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7
The Canal Basin.
In consequence of the very imperfect manner in which the
cleansing of the Canal Basin was performed in May last, and
with a view of suggesting better arrangements for the future, I
wrote to the Secretary of the Company, enclosing a copy of my
Special Report made in July 1868. As a large number of
persons are interested in knowing what was done, and what
further steps should be taken to abate this long standing nuisance,
I would ask them to refer to that document which contains four
special recommendations for preventing the recurrence of so
dangerous a nuisance in the centre of a populous district.
So inefficient was the cleansing in May, that in four weeks
after the operation, the water began to show signs of putrifactive
fermentation.
The following are the four recommendations alluded to,
which I am prepared to insist upon for the effectual abatement
of the Canal Nuisance:—
1. The Board of Works must withdraw the restriction they
now place upon the Company draining water from the canal, ,
and give permission to drain into the sewers in the ordinary
manner, with proper precautions. The necessity for making
timely and effectual arrangements for the protection of the lives
of men working in the main sewers was the original ground for
demanding 72 hours notice from the engineer of the Canal
Company. Such a notice is unreasonable, and it is doubtful
whether any danger would arise from any efflux of water into
the sewers from the canal even if no notice at all were given—
for a sudden storm will let more water into the sewers in a
short space of time, and causes greater danger, if any, while it
is found practically that the men have ample time to take care
of themselves.
2. The second recommendation was enforcement of ByeLaws,
by which all persons who wilfully or carelessly neglect,
shall be subject to a penalty. The Canal Conpany have in
their own hands means of preventing evils which the Sanitary
Committee are perpetually struggling to remedy. An efficient
Water Baliff should be appointed; he would have a marvellous
effect in a short time in checking many of the present mal-practices
with regard to loading, in preventing those accumulations
and detentions of offensive matters, and reckless loading on the
wharves, which cause nearly all the mischief. This has been
done to some extent this year.
3. A third recommendation which the Sanitary Committee
ask to be carried out by the Company, is an increased watercloset
and urinal accommodation for the numerous men, women