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The complaints were investigated as early as possible
and, where the Corporation possessed powers to intervene,
immediate steps were taken to remove the cause of the
complaint.
HOUSE DRAINAGE.
No less than seventy houses were completely redrained
during 1934 in addition to 5 other premises where drains
were repaired or amended in part.
The majority of the old drainage systems were
examined under the powers conferred upon the Corporation
by Section 41 of the Public Health Act 1875 as amended by
later Acts. This work necessarily means the expenditure of
much time but the elimination of defective drains is very
important from the public health point of view. The
majority of the drainage systems served more than one
house and the houses were mostly in different ownerships,
making agreed schemes of redrainage more difficult to
arrange. To avoid friction as far as possible the owners
of each set of premises were brought together when agreement
was usually reached on the main points at least. In
the case of 54 of the houses detailed specifications and
forms of tender were prepared on behalf of the owners free
of cost. This assistance was much appreciated and
doubtless tended to avoid objections. A great advantage
accrues from this method of dealing with redrainage
schemes. Good quality of materials employed and