NOTES ON RESENT BLUE BOOKS, II. 139
Both accounts agree as regards the nature, thicknesses and
depth of the various beds. But Mr. Whitaker has noted that
the "specks of chalk" in the Old Well section are "race," and
the classification of the beds in the New Well is his. And we
learn from him (Essex Naturalist, Vol. III., p. 46) that the two
wells are about 40 feet apart. Dr. Reece gives the surface level
of the ground, where the two wells are sunk, as 146 feet above
O.D., and he notes many details with regard to the construction,
etc., of the Waterworks at Braintree, for which the reader must
be referred to the Blue Book. Of the supply he says :—
" The supply is on the constant service system, and is sufficient in quantity.
Nevertheless the supply is in a somewhat precarious condition. Since the wells
have been sunk the level of the water has dropped at the rate of about one foot
per annum. In November, 1888, the water in them stood at a depth of
41ft. 2in. from the surface ; in August, 1904, at 56ft. 2in. ; it now stands at about
60ft."
Pumping from one well affects the level of the water in the
other:—
" If at the present time the pumps connected with the New Well broke down
pumping would have to cease until the water rose in the wells to the height at
which the old pumping machinery could be utilized. The only storage for water
is in the service reservoirs ; these do not together hold a day's supply of water."
Analysis shows the quality of the water to be good.
Considerations of space, however, oblige me to refer readers
interested in the sanitary state of Braintree to the Blue Book
itself I will only add, therefore, that Dr. Reece heartily agrees
with Dr. Fletcher in thinking that a Medical Officer of Health
should have a large district, and should devote the whole of his
time to public health work, and not be mainly interested in
private practice, as at present.