Page:The Manchester and Thirlmere Scheme - Somervell (1878).djvu/9

 instance, be extinguished, and anything accruing beyond this may be devoted, like the profits of Gas making, to City improvements.

Much has been said and written about the responsibility attaching to the authorities of Manchester, in relation to this matter. In the actual position of affairs, it is not easy to see what responsibility attaches to them, beyond that of a tradesman who finds the demand for his goods increasing, and consequently feels bound to lay in a larger stock.

The Corporation of Manchester are no more bound to provide water for all the neighbouring country, than they are bound to provide for the disposal of its sewage.

One cannot help suspecting that this sense of obligation has, at least, been quickened by the expectation of substantial advantage to be obtained in connection with the fulfilment of it.

It may therefore be safely asserted, firstly, that it is as a Water Company, and not as a Board of Health, that the Corporation will now apply for powers to appropriate Thirlmere Lake, and to construct the necessary subsidiary works. Secondly, that, as of the water now supplied nearly two-thirds appear to go for manufacturing purposes, and to distant places, and as an additional supply is already arranged for, beyond any possible increased demand for Board of Health purposes within the two Boroughs, it cannot be said that the sanitary needs of their own City are urgent.

Then there remains the question—Is there no locality from which increased supplies can be obtained, with less sacrifice of important public and private interests? To obtain a supply of water for a populous district, is almost