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some years ago to abandon the barbarous practice of cuttingoff,
and, I understand, 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 believe, summons largely in preference to cuttingoff,
and other Companies probably, more or less generally, do
likewise. Defaulters are summonsed in the Police Court; but
the Magistrates have no jurisdiction unless the Company proceed
within six months of the debt becoming due; and the
debt, i.e., the rate, is due in advance. Inasmuch, therefore, as
the Companies only collect half-yearly, they must proceed
before the expiration of the six months, and hence have to
sue before the second quarter has expired, which to some
appears to be a hardship. If greater facilities, including more
time, were given to the Companies, for recovering the rate in
the Police Court, probably they would be willing to waive
the right to cut off the supply, or consent to its abolition. I
do not suppose that a question of this sort comes within the
limits of the enquiry now being made by the Royal Commission
on Water-supply. It might, however, well be brought
to their attention. From the public health point of view, it is
one of great importance.
conclusion.—In bringing this my twenty-eighth annual
report to a conclusion, I desire to acknowledge the valuable
assistance received from Mr. E. R. Hill, first assistant-clerk in
the Public Health Department, particularly in the collation of
statistics. I desire also to bear testimony to the good work of
the staff generally, and not least to that of the Sanitary
Inspectors, which has been carried out as efficiently as
was possible, having regard to the limited number of those
officers, and to the vastness and variety of the duties
devolved on your Vestry by the authority of Parliament.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
T. ORME DUDFIELD,
Medical Officer of Health.
Public Health Department,
Town Hall, Kensington, W.
April, 1898.