Supply of Water to the Metropolis. 259 



mons, by Sir F. Burdett, of his intention to move for a com- 

 mittee of inquiry into the conduct of the Water Companies, the 

 chainnan of the Grand Junction Works, requested an interview 

 with that gentleman, and stated to him the readiness and 

 anxiety of the directors to afford the means of the fullest inves- 

 tigation to any committee or deputation of householders in their 

 district of every point connected with the powers of supply, 

 or rates charged by the Company. To this proposition, Sir 

 Francis did not accede ; and the directors say that they have 

 neither the right, nor the wish to complain of his determination ; 

 but the householders, in our opinion, have both, for we are 

 assured that many of the most respectable in the district would 

 have been very glad of such a conference, in whatever way it 

 might have terminated, and that the impression upon their 

 minds, apparently warranted by the silence of the Company, 

 was that the latter blinked the question, and would condescend 

 to no compromise. 



The Company's " Circular," after some remarks upon their 

 charges, which we, at present, shall not meddle with, tells us, 

 that until they ceased to take their supply from the Grand 

 Junction Canal, frequent complaints were made of the quality 

 of the watery and the directors were constantly importuned to 

 resort to the Thames. Now, this statement is not very consistent 



** 8th. That a petition be presented to both houses of parliament, 

 praying that a full inquiry into the constitution and practices of the 

 several companies supplying the metropolis with this all-important ne- 

 cessary of life may be instituted ; in order that the nuisance complained 

 of may be speedily abated, and the supply of pure and wholesome water 

 to the western portion of the metropolis be henceforward placed on a 

 sure and lasting foundation. 



" 9th. That a subscription be entered into to defray the expenses 

 which must be incurred in preparatory measures connected with the 

 object of the present meeting, and that the following noblemen and gen- 

 tlemen be a committee to receive and appropriate the same (Here fol- 

 lows a list of the names of the committee) : — 



" 10th. That the thanks of this meeting be given to Mr. J. Wright, of 

 Regent- street, for having directed the pubUc attention to this important 

 subject. 



" 11th. That Sir Francis Burdett, Bart., and John Cam Hobhoiise, 

 Esq., our representatives in parliament, be instructed to support the 

 prayer of the said petition. 



" 12th. That the thanks of this meeting be given to Sir Francis Bur- 

 dett, Bart., for his impartial conduct in the chair. 



{Signed) " Francis Burdett." 



