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thought that the cause of the previous floods had been
the fact that the storms had occurred at high tide, but
this is now proved not to be the case, as one of the
floods of last year occurred at nearly low water.
During the last 25 years the districts drained by the
main sewers have been largely increased, while the
sewers have not been enlarged, and the paving of
roads, the construction of houses, and paving of yards,
tend to diminish the percolation of water into the soil,
and thus increase the quantity of surface drainage to
be carried away by means of the sewers. The sewers
are sufficient for the house drainage and the ordinary
rainfall, but not for the unusual quantity of water
which falls during these now rather frequent storms.
Repeated complaints have been made to the Metropolitan
Board of Works, and a scheme has been prepared
by their Engineer which will doubtless remedy
the evil, but parliamentary powers, and a scheme for
raising the money, will be necessary before the work
can be carried out.
I have the honor to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
JNO. M. KNIGHT,
Surveyor.