THE DOCTOR'S PUZZLE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3722, 20 June 1883, Page 3

THE DOCTOR'S PUZZLE.

[To the Editor of the Daily Telegraph.] Sin, —Dr. de Lisle, in his correction of your report of his evidence in tho R.M. Court re the cesspits on his premises, says, "My statement was that the opening of the main drain was not submerged, and was so placed as to allow the westerly wind to blow up it, and thence up the branch drains to the houses. When it Avas considered that the west wind in summer was a hot wind, and possessed eminently decomposing properties, it was obvious that tho drain as at present constructed was a standing menace to tho health of tho town." Regarding this statement of Dr. de Lisle from a public point of view as a most serious one, and knowing full well that there is generally a mountain of truth in every statement tho doctor makes, I lost no time in going , to the Corporation offices to ascertain the real facts respecting this '' human life destroyer,'' the main outlet. I find that where the brick sewer terminates opposite the Royal Hotel is at low water level, and consequently under submersion to the extent of two feet at high water. In addition to this I am informed that there is a continuous stream of pure artesian water running down the main sewer from the Corporation waterworks. At the point here referred to opposite the Royal Hotel there is a valve chamber and a large " flap-valve" on the outlet of the main sewer. Prom this the sewer runs under the railway and in a south-westerly direction into the lagoon for a distance of 250 feet. Now, Sir, to analyse the importance of the doctor's theory wo will first take the hot winds, which in summer, by-the-by, blow from the north-west, so that to blow up tho main sewor it must enter from tho south-west. The next difficulty it will have to contend with is to penetrate a half-inch cast-iron "flap-valve," which I presume it will do easily, and then dilute the tide water and also that from the artesian wells continually running. In making its way for the houses it must ignore the numerousventilators in the line of route. On arriving at the houses it must be expected to act impartially, so that each householder who has been foolish enough to connect will receive an equal dose. Thus divided it must enter 120 house branches, and penetrate a double stink trap to each so as to carry death to the householder. There is no doubt about it, Sir, we live in an age of "galloping research." What two years ago was considered as imperatively necessary for the health of the town is now considered from the above causes to be a " standing menace,'' and we must resort to the horrid '' cesspits '' again. Bravo, doctor, "Any port in a storm."—l am, &c, • Bad Shells. Napier, June 20, 1883.