1. In reporting upon the source of water supply for a town, what are the points to which you would direct your attention?
2. Give a sketch of a D trap, an S trap, a P trap, and a pan water closet (plan of a dwelling-house annexed).
3. Criticise the arrangements of this residence as to position of rooms, walls, doors, fire places, windows, &c., from a sanitary point of view.
4. Describe the drainage arrangements shown on the plan. Say whether they are satisfactory; if not, in what way are they faulty?
5. Sketch on the plan any other system of drains which you would think preferable.
6. Describe in detail the arrangements necessary for the water supply of the residence, a bath being fixed in the room over the serving room, a W.C. on the first floor over that on the ground floor, and a housemaid’s sink near.
It is, of course, open to consideration whether the Sanitary Institute of Great Britain is the proper authority to hold these examinations or not; but there is no doubt that some such examination is necessary, and would be welcomed by nearly all town surveyors in order to more firmly secure their positions; and the Sanitary Institute is entitled to every credit for having taken the initiative step in the matter.
Under the present system of appointment to the office of town surveyor those seeking that office must be prepared to work hard to obtain it, and to give up some considerable time to its acquisition. Tact, patience, and perseverance are indispensable qualities when seeking such appointments, and the following suggestions on this matter may be of use.
The appointment usually rests finally with the whole body of the town council or corporation, even if a sub-committee or committee has been appointed in the first case to make some selection of candidates. The candidates thus selected by the committee are usually requested to appear before the whole body of the town council, who then make the appointment from amongst them.
The first thing a candidate should do when he hears of a vacancy occurring in the office of a town surveyor, or sees an advertisement requiring a surveyor’s services, is to obtain fresh testimonials from those persons of position and influence for whom he has worked or who know him professionally. These testimonials, with any very good old ones (but not too many of either), should be sent by post to the town clerk or person mentioned in the advertisement, with a formal, carefully-worded application for the appointment.