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that, after a storm, many of the houses in our parish are in such a foul-smelling state as to render
them unfit for habitation." Referring to repeated flooding in 13enares-road during heavy rainfall
the medical officer of health of Plumstead writes—" The question arose whether this was due to the
insufficiency of the parish sewers or of the main outfall. It appears that ½ inch of rainfall over
South London occurring in 24 hours causes the outfall to be surcharged. This amount of rainfall
occurred eleven times between April 1st and September 30th. It is also true, I believe, that the
Reidhaven-road sewer is frequently unable to empty itself on account of the surcharging of the
outfall. But whether the same cause occasioned the flooding in Benares-road, or whether this
was due to the insufficient size and fall in the Benares-road sewer itself is still a matter of
question. Flooding also occurred at several houses in Reidhaven-road on one occasion when the
Reidhaven-road sewer was greatly surcharged. It seems that the southern outfall does not
satisfactorily provide for the drainage of the lower parts of Plumstead, and the health of its
inhabitants must suffer in consequence." The sanitary inspector of Charlton reports that " a great
deal of flooding has taken place in the lower parts of the parish during the past year, and on many
occasions sewage has got into the basements of houses, which had to be pumped out and the places
disinfected. This not only caused dampness, but left very foul smells behind, making the houses
almost unfit for human habitation." The medical officer of health of Kensington states that in
times of heavy rain a main sewer has on many occasions proved insufficient, and on the 29th
October three hundred basements are known to have been flooded. He states that the Council
decided, in December, 1895, to proceed with the erection of a new pumping-station at Lot's-road,
Chelsea, which it is hoped will provide the necessary relief.
Nuisance from sewer ventilators.
The resolutions of the conference of engineers and surveyors held at the County Hall in the
early part of the year are discussed in many of the reports. The medical officer of health of Greenwich
states that during 1898 he received complaints from all parts of the parish respecting the
smell that arises from sewer ventilators; and that more ventilators should be provided, which
should be carried up to a considerable height instead of being at ground level. He says this has
been done in the Trafalgar-road, near Christ Church, with much benefit to the locality. During
the year the Fulham Yestry erected forty ventilation shafts.
Combined drains.
A Bill, which had been approved at a conference of London sanitary authorities, and which
defined the meaning of the word " drain " in the Metropolis Local Management Acts, was introduced
into the House of Commons, but was not proceeded with. The reports of medical officers of health
continue to show the difficulties with which sanitary authorities meet in connection with the reconstruction
of combined drains, which, under existing law, are deemed to be sewers. In Fulham
75 systems of combined drainage were dealt with during the year, at a cost to the vestry of
upwards of £2,000. The medical officers of health of Shoreditch and Lambeth state the conditions
on which combined drainage will in future be sanctioned in their respective districts.
Housing of the Working Classes.
During 1898 the work of carrying out various schemes for the improvement of unhealthy
areas was proceeded with.
Schemes undertaken by the Council under Part I. of the Act.
Boundary-street, Bethnal-green—The erection of the following buildings was commenced:
Cookham, for 306 persons, at a cost of £14,316; Wargrave, for 270 persons, at a cost of £12,920;
Hedsor, for 410 persons, at a cost of £19,277; Laleham, for 380 persons, at a cost of £17,021;
Benson, for 180 persons, at a cost of £9,350; and Abingdon, for 360 persons, at a cost of £19,230.
A central store and bakery was erected at a cost of £l,016. Iffley-buildings, which had been
completed, came into occupation, and provided accommodation for 90 persons.
In presenting to the Council the plans for Benson and Abingdon buildings, the last to be
erected on this area, the Housing of the "Working Classes Committee reported as follows—
The Council will observe that in a previous paragraph of our report we submit the working drawings
for Benson and Abingdon buildings, Boundary-street area. The erection of these buildings will complete
the whole of the dwellings to be erected on the area. We think that a convenient opportunity now
presents itself for reporting the following particulars of the important work which the Council will have
then completed.
The number of persons displaced from the area was 5,719. The Council was required by the scheme
to provide accommodation for not less than 4,700 persons, of which number 144 were to be accommodated
on the Goldsmith-row site acquired for that purpose. The new accommodation is as follows—Dwelling
accommodation has been planned on the area for 5,380 persons; adding to this the 144 persons housed
at Goldsmith-row, re-housing accommodation has been planned for 5,524 persons, which is only 195 less
than the number displaced, and 824 more than the scheme requires. In addition to this, 18 shops and
77 workshops have been provided. The 5,524 persons will be re-housed in 1,068 tenements, making an
average of 5168 persons per tenement. The statistics as to the tenements are as follows—
One-room. Two-room. Three-room. Four-room. Five-room. Six-room. Total.
15 541 400 103 7 3 1,069
The tenements are of the fallowing classes—
A B C D E
Entirely selfcontained.
Self-contained,
but with
detached private
w.c.
Private w,c.
and
private scullery
outside tenement.
Private w.c.
ontside tenement,
but scullery in
common
with others.
Using both w.c.
and scullery
in common with
others.
Total.
601 201 90 142 35 1,069