The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-16 00:00:00

The Pollution of tho River Thames.

was issued, ued, intwoarge Blue-books,
the first commissioners
appo
inted to
FIRST REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
On SatilraaY I,N
of th
inquire into the best means of preventing the pol-
lution of rivers, commencing with the Thames. The
commissioners have made a personal inspection of
reportthe Thames, and have visited and made public in-
quiry in Oxford, Reading, Windsor, Kingston,
Richmond, Lechlade, Great Marlow, Worthing,
Croydon, and South Norwood. The main conclu-
sions to which they have been led are as follows :
" That the navigation works on the upper Thames
are in a neglected and ruinous condition, and that
some of the weirs and locks are dangerous. That
some weirs pound their water at too great a head,
and thereby permanently water-log adjoining lands
and the suburbs of some cities and tows, as Oxford,
Eton, and Windsor. That the existing method of
working the navigation by flashes' is antiquated,
rude, and destructive to the channel and banks of
the river, and at times to the crops and produce on
adjoining meadow and other lands. That fishing,
ballasting, orier growing, and weed-cutting are not
exercised with due care for the even Row of the
river water and the safe maintenance of the naviga-
tion. That there is no systematic forming and
maintaining of the banks, islands, and aits. That
some portions of the river have been privately em-
banked so as to prevent flooding of adjoining lands ;
but that, for the greater part of the distance between
Cricklade and Kingston, the land is liable to extensive
and injurious flooding. That sewage from towns,
villages, and houses on the bank of the river pollutes

the water. That the river is fouled by refuse from
papd-mills and tanneries, as also by floating carcases
of animals. That there are many shoals and some
mud banks in the river consequent on the incompe-

tence of- theThaniesComrnissionds to maintain it in
a navigable and proper state. That the several acts
of Parliament regulating the upper navigation

have been proved to be inefficient for their intended

purposes, and inconsistent with each other. That
the available income from all sources at the com-
mand of the Thames Commissioners has for some
time back not been sufficient to meet current ex-

penses. That the Thames Commission, as now
constituted, is far too numerous for efficient work-
ing. That from experiments conducted under •the
Sewage Commissioners, and evidence taken on the
subject of sewage utilisation, and also from our own

inspections and investigations, and also from the
evidence appended to this report, we believe that
town and house sewage may be so utilised on land
as to preserve the river from the danger of pol-
lution."

The Commissioners also submit the following re-
commendations :
" That the whole river be placed under the super-
intendence of one governing body. That this body
be the existing Conservancy Board, provided that
the board receive an addition of an adequate number
of representatives of the local interests of the upper
Thames ; and such representatives to be elected by
the persons who now constitute the Thames Com-
missioners. Thus after the lapse of a period to be
allowed for the alteration of existing arrangements,
it be made unlawful for any sewage, unless the same
has been passed over land so as to become purified,
or for any injurious refuse from paper-mills, tan-
neries, and other works, to be cast into the Thames
between Cricklade and the commencement of the
metropolitan sewerage system, and that any person
offending in this respect be made liable to penalties
to be recovered summarily. That it be made in-
cumbent upon the conservators to see to the enforce-
ment of the above prohibitions against pollution of
the river, and that for this purpose power be given
to them to visit and inspect works, and, after due
notice, to close the outlets of sewers, drains, and
discharge-pipes into the river within the limits de-
scribed in the last-preceding recommendation. That,
subject to proper safeguards to prevent abuse,
powers be given to local authorities to take land
compulsorily for the purpose of sewage irrigation,
to an extent not exceeding one acre for
every 50 persons whose sewage is to be applied.
That the upper navigation from Lccht d
so
Staines be put into working order,
persons
a
maintained. That the rights of
privatetrsed for the
to take tolls at locks no
navigation be abolished, and
in all weirs on the Thames now belonging to
longertlat the property
i
er with the liability to main-
tain to
transferred. the conserva-
rights which interfere with.
tors. That an fishing _
the level or free flow of the river be abolished,
privateta th esai persons,u wears
with
such compensation as may
etfrisg,ebtl:e
be settled by Parliament.
That the conservators be empowered to levy upon
all waterworks taking water for domestic or trade
Purposes from the river Thames a rental in propor-
tion to the volume abstracted , the maximum of
such rental to be named by Parliament. That the
conservators be empowered to borrow the necessary
money for the restoration and
maintenance of the
upper Thames. That,
order
to
provide adequate
security for money so inb
conserva-
tors be authorised to. e borrowed, the
to give a first charge upon the
future revenue of the upper navigation to the post-
ponement of the existing bonds, and to pledge, as
collateral securities, the rental abovementioned upon
the waterworks, and also the revenue of the lower
navigation. That upon the aforesaid securityth_
Public Works Loan Commissioners be authorised
to make advances to the conservators. That
powers be given to the conservators
brnds on
com-
pound with the holders of existing
the upper navigation. That lepers be
given
'ne w tg
to the conservators to make emban
ines, and carry tirourout
out the valley of the
rillathe cost of such
un-
arterial drainage operations,
tax upon the properties
provements to be met by a
so improved."

FIRE AT BARON MAROCIIETTI'S STUDIO.-0130
of the studios of Baron Marochetti, the sculptor, but not
his principal ono, was, on Saturday evening, discovered:to
be on fire, principally in the roof. An alarm-being given,
the Brampton Volunteer Firemen brought up their steam
engine first, and, the parish engine assisting, were able to
ghextinguisherewas
nt
oh
te an:
he sdamage before
doothneer:aonnaginneosnecoaut laud atorrive.
the
artist's works,

0 USES.—Messrs. TOPLIS and ROBERTS
have numerous furnished and unfurnished TOWN
'uburban, ald Country RioSIDENCES to LET or SELL.
rartiCtlla3 Upan opplicatlon forwarded tor two stamps,
upon stating requirements and rental. Offices, 2. Conduit-
Regent...treet, and South Kensington, facing the
street.
Museum.

(WTI{ KENSO GTON, HYDE-PARK,
SQueen's, and Rutland Gates, Queen's-gate and Peters-
ham Terraces, Queen's-gate, Cornwall, Princes and Beaufort
daardens, Elvaston-place, Cromwell-road, Onslow and Thurloe
squares, Boltnns, &c. Messrs TOPLIS and _ROBERTS have
LE -;IDENCES to SELL and LET in these and surrounding
localities. Offices, 2, Conduit-street, Regent-street, and
South Kensington, lacing the Museum.

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET,
Sole Lessee and ManEger, Mr. Buckstone.
Ting EVENING, A ROMANTIC ArrAcmIENT:
)Ir. Compton, Mr. W. Farren ; Miss Ada Cavendish.
Atter, whch. THE FA VOU KITE OR. rONE : Messrs.
So: herr, Buckit one, Chippendale,Rogers, esdarneB
Chippendale, tiaville, Moore, Fitzwilliam, lab, Lindley, &C.
Concluding with A DAUniIITEI: CO MAURY : Mr. W.
Barren and Mias LtehnCom Iluwari.
Commence at Seven.

OYAL LYCEUM T EIEATRE.-
PUnder the sole Management et Mr. Fechter.
The Last Five Night's ap
ave pearance maned f Mr. Fechter as Edgar
Itnsvvoo
THIS EVIVSING, SIMI'SON AND CO. Masan. S.
Emery, C. ovsman ; Alesdames Elaworthy, Henrade, Hors-
man, and B. Boyce.
Alter -which. THE MASTER OF RATINSWOOD.
Yeehter ; lessrs. Jordan, Emery, Widdicomb, Vezin
J.ll. Fitzpatriez, D. Evans ; Mesdames Ternan, Esworthy,
J..avenu, and C. Leclercq.
Box Office open daily from Elcven till Five.

N'ENV THEATRE-ROYAL ADELPHI.
Sole Proprietor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster.
THIS EVENING. ICI ON FABLE FRANCAIS.
Messrs. J. L. Toole, Billington, Philips; Mesdames Kate
Kelly, eaman, and Godsall.
After which, first time, a new Opera Pouffe, entitled
CRYING JENNY AND LAUGH ING JOHNNY. Messrs.
J. L. Toole, Eburne, Vi.fs Furtado, Mrs. A. Mellon.
ude with THE WRECK ASHO RE : Messrs J. L
To concl .
Toole. P. Bedford. Stuart, Billingtcr, , Atchl ey ; Miss Woolg,ar
and Kiss IL Simms

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.
Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. GPO. Vining.
THIS EVENING, A GHOST IN SPITE OF HIMSELF.
After whkh, at a quarter to Eight, TUE REETS OF
LONDON. Messrs. Vining. T. -Mead, V. Murray, Shore,
Villiers ; Mrs. H. Marson, Miss E. Barnett, and Miss K.
Rodgers.

OYAL STRAND THEATRE.
JOU Sole Lessee and 31anagerces, Alrs.Swanborough.
THIS EVENING, at Seven o'clock, PERFE TION.
After which will be produced a grand Easter Burlesque,
PARIS ; or, Vive Lesapiere : Messrs. Stoyle, horne, Jame- :
Alesdames A. Swanborough, Eaynham, Simpson, Johnstone,
ltanoe, and Lion.
To conclude with DEAF AS A POST : Mr. Belford.

g SADLER'S WELLS THEATRE.-
Under the Sole Management of Mr. W. H. C. Nation.
THIS EVENING, F. C. Burnand's pathetic drama, THE
DEAL BOATMAN. Mr. Be:more and Miss F. Gwynne.
Followed by Douglas Jerrold's nautical Drama, BLACK
KYED SUSAN. Messrs. T. Swinbourne, Barrett, more,
Misses Ada llytv, Harland, L. Wilmot e..tc.
Concluding with Burnand's Burl, sque of IXION : Missets
Lizzie Willa:ore, Hudspeth, Fanny GWVI:111e, tiarland, Bet y
'Tracey, and G. Belmore.
Commence at S yen.
Acting • -----_
Manager, Mr. NYE CHART.

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HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

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cti
r
- UAL

LONDON, MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1866

Affairs continue to be very serious respecting the
German Powers, and it seems more than ever pro-

bable, according to the last accounts, that war

will be the end of all this altercation. From Vienna

we learn that all the intelligence that is received is

warlike, and despatches hare been received at the

Court from Berlin. Several generals are expected

in Prague, and preparations are being made for
the formation of volunteer corps in many places.
Prussia is likely to be treated with great disregard,
notwithstanding all her protestations concerning
nationality ; and it is stated that Austria, Bavaria,
and Saxony have settled to carry out a Reform of
the Federal Constitution, irrespective of the scheme
proposed by Prussia. That designing Power is
hard at work striving to effect the realisation of

some of her cherished schemes, and, in accord.
ante with the policy she is now carrying out, seve

ral Governments of Northern Germany have been

sounded in order to ascertain whether they would
agree to a separate military convention. The
absurdity of some of the statements made is nearly
incredible, and shows to what an extent the pro-
pounders of Berlin policy can go in the prosecu-

tion of their schemes. The semi-official Nord
Deutsche Zeitung contradicts the statement that has
been
made respecting the convocation of the Ger-
man Parliament for the first of September being
proposed by Prussia it also declares that the
schemes now set forward at Berlin are not merely
diplomatic movements, but that they are the result
and under the proposals
a "irresistible necessity,"
to be carried out " the ruin of Germany is inevitable,
as the question of the Duchies has shown." The
ruin of Germany is far more likely to be effectual if
the plans of Prussia are agreed to than if they are
carried out ; and at any rate it is very idle to talk
and write after this fashion. Among the many con-
tradictions that appear we find that some German
papers decry the authenticity of the rumour that an
understanding had been come to between Prussia and
R"aria, and that concerning the proposals for a re-
form of the-Federal Constitution. It is declared that
the Bavarian Government is quite ignorant of the
nature of such proposals, but will be quite willing
to consider them
When it has received an intimation
of their meaning. It is rep
Government is seeking to orted that the Bavarian
prevent the present posi-
tion of Austria and prusala from
serious, but, with the best intent' becoming more
intentions,
to effect much in this direction. s, it is not likely
Matters have
assumed so dangerous an aspect, and
con-
flicting interests are involved, that the manoeuvres
many
of any one State will be of no avail to prevent the
catastrophe that is most likely impending. No-
thing could possibly be instrumental in changing
things for the better but the abatement of th;
de-
mands of Prussia, and of that there seems little or
no chance. Indeed we may safely predicate that
there will be war unless Count BISMARK resigns.
A rumour to that effect was circulated at Ham-
burgh on Saturday, and it had a favourable influ-
ence on the Bourse, which is not to be wondered at,
but unfortunately little credence is given to the re.
port by well-informed persons. That mischievous
statesman has done more than any other man
living to injure the prospects of Prussia, and
indeed to militate against the interests
ofo Germany collectively ; and he has much
t
answer for. His aim has been to mono-
ipolieall power to the Berlin Government, and to