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105
throughout the mud, in which no worms, etc., either alive or dead, were
visible. The sample had the odour in a marked degree of carburetted
water-gas tar, and no other distinctive odour
The supernatant water and tarry matter were poured off from the mud, and
were distilled until oily products ceased to pass over with the steam.
There was thus obtained about 15 cubic centimetres of light oils, such as
are produced by distillation from carburetted water-gas tar. This
quantity of light oils corresponds with a proportion of not less than
4.4 per cent., by volume, of carburetted water-gas tar in the sample of
mud. I am of opinion, from the presence of the light oils in quantity
and the behaviour of the tarry matter, that the tar found in the sample
was carburetted water-gas tar which had been introduced into the mud
not more than 48 hours prior to the taking of the sample.
General Conclusions
My observations on this series of samples of water and mud, having
regard to the times and places at which they are stated to have been taken,
lead me to the conclusion that, at some time after 4.0 p.m. on 19th May, and
probably after 4.0 p.m. on 20th May. but prior to 11.0 a.m. on 21st May,
1904, a large quantity of carburetted water-gas tar passed into the river
Pool, at some point between "Southend Lane" and "Castlands Lane."
The evidence of smell, substantiated as it is in the case of Sample No. 19 by
analytical evidence, is, in my opinion, conclusive as to the presence or
absence of carburetted water-gas tar in water or mud, and I have therefore
deemed it superfluous for the purpose of this report to make a more
exhaustive examination of the samples.
W. J. Atkinson Bdtterfield.
Further Pollution of Riyers on May 31st, 1904.
On Tuesday, May 31st, Inspectors Pidwell and Knappett
reported that at 3.10 p.m. they had made an inspection of the
river Pool at Castlands Lane and found large quantities of tarry
matter on the water emitting a very offensive odour.
At 4.10 p.m. I, in company with the Inspectors, visited
the junction of the two rivers at Catford. The Pool showed
evidence of recent pollution and the Ravensbourne above its
junction with the Pool was free from pollution. Took samples
of water Nos. 21 and 22.
At 4.40 p.m. in company with the Inspectors I visited
the river at Castlands Lane. We found the river polluted with
tarry matter emitting a very bad odour. Took sample of water
No. 23.