National Water-Supply Exhibition

Abstract

HYDE PARK and Trafalgar Square experiences have very plainly shown that the simplest way to induce a clamorous populace to forget what they fancy they want, is to let them hold their meetings and pass resolutions. It is a matter of such very small exertion to hold up a hand in favour of a resolution compared with taking any personal trouble to see that any steps are taken towards carrying it into effect. Human nature is only in certain phases influenced by a man's occupation, and whether resolutions are passed by “labourers” or by “professional gentlemen,” they stand much the same chance of being forgotten after the press has recorded that they have been passed. Last year the Society of Arts in loyal response to the request of its Royal President, held a conference to discuss the water-supply question. After two days' work a resolution was carried urging that a small scientific commission should be appointed to collect information and suggest further inquiries on the subject. Twelve months elapsed and a few days ago another conference was held, when it was made known that the only step taken with regard to that resolution was that just before the Conference it had reached the Lords of the Treasury. Last year the Society directed that a résumé and sort of index should be made of what had been done by Parliamentary inquiries and official reports with regard to water-supplies, and the result was a volume called “Notes on Previous Inquiries,” which, though very incomplete, may serve as a basis for a larger and more comprehensive work. The very fact of the imperfections in these notes showed to those more immediately connected with their compilation the need of enlisting wider sympathies if anything of real value was to be printed. A letter in the Times of April 14 of this year mentioned that although the notes had been published for many months, “not a single word” had been sent in response to the request printed on the back of the title-page that suggestions or corrections should be sent to the secretary. The idea was then suggested of founding a permanent free museum for the purpose of keeping before the public mind those subjects, apart from the question of low rates only, which should be considered in arranging water-supplies. It was decided that a temporary exhibition should be first tried as an experiment and after some difficulties in finding it a locale, the management of the Royal Aquarium kindly arranged for the use of the south gallery for the purpose. This exhibition is now open and a handbook is issued. It is marked “under revision,” and on the title-page attention is appropriately drawn to the fact that it is the first public exhibition of the kind.