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fore, cannot be readily detected. There are other gas
appliances which do not permit complete combustion of the
gas, but these fittings are usually fixed in rooms where some
means of permanent ventilation exists and the evil results
are reduced accordingly. In the case of bathrooms it is
quite a usual practice for the window to be closed during
use, and if no sufficient flue is provided to a geyser, the effect
on an occupant of the room may be very dangerous and it
has been known to prove fatal.
The position with regard to new buildings is satisfactory,
as a new Byelaw has been passed which prohibits these
improper practices. With regard to existing buildings, however,
the position is extremely unsatisfactory, and it does
not appear that the absence of a proper flue can be dealt
with under present legislation.
WELL WATER SUPPLIES.
There are still several premises in the Borough which
derive their water supply from shallow wells. The action
taken in regard to these premises over a number of years
has been very satisfactory in effect, and it is unlikely that
any further marked reduction in the number of premises
which rely upon wells for their domestic water supply will
take place. The reason for this opinion is two-fold. First, all
the known polluted wells have been closed already. Secondly,
where wells remain, it is generally the desire of the occupiers
of the houses that the wells should not be closed. It is
very seldom indeed that any request for closure of a well
is made by the occupier. On the contrary, I am usually met
with the hope expressed by the housewife, " You are not
going to condemn this water? It is a beautiful water and
so cool in Summer." Sometimes an opinion as to purity
has been added, but quite often the analysis has shown such
water to be badly polluted. No seriously polluted sample
was found amongst the four samples submitted to the Corporation
Analyst, Mr. P. G. Lloyd.