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that is unobjectionable; they consider, however, that it is quite
practicable to obtain 30,000,000 million gallons per diem,
or even more than that quantity of water, of the best possible
quality for dietetic purposes (i.e., drinking and cooking), viz.,
the pure spring water from wells sunk in the chalk. Estimating
the consumption at two gallons per head per diem for these
purposes, as a liberal supply they show that it is possible to
double that allowance, and to provide in addition an ample supply
for fire brigade purposes, which by a system of hydrants could be
delivered at great pressure and in abundant quantity so as to
be available for the extinguishment of fire in the loftiest buildings
without the intervention of fire engines. They would have made
on the high ground to the North and South of London reservoirs
at a height of 400 feet above ordnance datum, supplied by
pumping engines drawing their supply of spring water at distances
of from 8 to 15 miles beyond the reservoirs—in the open country—
all the reservoirs to be united by large arterial mains traversing
London from North to South; and these mains to be united by
subsidiary mains from which a supply pipe would deliver water
to an air-tight receptacle, in each house, of a capacity of 3 to 10
gallons, and filled automatically. It is needless to enter into
further details of this plan, but it may be stated that for economy
and other reasons the mains would be placed under the footways,
and that on them at the time they are laid down the hydrants
would be placed. The authors of the scheme consider that
even if the property of the water companies were acquired
by the governing body, this plan is the only feasible one
by which the present complaints on the score of bad quality
of the water, considered in respect of its potability, and
the deficient quantity, &c., and insufficient pressure for fire
brigade purposes, could be satisfied. They ask, therefore,
apart from all the questions and difficulties connected with the
acquisition by the governing body of the property of the water
companies—which would be resisted, and would involve years
of parliamentary warfare—why should not the plan be at once
carried out, leaving the question of the acquisition of the companies
for after consideration ? I have thought it right to lay this
epitome of an important subject before your Vestry, as it is one of vast
importance for ratepayers and sanitary authorities alike. I shall
conclude my remarks by stating that the eminent authorities who
are responsible for the scheme estimate the cost of carrying it out
at £5,500,000, viz., for a separate supply of potable water,
under sufficient pressure for extinguishing fires, including the house
fittings, and also the hydrants. The annual cost attendant upon
such a capital expenditure, and for pumping and cost of
management is set down, at £225,000, equal to about 2½d.
in the pound on the rateable value of the Metropolis. As