Folios 685-686. Newspaper cuttings from the Fakenham and Dereham Times and the Peoples...

Folios 685-686. Newspaper cuttings from the Fakenham and Dereham Times and the Peoples Weekly Journal both dated 20 November 1880.
The article headed East Dereham, local notes, is asking if the ratepayers of the district of East Dereham in the Mitford and Launditch Poor Law Union may have some information of what is being done by the East Dereham Local Board at its numerous meetings and at the ratepayer's expense. It relates that two steam engines are working daily on the proposed water works site with useless pumping up and pumping out over the surface land with no apparent purpose. The water is still flowing not from there but from the spring, which 'blew in' the sides of Fison's well, which has always given a plentiful source for the whole district.
It also asks what has happened to the scavenger previously appointed by the local board. It outlines the duties expected of a local sanitary authority, which at present it is falling short of. It praises the actions of Henry Bird Vincent, Medical Officer of Health of the East Dereham Local Board but not those of the inspector of nuisances, whose absence in the matter has been noticed. A public meeting of ratepayers is being contemplated.
A report is given of a special meeting held by the local board of health to consider the report of the medical officer [Henry Bird Vincent] presented at their last meeting. Those present are reported as Lieutenant Colonel Bulwer, Chairman, Reverend B J Armstrong, Messrs G H Cooper, F Gibbs, J Warren, W Stebbings, B Brett, T Studd and J Askew. Some of the members thought that the Inspector of Nuisances should have presented a report at this meeting. Stebbings stated that in Vincent's report he had stated that he had visited certain places with the inspector [W H Nankivell] and Bulwer as chairman thought that Nankivell's report was embodied with that of Vincent.
Nankivell reported that he had seen all parties respecting the closet at Barwell Court and they had promised to clear it. Various members are reported as asking questions concerning the emptying of closets and privy accommodation at certain locations in particular, Bore's Cottages (Barwell Court) where there are two blocks of three cottages each and only two outhouses. Rumours had abounded that Gamble, had lost a heavy amount by his contract, this was not verified. Discussions took place concerning Bates' Cottages and Cooper's Yard near the Royal Standard Inn and a yard in Swan Lane where a man called Jessup had place a quantity of manure near the door of the house. Stebbings moved that the inspector take the advice of the clerk as to the removal of the manure and act upon his advice, seconded by Brett and carried. Further discussions took place concerning the lack of privies and Warren moved that in the opinion of the board, privy accommodation in Perry's Yard is insufficient, also that extra privies are required for the Crown Inn and White Lion Inn, seconded by Armstrong and carried. It was noted that in Washbridge the outhouse is full of water, Warren moved that notice be given to the owner to abate the nuisance complained of by the Medical Officer or the outhouse would be condemned, seconded Bulwer and carried. Vincent was asked if he attributed the high death rate of the past month to the Board's giving up the scavenging of the town. Vincent wanted to bring the Board's attention to the deaths from zymotic diseases being caused by insufficient sanitary accommodation. Studd moved that two extra privies be provided for Bore's Cottages, under the supervision of the surveyor, Armstrong seconded and it was carried. Armstrong moved that four additional privies be provided for Bates' cottages, Studd seconded and it was carried. Studd moved that a dustbin be made in Cooper's Yard and a privy provided for the public house, Askew seconded, and it was carried. Brett moved that three extra privies be provided in Perry's Yard, also one for the Crown Inn, and one for the White Lion Inn, Armstrong seconded and it was carried, the medical officer was then asked to draw up a scheme for the general and periodical scavenging of the town and submit it to the board. Brett asked if that was in order, as there exists a resolution that the board does not undertake scavenging in the town, it was explained that although this report was made by the board, they did not bind themselves to it.

Paper Number: [Not included]

Poor Law Union Number: 302.

Counties: Norfolk.