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63
St. Mary-le-Bow, Cheapside.
In the annual report for last year, reference was made to the application of
the Rector and Churchwardens of the above-mentioned Church for the
removal of the bodies stored in the Crypt under the Building.
There are in all some 700 bodies to be dealt with, and although no nuisance
could be detected as arising therefrom, I reported that such removal would
on general principles be advisable.
The chief difficulty in the way of speedy action in the matter is the
question of expense, the extreme care necessary, and the precautions
indispensable on such occasions to prevent scandal and nuisance arising,
adding greatly to the cost of removal.
In accordance with Section 23 of the Burial Act of 1857, the removal of
the remains in question can only be effected under an Order in Council, and
this Order can only be obtained by the "Churchwardens or such other persons
"as may have the care of any vaults or places of burial for preventing them
"becoming or continuing dangerous or injurious to the public health," and
all expenses incurred are to be paid out of the Poor Rate of the Parish.
By virtue of Section 5 (1) the City of London (Union of Parishes) Act,
1907, there is now only one Parish for the whole of the City, but for
Ecclesiastical purposes the Parish of St. Mary-le-Bow remains as heretofore.
The Corporation were therefore not the proper body to make the application
to the Home Office for the removal, nor could the cost thereof be paid out of
the general Poor Rate of the City.
The Churchwardens were accordingly informed that the matter was purely
an ecclesiastical one, and as such, the necessary removal and re-interment
must be carried out by them, and the cost borne by the Poor Rate of the
Parish of St. Mary-le-Bow.
SUMMER FLUSHING OF COURTS.
There are 266 courts and narrow passages throughout the City which were
regularly flushed during the summer months under the direction of the City
Engineer. Of these, 9 were flushed six times a week, 21 five times a week,
2 four times a week, 26 three times a week, 128 twice a week, and 80 once a
week. The City Engineer informs me that in this service and the washing
of the main streets last year no less than 65,840,502 gallons of water were
used. Disinfectants were also freely applied where necessary.
The condition of the approaches to Billingsgate Market and the Custom
House, as heretofore, required special attention, there having always been a
difficulty in keeping the thoroughfares in the neighbourhood of these places
free from the nuisance caused by the drippings from the fish carts, especially
in hot weather.