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up, instead of having been properly closed. In another house
several inches of water were found under the boards, and as the
water was clear and the room half under ground was supposed
to have been caused by a spring. On pulling down the skirting
board the wall was found to be damp, as well as the joist in
which the floor boards rested. In making a closer examination
the under surface of the joist was found to be wet, although
nearly a foot above the level of the water. The adjoining
premises were therefore examined, when in a gateway leading
to the stables, about 1 foot under ground, a defeotive water
supply pipe was found, from which water was continually
running.
Several of the more common causes of offensive smells
have been discovered, many in large houses, during the year. For
instance in a clergyman's house, the pupils who used a particular
study habitually suffered from headaches, and after a time from
low fever. On examination of the house, the drainage arrangements
of which were most defective, it was found that there was
a covered wash-hand basin in a corner of the room, which was
connected with the soil pipe, and as the basin was never used
the trap was dry, so that it was practically a ventilator for the
soil pipe. The most common causes of offensive smells in
houses is the use of bell traps in sinks, when the waste pipes
are directly connected with the house drains. Great attention
has for some time past been paid in this District to the
disconnection of sinks from house drains, especially since the
appointment of the third Inspector of nuisances, as more time
can be given to this work without neglecting other equally
pressing nuisances. Many instances have also come under
notice of nuisances arising from defects in adjoining premises.
For instance, sewage was found in the cellar of a well-drained
house, and as the party wall was damp, and as the closet pipe
belonging to the adjoining house was placed against the party
wall, some whitewash was poured down the closet, and escaped
from the pipe which was found to be defective.
Another very frequent cause of the escape of sewer gas