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of the Vestry not to sever its connection with the Burial Board, but, after all, the
first and plainest duty of the Vestry is to properly, efficiently and energetically
administer all matters dealing with Public Health, and I must remind you that this
is the raison d'etre of its existence.
But this duty cannot be performed satisfactorily, unless su'table accommodation
be given to its servants and advisers to carry out the work devolving on them. I,
therefore, strongly press on this committee the urgent necessity that exists for
appointing a sufficient staff, and the absolute necessity of providing accommodation
for that staff.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
ALFRED E. HARRIS,
Medical Officer of Heilth.
Vestry Hall, Islington,
July 10th, 1893.
I have nothing to add to this report, except that since it was made
on very many occasions very serious delays have occurred, not only in
attending to the general routine work of the department, but also in
delays to the public in obtaining speedy attention.
This report gave rise to one good result, for it has brought
prominently before the Vestry, not only the inadequacy of the offices I
am interested in, but also the overcrowded condition of every department
of the Vestry.
It is now the month of June, and nothing has yet been effected.
It must be stated, however, that the matter of providing accommodation
for the staff of the Vestry, as a whole, is engaging the attention of a
Special Committee, who have already propounded one scheme which on
the face of it, was certain to, and indeed did, fail to be carried by the
Vestry.
WATER SUPPLY.
In the appendix will be found the result of the chemical examination
of the water supplied by the New River Company to this district.
It calls for no special comment, for its general results show that the
district is provided with a good and pure water.
In his report to the Registrar Genera', Professor E. Frankland,
F.R.S., says of this supply: "The water derived chiefly from the Lea
by the New River and East London Companies, was almost invariably
superior to the Thames-derived water of the Chelsea, West Middlesex,