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42
For years it was the practice to prepare a plan of each
house retrained, and these plans have proved very useful
for reference subsequently. Unfortunately this useful form
of record had to be discontinued for a long period owing to
insufficiency of staff, but it has now been recommenced,
and I hope it will not be suspended again.
In practically all cases an examination of the drainage
system was made under the powers conferred on your
Council by Sec. 41, P.H.A., 1875, and a specification of
necessary works was then prepared and forwarded to the
respective owners of the premises.
Where several owners are interested in the reconstruction
of combined drains assistance has been rendered frequently
by the preparation of plans and specifications for
submission to contractors. This assistance by your Council
is very much appreciated by the owners of property, and
inasmuch that it is an act of grace entirely, it usually leads
to a speedy and amicable settlement of any points of difference
between the owners themselves or between the owners
and your Council. Although it throws additional work on
the department, in the end it usually saves time and trouble,
by avoiding the necessity for your Council carrying out the
works in default of the owners, and recovering the costs
incurred thereby.
INCREASE OF RENT AND MORTGAGE
INTEREST ACTS.
Five applications were received during the year from
tenants for certificates under Section 2, Sub-section 2, of
the above Act, as compared with 7 during 1929.
The premises were subjected to a careful inspection and
a specification of any necessary repairs was prepared in
each case and forwarded to the owner, together with a suitable
covering letter. This informal action usually had a
satisfactory result, but in 2 cases it was necessary to issue
formal certificates to the tenants giving details of the works
which should be carried out to put each of the dwelling
houses into a reasonable state of repair within the meaning
of the Act.