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ashes ; there are now no bad smells from dust heaps of long standing, and altogether
the housewife finds a great comfort in having the pails. Another very noticeable
feature is the abolition of "blackmailing " frequently carried on to an oppressive
degree by the dustmen amongst the poorer inhabitants, when a large dust-bin
required to be cleared.
Railway Arch, No. 519,
Attention was called to "an abominable stench "coming from this arch in a
letter received from a Parishioner, living in the immediate locality. I visited the
premises on the day following the receipt of the letter. My report is as follows :—
In the arch, No. 519, the manufacture of paint is carried on ; the nuisance complained
of is due to fumes emanating from the melting of resin and pitch. There
are three vats for melting ; these at the date of the visit were open. The foreman
promised to have them covered in, so that the fumes and effluvia would be conveyed
into a shaft reaching to the level of the arches. A further promise was made that
the melting should take place on an average of not more than one day per week.
I called upon the complainant, informed him of the arrangement made, and asked
him to let me know if the nuisance was not abated. Up to the present there has
been no further complaint made to me.
Piggeries in Corbett's Lane.
On March 5th, 1889, I reported that your Medical Officer of Health and
Sanitary Inspector paid a visit to the piggeries in Corbett's Lane; we found between
sixty and seventy pigs on the premises ; the owner in reply to my questions told me
that the greatest number the styes could hold when full, was one hundred and
twenty ; that the number kept varies from twenty to a hundred; that the pigs are
kept here only for a few days, as fresh supplies are being constantly received from
the country ; that no breeding is carried on, and that there are no arches in our
Parish where pigs are kept. The condition of the entire yard, also of the styes, and
of the pigs themselves, was satisfactory. No notice had been given to the owner of
our intended inspection. The floor of the whole yard was cemented some years
ago at the suggestion of your Sanitary Inspector. The floors of the styes (wooden
floors) are raised about three inches from the cement. When we were there, there
was no offensive odour, even when in the midst of the styes, and when outside the
fencing there was no perceptible odour.
I am, Gentlemen,
Very truly yours,
JOSEPHUS SHAW,
Medical Officer of Health.