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46
So far as the Vestry were able to ascertain, no practical
steps to provide even a temporary remedy were taken
between December, 1884, and March, 1890. During all this
time widespread impatience and dissatisfaction had been
manifested in all parts of the parish. Properties never
before affected (some having been built more thirty years)
had recently been flooded several times, while properties
built within the past few years (one assessed at nearly
£4,000, and another erected at a cost of nearly £150,000)
had suffered such inconvenience as to render the basements
comparatively useless, while the local sewers were known
to have been for days in succession fully charged with
water from the main sewers, no perceptible difference taking
place upon the tide falling.
Furthermore, the ratepayers so prejudicially affected,
many of whom are assessed to very large amounts, complained
that they were called upon to contribute towards
the cost of a system which, so far from being an advantage
to them, was productive of a serious proprietary loss, and
grave insanitary nuisance.
In this connection reference may fitly be made to a letter
received from the Council, notifying their intention to make
application to Parliament for the following powers:—
1. To provide for periodical inspection of drains nnder houses by
Vestries or District Boards, and for the execution of such
works by them as, upon such inspection or otherwise, may in
their judgment seem necessary; a clause to be included requiring
that means shall be provided for inspecting and testing
house drains.
2. To prevent the construction of basements below the level of
sewers, except with the consent of the Council.
3. To prevent buildings being erected in places where there are no
sewers, except with the consent of the Council.
The Council were informed of the unanimous opinion of
the Vestry, "that it would not be conducive to the public
"advantage for the Council to seek powers over local drain"age,
now under the jurisdiction of Vestries and District