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inasmuch as it has hitherto been largely by their means that
sewer gas has found its way into the interior of houses. I
may here mention, parenthetically, that occasionally we have
found the rain-water pipes actually doing service as soil pipes.
It has been made a special duty with the Inspectors to
see not merely that drains are trapped, but that the traps
employed shall be of an efficient kind; and further, the
Inspectors have made a systematic practice of testing the
efficiency of all drainage arrangements by the newest and
most approved methods, and of seeing by constant supervision
that necessary drainage works are carried out strictly
according to the requirements of the sanitary department.
This kind of work, if done systematically and thoroughly,
involves much time and labour; and it will be readily
understood therefore that many of the units, which go to make
up the totals in the tables, represent systematic work carried
out from day to day, sometimes for a week or more together.
I am satisfied that this comparatively new work is, and will
prove, of the highest importance to the health of the Parish.
I have to express my thanks to the Vestry for having,
at my request, added a fifth Inspector to the sanitary
stalf. The amount of tabulated work appearing under
his name, in the present Report, is necessarily very small, for
he only commenced active duty a week or two before the 25th
of last March, on which day the Inspectors' year of duties
ends.
I remain, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
J. S. BRISTOW E