View report page

49
SANITATION.
There is perhaps no town of the same size and population
as that of Putney where greater exertions have been used
to bring to bear upon the public health all the modern
appliances of sanitation. Apart from the efficient maintenance
of the new sewerage that has been completed in
this Parish, and to which an addition was made, during
1870, of 6,563 feet, there has been no abatement of energy
in taking action against nuisances, &c., and in carrying
out such sanitary works as are calculated to improve and
beautify the neighbourhood. The results, it is suggested,
are to be found in the diminished death rate of the Parish,
and in the very visible increase in the population returns
of the immigrant element.
The favourable rate of mortality which, as before stated,
is under 16 in a thousand, is one which persons seeking a
suburban residence will not, it is imagined, be slow to
recognise, and hence a still greater influx of new residents
may reasonably be looked for in future years.
Whilst our surrounding Commons and Heaths are preserved
to us, and can be effectually kept from the ruthless
hands that would destroy them, or render them subservient
to purposes of a most objectionable, not to say unwholesome,
character, there can be but little doubt that this
suburb will continue to hold a high place amongst the
healthiest localities of the kingdom. Once, however, suffer
manure manufactories or depots, and such like unmitigated
nuisances to appear within its area, and the decadence of
the town and adjoining hamlet of Roehampton may be
pretty safely predicted. In making these remarks 1 of
course allude to the late attempt, on the part of a company,
to obtain the sanction of Parliament to the establishment
of a large sewage farm on Wimbledon and Putney
Commons, designed to occupy a great number of acres of the
same in both Parishes, with all the necessary tanks, pumping