This article gives some insight into living conditions in Hanbury Place, Limehouse in the late nineteenth century. The six houses in Hanbury Place were soon demolished to make way for the artisans dwellings known as Hanbury Buildings.

A report to the Poplar Board of Works by the Medical Officer chronicles what is described as a scandal that thousands of families are having to go without running water despite the appropriate rates being paid. The article goes on to say that having the water cut-off can lead directly to blocked drains, sewage removal, horrid stench, diphtheria and death and disease which can happen through no fault of the tenants as landlords are responsible for the rates.

The original article is available from the British Newspaper Archives, located here.

 

Copyright © 2006 - R Wilkins