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drains have to be laid in concrete, and rendered absolutely proof
against emanation of sewer-gas into the houses; and, further, that
no one was liable thereby to be made responsible for defects in
his neighbour's drain, nor for his neighbour's misuse of his drains.
"It was urged in favour of the alternative of combined drain-
age that that system was more efficient than single drainage, inasmuch
as the length of pipe to be flushed by a given quantity of
water from cistern and offices of a house in the former case was
smaller owing to the sewer from several houses following a common
course, and, moreover, that drainage beneath a house was admittedly
undesirable, inasmuch as soil pipes were, by the London
County Council's By-Laws, prohibited from being placed inside
a house. It was further considered to be detrimental to a sewer
to have a large number of separate drains connected to it.
"The Sub-Committee, after fully considering the arguments,
recommended that the several Committees should adopt the
following rules, viz.: —
"(1.) That each house be separately drained where it can
be done without laying the drain under the house.
"(2.) That not more than four houses be allowed to be
drained by one common operation, except where no sewer is
available for draining in accordance with this rule.
"(3.) That such exceptional cases be referred to the Joint
Sub-Committee of the two Committees.
"(4.) That the common drain of a combined drain be not
allowed to be carried under a house, except through a passageway
or arch.