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44
wells of the Kent Company. Up to the present
time the supply has been intermittant, but by the
"Metropolis Water Act, 1871," which was passed
on the 21st of August of last year, the companies
are bound, after the expiration of eight months from
the passing of the Act, to provide and keep throughout
their water limits, or throughout such parts of
such limits as they may be required so to do, in the
manner provided by the Act, a constant supply of
pure and wholesome water, sufficient for the domestic
use of the inhabitants thereof, at such pressure as
will make the water reach the top story of the
highest houses within such limits (but not exceeding
the level prescribed by any special Act); and this
supply is referred to in the Act as a "constant supply."
But no company can be compelled to give a
constant supply to any promises in their district
until the regulations provided for by the Act are in
operation in the disirict, and the prescribed fittings
are provided by at least four-fifths of the inhabitants ;
and in case there is any default in respect to those
fittings, the Metropolitan authority may, by notice
in writing, require the owner or occupier of any
such premises to provide the same within a specified
time; and if he fails therein the Metropolitan authority
may provide the necessary fittings, or repair
them, as the case may be, and charge the cost
thereof to the person liable to pay the rate of the