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A Memorial having been received from the Inhabitants of Russell-street and that
neighbourhood, complaining of the annoyance and nuisance experienced by them in consequence
of certain houses in Russell-street being kept as brothels and disorderly houses, the Churchwardens
and Overseers, at the request of the Vestry, caused Indictments to be preferred at the
Surrey Sessions against the Occupiers of Nos. 18,43, and 52, Russell-street, which resulted in the
Occupiers of the houses Nos. 18, and43 being found guilty and, the former sentenced to 12
months' imprisonment, with hard labour, and the latter to 9 months imprisonment, with hard
labour. The Occupier of No. 52, Russell-street removed out of the Parish, and he not appearing
on the day appointed for the trial of the Indictment, his recognizances were estreated.
These indictments have had the good effect of abating the nuisances and annoyances
complained of by the inhabitants in that part of the Parish."
Notwithstanding the opposition of the City of London, and the several parishes on the south
side of the Thames, the Authorities of St. Thomas's Hospital obtained the decision of Vicechancellor
Sir Page Wood in favour of the Stangate site for the new Hospital. The Vestry set
apart a sum not exceeding £50 towards the expenses that might be incurred in opposing the
removal of the Hospital to Stangate, of which the sum of £29 13s. 11d. only has been expended.
In November last the Vestry received Parliamentary Notices from the promoters of the
following Railway and other schemes affecting property in this Parish, viz.—The East London
Railway (Thames Tunnel Line), Metropolitan District Railways ; the Thames Tunnel Railway ;
the Commercial and Grand Surrey Dock Amalgamation, and the Southwark Park. The
Vestry presented Petitions against the East London Railway (Thames Tunnel Line), and the
Commercial and Grand Surrey Docks Amalgamation Bills, to protect the interest of this
Parish, and a Committee was appointed to watch the said Bills.
The Commercial and Grand Surrey Docks Amalgamation Bill was apposed by Counsel in
the Committee of the House of Lords, and ultimately clauses were inserted in the Act, providing
for the better accommodation of the public at the Bridges over the entrances to the Grand
Surrey Docks; also for regulating the opening and shutting of the said Bridges, and
empowering the Vestry to recover a penalty for every offence, neglect, or omission, on the part
of the Company in not complying with the provisions of the Act. The Bill has passed the
Legislature as amended in Committee and embodying all the requirements of the Vestry.
An arrangement was also made with the Promoters of the East London Railway (Thames
Tunnel Line), for the adoption of an easier gradient in the incline of the approach to the
proposed bridge to carry the Deptford Lower Road, and the Deptford Old Lower Road, at
Westfield Terrace, over the said Railway; also for the insertion of clauses in the Act for the
protection of the foot-paths and the Parochial Rates. This Bill has been lately thrown out by
the Committee of the House of Commons.
The portion of the line of the Metropolis District Railways, proposed to pass through this
Parish, was abandoned on the recommendation of the Committee of the House of Lords, to
whom the same was referred.
The Thames Tunnel Railway Bill was not proceeded with, in consequence of the
Promoters not having complied with the Parliamentary standing orders.
The Act lor the formation of the Southwark Park in this Parish passed the Legislature,
and the Metropolitan Board of Works (the authority authorized for that purpose) have
resolved to cam' the same into effect without delay.