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102
STANDARD THEATRE.
Early in January I visited and inspected this theatre, and the dressing-rooms
attached to it, and I was pleased to learn that extensive alterations were to be carried
out, including the provision of new dressing-rooms and the re-construction of the
drainage and sanitary arrangements generally. From time to time for several years
past complaints had been received with reference to nuisances arising in connection
with the sanitary conveniences, and a great deal of work had been executed one way
and another in endeavouring to obtain adequate light and ventilation of the urinals
and water closets. This, however, in many ways was practically impossible owing to
the positions in which they had been placed, and they could only be satisfactorily
dealt with by removing them to more suitable positions.
Temporary measures were taken to prevent as far as possible the recurrence of
the nuisances, and frequent visits were made by the sanitary inspector to the
premises. Later on in the year the theatre was closed for several weeks, and a large
amount of structural work was carried out, most excellent alterations being effected.
Under the supervision of the chief sanitary inspector, extensive works were executed
in connection with the sanitary arrangements, the drains, water closets, urinals and
lavatories, being remodelled, and constructed in accordance with modern requirements,
and altogether a satisfactory piece of work was carried out.
COMBINED DRAINS.
On several occasions during the past three years and especially this year delays
in the execution of works in connection with combined drains taking the drainage of
two or more houses have arisen, it being contended on the part of owners that such
drains were sewers and that it was the duty of the Vestry to repair and keep them
in order. In some of these cases owing to the absence of any proof that the
combinations were sanctioned by the Vestry or by the old Commissioners of Sewers
or Metropolitan Board of Works, the contentions, according to the present state of
the law were correct, and it was necessary for the Vestry to repair or relay these
combined drains as they were legally sewers. Now, sewers in the Metropolis are
vested in the local authority and it is illegal to interfere with any sewer or part of
a sewer which is vested in any vestry or district board without the previous
permission in writing of the vestry or board. If any person interferes with a sewer
vested in a vestry or district board he is subject to a heavy penalty and is liable
for the cost of repairing or restoring or making good any damage which may be done
to the sewer. It seems to me therefore, that if the multiplication of small sowers
belonging to the vestries or district boards, laid upon property belonging to private
individuals is allowed to continue, disputes and difficulties will in all probability arise
in the future between the owners of the ground in which such sewers are laid and
the local authorities to whom they belong, and that it is in the interests of all parties
concerned that the definitions of the words "drain" and "sewer" should be so