It is an established fact that wells within a town must always be regarded with some suspicion, and where they exist either publicly or privately the local authority would do well to have the water from them analysed with a view to having them closed. Even cisterns, if not frequently examined and cleansed, will cause the water that is stored in them to become polluted, not only from the dust of the air settling in them and the natural impurities of the water passing through them, but frequently from foreign objects falling into them and decaying, such as rats, mice, cats, and in one case that I know of, a sirloin of beef, and in another a plumber! These remained in the cistern until the colour, smell, and taste of the water drew the attention of the drinkers to “something being the matter!” The cure for the chance of such cases as these is of course the constant supply. [202] Any cellar in which any person passes the night shall be deemed to be occupied as a dwelling within the meaning of this Act (38 & 39 Vic. c. 55, s. 74). [203] “In this Act (P. H. Act 1875) the term ‘earth closet’ includes any place for the reception and deodorization of fæcal matter constructed to the satisfaction of the local authority” (38 & 39 Vic. c. 55, s. 37). [204] In case of several houses together, it has been held as not necessary to have separate accommodation for each house, if there is sufficient for them collectively. (Clutton Guardians v. Pointing, 4 Q. B. Division 340, 48 L. J. M. C. 137.) [205] It is not always possible for a separate w.c. to be provided for each house, hence the wisdom of the law which makes it permissive for a local authority to allow a group of tenements to be provided for by several waterclosets close together. [206] A similar provision is made requiring the keeper of a common lodging house to obtain a proper supply of water (38 & 39 Vic. c. 55, s. 81), but it does not appear to be the express duty of the town surveyor to draw attention to this, as it does in the more general clause. CHAPTER XXVI. HOUSE DRAINAGE. It would not be possible in one chapter of a book of this description to enter into all the details and necessary apparatus in connection with house drainage. I propose only to point out some of the town surveyor’s duties in connection with this subject, and to add a few remarks which may be of some service. The definition of the word “drain” as given in the Public Health Act 1875 is as follows: “‘Drain’ means any drain of and used for the drainage of one building only, or premises within the same curtilage, and made merely for the purpose of communicating therefrom with a cesspool or other like receptacle for drainage, or with a sewer into which the drainage of two or more buildings or premises occupied by different persons is conveyed” (38 & 39 Vic. c. 55, s. 4).