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recognised that the sweetness of the dwellings largely depends on
the sweetness of the ground under the dwellings; and that if the
ground be kept dry to promote the circulation of air through it, and
if it be not saturated with poisonous refuse, it becomes a most
valuable disinfecting agent for houses, tending to keep the gaseous
elements sweet and healthful. If on the other hand it be saturated
with poisonous ingredients, that combined with the heat of the
dwellings, would favor the free production of noxious powers that
would hover in and around the inhabitants.
The conditions of this dangerous nuisance, shew that the
interests of health are sacrificed to minor considerations ; and public
welfare calls for some arrangement that would render this in future
exceedingly difficult to say the least.
Another condition risking the health of the inhabitants of the
Parish that has been complained of, in the twelve mouths and many
times before, is the defective working of the sewers. It is
admitted on all hands that they require much alteration to prevent
their defects becoming a wide spread dangerous nuisance. The only
question is how can such a dangerous recurring nuisance through
miles of street be usefully dealt with.
The Metropolitan Board has considered the matter and issued a
report embodying their conclusions and recommendations as to what
should be done to lessen the risk; and that report your Vestry
Clerk instructed me to carefully consider and advise him thereupon,
and your Yestry further appointed a Committee to consider and
report on the Metropolitan Board's recommendations. The Committee
accepted the Board's recommendations, but could not see
their way to advise the Vestry to carry them into operation.
The Sanitary Committee had on various occasions been much
impressed that the sewers required much attention; the repeated
complaints from the inhabitants could point to no other conclusion.
The Metropolitan Board urges that more water should be passed
into the sowers; and it is difficult to comprehend how it came
about that the want was not provided for sooner, and has been allowed