Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bethnal Green]
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assemble thereon every evening, from seven until past ten o'clock,
causing a great annoyance to the inhabitants. The memorial was
signed by inhabitants of Peel Grove and Patriot Square. At the
same time the Clerk reported ho had addressed a letter to the
person carrying on the show. A few weeks after, a deputation
attended the Vestry and presented another memorial, and were
heard in support of it. The memorial urged the Vestry to get rid
of the nuisance then existing on Peel Grove, to the annoyance and
inconvenience of the neighbourhood, by bringing together each
evening a number of disreputable characters, whose language and
oonduct were most objectionable, causing frequent disturbances;
in addition to which there was during the evening noisy music; and
the memorialists urged the Vestry to do their best to relieve them
from the continuance of the nuisance.
The memorial was signed by sixty-four persons, and it was
referred to the Works Committee, with power to take any steps
they might be advised, to get rid of the nuisance. It appeared the
owner of the ground could not be found ; but his mortgagees had
leased the ground on which the show was, with adjoining ground,
to a Mr. Hall, a builder. The lease prohibited the use of the
ground for, amongst others, the purposes for which it was being
used, but the lessors did not enforce the covenant, and the Vestry
could not claim the benefit of it. The Vestry was, therefore,
driven to proceed by way of indictment. Presland, the person
carrying on the show, was summoned before the Magistrate, at
Worship Street, and committed for trial at the Central Criminal
Court. A true bill was found by the grand jury. The trial was
adjourned to the November Sessions. It came on before the
Recorder on the 23rd of that month. The liability of persons
carrying on such shows was decisively and clearly laid down by
the Recorder, and the defendant was found guilty; but having
ceased to carry on the show and removed his plant, and promising
not to offend again, he was discharged on his recognisance to come
up for judgment if and when called upon.