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turned on. In the year 1864, the first water-waste-preventer was erected
in this district, by means of which the inhabitants could obtain water at all
hours of the day and night, direct from the main, without the intervention
of either a butt or cistern. The question of a constant supply has been
agitated in London for upwards of thirty years, and was strongly dwelt on
in the report of the Committee of the Health of Towns Association on
Lord Lincoln's Sewerage and DrainageBill, which was published in 1847; yet
it is only within the last few months that the Companies which supply this
district, have made preparations forgiving to all places under their
respective water limits a constant supply. We may now expect that before
the termination of the year 1875, the whole of this district will be so supplied,
and that all the butts and cisterns which are now in use in the poor localities
will be abolished, and that the inhabitants will be able at all times to
obtain a glass of cool, pure water, direct from the main.
It is highly satisfactory to be able to record the progressive improvement
which has taken place in the water supply in this district since the
formation of your Board.
1.—All the pumps are now abolished.
2.—Not one of the old stand-pipes exist now which were erected in
several of the Courts, from which a limited quantity of water was supplied
6 days in the week to those persons who were so fortunate as to be at home
when the water was turned on, and who possessed suitable vessels to hold
and convenient places to stand such vessels, whereby the water kept for
the next day might not become contaminated.
3. —In my evidence given before the Commissioners in 1844, when
speaking of the mode of water supply to the poor, I referred to a place in
Cartwright Street, where there were a number of tenements surrounding a
piece of waste ground, in which a well had been sunk by the landlord, and
a large tank erected over the well. This tank was filled by horse-power, from
which pipes were carried, into the several houses. The water was turned on
three times a week. The waste ground abovementioned is now built
over, but the tank is still there, which has for some years past, been
supplied by the Water Company, and from it some of the houses receive
the water in butts, which are situated in the cellars adjoining the privies.
As this tank is raised about 18 feet above the level of the ground, it
is difficult of access for the purpose of cleansing, and the probability is that
it is seldom cleansed. It is also unprovided with a cover, and is moreover
exposed to the heat of the sun. Under these circumstances, I am of opinion
that the use of the tank should be discontinued, and that all the houses in
its vicinity should be supplied with water on the constant service.
4.—Water is now supplied to every house where there is a receptacle
for it, and the complaints of an insufficient supply are very few. In those
houses in which it is impossible either to fix a butt or cistern, water-wastepreventers
are in use.
5.—Since the year 1871 the public has been supplied with water
daily, but to the credit of the New River Company, at my earnest solicitation,