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ABERYSTWYTH. i

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ABERYSTWYTH. i ( Rural District Council. .A meeting of the Aberystwyth Rural District council was held on Monday at the Board Room, Union Workhouse, when there were present Mr "Richard James, Henllys (in the chair); Rev John Davies, Ceulanymaesmawr; Messrs John Morgan -and William Williams, Cwmrheidiol; William Morris and Thomas Jenkins, Cyfoethybrenin; J. B. Morgan, Cynullmawr; John Bonner, Llanafan; John Jones, Llanbadarn Upper James Jones, Llan- badarn Lower; William Mason, Llancynfelin, David Davies, Llanfihangel Lower; Wm. Davies, Llanilar; Rev J. M. Lewis, Llanrhystyd Mefenydd David Jones, Llanychaiarn Joseph Parry, Melin- dwr; Richard Thomas, Tirymynach; David James and Thomas James, Trefeirig; and Morgan D. Williams, Issayndre; with Hugh Hughes (clerk), and E. Llewelyn (assistant clerk). LLANGWRRYFOX BRIDGE. The Finance Committee recommended that certain bills sent in for haulage of stone to the Llangwyryfon Bridge be not paid, as it was -understood that all haulage would be done free of change by the local farmers. The Road Surveyor (Mr Edwards) said the stone "was not used for the bridge, but was used in widening the approaches to the bridge. The stone was given free of charge by Mr Loxdale. Mr J. B. Morgan said the surveyor should have given this explanation to the committee. Further discussion followed, during which it was contended that the instructions of the Council had "been exceeded, and that the, Council had given no authority to widen the approaches. A resalution was proposed and seconded that the -bills be paid. Mr James Jones proposed as an amendment that the bills be not paid, inasmuch as it was understood that all haulage would be done free of cost. Mr J. B. Morgan seconded. On a division, the amendment was carried by 12 "Votes to 4. WAUNFAWR WATER SUPPLY. The Inspector reported he had met the committee appointed to consider th water supply of Waun- fawr. After examining the present source, which proved to be an inadequate supply, because the -depositing well was of too small capacity, they all agreed to recommend the enlargement of the well at Cwmpadarn by sinking it down in the rock eight feet deep and making it five feet square, and to wall it up to prevent any surface water entering it: to cover it with a strong cover, with a cast iron pipe fixed in the top to draw the water. In regard -to the other end of Waun Village, they recom- jmended that the well should be sunk five or six feet, by three feet square, in the space where the old well used to be; to wall it, cover it, and fix a pipe the same as in the other well. Mr John Morgan proposed that the report be adopted. Mr J. B. Morgan seconded, and said Waunfawr would have bad water long ago, but for some di- fficulty with the land-owner. Mr Morgan Williams said it would be a great boon to the village to have this scheme carried out. The report was then unanimously adopted. Mr Morgan Williams then proposed that the Teport be sent to the three Parish Councils interested, who would, perhaps, take the work in hand, and do it. themselves. Mr J. B. Morgan proposed t'hat the piatter be left to the committee which had hitherto dealt with it, and this latter proposition was accepted. TYNLLECIIWEDD ROAD. The Chairman reported that the committee appointed to inspect Tvnllechwedd road had met, and had come to the unanimous decision to recom- mend the Council not to interfere with this road at all. They found that it was only ar accommoda- tion road to the farm, and there were other roads going in a similar direction which were much more convenient than this one. The owner was, how- ever, willing to keep it open as a public way, pro- vided the Council erected wicket gates at each end. The Rev John Jones pointed out the fallacy of toe idea that great power was given to local .authorities under the Local Government Act of 1894 in the matter of public rights of way. Many of the provisions of that Act were over-ruled by provisions in previous acts. If people had been allowed the use of a footpath for many years on sufferance, and that footpath not having been dedi- cated to the public, it did not follow that there was a public right of way. Many cases taken up by local authorities had been lost on that point. Some authorities, and especially the Welsh papers, bad over-praised this Act and said it gave great power to the people, whereas there were previous Acts which for the most part over-ruled it, Mr J. B. Morgan, in supporting the committee's Tecommendation, said there was considerable doubt as to this being a public road, the tenant having closed it at one time, owing to a dispute "with a neighbour. Such cases as these were al- ways very doubtful, and he would not like to spend threepence of public money in going to litigation over this road. u ':j Mr Bonner proposed the adoption of the com- jcojttec's recommendation, which was carried unanimously. It was also agreed that the Parish Council be asked to negotiate with the owner as to making a ] footpath along this road, and that wicket gates be placed at each end. FFO"D NEWYDD. A letter was read from the Llanddeinol Parish Council, asking (his Council to take over the pri- vate road leading from the turnpike road opposite the milestone to the farmhouse called' Penglog. Rev J. M. Lewis said Mr Sinnett •was willing to put the road in a proper state of reoair, provided the District Council took it over. Otherwise, he was going to close it alto- gether. Mr David Jones spoke in favour of the applica- tion on the ground that the district would be benefitted The Chairman asked as to the fencing. Some parts of the road were not fenced. Mr J. r. Lewis said he could say nothing as to that. Mr J. B. Morgan proposed that the Rev J. M Lewis, Mr David Jones, and Mr James Jones be a committee to meet Mr Sinnett and make all neces- sary arrangements and report to the next meeting. Mr Morgan Williams seconded, and this was agreed to. A NEW ANALYST. The Rev John Davies had given notice of motion that Mr J. Alan Murray, U.C.W., Aberystwyth, be appointed analyst to this Council. Mr Davies said he proposed this in order that they could have authoritative opinion whenever water was analysed. By saying that, he did not wish to throw any re- flection on the ability and expedience of the present analyst, but his qualifications were not as high as those of Mr Murray. They would also support their inspector and medical officers. who, by having an experienced analyst, could rely upon the work be. ing done effectively. He did not think the ex- pense would be greater than heretofore, and he considered the money they spent at present for analysing was practically money thrown away. They had the case of the Llanbadarn water supply, where people would not pay the rate, because the supply was stated to be not pure. What if their analyst condemned the water in any particular well there, and the College analvst gave a different report Where would they stand in a court of law? Mr David Davies seconded the proposition. Mr David James wished to know what the dif- ference in cost would be. Mr David Jones remarked that no doubt they would come to a satisfactory understanding Mr John Davies' resolution was then carried unanimously. TY CAM FOOTBRIDGE. A letter was read from the joint parish councils of Cwmrheidot and Llanbadarn Upper regarding I r the construction of the new footbridge at Ty Cam, The surveyor (Mr Morgan Edwards) also presented a specification and an estimate of the cost. The Council decided to direct Messrs Morgan Edwards and T.)Iii Edwards; surveyors, to proceed with the erection of the bridge in accordance with the plans and specifications submitted, and on con- dition that the two Parish Councils guaranteed the payment of two-thirds of the cost thereof. LLANBADARN WATER SUPPLY. A letter was read from Mr J. H. Griffiths, care- taker of the Llanbadarn water supply, complaining of the condition of the water. The sediment came through the str.ndpipes worse than ever. The parishioners complained that they had to pay a high price for water which they could not use, and they had to secure their supply from wells. The inspector was instructed to take any steps he thought necessary to prevent what was com- plained of. INSPECTOR'S REPORT. The Sanitary Inspector in his monthly report stated he bad'teen notified by the medical officer of a case of diphtheria at Maesbargor, Penllwyn. On visiting the place he found the patient recover- ing, and he gave orders for isolation and disinfection. He examined the house and its urronndings, which be found to be in good sanitary condition. Water was obtained from a pump, sunk clo-v by the house. An analysis of the water of this well showed that it wa-, ( rganically pure, and was suitable for drinking and domestic purposes. He had also inspected a v. ell in Mr J John Edwards' field at Penllwyn, not very far from the Board School, and to which all the children bad to go for drinking water. That week be found it U- n a suspicious condition and the surroundings very xul. He bad a sample of the water analysed, ;vhich showed that the water was of a suspicious character, and not to be reccommended as suitable or drink'.ng purposes. The neighbourhood of Penllwyn was badly served in the matter of wholesome water, there being only three or four wells of very small capacity to supply the whole place, and most of these were of a suspicious character, with the exception of Tynllidiart, which was supplied from the Plynllymon main. He had imformed the members of the School Board of the desirability of providing the school children with a good and ample supply of water, and in his opinion the whole neighbourhood should also be taken into consideration. Asdirected at the previous meeting, he had visited the source of the proposed water supply at Talybont. He found the spring a strong one gauging 160 gallons per hour, which he thought, with a reservoir, would be a plentiful z;1 vo supply for the village. He bad been notified by Dr Rees, medical officer, of a case of scarlatina at Llanfibangel-y-Creuddyn. The water supply of this village was in a very suspicious place. Being notified by Dr Rees, medical officer, of three cases of diphtheria in three different houses at Cnwch Coch, he visited the place, accompanied by Dr Rees himself. He examined all wells and spouts in the neighbourhood—four in all. Two of them they prohibited the use of, as their surroundings were bad. It was difficult to say whether this epidemic was developed locally or imported from South Wales, but he thought there was ample reason for it in wells which they condemned and that the epidemic broke out in the families using these wells went far to prove tnis. The water was very scarce and far from all dwellings. Therefore, the inhabitants were forced to make use of suspicious wells and pools. The village was much in need of a proper water supply, which should be provided without delay. This could be done at a low cost, as there was an abundance of water close by. A case of diphtheria had been notified at Cwrt Bach. Llanilar, which bad been imported from town. A case of scarlet fever had broken out at ielindre, Llanrhystyd. The sanitary state of things at this place was something terrible. The house was a small one, with a bedroom on the ground floor, and a pigstye at the back, adjoining the back wall. It seemed to him that the floor of the pig-stye was on a higher level than that of the dwelling house, and the liquid from the pig-stye made its way through the wall into the house, and it could be seen on the boarded floor under the bed. He asked the occupiers of the house to remove the pig elsewhere at once, but they did not promise to do so. A cattle shed had also been erected three or four yards from the door of the same cottage, which, in his opinion, should be removed. Being informed by the inhabitants ofLlanfarian of scarcity of water at that place, and that it had a bad taste and smell, he met some of the inhabitants on the spot. They all agreed that the reason fov the odour and taste was that the cistern required cleaning, and if that was done the water would be alright. As to the security he thought the supply could be increased at very little cost. PENLLWYN WATER. Regarding the well at Penllwyn, from which the school children obtained water, Mr Joseph Parry, who is a member of the School Board, said the school was badly in need af pure water. It might increase the rate, but it was their duty to provide water; and they would also require it to flush the drains. Mr John Edwards (surveyor), upon whose land the well is situated, said the water was quite pure, and he deprecated the proposal to close it. On the motion of Mr Joseph Parry, it was de- cided that Mr Edwards improre the surroundings of the well, and that another analysis be then taken to ascertain whether the quality of the water was better. The Inspector was also asked to report as to the best means of securing a better and wholesome supply of water for the whole village. INFECTIOUS DISEASE. With regard to the outbreak of diphtheria at Cnwch Coch, Mr Bircham said it was the duty of the medical officer of health to make a report to the Council. All water from questionable sources of supply should also be analysed, and if found contaminated, immediately condemned. Speaking of the outbreak at Felindre. Lbli- rhystyd, Mr John Morgan said he also thought it was the opinion of the Council that the pigstye should be removed at once. It was no wonder that disease broke out in such houses as that. Mr Mor- gan said he also saw it mentioned in the inspector's report several times that he had ordered isolation in cases where infectious disease had broken out. He thought that this was not an easy matter to do. and they ought as a Council to move in the direc- tion of providing an isolation hospital. It was impossible for poor people, living in small houses, to keep a patient apart from the rest of the family. Mr James Jones asked what they were b do with the pigstye. Mr Bircham replied that it should be removed at once, and the house should also, in his opinion, be condemned. The Clerk said there was litigation pending as to the house. The house and the pigstye belonged to different owners. The Inspector was instructed to have the pigstye removed, and unles" the house was put in a proper sanitary condition, that it be condemned. LLANFARIAN WATER SUPPLY. The Inspector was instructed to have the cistern in connection with the Llanfarian water supply cleaned, TALYBONT WATER SCHEME. In reference to this scheme, the Rev John Davies said a deputation had met Mrs Anwyl, who was willing to allow water to be taken from the source decided upon by the Council. She desired to know how much land was required, so that she could fix a price. He (Mr Davies) suggested that an engineer should visit the place, and peg out the land required. It was ultimately decided that Mr Thomas Jones should prepare plans and specifications, and the Rev John Davies, Mr Williams, Mr Morgan, and the Clerk were appointed to accompany him to che spot. ADDHESS BY MR BIRCHAM. Mr Bircham, in the course of an address, said he was much obliged to the Council for giving him an opportunity of attending the sanitary portion of their meeting. There were a good many questions of water supply which they seemed to take interest in, and in which they looked beyond mere expense. Whatever a water supply cost within reason, it. really must be the first necessity cf life, and the first duty of the sanitary authorities to spend any money that was necessary in ensuring that every part of their district was in possession of a whole- some water supply. He had considered the schools in many of these districts required looking after very carefully in regard to their sanitary arrange- ments and water supply. The schools in these parts of the country were visited by children from long distances, who did not go home to their mid- day meals, and these were very dangerous centres of infection unless they were very careful as to the water supply. He knew a great many instances in this county where schools were utterly without any- proper supply of water. He hoped the members would, at the beginning of their three years of work, take this question up, and before thev re- signed would be able to say there was not a school in the whole of their district which was nor supplied with proper and wholesome water. Where was another point, in regard to dwellings unfit tor habitation. No one saw more than he did the connection between pauperism and dwellings that were unfit to live in. As guardians, they would know that the report book was full of cases of applications for relief owing to illness, which was aggravated and very often caused by the dwellings the persons lived in. He agreed with the re- mark made by one of the members that it was ridiculous to give orders for sanitary dis- infection and isolation in a house where there was only one bedroom. It was a state of things which was quite scandalous when they came to connect it with infectious disease, it being bad enough to live in ordinary health. He did hope the Council would get a report—their inspector seemed to carry out his duties with considerable activity—of every house that was in a state unfit for habitation, and he hoped by degrees that they would have all those houses closed up or put in such a state which was no longer harmful to the community at large Speaking of the case at Felindre, Mr Bircham said that was a kind of thing that should not be allowed to exist at all, and their medical officers ought to be asked to report all such cases, because they were the only officers who could give power to move in such cases. He had read their medical officers' reports. The birth-rate of the Union was lower than that of England and Wales, and the death- rate was higher by one per cent. No one could say that the Union ought to be lower in birth-rate or higher in death-rate than the whole kingdom, but if they had bad dwellings, where people contracted consumption, rheumatism and heart disease, of course it raised the death-rate. He hoped they would see the death-rate of the Aberyst wyth Rural District less than that of the whole of England and Wales. (Hear, hear). r"L __L' L1. _1 nit; Illeellllg Linn euueu. I

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