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15
The Water Supply of the district, from the mains (Southwark
and Vauxhall) of the Metropolitan Water Board has been, for
several years past, constant. A few shallow wells remain in
different parts of the district, bat these are only used for stable
purposes, etc., and every dwelling-house is now I believe supplied
by the Water Board.
The old Pale Well on Palewell Common still exists, though
in a lamentable condition, and lately 1 ascertained that nomadic
gipsies occasionally fill their tanks from its by no means pellucid
basin.
The only other natural sources of water known to me (apart
of course from the Thames) as existing in the district are (1) the
old spring on Barnes Common, once celebrated for its healing
virtues, and (2) the Beverley Brook, its tributaries and backwaters,
to which reference will again be made.
Neither of these sources are ever now used for drinking
purposes.
Milk Supply.
As will be seen by referring to the table on page 57, there
are now twenty-five "dairies and milkshops" on the register, and
seventeen " other places where milk is sold."
No cows are now kept in the district except a few in private
ownership.
Of the milk actually consumed in the district a large proportion,
perhaps so much as a third, is brought into the district and
distributed by retailers who either have no business premises in the
district, or else but a lock-up shop of an ornamental character
where orders are taken and a few quarts of milk kept on the
counter as " properties."