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113
are obtained the objectionable ventilators are abolished,
whilst in those cases where consent is refused, the Vestry
have no alternative but to retain the surface gratings."
It appeared to the Committee to be—
" Most desirable that some further and combined
action should be taken to secure a more efficient and less
offensive mode of ventilating the sewers of the Metropolis."
And they accordingly recommended—
'(d) That a communication be addressed to the County
Council calling their attention to the matter, forwarding
copies of the reports by the Surveyor and
the Medical Officer of Health, and requesting
them to instruct their Engineer to convene a Conference
of the Surveyors and Medical Officers of
Health in the Metropolis to discuss the question
with him, with a view to his reporting upon the
general question of metropolitan sewer ventilation.
(e) That the several Vestries and District Boards be
requested to support the action taken by this
Vestry in regard to this matter."
The report of the Committee was adopted, and a communication
was addressed to the County Council to the purport
of recommendation (d). Subsequently the Main Drainage Committee
of the Council, when acknowledging the receipt of the
communication, intimated that they readily acquiesced in the
proposal as regarded the convening of a conference of representatives
of the various local authorities, and had instructed
the Chief Engineer to arrange for such a conference at an
early date.
It may be added that at the end of the year twenty-four
Local Authorities had decided to support your Vestry's action;
that no action had been taken by two authorities, and that no