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98
Earner and Besant which was to the effect that, since the
beginning of August, 1902, there had been no appreciable
nuisance, and he stated that, while he thought the proceedings
were completely justified, the Council's object had been attained,
and that under the circumstances the summonses should be withdrawn,
and he thought the defendant Company should pay a
substantial amount towards the Council's costs. Counsel for the
defendants pressed the Magistrate to find as a fact that the
Company had adopted the best practical means of carrying on
their business so as not to create a nuisance, but this the
Magistrate declined to do, stating that he did not come to that
conclusion, but on the evidence before him declined to convict
the Company.
On reviewing the Magistrate's decision at the first hearing
on the 2nd July and 13th July, 1901, it is difficult to understand
the decision arrived at on the 14th November, 1902.
RIVERS POOL AND RAVENSBOURNE.—Towards the
end of the year an enquiry was commenced in order to ascertai
whether any pollution of these rivers inimical to the Public
health was present. The facts that we have two large watercress
beds in our rivers, and that one river receives the effluent from
the Croydon Sewage Farm, and subsequently passes through the
works of the Crystal Palace Gas Company at Lower Sydenham,
were sufficient to warrant a careful examination.
The observations and analyses occupied my attention for
a long period and it was not until March of the present year that
it was possible to place a detailed report before you.
HOUSE REFUSE.—Several complaints have been received
during the year of nuisances emanating from house refuse tips.
Your Surveyor and myself presented a report on this subject, in
which we stated as follows:—
"The existing house refuse tips for the Borough are;
1. East side of Hither Green Lane.