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are made for dealing with this subject. The question of
piggeries is a closely allied one, and the importance of either
license and regulation, or total suppression, yearly increases
as our population increases, and unpolluted air becomes
more valuable. In the local summaries for Clapham and
Putney this subject is brought forward forcibly, and
reasons urged for removal, or strict regulation. We could
further suggest the control of stables, and all places
where animals in number are kept being put under
some form of supervision.
The Water Supply.— This most important question
received great attention during the past year. In
August, in consequence of a complaint from the Board of
Works to the Local Government Board, Col. Bolton, the
Water Examiner to the Government, was appointed by
the latter Board to hold an inquiry into the water supply
of the district. A minute examination of the Water
Company's works was resolved upon by his suggestion,
and a deputation of the Board, accompanied by their
sanitary officers, proceeded with Col. Bolton in September
to the works at Battersea and Hampton, and later made
an examination of the plans of the mains conveying the
water through the District. The result of that inquiry
was unfavourable to the Company, inasmuch as (1) the
position of the works (in Battersea especially) is
objectionable on account of the deleterious atmosphere to
which they are exposed; (2), no reservoirs were
provided for subsidence of suspended impurities, and for
avoiding the necessity for taking in flood waters from the
river; (3), the water in certain parts, where the
supply pipes terminate, (dead ends) was in a bad condition,
and ought to be frequently withdrawn; and (4),
a constant supply was not provided. It was also
agreed that something ought to be done to prevent
the contamination of the river at and above the point of
intake, a matter over which of course the Company has no
control. In the report of Professor Frankland, as printed
in the Registrar General's Annual Summary for 1877, he