The Sun. — 1854-10-30 (London, England)

MARYLEBONE TEST.RY.  On Saturday a deputation consisting of Dr. Rushford and Mr. Ferara, residents of Norton-street, attended before the board to complain of the immoral and disgraceful condition of not only the street in which they resided, but the whole of the immediate neighbourhood abutting on Fitzroy-square. Mr. FERARA explained, that from time to time he had made complaints of the " dens" in Norton-street, both to the parochial authorities and the police, without procuring any redress, and the consequence was, that the infamous traffic had now got to such a pitch, that some steps, and those determined ones, should be at once taken to suppress the nuisance. In fact, the affair was becoming daily worse and worse, and the neighbourhood was becoming thinned of the respectable inhabitants, who left their houses, in which they had resided for years, unable to stand it any longer. His street, lie might clearly say, was nothing more than a street of loose women and vagabonds. (Sensation.) The neighbourhood was always in a continued uproar, and it was a common occurrence to hear cries of " Murder !" and see females rushing about half naked, and witk their heads cut open. He, in fact, could not well describe the scenes that took place, and for the sake of morality, decency, and the welfare of the parish, he did hope the authorities would endeavour, to the best of their power, to clear the neighbourhood of the houses which he complained of, and which were becoming more numorou, every day. Mr. Sonobt--How many houses of this sort are there, do you think, in your street ? Mr. FERARA —Fifty or sixty, if 'not more. . .  Dr. RUSELFORD said in Norton-street there existed a French and English clique, and there was a regular traffic carried on between the two houses. No respectable person was supposed to live in Norton-street, and therefore any respectable person on a visit to a friend in that street was immediately put down as a bad character if he asked his way to Norton-street. One of his ritients would not allow his wife to meet him (Dr. Rushford) at his residence a short time ago, as he said she would be put down as a prostitute if she were seen near the street.  Mr. FERARA further observed that not only would it be necessary to clear the street of the dens t contained, but the name of the street, in consequence of its notoriety, would have to be changed before a respectable person could be got to live in the houses. With respect to the complaint he had made on various occasions, he should state that the police had positively declined interfering, as it was not in their power ; and when the parish solicitor, Mr. Randall, sent one of the parish officials to give notice of indictment to the owners of one of the dens in question, the Official went inside himself, remained there two hours, and then came out drunk. (Expressions of surprise and disgust.) With respect to the indecent sights that were frequently seen ho on one occasion observed from 20 to 30 of the female inmates of those houses dancing half-naked in the street to a band of music, and it was a common occurrence for those wretched creatures to appear in a semi-naked condition at the windows. In conclusion Mr. Ferara remarked 'that noblemen and men of rank were constant visitors at the houses. Mr. Ilicutart said that he resided in the neighbour. hood he complained of, and the picture was not at all overdrawn by the deputation. After a short discussion, Mr. SODON moved, and Mr. J. BELL seconded, that the attention of the parish solicitor should be drawn to the brothels, and that steps should be taken for their suppression. The motion was carried unanimously, and Mr.Greenwell, the vestry clerk, was instructed to inform Mr.Randoll that he should carry out the wishes of the vestry without delay. The vestry then adjourned.