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14
of water supplied for manufacturing or other than domestic
purposes. If the people had the means for
storing this supply, and the will and knowledge to use
it to the best advantage, the good sanitary and moral
effects would be incalculable.
The law still empowers Water Companies to deprive
houses and occupiers for an unlimited period of their
water supply; this power is being continually exercised
in the poorest districts, where the greatest danger to
the public health is presented; the object is to enforce
payment of water rates from defaulting non-resident
house owners. This starvation process is sometimes
kept up for weeks, until the innocent occupiers resent
the cruelty by withholding rent: that disease and death
result from these unjust and arbitrary proceedings is
certain. The Companies prefer this method of recovering
their rates to the summary one, with which they are
also empowered, of proceeding in a court of law. I
have frequently reported such cases occurring in this
Ilamlet to the Vestry, and expressed my opinion of the
cruelty and extreme danger to the public health entailed
by the continual exercise of this oppressive and irresponsible
power, Its continuance by the Legislature,
and enforcement by the companies, is simply a disgrace
to both.
Gas.
I have frequently tested the gas supplied to the
Hamlet by the Commercial Gas CDmpany. The illuminating
power of the gas from an Argand burner,
compared with that of two sperm candles, as required
by law, was never below the legal standard, but has
been, although rarely, as low as 12.5 and 13. The
average illuminating power was 14 candlcs.
Of the usual chemical impurities, sulphuretted hydrogen
was never present. Ammonia was under the
quantity permitted by the Act.