arrow Penrith Herald arrow Jan 3 1874 arrow Jan 3 1874 Penrith Board of Health
Jan 3 1874 Penrith Board of Health Print E-mail
PENRITH BOARD OF HEALTH.

The fortnightly meeting of the members of the above Board took place on
Saturday, last, in the Public Offices, Sandgate.  Mr. JAMES GRAHAM presided,
and the members present were Messrs. B. GOODBURN,  W. B. ARNISON,  W. LYNN,
JOS. JAMES,  J. SIMPSON,  C. FAIRER (clerk),  and  J. TODD (surveyor).

THE CONFIRMATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH.

A letter dated the 24th of December, again confirming the appointment of DR.
ROBERTSON as Medical Officer of Health, was read.  The CLERK said the
appointment was originally confirmed by the Local Government Board on the
8th of August, and until the receipt, of the letter which he had now read,
no further communication on the subject had taken place.  He supposed that
the letter had been written in consequence of what had taken place in
connection with the matter at the Board of Guardians.  In accordance with
the first confirmation of the appointment a contract under seal had been
entered into with DR. ROBERTSON to act as medical officer for the Urban
Authority for a year, and it became a question whether the letter of the
24th inst. superseded the confirmation dated the 8th of August.  If so, the
appointment would be for a year and five months instead of twelve months;
for DR. ROBERTSON, who had been discharging the duties of his office since
August, would have to be paid from that period.  The Clerk was instructed to
communicate with the Local Government Board upon the subject.

THE WATER WORKS.

The SURVEYOR reported that the repairs at the water works were now
completed, and the wheel was now in full working order.  At present there
was a good store of water in the reservoir, and a constant supply to the
town would now be kept up.  The CHAIRMAN:  That is good news, for we can now
dispense with the engine and the heavy consumption of coal.  It has been an
expensive job, but we will get over it by paying.  The SURVEYOR:  I was at
the works this morning, and the wheel was working admirably.  Mr. SIMPSON:
I was at Eamont Bridge yesterday, and I thought the wheel worked remarkably
well.  It is quite a different thing to what it was before.  It now "beats
time", so to speak.

SANITARY MATTERS.

In reply to the Chairman, Mr. TODD, the Sanitary Inspector said that in some
of the cases in which notice had been given to abate existing nuisances, the
work had been attended to, in others it was progressing but very slowly, and
in a few nothing had been done.  No one actually refused to obey,  but on
account of certain circumstances they did not get on as they should do.  A
determination was expressed that in all cases where the orders of the Board
were not attended to rigorous steps would be taken.

MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH'S REPORT.

The following report from DR. ROBERTSON was read:

REPORT OF THE URBAN SANITARY AUTHORITY.
DEC. 27, 1873.

During my general inspection of this town my attention has been drawn to the
following matters, which deserve your immediate consideration:

The workshops of Mr. SIMPSON, leather merchant, King Street, are rendered
unwholesome in consequence of the percolation of the fluid sewage from the
middens in the "Mitre" yard.  I should recommend that the midden in question
be removed to a place where it will not act as a nuisance;  also, that the
"Mitre" yard be repaired.  And in consequence of the proximity of this yard
to dwelling houses, and the number of stock kept in it, I am of opinion that
flags, or the asphalt composition, or a combination of both, is necessary
for the efficient flushing of the yard and health of the surrounding
inhabitants.

The closet accommodation is insufficient and imperfect in the following
places:

"Fleece" inn yard,  "Blue Bell" yard,  HEWIT's yard, Sandgate;  BIRD's yard,
Albert-street;  COLLINSON's Yard, Brook-street;  22, Queen-street;  BOWRON's
yard, Albert-street;  "The Rabbit Warren,", Sandgate.

In BOWRON's yard, Albert-street, the doors of the closets are too near the
dwelling house, and should be altered to the garden side;  the ashpit also
is much in need of ventilation.  In the "Rabbit Warren" I feel it my duty to
condemn the closets entirely, in consequence of their position being within
two or three feet of the dwelling houses in a closed-in yard;  a state of
things which might readily lead to the outbreak of disease;  and I recommend
that the ashpits and closets at present existing there, be removed or the
trough system adopted.  The manure heaps in connection with the
slaughter-houses in "White Hart" yard and "Blue Bell" Lane, are not
sufficiently often removed, and the drainage from the one in "White Hart
yard is imperfect.  The air pollution from such a nuisance in a town is
likely to prove deleterious to health.  Attention should therefore be
immediately directed to it.  Two yards in "Blue Bell" Lane, in which a great
number of pigs are kept, have no means of drainage, the public sewer being
about 50 yards from them.  Three yards require efficient drainage, or the
removal of the piggeries.  The drainage of the "White Lion" yard is most
defective, and should be at once attended to.  In WHITE's yard, Burrowgate,
the ashpits require to be covered and the drainage from them made efficient.
At present they are pestilential cess-pools.  In HODGSON's yard, De
Whelpdale Lane, the drainage must be most defective and dangerous to the
health of the inhabitants.  All the sinks should be thoroughly trapped, and
the one in the covered way leading into the yard abolished.

J. D. ROBERTSON, M.D.

Notice in accordance with the Medical Officer's recommendations were ordered
to be issued.

The Board then adjourned.
____________________ 

 
 
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