Health reports in the Wellingborough Rural Sanitary Authority
WYMINGTON—The Railway Huts—On Jan. 14th I visited these huts; they are about a mile and a-half from the village. In number they are forty-two, with a population of over four hundred men, women, and children. These huts have been inhabited for a year, and will be so for another year. In eight months time the number of men employed will be reduced about fifty per cent. There is a building set apart for the reception of infectious diseases. The huts are divided into three rooms, one for lodgers, one for the family, and the middle a living-room. With six lodgers, which is the recognised number, there is no overcrowding. I measured a hut and ascertained this. The water supply is derived from a reservoir about half-a-mile off, and is conveyed in pipes to the huts. On testing I found it a fairly pure water. The closets are of the common privy type, with cesspools; these are not more than six feet deep. The drainage for the slop-water is the great sanitary defect. There were large pools of stagnant water lying about the doors of the huts. In hot weather this would be dangerous to health. On the occasion of my visit, men were engaged in clearing out the open gutters which convey the water into a ditch. On following up this ditch, I found the water passed through a drain beneath the surface of a field into a ditch further on, and from thence went gradually into the river. The ground on which the huts stand being flat, there is no fall, and the drainage is difficult. If sufficient ballast is put down by the huts to prevent the collection of pools of water, and the open gutters are kept clear there will be some improvement. A pond in the centre of the ground through which the gutter passes was being filled up. If these suggestions do not effect an improvement, something more must be done, as these pools of stagnant water will be dangerous to health in the summer. I also inspected Pepperell's hut, a separate shanty. The large room in this hut has 11 double beds and 12 single ones; that is, beds for 34. On measuring the room I found that 28 were as many as should sleep in the room. I was assured the beds were now never fully occupied. The privy to this hut is the most primitive I ever saw. I visited nine huts by the village of Wymington. They were the size of the first-mentioned huts. There were no pools of slop-water lying about, as the open gutter carried it off well, there being a good fall. There was deficient closet accommodation to these huts. There were four, two at each end. Two of them were from forty to fifty yards from the nearest hut. This should be brought under the notice of the authorities.

A letter from the Chief Constable of Bedfordshire was read, calling the attention of the Authority to the Wymington huts.—On the proposition of Mr Siddons, seconded by Mr. Coales, a copy of the medical report on this subject was ordered to be sent to the Midland Railway contractors, Mr. Oliver and Mr. Young.

Sharnbrook Petty Sessions
Friday, April 14th.—Before Mr. H. H. Mr. T. Bagnall, and Mr. L. G. S. Gibbard.

Henry Baxter, tunnel navvy, was summoned by Supt. Carruthers for receiving stolen fowls, on the 27th ult. He did not appear, and a warrant was issued for his apprehension.

THE TUNNEL CONCERT— On Monday evening, some of the Rushden friends engaged to give a concert in the schoolroom at the Huts, near the Wymington Tunnel, and after a good walk in a stiff breeze the tunnel works were reached. The children were found playing on the village green, and the men lounging about in the style of English village life. Owing to a misunderstanding in being met by the contractor's engine, when the party arrived at the Huts it was time to commence the concert, and the day shifts had left off work or we should have availed ourselves of the opportunity to have given a description of this colony. The proceeds of the concert were given to the Northampton Infirmary. It was pleasing to see the children, most of them being in the excellent school conducted by Mr. C. Fisher, and which numbers 90 on the books, come in such numbers and pay their four-pence and sixpence to hear the music, as well as the men who doffed their cloth and paid the greatest attention and thoroughly appreciated the rich treat that had been provided for them. The concert opened with the quartet "Oh come to me when daylight sets," by Misses M. Harris, B. Wilby, and Messrs. J. Farey and C. Stringer, which was very nicely given. The next was a song by Mr. Farey, "Every bullet has its bullet," and was much enjoyed, being very well given. Mr. Stringer sang with much taste "The Tar's Farewell," and Miss B. Fisher followed with a very good piano solo, "La Capreza," and was much applauded. This was followed by Miss Wilby with the old favourite, "Let me kiss him for his mother," followed by a duet, "O'er the moonlit sea," sung very nicely by Mr. C. Stringer and Miss B. Wilby. The comic song, "Hurrah for a Farmer's life," by Mr. C. Stringer, followed, and fairly brought down the house, an enthusiastic encore being demanded, m response to which "Over the Garden Wall," was given. The quartet, "Don't Fret," was given with much taste and feeling by Misses Wilby and Harris, and Messrs. Farey and Stringer. "The Wolf," by Mr. Farey, came next, and the attention to it was very marked. The quartet "The charm of the Mill," by the same performers was also very nicely rendered, and rounds of applause were given, Mr. Stringer gave with much, taste "Will you come to my mountain home," and the piano solo which followed was very nicely played by Miss Fisher, and followed by a humorous duet by Miss Wilby and Mr. Stringer, which was encored. Mr. Farey followed with "The Midshipmite," sung ia a very able manner; a Curtain Lecture by Mr. C. Stringer; duet, "Sweet silver moonlight winds," by Messrs. Wilby und Harris; song, "The Favourite Conductor and the Favourite Bus," by Mr. Stringer, and another quartet finished the entertainment. Misses B. Wilby and B. Fisher, and Mr. C. Fisher, accompanied upon the piano, which was kindly lent by Mrs. Spencer, who also entertained the performers to tea. After the entertainment a pleasant moonlit ramble home concluded a pleasant outing.

ACCIDENT AT THE NEW TUNNEL WORKS—An accident of a serious nature occurred at the above place on Thursday, the 4th inst. Three men having deposited the charge for blasting and ignited the fuse, found the charge did not go off. After waiting about an hour they ventured to approach to make a second attempt, but as they were in the act of removing some of the earth the explosion took place and the men were hurled something like 15 feet, and severely injured. It was thought for a time that one of the three could not live, but it is now hoped that they will all recover.

SHARNBROOK PETTY SESSIONS, May 26th—Before Messrs. H. H. Green and Thomas Bagnall.
Charles Williams and Martin Parrett, labourers, of Wymington Huts, were summoned by Frederick Heathfield, gamekeeper, of Colworth, for trespassing in search of game, at Souldrop, on Sunday, the 14th inst. The case was proved by P.C. Watts. Parrett was fined £1 and 7s. costs, and Williams, who did not appear, was fined £1 5s. and 8s. costs, or a month's imprisonment.

ANOTHER FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE MIDLAND RAILWAY WIDENING AT WYMINGTON
We regret to report that on Monday last about noon another fatal accident took place in connection with the railway widening at Wymington. It appears that a man named Clark was at work in the cutting, on the Wymington side of the tunnel, when a quantity of earth fell upon him, striking him upon the head and precipitating him on to the rails of the main line. The injuries were such as to cause nearly instant death. The body was afterwards removed to Wymington, where an inquest was subsequently held, when the usual verdict was returned.

SHARNBROOK PETTY SESSIONS Friday, 7th inst.—Before Mr. H. H. Green and Mr. E. S. Watson.

John Coleman, bricklayer, of Wymington Huts, was charged with trespassing in search of game at Yelden on the 11th ult. He was fined £1 and 9s. 6d. costs.

WELLINGBOBOUGH POLICE COURT Friday, Sept. 16.
Before Mr. N. P. Sharman (in the chair), Mr C. J. K. Woolston, and Col. Rawlins.

Affiliation—Wm. Mitchell, journeyman blacksmith, of Wymington Huts, was summoned by Laura Burton, of Irchester, to show cause why he should not contribute to the support of her illegitimate child. Mr. James Heygate appeared for the plaintiff. The Bench made an order for 2s. a week, with the usual costs.

WELLINGBOROUGH RURAL SANITARY AUTHORITY
The monthly meeting of this Authority was held on Wednesday in the Board-room, at the Workhouse, when there were present Mr. J. W. Watts (in the chair), and Messrs. J. H. Coales, W. J. Gross, S. Knight, C. S. Groome, J. Siddons, J. Allibone, G. Wyman, J. Burr, J. Walker, J. Ward, and J. Parker.

MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT—The Medical Officer of Health reported that there had been a case of typhoid fever at the huts at the Midland Railway widening. He found the sanitary conditions fairly satisfactory, and was of opinion that the disease had been contracted elsewhere, possibly by sleeping near a cesspool. The case was going on satisfactorily, and there had been no further outbreak. If, however, the disease had been of a more infectious nature, such as scarlet-fever or small-pox, the results might have been very serious, as there was no place in which a patient could be isolated. He was strongly of opinion that there should be a hut specially set apart as a hospital. A case of typhoid fever had also occurred at Rushden, from miasmatic causes, in a yard near the Church. He found on enquiry that the pails were emptied on the gardens, and there were also pig-styes connected with the cottages that were not very clean. The Medical Officer urged the importance of regular scavenging and said that the excreta from the houses in question should no longer be thrown upon the gardens. The only remaining subject dealt with in the report was an impure well upon land in the occupation of Mr. Dawes, at Little Harrowden.—Respecting the case of fever at the huts, Mr. Austin bore out the doctor's report, and as no new case had arisen it was considered unnecessary to take action. The Inspector reported that the scavenging was now being carried out systematically at Rushden. Instructions were given to him to take the necessary steps for the abatement of the nuisances reported by the doctor. In the case of the impure well at Little Harrowden Mr. Groome said he thought the pollution could only be of a temporary character, and it was decided to write to Mr. Dawes to ask him to remedy it.

THE ESTIMATE FOR IRCHESTER PARISH—It will be remembered that at the last meeting of the Authority, the precept for £100 upon the overseers for the parish of Irchester was cancelled, as the Parochial Committee did not consider so large a contribution necessary, and the issue of the new precept was deferred till this meeting.—The Clerk said that the parish was £29 in arrears, so that a precept for £30 would cover the deficit. It would however, leave nothing in hand.—Mr. Austin suggested £35 or £40 as the amount of the precept, but the Clerk said that it would either have to be fixed at £30 or £45. The former would be realised by a rate of 2d. on houses and ½d. on land, and the latter by 3d. on houses and ¾d. on land, but any sum between these two amounts could not very well be raised.—The Inspector mentioned that there would be a small charge at the end of the year for scavenging, and the Clerk pointed out that probably there would be other small expenses during the year.—On the motion of Mr. Austin, seconded by Mr. Coales, a precept was ordered for £45.

THE ELECTRIC LIGHT—Further conversation took place respecting the notice served upon the Authority by one of the Electric Light Companies. The Clerk explained the provisions of the new Act, and it was ultimately decided to let the Company take its own course.

Sharnbrook Petty Sessions Friday, Dec. 22nd
Before Mr. Thomas Bagnall and Mr. E. S. Watson.

Thomas Doswell, labourer, of Wymington Huts, was charged by Thomas Pacey, gamekeeper, with trespassing on land in pursuit of game, at Sharnbrook, on the 18th ult. Fined £1, and 16s. 6d. costs, or one month's hard labour.—The same defendant was further charged by P.C. Daniels, under the Poaching Prevention Act, with coming from land where he had been unlawfully in pursuit of game, and having in his possession a gun, net, and snare, when searched, upon the highway, on the same day. Fined £2 10s., and 13s. 6d. costs, or one month's hard labour, the gun, net, and snare being forfeited and ordered to be destroyed.

Sharnbrook Petty SessionsFriday, Feb. 16th.
Before Lord St. John, Mr H. H. Green, and Mr. T. Bagnall.

George Walker, a navvy, of Wymington Huts, was charged by Thomas Pacey, gamekeeper, of Sharnbrook, with game trespass, at Sharnbrook, on the 18th Dec. last. Fined 10s. and costs, or 14 days' imprisonment. Defendant was further charged by P.C. Daniels with having in his possession, when searched on the highway, five nets for the purpose of taking game. Fined 10s. and costs, or 14 days' imprisonment. He was committed to prison in default.

ON Thursday, 25th October, 1883, the large WOODEN ERECTION known as Peperell's Shanty, containing five separate living and bedrooms; together with the Stabling, Pig-styes, and other Buildings; also the FURNITURE, comprising 12 flock beds and bolsters, 7 mattresses, 4 iron bedsteads, forms and tables, several large cooking stoves, boilers, coppers, &c., sundry kitchen requisites, and other effects. Also a few poles of GROWING TURNIPS.

Sale to commence at One o'clock.