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Gentlemen,
The returns of mortality for the month ending upon the 23rd of January are in excess
of the average; also in excess of those registered during the corresponding months
in 1856-7, when 30 deaths were returned.
During the present month 36 deaths have been registered, but calculating for increase
of population, this number would not bear an unfavourable aspect, especially as two
inquests are included in the present returns from the Coroner's quarterly returns.
Six deaths have taken place from zymotic disease, and all these have taken place (as
usually observable in this district), in localities to which I have called your attention as
remarkable for their want of proper drainage and their offensive state.
I have before brought under your notice the great want of water supply, and the
real distress on this account in some parts of the district. In some places it is obtained
with great difficulty even for domestic purposes; and the drainage is, and will be, constantly
rendered inefficient by the blocking up of pans and pipes from want of water
supply.
As doubtless the power rests in your hands to compel owners of houses to lay on
water, and the supply seems absolutely necessary for cleanliness and health, I beg to
submit to you the importance of considering the matter, and using the best means to
attain this end.
The following localities still demand attention from their want of drainage and offensive
state:—
Lewisham.—Cottages at back of Black Horse.
Dirty ditch by Lady well, apparently still receiving drainage.
Ravensbourne Park—drainage into cesspools, some of which are upon a higher level
than the adjoining houses.
Cleveland Square, back of White Horse.
Phillips's houses, near river.
Stagnant water in old watercourse through Lewisham should be covered in before the
hot weather returns.
Blackheath.—Drainage of Grote's Buildings.
Pound's Mews.
Camden Row and Place and Garden Cottages.
Bath Place.
Montpelier Row and Paragon Mews.
Houses in Montpelier Vale (baker's, greengrocer's, &c.)
Sandwell Place.
Penge.—Ditch at back of houses should now be cleansed and a drain put in.
General want of drainage, overflow enters Ravensbourne.
Sydenham.—Yard opposite Dolphin Inn undrained.
Duffin's cow-houses, complaints of offensive smell.
Orchard Place undrained and unhealthy, overflow enters Ravensbourne.
Park Road Terrace, Dartmouth Park, is still undrained, with the exception of four or
five houses at the east end.
Houses along main line of sewer in main street are most of them unconnected.
West Kent Park.—Offensive and dangerous gullies and insufficient drainage; roads
impassable.
Steele's cottages undrained and offensive; a heap of decomposing matter at the back
of the greengrocer's here is much complained of.
Wells Road and Taylor's Lane.