Tag Archives: 1902

1902 Wandle polluted from Gas Works

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From the minutes of the Croydon Rural District Council
Volume 8
1902 to 1903
Public Health
17th April 1902
page 21

4. POLLUTION OF WANDLE : MITCHAM GAS CO.

—Inspector Rabbetts reported

—That in consequence of repeated complaints by Mr. T. Harris, a watercress grower, of High Street, Colliers-wood, of the polluted state of the water in the river at various times. He has kept observation on the outlet of the Western Road surface water sewer which is at the end of Phipp’s Bridge Road, opposite the ” Albion ” Public House. He has noticed various colored liquids flowing through at times, particularly on a Wednesday and Thursday morning, but had not been able to discover the source of pollution until Wednesday morning, the 9th April, when he noticed a strong smell of coal gas at the outlet of the sewer. He had the manhole covers taken off and found the effluent being discharged from the Mitcham Gas Works was highly charged with gas. He took a sample of the effluent and showed it to Mr. Green, junior, son of the Gas Works Manager, who admitted the gas present in the sample was strong, and thought there must be a leakage in their mains. He promised to look into the matter. Inspector Rabbetts would be glad to know the Council’s views as to what steps should be taken to prevent a recurrence of the offence.

Resolved, That the Gas Co. be informed that proceedings will be taken under the Public Health Act should any repetition of the offence occur.

Minutes of meetings held by the Croydon Rural District Council are available on request from the Merton Heritage and Local Studies Centre at Morden Library.

Cranmer Villas

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Two pairs of semi-detached villas that were on north side Lower Green West, east of Glebe Path and west of Sibford.

Numbers 1 & 2, next to Glebe Path, can seen in this clip from a photo of the Mitcham War Memorial on Merton Memories.

Clip from Merton Memories photo reference Mit_​War_​10-2 copyright London Borough of Merton.

1932 OS map

They can be seen in this aerial view in 1947. Zoom in to the top right hand corner of the photo.

The residents listed in the 1925 street directory were:

1, William WEBB
2, Arthur Edward CUBISON – solicitor and commissioner for oaths

3, Percy W, SMITH; John Alfred ROSE
4, Mitcham & District Ex-Service Men’s Social Club Limited (Sidney TAYLOR, hon. sec)

The 1881 electoral register shows the occupants as:

1, L. A. da COSTA Vice Consul for Brazil
2, Jane HALL

3, Jane GEDGE
4, Thomas MORGAN retired shipowner

This OS map of 1953 shows only the block numbered 3 and 4, and so the other block had been demolished before then.

1953 OS map

This block was demolished in 1954, as mentioned in this article from Mitcham and Tooting Advertiser

CRANMER VILLAS

Mitcham Housing Committee have decided that the pair of semi-detached villas on the Lower Green, known as 3 and 4, Cranmer Villas, shall be demolished owing to their condition, and because their repair would be uneconomical.

The villas are part of the Glebe estate. A scheme for the development of the land to Glebe Path is being prepared.

From the minutes of the
Croydon Rural District Council
Roads and Buildings Committee
Volume VIII 1902 – 1903
3rd July 1902
page 219

2. Deposited Plans. – The Buildings Sub-Committee reported that they had carefully examined al the plans of new streets and buildings deposited since the last meeting, and on their recommendation, it was Resolved:-
(a) That the undermentioned be approved:

No. 2176, Cubison, A. E., additions, 2 Cranmer Villas, Mitcham

World War 1 Connections

From the Surrey Recruitment Registers:

C A PALMER of 4 Cranmer Villas, Lower Green, Mitcham, aged 35 Years 4 Months, Journalist. Volunteered with the Derby Scheme on 11 December 1915 to the East Surrey Regiment (1st Batn).

Minutes of meetings held by the Croydon Rural District Council are available on request from the Merton Heritage and Local Studies Centre at Morden Library.

Maps are reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.