Discussion on Sanitation. 53 



filtration would improve it, and I agree with him. The Com- 

 missioners have now made up their minds to carry out the 

 filtration works in the most modern style, and give to their 

 constituents a water supply second to none in the three king- 

 doms. It may be asked why did they not do so some time 

 ago. The reason was that they were short of water, and they 

 tried to overtake the requirements of the town before setting 

 about the work of filtration. They have now plenty of works 

 and plenty of water, and the work of filtration will soon be in 

 active operation. If it had been done some years ago the 

 Commissioners would have been obliged to raise the rates, 

 which, it is hoped, will now be avoided. Professor Wanklyn 

 showed that with the ordinary sand filter in use by the London 

 Water Companies something like 90 per cent, of the micro- 

 organisms are destroyed by filtration. I have had large experi- 

 ence of water works in many places, and I know that even 

 with filtration the consumers may be using impure water. In 

 a great many small houses open cisterns are used. In fact, in 

 miles of streets in Belfast they may be seen, and it is impossible 

 under these circumstances to have pure water, no matter how 

 filtered. The germs of disease are blown into these cisterns, 

 and it is no wonder when it finds a footing that it spreads over 

 the whole district. It rests with the owners of property to see 

 that their tenants get the water in its purest condition so far 

 as cisterns are concerned. I also hold the opinion that sewage 

 matter should be got rid of by water carriage, as according 

 to the best authorities this carries away the microbes. It is of 

 more importance to have a system of water sewerage made 

 perfect than that we should derive profit from the sewage 

 matter. It is better to pay a good price and get rid of it than 

 make a little money at the risk of life and health. The main 

 drainage of Belfast will be of great benefit to the inhabitants, 

 and when this is completed, and the filtration works in progress, 

 I believe the death-rate will decrease very considerably. 



Mr. Richard Patterson took exception to the statement of 

 Professor Letts regarding the Holywood foreshore and its effects. 



