[Report 1937] / Medical Officer of Health, Caernarvonshire Combined Sanitary Districts (Bangor City, Conway Borough, Bethesda U.D.C., Betws y Coed U.D.C., Llandudno U.D.C., Llanfairfechan U.D.C., Penmaenmawr U.D.C., Nant Conway R.D.C., Ogwen R.D.C., Caernarvon Borough, Pwllheli Borough, Criccieth U.D.C., Portmadoc U.D.C., Gwyrfai R.D.C., Lleyn R.D.C.).

  • Caernarvonshire Combined Sanitary Districts.
Date:
1937
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1937] / Medical Officer of Health, Caernarvonshire Combined Sanitary Districts (Bangor City, Conway Borough, Bethesda U.D.C., Betws y Coed U.D.C., Llandudno U.D.C., Llanfairfechan U.D.C., Penmaenmawr U.D.C., Nant Conway R.D.C., Ogwen R.D.C., Caernarvon Borough, Pwllheli Borough, Criccieth U.D.C., Portmadoc U.D.C., Gwyrfai R.D.C., Lleyn R.D.C.). Source: Wellcome Collection.

    67/118 (page 63)
    A. —POPULATION AT CENSUS 1921 AND 1931.—It may be recalled that according to the actual Census figures for 1921 there was a small increase in population on that of 1911 of 2C» but the Registrar-General in his revised estimate made the change to be, not an increase, but a decrease of 265. He had to make an allowance for an influx of Summer Visitors into the town. According to the Preliminary Census figures for 1931, the population has been further reduced (by 210) to 3599. B. —BIRTH-RATE AND DEATH-RATES OR MORTALITIES.—The Zymotic Mortality was nil, the Infantile Mortality was very low, the Birth rate and the Senile, Cancer and Tuber- cular Mortalities were rather low, the General Death rate and Influenza Mortality were moderate, and the Maternal Mortality was rather high. C. —V7ATER SUPPLY.—It will be recalled that a new Scheme for improving (by means of a new main) the water supply to the higher levels (which include the County School, Penrallt, the higher levels of Lleyn Street, &c.), and for safeguarding (by warding off impure water) the source of su])ply, was carried through after a Government Inquiry into an application to borrow £3220. The water is of a very soft nature, but no plum bo-solvent action has been detected. In the case of soft water, to prevent possible contamination by lead, copper or zinc, ordinary cast-iron pipes are recommended between the Mains and Stopcock, but there is no objection to the use of Galvanised (that is, zinc-coated) iron pipes as long as short lengths only are used. For Service pipes. Block-tin encased in lead is safer than Tin-washed, or even Tin-lined, lead, and than Tin-washed copper. During the summer of 1933, a prolonged drought was experienced at Pwllheli, as elsewhere, and this was continued into the following year. Fire Extinguishing.—Good pressure is important for fire-extinguishing purposes also. To meet any future emergency the Corporation wisely availed themselves of the jjowers offered imder the Water Supplies (Exceptional Shortage) Act, 1934, and applied to the IVIinistry of Health for sanction to collect water from the water-shed at Cwm Ceiliog. A Government Inquiry was held (under Mr. Thistleton Dyer, Government Engineer) and the Ministry authorised the Corporation to execute the w'ork. Accordingly, the supply of W'ater to the Borough was greatly augmented by this execution of Work at Cwm Ceiliog under the Water Supplies (Exceptional Shortage Act), 1934. If the Corporation had not availed themselves of the powers conferred under the 1934 Act, the town would have been found with a shortage in the month of August, when the ijojjulation is greatly increased by the presence of visitors. As it is, and with certain other improvements, the wLole of the area wall be supjjlied with an abundant and pure supply of w'ater. One other improvement that has taken place is to extend the Main up from the County School towards Penrallt. Hitherto this district was dependent for its supply on a Well which w^as liable to contamination by cattle and by the flooding of the adjoining stream. It is now pleasing to observe that, apart from an occasional farm-house, or outlying cottage, almost every dwelling house wdthin the Borough is connected to the Public Water Supply. Another improvement will be to increase the delivering capacity of the old main from Mur- cwymp to the high level zone, either by laying a new main or providing some other means, such as pressure from behind. It is feared that the said old main is gradually becoming encrusted. The Corporation have applied to the Ministry for sanction to proceed with the laying of a 6 inch Main from Cardiff Road to Embankment Road. This Main will solve the problem of the South Beach supply, as the existing 3 inch main is so encrusted that its delivering capacity is inadequate for the increasing needs of this part of the Borough. This work is likely to b(' com- pleted during 1938. D. —DRAINAGE AND SEWERAGE.—No extensions of the Sewers were made during the year.