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162
mation to the sanitary authority, when, from any cause, they
had exercised their statutory right to cut-off the water supply
of an occupied dwelling-house. Every company is now
required to give such notice within twenty-four hours after
exercising the said right, under liability to a fine not exceeding
ten pounds for default. The power to cut-off the supply is,
no doubt, of some value to the companies, for "an occupied
house without a proper and sufficient supply of water," is
" deemed unfit for human habitation " (sec. 48). In all such
cases reported by the several companies, the sanitary authority
are obliged to take steps to ensure restoration of the supply—
which is necessarily preceded by the payment of the company's
rate. The cutting-off powers were materially limited in 1887,
by the Water Companies (Regulation of Powers) Act. which is
described as "an Act to limit the powers of the water companies
to cut-off the tenant's water supply when the rate is paid by
the landlord," as is very generally the case in regard to tenement
houses, and houses otherwise occupied in lodgings, etc.,
by the poorer classes. The beneficent result of this legislation,
which had been advocated in these reports many years previously,
is that the water supply of the poor is generally secured,
and that without loss to the companies. Surely the time has
come that the power to cut-off the supply from an occupied
house should cease ; and that, as I suggested, in 1882, " the
company should be left to their remedy for the recovery of the
rate as a debt, like other traders," and not be allowed to create
a dangerous nuisance merely as a coercive measure for securing
the payment of the rate. One enlightened company, the East
London, resolved some years ago to abandon the barbarous
practice of cutting-off; and, I am informed by the secretary,
have had no cause to regret the decision. They sue the defaulter,
and the result is stated to be, on the whole, " highly
satisfactory." The New River Company also, I understand,
summons largely in preference to cutting-off, and other companies
now, probably, are following suit. Defaulters are