View report page

238
insufficient strength of the solution employed, which does not
completely deodorize the emanations. Sir H. Roscoe hopes soon
to report on a new and more satisfactory method of deodorization.
Meanwhile he reports with regard to the use of charcoal
boxes in the ventilating shafts of the sewers, placed there to
intercept the sewer emanations, that these " not only fail to
effect this purpose, but that on the contrary they obstruct ventilation
and also act as catch-pits for street-dirt," conclusions,
entirely agreeable with my own observations on the subject longago
submitted to your Yestry. The Special Purposes and
Sanitary Committee of the Board reported to the same effect in
January, 1886, and Sir H. Roscoe " fails to understand why . .
no order for the removal of these charcoal boxes had been
given." He thinks this should be done at once, and the Board,
in a circular letter, addressed to the several Vestries and District
Boards of Works, dated 12th July inst., intimates that it
has " given directions that so far as the sewers under
its control are concerned, all the charcoal boxes, or
other obstructions to ventilation, shall be removed
from the ventilating shafts, and that the mud shall be frequently
removed from the air openings in the gratings on the road
level." The Board expresses an opinion, in which I agree, that
it is " desirable that the Vestries and District Boards on their
part should cause all obstructions to the ventilation of the local
sewers to be likewise removed," and suggests that the Vestries
" should take measures for this purpose." Sir H. Roscoe is of
opinion, and no one will question his judgment, that " the discharge
of steam and hot water, chemical refuse, &c., into the
sewers causes a serious nuisance;" and referring to a recommendation
of the Committee above mentioned, " that stringent
measures be taken by the Board for preventing" nuisance by
the discharge into the sewers of improper substances, says that
the recommendation should be acted upon stringently, no action
in the matter apparently having been taken hitherto. In part
2 of the Report, dealing with Seiver Ventilation, noting the fact
that " nearly the whole ventilation of the sewers depends upon