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130
extract from one of his reports of the examination of the
water supplied by the Companies. Sir Francis Bolton's
observations were directed (1) to the deterioration of the
water by the dirty and uncovered condition of the cisterns ;
(2) to the need for frequent cleansing of cisterns ; and (3) to
the misplacing of the cistern, where there is but one, and
that one situated over a water closet, and having communication
with the drains by means of the waste pipe.
The importance of the subject is undeniable; and your
Vestry's Sanitary Inspectors have standing instructions to
inspect the cisterns of every house visited, where practicable.
It is the fact, however, that cisterns are often so placed as to
be inaccessible to inspection or for cleansing : often there is
but one cistern, and it is commonly placed immediately over
a water.closet, as stated by Sir Francis Bolton. With respect
to the improper placing of a cistern we have no power to
interfere, but the Water Companies might, if so minded, do
something to remedy the evil complained of, under the
13th Regulation, which provides that : " Every cistern . .
. . shall be . . . properly covered and placed in
such a position that it may be inspected and cleansed."
I need hardly remind your Vestry that the subject of
water supply has constantly engaged my attention ; or that
the matters referred to in the Water Examiner's above
mentioned report have always formed the subject of comment
in my Annual Reports. I was glad therefore that the subject
had attracted the attention of the Local Government Board,
and I ventured to suggest the desirability of a reply being
sent to the Board's communication, directed to calling their
attention to the necessity of such an alteration in the law as
would give Nuisance Authorities co.ordinate power with the
companies to enforce the regulations, and so give effect to
the views of the Water Examiner. This was done but without
effect.
Abolition of Waste.Pipes. — In the Memorandum by