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7
parts of the District, it may be fairly assumed that the
more virulent form of this epidemic may again, at any time,
invade us, if a breach could be found or made by the
enemy in any of our sanitary defences.
To strengthen these defences by every possible means
should be our constant aim, and it is with much satisfaction,
therefore, that we refer to those portions of this
report which speak encouragingly of the exertions that
have been made during the past year to improve and to
perfect the main sewerage of the entire District.
Efficient sewerage is very properly held to be the basis
of all wise sanitation, and it is therefore with no small
degree of satisfaction that we are enabled to point to the
fact of so large an amount as 148,042 feet of this necessary
work having been completed during the past year, and to
3,383 connexions, within the same period, being effected
with the main culverts. This of itself is a large amount
of work to accomplish in a single year, but when the entire
length of main drainage that has been constructed in this
District during the 12 years of the operation of the Metropolis
Local Management Act is taken into consideration,
few, it is thought, will be found to contend that the carrying
out of this great and enduring work is one that can
possibly fail, when fully completed, to present a barrier
against the inroads of much disease, especially that of the
Zymotic class.
Connected with this subject is one which it appears
exceedingly desirable should receive immediate attention.
We refer to the evil which has been pointed out in the last
and preceding reports, as arising from the escape of the
gases from the ventilating gratings of the main sewers,