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During the same Session also, a "Water Companies
(Regulation of Powers)" Bill was introduced by the Earl of
Camperdown, its object being "to regulate the powers of
Companies supplying water under the powers of the Waterworks
Clauses Act, 1847, and to extend the restrictions on
the cutting-off powers of the Companies imposed by Mr.
Forrest Fulton's Act of 1887, similarly entitled."
Should the Bill become law (and the Companies did
not oppose it) a water company will be required before
cutting-off the supply—(1) to send to the consumer a
demand note, containing particulars of charge (sec. 4).,
which the consumer is allowed 14 days to consider (sec. 6);
and (2) to abstain from cutting-off, in cases of dispute, until
the decision of a court of summary jurisdiction has been
obtained; and, in any case, until a notice of fourteen days
has been given by the company of the intention to cut-off
(sec. 8). Under certain exceptional circumstances, moreover,
the court may require the company to postpont cuttingoff
(sec. 8.) Referring to Mr. Forrest Fulton's measure,
in my tenth monthly report for 1887 (Oct. 12th; page 112), I
ventured to observe that "the principle of this Act might
reasonably be extended, as I long ago recommended, to the
water-supply of houses generally, the rate being treated as a
debt." Lord Camperdown's Bill does not go so far as this,
but it would have the effect of largely reducing the number
of cases of cutting-off, and therefore would be a distinct
gain in the interests of public health. The principle, however,
should be extended so as to apply to Corporations and
other public bodies who provide the water supply.
CONSTANT SERVICE.
The Metropolis Water Act, 1871, prescribes three modes
by which a constant supply of water may be obtained: (1)
Any Company may propose to give it; (2) The Metropolitan
Authority (County Council) may call upon a Company to
provide it; (3) failing the above, and under certain conditions,