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61
may have been accidently or carelessly left in the pipes, I
designed, and had made, a steel disc, which is passed by means
of light rods through every drain re-laid, and it effectively cuts
out any projecting cement without in any way impairing the
soundness of the drain.
Of the 154 houses re-drained during the year, no less than
113 were provided for by combined systems of drainage. In
dealing with these, some difficulty was experienced in convincing
the owners of their responsibility for the work, in the
majority of cases an attempt being made to place the liability
of re-laying the drains upon the Council. This action probably
arose from the confusing state of the law on the subject,
and was also undoubtedly influenced by the conflicting High
Court decisions on the point. The contention that the
Council was liable was, however, in each case repudiated, the
provisions of the law being explained as carefully as possible
to the interested parties, who, with one exception, ultimately
carried out the necessary works. In the case of the exception
mentioned, the Council executed the works, and steps have
since been taken for the recovery of the costs incurred.
In two other instances the Council was legally liable for
the re-laying of the main drains, and the Surveyor was accordingly
instructed to execute the work, and when this was
completed the owners were required to re-lay the connections.
During the year 7 combined drains were abolished, and
separate drains for each house provided.