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17
carried on by him in his business of tripe dresser, and in the other
by permitting the accumulation of dung on his premises, where he
carries on the business of a cow-keeper. Mr. Smellie's premises
were carefully inspected by me on several occasions, but nothing to
complain of was discovered. Moreover, he had complied with the
bye-laws laid down by the Metropolitan Board of Works. Mr.
Boorman had his license granted at the sessions, but it was on the
understanding that a more frequent removal of dung took place. I
have had no further complaint.
Again I have to report numerous complaints of the effluvia
arising from the sewer ventilators. It appears that the Metropolitan
Board of Works have not yet discovered a remedy for the evil. It
is impossible to say how much disease is engendered by this constant
discharge of offensive vapour into our thoroughfares, but that it is
something considerable one cannot doubt. The air cannot be
polluted in this wholesale way without the public health suffering.
Many a Continental city, which has earned a bad reputation in the
way of smells, is a garden of roses compared to the vicinity of these
ventilators.
A most important Act, the Canal Boats' Act, was brought under
your notice during the year. It is not my intention to go through
and examine each section, it being sufficient for my purpose to
indicate its general object. I take it, that that object is to abate
over-crowding on board the boats which ply on our Canals, and to
prevent the spread of infectious diseases by the occupants of such