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32
The interruption of the constant supply commenced on August 22nd, and the
following statement summarises the steps taken in consequence thereof in
Shoreditch:
On August 23rd enquiries were made at the offices of the Water Company by the
chairman of the Public Health Committee and the medical officer of health as to
the measures the Water Company were taking with a view to alleviating the
inconvenience and distress likely to arise in consequence of their action. It was
ascertained that the Company were providing standpipes in connection with the
arterial mains in different parts of their district, and were also willing to supply free
of charge two-gallon stoneware jars for storing water to be distributed amongst
the consumers of their water who were without the means of storage.
The Company's engineer stated that any complaints as to shortness of
water in public institutions, such as hospitals and schools brought under the notice of
the Company's officials at the Lea Bridge Works would receive prompt and special
attention, and it was understood that the Water Company would do everything in
their power to work with the Vestry in mitigating as far as possible the evils
attendant upon the interference with the constant supply.
On August 24th, a consignment of 100 stoneware jars was delivered at the Town
Hall by the Water Company, and the inhabitants of the districts affected having been
apprised by means of posters that such jars could be obtained on application to the
Public Health Department, the distribution began on the following day. The supply
of jars was, however, not equal to the demand, and numbers of applicants had to be
requested to apply again. At their meeting on August 25th, the Public Health
Committee approved the action already taken on behalf of the Vestry, and empowered
the chairman of the Public Health Committee and medical officer to procure
storage jars in the event of the water company failing to supply them.
On August 26th, the distribution of storage jars continued and 300 were distributed
during the course of the day.
On August 27th, Major-General Scott, the Water Examiner appointed under the
Metropolis Water Act 1871, made enquiry on behalf of the Local Government Board
at the Town Hall with respect to the water supply given in Shoreditch by the East
London Company.
There were present on behalf of the Vestry, the chairman of the Public Health
Committee, the vestry clerk, surveyor and medical officer of health.
The facts laid before General Scott were:—
(1) That the population in Shoreditch affected by the interruption of the
constant supply was estimated at about 30,000.
(2) That storage cisterns haying been to a very great extent abolished, not
only in dwelling houses but also in a large proportion of workshops and