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11
As the lighting by meter only commenced on the 1st of April last
it is not possible at the present time to give results with any degree
of accuracy. Twelve months must at least elapse before the merits of
the new system can be ascertained, but there are indications that the
saving will be about £600 per year, or in other words that the
whole of the 155 new lamps will be lighted at the same cost as the
lesser number formerly was. The present number of lamps is 1373,
of which 12 are chargeable to the North London Railway Company.
The number of meters and boxes in situ is 68.
CONSTANT WATER SUPPLY.
The East London Water Company has been gradually converting
its intermittent system to a constant system of supply, and the
change is practically complete in this parish, but up to Midsummer,
1877, the New River Company had taken no such steps, except in a
few instances where specially requested.
The Medical Officer had long been of opinion that the condition
of the water receptacles was a source of great danger to the public
health, and at length the Sanitary Committee and ultimately the
Vestry, acting under his advice, made application to the New River
Company to give a constant supply in this parish. The Company
declined to give such supply upon its own instance, but stated that
they were willing to do so if required by the proper authority. The
Local authority having powers to require a constant supply, is the
Metropolitan Board; but upon application by the Vestry to this
Board it declined to take any steps in the matter. The Local
Government Board was then appealed to by the Vestry, to put the
Act into force, and the matter was placed in the hands of Colonel
Bolton, the Local Government Board's Water Examiner, who communicated
with the Company. The result was that without a
formal requirement, but upon a request from the Local Government
Board the Company consented, and on the 10th of August last, gave
notice that a constant supply would commence on the 10th of
December, 1877, in the Parish of Shoreditch. The Company at the
same time called upon the owners and occupiers to place their fittings
in proper order, and to make the necessary provision. These