Sarah
Hawkins Genealogy Site
Newspaper
Articles
Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser Wednesday 31 July 1861
Page 7 Column 3
TAUNTON LOCAL BOARD OF HEALTH.
The usual fortnightly meeting of the Board was held on Thursday last. Present – Dr. GILLETT, in the chair; Messrs. HORSEY, ENGLAND, HELLARD, SMALL, TAUNTON, TAYLOR, W. GOODLAND, PINCHARD, GREEN, PRING, C. GOODLAND, TRENCHARD, and the Rev. W. T. REDFERN.
INSPECTOR'S REPORT. - The Inspector reported that in accordance with the order of the Board he had obtained a summons against a man named GRIGG, for overcrowding at No. 6 Somerset-place; on the hearing of which the magistrates ordered the immediate removal of Mrs. WIDE's family, with the exception of Mrs. WIDE, who was not able to be removed, and who died the next day.
The order of the magistrates had been properly complied with. - At the request of Mr. PINCHARD, who stated that there were some points in the report, not immediately connected with the case of overcrowding, to which the Board ought to give its attention, the report of the medical officers was read, upon which he moved that the Surveyor be requested to examine the row in which the house in question is situate, and report on the sufficiency of privy and ashpit accommodation, and also the drainage. - Mr. SMALL seconded the motion which was carried. - The Inspector also reported that he had received a letter from the Secretary of the Taunton and Somerset Hospital complaining that certain cottages on the adjoining property belonging to Mr. HERNIMAN drained into a pit in the Hospital Garden, having no draining into the common sewer. - The Surveyor was requested to examine and report – The Inspector further reported a nuisance on the premises of Mr. HELLARD, in East-street, and the Surveyor was requested to examine and report on the same – The Inspector further reported that three of the stand pipes for filling the water carts were out of order and could not be used; only two were in working condition.
SURVEYOR'S REPORT. - The following report from the Surveyor was read:- “I beg to report that I have apportioned the cost of private improvements upon the abutting owners on the Yarde Estate. - The works for the cleansing of White Lion Court are in progress. The temporary remedy to the drainage at Somerset-place has been completed and the drainage at this time is in working order. - In consequence of other pressing matters of business I have not been able to assist in a survey and to report on the Trinity district during the last fortnight, but hope on an early day to do so. - During the last fortnight I have, during the working days, inspected the drainage works now in progress. Upon referring to the specification as to quality of materials, I cannot agree with the Clerk of the Works, who states in his report to me that they are a fair sample. He is in possession of a copy of the specification as to materials and labour, accompanied with the necessary drawings. On Tuesday last a considerable length of the trench broke in, in Park-street, close upon the water service main, causing the breaking of several joints in the water main. Had this work been attended to as provided, no such breaking could have occured. I may also report that the ejects are not being put in as specified as to coping round the surface.” - A discussion of considerable length took place on the paragraph in the above report referring to the Clerk of the Works, several members expressing their dissatisfaction at the manner in which his duties had been performed. - Mr. SMALL moved a resolution that notice be given to him to terminate his engagement, but the Chairman thought this was a harsh proceeding without affording him an opportunity of offering an explanation to the Board. At his (the Chairman's) suggestion, the Clerk of the Works was sent for and informed of the complaints that had been made, and having been heard in explanation a further discussion ensued, in the course of which the feeling of the Board was conveyed to the Clerk of the Works, who thereupon tendered his resignation, and Mr. SMALL withdrew his motion. Mr. PINCHARD then moved that the Surveyor be empowered to appoint a Clerk of the works at an expence not exceeding 30s per week, remarking that the relation of the Clerk of the works to the Board was very unsatisfactory, and that it entailed a divided responsibility which ought to rest upon the Surveyor alone. - Mr. HORSEY seconded the motion which was agreed to.
TANGIER DRAINAGE WORKS. - The following tenders were read for the drainage and other works required to be performed in five streets in the Tangier district: From Messrs. JEBOULT, No. 1 Street, £162; 2, £101; 3, £66; 4 £81; 5, £38; total, £449. From Emanuel and Abraham HAWKINS, Isaiah WITHEY, and John STEMPSON, No. 1 Street, £126 6s 4d; 2, £80 14s 8d; 3, £76; 4, £83; 5, £30 11s 8d; total, £396 12s 7d. Messrs. SHEWBROOK, No. 1 Street, £137; 2, £84, 3, £68; 4, £93; 5, £33; total £415. It was stated that the Surveyor's estimate was £40 below the lowest tender, and in answer to a question from the Chairman the Surveyor stated that the difference was not so great as to justfy <sic> the Board in refusing to accept the tender. - The Chairman stated that in accepting the tender of Messrs. HAWKINS there would be the advantage of having a new set of men which would enable the works in Tangier to be proceeded with without intefering <sic> with the works now going on in other parts of the town. - Mr. GREEN moved that Messrs. HAWKINS' tender be accepted, which being seconded by Mr. SMALL, was agreed to.
<section not transcribed>