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103
Inspectors Pidwell and Knappett went up the culvert on
invitation. They found that the Company had cut away the
concrete wall in three places near where the tarry matter was
found to be oozing through on former occasions- The company
had five screens across the river and men were skimming the
tarry matter from the river.
While the inspectors had proceeded to the above-mentioned
points, I visited the junction of the rivers Ravensbourne and
Pool at Catford near the crossing of the railways and saw marked
evidence of pollution in the Pool, while the Ravensbourne was
perfectly clear.
At 2.30 in company with Inspectors Pidwell and Knappett
I visited Mr. Wains'1 Mill at Lewisham. I examined the mill
pond which I found was badly polluted with tarry matter and
emitting an offensive odour; this was particularly noticeable in
the mill. We took a sample of water (No. 16).
Robinsons' Mill.—At 3.15 p.m., in company with
Inspectors Pidwell and Knappett, I visited Robinson's Mill,
Lewisham. The river was badly polluted with tarry matter and
emitted an offensive odour. The odour was more perceptible in
the water wheel house where there was a very strong smell of
water-gas tar. George Susans and John Durtnall, workmen,
complained of the nauseating smell and said they had frequently
to leave the mill in order to get fresh air. A sample of water
was taken (No. 17).
At 3.45 p.m., in company with Inspectors Knappett and
Pidwell, I again visited the rivers Pool and Ravensbourne at
their junction at Catford. The Ravensbourne above the junction
with the Pool was free from tarry matter and odour. Took
sample of mud marked No. 18. The river Pool and its banks
were badly polluted with tarry matter.