The Sun.
London, England, 1850-06-06 00:00:00

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JUNE 6 1850,
7

PRICK SD.

THE WATER SUPPLY OF THE
METROPOLIS.

" MODE OF iDPPLY.
{any practical difficulties having been urged against
itbstitution of the constant for the intermittent sys-
of water supply in the metropolis!, we have Particu•
examined into the working of the constant system
!Lis where it is established,, and in some of which,
been in operation for fifteen and twenty yearn, and"
. That •the Waste of water is to far less instead of
r under the system of constant supply, thitt
gh the inhabitants have unlimited. command of
and use •ivhas 'they please, though the skim' use
-r by the inhabitsnts is greater, the quantity de.
by the SOmpanitis ip less, frequeUily.less,by• one-
. consequence .of there being less waste from the
erfect delivery.
That the water; 'under the system of constant
is delivered purer and fresher, Of a lower tem-
e summer, and that it is less sqbject to frost in

The General Board of Health has just issued its re-
port on the second point to which its attention was di-
rected by the Royal Commission, viz., " The better sup-
ply of the metropolis with water for domestic use, fur
' flushing sewers and drains, and for cleansing streets;
and also the bgst means of using existing works, and of
erecting any new works requisite, and maintaining them
in action." The vast population of this metropolis is in
the hands of seven companies, and taking the data fur-
nished by themselves, there appear to be 17,456 houses
wholly unsupplied with water. Where inqairies have
been made for sanitary purposes, in densely populated
districts, upwards of 1S per cent. of the houses have
. been found to have been unsupplied with pipe water; in
large districts five, four, and three per cent. There are
1,181 cases of supply by stand-pipes, serving for several
-houses, often for a whole court or alley. In many in-
stences, the supply by, one butt in a yard, or area,'is
equivalent only to a supply by a common stand-pipe to
several houses in a court or alley.
SUPPLY TO THE METROPOLIS.;—The • gross • daily
quantity of water pumped into the metropolis amounts
to upwards of 44,000,000 of gallons. It is, however,
shown in the report that the averagO daily, consumption
o' the whole metropolitan population of 2,000,000 does not
amount to more than 20,000,000 gallons of watery or 10
gallons per individual per day. The residue—viz.,
20.000,000 of gallons—therefore runs to waste.
EFFECTS OP IMPURE WATER.— Mr. Chalice, a sur-
geon of Bermondsey, attributes the first' fatal case of
cholera he met with td the effects of the Thames water.
The master of a vessel at Gravesend had drank rather
largely -over night, and " the next morning drank
heartily from one of the water-casks which had just
been filled with Thames water; he was soon after at-
tacked with purging and vomiting. I went down post
and found him just dead. I found that the death was
so sudden that it almost appeared as if he had taken
poison in the water; subsequently it was, from facts
that came almost hourly under notice, that I formed the
opinion of the direct consequencei of taking impure
water in producing a disordered state of the bowels, and
those who had such a state of the bowels were pre-
eminently in a 'condition to become victims to the
disease." The larger portion of this metropolis is sup-
plied from this tainted source. The mode of distribu-
tion is very objectionable, and most especially in the
poorer districts. The supply of water is inter-
mittent—it- is " let on" once in twenty-four hours, or
once in forty-eight hours, as the - case may be.
This necessitates the adoption of tanks in the houses of
the rich, and of tubs or barrels in those of thepoor, to
receive and 'retain as much as is deemei requisite.
Amongst the most serious evils attending upon this
system is the filthy and polluted state of the cisterns and
butts into which it is received, and of the vessels in
which it is generally kept in the dwellings of the poorer
classes. The cistern or butt is usually uncovered, and
exposed to all the dust and smut that are continually
flying about even in the cleanest parts of a large city.
" I have heard ," says Dr. Milroy, " more than one
person say that they have seen peiple actually rinsing
chamber pots in the water which their neighbours drank
and used for cooking. When' the cistern is outside the
house it is liable to the same horrible pollution, parties
who live in the upper rooms emptying everythieg out of
their windows into the court behind, the cistern being
usually placed there between the ashpit and the privy."
CHARACTER OF SUPPLY.—The impurity of Thames
water has been abundantly proved, both by chemical
analysis and by the microscope. Thames water is not
only unfit for drinking, but is also unfit for domestic
uses.

f. That the inconveniences' apprehended from the
Iption of supply during repairs and alterations are
experienced, the work being executed Under such.
[precautions that no complaint has ever been
to have been made on this account.
. That the interruptions of supply, which are se
tly experienced on the intermittent system from
Pate in the lower districts, from the neglect of
cks, from limitation' of quabtity, from inadequate
y butts and'cisterns, or from deranged balleocks,
ircely ever known on the constant system.
That the system of constant supply admits of
economy in pipes, as they may under that system
1 most`part be considerably smaller, and, not being
I to the violent hydraulic jerks of the intermittent
are less liable to burst.
M. That the pipes for the house service may not
Me considerably smaller and cheaper, but that the
s and apparatus connected therewith, which, in
mailer class of houses, now cost more than the
;public portion of the works, may be entirely dis-
with.

consts
the w
ttiracc
or leal
are scl

"1
great
for th
subjec
syste

" 2(1
only 1:1
cistern
the sa
whole
penseil

- I
" QUANTITY REQUISITE.
"In respect respect to the quantity of water actually supplied
and t the quantity uteded for the domestic use of the
metro olitan population, and for other purposes, we have
to rep rt— .
" T at in consequence of-statements made by several
of the ompanies of the quantities of the water which
they plumped for the use of the
_metropolis, quantities
which; appeared to be inconsistent with the known
habit of the population and the apparent amount of
water consumed for domestic purposes, we deemed it
desira le to cause the consumption of water in different
distri s, by different classes of the population, to be
gauge from the cisterns and butts, and also the run
thiou house-drains and sewers on days when there was
no rai fall. ,
" F m these observations it appears—
" 21} That, wh,reas it was returned, in 1832, that the
:tient+ quantity of water delivered to their respective
customers by the several companies was 220 gallons
per House . or dwelling ; and more recently, as
returned to us, was staled to be 164 gallons
per It use or dwelling ; that is, 44 millions of
gallon per diem for the whole of the metropolis—
makin allowances for a considerable and injurious
waste f water by permeation through badly constructed
channels, the results of the gauging i of the run of water
through drains and sewers, on days when there is no
rainfall, do not appear materially to differ from the later
statements of the several companies as to the quantity of
water which is actually pumped into their several dis-
tricts; awhile from the gaugingsef the quantities of water
consumed from cisterns and butts during the intervals
of the intermittent delivery, and from the capacity of
i the storage receptacles themselves, it appears that the
averag da:ly consumption does not exceed five gallons
per he d on the population; ,and that, with all allow-
ances ‘or the qu,ntities used .for manufactures, steam-
and other purposes, the gross quantity con-
does not exceed one-half of the quantity deli-

ADVANTAGES OF SOFT WATER.—These are princi-
pally the gain in fuel, in consequence of there being leis
time required to cook vegetables—often the saving of
tea, as the same quantity that would produce three cups
only with hard, will furnish five of the same strength
with soft water; and also that a much larger quantity of
soap hi wasted when it is used with bard water.
QUALITIES OF THAT FLUID.—The Commissioners
consider that the qualities fur the water supply of the
population range themselves in the following order:—
" L Freedom from all animal and vegetable matter,
especially matter in a state of decomposition. 2. Pure
aeration. 3. Softness. 4. Freedom from earthy, mineral,
or other foreign matt ,rs. 5. Coolness in delivery, at a
medium temperature, neither warm in summer nor ex-
cessively cold in winter. 6. Limpidity, or clearness."
And, as popular tests have laid it down that all special
flavour or taste in water, the slightest smell, the slightest
shade of colour, are objectionable, they consider that,
under the most favourable circumatlinces, the Thames
water could not be rendered wholesome.
GATHERING GROUNDS FOR SUPPLY.—After the most
careful examination of a great number of places near the
metropolis, Bagshot Heath seemed to be the spot
most fitted by nature and by eircnmstanpes as the
receptacle of the greater proportion of collected water
for the supply of London. The portion of this dis-
trict to which their attention was more particularly
directed comprises an area of less than a hundred
square miles, lying east and west Gf a line from .Bagshot
to Farnham. The remaining distict, which, although
of., the same bleak and barren character, is of dif-
ferent geological construction, consisting of the upper
and lower greeniands and gault of the green sand for-
mation, which constitute the uncultivated sand districts
draining into the east and west tributaries of the river
Wey. is situated south of the chalk ridge, in the midst
of which the town 'of Guilford stands. At this point
the specimens collected at the surface immediately after
the rainfall are of the highest degree of purity, being in
large quantities not exceeding one degree of hardness;
while that portion of the rain water, also, which filters
through an upper stratum of sand in parts of the district,
and appears aain at lower levels, after passing through a
to ff feet of the upper stratum, is of an equal degree of
purity. It should be added, that the report under notice
states that the improvement of most of these tracts has
hitherto been given up in despair, and that the growth
of fir is recommended as the only agricultural purpose
tor which they are fitted.

engine
sunied
vered.
" 22.

That this waste is a consequence of the preient
rhent mode of supply; and does not take place to
extent where the constant system of supply
pen substituted; and probably may be prevented
her where the house service-pipes are properiy
d and arranged under a system of combined

interni

any aui

altve

pro.id,

works.

" 23. That this waste, ,as now ascertained by official
investigation, appears to have gone on without any know-
ledge of its great amount on the part of the companies,
although it involves a double expense of pumping, and
exceeds, as above stated, the whole of the annual rainfall
on the covered area of the metropolis.
" 24.; That this waste is of no equivalent benefit for
the cleansing of house drains and sewers, inasmuch as,
from the inaptitude of Viese works, owing to their bad
construction, for the discharge of water containing matter
in suspension, accumulations of decomposing matters do
take place in them, to the great injury of the public
healtiq accumulations which, notwithstanding the flow
of the waste water through them, require to bo cleared
away by haad-labour, by flushing, or by other means..
"25.• That the waste water, having sewer matter
mixed ap with it, pormeatei through the brick drains
and sewers, saturates the sites of houses with polluted
water, snd keeps up an exceas,of moisture. which, rising
into the porous and absorbing walls and plaster of the
houses,: contributes to render them damp even in the
driest weather.

".26. That this excess of moisture is aggravated by
the extreme defective drainage iu the low-lying and
worst-conditioned districts, where, as has been already
stated, epidemic disease is almost invariably present, and
where the recent visitation of epidemic cholera has been
the most severe.

".27. That, taking into consideration the actual do-
mestic consumption of water by the population of the
metropolis, regarding also the extent of the increased
supplie4 needed for the various purposes of sanitary im-
provement not hitheit) contemplated by companies, nor
included in new schemes, all the engineering estimates
put forward by private companies of the quantity of
water required for the service of the population appear
to be greatly in excess.
" 28. That there appears to be no probable demand
for a general average consumption of water exceeding
the present rate for houses of the higher class—namely,
about 75 gallons per house per diem, or in all 22 mil-
lions of gallons per diem, inclusive of the increased sup-
ply which will be necessary on the abolition of cesspools;
and that, estimating the additional requirements for
baths, for street cleansing, for large consumers, for fires,
and for other purposes, the whole quantity of water
needed under an improved system of distribution does not
exceed 40 millions ef.gallons per diem.
" 29. That it appears that the resolutions of parochial
meetings' and the statements of the promoters of new
companies. alleging a deficiency in the total amount of
water already introduced, and proposing to bring in ad-
ditional supplies, have been made in ignorance of the
actual present domestic consumption of the population,
and of what is really needed, according to the best in-
formation, for the execution of practical measures of
sanitary improvement.

EXPENSE OF SYSTEM.—The quantity of water re-
quired per diem to meet the present demand is
40,000,000 gallons, and by the proposed mode of oh-
taMing water 90,000,000 would be obtained, and, the
gross approximate estimate of expense would be
2,142,000/.2 giving an average charge in the inetropolia
of sd. per house per week, against which the present
cost of repairing drains and emptying cesspools,
must be set off.

The Commissioners have embodied their conclusions,
together with a concise exposition of the facts them-
selves, in certain resolutions which.we give verbatim :

" QUALITY OF THE

" 1. That for domestic use it is inferior to the average
quality of waters supplied to towns.
" 2. That its inferiority as a supply for domestic use
arises chiefly from an excess of hardness.
"3. That even when taken above the reach of
pollution from th`e sewers of the metropolis, it contains
an excess, varying with the season, of animal and vehe-
table matter.

" 4: That although the latter cause of inferiority may
be, in part, removed or corrected by filtration, the excess
of hardness will still remain, rendering this water espe-
cially unfit for th 4 following uses ; namely, for cleans-
ing the skin, and for the ordinary purposes of washing,
by occasioning an excessive consumption of soap; for
the preparation of tea, by occasioning waste to a like
extent; and fur all culinary processes, by diminishing
their efficiency, and increasing their expetne.
" 5. That the quality of the water of the river Lea
and of the New hirer is, in this respect, no better than
that of the Thames water, taken beyond the iufluence
of the sewage of the metropolis.
" G. That the water taken by the Lambeth Company
from the Thames opposite Fluggerford Market is charged
with animal and vegetable impurities, apparently the
effect of the discharge of sewer water, which render it
wholly unfit for use, and highly dangerous to the health
of the persons who drink it.

"30; That the save ral schemes which propose to bring
in more water in addition to the quantity now wasted,
and to make such additions mainly from the same sources
which supply the water now generally consumed, with-
out reference to improvements in the system of domestic
distribution, and without combination with improied
drainage works for the removal of the waste water,
would aggravate the existing sanitary evils, and increase
the excessive charges already incurred for the defective
works constructed in iguorance.
" Having particularly examined the statements as to
the increased quantities of a ater required for the flush-
ing of drains and sewers, and the working of au im-
proved system of drainage, we find—
"3l. That upon a system of drainage such as that at
present in use, consisting of brick house-drains and
sewers, which cause accumulations of decomposing d&-
posits, there would b., required, for the intermittent re-
moval of those accumulations by flushing, considerable
additions to the present quantities of pipe water pumped
in far the supply of the metropolis; but that any system
of house or main drainage which occasions the accumu-
lation of decomposing refuse, and renders necessary the
continuance of the practice of intermittent flushing, is in
Wolf highly injurious to theonpapemaur
nebl
levels,
namely,
vc
es
thathealth,,we nr ad s
atyarhns
eat oughtdetkmenpao ccla
clear
tal
yor
be prevented.
'.32. That recent trial works have placed beyond doubt
the soundness of the conclusion of the Metropolitan '
ofdawSdahj deportuinattarodyn t
conducted
cutleda ther
away
woCommissioners,sryc e
at
tfp house-drainsrt he soil Ar sewer water alone
addi-
tion of water is requited for this purpose.
" SEWERAGE.

"7. That of the seven principle companies by which
pipe water is conveyed to the metropolis, four deliver it
without previous filtration.

"8. That the defects in the quality of the water st
present sepplied, when collected in its least objection-
able condition, and the evils arising from its distribution
in the unfiltered state, are all aggravated by the practice
of intermittent distribution.

" 9. That the practice of intermittent distribution oc-
casions, in the case of the better description of houses,
the retention of the water in cisterns and butts, and in
that of the poorest classes, in tubs, pitchers, and such
other vessels as can be obtained; and, as a consequence
of such retention the water itnbibes soot and dirt, and
absorbs the polluted air of the town, and of the offen-
sively close, crowded, and unhealthy localities and rooms
in which the poor reside.
" 10. That from the inferiority of the water at its
source as at present collected, and from the additional
pollution and deterioration occasioned by the mode of
its distribution, a large proportion of the population is
rendered averse to the daily use of water as a beverage,
and is inclined and almost f treed to the use of fermented
liquors and ardent spirits to an extent greatly beyond
the consumption of such drinks where purer water is
mars ac2essiblv.
" 11. That the annual cost of the construction and
maintenance in repair of cisterns and their supports
and conne,ted apparatus in the houses of the tnidd!o and
wealthier classes often exceeds the annual water-rate.
" 12. That the cost of the pipe-water supply and the
additional expense and inconvenience resulting from the
present mode of its distribution cause the population in
soma suburban districts to resort for water to open
ditches, and in other crowded localities to shallow
springs or wells; sources which are subject to increasing
pollution from cesspools, from badly constructed house
drai!ls and sewers, and from over-crowded gravevardg.
" 13. That the loca;ization and intensity of cholera in
such districts as those alluded to was promoted in a most
marked manner by the use of water containing decent-
posing animal and vegetable matter derived from sewers,
drains, and other impure sources.
"14. That the districts most severely visited by epi-
demic cholera, as well as those most afflicted by ordinary
epidemic diseases, are low-lying districts, where, from
the defective state of the drainage, there is an excess of
damp and of putrid decomposition; and that such excess
of damp is aggravated by the waste of water attendant on
the intermittent mode of supply; a waste which appears
to exceed the whole of the annual rainfall on the inha-
bited area of the metropolis.

" With reference to those extensive districts of the
metropolis the levels of which are below high-water mark,.
where the sewer water is at present penned up until it
can be discharged at low water, and where putrefying
deposit is accumulat,A 'in the sewers in consequence of
the flow being arrested during high water, it appears—
" 33. That.it will require no addition of water, and
certainly no increased expense in pumping,' ti cause
such a continuou4 flow of the waste water as will pre-
vent deposit, and that this prevention of deposit is the
true object to be aimed at, and not the supply of adds-
tional quantities cf. wst-r to remove, by flushing, de-
posit which ought not to have been allowed to accu-
mulate.

" 34. That besides the great injury t) the public
health from the ponding up of sewer water, and the con-
sequent conversion of large expansive sewers and reser-
voirs into extended cesspools; and besides the waste of
water and the expense of pumping it into the district for
the removal of accumulations, the intermittent system
of draining the districts below high water-walk by
gravimion, without the aid of pumping for their relief,
must necessitate the continued pollution of the Thames,
and obstruct or delay the application of the refuse as
manure.
"35. That, except in extreme cases of absolute de-
ficiency, the pumping in of additional supplies of water,
before properly constructed house drains are laid down
for its removal, would, by increasing damp, still further
deteriorat,2 the sanitary condition of the population, and
occasion still greater dilapidations and injury to tene_

merits.
"36. That the separation of works of pipe-water sup-
ply fr
c,m tbosQ r Ole removal of waste water oecasiuns
delay in the execution of works primary importancefor sanitary improvements as well asincreased expense.
..37. That it appears that while the expense of

sewers and .s is reduce,' by an improved tr. bulls-
system of drainage, the expense of earthwork, of dig-
Bing, and of making good, is one-half of the total ex-
pense, and that, therefore, the separate laying down of
water-mains and drainage mains must frequently cause
this last portion of the expense to be materially in-
creased. , T, ,
" 38. That, on these grounds, and on the principles
already recognised, the only way of securing systematic
works with economy and efficiency, as well as with
the least delay, will be to consolidate under one and the
same public management the whole works for the supply
of water, and for the drainage of the metropolis.,
• " 39. That it is essential to the ecenotny.attei efficiency
of all ouch works that the whole distribatoriappa a U',
small us vi ell' as large, service pipes, and house draw,
together with water-mains, public drains and sewers,
shou'd be laid down under one system, and kept, in ac-
tion under ono supervision.
"40. That it app, ars from the examination of im-
proved works which have been in operation for u suffi-
cient len,..th_of time to test their efficacy. and from de-
tailed estimstss made by different competent engineering
officers upon house•to-house examina twits e f the worst-
conditioned districts, that combined works, cotnprisicg a
water-pipe for the service of each house, a sink, a drain,
and waste pipe, and a soil-pan or water-closet apparatus,
may be laid down and maintained in action at a cost,
not exceeding, en the avrra_ge,....4l7leiailipenen _per
week, or less than half the average Fxpqnsegt:eleaning
the cesspool for any single tenement. J
" 41. That the general survey being now sufficiently
ad%anced, such works may be executed`.fbr separate dis-
tt lets without waiting for the completion of any general
measure or plan of main sewers.
"PROVISION FOR SUPPLY. '

" Having considered the evidence in relation to the
qualities of the water requisite for the supply of the
metropolis, we find—
" 42. That in addition to the properties of clearness
and freedom from animal and vegetable matter which is
apt to pass into decomposition and to prove injurious to
health, one of the most essential properties of water is
softr ess, or freedom froth lime and other substances pro-
ductive of what is term, d hardness.
"43. That having made careful and extensive inquiii s,
with the aid of the department of the Ordnance
Geological Survey, as to the most suitable sources of
supply, having had those districts which appeared to be
the most eligible specially examin si by our engineering
inspectors, with other aid, we find, upon their unanimous
testimony, that from a tract of upwards of 150 square
miles of gathering ground, there is derivable a supply
nearly double the present actual domestic consumption,
of a quality varying from one-tenth to one-third the
hardness of Thames water, and of a purity equalling
the general average of the improved soft water supplies
of the districts which have yet been brought under ex-
amination.
" 44. That water obtained from siliceous sands, such
as those which cover the tract above described, is prey; d
to be of a quality only equalled is excellence by the
water derived from mountain grantite rocks, or slate
rocks, or other surfaces of the primitive formation,.
45. That upon the beit estimates which have been
obtained, this water may be brought to the metropolis,
and delivered pure and filtered into each house on the
system of constant supply at high pressure, and at the
came time, on the plan of combined works, the waste
eater may be removed by a proper system of drainage,
at a rate not exceeding an average of 3d. or 4d. per
week per house, or from 30 to 50 per cent, less than the
present charges for defective water supply alone.
"45. That the saving in soap, from the use of soft
water in the operation of washing (the expense of wash-
ing linen and other clothes being estimated at an average
of ls. per head ty r weak to be nearly 5,000,000/. per
annum of the population of the metropolis) would be
probably equivalent to the whole of the money expended
at present in the water supply.
"47. That the saving in tea from the use of soft water
may be estimated at about one-third of the tea con-
sumed in the metropolis.
"4S. That other culinary operations would be much
facilitated by the use of soft water.
49. That soft water is peculiarly suitable for baths
a; well as for washing.
" 50. That sr f; water would prevent those incrusta-
tions and d( posits boilers and pipes which render
f:ard water unsuitable for manufacturing purposes.
" RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION.
" We tnerelore advise the rejection of all the schemes
promoted by water companies or by parochial vestries
and Lsiociations which adopt, as sources of supply, the
I hames and its tributaries of the same degree of hard-
ness, wells and springs from the chalk or other forma-
tions which impart the quality of hardness.
" And further, whilst we believe that Thames water
token up beyond the influence of the metropolitan drain-
age and filtered, may be used without injury to the pub-
lic health, and way be employed temporarily until other
sources can be laid under contribution, we advise that
Thames water, and other water of like quality as to
hardness, be as early as practicable abandoned.
" In respect to the existing companies which have-no
property in any sources of water supply, but whose
capital is invested in engines and distributory apparatus,
we recommend that their plants .should be purchased,
but we are not prepared to recommend any prt-appointed
terms of purchase; and we find—
" 51. That if the management ' of • "the ' water-
supply be consolidated,: five, if not six,- out of
the seven principle pumping establishments may be
discontinued, and an expenditure of from 80,0001.
to 100,0001. per annum saved by consolidating
the management of these works .and connecting
them with combined works of drainage and, sewerage,
and that further reductions may be made in the expenses
of these latter establishments.

" flaying considered, as required under the Metro-
politan Sanitary Commission, the means of supplying
water to extinguish fires, and having examined the
practical experience of improved works in relation
thereto in other towns, we find—
" 52. That the inadequucy of the supplies of water
under the intermittent system occasions great danger to
life and property, but that by arrangements which are
practicable under a system of constant supply at high
pressure, the whole force of the water in the mains may
he brought to bear at any point for extinguishing fires in
from one to five_mitiutes, or in about one-fourth the time
that it takes the be•st appointed firo-engines now to gain
the spot and be in action after the alarm of fit e has been
given.
" 53. That, judging from the experience of IVioua
places where improved arrangements have been put in
practice, it *nears that by the general adoption ut these
arrangements more than two-thirds of the fires which
now occur in the metropolis may be extinguished before
any extensive damage takes place.
" 54. That the insurance risks on life and property
may be diminished in a yet greater proportion.
" 55. That the crime of incendisrism may be checked,
and that these consequences alone, were there no other
advantages to be ob.ained, would render it worth while
to make the change from the intermittent to the constant
system.
_Lire
" 56. That these advantages may be best given by the
same means by which a more perfect and cheaper surface
cleansing of courts, alleys, fuor-paven.ents, and carriage
ways be effected, namely, by jets
of water
' than thataterdistri by handbutedundt7ay
r high pressure.

" PROPOSED PLAN FOR THE METROPOLIS.
" Having considered the most eligible administrative
provisions for the execution of the required work, we
concur in theprinciples recommended by the Commission
of inquiry as to the best means of improving the health
of teas us• and confirmed by Parliament in the Public
Health Act, viz.:—
" 57. That the works of eater supply, and those for
drainage, cr the removal of soil or waste water, should
be carried into effect by one and the same administrative
body.
" 58. But that the magnitude of the metropolis, the
large minorities
diversity of its local jurisdiction, and its position as the
Executed
scat of Government, and the occasional residence of per-
sons from all parts of the empire, the
requiring protection, and the unaccustomed magnitude
of the requisite outlay, render distinct and special provi-
afilafee.ulY;veaynduenedienrcnithealdi)irection of
J ionJ necessary for it, and that the amendments required
arrange mt ntr,
sotohferwa
ibn;,,y;splee.eci
‘arl most,h,a,
or by
speedily, leinlye,r, provisional
to the sate
the engineers of the Board of Ordnance,
anti economical execution of combinedw.aonrdk
e direction of the
Sewers Commission, supply have been completed, under th
sur-
veys, trial works, and preparations essential
combined
I) an o )iwifelarr.wer works
rt
Metropolitanekso ft uaY
charge n owebre houseex e eu
ttehaananhdas
rahaeirteittalfnijberdhe
been incurred for any of P
their various branches executed
separately.
" GO. That the initiation and executive direction ef
such works by tnemhowever highly bers,
giv-
ing casual attendance at meetings h'iegldl)Wc qualified,
lificeird '
fort
nightly, causes grievous delay, and that in cases in which
measures for preventing disease or arresting its progress
require the utmost promptitude.
- Cl. That considering the grew t loss and suffering in-
curred by the delay in carrying the required works into
execution, it will be expedieut to confide their further
preparation and superintendence to a few competent
and responsible ("Beers, of whom a certain prepor-
tiOa should be paid, giving their whole time end at-
tention to the subject. That the whole of these works
be curried into execution by contract upon open ten-
ders, not merely for the col structiott of the works, but
for maintaining them in good action and repair for terms
o years.
" Go. That the means provided by the Public Health
Act, for giving publicity to plans end estimates of in.
tended winks, with opportunities of suggestion anti ap-
-1 be , xtended to the works proposed tor the sanitary
improvement of the metroplis.
.. 63. 'flint the proper execution of the works will be
best guaranteed, the re sponsibility of the persons
charged %tith their execution best ensured, and the in-
terest of the poorest classes el the population
bi.anrs of the most depressed districts, who, though they
pay no direct local rates, pay ,heavy tents) will be best
guarded in the special case of the met-
opo l' is, at all events
pt.( vn . •,i,,nally, by the control
direct '
of Parliament; the
javoltsnee of the proposed measures to the health, con-
vertence and eomf. rt of large masses of the population,
the magnitude of the required re ui
q - constructions, the amount
of outlay, mid the d
as eld , . dangers of failure and waste, as well
ay, being, frcm experience of separate works al-
ready constructed, such ;es t.. render it necessary that
the highest etr&r of continued and undivided atteatiou
and responsibility should be secured for the execution of
such wanks us this report recommends."

TRADE WITI SPAI;.—SPANIBII SHlPs.—The col-
lectors and comptrollers of the Customs' department at the
several ports thmughout the kingdom have received direc-
tions from the Commissioners to transmit to the Registrar-
General for Shipping, with all practicable dispatch, the fel-
lowing account, viz. :—A return of the number and tonnage
of Siianiih v. s.iels which entered inwards and cleared out-
ports during the years 1848 and
ports, the entries from the clear-
, w 18,11:
daits
geiurisrbeisipi
gec ttihvee
&lees, the vessels in ballast from those with cargoes, and
also those clearing with cargoes of fish.