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36
September, approached that of July. The temperature of the October quarter was
very low, being after the first three weeks until Christmas, 5.6 degrees below the
mean; and from Christmas to the New Year, 14 degrees higher than usual.
In spite of these variations, the mean temperature and humidity of the year varied
little, if any, from that of the previous 37 years. The average rainfall for a year
(25.4 inches) was exceeded by 3.8 inches.
GAS LIGHTING.
Rotherhithe, being in this important branch of its municipal arrangements under
the dominion of a company which is not under special obligatious to maintain a
standard of purity as to ammonia and sulphur, and whose prescribed standard of
illumination is below that of three others, is somewhat unfortunate. From numerous
personal experiments, I can certify that from time to time a very injurious amount of
impurities, especially sulphuretted hydrogen, is present in the gas supplied to us, and I
venture to express a hope, that should any alteration of ownership or corporate power
be contemplated by the Company, this point will not be lost sight of by you.
WATER SUPPLY.
A statement, still commonly made, that "Rotherhithe has the worst water in
London" was probably true before your regular sittings as a Sanitary Authority, but is
at present on a par with that as to the unhealthiness of the locality, which my
predecessors and myself have each, in our Reports, so thoroughly refuted.
Although the two supplies of water to this parish, from the Kent and Southwark
Companies, are neither so good as is desirable, (both containing an objectionable excess
of salts which could readily be removed at the works, prior to delivery), they are fairly
wholesome, potable waters and far superior to much that is available for most country
districts. The opinions of a well-known chemist on the "unfitness for dietetic purposes"
of the Southwark water are not shared by several of his confreres, who, in addition to an
equal scientific reputation, have, moreover, a trained knowledge of medicine; and my
own analyses and observations of various drinking waters in London, the provinces, and
abroad, justify me in accepting the views of the gentlemen referred to. Whilst
thoroughly alive to the importance of procuring pure and soft water for cooking
and drinking, I believe that Southwark water, as usually received from the mains,
is practically so pure that a little care on our part is alone needed to convert an
admittedly "safe second class water" into a "first class, pure soft water"; and will also
suffice to remove any faults of imperfect filtration, should such be accidently present.
Without going into the subject of the constant system, and the dangers of unclean
butts and cisterns, especially when acting as ventilators for closets and sewers, I will
show how this may be done.