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254
pipes with drains, by urging the companies to put Regulation
14 into immediate and general operation, viz., by serving the
required notice on consumers. Should the Companies refuse
or neglect, the Board were asked to consider as to the
desirability of bringing in a Bill to confer on Sanitary Authorities
the necessary power to enforce the regulation.
The Sanitary Authorities were invited to support your
Vestry's action by addressing a similar communication to the
Board, and by recommending the Companies to put the 14th
Regulation in force, and thereby bring about a much needed
sanitary improvement. Many of them did as requested.
The Water Companies were reminded that the most
effectual plan for giving effect to the advice of the Board was
by their serving notice on consumers to cut off waste-pipes, in
conformity with the provisions of Regulation 14. And " having
regard to the danger of a polluted water supply, especially
at a time when the introduction of Cholera was possible;
and to the probability that, should Cholera ever spread in the
Metropolis, it would be, as on a former occasion, through the
water supply, the great importance of taking steps without loss
of time to carry the said regulation into effect," was pressed
upon the attention of the several Companies.
The Local Government Board subsequently addressed a
communication to the Companies on the subject of Begulation
14, and these in turn prepared circular notices, which were left
at every house in the several districts. In all of these notices
the regulation was quoted in its entirety. Attention was drawn
to the excellent advice, upon cleansing and covering of cisterns,
and cutting-off of waste-pipes, which, from time to time, the
late Water Examiner had embodied in his reports. A good deal
of trouble and expense was thus incurred—with what effect it is
impossible to say: it is, however, to be regretted, that the
Companies did not go one step further and give "notice" to
every householder, to cut-off all connections of waste-pipes of