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117
the useful work they have done by their decisions in helping
forward sanitary improvement.
During the year ended March 25th, 1883, summonses were
issued in 78 cases as compared with 104 in 1881-2, and
" Orders " for giving effect to your Vestry's Notices were made
by the magistrates in nearly every instance. Frequently one
summons covered several requirements, as may be inferred
from the following summary of works carried out under the
orders.
In connection with water supply, orders were made as
follows Today on water where the supply had been ''cut off"
in three cases; for the provision of new cisterns, or the repair of
old ones, 18; for the abolition of waste-pipes 4 ; for the rectification
of water-closet accommodation, including repair
of fittings, 22; for the supply of water to closets 24 ; for the
construction and amendment, including trapping and ventilation,
of drains, sinks, &c., 35 ; for the repair of defective stack
pipes 6; for the provision of new, or repair of existing, dustbins
16; for the cleansing and repair of dirty, unwholesome, or dilapidated
houses 31, &c., &c. Penalties for neglect to comply with
your Vestry's requirements are seldom inflicted, the parties summoned
being usually called upon to pay the costs only; but penalties,
ranging from five shillings to eleven pounds, were imposed
on six persons who had disobeyed the magistrates orders, for the
execution of sanitary works for the abatement of nuisances.
Domestic Supply of Water : Powers of the
Companies, &c.— It is by no means uncommon to find houses
without water, the supply having been "cut off" by the Companies,
as a coercive measure to obtain payment of the rate. A question
arises whether this power should be left in the hands of the
Companies ? or, whether they should not rather be left to
their remedy,for the recovery of a debt, like other traders ? No
doubt it seems, at first sight, not unreasonable to allow a company
to discontinue the supply when a customer fails to pay; but water
is a prime necessary of life, and the absence of a proper supply,
in an inhabited house, constitutes a serious nuisance. The Com-