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used for the storage or reception of water supplied by the
Company, unless the use of such cistern shall be allowed in
writing by the Company." Application was made to the several
Companies to ascertain whether they had "allowed in writing"
the use of such cisterns, and it was suggested that the use of
them should be discontinued. The Grand Junction Water Works
Company stated that there were no underground tanks in their
district; the other two Companies (West Middlesex, and Chelsea)
replied to the effect that they no longer permitted the construction
of underground cisterns, but felt it difficult to interfere with
the use of those already in existence. No further action has been
taken in the matter.
PROFESSOR FRANKLAND'S REPORT.
The Report on the water supply of the Metropolis in 1890,
prepared for the Registrar-General by Professor Frankland, F.R.S.,
and published in the Annual Summary, sets out the results
obtained in monthly examinations of the water supplied by the
eight Companies, three of which-Grand Junction, West
Middlesex, and Chelsea—supply Kensington. The results
obtained in a similar periodical examination of the water supplied
by the Colne Valley Water Company, and by the Tottenham Local
Board of Health, are included for the purpose of comparison.
The weather, it is stated, was less favourable than in 1889, for
the operations of the Companies which abstract water from the
river ; nevertheless the improved quality of this water, upon which
comment was made in Professor Frankland's previous Report, was
fully maintained. But the monthly variation in the temperature
of the Thames water was, as usual, very great (viz., from 37°
Fahr. in December to 66° in August, a range of 29°), that of the
Kent Company's deep well water being 5.2° only, viz., from 50.9° in
December to 56.1° in August. Thus this water remains cool
and refreshing in summer, and is less likely to become frozen in
the service pipes in winter; "whilst river water at 66° Fahr.,
is vapid and unpalatable, and at 37° Fahr. is soon cooled to the