27th August 1926 - Correspondence - Health of the District

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Correspondence

The Health of the District

To the Editor, Buntingford Gazette

Dear Sir - 

Having read the report on the Buntingford Rural District by Dr R.A. Dunn (Medical Officer of Health for this portion of Hertfordshire), which I consider should be made widely known in the district, it seems that Buntingford is actually one of the healthiest parts of the county.

The death rate for the year is very low, being only 61 (namely 12.3 per 1000), of whom 39 were of persons over 65 years of age, and of these 16 were actually over 80 years of age - figures which speak for themselves.

As regards Housing, it compares very favourably with other parts of the county. According to the last census, the number of rooms per person was person was 1.35, as compared with 1.27 for the whole county.

I certainly think that these figures should be made widely known, and that if only the L&N.E. Railway Co. gave better facilities in the way of cheaper weekend and daily excursion tickets it would no doubt be of considerable benefit to the district, as it would cause a larger number of visitors to come more frequently.

Yours faithfully,

Albert J. Hayes

25 Aug., 1926.

20th August 1926 - Rural District Council

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Rural District Council

A meeting of the Rural District Council followed, Captain H.H. Williams presiding.

Surveyor's Report

Isolation Hospital

No cases of infectious disease have been notified, and the hospital remains closed.

Waterworks

The consumption of water during the past month has been:

1st week 258,000 gallons.

2nd week 276,000 gallons.

3rd week 274,000 gallons.

4th week 264,000 gallons.

We have received the consignment of parafin costing £16 13s. 4d.

Coal Emergency

Since submitting my last report a fair quantity of coal has come through, sufficient to meet all current domestic needs up to this date.

Two further consignments, however, due this week, have not yet come to hand owing to the delay experienced in unloading the vessels at the London Docks.

I have secured a further consignment for delivery on Wednesday next, and am in negotiation for further supplies for the following week.

Slaughter Houses Order

Horace Piggott, of Buntingford, makes application to register his premises as a licensed slaughter house.

A new slaughter house has been constructed and is quite satisfactory.

Complaint at Little Hormead

In accordance with the instructions of the Council, I have interviewed Mr Pattern, relative to the proposed drainage scheme in connection with the Council cottages, and am pleased to report that Mr Pattern will be willing to assist the Council in the matter.

On Mrs Dimsdale's return we propose meeting on the site and discussing the best method of dealing with the matter.

Housing

The Surveyor reported that with the exception of Sandon, where one cottage became vacant on 23rd ult., all the cottages were in occupation.

Milk and Dairies Order

The order was explained by Dr R.A. Dunn, and it was resolved to communicate with all cow keepers.

Petroleum Order

The Clerk stated that a new order was in force re the storage of Petroleum. He had sent for the forms of registration.

Roads

The Chairman said that special forms needed to be completed before the County Council took over the roads now owned by the Buntingford Council, and the Clerk was instructed to write to the County Council asking whether a separate form was required for each section of road.

17th September 1926 - Rural District Council

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Rural District Council

Captain H.H. Williams presided at the meeting of the Council which followed. Dr R.A. Dunn (M.O.H.) and the Surveyor (Mr E.G. Thody) were also present.

Vote of Condolence

The Chairman said he felt he must endorse the remarks which Mr Hummerstone had made with reference to the late Mr Edward Pigg.

Everyone must feel that men with such a high sense of public spirit were very rare, and the death of Mr Pigg was indeed a great loss.

Surveyor's Report

The Surveyor reported as follows:

Isolation Hospital

No cases of infectious disease have been notified, and the hospital remains closed.

Waterworks

The consumption of water during the past month has been:

1st week - 246,000 gallons

2nd week - 257,000 gallons

3rd week - 240,000 gallons

4th week - 258,000 gallons

The rest level has fallen and now stands at 37ft, being 1ft. lower that [sic] at September last.

Little Hormead Drainage

I have again interviewed Mr Patten with reference to the proposed drainage, and he is willing that the drain take the line shewn upon the accompanying plan.

Housing

Mr T. Pugh, of Ardeley, submits plans for the erection of a bungalow at Ardeley. The plans are in order.

Coal Emergency

Since submitting my last report, increased supplies have reached the merchants, which together with a quantity that I have been able to secure, has been sufficient to meet current needs.

Sandon

Samples of water from properties at Sandon have been sent for analysis, and the owners should be called upon to provide an efficiant and wholesome supply.

Estimates

The Clerk presented the estimates for the half-year ending 31st March, 1927.

The expenses were estimated at £1,675, and after deducting receipts, £813 was required. This was a decrease of £93 compared with the corresponding period last year.

Special Expenses

£139 was required for Special Expenses, which was a decrease of £82 compared with corresponding period of last year.

Tenders for Scavenging

Mr C.H. Poulton submitted a tender for Scavenging, 12/- per day. This was considered very reasonable and was accepted.

The other business was of a formal nature.

14th January 1927 - Buntingford Rural District Council

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Buntingford Rural District Council

Captain H.H. Williams presided at the monthly meeting of the above Council, held at the Council Offices on Thursday in last week.

The Surveyor, Mr E.G. Thody, presented his monthly report.

The Isolation Hospital remained closed. The town's water consumption for the past month was 1,014,000 gallons; the water level at the well had risen another 12in., and stood at 38 feet, the same as at January last.

Condemned Cottages

Dr R.A. Dunn, the Medical Officer of Health, presented a report on the condition of the cottages in Baldock Road, previously reported on by the Surveyor. After discussion it was agreed to issue closing orders.

Fuel Overseer

The Board discussed the question of remuneration to be paid the Fuel Overseer for his duties during the period of the coal dispute - 30 weeks.

The Chairman said a great amount of extra work had been entailed in connection with the issuing of permits and the recording of stocks of coal.

After discussion it was agreed to pay Mr Thody the sum of £30 for his services, and the Chairman said the Board wished to thank him for the manner in which he had dealt with the situation.

During the coal dispute Buntingford was much more fortunate than many other places, with regard to the supply of coal.

Roads

The Surveyor presented a schedule showing the cost of putting in order the roads which the County Council proposed taking over.

The amount stated (£8213), was considered much too high, and it was agreed to get into comunication with the County Councillors representing the District, with a view to getting this amount substantially reduced.