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8
Information was given at the office respecting a dead body having been
kept for ten days in a house in Buckle Street. Immediate attention was given to
this case, and the body which was much decomposed was removed to the dead-house
previous to interment.
I recently visited two rooms used as school-rooms at No. 4, Darby Street, in.
one of which (the lower) there were crammed 35 boys, and in the room above, 25
girls. The dimensions of these rooms were respectively 15×12×8 and 15×9×7,
the former affording only 41 cubic feet for each boy, and the other 37 cubic feet for
each girl. In both of these rooms the windows and doors were closed. Notwithstanding
the stifling atmosphere of the boy's room, the master said that he had
accommodation for eight more in the corner; and he added that if he could not have
the room full, he must go to the Workhouse. I need scarcely say that it Would be
much more economical to support one man in the Workhouse, than to lay the foundation
of consumption and other scrofulous diseases in so many young persons.
Tuson's Court, which I alluded to in my last report, has been again visited
by me. It is still without any water supply, the same having been discontinued, as
I am informed, for a period of two years. Such is now the dirty and dilapidated
condition of the place, that unless the landlord improve its sanitary condition, and
lay on a proper supply of water, proceedings will be taken to obtain the Magistrate's
order to close the entire Court.
Complaints have been made at the office respecting a nuisance from a Pickle
Manufactory in old Montague Street, and also respecting a nuisance from a house
in the Tenter Ground, Spitalfields, in which, bladders are prepared for containing
the mixture for sausages. In both these cases, the nuisance has been abated without
the necessity of adopting legal proceedings.
The nuisance arising from the escape of the vapours from the factory of
Sib Anthony Rothschild has been again complained of. It appeared, upon inquiry,
that some parts of the apparatus used for condensing the vapours had become worn
out. At the time of my visit the apparatus was said to be under repair, and additional
condensers were about to be constructed, which, when completed, I trust will
be found to be effectual to relieve the neighbourhood from the dangerous effects of
the escape of the vapours of sulphuric acid and their diffusion in the atmosphere;
and I further trust that the improvements will reimburse Sir A. Rothschild to the
same proportional extent as on the first occasion* of Sir Anthony having erected
the several condensers for collecting the acid vapours which used to produce the
most injurous effects upon the health and property of the neighbourhood.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
JOHN LIDDLE.
15, Great Alie Street.
* Sir Anthony Rothschild stated that he valued the product, or saving effected by his
first improvements at about £10 each day the men were at full work This was in 1859. As
the neighbourhood is now suffering from the emanations of the refinery premises, it is to be hopecj
that no time will be lost in completing the alterations.