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69
out during recent years in the upper reaches of the river, which
would bring about such a result. On this point, I received the
following reply.-"By reason of improved works in the middle
reaches between Wormley and Tottenham, the water comes down
faster than 25 years ago, and as the low lying land becomes covered
by reservoirs, buildings and rubbish tips, the natural reservoirs for
floods are more restricted and the discharging capacity of Lee
Bridge Weir is diminished by reason of the tail water being held
back by obstruction in the old river below Lee Bridge, and by the
embankment around the Hackney Marshes which was formerly
a large natural reservoir and the rubbish tip across the valley near
Temple Mills.
"No doubt the two floods referred to were quite exceptional,
but I should not like to say they will not recur.
"In my opinion, a comprehensive scheme is necessary for
improving, widening, straightening and deepening the old waterways
between Lee Bridge and the three mills, Bow Creek, but as
there are so many interests involved, I am afraid this scheme
could only be carried out under Acts of Parliament."
From the above statement of the Engineer to the Lee Conservancy
Board, it is not unreasonable to expect in the future, a
more frequent overflow of the river.
But premises which are liable at intervals to become so damp as
to require months to become dry, are dangerous to health, and
should be closed, in order to give the owners an opportunity of
adopting remedial measures, if such are practicable.
I therefore beg to report that in my opinion, the above dwellings
are in a state so dangerous or injurious to health as to be unfit
for human habitation, and to recommend the Council to issue a
Closing Order, under Section 17 (2) of the Housing, Town Planning,