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from various houses, and, in some instances from whole streets or courts,
the work required to be done was so much that it could not be performed
for a long time. The consequence was that houses were left without water
for, in some cases, weeks, and in others three or four months. This
caused a great deal of work for the Sanitary Inspectors, especially Mr.
W. W. Burrows, in whose District the greater number of houses were
without water. Frequent complaints were made by occupiers, and the
houses had to be visited. Communications and remonstrances were
addressed to the Company. Now, the East London Company, by whom
we are mainly supplied, are rather capricious, and they have power
under the New Act to order certain fittings, and, in the event of their
requisitions not being complied with, then they have the power to cut off
the supply. In doing this, however, they must within twenty-four
hours, give notice to the Sanitary Authorities that such house or houses
are without water. The Act, under such circumstances, declares that
such houses are unfit for human habitation, and therefore there is little
difficulty, by taking proceedings, to get them closed. But this would be
rather arbitrary, as the Company object to certain fittings in one case,
and allow them in another, when the supply required is of the same
nature. In some instances they allow Kilmarnoch's to be used; in
others they object to this new kind of water waste preventor. It is of
recent origin, very simple, and I believe it to be effective, and not likely
to get out of order ; but the demand up to the present time has exceeded
the supply. Other fittings are sometimes used, but are not in all cases
to the satisfaction of the Company; if this is so, then the supply is cut
off. The owners naturally object to change the fittings, after having, as
he believes, fulfilled all the requirements of the Company ; and thus are
the tenants left without water for weeks. It is true that they can
obtain it possibly next door, or some few doors off; but this causes great
trouble and inconvenience, and poor people, who have to work hard for
their living, have not the time to fetch large quantities from any distance :
hence ensues that want of cleanliness which engenders disease.
The quantity of water supplied by the East London Water Company is
said to be 160 gallons per day to each house, or at the rate of 25 gallons
per day for each person. This would give as supplied to this Parish the
large quantity of three million gallons per day. If this be so it must be
very unequally used.