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15
The domestic water supply of Barnes and Mortlake is
derived from the Southwark and Vauxhall Water Company. One
or two wells, it is true, still exist, and one at least is used for
drinking purposes. In no part of the district is a constant water
supply provided.
In some places one small cistern contains the entire
supply of two cottages during the hours that the water is
" turned off," and in not a few streets two families living in one
house are dependent on one cistern of 40 or 50 gallons.
The question of inadequate cisterns has been laid before
the District Council, but it does not appear that either the
Council or the Water Company have power to enforce better
provision.
In a sanitarian's view a constant water supply is the best,
if indeed it be not the only remedy for such a regrettable state of
affairs.
Such action as has been taken during 1901 for the abatement
of nuisances is summarized in the report of the Inspector
of Nuisances. It will be seen that the greater number of nuisance
abated have been such as from time to time occur, or are discovered,
in dwelling-houses, and that many of them are such as
are injurious to health. That not a few of them were discovered
when seeking the cause of disease is proof of the advisability of
house to house inspections being made in all parts of the district.
In the summer of 1901, the Inspector of Nuisances and
myself gave evidence in support of a summons against the
London & South Western Railway Company for failing to abate a
nuisance arising from the presence, in the sidings on Barnes
Common, of trucks loaded with offensive manure. The nuisance,
and also injury to health, was proved, but the summons was dismissed,
the Bench holding that it was not proved the defendants