SEWER. is also a passage or gutter made to carry water into the sea or a river, whereby to preserve the land, &c. from inundations and other annoyances. The business of the commissioners of sewers, or their office in particular, is to repair scabanks and walls, survey rivers, public streams, ditches, &c. and to make orders for that purpose These commissioners have likewise authority to make Inquiry of all nuisances or offences committed by the stopping of rivers, erecting mills, not repairing banks, bridges, &c. and to tax persons chargeable for the amending of defaults that tend to the obstruction or hindrance of the free passage of the water through its ancient courses. They may not only make a rate and assessment for repairs, belt also may decree lands to be sold, in order to levy charges assessed up on non-payment thereof, &c. But the de crees of the commissioners are to be cer tified in Chancery, and have the King's as sent, to be binding, and their proceedings are subject to the jurisdiction of the King's Bench. In the making of a rate or tax, the commissioners are to assess every owner, or possessor of lands, in danger of receiving army damage by the waters, equally, according to the quality of their lands, rents, and numbers of acres, and their respective portions and profits, whe ther it be of pasture, fishing. &c And
where no persons or lands can be known that are liable to make repairs of banks and sewers, then the commissioners are to rate the whole level. The 3 James I or dains that all ditches, banks, bridges, and water-houses, within two miles of London, adjoining to and falling into the Thames, shall be subject to the commissioners of sewers. Also the Lord Mayor, &c. may appoint persons in that case to have the power of commissioners of sewers. Per sons breaking down sea banks, whereby lands are damaged, are adjudged to be guilty of felony ; and removing piles, Ike. forfeit 2I1. by 6 and 10 George 11. c. 32.
SEX, something in the body which dis tinguishes male from female.