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7
into the sewers. If, as frequently happens, a house drain
becomes more or less choked with decomposing matter,
offensive gases will be given off, and these gases, if
prevented by the trap from ascending towards the house,
will find their way into the sewer, escape at the nearest
manhole, and give rise to the nuisances complained of. If
householders were to make a practice of regularly flushing
their drains I believe that the above complaints would be
greatly reduced in number.
In the autumn, with the Surveyor- Mr. York—I made
a careful examination of the sewers in the lower portions
of the District, especially those in Park Road, Crescent
Road, Long Street, York Road, and Gloucester Road.
These sewers are all pipe sewers, of 9, 12, or 18
inch diameter, except that portion in Crescent Road
which becomes the main sewer, and is constructed of
brick, with a stone invert, and is 2ft 3in by 1ft 6in in
diameter.
We found all the sewers working well, and free from
deposit, except the brick sewer, which has a very slight
fall and a sluggish flow. Here there was a sandy deposit
varying from 4 to 8 inches. But at no point was any
foul smell noticeable, except one, and that was in the
manhole in York Road, at the bottom of Gloucester Road.
The flow of sewage through this manhole was not obstructed
by any deposit, and I think the unpleasant smell must