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36
one occasion, that of the Lambeth Company on five
occasions, and that of the Chelsea and of the Grand
Junction Companies on eight occasions respectively.
The turbidity has been at all times due to the presence
of a very small quantity of finely divided clay in
which there was occasionally a trace of vegetablo
tissue; and no doubt it had been caused by the heavy
floods of the river. Although perfectly harmless, a
slight turbidity of the water is sure to command attention,
and may easily be made the subject of popular
clamour. On several occasions it has been described
by the Registrar-General, on the authority of Dr.
Frankland, in very alarming language, as that the
water was turbid, very muddy, contained living
organisms, was polluted with organic impurity, and
was entirely unfit for domestic use. It is fortunato
for both the water companies and the public that the
Board of Trade has power, under the 35th and 36th
section of the Metropolis Water Act, 1871, to institute
enquiries into the truthfulness of such statements;
and accordingly, at the instance of the vestry of
St. Mary, Newington, who were terrified boyond moasure
at the accounts given by Dr. Frankland of the condition
of the water supplied to the parish, the Board
of Trade appointed their officer, Major Bolton, who is
the water examiner, to investigate the facts of the case;
and in his report, which I have before mo, heverifies
the statement of Dr, Frankland as to the occasional