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14
SEVENTY-SECOND REPORT.
Gentlemen,
For some years past, the inhabitants of Swan Lane and its immediate
vicinity, have often been seriously inconvenienced by offensive smells
issuing from the premises of Mr. Fisher, wharfinger, in Rotherhithe Stree:
Such smells have been justly attributed to the practice of landing, housing
and kiln-drying damaged grain on those premises. Numerous notices have
been served on the occupier, and if more stringent measures have not been
employed, it was because the nuisances alluded to have been speedily abated,
and also on account of the unwillingness of this Board to resort to legal proceedings
unless forced thereto by absolute necessity.
On the 11th December, and the following days, a cargo of wheat damaged
by salt water was landed and housed at Mr. Fisher's. An overpowering
stench, increased threefold by the process of kilndrying, immediately pervaded
the whole district. There was a general outcry among the inhabitants
of the locality, and the passengers along Rotherhithe and the neighbouring
streets. Complainants in large numbers addressed themselves to the Sanitary
Officers, to enquire whether there was no summary means of suppressing the
abomination. A. notice was at once served, and followed by a summons,
which was heard on the 27th of December, when the Defendant was convicted,
an order was obtained for the removal of the nuisance forthwith, and
prohibiting its recurrence. The stench given off surpassed everything of the
sort reported upon by me to this Vestry, both for its intensity and its persistency.
Other stenches, from gas-works, manure-works, and the like, are
transient and intermittent, but during a whole fortnight the inhabitants of
the dwellings near Mr. Fisher's warehouses, never had a moment's remission
from the noxious effluvia. They penetrated into parlours and bedrooms,
disturbing people's meals and rest, extended themselves far and wide, and
were perceptible in the Rotherhithe New-road, more than half-a-mile off,
when the wind was blowing in that direction. Several of the teachers and
children of the schools adjoining Mr. Fisher's premises were so ill that it was
thought advisable to close those establishments. If, by the decision of the
magistrate, the parish of Rotherhithe has permanently got rid of such an
evil, there is much reason for congratulation.
Notices have been served at Rose Cottage, Deptford Road, and at Nos.
2 and 3, Albert Place, Union Road, for imperfections of drainage.
Thirty-six deaths, a number below the monthly average, were registered
last month. The mortality, however, is not always an exact criterion of the
healthfulness of a place. Thus, during December, there was much illness in
Rotherhithe, although the cases were not of a serious or fatal nature. Low
fever is prevalent, particularly among children, and both measles and scarla-