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is only possible to cleanse them properly by hand labour. It is urgently necessary
that new sewers be substituted for these defective ones, but in the meantime steps
should be taken to keep them free from deposits and in as clean a state as possible.
Not only does this condition of the sewers hamper the sanitary work of this
department, but it is a continual source of danger to the inhabitants of the parish,
and must undoubtedly have an important influence in the spread of several
infectious diseases by affording their germs a place where they can multiply and
be carried into the atmosphere again to be possibly inhaled by passers by. The
remedy for the offensive smells then is not the closing of the ventilating openings
or the pouring in of disinfectants, but the reconstruction and cleansing of the
sewers; and, in view of the nearness of cholera, I can recommend no better work
for the Vestry to undertake.
THE REGENT'S CANAL.
An examination was made by your surveyor (Mr. Martin) and myself in
November, of that part of the Regent's Canal situated in this parish or bordering
on it. Inclusive of basins, it extends to nearly 1¾ miles, but for 368 yards the
south bank only is in Shoreditch. We submitted a detailed report on the
conditions found, which were generally that the main channel way of the canal
was fairly clean, but that in the lay-byes, alongside wharves, and in little used
angles, there was much accumulation of offensive black mud with vegetable and
animal refuse, weeds and debris. This is due to the admission of refuse from
wharves, workshops, stable yards, and surface washings generally from the towing
path and from premises abutting on the various parts of the canal. Two water
closets drained into the canal, and sewage was found to be percolating through
the brickwork of a cesspool on its banks, but these were the only instances of direct
contamination of this description, and they have now been removed.
We recommended that:—
(1) The Vestry should take proper measures to prevent objectionable solid or
liquid substances from fouling the canal, and to prohibit the discharge
into the canal of all drains and drainage other than unpolluted surface
water.
(2) The Vestry should request the London County Council to make bye-laws
pursuant to section 16 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, in
relation to offensive cargoes.
(3) The Canal Company should be requested by the Vestry to systematically
scavenge the surface of the canal and the banks thereof three times a
week, on alternate days throughout the months of June, July, and
August, and twice a week throughout the other months of the year.