Folios 197-202. Letter from Charles Wright, Clerk to the Mitford and Launditch Rural...

Folios 197-202. Letter from Charles Wright, Clerk to the Mitford and Launditch Rural Sanitary Authority, to the Local Government Board. He encloses a copy of the report from W E Clarke, Inspector as to the state of the parish of East Dereham since the date of his former report in January 1874.
Report of inspection by W E Clarke of East Dereham parish, covering the period from 30 January 1874 to 15 February 1875. The areas in East Dereham which are highlighted in the report are: New Road, here the premises of Mr Hardy and Mrs Sizeland were found to be foul and offensive with an accumulation of stagnant matter in their open ashpits from not having any proper under drainage. Tenants are emptying refuse water into the ashpits together with faecal matter from an open privy. A pipe draining running water from them goes to adjoining properties of Mrs Bales and Mrs Godfrey This has since been altered and offensive matter goes to a dead well in Mrs Godfrey's garden and then disperses through the soil. There are 2 wells very closely connected with privies at 1 Elvin Terrace near Mrs Adam's and premises occupied by Mr Humphrey. Adam's well is contaminated. Adjoining New Road at the occupations of Anderson and Wenham, refuse water is running into a pit hole at the bottom of Wenham's garden; Wellington Road here under drainage from the several occupations of Bales, Monument and others has been stopped up because of the imperfect state of the under drainage. Refuse water from occupations of Bullitude, [Cooper], Talbut, Britten, Simms and Anderson are having to run to covered cesspools. This has altered since the last inspection; Back Lane (Foundry Lane) the under drainage here is always in a foul state and offensive. He has frequently inspected Smith's, Martin's and Brock's yards and always finds them in a foul sate. At 8 February 1875 they are in the same state and under drainage from Brock's yard is being stopped up and the tenants of 6 cottages are emptying their refuse water into the public highway. Under drainage is also stopped up at Howlett, Graves, Anderson, Amis, Barnabee and the Kings Head Inn. The lane leading onto Neathred Moor has refuse water coming from 8 houses and premises of Cook, Hearn, Doy, Clark, [Neame], Doy, Browne and Pease; In the Market Place the cesspool in front of the Assembly Rooms pump is stopped up through foulness of the drain from Mr Hatfields; High Street, Mr Alexander's under drainage is stopped up; Norwich Road, Rickett's premises has a foul and offensive cesspool; Commercial Road, 3 houses and premises of Bowden, Prior and Bishop have a full cesspool and refuse water overflowing. He notes that the offensiveness of foul stagnant water during the malting season is very great. He summarises by stating that the under drainage of the town is in an unsatisfactory state. It is also the same as regards the water supply, he notes that upwards of 200 houses and premises are without any supply.
Annotated: 3038/1875 referred to E on the 15 June, 3 March 1875.
Annotated: 'Observe that the condition of East Dereham in respect of drainage and water supply evidently are dangerous to health. Request to be informed what steps RSA [Rural Sanitary Authority] propose to take to put them [town] in a wholesome state as regards all matters', 15 March 1875.
Annotated: 'Is there not an application before the Bd [Board] for a P Order [Provisional Order] for taking lands for Sanitary Works as E Dereham [East Dereham]? Please state what the works are', 16 March 1875.
Annotated: 'The application is for taking lands for sewerage works and sewage disposal, and for the construction of water works. Advertisement of Inquiry has been prepared but day not yet fixed', 18 March 1875.
Annotated: 'Mr Simon, you will see that the Sanitary Authority are [moving] in this matter', 18 March 1875.
Annotated: 'Mr Lambert. It will therefore I think, be unnecessary to write', 20 March 1875.
Annotated: An order investing the guardians with an Urban [Sanitary Authority] has been issued. [A further order is under preparation] 11 June 1875.

Paper Number: 15084/1875.

Poor Law Union Number: 302.

Counties: Norfolk.