455
rightly represents the sharp angle
which the drain takes in its course
from Mr. Foughtric's house through the grounds in front.
༽.-
The "old drain" as originally
many years ago
made was constructed
for certain work. To this the Survey department added a somewhat larger
drain leading from Robinson Road down beyond... Road emptying into the "old drain"—already
a crooked one. From the evidence
of Government Overseer of works, Mr. Pratts, it will be seen that the department
did not know the course the "old
drain took through Mr. Foughtre's property, until it has been ascertained by laborious search. It was
ultimately discovered between the verandah wall and the house wall at the North Street corner
of the house. Mr. Watts states:- "I made
a hole in the yard (the lawn was afterwards pointed out as
being the place) to ascertain the direction of
the drain. It was not there,
further Eastward I
made a hole
and then discovered the drain."
Previous to this Mr. Pratts has
sent a boy down a drain at the South West corner
of the house and he went through for
15 or 20 feet and then returned saying
he could not get farther.
The hole was inside the basement.
Mr. Watts adds: "It took me
several days to do this (get at the drain)
the top of the drain was 8 to 10 feet below the surface of
the ground. I found the cover stones broken. I found large boulders
lying in the drain but the house was not resting on them. I
found the drain four feet
not resting...