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matter from open ditches, channels originally intended for surface water
only, but which have been made receivers of every kind of filth. These
are sources of incalculable mischief from which neither elevation nor any
other condition can free them. I need only refer to a case of fearful mortality
during the last year, which occurred in a house on Shooter's Hill.
Four of one family cut off by scarlatina in three days, with nothing to
account for such malignancy in that elevated situation, but an adjoining
foul and open ditch.
TRADE NUISANCES.
There is a question, Gentlemen, which I believe so vitally affects the
future sanitary condition of part of this district, that I cannot omit to
mention it. I refer to the probable great extension of the process of
brickrmaking in the neighbourhood of the Gold Hawk Road, Hammersmith.
The burning of bricks is attended with an evolution of gases of a
most injurious character, and not only so, for the brickfields are generally
also made the depositories for all the dust and refuse from your own locality
as well as of that of the adjoining parishes, and a considerable portion
of which is used in the manufacture in question. The notorious " Dismal
Swamp," with its intensely poisonous exhalations, is nothing in extent
compared with, and even the Soap Factory at Castelnau, in its worst
features, cannot exceed the horribly sickening influences of the gases
arising from this source. The stinking odours of the Thames in its most
filthy state fall into insignificance in the estimation of those compelled to
breathe these foetid emanations.
About twelve months since you had occasion to take proceedings
against Mr. Axton for the removal of a large collection of dust and
refuse, and for a discontinuance of the process of sifting the same in a
field at the rear of the Gold Hawk Terrace. This deposit had been
placed there evidently preparatory to the making of bricks. In consequence
of your action before the Magistrate, this nuisance was suspended,
but within the last few weeks the ground has been excavated to a
considerable extent, and there is no doubt but that during the ensuing
summer and autumn the whole neighbourhood will be polluted by the
working of immense kilns. The injury to health and property from this
cause is as yet incalculable, and already the inhabitants are seriously
alarmed at the probable result. The field referred to embraces an area of
several acres surrounded by inhabited houses, and extends even to the
rear of the very centre of the Town of Hammersmith. It is computed
that it will take several years to exhaust it of the brick earth, and during
the whole time of its working it will prove a constant medium of annoyance.
So importantly do I believe this will affect the well-being of a
very large community that I consider no time should be lost in obtaining
if possible an injunction to restrain it.
During the year in the adjoining Parish of Barnes, a Factory has
been brought to work for the manufacture of Soap, and for Fat melting,
&c. The latter is one of the most offensive trades known, and has Dever
failed to create a nuisance of a most serious character, wherever established;
indeed to such an extent is this the case that the most strenuous
measures have every where been taken to dislodge them. The Factory
of Messrs. Cowan is situate beyond the limits of the Metropolis Local