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13
The Report describes the early history of Woolwich, the
existing state of the town, the geology, meteorology, population,
mortality, abstract of evidence taken at the Enquiry,
Acts of Parliament in force, and the existing boundaries, the
boundaries recommended for the purpose of the Act, the suggested
drainage, water supply, lighting, burial grounds, etc.
The following is a description of Woolwich as it then
was:—
"The more ancient portions of the town consist of
narrow streets, imperfectly paved; the houses here
stand upon a damp and undrained subsoil; they are
badly built, and are unduly crowded. The newer
streets in the higher portions of the town have been
set out on a more liberal scale, but for want of some
general and comprehensive plan they are neither so
regular nor direct in their lines of communication as
they might have been made, and for want of a proper
system of drainage and sewerage throughout the whole
town the sanitary condition of the older and lower
portion of it is made worse, in consequenoe of the
surface drainage from the higher portion being passed
into it.
The River in front of the town is one continued scene
of activity and life; the bustling ferry boat paddles
rapidly about; craft of various shapes and sizes ride
upon the tide; merchant-men from every clime pass
to and from the Metropolis of the world; and the
mammoth steamers walk the water in majesty and
pride. All that is required to make Woolwich and its
neighbourhood one of the most desirable places of
residence in the county is means of health and