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37
declined to furnish such supply unless required by the Metropolitan
Authority.
Thus, under the present circumstances, the Vestry will be
compelled to put owners of dwellings to great expense, or else
leave the people to drink polluted water, and endanger their
health. Under these circumstances the Vestry trusts that the
Local Government Board will accede to their request and direct
the constant supply; for the Vestry, after careful enquiry extending
over years, is convinced that the alteration in the fittings
for such supply will put the owners to less expense than providing
new cisterns, repairing or renewing those that are defective.
The Vestry thought otherwise for some years, but later experience
has shown them that the Water Companies are not so exacting as
it was feared they might be, and fittings have already been provided
for the constant supply in many houses of the parish at less
or little more than the cost of cisterns.
The Vestry has succeeded in obtaining such constant
supply where the dwellings forming one street are in the possession
of one owner, but where there are several owners, some or
all unwilling, the Vestry has no power to direct the fittings to be
provided, and, therefore, cannot obtain the constant supply for
the people.
The Vestry now having exhausted every other means to
obtain a constant supply in the New River Company's district, is
compelled to invoke the aid of the Local Government Board.
Appended are two reports of the Medical Officer to the
Vestry upon this question.
We are, Sir,
Your obedient Servants,
E. WALKER,
Vestry Clerk;
H. G. SUTTON,
Medical Officer of Health.
To the Secretary of Local Government Board.