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86
[Appendix IV.
"Whenever water shall be constantly laid on ... . every person supplied . . . ..
shall, when required by the Company, provide a proper cistern, or other receptacle for the
water with which he shall be so supplied," with all necessary fittings.
The Companies have, moreover, the power to refuse or to discontinue a supply where no cistern
is provided, but except in the case of new houses and supplies, such power is not exercised.
The experience of the East London Water Famine demonstrated the need of cisterns, as had
they been left undisturbed, there would have been storage to maintain a partial supply during the
intervals when the water was turned off. Instead of doing away with cisterns, it appears to be
better to see that they are suitably designed, made of proper materials, adequately protected, and
regularly cleansed.
Water Regulations.—In November last the Metropolitan Water Companies issued a draft
of a series of new Water Regulations to have effect throughout the Metropolis after confirmation
by the Local Government Board. Under Sec. 22 of the Metropolis Water Act, 1871, a public
inquiry must be held before confirmation, if demanded by certain prescribed persons.
The Regulations were considered by the Electric, Gas, and Water Committee of the Council,,
who, in a report dated November 27th, submitted observations and resolutions on nearly every
one of the new Regulations and recommended that an inquiry should be demanded. The Council
adopted the report and recommendations without alteration. The report was issued to all local
authorities within "Water London," and attracted that attention to the Regulations which was
required to ensure a proper representation to the Local Government Board.*
The proposed Regulations contained much that was excellent, but many of the proposals were
vexatious, and the Regulations as a whole gave the Companies too much power over individuals.
There is practically no appeal from the interpretation put upon any Regulation by the Water Companies
except to a magistrate. Such an appeal involves considerable expenditure, and the magistrate
acting alone is naturally prone to rely upon the evidence of the officials, who are expected to be
well skilled in the interpretation of the Regulations and in the technical details relating to water
supply, unless, as rarely happens, the other side can afford to bring forward experts of greater
weight to refute the water officials. There requires to be some appeal from the latter which
should not require the intervention of lawyers and the consequent expenses. There does not appear
to be any valid objection to entrusting the local authority with such jurisdiction. The authority's
law officer would be an assessor to interpret the Regulations and guide decisions, and a friendly
discussion round a table in a committee room is likely to produce more harmonious results between
consumer and company (even if the decision be against the former) than the crushing out processof
the Police Court.
Inhabited House Duty.—Applications were received during the year for certificates of
exemption under Sec. 4 of 54 and 55 Vic., c. 25 (Customs and Inland Revenue Act, 1891), for 127
houses in Bravington, Ashmore, Portnall, and Shirland Roads, by one owner; for 13 houses
in Fermoy and Hormead Roads by another; and for 2 houses in Bravington Road by a third—
making 142 houses in all. These applications involved a systematic inspection of each house to
determine the number of occupants, their manner of occupation, rents paid, and sanitary
accommodation provided. The drain of each house was tested, and notices issued for remedying of
defects found above and below ground. At the close of the year no certificates had been issued, but
much work was in hand for obtaining the same.
House Drainage.—During the past year 512 drains were re-constructed, tested with water,,
and passed as sound, and 29 old drains were tested for various reasons and found still sound. The
* Although not part of the year's record, it is ancient history that the opposition offered at the inquiry was tostrong
that the Water Companies abandoned their proposals in toto. As a matter of fact, the existing Regulations,
made in 1872 have never been really enforced.