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87
of approved intercepting traps and efficient means of ventilation
are provided. A steel device attached to rods is passed
through each drain to remove any cement which may have
been left inside the pipes and the water test is applied to all
now drains both before and after the ground has been filled in.
On completion of each re-drainage scheme, a Survey is
made by your inspectors and a block plan of the new drain
is prepared and filed for future reference, together with a
tabulated statement of the works executed. This practice
has been carried out since the year 1902, and forms a complete
and valuable record of the re-drainage of existing buildings
within the district. Necessary references to these records
have been frequently made during the year, and the information
obtained therefrom proved to be of great practical use.
Several very useful legal provisions are in force within
the district which enable your Council to exercise a reasonable
measure of control over the construction, repair, and
maintenance of the drains of existing buildings. Under Section
*13 of the Finchley Urban District Council Act, 1908,
notice must be given to the Council 12 hours previous to
carrying out any work of repair in connection with a drain
which connects with a Sewer of the Council. Sections 40 and
41 of the same Act provides for the infliction of heavy
penalties upon any persons who may be convicted of improperly
constructing or wilfully damaging any drain, watercloset,
or soil pipe.
Water Closets.
One hundred and forty-seven insanitary water-closet
basins and traps were removed and pedestal or other suitable
basins and traps of the "Wash-down" type fixed in lieu
thereof. Eighteen existing water-closets were repaired or unstopped
and cleansed.
Fourteen new water-closet flushing cisterns were fixed
and 53 existing flushing cisterns were repaired and put into
proper working order.