Newspaper Extracts
Seizure & Sale of Public Works at Rotherham
December, 1856The introduction of the Health of Towns Act into the town of Rotherham, in the West Riding, has been attended with most serious consequences to the inhabitants.
The first local board for the town was elected about four years ago, and appointed Mr. W. Lee, who had been previously connected with the General Board of Health, as their engineer. The board had the power of borrowing on security of their rates to the extent of about £32,000., and shortly after their election inaugurated expensive systems of drainage and water supply for the town and district.
The execution of the works was pressed with vigour, and the board required that private property should be simultaneously drained into the public sewers. They were, indeed, so urgent on this latter point that they undertook to execute the private drainage through their own contractors for a very small percentage above the actual cost.
Including the private drainage, which cost £3,000., the board expended about £4,000. in works of drainage and water supply, offices, etc., thus largely exceeding their borrowing powers. The compulsory execution of the private drainage, together with the levying of heavy rates for the payment of the interest on the money borrowed for public works and other expenses, excited such strong dissatisfaction in the town that about a year ago a meeting was held and a committee appointed to investigate the board's affairs.
The committee produced a strong condemnatory report, and in March last, several of its members were elected to fill the places on the board of gentlemen who had died or retired by rotation.
In consequence of unexpected difficulties, the water supply at this time was very far from having reached the degree of sufficiency originally contemplated by the board; but on the election of the new members a stop was at once put to all further expenditure in that direction.
During last session a bill was introduced into the House of Commons for increasing the borrowing powers of local boards of health, and the Rotherham board expected to find in its powers an easy mode of escape from the difficulties consequent on their contracts so largely exceeding their borrowing powers. Unfortunately for them, the bill was defeated, and the board have found it impossible to meet their engagements.
Legal proceedings have consequently been resorted to by several of their creditors, and a few days ago their expensive water-works, engines, offices, etc,. were seized by the sheriff's officer at the suits of the Earl of Effingham for £1,100., Mr. Simpson (contractor) for £900. and Beecroft, Butler, and Co., for about £1,500. At the close of last week the works were sold to the seizing creditors on an appraisement by the sheriff's officer. The consequence is that, after an expenditure by the board of about £40,000., the inhabitants are entirely at the mercy of the creditors for their water supply, and also in a great measure for their drainage, the efficiency of which is largely dependent upon the water supply. Claims to the amount of £4,000. or £5,000. are still unsatisfied, and it is feared that the disasters of the town will be further aggravated by proceedings in the Court of Chancery on the part of the unpaid creditors.
In the neighbouring town of Worksop the local board of health have likewise involved themselves in pecuniary difficulties, and a few days ago had their office fixtures, etc., seized for rent.
