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143
regard to which more complaints were received in 1889 than in
any previous year. In the early part of the burning season, many
of the complaints came from parts of the Parish at considerable
distances from the fields; towards the end of the season the complaints
were confined to localities near to the source of the
nuisance—a fact which would seem to suggest that the intensity
of the nuisance in the hot summer months, and its singular prevalence
in (not to say limitation to) the night hours, depend on
ill-understood atmospherical conditions, which are then at their
maximum.
In consequence of the reiterated complaints, and my reports
thereon, the subject received much attention from your Vestry,
and the following resolutions were adopted, July 24th, viz:—
(a) That a communication be addressed to the London County Council
calling attention to the serious annoyance experienced by the
residents of this Parish from the obnoxious smells due to the
brick-burning carried on in adjoining parishes; expressing the
opinion that the time has arrived when decided steps should be
taken to prevent this offensive trade being carried on within the
Metropolitan area without restriction, and urging the Council to
consider the desirability of their obtaining the necessary powers
from Parliament for the formation of bye-laws regulating the
trade of brick-making, in the same manner as other offensive trades
are regulated.
(b) That a communication be also addressed to the Hammersmith Vestry,
urging them, as the sanitary authority of the district, to take
steps to compel the persons to so carry on their trade as to
minimize the nuisance as much as possible.
(c) That the question of this nuisance be referred to the Law and Parliamentary
Committee, and Works, Sanitary, and General Purposes
Committee respectively, to report as to what further steps can be
taken by the Vestry in the matter.
(d) That a copy of paragraphs 34 and 35 in the Medical Officer's Report
(No. 7, July 17th, 1889), dealing with the question of offensive
smells from brick-burning, be sent to the Members of Parliament
for the Kensington Divisions, with a request that they will bring
the matter to the notice of the Home Secretary.
The above resolutions were subsequently forwarded to each complainant
as an evidence that the Vestry "fully realised the