404 EEPORT — 1891. 



be made to overcome the consequent dangers and difficulties. 

 Had it not been for this fact, the cost would have been con- 

 siderably less than as before stated. 



Flushing is regularly and systematically attended to, the 

 water being derived from artesian wells and collected in tanks, 

 which are placed in the most suitable positions. The pipes are 

 as clear and free from obstruction as when first laid. The 

 system is well ventilated by openings in the centre of the 

 streets, and very few, if any, complaints are made on account 

 of smells at these ventilators. 



That all-important portion of the scheme — house-connec- 

 tions and internal and external sanitary ajDpliances — receives 

 every care. The work is done by plumbers and pipelayers 

 licensed by the Board for the purpose, and is subject to the 

 inspection and approval of the Board's engineer. A code of 

 sanitary rules and regulations for the guidance of licensees and 

 the public, based on the most approved methods for work of 

 this nature, has been in force for some years with the most 

 satisfactory results, and licensees are bound by such rules and 

 the conditions contained therein. 



The whole of the sew"ers on the north side of the river are 

 collected at a point on its northern bank, and passed through a 

 cast-iron siphon under its bed. On the south side they are' 

 collected by the main intercepting sewers (which of course also 

 take the northern sewage) and discharge into the tank at the 

 pumping-station. During the night the main sewers do duty 

 as reservoirs, for the sake of economy, but it is hoped that the 

 Board will soon be in a more prosperous conditioii financially, 

 when this system will give way to continuous pumping. 



In addition to these sewers there is a length of 1 mile 

 26 chains of duplex sewers in the suburb of Richmond, which 

 take both stormwater and liquid sewage : these discharge into 

 the River Avon, about one mile below the city. 



The total length of covered sewers under the Board's con- 

 trol is 47 miles 8 chains, and the number of houses connected 

 to 31st December last was 1,291. As each house is connected 

 a survey is made of the premises, showing the exact position of 

 the service-pipe, siphons, junctions, &c. These details are 

 plotted on block plans kept for the purpose, and all particu- 

 lars are periodically entered up in the Connection Register. 



The collecting-tank is 30ft. diameter by 21ft. deep. It is 

 built of brick in cement, with a concrete invert, and was con- 

 structed under most unfavourable circumstances in a boiling 

 quicksand. It is, however, of a most substantial character, 

 and is not in the least likely to cause trouble by settlement 

 or otherwise. From this tank the sewage is pumped. 



The pumping plant consists of two compound surface-con- 

 densing horizontal engines, fitted with expansion-gear of forty- 



