Southampton Town Council: A meeting of this Council was held at the Audit-house on Wednesday afternoon, when there were present the mayor (Alderman Perkins) in the chair; Aldermen Emanuel and Furber; Mr. Senior-Bailiff G. P. Perkins; Councillors Le Feuvre, Aldridge, Davie, Chipperfield, Scovell, Abraham, Martin, Payne, Bishop, and Hickman. Mr. H. J. Pinsent, Mr. W. F. Maund, and Mr. Osmond were present as a deputation: THE WATER SUPPLY TO AND DRAINAGE OF PORTSWOOD: The Town Clerk read a communication from Mr. T. Taylor, of the Local Government Act Office, enclosing one from Mr. W. F. Maund, of Portswood, a Guardian of South Stoneham, addressed to the Secretary of State, complaining that whereas the inhabitants of Portswood, Bevois-valley and St. Deny’s were paying borough rates, and for a nuisance inspector, to the Southampton Town Council, these districts were without any drainage, except into dead wells, the consequence being that the water in the live wells was in numerous instances rendered unfit for use through percolation, and the consequences might prove most disastrous should any epidemic arise, particularly in St. Deny’s, where the population was large and poor … (continues) … Mr. Davis moved, and Mr. Hickman seconded, that the matter be referred to the Special and General Works Committee. Mr. Le Feuve said he might remind the deputation and the Council that when the subject was discussed at a public meeting at Highfield Mr. Pinsent and himself were thoroughly hooted down because they wished to introduce health and happiness into the place at a small increase in the rates. This was in no doubt a crucial question with regard to Portswood, and if the existing representatives of the tything expressed themselves in favour of introducing the Local Board of Health there they would stand a very nice chance of being unseated in the succeeding November for doing that which it was said would increase the taxation. … (continues) … The Town Clerk said there was also a letter from Mr. Pinsent, and perhaps the Council would like to hear it read as well. Mr. Pinsent then said he should be happy to attend the meeting of the committee, and to explain to them the disgraceful state the district of Portwood was in at present. He also referred to the attempts that had been made to introduce the Local Board of Health there, but in each instance, they had been beaten, mainly owing to the opposition of the Late, Mr. W. H. Mackey and Mr. Skelton. The motion for referring the subject to a committee was carried and the deputation withdrew …
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive
Referenced
GRO0420 India: Henry John Pinsent: 1812 – 1894