402
and the washing away of earth at or about the front of the house, but it is clear that a large quantity of earth was washed away.
Constructing a drain below the foundations of the house caused damage to the drain, however, this would only occur if there was an overfilling of it with more water than it could discharge.
The acts of the Surveyor General's Department do not appear to support the views that have been expressed by it upon these questions. For if the old Belmont drain was good and sufficient, and if the larger drains leading into it were right and proper and free from danger or obstruction, why did that Department order the disconnection of the house-drain from the Belmont drain, the very water which caused the damage?
The dilemma is evident: – Either an unnecessary expense was incurred, or there was an objection to allowing the connection of the larger with the smaller Belmont drain to remain, which had been required by the Surveyor General's Department.
Stirling visited the scene of the accident in question immediately after it occurred and subsequently during the process of examination, and I think it was a fair thing to form tolerably clear views as to the cause of the accident.
Page 71