Report from Select Committee on Metropolis Sewers : with minutes of evidence, and an appendix.
- Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Select Committee on Metropolis Sewers.
- Date:
- [1834]
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Report from Select Committee on Metropolis Sewers : with minutes of evidence, and an appendix. Source: Wellcome Collection.
22/276 (page 8)
![19 March 1834. Mr. J. Houseman. 8 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE 139. As far as you understand, you would have no power of building a sewer in that street?—No. . . , 140. Does not it often occur that the state complained of in the Report read arises very much from the fault of the builders of the houses, that they carry the- cellars below the depth that you can possibly drain, or have had drains ?•—Yes, they are; and in many cases that is the case ; most of the houses in that neighbourhood are too low to be drained. 141. With reference to the ebb-tide, how far are your sluices placed generally, at one-half or three quarters from the high-water mark ?—More than three quarters generally ; as low as we can possibly get them. 142. That is the case with many houses ; it is out of your power to remedy it, because the builders carry their cellars too low?—Yes ; and upon all occasions of that kind we give them notice of it. 143. What power have you to prevent them going too low for the sewers?— We have no power to do it. [A copy of the notice was handed in.] Mr. John Houseman, again called in ; and further Examined. 144. THE jury is still impannelled as stated in your Evidence in page 35?— Yes. -. 145. And the presentment is exactly in the manner detailed there?—Yes ; there is no deviation. 146. There is no appeal from the jury, except to the Commissioners?—No; any person may resist the payment and go to one of the higher courts, as was done with a house at Knightsbridge, Mr. Stafford’s. 147. The issue there tried would be as to the right of the Commissioners to levy the rate, not as to the quantum of the rate?—No. 148. There is no appeal from the verdict of the jury impannelled by the Com¬ missioners, except to the Commissioners, as to the amount of the rate ?—No. 149. Are you quite sure of that?—The party comes to the Commissioners, and says, I am over-rated ; the Commissioners refer him to the parish, and say, we have taken that amount, and if they have over-rated you, they must reduce it. 150. The reason why there is no appeal is, because you take your assessment from the assessment of the poor, and refer them to the authority under which the poor assessment is made, and which may be corrected, if incorrect, in order that you may correct your assessment, and you would be prepared to correct it?—Yes:; under the idea that the parish have so much more local information than the Com¬ missioners have. 151. You have power to go upon the value, if you please ?—Yes ; it is expressed that the poor-rate is to assist the Commissioners in making the rate. 152. But as to the general amount of the rate decided upon by the Commis¬ sioners, there is no appeal to any court whatever?—No. 153. They impose whatever rate they think necessary for the demands of the year, and that rate cannot be resisted?—No. 154. How are the accounts of the expenditure kept; are they accessible to the public r—Yes ; to any person. 155. Generally accessible, and easily accessible?—Yes. 156. As a right to every individual assessed to the rates?—YTs ; he has a right to come into the office and ask to look at the rates. 157. Under what authority has he that right?—That the Commissioners do not conceal any thing ; it is an open transaction. 158. Are there any Acts of Parliament applicable to your commission under which persons have a right to demand any copies or extracts from the accounts ?— No. 159- they ever do so ?—I never knew it done. 160. Are the accounts audited by any public tribunal ?—No. 161. Suppose a person was to think, not that he was rated at too high a rental, but that the rate in the pound was too much upon himself and his neighbours for the service rendered, by what mode could he procure redress ?—1 do not know how it is to be done, except by refusing to pay the rate. 1G2. rhat would not raise the question, whether the rate upon the whole was too much ? I do not know any other mode. 163. It he retuses to pay the rate, it would only be the question of his refusing upon](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b30459205_0022.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
