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diately remedied when the occupiers' attention was called, in two
instances only it being found necessary to serve notices in order
to enforce compliance. At one cowshed on two or three occasions
more cows were found to be kept than is permissible reducing
the cubical air space below the standard required. This was
remedied by diminishing the number of cows.
The circular sent to cowkeepers drawing their attention to
the necessity of limewashing their cowsheds twice a year was
promptly complied with.
One large cowshed, and probably the best in the district as
regards construction, situation and surroundings, has been disused.
Slaughter
houses.
The number of premises on the Register of Slaughterhouses
is six, one of which has not been used as such for some years, at
two others the business is carried on at irregular intervals, and
the remaining three are in constant use.
All of these have been inspected frequently, both day and
night, when the business is in progress, and the bye-laws respecting
the removal of offal, periodical limewashing, cleansing of
premises, water supply, etc., enforced.
The drainage system of one of these buildings has been
entirely re-constructed (in iron), also the house to which it is attached,
the internal surface of the walls of the slaughterhouse to
about 6 feet from the floor level faced with glazed bricks, a good
concrete floor laid down, and the yard cement paved.
Common
Lodging
Houses.
For some considerable time I had reason to believe that a
portion of the premises 186-188, High Street, Merton, were being
used as a common lodging house, and the matter had been before
the Sanitary Committee some three years ago, but it was felt that
the evidence was insufficient at that time.
A case of small pox occurred here in June, and, during the
process of removing and returning the bedding and disinfection of
the premises, which occupied a great part of the day and night,
notes were taken by the Sanitary Inspector as to the number and
sex of occupants. From observations made in the early morning,
35 persons were found to have slept there. Some of the apartments
were cubicles, and others large bedrooms with 4 or 5
beds each, all of which were in a filthy condition. The Sanitary
Committee gave instructions for a summons to be applied for