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I nave paid careful attention to the alleged contamination of the ditches emptying into
the Poole river by the Sydenham Gas Company, and there is, I think, no doubt about
the fact. It appears to me to be principally caused by leakage of the water from the
gasometer, perhaps with tar from the tar reservoir, and is of a black appearance and
offensive odour. Water also occasionally runs from the culvert under the works, with
which I was informed they had no communication. A privy for the use of the workpeople
is also situated near the open ditch, and is in a very disgusting state. A proper
closet should be built, opening into the sewer. The refuse lime from the gas purifiers is
also allowed to lie in heaps about the yard. In my opinion this should be removed.
Since my last report, I am happy to say that a part of the nuisance in the Wells Road
has been removed, the ditches on either side of the road having been piped. But there
still exist (as before reported), large pools of most offensive filth running out of the
drains and ditches above. This should be pumped into the adjacent ditch, and the ingress
stopped up, or a pipe continued through the length of the drain, chloride of lime
being sprinkled over the exposed surface, and if possible the pool filled in. It is most
offensive for a long distance round, and very prejudicial to health. I append a complaint,
signed by several inhabitants, and forwarded to me.
The drainage of Dartmouth Row into the sewer is in progress, but unless the adjacent
houses are brought within range of the sewer, the state of the place will be only partially
improved.
The offensive ditches at Kirk dale and Peak Hill require to be covered in.
A privy, a most offensive nuisance to several houses round, is situated at the back of
Mr. Baker's, butcher, Forest Hill. This requires removing, and a proper closet should
be substituted, and opened into the sewer below.
Pigs are kept in a filthy yard at Mr. Hay don's, butcher, abutting upon two or three
houses in the Street at Sydenham. By the " Police Act," pigs are positively forbidden
to be kept near dwelling houses, and by the " Nuisances Removal Act," no animal is
allowed to be kept as a nuisance.
The greater part of the drainage of Forest Hill (with the drainage of Dartmouth
Park and Park Road Terrace), is conveyed in a sewer (constructed some years back, at
the expense of the inhabitants of Forest Hill, and rendered necessary by the Brighton
Railway Company stopping, very properly, the entry of sewage into the old canal), to a
brickfield adjoining Park Road Terrace. Part of this is used for the purpose of making
bricks, and the remainder, after standing about in pools and ditches of the most offensive
description, runs on in large quantities towards Lewisham.
This is most offensive and prejudicial to health, and is situated about 100 yards from
the end of the sewer in Stanstead Lane. It would be to the interest of the owners of
property in this neighbourhood to assist the Board of Works in connecting the two
sewers together.
Blackheath.—I have several times reported the state of the Mews at the back of
Montpelier Row, Blackheath. Nothing has been done to remedy this. Disease has at
times been very prevalent there. I may particularize one house, before named, in a most
offensive state, in which two deaths have occurred from fever.
The drainage of Bath Place and Osborne Place also require attention. A pipe sewer
might, at no great expense, be constructed from the Heath end of Paragon Mews, through
Bath Place and Osborne Place, into the sewer, thus taking the drainage of several bad
localities, as well as that of the adjacent houses.
Phoenix Place is still as before reported.
Dartmouth Passage is also the same.
Camden Place, Camden Row, and Garden Place require water supply, and a pipe to
convey the drainage into the sewer parallel with the line of railway.
Lewisham —Botany Bay, &c., openly drain into the river near the source of supply
for the Kent Water Company.
Rushey Green and Hanover Street, Silver Street, &c., wait your order for water supply
Sandwell Place is in an unhealthy state, so much so that some families will be obliged
to leave their houses. This place might be easily drained into the sewer with a pipe.
The urinals at the Hare and Billet, and other public-houses in Lewisham, are offensive,
and should have better protection and water supply.
Penge.—The drainage from the south end of the Crystal Palace, and part of Norwood
Hill, drains into the ornamental pond at the Anerley Gardens (part of the old
canal). This is used as a place for healthful recreation, the water being in summer in
constant requisition for boating, &c.