DEVASTATION BY RESERVOIR.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
Sire,—In your article on this subject, in the issue of February 25th, you ask, "What does the Thames Conservancy think of a proposal which is to destroy the Thames Valley for miles P" I am sorry to say, in reply to your very pertinent inquiry, that the opposition of the Conservancy has been bought off by the Water Board. The Board has agreed to make an increased annual payment to the Conservancy for the abstrac- tion of Thames water, and the Conservancy has, for this money consideration, undertaken not to oppose the Bill. It is, to me, truly astonishing that the people of London can be so indiffe- rent to the disastrous proposals of the Board Not only is the scheme open to the very serious objections stated by you, but of still greater importance is the terrible risk to the health and safety of the Metropolis of leaving it dependent for its future water supply on a polluted and insalutary source. The evi- dence (entirely bacteriological) on which the Board is acting is of a very unsatisfactory and inconclusive character, but unless some powerful body like the City Corporation interferes the Bill will probably pass through Parliament.—I am, Sir, &c.,
J. P.
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