LOCAL & DISTRICT NEWS. PENRITH BOARD OF HEALTH. The fortnightly meeting of the Penrith Board of Health was held on Saturday afternoon last, when there were present MESSRS. GRAHAM (chairman), G. GOODBURN, W. LYNN, J. JAMES, JNO. SIMPSON, C. FAIRER (clerk) and J. TODD (surveyor. The minutes of the last ordinary meeting were read and confirmed. The business at the present meeting was unimportant. FINANCE. - From the minutes of the Finance Committee it appeared that the Surveyor's accounts had been examined and found correct, and cheques were now signed for several tradesmens' accounts, including one of £29 to MR. WAGSTAFF for the use of his engine 35 days at the waterworks, while the wheel was disabled. PLAN. - The plan of several closets on MR. JAMES's property, in Albert Street, was examined and passed. FLAGGING. - The Highway Committee having recommended that Angel Lane be flagged and chanelled, a conversation now took place about the outshot on MR. THOMPSON's premises, with a view to its probable purchase, but the majority of the members were of the opinion that such a course would not at present be desirable. The minutes of the committee were adopted, and the work is to be proceeded with immediately. FOOT CROSSINGS. - A memorial having been received asking the Board to lay down crossings for foot passengers from the foot of Scot Lane to Petteril Terrace, and from DR. MACGREGOR's house to the opposite footpath, the advisibility of doing so was discussed,, but the Board were unanimously of the opinion that it was not desirable to comply with the request. THE WATER WORKS' BILL. - The Chairman said that at the last meeting MR. .HIND's bill had been left over for reference, and some of the members had had an interview with the referee, but they were not yet in a position to report to the meeting. NUISANCES. - The Surveyor reported that out of 31 nuisances complained of, 12 only had been remedied, and some others were in course of removal. That in MR. HEWER's premises, in Sandgate foot, was a very bad case. He had frequently promised to remove it, but until now had done nothing. In addition to the lodging-house there were other tenements, all densley populated, and the nuisance was increased. THE CHAIRMAN said it would be best for the Board to do the work, and charge MR. HEWER. THE SURVEYOR: How about the cost ? MR. GOODBURN; No one is better able to pay it. MR. LYNN: We must make an example, and it will be a caution to others. MR. JAMES: If the nuisance is not removed, the house may be reported as unfit for a lodging-house, and the license taken away. THE CHAIRMAN was of the same opinion. The SURVEYOR was directed to write to MR. HEWER to that effect, and a similar proceeding was to be put in force against an owner of property in the Fleece Inn Yard. THREATENED ADVANCE IN THE PRICE OF GAS. - The CHAIRMAN said he had been informed that the Gas Company was about to raise the price of gas supplied to the town's lamps. The present price was 3s. 5d. per 1000 feet. He had been asked if the Board would purchase the works, and his answer was that they would at a price. MR. JAMES: We are under no obligation to buy them. THE CHAIRMAN: We are under an obligation to light the town, and if we were to buy the works the town would get the benefit, and whatever profit there might be. THE CLERK was desired to write to several towns similarly situated, to enquire what they were paying. MR. JAMES said it was quite right to get information, but the Gas Company had the power in their own hands. THE CHAIRMAN: A member of the Finance Committee suggested that the lamps should be supplied with oil burners. He had told the gentleman who had communicated with him that they would not be able to come to any different arrangement until the 1st of March, when they would have been supplied by metre a full year, and would know what the consumption was. MR. JAMES: Suppose we refuse to pay the advance and they stop the gas? MR. SIMPSON said it was the right time of year to have a strike in that direction. THE CLERK: Then we must put a stop to their laying pipes down through our streets. It will cut both ways. MR. SIMPSON: Suppose we charge them for laying pipes ? THE CHAIRMAN remarked that the price of coal affected the cost of production, but at present he could not see how they could arrive at the price, as probably with a very small outlay they would be able to manufacture double the quantity of gas without extra expenses. The subject then dropped, and the Board adjourned. _______________________ SALE OF THOROUGHBRED HORSES. - On Friday a number of racers were sold in Glasgow. The horse ' Irregularity ' which won the Lowther Cup at Carlisle in 1871, but is now broken down, was bought in for 22 guineas. 'Knight of Snowden' was brought in at 105 guineas.