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25
PUBLIC MORTUARY.
There were 384 dead bodies received into the public mortuary during the year.
In the following table are set forth the numbers during the six years 1889—1894.

The bodies of 15 persons dying of infectious disease were removed to the
mortuary by the sanitary authority.
The number of inquests held was 313, and the number of post-mortem examinations
made in the post-mortem room attached to the mortuary was 109, as oompared
with 60 last year.
WATER SUPPLY.
During the months of June, July and August, a scarcity of water prevailed over
the Metropolitan district supplied by the East London Water-works Company, and
considerable inconvenience and distress, not to mention danger to health, resulted
therefrom. The deficiency of water was most severely felt during July and August.
As I have pointed out in a previous report, Shoreditch receives most of its water
through the New River Company. A portion of the parish, having an estimated
population of a little under 29,000, is supplied by the East London Company, and
from this portion of the parish numerous complaints of want of water and of insanitary
conditions resulting therefrom were received by the Vestry's Health Department
during the summer months.
Early in July the East London Water-works Company issued a notice in the
district supplied by them which was to the effect that "In consequence of the unprecedented
and continuous drought the hours of supply of water must be materially
curtailed," consumers were requested to store a quantity sufficient for their daily use
while the water was on, and the watering of gardens by sprinklers and hose was
prohibited for the time being.
On July 15th a letter was addressed to the Vestry by the company, stating that
it was desirable to exercise economy in the road watering as it was necessary for the
Company to conserve all the water they were able for domestic necessities, and also
pointing out the importance of consumers preventing waste of water.
On July 19th I had an interview with the secretary of the company and I gathered
that it was necessary to restrict the supply of water, firstly, owing to scarcity through
ought; secondly, to prevent alleged waste; and thirdly, in consequence of the delay