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every locality seems to consist in exercising vigilant surveillance over the food sold, the
water drunk, and the air breathed by the inhabitants. I do not mean to affirm that
no bad food has been sold in Rotherhithe during the past year, but that such food has
never been brought under the notice of the Sanitary Officers.
I shall institute no odious comparison between the Water supplied to two different
parts of this Parish by two different Companies. It is sufficient to say that the Water
of both Companies is of good quality, and that almost every house has the Water
laid on.
The few exceptions are blocks of very small houses, which have one large butt or
cistern for a whole row, as Essex-place, the Cottages near the China Hall, Fisher'scourt,
and perhaps a few others.
The worst contamination of the atmosphere arises from the want of proper
drainage. In this the Board has not been idle; 114 notices have been served and the
drainage of 188 houses effected and completed, and 3,440 feet of brick and pipe Sewers
and drains have been constructed.
The Black Ditch, or Earl Sewer, so long complained of as a nuisance, will probably
disappear when the Main Drainage Scheme comes into full operation. There will,
however, still remain that receptacle of abominations, the Mill Pond, or Surrey Mill
Stream, which has long been, and seems likely to continue to be, the disgrace and
opprobrium of this Parish.
Next to good drainage—and second only to it—is good scavengering. Complaints
used frequently to be made of neglect in the removal of the dust; such complaints have,
of late, become fewer, and the work is better done.
There are thirteen licensed Slaughter-houses and five licensed Cow-houses in
Rotherhithe. They seem all to be well conducted, not a word of complaint having ever
been uttered against any of them by the Inhabitants.
The over-crowded and filthy dwellings in Fisher's-court have been spoken of in
my monthly report.
The various Factories in Rotherhithe have also been often mentioned. The worst
of all, and worse than all of them put together, is the Fish Manure Works at China
Hall Gate.
Four Summonses were issued during the year; three relative to drainage, against
Owners of property in Rotherhithe New-road, and one against the Proprietors of the
Petroleum Works in the rear of the Noah's Ark.
To conclude, I have to thank the Board, collectively and individually, for the
kindness I have always received at their hands ; and my brother officers, for their
counsel and assistance.
Yours respectfully,
W. MURDOCH.