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13
economy to begin with this great work. Let the sanitary
effects of this work be tested first. Then when
experience shall have proved its sanitary inefficiency,
let further remedies be considered.
The Vestry will not expect from me in this place
an elaborate detail of all the observations and inquiries
which I have made as to the condition of the waters of
the Thames, and the health of those who dwell on or
near the river. But I think it due to you to take this
opportunity of stating, that since the publication of the
Reports referred to, in which I distinctly challenged the
production of evidence in support of the proposition
that "the influence of the sewage upon the Thames is
pernicious", I have made diligent inquiry amongst
those likely to be informed upon the subject without
succeeding in eliciting any such evidence. No one has
yet undertaken to show what form of disease it is that
the Thames produces, or, in what way it acts delete.
riously upon health. On the other hand, extended
observation furnishes more and more reasons for taking
a step that ought to have preceded the enactment of
the Sewage.Interception clause of the Metropolis Local
Management Act, namely:—a deliberate Parliamentary
inquiry into the sanitary necessity of that clause.
In concluding, I wish to submit auother point
which is deserving of consideration before any great