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108
covered by the demand note, so that no necessity for cutting off
the water may arise. I see no reason, moreover, why the companies
should not be endowed with the same facilities for recovering
their water rentals as a "nuisance authority" for the recovery
of its rates, and these are simplicity itself. Water companies,
however, are naturally enough unwilling to be at the trouble of
taking legal proceedings, although the costs would fall on the
defaulting person, when they can so easily put the "screw" on
their "tenants," and make the Sanitary Authority, in effect, their
agents for compelling payment of their dues. With the view
of rectifying this unsatisfactory state of affairs, the Earl of
Camperdown brought into the House of Lords a Bill for regulating
the powers of water companies, its main object being to
take away the power of cutting off the water from a house, the
occupier of which had not paid his water rate. After enquiry by a
Select Committee the House passed the Bill, which, however,
was opposed in the Commons, and ultimately dropped.
OFFENSIVE BUSINESSES.
Nuisance from Brick Burning.—During the summer of
1885, as in previous years, complaints were made by residents
in different parts of the Parish, of stenches, especially in the early
morning hours, almost invariably alleged to be due to escape of
sewer gas. The real cause, however, was brick-burning in
localities, for the most part, beyond the limits of the Parish.
The reality of the nuisance is not open to question, and it is satisfactory
to know that the law is strong enough to put a stop to it,
as was proved in two important actions decided in the course of
the year.
Marine Stores.—Every year, during the hot weather,
complaints are received in regard to the stenches arising from the
collection and storage of bones, fat, and other animal matters in
a putrid condition on the premises of so-called "marine store
dealers." Your Vestry, having found it difficult to prevent
recurrence of nuisance from this cause, under the Nuisances