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66
OFFENSIVE TRADES.
The only process coming under this heading carried on in this district
is the cooking of offal and extraction of fat in connection with the
keeping of pigs.
There now remains but one place of this kind, which so far has not
been the cause of nuisance or complaint.
The premises are under the constant supervision of the Sanitary
Inspector, and from past experience such places require all the care
and attention given them.
Complaints have in past years occasionally been made as to nuisance
arising from the curing of fish, and the cause was easily remedied by
alteration or improvements in the construction of the "smoke hole,"
but during 1909, a series of complaints were made by one ratepayer
concerning the nuisance from a "smoke hole" in a neighbouring yard.
The complaints had the attention of Mr. West and myself, and failing
to satisfy the complainant, a sub-committee visited the premises.
While not admitting that this particular "smoke hole" was a nuisance,
such places could be readily erected where, if not a public health
nuisance, they might be a source of great annoyance and a serious
detriment to neighbouring property.
With this possibility in view, I saw Dr. Parsons with reference to the
possibility, under Sect. 51 of the Public Health Act, 1907, of declaring
fish curing as an offensive trade, and to make bye-laws governing the
process.
As no sufficient number of complaints had arisen, and as no strong
case could be made out for such a procedure from past experience,
nothing further was done.
It would be. much more satisfactory had the Central Authority agreed
to your suggestions, and in sanctioning bye-laws to safeguard, if necessary,
against any possible undue restrictions that might be proposed against
the carrying on of such businesses.
Having the power to control would simply mean that the process of
fish curing could only be carried out in suitable premises, and without
risk of annoyance to neighbours.