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how much effluvium there is. Now what does this mean ? Suppose on
a given day the miller does not want his mill to work, and there are
no barges to go up to or come down from Ilford, then the gates are
thrown wide open, and the river above the great dam is emptied of
everything and is almost dry. With the flowing tide comparatively
pure water (how pure, is very questionable,) is allowed to pass up
through the gates into the upper river, and when the tide has almost
ceased to flow the gates are locked behind it to prevent its return in
bulk. Now, these gates are provided with a sort of sliding panel,
called "slackers," which, when the water is required for any of the
purposes specified, let a little of this compound of salt water and sewage
of all kinds flow into Barking Creek.
This backing up of the water into a sort of tank, may go on for
several days, five or six or more, the sewage from thousands of
houses flowing into it night and day during that period.
The condition of things which is then brought about, it is more
easy to imagine than to attempt to describe.
With a view to attempt some amelioration in the matter (after
inspecting the river myself throughout its whole length,) I wrote to
the County Medical Officer, requesting his co-operation in seeking to
bring about a better state of affairs. He entered very heartily into the
Work, and we together made an inspection of the river from Barking to
Abridge. His reports to the Essex County Council fully corroborated
my views, as to the disgusting condition the river was in (See E.C.C.
Minutes). The remedies I proposed are as follows, and were adopted
also by him.
1. Temporary.
2. Permanent.
1. (a) Effluents of Local Authorities above Ilford to be improved.
I believe the Essex C. C. is bringing pressure to bear on these
defaulters. Ilford with its new scheme will not, I trust, cause us so
much annoyance during the ensuing year as in the past.
(b) The more frequent opening of the gates at the mill, not only
the miller's gates, but the gates owned by the Essex hewers Commission,
so that the dammed up sewage may get away with every tide,
and not as now be kept behind to decompose and send forth the most
abominable emanations.
(b) The working of the disused water-wheels at the mill.
2. Permanent.
Several schemes have been proposed all having the same end in view,
viz :—The construction of an intercepting sewer of sufficient size to
allow the sewage to be received from most, if not all of the districts
now draining into the Roding, carrying it by this means to an outfall
station situated on the banks of the River Thames. One of these