[Report 1897] / Medical Officer of Health, Alnwick U.D.C.

Alnwick (England). Urban District Council.

Date:: 1897

Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: [Report 1897] / Medical Officer of Health, Alnwick U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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The Lodging House Question may be next alluded to. A few years ago there were three of these in the town, from each of which a registration certificate was withheld on account of some failure in the accommodation or arrangements to comply with the requirements of the bye-laws or other sanitary regulations. As this did not admit of an early and satisfactory rectification, and, as in consequence of it, an overcrowding of private dwellings derived a prejudicial encouragement, it was considered advisable, notwithstanding the imperfect condition of these houses, to register them provisionally, in the expectation that they would shortly be superseded by one or more buildings of a less faulty character. The scheme of last year was undertaken with this view, in succession to one or two other attempts to accomplish what was wanted. It has lately, however, been set aside. Yet its abandonment does not relieve, but rather aggravates, the situation, which must continue to suffer from any prolonged inaction in providing a substitute. By the closing of one house, the advanced disrepair and structural defects of another, and the imperfect ventilation and very unsuitable position in a long narrow lane of the third, involving much difficulty in maintaining its cleanliness through want of light, and space for adequate outdoor provision, the town must shortly become dispossessed of any accommodation of the kind, which can reasonably be regarded as commensurate, even temporarily, with its requirements. Favourable progress, however, has been made during the year in one or two important matters, which have long held a prominent place in your attention, with a view to the sanitary improvement of the town. The Main Sewerage Scheme has been so far completed that a small section of it only, which could not be included, on account of its much lower level, in the course adopted for general use, remains for accomplish- ment, and means are being devised for doing this in a manner that will be satisfactory, especially to those who retain an interest in the promise made with regard to it by the Council before the work now terminated was commenced. It is gratifying to know that since the completion of these works, with the above-mentioned exception, and the formal opening of them on the 19th of May last, they have apparently well fulfilled the purpose for which they were undertaken, and the town has consequently been free from some of its usual annoyances. Perhaps, however, it is too early to say that they have been sufficiently tested to establish their ability to control the flooding of cellars, &c., which had previously been of frequent occurrence during heavy thunderstorms, or the rapid melting of snow.