Upon viewing the several slaughter-houses by this standard, so many were found defective in one or other respect that it was thought best to give the formal notice of opposition required by the Act, in every case, but your Clerk and myself were directed to oppose the renewal of the license in those cases only that did not come up to the standard. We did this, but the justices overruled our objection in every case, on the ground that the premises, however faulty, had been licensed in former years, and time must be allowed to put them in proper order. At the same time, the justices gave the assembled licensees notice that at the next licensing day (in October of the current year, namely) they would not renew the license in any case that was not up to the standard. With reference to the decision of the magistrates, and the ground on which it was based, it is, perhaps, hardly necessary for me to state the fact, so well known already, that the existing slaughter-houses, were, without exception, licensed before I entered upon the duties of my appointment, and that the reason your Vestry did not oppose the renewal of the licenses in either of the subsequent years was that, in common with myself, you believed that the private slaughter-houses would be finally closed in 1874, under the operation of the Building Act, 1844. It only remains to add that the slaughter-houses will now have to be judged by the standard of the bye-laws; and it may therefore be useful to state in what respect the bye-laws differ—either in excess or defect—from the standard adopted by your Vestry in 1874. As regards new slaughter-houses, the requirements of the “local authority” are fully up to that standard; and, as regards existing slaughter-houses, the only material differences between the bye-laws and the standard relate to the points dealt with in clauses 1 and 6 (supra). The bye-laws do not require that a slaughter-house shall have an independent entrance, or be at all removed from other buildings; and they do not require provision to be made for housing cattle previous to slaughtering; but it is enacted that no animal shall be detained on the “premises” for a longer time than “absolutely necessary” previous to slaughtering, and that the “slaughter-house” (which is only a part of the “premises”) shall not be used for “any other purpose than that for which it is licensed,” viz., killing. It follows, then, that the slaughter-house itself may not be used as a lair, and the question arises—Where shall the animals be kept, if there be no lairage? It appears to me that the existence of lairage is assumed, and that the absence of this necessary accommodation would form a reasonable cause for opposition even under the bye-laws. But whether this is so or not, I venture to think that your Vestry would be fairly entitled to oppose the renewal of a license in the case of premises so obviously defective, and that you would be fully justified in taking the opinion of the justices as to the suitability of premises for a slaughter-house to which there is no access save through a butcher’s shop or dwelling-house.
(The Vestry subsequently adopted these views. I here subjoin a synopsis of the bye-laws, which I have prepared for the guidance of the Sanitary Inspectors.)
Objects of the Bye Laws:—To regulate the conduct of the business of a slaughterer of cattle, and the structure of the premises on which such business is carried on, and the mode in which application is to be made for sanction to establish such business anew.
Definitions.—The Metropolitan Board of Works, as the “Local Authority,” is styled the “Board.” “The premises” include the Slaughter House and all the premises used for the business of a slaughterer of cattle. The “Slaughter House” means the portion of the premises used for the slaughtering and dressing of cattle. The “Occupier” means the occupier of premises where the business of a slaughterer of cattle is carried on; and “Slaughterer of cattle” means a person whose business it is to kill any kind of cattle for the purpose of its flesh being used as Butchers’ meat.
Bye-Laws as to the Structure of the Premises, (Nos. 15 to 21 inclusive.)—The slaughter house to be well paved with asphalte or flagstone set in cement, laid with a proper slope and channel towards a gulley, and effectually drained by an adequate drain of glazed pipes communicating with the public sewer. The gulley to be trapped by an appropriate trap and covered with a grating, the bars of which to be not more than ⅜ of an inch apart (16).
The inner walls of the Slaughter House to be covered with hard, smooth impervious material, to the height of four feet at the least, and to be always kept clean, and in good order, and repair (17).
No room or loft to be built by owner or occupier over any Slaughter House (20).
An adequate tank or other proper receptacle for water and water supply to be provided, and so placed that the bottom of the same shall not be less than 6 feet above the floor level (15).
The Slaughter House to be well and thoroughly ventilated (15).
No water closet, privy, cesspool, urinal, or stable to be within, or to communicate directly with the Slaughter House (19).