A MATTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH. TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 37, 12 August 1905, Page 15

A MATTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — There is such a thing as vexatious and unnecessary interference with tradesmen ; but there may also be a tacit ac- j quie&cence in piactices which are almost criminal in their carelessness. ' The ex- 1 poeui'o of goods on footpuths and in | porches to. which "unclean 'beasts" have access is an example. Il is bad enough to see at tne doors of boft goods establish, merits rolls of flannelette and other clothing fabrics bearing mnrks of defilement, but when bags of flour or Augur or other articles of food are no exposed, il is an abomination which .should be most vigorously suppressed. Yet this practice is notoriously common. This morning I passed a shop on the outskirts of the city. Along the footpath were ranged a row of low baskets of vegetables. Immediately afterwards a dog also passed ... In the town itself 1 saw a half-filled sack, apparently containing potatoes, in a shop doorway. On and around the sack were most unpleasant indications — enough, one might suppose, to deter nny squeamish wou!d-b<> customer from entering. Whether the law or borough by-laws enn control these recessed doorways, which are actually, on the trader's premises, 1 know i not; but- ns regards defilement of btq^ck they are worFc than the- open footpath. I ! TTlso pusseil some Chinese shops. The vegetables were silko displayed in the rccosses; but — note the difference — tflicy were arranger! on slagea two feet or more j jibove the floor-level. In the interests of the public safety this simple precaution ought to be nmdo compulsory. — 1 om. etc. ' 4th August,' 1905.