View report page

26
dence, for the large amount of Sanitary work undoubtedly performed.
Much time was occupied during the year in providing
new forms, books, &c., for the use of the department, and it was
recommended by the Committee, and approved by your Vestry, that
it should be one of the duties of the new Inspector to attend to the
clerical work. This has been done very efficiently, as, indeed, have
all the duties entrusted to Mr. Rudman, the new Inspector, who
has amply justified the recommendation of the Committee. At
present it is necessary that the records of the Sanitary Department
continue to be kept by Mr. Rudman ; but when the new system is
thoroughly established it may be thought desirable to obtain the
services of a youth, competent to carry on the work, and thus
liberate the third Inspector for more important duties.
WATER SUPPLY.
The water supply of the parish during the year was satisfactory in
regard to quantity. It is estimated that the London Companies
supply, on an average, upwards of 25 gallons per diem to each inhabitant,
a very large proportion of which, I have no doubt, serves
the useful purpose of flushing the house drains, &c, being in the
ordinary sense of the term "wasted," owing to the use of imperfect
fittings, waste pipes, &c. The supply in any case, however, must
be very unequal upon the intermittent system, as many houses,
inhabited by large numbers of poor persons, have only one
cistern of moderate capacity for all purposes: and it is very
commonly placed immediately over the w.c. Unless, therefore
the inhabitants of such houses collect water while it is coming
in, the supply must be not only far below the average above mentioned,
but far below their actual wants. The only practical remedy
for deficient quantity is the constant supply system, which has
been found, where adopted, strictly conducive to economy. Under
the "Metropolis Water Act, 1871," which came into operation
in February of this year, a constant supply is provided for, subject
to certain regulations, and the provision of the necessary
fittings in four-fifths of the houses in a district. The Board of
Works, as the Metropolitan Authority, may require the fittings to be
provided within a fixed time, and, on failure, may provide new, or
repair existing fittings, at the cost of the person chargeable with the
water rate. These arrangements are necessary to avoid the otherwise
ruinous waste that would ensue from a constant supply of water at a
pressure adequate to convey it to the top of the houses within the
district. Dwelling houses grouped in courts may, when necessary,
be supplied by means of a stand-pipe placed near them, at the expense
of the owner or owners. The Companies have power to frame regulations,
subject to the approval of the Board of Trade, for the
prevention of waste, and may prescribe the size, nature, and strength
of the entire apparatus to be used. When the regulations have been
approved, the owners or occupiers of property will be bound, under