We publish to-day an explanation by the French Waterworks Company of the numerous recent interruptions of the supply of water in the Concession and must regretfully add that the sufferers are not likely to be at all appeased by it. The plea of the greater demand due to the advent of warmer weather is discounted by the fact that the weather has been unusual}, cool during the past month, an rain has interfered with outdoor sports. The clogging of the filter beds by excessive silt has been industriously worked during—the past year or two. But the public, who can recall plenty of heavy rains not accompanied by interruption of water, are by no means convinced that the real explanation is anything except lack of foresight and too little regard for public convenience to provide the necessary plant. The same holds good in respect of the number of new houses requiring to be connected up—another familiar bist unconvincing excuse. As our readers are aware, the short-comings of the water and electricity service in the French Concession have lately been the subject of a sharp contest between Council and Company, victory apparently resting with the former. It is an unfortunate coincidence that this should be so closely followed by a series of interruptions in the most necessary of all services—for which the consumers pay at a rate that should certainly enable the Company to guarantee them a regular supply.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.