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have also been opened, cleansed and amended; 78 new systems
and 199 surface drains have been constructed; 72 systems have
been tested by smoke and 342 by water, of which number 257
were found to be defective ; 84 new soil pipes and 485 traps have
been fixed, together with 57 intercepting chambers, and 46 other
chambers. Nineteen cesspools have been abolished; 63 areas,
103 yards, and 9 mews and stables have been thoroughly drained.
Twenty-nine water closets and 1 urinal have been erected; a pan,
trap and water supply have been furnished throughout in 150
cases, and other fittings in 274 cases, whilst the water supply has
been renewed in 121 instances. The water supply for lavatory
purposes has been disconnected from the drinking water system
in 11 instances. Fifty-nine public-house urinals have been
cleansed and repaired, whilst a water supply has been laid on or
repaired at 17 such conveniences.
Combined Drainage. By reason of the increase of knowledge
amongst the various property owners and others in the
Borough, our difficulties under this head are much increased.
We find that a certain class of property owner, immediately his
drains are requiring attention, raises the question of sewer and
endeavours to throw the responsibility for attending to such
matters upon the Council; although the channel in question may
be laid entirely within his private premises and may only serve
his own private properties. Those who have only a slight knowledge
of the various decisions of the Courts on these matters will
be aware of the numerous pitfalls which have to be satisfactorily
negotiated in dealing with these matters. The amount of money
spent by this Council in carrying out purely private drainage work
under these conditions, although in past years it may have been a
merely nominal amount, is now assuming much larger proportions