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6
which have yet to feel the benefit of sanitary regulations.
I have in my monthly reports laid before you the results of my
enquiries and observations upon this subject, which shew that
a very large number of houses are as yet drained into cesspools;
that many houses even abutting on the lines of sewers
are not drained into those sewers; and that in many instances
greater attention is required to tho ventilation of drains.
Many of the poorer neighbourhoods require constant supervision,
in order that the efforts of the Board to enforce
sanitary regulations may not be nullified by the apathy and
carelessness of the inhabitants themselves.
Many houses also in the district arc still without water
supply, which is essential for carrying out sewer drainage,
and some have to fetch water from a distance.
In some instances in this district houses have been placed
so closely together that there is deficient circulation of air.
It seems to me to be essential that the powers of the Board
should be more extended, so as to prevent houses being placed
in such close proximity as to be detrimental to the health of
the inhabitants.
The statistical information as to the births and deaths registered
in the parish is derived from the weekly returns of the
registrars to the registrar-general, and refer to the registrar's
sub-districts, the estimated population of which is as follows :
SUB-DISTRICTS.
Registrar's
Sub-Districts.
Population
Census,
1851.
Population
Census,
1861.
Rate of
Increase
per ann.
Estimated
Increase in
4½ years.
Calculated
Population,
1865.
Lewisham
Parish.
Blackheath .
(a portion of the Lee
sub-district).
4466
4841
38
171
5012
Lewisham
6097
7372
127
571
7943
Sydenham
4501
10595
609
2741
13335
Total
15064
22808
774
3483
26290
Penge
1169
5015
384
1728
6743
Total District
16233
27823
1158
5211
33033