The Government has asked for a Select Committee Of the
Lords to study the whole subject of English floods and droughts. Recent floods in the valleys Of the great rivers hive been most
-mischieiona, many rural districts, some of theth very near -the metropolis, the defective supply Of water causes every year the greatest inconvenience and expense to the residents. There are parts of the country Where serviceable Well's seem to be unknown, and Where the inhabitants drink only pond-Ater, often very fou; and in summer-time have to go Miles in order to fill their pays. The Committee, therefore, is to inquire into the methods of storage now adopted, as well as the means of preienting floods, and see if the Conservancy Boards cannot be invested With powers to meet the one evil is well as the other. What seems to be wanted in waterless villages is power to the nearest Conservancy to sink a *ell, and charge the landowners and occupiers a small rate for its Coat. The evil rises in particular places, where drainage has been thoroughly perfected, to a height which makes drought nearly as danger/As to the people as malaria.
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