The Sun.
London, England, 1862-01-11 00:00:00

THE UTILISATION OF THE SEWAGE

OF THE METROPOLIS.

After some years of distrust, delay, and debate, we ap-
pear to be coming to a solution of this problem through a
proposal which is at present before the Board of 'Works.
The Board has in hand our delivery from a nuisance, and
it seems to be not only about to accomplish its work of
drainage within the specified time and the estimated cost,
but to be also on the point of arriving at the conclusion that
others can convert this nuisance to a benefit. The state of
the case at present is simply as follows :—The controversy
between the Government and the Board of Works them-
selves is closed, and the Board are now fulfilling their
obligations to carry the sewage to outfalls beyond the
limits of the metropolis. They aro still, however,
liable to indictments for nuisance, under the provi-
sions of the " Metropolitan Main Drainage Act" of
the 2d of August, 1858, should they cause any
annoyance to the inhabitants in the neighbourhood of
the place of outfall. It is natural, therefore, that they
should view with much apprehension the experiment of
discharging such a vast body of sewage as that derived
from the northern area of the metropolis, and estimated at
10,000,000 cubic feet per diem, in the near vicinity of popu-
lous neighbourhoods ; and not only may they anticipate re-
monstrances, which may be well founded, from Woolwich
and other districts affected, but there is great fear also that
Barking Creek may not be distant enough for the protec-
tion:of London itself. They pour the sewage into the
Thames at this point, in the hope that it may go down the
river ; but it may perversely obey the ebb and flow of
the tido in preference to the requirements of all the
Commissioners, to the detriment of our health, and
our continued annoyance. The investigations of
" experts" seem to show that it will do so. Mr.
Gurney, in his report to the First Commissioner of
Works, " On the State of the Thames in the Neighbour-
hood of the Houses of Parliament," adduces the parallel
action of the tide in the river Camel, in Cornwall, and
proves incontrovertibly the superior power of the upcast
over the downcast in its action on insoluble matters held in
suspension by tidal rivers, and adds, " I think it right to
observe here that it is evident sewage like the above sand"
(the material of Mr. Gurney's experiments), "if thrown
into the Thames—no matter how far down—will be brought
back again" (the italics are Mr. Gurney's) by the upcast ;
and, if the retrogrades are not destroyed, it will be retained
in the river in quantities sufficient to be offensive to the
Houses of Parliament." 'We can imagine the explosion,
from Mr. Speaker downwards, when the nuisance supposed
tot e exorcised and finally laid at Barking Creek is brought
back again in a hot July or August. The apprehension seems
to be but too well founded, and the river-side districts
of London may find some years hence that they are still far
from a deliverance from foul and noxious odours.

It might prove a serious question for the ratepayers of
London, who would then have to carry their exeretia to
the sea, but, for a substantial proposal now on foot to take
their sewage fro: ss the discharging drains and to carry it
away by culverts for agricultural purposes. It was inevit-
able that some such offers should be made, from the esti
mate of the value of sewage as manure, when facilities are
given for its distribution in a liquid state. There is some
controversy as to its value in particular cases, but
the experiments on the meadows near Edinburgh,
and in Devonshire, have proved, in accordance
with the conclusions of the committee presided
over by Lord Essex, that under certain conditions it
may be utilised with prcfit. In the present case it seems
but reasonable to conclude that it may be so utilised upon
lands in Essex, especially upon,the estuary land, now use-
less, which the projectors propose to embank and reclaim.
It is no part of Our function to estimate the prospects of a
commercial enterprise, but it is sufficient to entrust its pro-
moters with the execution of the work if they are practical,
experienced, and responsible persons, and are now obtain-
ing, as we are assured is the case, the assent,and support of
the resident landowners. Of the substantial pretensions of
their project there can be little doubt, seeing that Mr. Ba-
zalgette, the eng'neer of the Board of Works, has himself
reported that their "proposition is the only one the pro-
moters of which have, by depositing plans, placed them-
selves in a position to carry out during the coming
Session of Parliament; and, so far as its engineering
character and details are concerned, it is thoroughly
practical, and deserves the favourable consideration
of the Board." Mr. Bazalgette has reported also that " the
estimate is fair and sufficient," and that "the tract selected
appears to be well adapted to the reception of the sewage,
and is, indeed, the only one suggested to the Board where,
from its position, extent, and the nature of its soil, there
would be a reasonable prospect of its receiving advantage-
ously so large and constant a discharge of sewage, without
creating a nuisance to the surrounding district." It is said
that the solid pretensions of this plan have encouraged the
conception of various projects which, as compared with
this, are yet in embryo, and which involve expectations
altogether chimerical. But the Board, who can do nothing
on their own account, would act wisely in closing with a
bona-fide offer, on terms which their officers consider ad-
vantageous, and, by placing themselves in responsible
hands, would certainly avert from the metropolis and its
ratepayers the consequences of consigning their sewage to
the ebb and flow of the Thames.

7:HIS DAY'S MARKETS.

COVENT GARDEN.

Full average supplies of produce aro on sale at these
markets, for which the trade is in a sluggish state at the
annexed rates :

FRUIT.

a. d. s. d.l
Pine apples, perlb 4 0 to 6 0
Colonial do., each 0 0 to 0 0
Grapes,per lb 4 0 to 7 0
Foreign do 0 0 to 0 0
ltlelons, each
Peaches, per doz 0 0 to 0
Nectarines, per dz 0 0 to 0 0
Apples, per 4 sieve 2 0 to 5 0
Pears, per do
Oranges, per 100 3 6 to 10 0
Lemons, per 100 3 6 to 7 0
Apricots, per doz 0 0 to 0 0
VEGET.,
Greens, dz bunch 3 6 to 4 0
Cabbages, pr doz. 0 9 to 1 2
Savoy do., pr dz. 0 10 to 1 4
Cauliflowers, p dz 0 6 to 2 01
Brocoli, per bun. 0 10 to 1 0
Potatoes, per ton 190 to 160 01
New ditto, pr ewt. 0 0 to 0 0
Peas, per 4 sieve 0 0 so 0 0
Turnips, dz bunch 2 0 to 2 6
Carrots, pr do 4 6 to 5 0
Cucumbers 1 0 to 2 0
Garlic, per lb
Sorrel, per sieve 0 0 to 0 01
Spinach, hf.-sv 0 0 to 0 0
Brus. sprouts,h.s 1 3 to 1 9
Onions, hi. sv 1 3 to 1 0
New Do., dz bun 0 0 to 0 01
French beans, h.s. 0 0 to 0 0
Leeks, per bunch 0 0 to 0 0
NEWGATE AND

o. d. od.
Cherries, per lb. 0 oto 0 0
Filberts, per lb 0 oto 0 0
Cobnuts, per lb 4 oto 4 6
Almonds, per bus 0 oto 0 0
Walnuts, per 100 2 oto 2 6
Figs, per doz 0 oto 0 0
Damson . 0 0 to 0 0
Gooseberries ht sy 0 oto 0 0
Currants, per do. 0 oto 0 0
Plums, per do. .. 0 oto 0 0
Greengages, pr do. 0 oto 0 0
Raspbcrries,prpt 0 oto 0 0
LIMAS.
Shallots, per lb .. 0 oto 0 0
Horseradish, pbn 1 oto 2 6
Parsley, per ditto 0 3to 0 4
Celery, per ditto 0 Bto 1 6
Beet, per doz. .. 0 oto 0 0
Parsnips, per do. 0 oto 0 0
Small salad, p. pn, 0 oto 0 0
lilushrooms.p ptl. 2 oto 3 0
Artichokes, pr dz 0 oto 0 0
Cabbage lett,score 0 oto 0 C
Endive, per score 0 oto 0 0
Radishes, dz hnds 0 oto 0 0
Tomatoes, doz... 0 oto 0 0
Walnuts, per 100 0 oto 0 0
Chillies, per ditto 0 oto 0 0
Capsicums, per do 0 oto 0 0
Rhubarb, per bun 0 oto 0 0
Asparagus, pr do. 0 0 to 0 0
Seakale, per pun. 2 0 to 3 0
LEADENHALL.

Turkeys, 4s Od to 12s Od ; poults, Os Od to Os Od each ;
geese, 4s Od to 7s Od ; goslings, Os Od to Os Od ; ducks,
2s Od to 3s Od ; rabbits, is Od to 2s Od each ; wild do., 8d
to is 2d ; pigeons, is to Is Gd each ; large Surrey fowls,
6s Od to 12s 04; chickens, 3s Od to 7s Od ; barn-door fowls,
3s 6d to 6s Od ; capons, Os Od ; hares, Os Od to Os Od ;
grouse, Os Od to Os Od each; pheasants, 3s 6d to 4s Od ;
partridges, Os Od to 08 ; woodcocks, 3s Od to 4s Od; snipes, Is
Od to Is Od ; teal, is Od to Os ; wild ducks, 2s Od to 2s 6d ;
widgeons, is Od to is 6d ; plovers, Os 6d to is Od each ;
guinea fowls, Os Od to Os Od ; roasting pigs, 5s Od to 7s Od
each ; Ostend fresh butter, is to is 2d ; English, is 2d
to is G d per lb ; English eggs, Ils Od to 128 ; French do.,
9s Od to lOs Od per 120 ; leverets, 3s Od to 4s Od each.