Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1876-06-24 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SEVERAI. matters of int !rest, and directly affecting the ratepayers, were undt r discussion at the ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Sanitary Authority on Friday. The repair of Mill-lane, especially that portion under the brilge, has, and we have before called the attention of the Authority to its condition, beea long needed, but that body is not prepared to admit its responsiblity, at any rate not until the Town Clerk has given his opinion. The question at present has resolved itself into one of lianilitY, but there can be no doubt as to the state of the road. If, However, Mr Wren be right in his statement that the North Eastern Railway Company have done the necessary repairs for the last 20 years, then they are responsible, but until this is ascertained it would be unwise on the part of th Authority to take proceedings. We agree with Mr Alderson that little good results from writing to the Compaey, fir that has been too often exemplified in S,ockton to be disputed. It remains to be seen whether the Company think they are bound to undertake the repairs ; but, whether they admit their liability or not, it is desirable that the roa I should be in the hands of the Authority. If this were the case, we should have some guarantee that it would be kept in a proper state of repair. The proposal to erect public slaughter houses cannot fail to enliqt the sympathies of the ratepayers, and we believe that it is favourably entertained by the butchers themselves. Had it not been for the passing of a plan of a building of this kind in a populous district by the Authority, the general' question would not have ben raised. There will be difficulties to contend with in the purchase of a site, as ia the Market scheme; but the question, in a sanitary point of view, is dl the utmost importance, and wil!, we are sarc, be grappled with in an energetic way. Thera may be some opposition fr.an certain quaiters. There is such an unanimity of opinion, however, among the members that we hope soon to hear of the scheme being fait accompli.  Wa have received a letter from a resident of lukerman-street, complaining of its utter impassability during the past few days. Our cwrespondent says I —"The street has not yet passed into the hands of the Cororation, but surely ~cane arrangement might be come to between the owners of the property and that body, whereby the flagging and paving might be Proceeded with." We quite agree with him, and would call the attention of the Survuor to the necessity of bringing the question under the consideration of the Streets Committ.e. On Thursday morning we were told that the street was flooded to such an extent that the inhabitants found it impossible to pass to and from their houses.  IT will be interesting to our readers to learn that Mr Settle, coroner for this district, has completed his 103rd quarter on the 15th of the present month. Prior t being appoint id t this office, Mr Settle for nine years aclel as ilfputy-coroser, and at all times he has dischar,ed his duties with great fidelity. During the quarter just ended he has held no !e:s than 44 inquests, which are divi led as follows : Stockton 24, Morden 1, West Hartlepool 6, West Danforth 2, Thorp 1, Norton 1, Hartlepool 7, Sedgefield 1, Coahoe I—total 44. The verdicts returned were: Accidents 22, natural causes 10, want of too I 1, suicides 5, excessiye drinking 3, found dead 2, wilful murder 1.