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no communication from their own analysts with reference to
their water, which is analysed daily by those gentlemen—Sir
William Crookes and Professor Dewar, chemists of high professional
reputation. Other samples were subsequently taken
from houses in the square and examined by the public
analyst, who had again to make an unfavourable report.
Your Vestry applied to the Local Government Board to have
reserve samples examined by Sir Edward Frankland. The
Board's reply was to the effect that they " could not undertake
to arrange for the analysis by Sir E. Frankland of
samples of water supplied by the Vestry." The Special Purposes
Committee had an interview with the secretary and the
engineer to the Company, and inspected the plan of the
mains in the district—it being a statutory duty of the Company
to provide such plans, which are required to be open to
the inspection of all persons interested. Examination of the
plan revealed the fact that, practically, though not actually, the
main from which the samples had been taken terminates in
a " dead-end," a condition of things which tends to sluggishness
of flow of the contained water, and to the growth of
organisms, unless the main is flushed and cleansed with sufficient
frequency. The officers of the Company stated that
this was done, and no doubt proper instructions are given. But
in the case in point, these instructions may not have been
carried out; in other words the main may not have been
flushed and cleansed with necessary frequency. The engineer
admitted the necessity for this treatment, and promised
that the matter should receive proper attention. The samples
of water submitted for examination by the Company's analysts
are taken from a stand-pipe, and from a main in which the
flow is active and practically incessant. The analysts' report
for each day in the month was favourable, every sample being
returned as " clear." But such a report, upon samples of water
taken under the prescribed conditions, is not inconsistent with
impurity of a supply derived from a subsidiary pipe