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Old 11-01-2015, 04:55 PM
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There is recorded through the newspapers an ongoing struggle regarding the establishment of decent local water supplies. One of these reports refers to a Radcliffe Cholera outbreak that killed 20, and infected about 200. The water source at that times appears to be the burn.

Alnwick Mercury 14th of February 1874
Water Supply at Radcliffe.
Sir, — We have your various Letters to Mr Harrison on the above subject. We have now to inform you that arrangements have been made whereby 2900 gallons of water per diem can be supplied to the inhabitants. The supply is drawn partly from the condensed steam and partly from a well situated on our colliery line. In addition to the above supply (which is for culinary purposes), there is available an unlimited supply of water for washing, etc. we think you will agree with us that the water supply is now ample. We may observe that but for the indisposition of Mr Harrison, this matter would have had our earlier attention. We are, so, yours respectfully, the Radcliffe coal company, F.W.Kinnear.

The Inspector stated that water was conveyed in the train from a well near Amble. This was the additional supply, besides the water from the condensed steam, which the people already had. He could not say the supply was satisfactory, to meet the permanent wants of the place.
The clerk was directed to acknowledge the receipt of the letter, and to state that the Authority considered the provision made to be satisfactory as a temporary measure.

Alnwick Mercury 14th of April 1877
Government Enquiry at Amble.
On Thursday last, a government enquiry was held in the Dock Hotel, by J. Harrison Esq. C.E., appointed by the local government board. Mr Watson and Mr F R Wilson represented the Rural Sanitary Authority, in support of the scheme which was to supply Radcliffe and the harbour end of Amble, from a well now the property of the trustees of the late Mr Smith. Mr Sewel, solicitor, of Newcastle, represented the owners of Radcliffe Colliery and several ratepayers in Amble, and opposed the scheme. Mr Watson stated at the outset that he withdrew the application for a special district, so that part of the scheme was not gone into. The application of the Authority to borrow £314 for sewers was next considered. The inspector recommended that the Victoria Street outlet be not laid as originally intended, nor as recommended by the Parochial Committee, but that it enter the burn a little distance from the present outlet, the extension to be by new pipes. In objection was raised to the main outlet at the harbour, but the inspectors said he could not go into that matter, he not being appointed to do so, and its having been settled by Mr Arnold Taylor some time ago, but that he would hear anyone; after which he said he would consult with Mr Arnold Taylor on the subject. The water scheme was then gone into and Mr Watson examined, who said that in 1864 the village of Radcliffe was visited with an outbreak of fever, having about 200 cases and about 20 deaths. The burn where the people got their supply of water was found to be in a wretched condition and very much polluted, and this served to be the cause of the fever. Mr Elliott reported in 1865 the great want of pure water at Radcliffe. After this steam water was supplied to the people for a time but no permanent and satisfactory supply had been yet got. In 1875 a petition was sent from the place, signed by 8 of the workmen, appealing to the Sanitary Authority for a supply, and Mr F R Wilson was sent to report on the same, and presented the scheme which was the subject of the enquiry. Meanwhile a water cart was employed to supply water at a small charge. There are 160 houses and about 800 people at Radcliffe. Mr F.R. Wilson explained of the scheme, but could not certify that there was a sufficient supply from the well for the object in view, though from all information obtainable it seemed as if this was the case. He estimated the required supply for Radcliffe at 8000 gallons per day, and 2500 gallons for Amble Harbour. The inspector said that he could not approve of the scheme, but thought a more general one should be adopted for supplying the whole district with water, as from his personal investigation during the morning he found the other part of Amble were in want of water as well as the Harbour and Radcliffe. The Rev. A.O. Medd objected to any general scheme as being of too costly a sought to be approved of by the inhabitants, who would put up with a little inconvenience rather than pay so much for it. John Archbold was examined as to his having supplied Radcliffe with water during the summer, but the most he supplied on any one day would not exceed 400 gallons. Mr Topley, of the Geological Survey, who said he did not appear in any official way, was examined, but his evidence did not alter the opinion of the inspector as to the scheme been objectionable both as to the cost and danger of the supply of water not been sufficient. As a temporary remedy, Mr Harrison, the owner of the colliery, promised to lay pipes from the colliery to the village and give the people a supply of steam water. A vote of thanks to the inspector for his courtesy during the proceedings, closed the meeting.
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