PROCEEDINGS OF THE COTTESWOLD CLUB 1 43 



banks and on those of its tributaries, or rather its one 

 tributary the Stour, for above the Avon the Stour is the 

 only tributary that receives any very large amount of 

 pollution, excepting such as may be called natural pollu- 

 tion. In Montgomeryshire flannel and cloth manufacture 

 is carried on to some considerable extent and is a source 

 of pollution. The first flannel mills are above Llanidloes. 



The population of Llanidloes is 2574. It is irregularly 

 drained, several drains discharging into the river. There 

 is no public water supply and cesspits and wells abound. 

 There are several flannel and woollen mills in the town. 

 Above Llanidloes are lead mines the washings of which 

 flow into and it is said pollute the Severn with lead when 

 the mines are in work. At present they are idle. The 

 lead is reported to have poisoned the fish, but it would 

 be a chemical impossibility for lead to be borne any con- 

 siderable distance in the water of the Severn. 



Newtown and Llanllwchairn population 6610, 

 distant from Llanidloes by river about 16 miles. Here there 

 are several flannel and cloth mills. The town bears the 

 appearance of good public management and possesses 

 a sewage farm and pubHc water supply, the effluent goes 

 into the river. The river here is a large deep stream 25 

 or 30 yards wide with a strong current and bottom of 

 gritty stones. 



Montgomery, population 1098, a dozen miles by river 

 below Newtown is Montgomery station, but the town lies 

 over two miles from the river and cannot be said to 

 pollute it. 



Welshpool, population (urban) 3100, 10 miles from 

 Montgomery station by water. In the town is one flannel 

 factory employing 60 or 80 hands. Welshpool has a 

 water supply and its houses are pretty generally drained. 

 Its sewage goes straight into the river which at the 

 point of discharge exhibits no apparent sign of receiving 

 it. The volume of sewage seen discharging is insignificant 



