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factors in open trade, whilst, on the other hand, the consumer is left without that care of his
interests which is ensured by placing the supply under a representative body in whose election
he is made personally interested.
"17. In the meantime, each Session, applications to Parliament are being made which are
opposed by local authorities and private persons. These proceedings arc annually costing a
very large sum of money, and Committees of Parliament have the almost impossible task
assigned to them of deciding what powers should be granted to water companies in order that
they may provide for the wants of an ever-increasing population, and what powers withheld to
avoid the water companies acquiring an increased value, in the event of a purchase by a public
authority.
"18. From this acknowledged anomalous position it would be greatly to the public
interest that both the water companies and the inhabitants of London should be speedily
freed."
Resolved—That the Vestry of Battesrsea be informed in reply thereto that this Vestry
is of opinion that the water supply of the Metropolis should be taken out of the hands of the
water companies, and a water trust created by the Government with as little delay as
possible, and the question of a supplementary supply considered.
On 20th October, 1896, the Vestry had before them a letter from the Vestry Clerk of
Camberwell stating that a complaint having been received, a sample of water had recently
been taken by a Sanitary Inspector of that Vestry from the main of one of the water
companies supplying that parish. The sample, properly sealed, was taken by direction of
the Public Health Committee to the Local Government Board in order that the same might
be analysed, which the Board refused to do, stating that they did not "cause analyses of the
London water supply to be made for local authorities," and, under these circumstances, and
having regard to the faot that the Local Government Board was the only water authority
for the Metropolis, asking that this Vestry would approach the Local Government Board
in order that in future apparently unsatisfactory samples of water submitted to the Board
should be analysed.
Resolved.— Upon the motion of Mr. Beasley, seconded by Mr. Higgs, that the Clerk
write a letter to the Local Government Board, urging the desirability of apparently
unsatisfactory samples of water submitted to the Beard by local authorities being analysed
under the Board's direction.