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come to them. The wonder should be that we have not
more such. These are the only means for storing water
under the intermittent supply system, and each is alone
used for both domestic purposes and closet supply—there
should be a separate and distinct receptacle for each—
this objectionable system prevails throughout the
Metropolis.
I think you will concur with me, that there is an
exception to the general immunity of the East London
Water Company from blame, when I inform you that it
has come to my knowledge that many houses occupied
by the very poorest in the Hamlet have been without
water for periods varying from one to three months; as
examples, I may mention Providence-place in the East, and
Essex-street and Johns-place in the West Wards. From
enquiries, I ascertained the cause to have been that the
water rate had not been paid by the landlords, and consequently
the water was ''cut off" by the servants of the
Company. This power they legally posses under a clause
ot their Act, but they have also the power to pursue the
landlord in the County Court, which would prevent the
infliction of suffering upon the helpless and non-offending
occupiers, and avoid a source of great danger to the
healthof the whole community. The people were compelled
to beg water from their neighbours who could ill
spare it; feeling the risk and peril such a condition must
entail upon neighbourhoods where, of all others, we look
for—and, indeed, there did then exist—fever and other
infectious diseases, I communicated with the Company,
informing them of the extreme danger incurred in depriving
the people of water, but no water was supplied
until the rates were paid, and so these poor people were
deprived, for a long period, of one of the first necessaries