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104
At 4.15 p.m., in company with the inspectors, I visited
the river Pool at Castlands Lane. The river and banks were
badly polluted with tarry matter. Took sample of mud No. 19.
At 4.40 p.m. we visited the river Pool at Southend Lane.
The river and banks were free from tarry matter and odour.
Took sample of water marked No. 20. Many complaints were
received from residents in the neighbourhood of the River.
Report on samples of River Water and Mud collected at
various points of the river on May 21st and submitted to the
Council's expert Chemist for examination with a view of ascertaining
if there were contamination from products of Gas
Manufacture.
All the samples were received sealed and labelled as having been
taken on the 21st May, 1904, at the times given. The labels also bore the
initials " E. T. P." and " B. A. K."
Sample No. 14.— Water from Pool at Castlands Lane. 11 a.m. This water had
the odour of water which had been in contact with carburetted watergas
tar, and no other distinctive odour.
Sample No. 15.—Water, Pool at Southend Lane. 11.25 a.m. This water had
the odour common to somewhat dirty river water, and no odour
characteristic of any gas product.
Sample No. 16.— Water, Ravensbourne, from Wallis' Mill Pond. 2.30 p.m.
This water, had, in a very marked degree, the odour of water which
had been in contact with carburetted water-gas tar and no other
distinctive odour.
Sample No. 17.— Water, Ravensbourne, from Robinson's Mill Pond. 3.15 p m.
This water had, in a very marked degree, the odour of water which had
been in contact with carburetted water-gas tar, and no other distinctive
odour.
Sample No. 18. —Mud, Ravensbourne, 30 yards above junction of Pool. 3.45 p.m.
This mud had the odour common to somewhat dirty river mud, and no
odour characteristic of any gas works' product. It contained a few
worms, etc., which were alive. There were no signs of the presence of
tarry or oily matter in the mud.
Sample No. 19.—Mud, Castlands Lane 4.15 p.m. After leaving this sample
undisturbed for some hours a layer of water, an inch in depth, was
found above the mud, and a slight rotatory movement of the bottle
caused tarry matter to rise to the surface and form a layer on the water.
This tarry matter was of a brown colour, highly fluid, and resembled
carburetted water-gas tar in its behaviour towards the water, and surface
of the glass of the bottle. Small black patches were noticeable