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consulted by the Board; and his own reports, above referred to.
This paper is well deserving of consideration by all concerned in
metropolitan sanitary administration. Primarily, it was prepared
for the use of members of the County Council, whose Main
Drainage Committee, it was understood, were proceeding upon the
liues of the late Board, in carrying out a discredited system,
which, it was alleged, would involve a large yearly outlay for
disinfectants. After "A criticism of the system proposed by the
Metropolitan Board" (page 15), Sir Henry Roscoe concludes by
stating his opinion that "the proposal of the late Board for the
disposal of the sewage is based on false principles:—
" (1) As regards the addition of lime and iron in the proportions
recommended.
" (2) As regards the addition of manganate of soda to the
effluent, after precipitation, in the quantities suggested.
" (3) As regards the formation of underground settling
tanks at Barking and Crossness.
" (4) As regards pumping the sludge into tank steamers and
sending it out to sea."
The suggestion he made was that "The Main Drainage
Committee should appoint an engineer and a chemist of position,
to report to them on the whole question of the treatment and
disposal of the sewage, as a basis for future action." The County
Council, while hoping to be enabled to avail themselves, in the
future, of Sir Henry Roscoe's services, did not think it necessary to
renew his appointment upon their own accession to the responsible
position occupied by the Board in relation to the sewage question;
so that the investigations have, for the present at least, come to a
close. Sir Henry Roscoe's reports, meanwhile, are on record,
and the scientific information they embody will be of value in
any future inquiry. It still remains to be seen what will be
the effect upon the river of the costly scheme of subsiding