12 



Comparing the results of these analyses it is evident that as 

 the sea Avater diminishes the pollution increases from 1"2 to 9*15 

 for free ammonia, and from '17 to *80 for albuminoid ammonia 

 per million. 



At the same time samples were taken and sent to Professor 

 Hutchens for bacteriological examination. He reported that at 

 least 1,000 Bacillus coli per c.c. were found in each. 



These figures therefore give better results than might have 

 been expected. But it has to be stated that the samples were 

 taken after and during heavy rain storms, which evidently 

 diluted the sewage contamination considerably. The present 

 experiment is therefore rather inconclusive. But an attempt 

 ought to be made to continue the observations during the 

 summer when the salmon ascend the river. For, apart from its 

 sanitary bearing, the pollution of the Tyne has an important 

 connexion with the work of the River Tyne Conservancy. Many 

 of the members believe that the pollution is increasing from year 

 to year to such an extent that there is danger of the Tyne 

 ceasing to be a salmon river. There are evidently many other 

 sources of pollution than those indicated in the above analyses. 

 For example, the sample taken from the Teams was black with 

 creosote, a most poisonous and corrosive substance, and it cannot 

 be washed aAvay. Other sources might be mentioned, paper 

 mills, drainage from tank waste heaps, sulphur and copper 

 works, paint works, colliery water, gas works, tanneries and 

 the like. 



In the summer of 1901 Dr. Xoel Paton, of Edinburgh, 

 investigated and reported on the condition of the Tyme, and he 

 stated in that report, with reference to the tributaries : — " In the 

 low part of the Team no fish are ever seen of any kind ; it is 

 very much polluted by sewage from several places, colliery 

 water, and a brown-paper mill. The Derwent is the same. It 

 runs through a mining country, has three paper mills"''' and other 

 works on it." It may be presumed that matters have got worse 

 rather than better since that report was written. 



Note. With reference to the figures given in this report, the free ammonia 

 and albuminoid ammonia are evidences of the extent of organic impurity, and 

 indicate putrifyiug animal and vegetable matter. No figures are given as to the 

 poisonous chemical substances from the works mentioned above, which are 

 really more important with regard to the life of fish. 



* The paper works on the Derweat have ceased to work for some yeai-s. 



