SANITATION AMD VENTILATION AS REQUIRED IN A MODERN HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9011, 17 October 1892, Page 3

SANITATION AMD VENTILATION AS REQUIRED IN A MODERN HOUSE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,— was with very great pleasure I saw the above heading in last Saturday's Herald, and I think every individual in Auckland is indebted to Mr. Withy lor his able address on this most vital subject, because when such a clear, intelligent mind grasps such a subject and lays it before the public, we may hope for a better state of things, as regards sanitation, than what exists in Auckland at present. But, sir, it requires a man to have given his attention, backed by long experience, to estimate the full value of such an address, and as an old builder I can endorse all said on the above subject, and perhaps add my mite to the rate of progress. Some 12 months back I sent competitive plans for the Palmerston North Hospital, and among them was a sheet on sanitation, which I will place in T. and S. Morrin's for inspection by those interested in such matters. It will be seen by said sheet that in place of water in the traps I use a disinfectant, and all sewage must flow over same, and of course any return gap is met and must pass over said disinfectant before entering the dwelling; and I believe that if a series of these traps were placed in a system of drainage, with a proper system of ventilation such as Mr. Withy describes, and attention paid to the supply of disinfectants, many a serious illness would be nipped in the bud, and perhaps many a valuable life saved. It must be remembered that water is a powerful absorbent of disease germs, and some traps are left stagnant for a considerable time. lam afraid a great many of the evils in bad drainage>xist in the quality of the pipes. A chain is no stronger than its weakest link, and a system of drainage no better than its worst two feet section or length of pipe, and a leaking drain is a source of many evils. This is a very serious, though much slighted subject, and I write to thank Mr. Withy for the public interest he has taken in same.— am, etc., I R. Jenkinson, Builder, Park Road, j