MR. T. M. HEALYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland is he aware that the new water for the supply of Downpatrick has been analysed by Sir Charles Cameron, and reported as full of microorganisms, and in a further report as unsuitable for a town supply; and that Dr. Olphert, the Medical Officer of Health for the town, has reported to the Sanitary Authority that he attributes several cases of illness to the drinking of the water, and has recommended the people to discontinue using it; will he explain why the Sanitary Authority have taken no notice of these reports; has his attention been called to the discussion at the last meeting of the Sanitary Authority, in which it was stated that the water was not being used for domestic purposes; and do the Local Government Board intend to take any notice of the matter?
§ MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the report of the proceedings at the last meeting of the Downpatrick Board of Guardians; whether he is aware that the reply sent him to a recent question on the Downpatrick water supply was stated to be incorrect, and that instead of the water being generally used by the inhabitants, there is not one family in Downpatrick using it for drinking purposes; whether, notwithstanding that at a previous meeting a resolution was passed to put up notices that the water was not fit for use, no such notices were posted; whether the water was condemned some time ago by the Medical Officer of the Board of Guardians; and if he will state what action the Local Government are prepared to take in the interests of the health of the town?
MR. J. MORLEYIn reply to these questions, I am informed by the Local Government Board that Sir Charles Cameron reported that the water, though second-rate, is not dangerous to health. On the other hand, Dr. Olphert attributed cases of illness to the use of the water and recommended the people not to use it. The Guardians' consulting sanitary officer states that the water is safe and harmless, and their engineer is of opinion that it can be improved by filtration. The 559 Guardians have considered these reports, and propose to adopt measures to improve the quality of the water. The matter, I understand, is receiving the careful attention of the Guardians and the Local Government Board will be prepared, if called upon, to afford them every possible assistance and advice.
§ MR. M'CARTANI would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that Sir Charles Cameron has described the water as very second-rate?
MR. T. M. HEALYI would also ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has seen the report of the last meeting of the Guardians, when the Clerk to the Guardians had practically to admit that he had deceived the Government in the reply read by the right hon. Gentleman. Of course, that being the vital portion of my question, it was struck out at the Table.
§ MR. W. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)I would ask if it is fair to make these insinuations against people who cannot defend themselves? I know this clerk very well.