View report page

11
both sets of sewage works. The removal of clinker
forming these beds, the cleansing of the same, and
their re-making has occupied a considerable period,
but the result is they are restored to original usefulness,
and rendered serviceable for several more years
of continuous filtration. Their success is borne testimony
to by the monthly analysis reports of Professor
Kenwood. The last report issued by the Royal Commission
on Sewage Disposal contains the important
conclusion that a high degree of purification can be
obtained without passing sewage over and through
land (a process which has never been resorted to at the
Southern Works), and it must be peculiarly gratifying
to the Borough Surveyor to know that his system of
sewage treatment is endorsed by so high and independent
authority. Owing, too, to the manufacture of artificial
stone, etc., it can be fairly said that no waste
occurs directly or indirectly at either the Northern or
Southern Works. Again, it is satisfactory to comtnent
on the freedom from offensive smells emanating
from the public sewers throughout the borough. In
years gone by complaints of such were frequently
received, and I believe their absence is due to the
system of linking up the sewers, abolishing deadends,
and the erection of numerous ventilating shafts. So
successful have these means been that more than a year
has elapsed since I heard of annoyance caused by offensive
sewer odours. A free current of air can now circulate
through these main sewers, and with their frequent
and thorough flushing the drainage of the borough
may be said to be practically perfect. And another important
result of the system is that floodings, with
their subsequent inconvenience and damage, no longer
occur. I may add that the scavenging, as usual, is
most efficiently performed. It is not out of place, I
think, to refer to the work of laying slag-tar on some
of the roads, notably in the neighbourhood of Haven
Green and the Grove. This marks a great advance
upon the ordinary road-making, and although it involves
a slightly higher initial cost, in my opinion,
as your Medical Officer, I am convinced that