Wafer Supply of Belfast. 71 



filter the water coming from above Carrickfergus, but at that 

 time the site selected was found to be unsuitable. However, 

 when the water was provided from Stonyford, the next step of 

 the Commissioners was, if possible, to filter the water not only 

 from Stonyford but from above Carrickfergus, and I am happy 

 to say that one of these filters is now in actual operation at 

 Stonyford, and the water is very much improved in appearance 

 (of course, I am not a judge as to the quality of the water), and 

 the second filter will very soon, I believe, be in operation. The 

 Commissioners intend filtering all the water from the two 

 districts. I am inclined to think that they will bring a scheme 

 before the public within the next few months. I think also that 

 that scheme, as far as I am concerned, will be the one that has 

 been referred to by Dr. Letts, for the Mourne water. I believe 

 that a large quantity of water, something above 20 million 

 gallons per day, can be obtained from that district. However, 

 if the Commissioners adopt this scheme they don't propose to 

 take such a large quantity at present, but the quantity, I believe, 

 will be suitable for the city for many years to come. Of course, 

 we are most anxious to keep the water rate as low as possible, 

 and a very important matter in connection with the scheme is 

 the cost. However, from the figures, and the Board have gone 

 very carefully into the figures, I believe if this scheme, which 

 is now before the Commissioners, be carried out, that the 

 increase in the rate will be almost nil. Last year the Commis- 

 sioners reduced the " specials " in the city for water sold by 

 meter, and charges on small ratepayers or small business people, 

 such as those poor women who make their living by washing, 

 and a number of our local carmen, and people of that class who 

 are struggling to provide an existence for themselves. By the 

 reductions I have referred to something about £2f>0Q last year 

 came oif the rates paid by a certain class of people. I think you 

 will admit that the Commissioners have endeavoured not only 

 to provide a pure and wholesome water, but to keep the rates as 

 low as possible. I was very much surprised to hear the statement 

 of Dr. Letts with reference to the quality of the water, I never 



