View report page

182
Report of the Mcdical Officer of Health.
" Putney Vale Cemetery Extension.
"I have made an inspection of the land proposed to be
acquired by the Council at Putney Vale for an extension of the
Cemetery, and have to report as follows :—
"This land consists of about 30 acres, part of which is
arable and part grazing land. The highest point of the land,
which is close to Wimbledon Common, is about no feet above
ordnance datum, and the lowest point, which is close to Newlands
Farm, is about 45 feet.
"The soil is a mixture of mould, loam and clay, the latter
differing in character in the trial holes, in some being more
friable and containing a larger admixture of sand than in others.
Generally speaking, the geological conditions are very similar
to those in the present cemetery.
"Six trial holes have been dug at different points to the
depth of 8 feet, and in four of these no water was found at the
time, but three days after water, varying in depth from six to
to 23 inches, had collected. In other two a few inches of water
were found at the time of opening, and after three days this had
increased to two feet in one and four feet in the other. In these
two the soil was of a more pervious character.
"The ground water has a natural flow to the Beverley
Brook, which is about 500 yards distant.
"There will be 110 difficulty in draining the whole of the
land to the depth necessary to render the graves dry, as there
is a sewer of sufficient capacity in close proximity.
"There are no sources of domestic water supply near the
site, all the houses in the neighbourhood being supplied with
water by the Metropolitan Water Board.
"In my opinion, with proper drainage the proposed site
is suitable for a cemetery."