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adoption of a particular method of burning bricks, viz., in kilns,
as contra-distinguished from the "clamp" system, the subject
would seem to be a proper one to be dealt with by legislation. The
Society of Medical Officers of Health did what it could, at my
instance, some years ago, by drawing the attention of the (late)
Metropolitan Board of Works to the subject, in a communication
to the effect (1) that there are sufficient reasons for regulating the
trade of brick-making by bye-laws, as other offensive trades have
been regulated, with manifest advantage to the public; and (2)
that, owing to the considerable distance to which the effluvia of
brick-burning travel, and to the fact that many of the brickfields
contributing to the nuisance are outside the Metropolitan area,
legislation should be general, and apply to areas within a specified
distance of centres of population.
The Board, in its final Annual Report (1888-9), dealing with
"offensive businesses" which do not come within the meaning
of the expression as used in the Slaughter-houses (Metropolis)
Act, 1874, observed, that "many offensive trades are still carried
on without restriction, as, for instance, brick-making . . . in
the course of which noxious fumes are given off, causing widespread
nuisance and injury in the neighbourhood of the works."
It was added that "the experience acquired under the Slaughterhouses
Act, had led the Board to believe that nuisance-trades could
be carried on with little or no offence, if proper regulations were
persistently enforced, and if there were close supervision."
In consequence of reiterated complaints, in the summer of
1889, 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