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commodation may be provided for the class of persons of which
this District to so large an extent consists. Many of the most
dilapidated houses have been demolished, but the effect of the
change has been a closer crowding in those that remain, and to say
that there are at least 5000 persons resident amongst us who live
and sleep in rooms which afford leas than 250 feet of air to each
person would not be far from a correct estimate. The evil is
acknowledged, but the remedy is not easy. Many of the poor arc
actuated by a spirit of independence and suspicion of interference,
which renders auy attempt to improve their social and sanitary
condition, not only disagreeable but impossible. Time will doubtless
work a favourable change. Very shortly the new street will
be opened, the main drainage complete, the Thames purified, and
the two railways in operation. Vacant spaces will be occupied by
more commodious dwellings; frequent and easy opportunities
afforded for cheap rural excursions, and the temporary inconveniences
necessarily caused by the change through which the District
is passing, will be more than compensated by greater general prosperity,
and the adoption of healthier recreation.
I have appended a Table of inspections, and sanitary work
done in the District, in which your Inspector of Nuisances has
participated with his accustomed intelligence and activity. During
the past year a largo share of attention was given to a manufactory
for the distillation of Petroleum, in Suffolk-grove. In consequence
of numerous complaints, I considered it my duty to make several
visits and enquiries on the subject in the surrounding neighbourhood,
and 1 found that the hvdrocarbons of which Petroleum is
composed were so volatile that they penetrated the recesses of
adjacent dwellings, and even tainted the food of the occupiers.
It could not therefore cause surprise that persons residing in the
immediate vicinity should have been subject to irritation of the
throat, nausea and violent retching; coughand a peculiar prostration
of strength. These symptoms were complained of by almost all
whom I visited. The Proprietor was consequently summoned
before the Police Magistrate in the month of September last. A
fine was inflicted and an order made to abate the nuisance. After
some litle delay this was done. Subsequently an application was
made to the Metropolitan Board for a license to store Petroleum in
the premises in question, which was successfully opposed by the
officers of this Board, and the license refused. The application
was repeated, with a similar result. I have at certain intervals
Bince then visited the locality and, notwithstanding several attempts
to prove the nuisance still to exist, I am satisfied that there is none
of which any inhabitant has substantial grounds to complain. in
this opinion I am fortified by the testimony of your Inspector of
Nuisances, and the Health Officers of the parish of St. George
the Martyr, to whose District Suffolk-grove is contiguous.
In conclusion, I beg to acknowledge the courtesy and consideration
I have invariably received from this Board, and all its
Officers, and beg to remain,
Your obedient Servant,
ROBERT BIANCHT.