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32
These were insisted upon by the promoters of the Bill.
When however this measure again comes forward, or
when any other Building Bill is proposed, which might
as well apply to the country at large, as to London in
particular, I hope a clause will not be forgotten that
all buildings, public or private, shall be reported upon
by the officers of health of the district, as well as the
Surveyor, who shall specially examine the drainage,
water supply, means of ventilation, removal of refuse,
smoke, fire escape, &c., before such buildings be
inhabited, or used by the public.
Another Bill was prepared, with extensive powers to
be entrusted to a Public Commission for providing a
Constant water supply, with pressure for the extinction
of fires in the Metropolis. The Commission was to
borrow an enormous capital to buy up the eight Water
Companies, now supplying the Metropolis. It was to
carry out the provisions of the Metropolis Water Act
of 1852, and that of 1871, to provide hydrants and
apparatus for high pressure in case of fire ; to fix
apparatus for cleansing and watering the streets, or
for any other sanitary purposes. The Bill did not
proceed to a second reading, and doubtless requires
more time and attention to mature the details, before it
can pass into law. We may look forward to some Act
of this kind as a necessary adjunct for securing more
uniformity of action, greater economy of water supply
(perhaps also for gas) when the time comes for a
re-construction of the government of London.
The Select Committee upon the adulteration of
Food has done good service by its inquiry into the
working of the Act of 1872.