Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-06-19 00:00:00

HEALTH COMMITTEE.

The usual weekly meeting of this committee was held at
half-past two o'clock yesterday, in the Town-hall, Mr.
Alderman Dover in the chair.
Other members pre,ent—Messrs. Sheil, Robertson
Gladstone, Beckwith, Holden, Johnson, Anthony, Hay-
dock, and Hodson.
The minutes of the last meeting were real and confirmed.

HEALTH Or THE TOWN,

The Medical Officer of Health reportel that in the week
ending on Saturday last, 206 deaths were registered in the
borough, of which 66 were in the out-townships. This
number is twenty less than the average of the same week
of the preceding nine years, corrected for increase of popu-
lation. The temperature of the week was 37.10 degrees
below that of the week preceding, while diseases of the
lungs were correspondingly more fatal, tl-.8 deaths being 73
against 51 in the previous week. The mortality from
diseases of the zymotic class continued below the average.
Of 44 deaths from thele disease?, there were from hooping
cough 17, scarlatina 9, typhus 8, diarrhcea, 5, measles 1,
croup 1, puerpera 1, A painter, eged 41, died from
delirium I re;:zens. The mean temperature was 57 6-10ths
degrees, being more thee a degree below the average.
Rain fell on four days of the week to the extent. of 1 45.100
of an inch.
The Borough -Engineer, Building Surveyor, and Inspector
of Nuisances, reported various particulars of the operations
in their several departments during the week, from which
it appeared that 98 nuisances complained of by inhabi-
tants had been inspected, and means taken to remedy
them ; 911 houses in the unhealthiest districts, containing
2,871 apartments, and 783, cellars, had been put under
examination with the view of improving their sanittry
condition ; and 1981odging-houses had also been examined
and reported n p n.
The Borough Engineer (Mr. Nzwreaenes) reported that
2,119,140 gallons of water ware used in the watering of
the streets (hieing the past week.
Mr. BECKWITH complained of the manner in which the
streets in the neighbourhood of Fairfield were watered.
Mr. NEWLANDS replied that it chiefly arose from the
fact that water could not be obtained in the district until
the evening.
Mr. CearpsToem said that he had to make the same
complaint in regard to the northern approaches to the
town.
Mr. NEWLANDS replied that the explanation was the
same—they could not get the water.
Mr. GLADSTONE observed that that fact should be made
known. _ _ _ _ _

Mr. BEcawura asked why they could n t get the water
from the Pike

Mr. NEWLANDS replied tha' he supposed the arrange •
ments of Mr. Duncan and the Health Committee were not
yet completed. Hydrants were not yet placed there.
A deputation from the inhabitants of Great Howard-
street., waited on the committee to cimplain of the
nuisance caused by Mr. Jordan's bone-mill. A
lengthened conversation took place on the subject,
and it was explained to the depitation that the
committee could not interfere until the medical officer
certified that the nuisance was injurious to health. They
were, therefore. advised to send at once for Dr. Duncan
whenever, on any future occasion,.the disagreeable smells
are observed.
Mr. GLADSTONE asked how it was when their officers
were set to watch certain manufactories. Mr. Birkett,
who was complained against for a nuisance by
the manufacture of animal charcoal for the purpose of
sugar refining, was made aware of the fact ?
Dr. DUNCiN replied that the officer set to watch Mr.
Birkett's premises itformed him of the fact, in order that
he might not be taken by surprise. (Laughter.) He (Dr.
Duncan) was not aware of it until the officer himself told
him ; but the fact of Mr. Birkett having been warned did
not affect the result, as he carried on his works at all
times.
The CEIAIRM iN observed +hat this was a very ticklish
subjece The manufacturers of the town employed a large
body of men, and if the committee interfered too strin-
gently with them, they might drive the whole trade fr
the town. A smell might be disagreeable, though not inju-
aious to health ' • but until a nuisance became injurious,
and was certified as such by the medical officer, the com-
mittee could not interfere.

Dr. DUNCA-N said the public were not generally aware of
the power given to the committee by the act in regard to
nuisances. Unless a nuisance was manifestly injurious to
health, they could not interfere under the sanitary act ;
but if he were to act upon every complaint, there were few
manufactories in the town which would not be put a stop
to. Last week he received complaints of seven manu-
factories, bat of the seven there were not snore than two
against which he could certify. some nuisances also were
felt only for a quarter of an hour every two or three days,
ann ib wviva 1.112

Mr. Gladstone asked if the act fixed any time during
which a nuisance might exist?
Dr. DUNCAN replied that it did not ; but as to the occa-
sional nuisances it depended on their character to say
whether they were injurious to health.
Mr. SIIEIL thought the business of the committee on all occa-
sions, was first to ascertain whether the nuisance existed,
and then whether it was injurious to health. If they found
that it did exist, and that it was injurious to health, it was
foreign to their province to consider whether the manufac-
ture out of which it arose wa3 valuable to the community
in a pecuniary point d view or not. Their business was
to watch over the health of the people, and if they
found an) thing prejudicial to the health of the people,
it was their business to lay the matter before the Magis-
trates.

Dr. DcrxcaN said that it was upon that principle he
acted.

The matter then dropped

Mr. Surer, said, thWi it was now twa years since the

Borough Engineer and the other officers of the committee
who were employed by the Government returned from the
Crimea ; and though various applications were made to
governm?nt for the remuneration to which they were en-
titled, and the expenses which they had to incur, the
matter was still unsettled. He would therefore move that
the Borough Engineer, with the assistance of the Town
Clerk, draw up a memorial, stating the whole of thecircum-
stances, and that it be presented by the committee to the
council to take the steps which might seem proper in the
matter

Mr. Bamtwirn seconded the motion, which was utian.
iccously adopted.
This concluded the business.