View report page

19
come under consideration. In this case there was no doubt that acid
fumes were carried in considerable quantity into the adjoining streets and
houses, so as to cause serious annoyance to passers-by and residents in
the vicinity. It was shown to the proprietor, that contrivances in use in
similar establishments were effectual not only in preventing the escape
of these vapours, but also in turning them to profit. He, however, preferred
to discontinue the manufacture in that part of the building from
which the nuisance arose.
Cow-Houses.—Last year, by virtue of a clause in the "Metropolis
Management Amendment Act, 1862," cow-houses have been placed
under the control of the Vestry and the Magistrates in the same way as
the slaughter-houses. In consequence of this enactment, it has been
necessary to frame certain rules for the regulation of these places.
The Sanitary Committee, attended by the Medical Officer and Inspector
of Nuisances, inspected all the cow-houses. The Medical Officer drew
up a report on this inspection, embodying some observations on the conditions
that ought to govern the granting of licences. This report was
read before the Magistrates in session, when the principles set forth met
with their approval.
There can be no doubt, from present experience, that this measure
will work well, and prove of service both to cow-keepers and the public.
The conditions required are detailed in the appendix. That there is no
hardship in enforcing these conditions was proved by the inspection, when
several cow-houses were found to fully comply with them. Thus the
standard required is actually found to be adopted by the more judicious
and intelligent of the cow-keepers themselves.
Drinking Fountains and Pumps.—During the past year the question of
erecting additional public drinking fountains, and of repairing pumps
drawing their supply from surface-drainage, has been considered. The
Vestry have determined to erect one new fountain, and a site has been
selected for the purpose. With regard to the water drawn from the
surface wells, I am unable to modify the conclusions often expressed in
my reports, that it is unsafe and unfit for drinking. It is liable to many
sources of contamination, which may prove detrimental to health. At
present the drinking fountain erected by Mr. Long is the only one
available in the Parish.