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floating on the surface, and deposits of rubbish and silt were observed in the north-west and southeast
corners of Cumberland basin. At the dead end of Wenlock basin an accumulation of silt
was found, and in the City-road basin deposits, which were offensive when stirred up, were found
in some of the lay-byes, and at one wharf several carcases of animals were also noticed. In
August, at the wharf of the Finsbury Borough Council in the City-road basin, the w ater was found
to be black, and an offensive smell was experienced which arose either from the water or the
contents of barges. Analyses by the Council's chemist of samples taken from various parts of thecanal
between 23rd June and 25th September showed that these samples had an odour of a more
or less decided character, and that the organic matter present was very largely animal matter, and
the water generally inferior in quality to that of the Thames below the bridges. The Regent'sCanal
Company were urged to have the lay-byes cleansed from deposit and to change the water
in the canal by passing a large quantity down from the higher to the lower reaches.
In his annual report the medical officer of health of Finsbury states that the water of the
City-road basin showed signs of considerable pollution. He writes, "The bottom is covered with
a thick sludge, which in one place measured more than 18 inches. It consists of putrifying animal
and vegetable matter from which bubbles of gas are almost continually rising. When stirred up
the condition is extremely bad. In some parts the water always appears to be black, and considerably
charged with pollution, in other places it is comparatively clear." Dr. Newman did
not, however, obtain evidence to show that the water at the time was in such a state as to be a
nuisance or dangerous to the health of the surrounding community.
The medical officer of health of Paddington states that the "cut" was emptied at Easter
and about 500 tons of mud were taken from the bottom and quantities of water were drawn off
periodically and replaced by a supply from the upper reaches of the canal.
The River Lee.
Dr. Warry, in his annual report to the Borough Council of Hackney, discusses the pollution
of the River Lee, and in corroboration of earlier statements he quotes from a letter of the
secretary of the Lee Conservancy Board the statement that the pollution of the Channelsea River
and backwaters about Stratford and West Ham, is caused by the sewage of Walthamstow and
Leyton, and the discharges from the storm water outfalls of the London sewer at Old Ford. TheLee
Conservancy Board in September sent to the Hackney Borough Council particulars of a scheme
for the sewerage of the Lower Lee valley and a report of Sir Alexander Binnie upon the scheme.
The scheme provided for the construction of an intercepting sewer "which, commencing near
Waltham Holy Cross, would receive the sewage of the various districts in the Lee Valley and carry
it either into the main drainage system of the London County Council at a point a little east of the
Abbey Mills pumping station ; or, as an alternative, to an entirely new outfall to be constructed
east of the River Roding and south of Ilford." It was proposed to acquire 120 acres of land, toconstruct
open subsidence tanks, to deposit the sludge on the land, and to pass the sewage from t.he
settling tanks to twelve artificial filters or contact beds, the effluent finally to be discharged into
the Thames. Sir Alexander Binnie expressed an opinion in favour of the independent outfall.
Housing of the Working Classes.
The following is a summary of the proceedings taken by the London County Council and
the various metropolitan boroughs during the year 1902 in connection with the housing of the
working classes.
Representations under Part I. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act.
King-street area, Poplar.—This area, which had been represented by the medical officer of
health of Poplar, consists of two small courts and the houses between them fronting on Kingstreet.
It comprises nine dwelling-houses, a smithy, and the site of one house. On the 7th
October the Council resolved that the borough council be informed that the Council was not
prepared to deal with it by way of scheme, but was of opinion that it should be dealt with
by closing orders under Part II. of the Act.
Bridge-road and Emmett-street area, Poplar.—This area had been represented by the medical
officer of health of Poplar. It consists of a block of buildings known as Arnold's-buildings,
having from 300 to 400 rooms in a state of dilapidation, and closed by magistrate's order, 8 small
cottages in Providence-place, and 4 houses in Emmett-street. On the 28th January the Council
resolved that the area was not of general importance to the county and should be dealt with under
Part II. of the Act.
Devonshire-place area, St. Marylebone.—This area had been represented by the medical
officer of health of St. Marylebone. The area occupies about half an acre, and includes 26 housesin
Devonshire-place, 4 houses fronting in Earl-street, and 9 houses fronting in Devonshire-street.
Of the 39 houses, 13 are shops and business premises. The number of persons of the working class
occupying the area was 355. In May, 1902, the Council, on the recommendation of the Housing
of the Working Classes Committee, adopted a resolution that the area was not of metropolitan
importance, and should be dealt with under Part II. of the Act.
Burne-street area, St. Marylebone.—This area had been represented by the medical officer of
health of St. Marylebone in April, 1901. The Housing of the Working Classes Committee reported
on the area on the 14th October, and the Council resolved that the area was not of general
importance to the County of London, and should be dealt with under Part II. of the Act.
Schemes undertaken by the County Council under Part I. of the Act.
Churchway area, St. Pancras.—On 24th June the Housing of the Working Classes Committee
reported that Seymour and Somerset buildings were ready for occupation. These buildings
provide accommodation for 472 persons in 2 tenements of one room, 64 tenements of two rooms,
30 tenements of three rooms, and 4 tenements of four rooms. This completes the accommodation