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18 Parish of St. George the Martyr, Southwark.
this period the temperature for several days was considerably above the average. On the
9th a cold period set in, which continued until the end of the month; the mean daily deficit
being more than 4°. The mean temperature for April was higher than that of any April
since 1854; and that of May since 1848. The total fall of rain was nearly 7½ inches, exceeding
the average of the preceding 43 years by a little more than 1½ inch.
The mean temperature for the third quarter ending September 30th, was 58-7°, being
1.3° less for the average during the same quarter for 21 years. That for the three months
ending August constituting the summer months was 53.9°. There was less sunshine, and
more cloud than had before been experienced. From the 9th of June, until the 12th of
September, with few exceptions, the weather was cold. Within this long period there were
twelve days only in which the temperature of the air reached or exceeded its average value,
and the access above the average, on the very few days so distinguished, was generally less
than 3°; and on one day only, viz, the 1th of September, it was as large as 5°"
Rain fell on 40 days out of the 96 to the amount of 7 inches. "From the 13th of September
the weather was warm, and for the 18 days ending the 30th of September, the
average daily excess over their averages was 2¾. The total fall of rain was 6.3 inches.
The degree of humidity was at all times above its average value.
From the beginning of the last quarter of the year until the 17th, the weather was
warm, the excess of temperature rising to 4½° daily. In the early part of October the
weather was changeable, and continued so until its close, with an average deficiency of
temperature of 1½° daily. The mean temperature of this month was 51.8°, being higher
than any October since 1847, excepting 1857 and 1861. On the 16th of November a cold
period set in, and continued to the commencement of December, with a deficiency of tenperature
of 4½° daily. The mean temperature of November was 39'8°, being lower than any
November since 1829, with the exception of 1851 and 1858. From the 3rd of December to
the end of the year, there was an average excess of temperature of 4 daily, just the reverse
of the preceding month. The mean temperature for the whole quarter was 45.0°,
being above the average. The total fall of rain was 6.6 inches.*
No events of importance have occurred during the past year claiming particular notice;
except perhaps the licensing of cow-houses, which had become a necessity in the progress
of sanitary measures; unless indeed they were to be left as landmarks, to signify how far
these measures had advanced during the past few years. In the 93rd clause of the Act to
amend the Metropolis Local Management Acts (25 and 26 Victoria, cap. 102,) it was required
that a license should be obtained by cow-keepers from the Justices of the Peace.
Every cow-house in the district was visited by the Sewers Committee and the Officers, previous
to the applications being sent in. In spite of the pains taken by the Vestry Clerk,
and the Inspector of Nuisances, to give all necessary information, as to the mode of proceeding,
many failed to carry out the legal requirements; and many failed also to carry
out the instructions of the Committee, as regards sanitary improvements. These did not
obtain their licenses on their first application. Ultimately, however, all did receive them.
Many of the cow-sheds are not now all that is desirable; but improvement will gradually
go on, as has been the case with slaughter-houses. Many feel annoyed at such demands
being made upon them; many are careless, and some thoroughly ignorant. By and by they
* The above account of the weather, is compiled from the quarterly returns of the Registrar General.