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55
A remedy against the evils of made soils has been already provided
by the Building Act and the Public Health Act, London;
the first prohibiting the erectcion of dwellings over such sites, the
second prohibiting the deposition of house refuse anywhere near
dwellings in London. But these remedies are not retrospective,
and in order to benefit Hackney Wick the law as to covering the
w hole site of any house with an impermeable concrete floor should
be extended to all existing dwellings. I believe the health of the
Hackney Wick people would be greatly 'improved by such an
alteration. Whether and how a better fall can be obtained for
the Vestry's sewers and for the prevention of the overflowing of the
London County Council's sewer, it will be for the Engineer to that
body to determine.
Such improvements, together with perhaps some land drainage
to reduce the dampness of the soil, would constitute another remedial
work of great value.
The Vestry will readily see from the above Report how complex
the health injuring agencies are in this locality; but, however
complex, their remedy lies in the above recommendations.
I remain, gentlemen, yours obediently,
J. KING WARRY, M.D., D.P.H.,
Medical Officer of Health.
November 22nd, 1895.
REMOVAL OF HOUSE REFUSE.
During the year 1895 a total of 43,658 loads (two cubic yards)
of house refuse was removed and disposed of by the Vestry s con
tractors, at a total cost of £11,046 8s. 7d. The number of loads
removed during 1894 was 37,404, at a cost of £8,221 18s.; so that
during the year 1895, the loads increased by 6,254, and the total
cost by £2,824 10s. 7d. The actual amount paid per load varied
during the year. At the beginning of the year the contractors were