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59
It is matter for regret that these powers have not been fully
exercised during the twenty-three years the Act has been in
operation—and in respect of the many thousand houses that have
been constructed in the parish within that period.
The 82nd section of the Act, however, will probably enable
us to correct some of the faults of construction in existing
drains, as it places drains, water-closets and connected works
under the inspection of the Vestry and their officers, power
being given, after twenty-four hours' notice, to enter premises
and open the ground for the purpose of such inspection. By
the 85th section, when any drain, &c., appears to be in bad
order, the owner or occupier may be called upon to do the
necessary works, and in case of default the Vestry may themselves
do the work, and charge the owner or occupier, or sue for
penalties. In order to the due carrying out of the provisions of
the law with respect to drains new and old, it has been found
necessary to appoint an additional officer in the Surveyor's
Department, and such officer will be able I hope to give valuable assistance
to the Sanitary Department by superintending the opening
of drains for inspection under the above-mentioned 82nd clause.
"Rules to be observed by builders in the construction of drains
and connected works," have been framed, and your Vestry
have resolved "that measures be adopted to ensure the
proper construction of the underground or buried portion
of all house drains, and also to secure the construction
and provision of the connected works, apparatus and other matters
specified in the Act. The Surveyor is authorised, when he shall
think fit, in cases of emergency, to do this work, and afterwards
report thereon to the Vestry. In other special cases, if it appears
to the Surveyor that it would be for the advantage of the Parish
that the drains should be constructed by the Vestry rather than
by the builder, it will be his duty to report thereon with a view to
the drains being so constructed.
The importance in a sanitary point of view of this Report, with
the rules, resolutions, &c., if duly carried out in practice cannot
well be over estimated.
PUBLIC URINALS.
The subject of "necessary accommodation" came before your
Vestry in November, having arisen out of complaints of the nuisances
perpetrated in the vicinity of the Vestry Hall, on the foot-path
leading to the Parish Church. The powers of Vestries are ample
to enable them "to provide and maintain urinals, water-closets and
like conveniences in situations where they deem such accommodation
to be required, &c." (Metropolis Management Act, sect. 88),
and your Vestry have already exercised these powers to the
moderate extent of providing four urinals for the male sex, viz.,