Dr. R. Deane Sweeting's report to the Local Government Board upon the general sanitary circumstances and administration of the borough of Poole, with special reference to dealing with infectious diseases.

  • Sweeting, R. Deane.
Date:
[1913]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Dr. R. Deane Sweeting's report to the Local Government Board upon the general sanitary circumstances and administration of the borough of Poole, with special reference to dealing with infectious diseases. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Unrevised: for office use only. Dr. R. Deane Sweeting’s Report to the Local Government Board upon the General Sani- tary Circumstances and Administration of the Borough of Poole, with special reference to dealing with Infectious Diseases. This ■ inquiry was ordered by the Board owing to numerous and persistent complaints of the sanitary administration of Poole Borough. These emanated from burgesses and ratepayers, as well as from two important associations, viz., the Parkstone Interests Association, and the Branksdme and Upper Parkstone Ratepayers’ Association. The neighbouring Borough of Bournemouth, too, made representations to the Board to be allowed to take part in the inquiry that was ordered. The Borough of Poole was incorporated by nine successive loyal charters, extending from 1433 (Henry VI.) to 1688 (James II.). Situated for the most part north of Poole Harbour, the borough is bounded on the south-east by the English Channel; on the north by Poole Rural District; on the south and west by Ware- ham and Purbech Rural District. The area is 7,937 acres, exclusive of 2,200 acres of tidal water and foreshore: east to west the borough measures nearly seven miles, and north to south rather over five miles: the population at the 1911 census was 38,886: the number of inhabited houses 8,577. The loans outstanding under the Sanitary Acts amount to <£118,937. The assessable value for the general district rate is £173,945. One penny in the pound produces £725. The rates for the half-year ending September 30th, 1912, are 3^. 9fZ., of which I5. 9cZ. is for the general district rate. Most of the borough is in the Bagshot sands; but the Parish of St. James, comprising the old town of Poole, is in alluvium. This and Hamworthy are low-lying; but Long'fleet, Parkstone and Branksome attain a considerable elevation, even as much as rather over 200 feet above ordnance datum. Poole is an important port, having considerable trade, chiefly with Scandinavia and Russia. The main local industries are pottery and tiles, sanitary pipes and bricks, fishing, timber works, twine and rope factories, iron foundries, and brewery. The borough was inspected by Dr. Davies during the Sanitary Survey of 1885, and by the late Dr. Bui strode during that of 1893, followed by a detailed inspection, the report of which was published in that year. The “ chief facts reported by Inspector,” as they appear in the Board’s Medical Officer’s Report for 1893-94, are as follows : — “ Water supply apparently pure, but has a tendency to act on iron service pipes. No proper .sewerage system for any part of the district, but a scheme (25764—21.) Wt. 2781—80 P21. 50. 4/lH. D & S.