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44
3. The setting up of a competent authority to deal with all tidal
waters, with power to control foreshores, to close dangerous beds, pits,
ponds and layings, and in certain circumstances to require treatment
of sewage.
As to the remedy recommended, this is contained in paragraph 39,
and is to the following effect:—
"REMEDY RECOMMENDED : CONTROL OF WATERS AND PITS
"PONDS, LAYINGS AND BEDS.
"39. After carefully considering the whole of the evidence, together with
"the results of our own investigations and local inquiries, we are strongly of
"opinion that the only way in which this evil can be effectively dealt with is
"by placing tidal waters under the jurisdiction of some competent authority,
"and conferring on that authority power to prevent the taking of shellfish
"for human consumption from any position in which they are liable to risk of
"dangerous contamination, and to enforce restrictions as regards pollution,
"and as regards waters, foreshores, pits, ponds, beds and layings in which
"shellfish are fattened or stored, as and when required.
"For this purpose the powers of the authority must be elastic. The case of
"each river and estuary is a problem by itself, and it would not be practicable
"to fix by enactment any standard or standards which would be generally
"suitable to the widely different conditions of different cases. Moreover,
"as the conditions are shifting in character, it is necessary to provide some
"permanent machinery by which restrictions can be varied."
The next section of the Report deals with the nature of the proposed
controlling machinery. They advise that the necessary power of control
for the pollution of tidal waters, and over waters, foreshores, pits,
layings, &c., where shellfish is grown, fattened or stored, should be
vested in the Rivers Board, subject to an appeal to the Central Authority,
and that in the case of the Rivers Board having tidal waters under their
jurisdiction, they think it advisable that the Fisheries Committee should
be empowered to appoint one or more representatives. The definition
of the " Rivers Board " will be found in the third Report of this Commission.
They will be joint Committees of the County Councils, and
will possess for the combined areas the same powers which the individual
Councils might have exercised in their respective districts. The Rivers
Board will thus have jurisdiction over practically the whole of the
water-sheds—a most important consideration.
It is proposed that the Central Authority should be a new department
under the Local Government Board, and shall have the following
permanent chief officers:—
1. An administrative head.
2. A bacteriologist with a special knowledge of bacteriology of
sewage, trade effluent, and water supply.