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30
The London County Council is pledged to do all that is possible, and is
confident of success. It is therefore entitled to a fair trial, even if adopting
a system which has been condemned by so many scientific experts.
The last summer has been a wet one, with low temperature. The water
was, therefore, less offensive than during the hotter summers of former years,
but the fact that its actual condition remained unchanged was patent enough
to every one after a few days' rise of temperature.
A report submitted by the Chemist of the Council on the condition of the
river at Crossness at high and low water during July and August, fully
confirms the previous reports of your Medical Officer.
This Report, dated 24th September, 1891, states : " That the water at
"Crossness was reasonably clear at high tide; at low tide it was very clear
"on seven occasions, clear on thirty-three, cloudy on twenty-six, dirty on
"twelve, cloudy and black, or with bad odour, on three, and on four occasions
"dirty black patches were observed.
"From June 1st to 25th, the water was almost invariably clear ; during the
"following week it was rather turbid, with black patches on June 30th.
"From July 1st to 10th it was again clear, but was cloudy, with black
"patches, from 11th to 14th.
"It was again dirty from 18th to 28rd July.
"From 27th July until 15th August, the water was either cloudy, dirty,
"or having an objectionable odour ; from that date until 20th ultimo the
"water was clear; it, however, possessed an objectionable odour, and was
"cloudy in appearance on August 21st, 22nd, 24th and 25th ; from 26th
"August till 2nd September an improvement was noticed, the water being
"either cloudy or clear; on the 3rd it was dirty, since which date until 19th
"inst. it was invariably clear. It was, however, again dirty on the 21st
"inst. It will therefore be seen that while on these days the water was cer"tainly
objectionable, from either appearance or odour, at or near low water, it
"was free from nuisance at that time of the tide during the remainder of the
"season until 21st inst., and at all times at high water."
According to this report, at low water the river was in an unfit condition
during 15 days in July, and 19 days in August, during an unusually cold
and wet season.
NUISANCES.
Special mention need be made of only one or two cases in which nuisances
of an uncommon character have been dealt with.