THE AVON.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9005, 18 January 1895, Page 3

THE AVON.

TO XHB KDFTOR OF THE PRESS. Sib, —The proposal of the Mayor to erect fiood gates in the riverbed is opeu to grave objection. Firstly, it does not mccc the present emergency. A few weeks of warm, dry weather might engender a pestilence if the insanitary mud banks sire not immediately rendered inoffensive. How long : will it take to erect flood gates ! The proposal to iall a tree across the river met with but scant favour. It had, however, three advantages presented by no other scheme. It could have been accomplished, and the nuisance put an end to in a few hours; it would have coat next to nothing ; i and by its very nature would have been but a temporary obstruction; My next objection to flood gates is this—the alteration in I the level of the river caused, by the alternate opening and shutting of the gates would cause a corresponding alteration in the level of the subsoil water, and in the quantity of ground air. In other words, when the water level was lowered, air would be sucked into the ground, the level being air now saturated with foul moisture and mixed 'with emanations arising from decaying matter of all sorts would be pumped out again. Needless to say, much of this would be forced into the dwelling-places, especially those nearest the river. Hygienists tell us, however, that the grouud air is much to be feared as an influence greatly predisposing to, if not actually causing, disease.—Yours, &c, „ Readeb.