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118
1912.—Although no complaints were made during the year—due
to low atmosphere temperatures—there was no betterment of
effluents received. The Medical Officer of Health states that
"absence of complaints does not mean that any improvement
has been effected in the condition of the water."
1913.—"No change" reported.
The War period was evidently an unfavourable time to refer
to even such pressing matters as the pollution of the Lee, but
during 1921, before I had held the appointment of Medical Officer
of Health many months, the foul condition of the river soon
manifested itself so plainly as to evidently require the immediate
attention of the Council.
As an example I cannot do better than give some extracts from
letters received during the summer which by no means exaggerate
the condition of the river:—
(a) 26th May, 1921.
"I have to direct your attention to the filthy condition
of the river due to the flow of sewage matter from the direction
of Tottenham Lock. Early every morning the mass of
pollution is accumulated between my boats and the Wharf
edge, and seriously injured the varnish and spoils my work.
In addition to this, the smell is obnoxious, and people will
not patronise, seriously injuring my position as a ratepayer."
(b) 24th May, 1921.
"I have to report that the river is still in a filthy and
disgusting condition in the section between the old sluice
gates and Tottenham Lock. The filth on the surface here
could be gathered with a spade and eventually floats into that
portion of the river in the jurisdiction of Hackney."