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21
C. MISCELLANEOUS PROCEEDINGS.
I. The Canal Basin.
In answer to the communication of the Sanitary
Committee of the 18th of March, 1858, (see former
Report,) expressive of the opinion that no other
means excepting that of emptying the Canal basin
during the winter months and removing the mud
by hand labour would be effectual for the improvement
of its condition, a letter was received from the
Secretary intimating that it was the intention of the
Company to continue for some time the process
of hand-dredging, to empty the basin as usual at
Whitsuntide, and to clear away whatever quantity
of mud should be left, by loading it into boats.
To this the Committee replied (March 22nd), that
at the season proposed the temperature is generally
such as to render the removal of the putrefying
mud by spade inadmissible.
Notwithstanding this protest, the Canal basin
was emptied on the 24th of May. The water was
allowed to re-enter on the 1st of June. The
quantity of mud which occupied the channel was
found to be greater by far than was anticipated
either by the officers of the Vestry, or, apparently,
by those of the Company. The preparations made
for its removal were so inadequate for the purpose,
that although the operation of cleansing the channel
by spade was continued during eight days, the
excavation had not at the end of that period extended
to so much as one hall of the whole area