4 
sweep every obstruction before it. This has 
been objected to, as tending to wash away the 
joints of brickwork and to weaken the junctions 
of pipe-drains. To a certain extent these effects 
must be admitted, but they are so limited as 
really not to amount to a valid objection. 
Brisbane is, generally speaking, well situated 
for such purposes, an ample supply being pro- 
curable from the river to cleanse all the sewers 
except those necessarily laid at a height which 
would secure a slope which would leave no 
chance of noxious accumulation. 
It is obvious, however, that without some 
efficient and stringent regulations as to the 
construction of basements and proper water 
closets, the best system of sewerage possible 
would fail to realize its legitimate results. A 
cesspool should be prohibited, and basements 
for occupation below the sewer level should not 
be allowed. Unhealthy in themselves, they 
become doubly so in the event of any escape or 
leakage from the sewers. In London the law 
used to compel, and I believe still compels, the 
builder to provide efficient communication with 
the nearest sewer before permitting him to lay 
his ground-floor joists down. In many pro- 
vincial towns the like regulation prevails. The 
public health has benefited, and no individual 
lias been aggrieved by what in reality must tend 
most materially to his own comfort. 
There is, however, one point in which it is 
apprehended that sewerage regulations here 
should differ from those at home, and that will 
arise from the very great difference in climate. 
The water-closet, however well fitted and 
arranged, should never be permitted within the 
house. ISTo known arrangement of syphon and* 
trap will prevent the faint odour which Always 
exists in such a place, from becoming under our 
hot sun a positive nuisance. It is unnecessary 
to show, what the common sense of every 
member of the Institute will teach him, how 
easily and how conveniently the objectionable 
position could be avoided. The situation of 
these accessories may be made to exercise a 
material influence on the cost of the sewerage ; 
since w r hen placed uniformly in the rear of 
dwellings a branch sewer running under or near 
the dividing boundary would serve for two 
blocks of street buildings, without the disadvan- 
tage and expense of carrying the sew T age pipes 
under the houses, or of breaking up the streets 
whenever the sewers required repair. 
As respects the cost of the provision indicated 
in this paper, it would be impossible without an 
adequate contour survey, and without due 
regard to the present and future population, to 
say what expense would be involved by a general 
system of sewerage for Brisbane. For indivi- 
duals the data are more easily ascertainable. 
The stoneware syphon pan can be bought in 
London for 7s. 6d. Stoneware pipes are stated 
at prices, varying with their size, at from 4d. to 
4s. per lineal foot. Egg-shaped drains are sold 
at from Is. Id. to 3s. 6d. per lineal foot. With 
the cost of setting, of tank for water, and the 
common wire crank and valve apparatus, simple, 
but efficient closets are fitted up in London for 
50s. Such a cost would be supplemented here 
by freight, importers’ profit, and the higher price 
of labour. But as there seems to be abundant 
material in the neighbourhood of Brisbane for 
the manufacture of these pipes, as well as of the 
street channels before spoken of, the trade might 
be found advantageous amongst ourselves, could 
the inhabitants make up their minds to be bene- 
fited by its existence. 
The financial or civic arrangements necessary 
for the provision of adequate sewerage are not 
properly the topics for a paper like this. Simply 
observing, therefore, that a distinct sewer'rate is 
generally imposed for the purpose, either of 
paying the current cost or the interest of loans 
until the revenue becomes sufficient for the 
extinction of the principal, I leave the subject. 
FAIRFAX AND BELBRIDGE, PRINTERS, BRISBANE. 
