(7.) If this work is not done within a reasonable time the local authority “may if they think fit” execute the works; the surveyor has probably to carry them out, after having obtained the necessary permission to enter for the purpose. (8.) The costs of the work have to be recovered. Anyone acquainted with local government will know how difficult and tedious such processes must necessarily be, the delay between the meetings of the local authority being quite sufficient to make the matter in dispute last a considerable time, and this delay is extremely undesirable where a nuisance arising from a defective house-drain is in existence. There seems to be no doubt that the clauses which are given in the Public Health Act 1875 empower the local authority to specify without dispute the class of work they think necessary in order to remedy any evils arising from a defective drain, but it is a pity that some more simple process cannot be introduced to improve the sanitary condition of a house without the necessity of so much laborious legal machinery. There is still one other clause in the Public Health Act 1875, which refers to house drainage, and it is as follows: “Every local authority shall provide that all drains, waterclosets, earthclosets, privies, ashpits, and cesspools within their district be constructed and kept so as not to be a nuisance, or injurious to health” (38 & 39 Vic. c. 55, s. 40). But this clause is usually taken to apply rather to nuisances arising from temporary defects than to more important structural defects in a drain, and such nuisances come more under the cognizance and duties of the inspector of nuisances than those of the town surveyor. It would not be possible, as I have already stated, in one chapter to give all the detail descriptions of house drains and the necessary apparatus in connection therewith, and besides very many excellent books, pamphlets and papers have been from time to time written on this important subject.[213] Before, however, bringing this chapter to a conclusion, I will give a list of the essential requirements of all good house drainage which may be of some use to the town surveyor: (1.) A house drain should be constructed of stoneware pipes (not earthenware or fire clay), these are generally salt glazed, and should be perfectly smooth or even slippery inside, the pipes must be of true circular section and thickness of material, and straight in the direction of their length, with whole sockets of proper depth, and free from any cracks, blisters, sand holes, or other defects. As even the most carefully manufactured pipes vary somewhat in diameter of sockets; &c., it is well to have them sorted before commencing the work; it is scarcely necessary to add that no “seconds” should be allowed on the works.