View report page

132
OFFENSIVE SMELLS IN STREETS,
During the hot and dry summer weather, numerous complaints
were received of offensive smells in the streets proceeding
from untrapped gullies and sewer ventilating openings in
the roadways. Many of the complaints were in respect of
sewers under your Vestry's jurisdiction. Others related to
the main sewers under the control of the County Councilthe
Counter's-creek sewer in particular. Several communications
were had with the Council's engineer in connection with
complaints from persons living in streets traversed by this
sewer. Referring to one specially offensive opening, the
engineer stated that "the gully is trapped with one of Doulton's
best made flaps": he therefore "failed to see how any bad
odours could possibly escape from the main sewer." But the
stinks do occur, the reason being that the so-called trap—a hanging
flap at the outlet—is not a trap in the proper sense of the
word, and does not prevent the escape of sewer gas. Consequent
upon complaints received, more particularly in connection with
this sewer, the Vestry Clerk was instructed, in July,to enquire of
the Council's engineer, what measures were being taken to
ventilate the sewers under the Council's jurisdiction? In
reply, it was stated that iron ventilating shafts, 30 to 36 feet in
height and 12 inches in diameter, were being erected at suitable
points, such as cross-roads, and in the centre of street refuges,
and that the Council would be prepared to consider suggestions
as to the erection of such ventilators at places within this
parish. I advised that the Council be requested to give the
system practical trial on the Counter's-creek and Middle Level
sewers. Certain sites, indicated by the surveyor, were approved,
and recommended to the Council. At the close of
the year no action had been taken.
Many complaints of offensive smells were received from
inhabitants of the western section of Royal-crescent, Nottinghill.
The sewers in this street were ventilated by the street