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87
through the pipes on completion of the work has been continued.
A survey is also made of every premises where the
drains are reconstructed, and plans of such drains are pre1
ared and filed for future reference. These plans, together
with other tabulated particulars, form a complete and
valuable record of the re-drainage work carried out in the
district.
Of the 94 houses re-drained during the year, 59 were
provided for by means of 13 combined systems of drainage.
Five of the main drains, receiving the drainage of some 37
houses, and 20 branch drains, were reconstructed by the
Council at a total cost of £447 9s. 3d., and steps have been
taken to recover this sum from the owners. With one exception,
the whole of this work was carried out under contract,
in accordance with plans and specifications prepared by your
Inspector.
With reference to the defective stoneware drains of no
fewer than 9 houses which came under my observation, it
was found upon examination that such drains had originally
been well constructed, and were no doubt made watertight upon
completion. The defects were evidently caused either by settlement
of the soil or expansion of the cement, a matter which
I have referred to in former reports. The cost of constructing
these ten systems of drainage in the first instance would be
approximately £350, but owing to the failure of the stoneware
pipes to remain sound the whole of these drains had to
be reconstructed. Similar experiences in other districts are
becoming increasingly common, and proves that while glazed
stoneware, from the point of view of cleanliness and being
non-corrosive, is an exoellent material for drainage purposes,
it nevertheless is seriously wanting in strength, and cannot
therefore be relied upon to remain permanently watertight,
a condition which is now generally regarded as an essential
sanitary requirement. Drains constructed with heavy cast
iron pipes do not possess this serious disadvantage, as evi-