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The condition of this District is far from satisfactory. Every
thing that could be done has been done again and again by the
Sanitary Department of the Vestry. Constant inspection with
Sanitary Orders have been issued year after year, and fully
carried out by landlords.
Drinking habits, Nuisances injurious to Public Health.
The class of persons living here are engaged on the wharves
of the canal as dustmen and women, carmen, and coal-porters,
who earn good wages, and are able as a rule, with economy,
to maintain themselves and families, "but for the drink."
The Poor Law Medical Officer and the Relieving Officer are never
long absent from these streets; Clergymen, Medical men,
Scripture Readers, Visiting Ladies, and the Sanitary Officers
must all agree with me, that these poor people cannot overcome
the great temptations to spend their hard-earned money in drink
at the public-houses, so conveniently near their own dwellings.
There is a peculiarity in common with North Wharf Road and
many other places, which should not be lost sight of in granting
a licence. Where drinking places are in out-of-the-way streets,
and few respectable persons pass, the evils are greatly aggravated.
Police supervision in such cases is generally very inefficient, and
fails to repress those disgraceful scenes in which bad language,
fighting, gambling, and drinking at late hours, may be witnessed.
Gatherings, or " Friendly Meetings" by a card, on the