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rendered the miasmata from the ponds and ditches in Rotherhithe,
more subtile and injurious to health, for in this matter we arc peculiarly
situated, our southern boundary is the Thames which washes our shore
to the extent of nearly two miles, on the east we have the stinking
Surry Millstream, and on the west, the black ditch or Earle
Sewer.
Yours respectfully,
August, 1859. W. MURDOCH.
FORTY-FOURTH REPORT.
Gentlemen,
In my previous reports to this Board, I have frequently expressed
the opinion that chemical and other factories, from which noxious
gases and vapours may at times be exhaled, ought not to be established
in a populous neighbourhood; and if by any chance they be
established in such a locality, it is the duty of the proprietor of the
works to use all the available means which science can suggest or
devise for the mitigation and suppression of the nuisances originating
from the processes carried on in the factories. The Union
Chemical Works, for the fabrication of sulphuric and hydrochloric
acids, stand in the midst of a crowded population, and I do not
consider that sufficient care has been taken to prevent the stenches
arising on the premises from diffusing themselves around, and becoming
a nuisance to the inhabitants. On the 29th July, these
works were, visited by a Committee of the whole Vestry, and as they,
the Committee, found that the distillation of the hydrochloric acid,
was done in a building without sides, and merely covered with tiles,
it was recommended that it should be enclosed with brickwork, and
the meeting adjourned for a month. On the 29th August, much to
the surprise and annoyance of the gentlemen present at the adjourned
meeting, they found the building in the same state as before, no
alteration whatever having been made in its structure. Certain facts,
however, transpired as to the future destination of these works, which
caused the meeting again to adjourn for another month. Let me
add here, that although the inhabitants still occasionally complain,
sulphuric acid is no longer made on the premises, and consequently,
the sulphurous smells have entirely disappeared. The vapour of
muriatic acid escaping by leakage, or at the moment of uncharging
the iron pots, is the nuisance existing at this present time.
The Railway Arches in Rotherhithe are now tolerably free from
nuisance. Under the Arch 568, the Inspector detected on Saturday,