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15
instances the sewage matter, instead of passing into
the public sewer, found its way beneath the floors of
the living rooms, creating a very serious nuisance.
The same state of things was found in Glebe
Street, Reckitt Road, Quick Road, Dale Street,
Fraser Street, in fact all over the Glebe Estate. It
is undoubtedly due to the original construction of the
drains, for they were laid in many instances without
being imbedded in concrete, and the joints were made
of clay. It has been suggested that all house drains,
however well-laid, are liable to become defective.
The Board, having been convinced of the necessity
of such an important work, gave me instructions
to proceed with the work of drain testing by the Sanitary
Inspector, who reports the result of his inspections
from time to time.
Nearly three hundred house drains have been
relaid, provided with proper intercepting traps and
ventilated, and each tested by the water test prior to
their being passed.
At the Board Schools on the Glebe, similar defects
were also found in the drainage, as above described,
which was a very serious matter, as the notifications
from scarlet fever have been on the increase. The
drains are now however put in a perfectly sanitary
condition.
The usual attention has been given to the dwellings
of the working classes, which are frequently
visited by the Sanitary Inspector, to encourage as
far as possible an interest in the common rudiments
of sanitation. It is, however, a very difficult matter
to suppress the overcrowding and uncleanly habits so
prevalent in some parts of the parish.