96 
through the polluted area with very little mortality, and it was 
not till May 11th that a sudden short spell of very hot weather 
caused the death of a number of smolts above the Redheugh Bridge, 
at the Gateshead side of the river. 
As soon as this information was received, Mr. Tuck telephoned 
to the Team By-Product Co. and the Gateshead Gas Works asking 
them to hold up their effluents till 2-3 hours after high tide, so 
that they would be carried immediately down the river. At great 
expense and trouble to themselves these two firms complied with 
the request, and undoubtedly did a considerable amount of good, 
for which the Sub-committee is extremely grateful. 
On Friday, May 12th, twelve of the dead smolts (all trout) 
found on the shore beside Gateshead Gas Works were sent to 
Cullercoats for examination. In every case the gills, &c., were 
found to be impregnated with tar. 
On May 15th a large number of brown trout were found 
in the Derwent below the paper mill. No deaths had been 
notified above the paper mill, but as the fish had been stored for 
over a week before being submitted for examination, the cause 
of death was not definitely ascertained. 
The salmon smolts began to migrate about May 16th under 
rather less favourable conditions than the trout smolts had 
experienced at the beginning of their descent. 
On May 26th further samples (the majority, salmon) were 
sent to Cullercoats. These had again been found near Gateshead 
Gas Works, and were covered with tar. 
On May 30th information was received that the smolts had 
finished running, and Mr. Tuck telephoned next day to the two 
firms releasing them from their promise to hold up their effluents 
till the ebb tide. Unfortunately the information was somewhat | 
premature, and hundreds of salmon smolts were found dying on 
June 7th, but it was decided that nothing further could be done | 
in the matter this season. 
Appended will be found tables and graphs showing the salinity 
of the Tyne at different points visited by the “* Evadne ” when 
cruising in the river for the purpose of taking water samples. | 
The details of the analyses of these samples have been with- © 
held in the meantime, and will be published later in the special 
report to be submitted by the Sub-committee. 



