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Conference, to more thoroughly understand the matter ; and it
was shown that this question is one that is becoming rapidly of
much more importance, from the fact that builders and houseowners
in various parts of the Metropolis are rapidly becoming
much more alive to the question, and are seeking, wherever
possible, to throw the cost of the repair of the drainage systems
from a group of property, which cost should morally be borne by
the owner, upon the Sanitary Authority, simply because there was
some slight technicality which might enable them so to do.
Mr. Long, in his reply, stated that now that the question
has been put so clearly before him, he saw the really ridiculous
condition of things which had arisen. He supposed there was an
answer to the conundrum proposed, but at the present time he
could not imagine what it might be, which was clearly illustrated
by an instance given in Islington, where one pair of houses
adjoining another, built apparently similar in respect, and in one
case the drainage has to be paid for by the Local Authority, and
in the other by the owner. He said that, apparently, this was a
subject which had given considerable occupations to the Courts
of Law, and in the study of which they had found opportunities
for diversity of opinions, which we know not infrequently proceeds
from these august assemblies. He said that he would have the
matter carefully examined, and see how far it could be dealt with ;
and speaking generally, it did not seem to him that there ought to
be in fact, and in law, any confusion between two things which
appeared to him so different as a sewer and a private drain.
The thanks of the Conference were then presented to
Mr. Long, for his courtesy, and the proceedings terminated.