Wednesday, present Councillors J. Spencer J.P. (chairman), T. Wilmott (vice-chairman), F. Knight, J.P., J. Claridge, J.P., C.C., J. S. Clipson, W. Bazeley, J.P., C. Bates, The Ven. A. Kitchin, M.A., and T. Swindall, with the clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin) and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. F. J. Allen).

Plans, Etc., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, March 28^th, 1917, when there were present: Messrs. J. Spencer (chairman), T. Wilmott, W. Bazeley, J. S. Clipson, F. Knight, and T. Swindall.

Plans

were presented for:-

  A gangway between the stock-room and the old engine-house for the Co-operative Wholesale Society at their factory in Portland-road, and passed.

  A new engine-house for Messrs. P. Collins & Co., at their factory in Allen-road, and passed.

Road Materials

  Granite – Tenders for the supply of Granite for the current year were considered, and the Surveyor instructed to place orders as follows at the prices quoted for the different sizes and grades:-

  Slag – Tenders for the supply of slag were also received and the Surveyor instructed to place orders as required from the following firms at the respected prices quoted by them:-

  Team Labour – The only tender received for carting the road materials was from Mr. W. G. Wilmott, which worked out at about one penny per ton in excess of that of last year.  The total additional cost, assuming that all the materials be delivered, amounted to about £10.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to accept Mr. Wilmott’s tender.

  The report was adopted.

Finance and Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Tuesday, April 3^rd, 1917, when there were present: Messrs. J. Spencer (chairman), T. Wilmott, C. Bates, J. Claridge, J. Hyde, and Fred Knight.

Surveyor Cash Account

  The Committee examined the Surveyor’s cash account with the wages books, the expenditure shown therein being as follows:-

Collector’s Accounts

  The Collector’s accounts were also examined, from which it appeared that he had collected the following sums since the last meeting:-

Treasurer’s Accounts

  The Committee examined the Treasurer’s accounts, from which it appeared that he had received the following sums since the last meeting:-

And that the following balances were in hand:-

Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts

  A number of accounts were examined, amounting to £303  3s.  3d., and passed for payment.

Memorandum of Rate

  The Rates Clerk submitted the following memorandum of General District Rate made on the 11^th day of October, 1916:-

  The Rates Clerk also submitted a list of the irrecoverable amounts, and it was resolved to recommend the Council that same be written off.

Surveyor’s Staff

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to increase the salary of Miss Madin from 20s. to 25s. per week, dating from the 1^st instant.

  The report was adopted.

Health and Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, April 4^th, 1917, when there were present: Messrs. T. Wilmott (chairman), J. Spencer, C. Bates, and J. Claridge.

Health and Sanitary Reports

  The report of the Medical Officer for the month of March was received.

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that 28 preliminary notices had been issued since the last meeting, calling attention to nuisances, etc., all of which were receiving attention.

  Acting on the advice of the medical practitioner in attendance, two lots of infected bedding had been destroyed during the last month.  It was resolved to recommend the Council to replace part of the bedding destroyed at a cost not exceeding £1  7s.  6d. in each case.  It was also resolved to recommend the Council to replace part of the bedding, at a cost not exceeding £1  7s. 7d., destroyed after a death from consumption, reported at the last meeting.

  One book belonging to the Free Library and one belonging to the Band Club library found in infected houses had been destroyed.  It was resolved to recommend the Council to replace the books.

  The Inspector gave a detailed statement of his work during the month.

Knacker’s Yard

  An application was received from Messrs. Geo. Chettle & Son for a renewal of their knacker’s yard licence, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accede thereto.

Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milkshops Order

  The quarterly report of Mr. Bainbridge was received, from which it appeared that on the 8^th, 9^th, 12^th, and 13^th March, 1917, he visited 30 premises and inspected 232 cows and heifers, making special examination of their udders and throats.  The Committee considered the report very satisfactory.

Cemetery

  The Cemetery Registrar’s quarterly report was also received and considered very satisfactory.  The total receipts for the quarter were £35  2s.  6d., and the number of interments 42.  No fees were outstanding.

Diseased Meat

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that on Friday last he visited and inspected some meat exposed for sale, which he found badly diseased.  After drawing the manager’s attention to the fact, he seized the meat and submitted it to the Medical Officer of Health, who agreed that it was unfit for food.  The meat was thereupon taken before a Justice of the Peace, who signed an order for its destruction.

  The Committee resolved to recommend the Council to proceed against the person on whose premises the meat was found under Section 117 of the Public Health Act, 1875.

  The report was adopted.

War Savings Committee

  A meeting of the War Savings Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, February 28^th, 1917, when there were present:- Messrs. J. Spencer (chairman), J. Claridge, J. T. Colson, F. L. Heygate, and the Rev. P. Robson.

  The Treasurer reported that the receipts since the 1^st January were £6,385  17s.  5d.  The total amount received now amounted to £11,427  10s.  7d., 12,152 Certificates had been purchased, of the value of £11,417  16s.; 11,004 Certificates had been distributed to members, of the value of £10,527  12s.; and 1,148 Certificates of the value of £889  14s. were in hand.

Food Control Campaign

  The Chairman informed the Committee that the assistance and co-operation of the War Savings Committees throughout the country had been requested by the Minister of Food in carrying out his Food Control Campaign.

  The Committee thought it desirable that a meeting representative of all classes in the town should be convened to discuss the matter and requested the Chairman to take the necessary steps for holding such a meeting on Wednesday next, at 7.30 p.m.

  The report was adopted.

Uncultivated Lands Committee

  A meeting of the Uncultivated Lands Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, February 28^th, 1917, when there were present: Messrs. J. Spencer (chairman), J. S. Mason, J. Claridge, T. Swindall, J. Hornsby, L. Baxter, H. Smith, J. S. Clipson, and W. Gutteridge.

Seed Potatoes

  The Surveyor reported that he had been unable to purchase the additional supplies authorised by the Committee, and that the quantity of seed available would not be sufficient to meet all the applications.

  It was resolved that the potatoes be supplied to the applicants in order of their applications, and that no applicant be allowed more than one cwt., and the Surveyor was instructed to issue notices accordingly.

  The report was adopted.

Property Needing Repair

  Mr. Bazeley asked if any information had been given to the Committee by the Sanitary Inspector respecting the work which the Council had ordered to be done in Orchard-place and South-terrace.

  Mr. Wilmott said that nothing was said about this work at the meeting of the Sanitary Committee.  Both owners of property had put the work in hand, but they could not get the contracts carried out through shortage of labour and materials.  With regard to South-Terrace, half the work had been done, but the contractor was waiting for the material.  If they could get the labour, etc., the work could be completed next week.

  Mr. Knight said the work had been ordered to be done some time ago.  If contractors took work which it was impossible for them to do, they should go to the property owner and let him employ somebody else if he could get others to do the work.  It was simply disgraceful for people to have to pay rent week by week and then have to walk up and down in a quagmire like that.  He commended Mr. Bazeley for bringing forward the matter.

  The Chairman said he quite agreed with Mr. Bazeley and Mr. Knight, and he thought the Sanitary Inspector should see the owners again.  If nothing was then done, the Council should take action.

  Mr. Bates proposed that the matter be referred to the Sanitary Inspector, and said the work was ordered to be done by the Council.  Rents had been raised in one case.

  The proposition was carried.

Rate

  The Chairman moved that the seal of the Council be affixed to a rate of 4s.  10d. in the £, compared with 5s. last year.  He moved that the rate be 2s.  4d. for the first half-year and 2s.  6d. for the second half.

  Considering that the poor rate had increased 4d in the £, the Council thought it would be a kindly act to reduce the district rate to the extent of 2d in the £.

  Mr. Wilmott seconded.

  Mr. Bazeley moved, as an amendment, that the rate be 5s. in the £, and said he considered it a retrogressive policy to reduce the amount.  The 2d. would neither break anyone nor set them up, and he thought it was a wrong decision.

  Mr. Bates seconded the amendment, which was defeated, and the Chairman’s proposition was carried.

Annual Meeting

  It was decided that the annual meeting of the Council should be held on May 9^th.

Thanks

  Mr. Claridge moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Spencer for the very fair and impartial manner in which he had fulfilled the duties of chairman during the past year.  The members of the Council were greatly indebted to him for the generous way in which he had treated them.  They were glad to know that Mr. Spencer had taken a keen interest, not only in the work of the Council, but in other work in the town.

  Mr. Wilmott seconded, and said that Mr. Spencer had attended practically every meeting during the year.

  The motion was carried unanimously.

  In reply, Mr. Spencer said that every member of the Council had shown him the utmost kindness and sympathy, and he believed that in the early part of the year he had the sympathy of the whole town in his bereavement.  He wished to thank the Press for their kindness, and also the number of ladies and gentlemen outside the Council, who, whenever there had been extra work to be done, had always been willing to co-operate with the Council, and this had been for the good of the town.  As a Council they had been practising strict economy, and they had saved about £1,500 during the year, the expenditure having been reduced by £1,000 and the receipts having been increased by £500, and that was the reason why the Finance Committee recommended a reduction in the rate.  He agreed with Mr. Bazeley that there was a tremendous lot of work which had been obliged to be left over, but he hoped the town would continue to prosper.  He trusted that this dreadful war would soon cease.  Many inhabitants had suffered by the war in the loss of their loved ones, and in the name of the Council he extended the deepest sympathy.  In conclusion, he moved a vote of thanks to the Vice-Chairman, which was seconded by Mr. Swindall and carried.  Mr. Wilmott, in acknowledging the vote, said he took a keen interest in the work of the Council.

Wednesday, present: Councillors J. Spencer, J.P. (chairman), T. Wilmott (vice-chairman), F. Knight, J.P., J. Claridge, J.P., C.C., J. S. Clipson, W. Bazeley, J.P., T. Swindall, J. Hyde, and G. H. Skinner, with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. F. J. Allen).

The Chair

This being the first meeting of the Council’s new year, Mr. Bazeley proposed the re-election of Mr. Spencer as chairman for the ensuing year.

In seconding, Mr. Swindall said that a great deal of extra work had been thrown upon Mr. Spencer during the past year. He thought Mr. Spencer should occupy the chair for another year, and they hoped that by the end of the year the war would be over, and then a good many of the items of business which had been put upon the Chairman would come to a finish.

The proposition was carried unanimously.

The Chairman thanked the Council for their kindness in re-electing him. It had not been of his own seeking, but he would try to do the best he could for the town. He hoped that before the year was out they would have peace, and that things would resume their normal aspect. He expressed his gratitude for the great kindness and courtesy he had received during the past year from the officials of the Council.

The Vice-Chair

Mr. Hyde proposed the re-election of Mr. Wilmott as vice-chairman, and Mr. Clipson seconded.

Mr. Claridge moved that Mr. Knight be elected vice-chairman, and said that it was most fitting that Mr. Knight should occupy that position.

Mr. Knight: I hope no one will second that, because I would very much rather not take it.

Mr. Claridge: I am very sorry, but I cannot support Mr. Wilmott’s nomination, and I cannot give a silent vote. I should feel a coward unless I uttered my opinions.

Mr. Wilmott said he had attended every meeting of the Council and the Committee. He should decline the vice-chair under such circumstances.

Mr. Wilmott ultimately consented to stand.

Messrs. Hyde, Skinner, and Clipson voted for the re-election of Mr. Wilmott. Mr Bazeley and Mr. Claridge voted against. The others did not vote.

Committees

Instead of appointing Sanitary, and Highways Committees, it was resolved that in future these matters be dealt with by the whole Council in committee.

It was decided to hold the ordinary meetings of the Council the second Wednesday in each month.

Messrs. Spencer, Wilmott, Claridge, Clipson, Knight, and Swindall were re-elected members of the Higham and Rushden Water Board.

The minutes of the Committees were then dealt with.

Plans, Etc. Committee

A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, April 25th, 1917, when there were present: Messrs. J. Spencer (chairman), Thos. Wilmott, W. Bazeley, J. S. Clipson, F. Knight, and T. Swindall.

Plans

Were presented for:-

An engine house and leather store (two separate buildings) in Harborough-road, for Mr. George Warner, and passed subject to the leather store being set back 15 feet from the domestic outbuildings.

Works After The War

A letter was received from the Local Government Board with reference to the works which this Council has suggested might be undertaken at the close of the War, and inquiring if the Council were yet in a position to make formal applications for the Loans required and to submit details and estimates of the proposed works.

It was resolved to recommend the Council to instruct the Clerk to reply that the Council are not at present in a position to make any definite proposals.

Public Clocks

A letter was received from Mr. Fisher stating that after having had charge of the clock of the Parish Church for 47 years he felt that advancing age compelled him to resign that position as from June 30th, 1917. The resignation would also include the clocks in the Council Offices and the Free Library.

It was resolved to recommend the Council to accept Mr. Fisher’s resignation, and to tender him their best thanks for the long period of faithful service.

With regard to the clocks in the Council Buildings and Free Library, the Committee considered that in future these could be conveniently attended to by the caretaker. The question of the church clock was allowed to stand over until the next meeting.

Tip-Cat

The attention of the Committee was called to the great public nuisance and danger caused by the playing of tip-cat in the streets, and the Clerk was instructed to ask the Police if they could not deal with this nuisance under the Highways Act.

The report was adopted.

Finance & Estates Committee

A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Tuesday, May 1st, 1917, at 10 a.m. when there were present: Messrs. J. Spencer (chairman), T. Wilmott, J. Claridge, and Fred Knight.

Surveyor’s Cash Account

Collector’s Accounts

  The Collector’s accounts were also examined, from which it appeared that he had collected the following sums since the last meeting:-

Treasurer’s Accounts

  The Treasurer’s accounts were also examined, from which it appeared that he had received the following sums since the last meeting:-

And that the following balances were in his hands:-

Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £656  1s.  4d. were examined and passed for payment.

Rates Department

  An application was received from Gordon S. Turner for an increase of salary and it was resolved to recommend the Council that his salary be increased by 2s.  6d. per week from this date.

Fittings Accounts

  The Surveyor submitted a number of fittings accounts, amounting to £2  0s.  1d., which for various reasons were irrecoverable.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council that same be written off.

  The report was adopted.

Health and Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, May 2^nd, 1917, when there were present: Messrs. T. Wilmott (chairman), J. Spencer, and J. Claridge.

Health and Sanitary Reports

  The report of the Medical Officer for the month of April was received.

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that during the month of April, 28 preliminary notices had been issued calling attention to nuisances, etc., all of which were receiving attention.

  One book belonging to the Free Library discovered in an infected house had been destroyed.  It was resolved to recommend the Council to replace the book.

  One lot of bedding had been destroyed after a death from Tuberculosis, and the rooms and premises sprayed and fumigated.  It was resolved to recommend the Council to replace part of the bedding destroyed at a cost not exceeding £1  7s.  6d.

  The Inspector also reported that he had inspected the drainage to the houses, Nos. 3 and 5, Pightles-terrace, which he found in a choked and defective condition.  He had met the agents to the owners on the site and the Chairman now informed the Committee that he had reason to believe that the work of putting the drains in order would be carried out at an early date.

  The Inspector also reported that, as instructed by the Council, he had again been in communication with the owners responsible for repairing the backways to South-terrace, Orchard-place, and Succoth-place, and the contractor (Mr. W. G. Wilmott) had since written stating that he was proceeding with the work forthwith.  The work of asphalting in South-terrace had already been commenced.

  The Inspector gave a detailed statement of his work during the past month.

Slaughtering of Pigs

  The Inspector of Nuisances further reported a case of pig slaughtering in other than a registered slaughter-house.  The Clerk was instructed to write to the owner of the premises in question with a caution, and stating that a repetition of his offence will be immediately followed by proceedings.

Cemetery

  The Cemetery Sub-Committee reported that they had visited the Cemetery and given the necessary instructions for preventing a recurrence of the nuisance arising from the accumulation of rubbish in the hedge in Pightles-terrace.

  The Surveyor was instructed to obtain tenders for the grazing up to March 31^st, 1918, of the unlaid-out portions of the Cemetery land, subject to the same conditions as last year.  He was also instructed to invite tenders for the mowing grass in the Council field off Park-road.

Scavenging and Daywork

  A letter was received from Mr. W. W. Smith stating that owing to the War he was compelled to ask for an advance in the prices for this carting to 10s.  0d. per day for horse, cart and man dating from April 30^th.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to accept Mr. Smith’s terms.

  On the reception of the above report, Mr. Claridge said that representations had been made to him against the closing of the path in the Council Field in Park-road while the grass was laid for hay.  There was much dissatisfaction in that part of the town at the closing of the path last summer.

  Mr. Knight and Mr. Bazeley supported Mr. Claridge’s remarks, and eventually the committee withdrew their recommendation.

  The rest of the report was adopted.

Dust

  Mr. Hyde said he had received many complaints from tradesmen about the street water-carts not being used.  If it was a question of man-labour, the tradesmen were willing to find that.

  The Surveyor said it was a matter of horses as well.