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182
posals will be opposed, the Government, it being understood,
favouring the appointment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry.
The question is of importance, affecting alike the public health
and the material interests of the people of the Metropolis, and
of the surrounding districts included in the water areas served
by the several companies. As regards this parish, nearly the whole
of it is now in the enjoyment of a constant service. That the
public are not dissatisfied with existing arrangements may be
inferred from the fact that during the past year no complaint
was made to this department, either with regard to the quality
of the water or as to insufficiency of supply ; and, for my part, I
consider that the water is of a satisfactory character. I do not
say it cannot be improved, for I have in these reports, during
many years, advocated the adoption of Clark's softening process
which I believe would have a distinctly beneficial effect upon
the quality of the water, which has undergone considerable
improvement of late years, and is, as I believe, capable of being
made everything that can be desired so as to satisfy the requirements
of all but the super-fastidious.
Conclusion.—In conclusion, I gladly acknowledge the
valuable help received from Mr. E. R. Hill, first Assistant Clerk,
in the collation of statistics, and in passing this report through
the press. I desire also to bear testimony to the good work of
the officers of the department generally, and not least to that
of the Sanitary Inspectors, which has been carried out faithfully
under circumstances of no little difficulty, not to say
discouragement.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
T. ORME DUDFIELD,
Medical Officer of Health.
Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
Kensington, W.
March, 1897.