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33
the case that the waters have not been thoroughly clear, although
not quite free from color. More turbidity is caused by the
stirring up of impurities in the cisterns on a single occasion than
would be found in a month in the waters as delivered by the
Companies.
"If the public would make use of the permission accorded by the
Companies of inserting a tap in the pipe which admits the water
to the premises before it passes into the cisterns, so as to be able
to draw off a supply of the uncontaminated water for drinking
purposes, there would be no ground of complaint except as to cost
of the water.
"The idea of a separate supply of water for drinking and for
washing is too ludicrous to entertain. Apart from the cost, the
sanitary portion would not bear investigation. The water would
be sure to be drawn from the nearest tap, whether polluted or not,
and the difficulty of ascertaining the cause of disease would be
greatly increased."
Gas.
The subjoined tables summarise the results of my testings of the
Gas supplied to the District by the South Metropolitan Gas
Company.

Purity.—Sulphuretted Hydrogen was not present at any time,
and Ammonia never reached the prescribed limit of four grains
in 100 cubic feet of gas.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
ROBERT BIANCHI.
25, Stamford Street, S.E.
1886.