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100
expiring years of the leases, been allowed to show that they were
worn out structures, and it was hoped that the freeholder would
have taken them down and re-built them, when they came into his
possession.
Notices were served on the owner, setting forth the dilapidated
condition of the premises, following upon which a consultation was
hold with the owner and his surveyor. These gentlemen having
decided not to re-build the cottages, finally accepted my suggestions
for improving and repairing the property, and this has been done.
The whole of the houses have been re-drained under my
supervision in a proper manner. In the course of the works
several very large cesspools were discovered closely adjoining some
of the houses, the gases from which probably impregnated the
atmosphere of the dwellings; the drains were of the most irregular
and defective character, and thereby permitted the subsoil to bo
soddened with sewage.
The whole of the water closets which wore very dilapidated and
foul were taken down, and rebuilt and fitted on my plan with open
spaces under the seats, portland cement concrete floors, and
flushing apparatus.
The yards which were very defectively paved, and which
contributed thereby to the soddened condition of the subsoil
adjacent to the houses, have been paved all over in a solid manner
with portland cement concrete, laid with slopes to gullies, specially
prepared for the reception of surface drainage and household slops.
This arrangement ensures the passage of rain and slops direct
into the drain The subsoil has thus been allowed to become dry,
and the back walls which freely absorbed the moisture which they
previously stood amongst, have now become dry, tho supply of
water to the foundation being prevented.
Water, which in some of the houses, was stored in defective
cisterns, is now supplied direct from tho main, by draw taps placed
immediately over the yard gullies,