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20. It is much to be regretted that proceedings taken in the
Woolwich Police Court for the remedying of nuisances do not
obtain more publicity. The publicity which usually attends
legal proceedings has a most valuable educational effect and is
more deterrent than the fear of a fine. But it repeatedly happens
that important prosecutions like that of Smart and Campbell
and Purches are hardly noticed in the local newspapers.
Tents and Vans.
21. In the beginning of last year there was an encampment
of gipsies in a field in Timbercroft Lane. This was frequently
visited by the Inspectors and I also inspected it myself. The
occupants of about half-a-dozen tents and vans were drinking
the water of a neighbouring pond and defiling the field with
accumulations of filth. A notice was served on the owner of
the field to remedy the nuisance and the gipsies as a result took
their departure. Seeing that it is seldom there are not some
tents and vans in the parish used for habitation it would be advisable
for the vestry to use its powers and adopt some bye-laws
for their sanitary regulation.
Overcrowding.
22. Fourteen cases of overcrowding were found, all of which
were abated, most of them without notices being served.
Health Refuge.
23. The Health Refuge was used on nine occasions by families
comprising about 20 people. In all cases I saw the family before
they went to the refuge and satisfied myself that there was no
danger of infection by their removal pending the disinfection of
their premises.