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want to get to work and see what can be done. . It is a work that
must be done and if we are to lay out hundreds of pounds it must
be done. We must pass the resolution I am about to move and then
either force the County Council or get the Government to help us.
We can all combine so as to get over this difficulty. I shall propose
" that this conference is of opinion that a full enquiry into the condition
of the whole of the River Lea as to its source of impurities
should be undertaken by the Government in continuation of the
report of the Select Committee of 1886."
The Chairman : We want to get all we can from the Government
and we are very glad to hear that they are going to be
approached on the question of the pollution of the river.
Mr. J. B. Kyffin, a member of the Public Health Committee
of the Hackney Vestry, said: We all know the dreadful condition
of the backwaters. If ever you saw a black polluted stream you
can see it here. A speedy remedy should be found for the disgraceful
condition of the backwaters. Not very many months ago the
river was most offensive, and I think it is time something was done.
We know the scare at Maidstone, and though I don't want to raise
a scare in London we must guard against it. We on the Hackney
Vestry have worked at this question for a number of years. We
know the London County Council is a very powerful body, and 1
think they may do something. There is the remedy of suing the
Lea Conservancy. At one time we pointed out to them the disgusting
condition of the river, and their answer was that they must
float their barges. We actually saw them pumping water back into
a lock in order to float their barges. They only care about floating
their barges, and not the health of the district.
Sir Andrew Scoble, q.c., m.p., said: Fortunately, I don't
live on the banks of the River Lea, and therefore I cannot express
any personal opinion of its condition, but I have heard enough to
satisfy me that the state of the river is a disgrace to civilization.
It is offensive and dangerous, and a long standing nuisance. We
are here to discuss not who is responsible. We are all agreed upon