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It was found then that the nearest point of the deposit was 280 yards from
the ship's isolation hut on shore, and over 400 yards from the vessel.
Although the wind at the time was blowing directly from the heap to the
vessel, no nuisance was at any time appreciable, and a report to that effect
was sent to the Captain of the vessel.
During the month of August also a letter was received from the Clerk to
the Board of Works for the St. Olave's District complaining of foul smell
arising from the mud in St. Saviour's Dock at low water.
This nuisance undoubtedly exists, and in hot weather must be distinctly a
source of danger.
A communication was therefore sent to the Thames Conservancy, calling
upon them to take action in the matter, inasmuch as the Port Sanitary
Authority had neither the power nor the means to deal with it. The
Conservancy, in due course, replied that they could not undertake to dredge
the dock further than the entrance, and stated that wharf proprietors were
themselves legally responsible for the removal of the trouble of which they
made complaint. The difficulty appears to arise from a water-course which
formerly entered the head of the dock having been diverted, and your Medical
Officer has suggested that if a reservoir were constructed so as to receive a
charge at high water and discharge it at low tide, the rush of water would
prevent the accumulation of mud. The matter is still, therefore, in the hands
of the St. Olave's Board of Works, who it is understood, in their dilemma,
have approached the Local Government Board.
During the month of November complaints were received as to the gradual
fouling of a creek at Grays Thurrock by the dropping of manure while unloading
barges. This creek being the property of an individual, he was asked to
arrange for the thorough dredging, which was accordingly carried out.
During the months of August and September the whole of the closets and
dust-bins in the various docks received, as usual, special attention. All were
emptied, cleansed, and whitewashed, many were removed from unsuitable
places, and some were reconstructed on new lines, suggested by your Officers.
CANVEY ISLAND.
The only important sanitary work on the island has been the provision of
water tanks in some of the outlying farms, by means of which they are
enabled to draw their supply from the public pump, which continues to give
good water in unlimited quantity.