View report page

125
always supposing the power were exercised. That the cases are
proper to be brought before the Justices is obvious from the fact
that dismissal of a summons is a rare occurrence. Orders were
made last year inter alia for the execution of works, as
follows:—
To provide a supply of water to water closets 33
To repair and cleanse defective fittings to ditto 19
To repair, cleanse, and whitewash walls of rooms 60
To provide new or repair existing dustbin 19
To repair roofs, etc., of houses 11
To repair or provide cover to cistern 14
To trap drains, gullies, or sinks 46
To disconnect waste-pipes of cisterns, sinks,
baths, etc., from drains 22
To repair, cleanse, or unstop defective or choked
drains 4
To repair defective paving and drainage of yard,
washhouse, etc. 24
To improve ventilation and lighting of houses 3
In two cases penalties—one shilling per diem for 47 days,
and half-a-crown per diem for 25 days-—were inflicted for disobedience
of the Justices' Orders. A penalty to the amount of
twenty shillings was imposed in one case for disobedience to an
order prohibiting the keeping of swine.
WATER SUPPLY.
The Cctting-off Powers of the Companies.
In dealing with the question of water supply in my Annual
Report for 1882 (pp. 117-126), I recited the powers of the
companies, referring especially to the power to cut off water for
nonpayment of water rents, and I urged that the companies should
be left to their remedy for the recovery of debts like other traders.
My views on the subject have strengthened with lapse of time
and accumulated experience. The law, however, remains in its
original unsatisfactory state,, notwithstanding recommendations for