142 



Rye and Dericent Drainage. 



the limits of the Rye and Derwent Act been benefited, but by 

 the increased outfall an opportunity is afforded, if the new cut 

 be carried forward up to Yeddingham Bridge, of an increased 

 outfall there of two feet and a half, to a very important tract 

 lying in the eastern portion of the vale embraced within the 

 limits of the Muston Drainage Act ; and in the Rye and Der- 

 went Act powers are given to the Commissioners of the two 

 drainages, to treat for compensation for any increased facilities 

 which might be afforded to the upper district. This has not yet 

 been taken advantage of, although the inducement held out is so 

 manifest. 



I may be allowed to say — and I do not think that I say too much 

 when I affirm — that I have known one flood do more damage to 

 crops and tilth, if fairly valued in money, than the whole sum 

 expended under this Act. What the condition of the district 

 would have been just now, after the unprecedented falls of rain 

 we have had, it is impossible to imagine; for although there 

 has been land flooded during these rains, particularly where the 

 banks were imperfect, yet the benefit may in some measure be 

 estimated when I mention, that at New Mai ton Mill the water 

 has never risen within Jive feet of the former height of a high 

 flood : the consequence is, that there being such a rapid outfall, 

 the lands above, in place of being submerged all the winter, a 

 few days after the rain ceases, are now sufficient to run off all 

 the water, and the effect in some instances to grass land is bene- 

 ficial, rather than injurious. 



In a sanitary point of view, it is impossible to overrate the 

 benefits of this improvement to the climate of the district, during 

 the prevalence of north-east winds, blowing over an extent of 

 so many thousand acres of land, in the marshes which formerly, 

 during the winter months, if not actually under water, remained 

 in a stagnant state, overcharging the air with moisture, and not 

 unfrequently with miasmata, rendering it colder and less genial 

 to the health of man and beast, and very detrimental to vegetable 

 life generally. 



I have the honour to be, Sir, yours faithfully, 



John Henderson. 



Castle Harvard, December^ 1852. 



