§ COLONEL DAWNAY (York, N.R., Thirsk)asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether the Thames Conservators have decided to take any effectual steps to put a stop to the pollution of the waters of the Upper Thames, by preventing house boats and steam launches draining their sewage directly into the river?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)I have been in communication with the Con- 1780 servators of the River Thames on the subject of their proposed bye-law prohibiting the casting, or suffering to fall or How into the river, any sewage or other offensive matter, and the effect of that bye-law with regard to house-boats and steam launches. The Conservators have forwarded to me a copy of a letter which, as soon as the bye-law referred to has been approved, they propose to address to the owners of house-boats and steam launches requesting that they will, without delay, make the necessary arrangements in the fittings of their vessels in order to comply with the bye-law referred to. They state that any closet communicating with the river would obviously be an infraction of the bye-law, and cannot, therefore, be permitted.