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218
Tlie importance of the subject is undeniable, and, with the
view to removal of defects, 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 frequently so placed as to be inaccessible equally
for inspection and for cleansing; often, moreover, 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, viz., 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 invariably received consideration in my Annual Reports.
1 was glad, therefore, that the subject had been brought to the
notice of the Local Government Board, and I ventured to suggest
the desirability of a reply being sent to the Board's commuuicatiou
directed to calling the attention of the Board to the necessity of
such an alteration in the law as should give Nuisance Authorities
co-ordinate power with the companies to enforce the regulations,
and thus give effect to the views of the Water Examiner, This
was done, but without result.
Abolition of Waste-Pipes.—In a Memorandum by the
Medical Officer to the Local Government Board on the subject of
"Precautions against Cholera," adverted to at page 45, in my
Report for 1883, it was advised that "any connections of waste-pipes
of cisterns with drains should be severed." As this advice was
entirely in accordance with the views of your Vestry, advantage
was taken of the opportunity it afforded to draw attention, once
again, to the imperfections of the law, and of the water regulations,
which do not allow of Sanitary authorities following the advice of
the Board's Medical Officer. Communications were forthwith