Portland's local government, in the modern sense, began in April, 1867, when the parishioners adopted the Local Government Act. of 1858. This brought into existence the Portland Local Board of Health, which some years later became the Portland Urban Sanitary Authority. Previous to 1867 the Island had been under the jurisdiction of the Board of Guardians and Highway Board, which dealt with road maintenance and sanitary matters.

There were 18 members of the old Local Board of Health. They held their first meeting on May 23, 1867, and their names were:

Mr E. Pearce was the summary officer for that initial gathering. Mr Benjamin Scriven, jun., was elected the first, chairman, and the officers were chosen as follows :-

At an early date a dispute arose between the Board and the Trustees as to the administration of the Grant fund. The first half yearly district rate as 8d in the �. It is now (1905) 3s in the �. The Board was keen in defending local rights and privileges, and objected to paying toll to the Government for gravel and shingle required for public purposes. They took cognizance, too of possible or probable encroachments on public lands. The Board's first year was an exceedingly busy one. The " Work's foreman " did not long remain in office. In November, 1867, Mr John Pearce, of "Waken" was appointed Surveyor at �1 per week. The water supply of Fortune's Well and elsewhere give the board considerable anxiety right from the beginning of its career.

In the meantime the dispute over the administration of the Grant Money grew quite warm in consequence of the Board's persistent efforts to find out how the Trustee spent the funds. The Woods and Forests commissioners, on being appealed to, told the Board that the Grant Trustees' Balance-sheet could be seen at Dorchester, whither the Board at once sent a messenger to procure a copy which they printed and circulated throughout the Island.

In February 1868 Mr Edward Stone, was appointed Rate Collector. In April (1868) the six members chosen by ballott to retire were:

Messrs B. Collins, E. Pearce, A. Scriven, W. White, B. Scriven, and R. B. Scriven

and at the ensuing election in June:

Messrs B. Scriven, R. B. Scriven, E. Pearce, T. Gibbs B. Collins, A. Scriven were returned

In 1869 the Board was again seeking the assistance of the Grant Trustees on account of the distress prevailing on the Island. Mr John Stone succeeded to the office of rate Collector.

At first the Board fought shy of the proposal to use gas for street illumination, probably on account of the expense. In 1871, however, they accepted the offer of the Gas Company to light the lamps the Underhill district during the winter.

A local enquiry by an Inspector from the Home Office into the Sanitary condition of the Island and Captain Hains' complaints respecting the drainage, water supply, roads, and public lighting, took place in April 1871. The Local Board were ordered to carry out various recommendations of the Inspector.

The inhabitants did not relish the establishment of the Convict Prison on the Island. At the December meeting 1869 " with reference to the Convict Prison to be built here the Clerk read a memorial to the Government as to the matter. Resolved that the petition of the inhabitants to the House of Commons against the erection of the new convict establishment has been read and approved and that this Board will to the utmost of their power help forward the prayer contained in such a memorial." Four months later the Board was supporting a memorial urging the Government to " make Portland the landing place for mail steamboats. "

In 1871 there was again great depression in the stone trade. Mr. Slagg was appointed surveyor in connection with a proposed drainage scheme in 1872. In August that year the Board "resolved to send round the crier to inform the ratepayers that the rate must be paid on or before the 15th inst." 1873 found the Board's banking account overdrawn.

Here is another curious entry: "The Clerk replied to the Land Government Board that the Fortune's Well district had been lighted with gas by public subscription." Six months later the Board decided by a majority of votes to light the district with gas and charge it to the District Rate. The Gas Company started lighting the Top Hill district late in 1872. In 1876 the Board provided street lighting in Grove and Reforne.

Dr. Parsons was appointed Medical Officer to the "Urban Sanitary Authority" on April 14th, 1871. In 1875 the Board was considering the idea of lighting Southwell and Weston with oil lamps.

The School Attendance Committee was constituted in 1877 (April) with Mr Richard N. Howard as the first clerk. In 1884 Mr J. A. Comben was appointed Surveyor and Inspector Nuisances, and Mr E. Stone as collector.

Dr. Allen McLean was appointed Medical Officer in 1888. He retired in 1893, and was followed by Dr Lawson, who died in 1903, when Dr Howard succeeded him.

In 1899 (Sept.) Mr J. L. Webster was chosen Surveyor and Inspector of Nuisances. In 1894 (April 9th) Sir R. N. Howard (Sir Richard was knighted in 1886) resigned the office of Clerk to the Board, and Mr J. Howard Bowen was appointed in his stead.

Formation of the Urban District Council

January 1, 1895, saw the old Urban Sanitary Authority give place to the Portland Urban District Council, the statutory creation of the well known Local Government Act of 1894. The first election took place in the preceding December (1894). The members of the first Council were:

There was a tie in the election of the first Chairman of the Council between Messrs J. J. Patters and E. John Pearce, the latter being subsequently chosen to fill the post.

In 1895 (February) Mr Webster resigned his position as Surveyor and Inspector of Nuisances, and Mr E. J. Elford became his successor. Mr Elford, in 1902, obtained the post of Borough Engineer and Surveyor, Southend-on-Sea, and Mr R. Stevenson Henshaw was appointed by the Council, and still holds the post of Water Engineer and Surveyor Mr G. H. Smith, jun., a Portlander, was appointed Sanitary Inspector in 1902. Mr. J. Greenwood Comben is the Council's Accountant.

For accounts of the Council's Drainage Scheme, Waterworks, and Gas Undertakings list of Chairmen, General District Rates, members (1904), Committees, and officers, see other pages (as indexed).

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