7 
4 
J 
; 
gutters, which are in several cases in a very offensive state. I 
observe that at a meeting of the ratepayers held a short time ago, 
it was determined to oppose the general water scheme suggested 
by Dr. Fox and myself. At another meeting, it was resolved to 
take the necessary steps for forming a Local Board. ‘That a better 
supply of water than the present is most urgent, cannot be denied; 
and as the opposition offered to it was conspicuously exhibited by 
those who never experienced the want of water, I cannot give 
much credit to the result as representing the general feeling of the 
parish. The formation of a Local Board would certainly prove 
advantageous in many respects, because under the supervision of 
the Board in London, they would be compelled to carry out a 
proper system of sanitary improvements ; but at the same time the 
ratepayers would be compelled to pay for them. I consider that 
all the benefits which would be derived from a Local Board, could 
be obtained without having recourse to the expensive machinery 
attached to the adoption of sanitary measures under the Local 
Government Board. Although Egremont may at present be con- 
sidered to have some pretensions to urban dimensions, it would 
be well for the ratepayers to consider whether the adoption of 
selfgovernment, and being placed in the. proud position of 
managing their own affairs, would not be rather an expensive mode 
of gratifying their ambition. With a better supply of water, some 
improvements in the sewerage, and the covering up of a portion of 
the beck which runs through the town, all that is at present 
desirable would be obtained, and the cost comparatively small. 
In advocating a general supply of good water, it must be self- 
evident to those who have enjoyed it, that not only does modern 
science and civilization demand, but common humanity cries aloud 
for it. Take for instance the town of Whitehaven (and perhaps 
Dr. Lumb will pardon me for this digression in trespassing upon 
his preserves) ; it is a well known fact, that prior to the introduction 
of water from Ennerdale lake, and the adoption of a proper system 
of sewerage, it was looked upon as the blackest spot on the map of 
England, so far as its mortality was concerned. At the present 
time, according to a recent report of the medical officer, the death- 
* 
