Comments on: Friday Photo: Its A Thingy

By: Charles Morris

Charles Morris — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:24:39 +0000

I understood they were ventilators for underground electricity transformers. There was one near the corner of Kings Gap and Valentia Road, and I am certain that was the purpose of that particular one.

By: John

John — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:11:16 +0000

Hello Mike

Thanks for your comment …good to have it confirmed !

John

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 31 May 2009 23:05:58 +0000

Hi john i started work as a boy for the old HUDC with highway services and have been told by past workfriends that these things are in fact vents for the old drain systems, you will also see others at high levels and they are for venting the sewers hope this helps.
Regards Michael.

By: Peter Wilson

Peter Wilson — Fri, 29 May 2009 23:17:28 +0000

Well, as it’s in a Conservation Area maybe such an original feature should be spruced up with a lick of paint!

By: John

John — Fri, 29 May 2009 21:24:29 +0000

Regular reader Richard suggests:

…the odd-shaped pipe might be a vent to stop sewers from exploding through build-up of gas (primarily methane). They did exist many years ago and the Victorian examples I’m familiar with are also quite ornate.

By: John

John — Fri, 29 May 2009 10:04:18 +0000

hmm ..two readers suggest the same answer ! That didn’t cross my mind at all.

Any more?

By: Peter Wilson

Peter Wilson — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:25:03 +0000

Air vent for the drains perhaps?

By: Ian Hazlehurst

Ian Hazlehurst — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:00:16 +0000

Dear John, I think it’s a vent for underground gas build up. But it’s being used as a sweet wrapper bin at the mo. I have walked past this thousands of times too.