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16
The Association of Officers of Health have been inspecting a
number of the Gas Works in London, and will before long report
on the subject. It is hoped that by seeing a number of Works the
best means for preventing nuisance will be learnt, and it will then
be in the power of the Vestry to enforce the adoption of those means.
It has been found that in the best regulated works some annoyance
is occasioned, but in others badly managed the nuisances are much
increased, and aro such as ought not to be tolerated.
There are many other trades which may fairly come under the
category of nuisances, such as tallow melting, tripe dressing, catsmeat
cooking, and fish frying, of most of which complaints are often
received. No other power appears at present to belong to the Vestry
in reference to these trades than to enforce cleanliness and the adoption
of the best practicable means to prevent nuisances. This power has
been exerciscd in the case of tallow melters and fish fryers on two
or three occasions during the past year, by enforcing the use of improved
apparatus for passing the fumes through the fire, or carrying
them immediately into the flue.
Laystalls for the deposit of road drift, and the contents of dust
carts, are very offensive and injurious to health. Three of them,
situated in Agar Town, are at present undergoing prosecution by
the Directors of the Poor.
The Mews throughout the parish require thorough improvement
as regards pavement, drainage, and the arrangements for the
removal of manure. Where people live over the stables, as is usnally
the case, great alterations are called for. Large quantities of ammonia
and other gaseous products of decomposition are evolved, and
render the rooms above quite unfit for human beings, especially
children.
BURIAL GROUNDS.
All the old burial grounds in the parish are now closed, for
the purposes of interment, except in one or two cases, where burial
is permitted in a family grave. The last one that remained open
was that of St. Andrew's, Holborn, situated in Grays Inn Road,
on which I reported in August last. It has been sinoe that time
closed by order of the Secretary of State.
It is very important that the old burial grounds should be well
covered with grass, and suitable trees planted, as the best means of
disposing of the injurious emanations arising from the soil.
In the vaults tinder some of the Churches arc many corpses