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worthlessness of this measure, that until proper means are afforded myself as Inspector
of Canal Boats, and their visiting officer, in our official capacities, to detain, as we think
necessary, any boat or boat occupier contravening the regulations authorised by the
Local Government and yourselves, they have decided to take no steps to enforce their
part of the Act. I am now conferring with its originators, and trust before long to
procure some amendments which will render it a workable measure.
I paid much attention to several trade nuisances, particularly the various manure
works and grain drying granaries, which latter, owing to the wet weather in July and
August, were very active till nearly Christmas. Finding many legal delays and difficulties
in dealing with the first named pests, I drew the attention of the Board of
Works to them, and the officers of that body are now taking the matter in hand.
On two occasions, your General Purposes Committee visited the drying granaries
with me, and empowered me to make the best possible arrangement I could with the
owners, to obviate the nuisance complained of. They promised to comply with my
suggestions, and negotiations for that purpose are now going on between us.
A long standing and most offensive nuisance at Millpond Wharf, which for many
years past you have, from time to time, ineffectually attacked in law courts and otherwise,
has at last been just finally suppressed by a Magistrate's order obtained by your
Clerk and myself.
The Mill-pond and Mill-dam have been regularly kept in order and cleansed to
my satisfaction, and the only remaining black ditch in the parish, that between All
Saints Church and Brandrams' field, is about to be abolished, in compliance with a
requisition you empowered me to make.
In concluding, I must express gratitude for the assistance received from the Yestry
as a body, and my Colleagues, in the discharge of my duties.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your very obedient Servant,
BENJAMIN BROWNING, M.D., S.Sc.C.Edin.
Fellow of the Chemical Society,
Medical Officer of Health.
Rotherhithe, 1880.