4 
as an average for these, for some would be larger and some smaller, 50 
feet at Is., £2 10s. ; 50 feet of two-inch pipes, at £3 per thousand, 3s. ; 
50 feet of three-inch horse-shoe tiles at 6d. equal £1 5s. ; and 50 feet 
run of hardwood boards, six-inch by one-inch, at 2-|d. per square foot, 
5s. 2d. ; making a total for material of £4 3s. 2d. The laying of these 
down might cost from £1 to £2, according to circumstances. If a 
greater expenditure was incurred in putting down more distributing 
and collecting drains, as also in trenching the ground, it would be all 
to the benefit of the place, and would repay the cost. 
A sink with a perforated copper plate in the bottom would be 
required, so as to present loose rough stuff going into the drain. That 
might cost about 10s. The total cost might be from £6 to £7. 
This paper might properly stop here, but knowing of great com- 
plaints made against the earth-closet system, arising mainly from a 
deficient supply of dry earth — for in wet weather there is no dry earth 
to be had, and no one that I am aware of has any dry earth in store. 
In order to remedy this defect I would propose to carry the urine in 
a pipe into the distributing drain. Should any offensive smell arise 
from the pipe, a little diluted carbolic acid would correct it. This plan 
would do away with two-thirds or three-fourths of the required dry 
earth. Indeed, in moist weather, when dry earth is not to be had, by 
using a little extra earth no smell would arise. 
A physician lately told me that Brisbane was in a healthy state ; but 
be that as it may, I purposely went through Frogs’ Hollow, one night, 
lately, and I was very glad, indeed, to get to my own house, to get rid of 
the sickening offensive smells. In that locality tliereis abundance of room 
for improvements such as sketched out in this paper. But nothing less 
than an Act of Parliament will be of any avail in making people keep 
their places in a clean and healthy state. Aldermen are unfit to be- 
come members of Boards of Health, because, if they do their duty 
efficiently, they will offend the majority of their constituents, and so 
will not be re-elected, and those who wish to retain their seats as aider- 
men will take care to leave things much as they are. It is only but right 
that the Municipal Council should have a say in the appointment of the 
Local Board of Health, as they have to find the funds to keep them 
going, but after their appointment the less they have to do with them 
the better for both parties. Limiting the selection to ex-aldermen 
who have served at least four years in the Council, there is no danger 
of any extravagance, and such men would know the city very well. 
By Authority: James C. Beal, Government Printer, William street, Brisbane. 
