212 THE ICSSKX KIELD CIA'li. 



had bee.i kindly arranged by the Chairman of the Company, Mr. George 

 Banbur}' ; instead of doing so, we went at " full steam " onwards. 



" Afternoon tea " and gracefully presided over by the ladies of the party. Hot 

 water was available on board, and after a long exposure to the warm sunshine, 

 the repast was much enjoyed by all present. 



Mr. Howard Saunders, F.L.S. (editor of " Yarrell's British Birds," and author 

 of the " Illustrated Handbook of British Birds ") gave some account of the more 

 remarkable Birds of the district. 



The intake of the East London Company is at Bonder's End — Kidd's Weir. 

 There was an ample supply of good water flowing. But alas ! nearly opposite 



Kidd's Weir, the Intake of the East London Water C(i.mi'Anv. 

 FOR Drinking Water on the Navigable Lea. 



The Last Intake 



the point was moored a most foul-smelling cargo of London refuse — " manure " so- 

 called. Major Flower has no power to prevent pollution to the air ; and although 

 the water was excellent, the frequency of manure heaps placed on the banks of 

 the stream — fortunately kept back from draining into it as far as is possible — 

 and the barges full of similar filthy i-efuse, forced the conviction on all present that 

 the air is not as pure as it ought to be, especially below Enfield Lock. 



Happily by a recent decision of the Board of Trade, a toll is to be enforced 

 in future ; up to the present day " manure " is carried on the Navigation of the 

 Leay>-cif "by Act of Parliament.'' It is to be hoped that this decision will lessen 

 the evil, which is a blot on an otherwise beautiful river. 



Tottenham Lock was reached at 9 p.m., and the party dismissed, leaving to 

 a future dav a visit to Lea Bridge, which we venture to hope may be accom- 

 plished — perhaps next 3'ear. Those who took part in the excursion will long 



I 



