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RIVER RODING.
The polluted condition of this stream first came under my notice
during the summer of 1895, and from that date onwards its state has
been gradually getting worse. The enormous growth of the
population of so many districts through which it flows, changing
small country hamlets and villages into large suburban communities,
is mainly responsible for the condition of things which caused so much
annoyance, and I fear disease and death to the inhabitants of Barking
during the summer that has just passed. The reasons why these
Districts have acted so disastrously, aro I think, clearly divisible into
2 heads:—
1st.—The foul condition of effluent which was allowed to pass from
the several sewage works into the River, and combined with this, the
small bulk of river water there can be at the best of times to
sufficiently dilute the large quantities of sewage matter, "which is
Continually finding its way into the stream. Of course in times of
drought, such as prevailed during the summer of 1898, the river's
channel is converted into a stinking sewer, not much to the credit of
modern sanitary science or sanitary authorities.
2nd.—The peculiar conditions which exist at the portion of
of the river which receives all the sewage prior to its flowing into the
Thames itself. The part of the river I refer to, is situated between
Barking and the point just above Ilford, where the tidal wave ceases
to be felt. This portion of the river is dammed at the Barking Town
Quay, by the Barking Flour Mill, so that the quantity of the water"
which is allowed to flow down at every ebb tide, is regulated by the
owner of the mill. If he requires the water (it may be all sewage, it
is all the same) to work his mill he must have it. But supposing he
does not want the water, then another claimant steps in, viz : the owner
of Navigation Rights on the river. This one must have sufficient
water (or liquid) to carry his barges up and down to Ilford, no matter