Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 09 November 1883
Wombwell Local Board of Health
The monthly meeting of this Board was held on Monday evening week.
Present, Messrs. Blackburn, Hobson, Gower, Oxley, Boocock, and Holdsworth; with Mr. Robinson, clerk and surveyor.
Mr. Blackburn was called to the chair.
The minutes of last ordinary and a special meeting were read and confirmed.
The Clerk laid before the Board the contract agreements and bonds for sewage and waterworks, which were signed and sealed, on the motion of Mr. Boocock, seconded by Mr. Hobson.
In reply to the Chairman, the Clerk explained what had been done in connection with the sewage and waterworks, which was considered satisfactory.
A memorial was read, which had been forwarded by Mr. Whitehead, asking for gas mains to be laid in Hawson-street, and for three public lamps; and the surveyor was directed to ascertain what gas consumers there would be in Hawson-street, and to report generally as to the necessity for laying mains in streets not yet dedicated to the public.
Dr. Millar, the medical officer of health, reported as under: “The prevailing disease amongst us at present is measles. They are of a mild type, and there has been no fatal case. Scarlet fever showed itself in Hemingfield some time back, but I have not heard of any increase. I have reason to believe that the infection may be traced to Hoyland.
There have been two cases of typhoid fever during the last month, both of which ended fatally. The first, however, cannot fairly be said to belong to our township, as the girl was brought from Rotherham, suffering from it, and died two days afterwards. The other case was in Whitehead’s house, and arose probably from defective sanitary arrangements in the back premises, which I pointed out to the owner.
The number of deaths from all sources is 10, or a death-rate of 14.4 per 1000 per annum. The number of births registered is 35, giving a birth rate of 50.5 per 1000 per annum.”
The Medical Officer and Inspector were instructed to see that the suggestions made to Mr. Whitehead, with a view of improving the sanitary condition of his property, be carried out.
Mr. Holdsworth called attention to the dangerous condition of the side of the highway on Barnsley-road for want of a fence, and the Chairman and the Clerk explained that the Board could not interfere with the occupier of the land whether he had a fence or not.
Plans were approved for two pigsties for Mr. Gower, for a stable for Mr. George Ward, and for a cottage for Mr. Alfred Binns.
Accounts, bills, and pay sheets were examined, and cheques signed for the same.