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structed mortuary-chamber would supply a great public want, and be
regarded as a boon by very many poor and other parishioners.
The question of providing baths and washhouses has been seriously
taken up, most carefully considered, and ably reported upon by a committee
specially appointed for that purpose. It is not too much to say
that a majority of the Vestry cordially supported the principle of these
institutions, admirable in a sanitary sense, and desirable in every way ;
and although the proposition to establish them did not obtain the necessary
two thirds majority, the ground has been well prepared and
their introduction may, I hope, be considered only a question of time.
Meanwhile the neighbouring parish of Paddington has resolved to
erect baths and washhouses in the Queen's-road, Bayswater, a position
so near us, and so convenient of access from a large part of Kensington
by the Metropolitan railway, that it may be reasonably expected the
wants of the parish will be supplied to some extent, while the experience
of the Paddington Commissioners will ultimately serve as a guide
when ever Kensington shall take this great question in hand.
WATER SUPPLY.
Dr. Frankland, F.R.S., who analyses the Metropolitan waters
monthly for the Registrar-General, reports that the water supplied
by the West Middlesex Company was clear upon all occasions
when examined during the year, and free from "living organisms."
The Grand Junction Company's water was clear and transparent
upon eight occasions, turbid twice, and slightly turbid three times.
It also contained "living organisms" upon two occasions. The
water supplied by the Chelsea Company was clear and transparent
upon eight occasions, turbid once, slightly turbid four times, and
contained "living organisms" at three examinations. The living
organisms in the Grand Junction and Chelsea waters were detected
in the turbid samples. The turbidity itself is due to the inadequacy
of the subsidence reservoirs and filter-beds, which are
unable to deal efficiently with Thames water when the river is in
flood. The temperature of the river water varied during the year
so much as 29°4F, viz., between 41°3 and 70°7F. It was
"mawkish and vapid in summer, and in danger of freezing in
winter." The temperature of the deep-well water of the Kent
Company, drawn from the chalk, ranged only through 5°4F. It
was "cool and refreshing in summer, and far removed from the
freezing point in winter." "Taking the proportion of organic
elements in a given volume of the Kent Company's water as
unity, the following are the maximum, minimum, and average
quantities present in other Metropolitan waters during the past
year:-
Maximum. Minimum. Average.
Kent 1. 1. 1.
West Middlesex 11.1 2.5 5.2
Grand Junction 16.1 2.9 6.4
Chelsea 17.0 3.1 6.2