and arrangement of the stalls, I
which Mr. Sykes agreed to do.
The Sanitary Committee wore not unanimous in arriving at this
determination, and some of the dissentient members raised the
question at the meeting of the full Board. On this occasion the
Vestry decided that, unless the owner complied with the private
regulations of the Vestry (which are, of course, informal), which
require a clear space of twenty feet round a proposed cow shed, his
licenee was to be opposed. At a subsequent meeting this resolution c
was rescinded, and it was decided to withdraw all opposition to the )
granting of the licence.
The following extract, from the Hackney Mercury, relates the
termination of the affair :—
"TIIE COW SUED QUESTION IN BETHNAL GREEN.
" At a Licensing Session, held at the Court Flouse, Great Prescott Street, on Monday
last, an application was made by William Sykes for a licenco to keep cows in rear of
No. 15, Cambridge Circus, Bethnal Green. A solicitor attended in support, and
several Vestrymen attended to oppose the licence. Mr. Spencer, of the Metropolitan
Board of Works, stated that the internal arrangements were satisfactory to the
Metropolitan Board ; but ho had nothing whatever to do with anything but the health
of the cows, everything else was left to the Medical Officer. Dr. Bate said he was
instructed not to offer any opposition. Mr. Bedford stated ho was a member of the
Vestry, and with six other members opposed the licence. He informed the Bench that
the Vestry had resolved, on the Medical Officer's report, to oppose the licence, unless the
bye laws were complied with ; but at a subsequent meeting the Vestry had resolved not
to oppose, notwithstanding the fact that it was impossible for the applicant to comply
with the bye-laws, which required that all new cow houses should be at least twenty feet
from a dwelling. Plans were submitted, showing that the building immediately
adjoined dwelling houses, and Mr. Bedford asked the Bench not to grant the licence,
witheut hearing Dr. Bate. The Bench then called Dr. Bate, and asked him, if he
considered the placo fit to keep cows in. Dr. Bate : 'No; I consider it most unfit, and
I reported very strongly against it at the Sanitary Committee ; but it was resolved not to
oppose the licence. A member, who dissented, brought the matter before the Vestry ;
when it was decided to oppose, unless the bye-laws were complied with. At a subsequent
meeting, thut resolution was virtually rescinded by a Vestry, deciding not to oppose. I
received a requisition, signed by seven Vestrymen, to bo at the Sessions to-day, to answer
any questions respecting the matter.' The solicitor asked Dr. Bate, if he considered the
place fit to keep three cows in; and the witness said, he considered it unfit to keep one
in. Tho licencc was refuaed.