View report page

87
During the year new drains were constructed to 338 new
buildings, or additions to existing buildings, and the drains of 104
old buildings were partially or entirely reconstructed, under the
supervision of the Officers of the Department.
During 1937, 5 claims made by the owners that the Council
were liable for the reconstruction of the common portion of the
drainage systems of their premises were dealt with.
In 4 cases liability, wholly or in part, was admitted by the
Council. The total expenditure incurred in these four cases
amounted to £256 19s. 5d., being on average £64 4s. lOd. per case.
This may be compared with an average for the ten years 1928-1937
of £161 6s. 9d. per annum and £35 Is. 6d. per case.
In the other case liability was not admitted.

In 44 cases the Health Committee gave directions for steps
to be taken against various builders to enforce the deposit of
plans of drainage works executed by them, but in no case was it
found necessary to take legal action.
In 38 cases work to drains and sanitary fittings was found
to have been carried out without notice having first been given
or plans submitted to the Council in accordance with the requirements
of the drainage and other by-laws.
These cases were reported to the Health Committee, who in
the circumstances reported to them ordered the offenders to be
cautioned except in two cases where legal proceedings (the result
of which is shown on pages 79 and 81) were instituted.
During the year 1937, drains were tested by smoke on 268
occasions and in 78 cases the drains were found defective. The
water test was applied on 1,206 occasions, this being mainly
applied to drains in course of construction or reconstruction.
Soil pipes and drains were ventilated in 229 instances.
Water closets were provided in 28 cases and existing closets
repaired in 894 cases.
The total number of drains relaid during the year was 104.
Those cleansed and repaired numbered 277.