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146
I admit that this principle cannot be universally acted
upon. The poorer property in a parish stands in a somewhat
different relation to this matter, than houses of a
superior class. The tenants are poor, they are to a large
extent uncleanly and careless, they are largely migratory in
their habits, and the houses they occupy, and the sanitary
works in connection with them are less substantial, and
more easy to get out of gear than those of their richer
neighbours. I think that in such cases, although one
should not absolve either the tenants or the landlords
from their respective responsibilities, the supervision of the
Vestry is a matter of necessity. And again, even in
respect of good property, many cases must necessarily arise
where the intervention of the Vestry becomes not only
important but essential.
2nd. If a Vestry is to become responsible for the
maintenance of the house drainage throughout the parish in
an efficient and safe condition, the supervision exercised must
be real and not nominal or perfunctory. Every house would
need to have its drains and other sanitary appliances thoroughly
examined at least once a year; and if there be no inspectionchambers,
this would involve the opening up the ground or
basement of the house in order to test the condition of the
underground drains. I suppose there are somewhere about
30,000 houses in this parish. I do not quite know how
many such thorough inspections could be made in a day,
but I should think that each one would take at least an
hour or two; and if we take into consideration, that in all
cases special arrangements as to time, and as to having
workmen to meet and assist the Officer of the Vestry would
have to be made, I think it will be apparent that five such