8 



ADDRESS 



DELIVERED BEFORE THE 



WEST KENT NATURAL HISTORY, 

 MICROSCOPICAL and PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY, 



BY 



The President, H. F. BILLING HURST, Esq., F.S.S., 



On February 26th, 1902. 



HEN I had the pleasure last year of making my small 

 contribution to our proceedings in the shape of the 

 Annual Presidential Address, I made some comments 

 on one of the great productions of Nature which 

 almost appears to be essential to our existence, viz., 

 Coal, and to which, great attention was then called by reason 

 of the suddenly enhanced value of the product. On this 

 occasion I will offer a few remarks on another natural pro- 

 duction of far greater consequence to us than Coal, and of 

 which if we were deprived we should soon cease to exist at 

 all. — I refer to Water. 



To us who are located in the area of the great Metropolis, 

 the question of Water, or rather of Water Supply, is at" the 

 moment of interest by reason of the matter being before the 

 Legislature for adjustment of the mode of supply, if need be, 

 to meet the requirements not only of the present generation 

 but of those to come. 



We need not trouble ourselves in this Society as to the 

 political aspect of the matter ; the supply of water we trust 

 will always exist, and the needs of this vast population of 

 London will likewise always exist, whether the manipulation 

 is in the hands of A, B, or C ; — we must only hope that any 

 change made in the distribution of the product may conduce 

 to the convenience and well-being of the consumers. 



