SIR FRANCIS DRAKE AND THE PLYMOUTH CORPORATION. 451 
step towards bringing in a distant water supply; though the 
Water Act was not founded eventually on his survey. 
It is not, however, to be understood that the Corporation re- 
mained content with things as they were until the Water Act was 
obtained. On the contrary, there is plain proof that they did what 
they could to utilize local sources, The “ plumpe” at the Southside 
came so frequently to repair that it must have been much in use, 
In 1571-2 a New Conduit is mentioned, said to be built by William 
Hawkins, and apparently associated in some way with the Market 
Cross, which stood in Old Town near the intersection of Treville 
Street. A town well and pump are also frequently referred to ; and 
a pump in Hawe Lane; while in 1583-4 (John Sparke, mayor) we 
have a couple of entries which show that the conduit was supplied 
by a stream of some kind :— 
Itm pd to Wilstrewe for bringinge the water above grounde 
to the Conditt . ; : ; . ord 
Eighteenpence was also paid for mending the conduit pipe. There 
was a stream in what was afterwards called Shute Park—a name 
of itself sufficiently descriptive, on part of which the Free School 
now stands, 
But this has carried us somewhat in advance. We go back 
therefore to the mayoralty of John Ilcombe (1576-7), and there 
we read— 
Itm pd to certayne men that vewed the River at the 
requeste of mt mayo’ & his brethren for their 
paynes & for their charges aboute the same sll eevee 
This entry is still more definite than that relating to Forsland. 
Again the Corporation seek advice about their water supply. The 
work is undertaken by ‘‘ Mr. Mayor and his brethren,” and “the 
River” is mentioned as the source in view. Again, however, 
nothing more is done. The Corporate Accounts show that there 
were no large funds in hand; indeed it was with difficulty the 
receipts and expenditure could be brought to balance. 
It is not unimportant to notice that it was in November, 1577, 
that Drake sailed on his famous voyage of circumnavigation ; and 
that for several months preceding his departure he had his hands 
full of quite other matters than planning a water supply, even if 
the official entry did not preclude the idea. The chief importance 
VOL, VII. 24 
