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11
The progress of new sewerage, although not so
rapid as could be desired, has nevertheless been marked.
The neighbourhood of Bevenden Street and New Gloucester
Street, Hoxton, which when first brought under
my notice, was in a deplorable state, has by the construction
of main-sewers undergone a most important
improvement. Mr. Kirkham has by house-to-house
examination, ascertained what houses have, and what
have not availed themselves of the new facilities for
draining. In New Gloucester Street 25 houses had, on
the 14th April last, effected communications with the
new sewer. In Bevenden Street, Aske Terrace, and
Somerset Place, 36 houses have drained into the new
sewer. In this latter locality alone, 50 cesspools have
been abolished.
There appears to be now little reason to apprehend
that a Main-Drainage scheme will be carried into execution
without ample preliminary inquiry into the
principles which lie at the foundation of all schemes of
this description. Since the publication of Mr. Freebody's
and my Reports upon this question, a considerable body
of evidence confirmatory of the views enunciated by us,
has been elicited. After reconsideration, it now appears
that many persons, eminent as Physicians, Chemists,
and Engineers, have arrived at the conclusion that the
Main-Drainage schemes are based upon fatal fallacies.
A Committee of the House of Commons has been