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8
Sanitary Work.
The year 1875 will be memorable in Sanitary annals as having
been the year in which was passed that important piece of legislation—the
Artisans' and Labourers' Dwellings Improvement Act:
that some such action was needed no one can doubt, previous Acts
bearing on the subject, though excellent in theory, were found to
be too intricate and cumbrous in practice. So far as one can see,
this objection does not apply to the new Act. It appears to me to
deal with the subject of the improvement of the dwellings of the
poor in a comprehensive and broad manner, attacking unhealthy
areas rather than single buildings (which can be treated more
successfully by some of the other Sanitary Acts), and thus enabling
the authority to clear away the numerous plague spots which exist
in the Metropolis. As regards its action in this District, I must
point to the extreme corner of Wapping, where that parish joins
Aldgate, as the spot where I deemed it my duty to first exert the
power given to me by the Act. The area, though not large, contained
abominations sufficient for an area three times its size.
Here were crowded houses, built no one knows when, how
they stood was a marvel; their walls bulged, their floors sank,
an indescribable musty odour pervaded tliem, water supply,
drainage, closets, all were bad, and in my opinion nothing could
remedy such a state of things short of pulling down the rickety
dwellings. I made my representation accordingly to the Metropolitan
Board, and in due course appeared before the Commissioner
appointed by the Secretary of State to receive evidence, and hear
objections. The evidence was indisputable, the objections futile;