The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1883-03-06 00:00:00

THE DRAINAGE QUESTION.

LOCAL MIQUIST.

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It Is doubtless known to most of the Inhabitants of
Dorchester that the municipal authorities decided to
petition the Local Government Board for £l.OOO to
awry out their scheme of sorisce drainage. Captain
Hildyard, R.R., held an enquiry on Thursday morn-
ing into the grounds of the said application. There
WM a fall Council, the Mayor (H. Durden, Req.),
presiding. There were also present Aldermen
Corm*, Gregory, and Batson; Councillors Dr.
Aldridge, G. Davis, R. Thornton, A. Pope, T.
Bennett, A. Lock, R. Hunt. F. Lock. W. Tilley, T.
Coombe; Mr. G. Symonds (Town Clerk), Mr. H.
Symonds (Assistant Town Clerk), and Mr. W.
Thomas (Borough Surveyor.)
The general public were represented by Rev. T.
Heave, Rev. W. Allen, Mr. B. J. Day, Mr. R.
Hill, Messrs. T. G. Beyer, Cottman, Howard Bowen,
Mutton', S. Barney, Homey, &ward, Pearce, H.
Lork, B. A. Hogg, &a.
Th• Itteracroa enquired how the main drainage
scheme was progressing, and his Wolllllllp replied they
hist been unable to acquire the necessary Mod.
The Loma-ran : Then you are not much nearer.
The TORN Ctrax explained they bad obtained a
portion of land on the eastern side nf the boundsry in
the parish of Stafford, belonging to Mr. FloYer, at £lOO
an acre. They had also made application for •
provisional order with the view of obtaining another
three WM on the western side, being a portion of
certain lands belonging to the representatives of a
Mr. Burden, a freeholder of the whole piss. He had
an interview the other day with the solicitors repre-
senting the freeholder, and ascertained they were only
willing to sell the whole field. which was nine acres
in extent. They bad a conversation together on the
subject, and he oommonicated to those gentlemen
what had been determined upon In that Council, and
offered them £lOO an acre, which WWI the same sum
as they had screed to give Mr. Floyer for land
on the other side of the hedge. They were evidently
disposed not to accept that, and there was an
iodirpoeition to sell • part at aIL They were
willing to sell only the whole, but not the whole at
£lOO an acre. After some disousdon they referred to
the clauses of the Act, in which it was stated that the
tenant for life, under section nine, had power to con-
tract for the sale of lands ; and the &position seemed
to be to treat the matter in such a way that the
valuers should be instructed to treat this sale (if he
might use the term) under a sort of oconpukton, or
whet might be termed, under oompulsory sale powen.
For himself, he considered, under the Act of Parlia-
ment, if valuers were t 3 be appointed, he did not
know they had any power to instruct them at all, and
valuate mast exercise their own judgment, Is
I to him it was not competent for either side
tio9l=ct or interfere with two men whom they had
agreed should certify by a declaration under the Act
of Parliament, but that they should exercise their own
Judgment.
Mr. A. Pops: Sines then there has been a letter
received from Mr. Burden's solicitor. I should like to
bear it read. . .

Tows Class read the letraz lo question, in
which Mr. Howard rad ha felt umiak his clients
would not dispose of • part of the land without the
whole, wawa compelled to do so. In any ins• dm
would not aocept anything like £lOO an aers. If an
amicable arrangement wee to bo arrived at, this
would ham to be a oceiderable ineream.

indeed, there is no doubt about that.
Mr. A. Poen could support Mr. Allen. lithe
estate had been drained another 50 130U11110 would soon
be built
The Iweeecron : When I was here before I admitted
it was very desirable the estate should be drained.
The Town Cpstg said they were Justin thia politicos,
Hr. Porte, to whom they had been indebted for their
outlet', had lotinusted he could not permit any extra
discharee.
Tbe Rev. W. Aunt : Yet be lj constantly adding
Its rent Cush* continued when they proposed to
/Win t Coesernatrold g.tats into the existing
"""ea. GO tate wont to the Local Government
sets 10eIr 4gfir up% tide outfall, and
Board, La_ *O. WO any Ares= 0 41, but
said they eboulu th MOO caher p.
muat deal with the 'swab. " 10501 w"lrprrartt
The Rev. W. Attu : If to..titi/00 lot the
Board sanctions the borrowing of tn. 'awe oaf
Surface Drainage, shall I be expected to,
portion towards it.
TIN. Inseam' said he would have to pay his 'hare
with the other ratepayers.
The Rev. W. ALLIS : Then I should certainly
refuse, whatever the consequenoes might be, unless I
am beriefitted by it.
The Rev. T. NEAT; as an occupant of one of the
houses on the Cornwall-load &data, would It.. t
ascertain how the privileges were, an,l what obligation.
they could lay upon the Council to give them drainage.
Had they no rights or remedy at all? Must Viey
simply submit?
I The Isaerorot replied they could make a complaint
to the Local Government Board, and request the
Board to declare the Town Council to be in default
for not providing the district with drainage. If they
made that application en inquiry would be held ; but
be really considered it very doubtful whether the Local
Government Board would come to the decision that
the Town Council were in default, because, although
they might not have provided railicient drainage, they
would not be declared in default, unless it were shown
that it was actually through any fault of theirs. If
the Council were endeavouring to deal with the question
to the best of their ability, no action would bet ,ken by
the Board to force them. If it should appear they
were not doing all to their power to airy out their
duties, then it might rest with the Board to apply for •
ineaderawa.

The Tows MARI : Pretty much like they did at
Bridport. A declaration was made compleining to the
Board. A gentleman came down end mode an
Inquiry, and the Bridport Town Council were declared
In default. The Board then were about to undertake
the whole drainage, and would have made the people
pay for It, But the Corporation then woke up to their
duties, bonen the drainage, and, he believed, carried it
out. He might nay he had suggested if an application
bad been made to the Board, it might plrdbly quicken
the Town Council.
The Rev. T. MUTE : We have been now five years
In our present oondition. With regard to the five scree
of land that have been could nothing be
done so as to utilise • portion the land for the
benefit of the Cornwall Estate.
The bureaus said it would not be possible to deal
with • portion of the sewage.
The Rev. T. Naavz: In the event of your carrying
out the *theme for the whole drainage, you will con.
neat the Cornwall Estate with the man system.
Might you not as well lay in the drain and connect it
In antld_petion of fretting the ground?
The IN ISTICrtOI : Mt. Moyer object/ to any more
sewage going into the stream
The Ray. T. NSA,. then urged the exercisa .4 the
powers they had, and let the question be foorbt out.
The Rev. W. Amin : Wear. left outside the It.rough
as far as benefits are cowered, and ere expected to
I pay towards them. Property, during the last five
years, hag depredated 50 per sent., and it Is still
teeprokicitini4oo... . Houses which cost MOO c mid not now
1 Mr. A. POTS : Thay caosot be Ist at any prim.
The Rev. W. ALLIS : It jean unfair and a painful
' thing to parsons who bought property there--well-
built houees—to find their valise depredate at this
rate. I think soma* should be done, some tees-

should be arrived at La order to

Mr. Porn was opposed to their buying bia• iceS., porseyl.'"""r- -
when they only minted three. He wawa mush rather '''""'ve us'
they paid • high price for three than buy nine—six more The Tows CLERK assured them of his sympathy in
than they wanted, the matter.
Mr. A. Loan: Even at the expense of two years' The Rev. T. Nears: After listening to the state-
delay mean of the Town Clerk, believe if the Town Council
The Town Chilli said he had received another letter would come to • resolution and put whatever powers
from Mr. Howard, intimating that if they would not do they have acquired into emration, and allow the
what they asked, they threatened to go before Perlis- trustees of the land in question to fight the matter
meet and oPPele the confirmation of the Provisional out, I believe ,t would be quickly clone.
Order of the Local Government Board. He (the The Rev. W. ALLIS( : There are two homes for
Town Clerk) admitted it was quite open to them to which the owners asked 1:90 rent, and now thy would
take such • step. gladly take EV. and jump at it.
Mr. A. Loci : But we have the Provisional Order, Mr. F. Loon : That is more than they are worth.
have we not The Rev. W. ALL= : Because they are not
The Tows CUSS : Yee, but it la of no effect, so far drained.
'rho Isersoroa : I admit it is most disastrous.
as regards putting into force the compulsory powers,
until confirmed by Parliament. The TOWS CLIME : I am very sorry for you.
Kr. A. Loon: But they offered no objection to the The Rev. W. ALLIS : I think, if it depended upon
Provisional Order, you, sir, we should have it.
The TOWN Corn: Except in so far se this—that Tee Tows Ctisst said of mum he could not take
they said we object to your taking a part of our field any steps
~ in the matter. 'There was one person
instead of the whole. and we also object to the
He confessed himself if they prim J . named osue who spoke t, him on the atter, and he
appointed valuers under appeared to be a very suffering malt. He gave him •
the seal of the Board on the one eide, and under the hand most deplorable mount of the premises. He said to
of the tenant for life on the other, and they made • him—Why not make common cause; you have your
deolarmion under Act of Parliament, having exercised remedy by Act of Parliament; I cannot force the Town
their own judgment and made their award accordingly, Council.
be did not apprehend it was cdispetant for them to The ISSENCTOI : You only have to write a letter.
Interfere with It; certainly it would be very improper The Rev. T. NIAVII: Is it irt poasible for the
to say to Mr. A and Mr. B, " You most award so Council to take action in the purchase of the land by
much money, we have agreed to it." The question compulsory powers?
would come before them as before • jury. The Toms CLIME : Until the Provisional Order
Mr. Alderman Gamow( : Suppose they opposed has been passed we cannot exercise any c,mpulsory
the confirmation of the Provhdoual Order, and were powers at all.
successful? The Rev. T. Nuys remarked the owners of the
The Tows Claim: Then we could not have the three acres were anxious to make the best bargain
ground I Any perm can gym the passing of an Act they could for themselves, sal he urged the Connell
of Parliament, either public or private, to exercise what power. they had. The tenants of the
Dr. ALDRIDOR remarked they had refuted £lOO an Cornwall Estate houses had borne their lot very
acre, and he really considered it was their place, and patiently, and hari given all fair play to the Town
it was the best thing for them to do, to &cream their Council, but be should now like to a,,k them what
offer and endeavour to obtain the whole. lie under- they were prepared to do. They could do one of
stood the owners gave £lBO an acre for the lead. two things—arbitrate according to the recommendation
The Tows Ctina : If they gave £lBO an acre of Mr. Pops, or they could put arbitration aside, and
for it you must have informallon I have nut got. say they would take what line' powers they had,
Dr. MAMMON :It is of meat importance to the and purchase what land they wanted. He naked
town to make some little sacrifice. for • definite idea of what course they intanded to
Mr. R. HUNT remarked it was originally intended adopt.
,nly to have the three acres, but Captain Hiliyard The INSPBOTOII said, with referenee to their laying
taw • Mee of had adjoining, which appeared to him • complaint before the Board, he thought it would be
to be natnrally formed for them. That was Mr of very little value, until the Provisional Order had
Floyeee They had been nihiociating with Mr. been to mfirmed.
Moyer, and had obtained that piece, which was five The Rev. T. NSAVi :We will be perfectly eatiaCed
acres in extent. It was, as he had said, originally if you will say you are prepared to put into action the
intended only to have three acre,. Now they compulsory powers.
had five, surely that would in more than sufficient? The Iserecros : But it is going on now.
The Iserecvon replied five sores would not be The Tows CLIME: Supposing the Order is passed,
sufficient for the wants of the town. As far as he and the Council do not sot, then • c ,mplaint to the
couldremember be suggested•larger sreathan eyesores, Local Government Board would have some effect,
and it was mentioned in his report, in addition to the because the Council would have had p,wers and
three acres. He came to the lasiosi that that was were not using them.
the minimum. He rather stretched a point. The INSPitOTOS remarked the blame did not rest
In reply to Mr. Alderman Cum's, the Irrereceroa with the Town Council. They applied for an order
said he would have wished for more than eight acres for three acres some two years ago, and it was then
for the land treatment. not the Town Council who let the matter drop but
Mr. Alderman GIISCIONY enquired if the land was the Local 0 ,vernment Board objected to the scheme
really suitable or not When Captain 1111dyeed held then Proposed. In deference to that objection the
his last enquiry, his subsequent report lasted that in Council had acquired. or, at any
_rate, had come to
the land in question the sub-soil was of a gravelly terms for acquiring, five acres of Mr. Floyer, and the
nature and quite suitable for the purposes required. question was now going on to overcome the opposition
Afterwards the Council had the ground examined by of the Board. The order would hem in due course,
their surveyor, and be ascertained that the sub-eoll subject, of course, to opposition by the waren of the
was not gravel but chalk. Therefore, before they LW&
came to any definite settlement about the Mi, he
should like to ask Captain Hadyard whether • chalky
sub-soil was as good as gravel.
Tbe Iseraoroa Char I. eminently suitable for
sewage treatment.
Mr. Alderman GILIGOIT : Would not chalk very
soon get filled up?
The IIMPIOTOR: Only after • very long time.
Mr. Alderman 0111001 IT said he had had considerable
experience with cess-pits, and he found it was the cam
with them.
The Inartaroa : In some of the most lacomeful cases
of this treatment the sub-soil Is chalk.
Mr. A. Porn: What places can we refer to?
After considerable hesitation the filename said he
believed Doncaster was an instanoN but added he really
did not remember any instance. There was one thing,
however, he should like to mention, as toarquiring the
whole of the nine wee when only three were wanted.
It was a thing that was continually being sanctioned.
Mr. POPS said the difficulty appeared to him to lie
in the wide diversity in the opinion of the Council as
to the value of the land and the opinion of the owners.
Be very much doubted it they could come to terms
unless they had two arbitrators appointed.
Mr. F. loci: I don't think there is such &difference
between their price and ours.
Mr. Pori: There appears to be.
The Tows CLAIM remarked the representative of
Mr. Howard was present; perhaps he could give some
Idea as to the price.
Mr. HOWARD BOIT= My instructions are to say
nothing lathe matter at all. (Laughter.)
The Inspector then proceeded to examine the plane
of the proposed Surface Drainage Scheme.
The Tows °Lux explained the purposes of the
ahem, which wee to rid what might be termed the
rain-fall or surface water of the streets from the sewers.
It had been found of late that the drains had become
water-logged by this mime water, and had been the
source of mach discomfort and i 00011•11111•000 to the
inhabitants In the lower parts of the town. The object
of the scheme was to deal with the mhos water in
such • way that it should get into the river by other
means. He presented the plans prepared by the
Surveyor for the instention of the Inspector.
Kr. Alderman GRIGOIT thouebt the plans had
already been submitted to the Local Government
Board,
The Tows Cues: So they have, but Diet. Find.
yard is here to inspect them upon the spot.
The Ittersceros entered into the technical minutia of
the plane, daring which the public interest appeared to
be fast oozing away, leaving only one or two gentle-
men, including the Rev. T. Nem, Rev, W. Allen,
end other long-suffering occupiers of homes on the
Cornwell Estate.
The Rey, W. Atom having gained permission to
speak, asked if this Surf ace Drainage Scheme would
affect the Cornwall Estate.
The Tower OLIII replied a tart of the general
scheme already before the Board involved the
drainers of the part of the town called the Cornwall.
road Estate. This enquiry did not touch the draining
of that particular estate. It was confined to the
surface drainage of the whole borough. He might
mention, however, it would take the surface drainage
from the Cornwall-road Estate.
The Rev. W. Alum : I should like to know if we
"hall be &unfitted at all by it, so far as regards the
MMus. I purchased my house on this Mate five
Item Me, I I wee distinctly given to understand the
drainage would be dens In six months. I was misled.
We have oserpools, bet they get meted, and when
ease filled, they filled agile directly they ere cleared
out. Dr. AldAdge was celled in professionally at one
of the houses, and he had said the smells were most
poisonous.
The Tows Cm= : But we have had en inquiry into
that.
The Rev. W. ALLIS (continuing): Eight of the beet
home on the estate are untenanted in consequence of
having no drainage. The rates of the houses would
amount to over ESO a year, being rented from 05 up
to MO a year.
Tim TOWN CLINE: You have been long-suffering,

ill) R3V. T. Nuys: As I understand, they are
not prep %red to go on.
The 'Tows CLEIII : We have not the powers yet.
The Iserrcroa intimated the order would be issued
probably in September or October.
The prooe.dlngs soon afterwards terminated.