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By Dr. Manson.
884. That provides for no ventilation of the common sewer. wants to find out is how to ventilate the common sewer.
A.-[Witness draws diagram.]
By Dr. Cantlie.
885. Then that man would be ventilating into the main sewer?
A. Into the drain that goes to the main sewer.
What Dr. CANTLIE
886.
Well, it is very hard a man should have to ventilate for his neighbours.
A.
No, if every house ventilates he does not feel any effects from it, and the gases go up above his house.
887. Might it not get in at the first floor windows of other houses?
A.-It might in some instances, but given the sewers properly laid there would be no smell. I have walked in the London sewers without finding any smell, because fresh sewage matter in motion gives off very few gases. It is only when it is allowed to collect and stagnate that it gives off gases. In a place like Hongkong there is no reason for that, there is no reason why it should not get into the sea within a few hours.
888.-You don't think anything can remain long in the sewers here, then why do we get the smells?
A. It remains in the side sewers, not in the main vertical sewers with the shafts at the top.
These main sewers were formerly the streams beds.
By Dr. Manson.
889. Is not that arrangement of ventilation the one provided in the new Ordinance?
A. Yes.
By Dr. Cantlie.
890.-Is that pipe supposed to be used to ventilate the side drains?
A. Yes, that is the clause Mr. PRICE read out on Saturday, about ventilating pipes for private houses.
891. That is not a usual form of ventilation is it?
A. Yes, every well constructed house at home has it.
892.-But it only ventilates its own house?
A. It ventilates its own neighbourhood and every one else does the same, so that the drain is thoroughly ventilated.
893. Yes, but there is a trap where it leaves the house and another further on. You have not got that here.
A. We have put them down in many instances, in Seymour Terrace and other * places.
894.-But it is not often that you hear of a man ventilating for all his neighbours.
A.--The house ventilating pipes are only intended to ventilate his own house and the drains immediately adjoining his house. As soon as a drain comes into the street and becomes a Government sewer it should have public ventilators.