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13
from factories. Under these circumstances the inspection, and the
subsequent remedying of the defects, were urgently necessary.
It is, however, an inspection that must be continuous to be of any
value.
The condition of the River, in the neighbourhood of the sewer
outfall at Crossness and Barking, was the subject of a communication
from the provisional Committee for the prevention of the loAver
Thames from pollution by sewage. Your Board, recognizing the
importance of the subject, directed me to make an inspection of the
River in the localities mentioned, and to report thereon. The
inspection having been made, and the water taken from the River
at these spots analyzed, the fact was revealed that the River at
Crossness and Barking is largely contaminated with sewage matter.
Nobody who knew the vast quantity of sewage discharged
daily into the River at these points could have anticipated any other
result; but the subject derives additional interest when we consider
that as London grows so will the quantity of sewage discharged
increase. We are face to face with a tremendous and a growing
evil, which, if not checked, will do much to injure the health and
prosperity of this ancient Port. Your Board resolved to give its
assistance to any scheme which had for its object the removal of
the sewage further towards the sea.