20^th April, 1923

Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman
Unemployment in The Town
The Rents of the Council Houses
Dastardly Damage to Trees

    Wednesday, present: Messrs. T. Swindall, J.P. (chairman), L. Perkins, B.Sc. (vice-chairman), F. Knight, J.P., T. Wilmott, C. E. Bayes, C. Claridge, C. W. Horrell, C.A., F. Corby, J. Spencer, J.P., J. Hornsby, C. Bates, and G. W. Coles, J.P., with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. F. S. F. Piper).

The Chair

  Mr. Swindall proposed the election of Mr. Perkins as chairman for the ensuing year.  In Mr. Perkins they would have a gentleman very capable to fulfil all the duties required of him.  Mr. Perkins was used to being in authority, and his election to the chair would be a very popular one in the town, seeing that Mr. Perkins had been high on the poll.  He had served on the Council for ten years.  That would be the first time he would have been elected to the chair.  (Hear, hear.)

  Mr. Spencer seconded, and said that under Mr. Perkins’s guidance they would all work amicably as in previous years.  He hoped that Mr. Perkins would have good health.  He could only reiterate what Mr. Swindall had said of Mr. Perkins, and was sure that he would have the loyal support of all the members.  (Hear, hear.)  The motion was carried unanimously.

  Taking the chair, Mr. Perkins thanked the members for the honour.  He said he had lived in the town for 20 years, and had long since got over the feeling of strangeness, now regarding himself as a citizen of Rushden – his home.  (Hear, hear.)  He would be quite willing to live in Rushden for the rest of his days.  He could assure them that the interest of Rushden would always have his closest attention.  He had the example of excellent chairmen to guide him.  He moved that Mr. Bates be elected vice-chairman for the coming twelve months.  Mr. Bates had already served as chairman, and he was quite sure that he would be a very good member in the vice-chair.  (Hear, hear.)

  Mr. Hornsby seconded, and said that Mr. Bates had served on the Council for 22 years, being chairman ten years ago.  He had always served the Council well. 

  The motion was carried.

  Mr. Bates thanked the members for the honour, and said he had lived and worked in Rushden for 45 years.  He hoped the chairman would have good health.

Thanks

  Mr. Perkins moved thanks to the past chairman for his services to the Council and town in the last twelve months.  On no occasion had Mr. Swindall been absent from meetings.  He had given a considerable time to the work of the Council in presiding over the Council and committee meetings.  They had always found him an able chairman.  There had not been the slightest friction whatever in either Council or committee.  (Hear, hear.)

  Mr. Spencer, seconding, said they could all look back with pleasure on the way that Mr. Swindall had fulfilled his duties as chairman in the past year.  While he had wasted no time he had allowed ample discussions.

  Thanking the members for their appreciation, Mr. Swindall said his work of the past year had been a pleasure.  The Council had not done a great amount of work during the past year.  At all times the Council had gone on in a steady, progressive manner.  They had not conducted the business in fits and starts, nor brought about improvements all at once, during the 25 years in which he had been on the Council.  During the past year the Council had brought about a number of improvements on which he would look back with pleasure.  He regarded the inauguration of Health Week with great satisfaction, and he hoped that successive chairmen of the Council would regard it as an annual affair.  The greatest improvement which had been initiated in the past, and he hoped would come about in the forthcoming year, was the widening of the bottom of Newton-road.  (Hear, hear.)  He hoped they would all keep in view the urgently needed opening as a public road of the way from the Station direct to Rectory-road.  It was all the time in their minds.  It was nothing less than a crime that people should stand in the way of such a great improvement.  (Hear, hear.)  It was very necessary to the town; nor would it be any hardship to those who granted it.  He believed the time would shortly come when they would have to take steps to get that improvement carried out.  If they got it only as far as Queen-street it would be a great boon, and it would be all the better carried through to Newton-road.  In conclusion, Mr. Swindall thanked Mr. Mason, Mr. Madin, Mr. Beetenson, and Mr. Piper for their assistance during the past year, and especially Mr. Piper for his help during Health Week, also the Press for their fair reports.

Committees

were elected as follow:-  Finance, the chairman, vice-chairman, Messrs. Horrell, Hornsby, Knight, Wilmott, and Corby;  Health and Sanitary, chairman, vice-chairman, Messrs. Swindall, Claridge, Knight, Bayes, and Spencer; Plans, Highways, and Lighting, chairman, vice-chairman, Messrs. Hornsby, Horrell, Wilmott, Coles, and Corby; Housing, Messrs. Knight, Swindall, Bayes, Hornsby, Horrell, Spencer, and Wilmott; Park, Messrs. Knight, Swindall, Perkins, Claridge, Corby, and Spencer.  The six members of the Water Board were re-elected.  Committee’s reports were then dealt with:

Allotment Committee

  A meeting of the Allotment Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, March 21^st, 1923, when there were present Messrs. J. Hornsby (chairman), T. Wilmott, C. Bates, L. Baxter, and W. Gutteridge.

  The Clerk submitted a list of allotment-holders, showing the result of the recent collection of the rents, which the committee considered satisfactory.  With the exception of Blinco-road, only two or three of the tenants were now in arrears, and it was resolved in these cases not to retain the land for them beyond the 25^th inst.  Attention was called by the Collector to the fact that some of the plots of land were changing hands without any notification to the committee, and it was decided that this could not be allowed to continue, and that anyone wishing to surrender his plot must do so by giving notice to the Council.

  The report was adopted.

Plans, Etc., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highway, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, March 28^th, 1923, when there were present: Messrs. T. Swindall (chairman), L. Perkins, C. Bates, C. E. Bayes, C. W. Horrell, J. Spencer, and T. Wilmott.

Plans

were presented for:-   Emergency staircase to factory off High-street for Mr. W. H. Davison, and allowed.

  Workshop on Nippendale Allotment at the rear of Cromwell-road for Mr. Herbert Smith, and no exception taken.

Cycle Sheds

  Applications were received from Mr. L. F. Bazeley, of 82, Washbrook-road, and Mr. F. Lovell, of 65, Midland-road, for permission to erect cycle sheds at the rear of their houses, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to take no exception thereto.

Team Labour

  Tenders were received for the supply of team labour for the ensuing six months, and it was resolved to accept those of Messrs. Holley and Spriggs, the lowest.

Scavenging

  Tenders were also received for scavenging for the ensuing six months, and that of Mr. N. M. King accepted.

  For the collection of old tins, crockery, etc., Mr. W. G. Wilmott’s tender was accepted.

Road Materials

  The Surveyor was instructed to advertise for tenders for granite and slag for the ensuing year, and submit to the next meeting.

Public Lighting

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to cease general lighting on April 22^nd next, but to continue lighting the lamps in High-street for a further fortnight after that date.

Main Roads

  The Surveyor submitted a letter from the County Surveyor stating that his Roads and Bridges Committee had considered the Council’s estimate for the maintenance of the main roads in this district for the ensuing year and had allowed the same at £2,060.  It was resolved to recommend the Council to accept this sum.

Public Seats

  Attention was called to the lack of public seats in various parts of the town, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to instruct the Surveyor to have some placed as follow:-

  Kimbolton-road (near the Hayway), Wellingborough-road, two (near Mr. W. G. Wilmott’s house, and at its junction with Kimbolton-road), Irchester-road (near Knuston Spinney), Bedford-road, and Wymington-road.

  The report was adopted.

Housing Committee

  A meeting of the Housing Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, March 28^th, 1923, when there were present:  Messrs. Fred Knight (chairman), T. Swindall, C. E. Bayes, J. Hornsby, C. W. Horrell, J. Spencer, and T. Wilmott.

King’s-Road Cottages

  It was reported to the committee that one of these houses would shortly be vacant, and a new tenant was accordingly selected for same.

Assisted Housing Scheme

  The committee considered at length a list of 32 applicants for houses, which had been prepared by the Rates Clerk, and selected tenants therefrom for the eight additional houses, which it was understood would shortly be ready for occupation.

  Mr. Knight, having presented the above report, said it had come to his knowledge that trees that had been planted to beautify the town had been cut all round, destroying their growth.  He suggested that a reward be offered for information leading to the detection of the persons concerned.

  Mr. Hornsby seconded, and it was agreed that notices be published offering 10s. reward to people giving such information.  The report was adopted.

Finance and Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, April 11^th, 1923, at 10 a.m., when there were present: Messrs. T. Swindall (chairman), L. Perkins, C. Bates, C. E. Bayes, J. Hornsby, F. Knight, and T. Wilmott.

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

Treasurer’s Accounts

  The committee also examined the Treasurer’s accounts, from which it appeared that he had received the following sums during the past month:

And that the following balances were in his hands:

Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £1,577  10s. were examined and passed for payment.

Memorandum of General District Rate

  The Rates Clerk submitted the following memorandum of general district rate:-

Rate made Oct. 11^th, 1922

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

Revision of Rates

  A letter was received from the Rushden Labour Party and Trades Council asking that in any revision of rates from time to time the Council would issue a statement showing the effect of such revision on the rents of the cottages in the district.

  It was pointed out that this had already been done in the recent reduction, and would no doubt be done in future revisions, and the Clerk was instructed to reply accordingly.

Unemployment Relief

  A letter was received from the Northampton Chamber of Commerce enclosing a copy of a report of a special committee appointed by the Association of British Chambers of Commerce, which had been approved by that Chamber, calling attention to the overlapping in the administration of the various reliefs in the country and asking this Council to support the recommendations contained in the report with regard thereto.  No action was taken.

  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 11^th, 1923, when there were present: Messrs. L. Perkins (chairman), T. Swindall, C. Claridge, G. W. Coles, F. Corby, J. Hornsby, and Fred Knight.

Health and Sanitary Reports

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

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that since the last meeting 22 nuisances had been dealt with, and of that number eight had been abated.

  A quantity of beef, mutton, and pork offal, to the weight of 1qr. 6lb., all voluntarily surrendered, had been examined and found to be unfit for human consumption and destroyed in the usual way.

  Eight rooms had been disinfected after cases of infectious disease and a quantity of bedlinen, etc., disinfected at the depot.

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

Factory and Workshop Act

  The Inspector also reported that since the last meeting two outworkers’ lists had been received.

Petroleum Acts

  An application was received from Mr. C. A. Hedley for permission to store 25 gallons of Benzol in a store at the rear of his house, 92, High-street, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accede thereto.

Milk and Dairies Act, 1922

  Applications were received for registration under this Act as follow:-

Retail Purveyor – Mr. R. Marriott;

Cowkeepers and Wholesalers – Messrs. R. Marriott, Asher Abbott, John Clark, and W. B. Sanders;

And it was resolved to recommend the Council that their names be placed on the respective registers.

Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milkshops Order

  The quarterly report of the Veterinary Inspector was received, from which it appeared that on March 6^th, 13^th, and 15^th he made his quarterly inspection of the dairy cows in this district, visiting 28 premises and inspecting 164 cows, making an individual examination of each udder.  The whole of the cows, with one exception, were clinically normal.

  The committee considered the report very satisfactory.

Collection of House Refuse

  The Surveyor was instructed to obtain prices for covered carts for use in connection with the collection of house refuse, and submit to the next meeting, when it was understood the whole question of refuse disposal would be considered.

Cemetery

  The Cemetery Sub-Committee reported that they had visited and inspected the fence dividing the cemetery field and Pightles-terrace, which they found in a very bad state of repair, and now recommended that a chestnut fencing, at an estimated cost of £25, be fixed close to the hedge from Grove-street to the cemetery gates.

  The committee approved, and resolved to recommend the Council accordingly, and also resolved to recommend the Council that gate be fixed in the fence near Grove-street, at an estimated cost of £5.

  The sub-committee also recommended that a copy of the Cemetery Regulations be posted in a frame near the chapel in form similar to the scale of charges.

  The committee approved.

Public Lavatories

  The Surveyor was instructed to prepare a scheme for the proposed widening of the west end of Newton-road in connection with the construction of public lavatories there, and submit to the next meeting.

  The report was adopted.

Park Committee

  A meeting of the Park Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, April 11^th, 1923, when there were present, Messrs. F. Knight (chairman), T. Swindall, L. Perkins, C. Claridge, G. W. Coles, F. Corby, and J. Spencer.

Tennis Shelter

  The committee considered the question of the provision of a shelter in connection with the tennis courts, and it was resolved that the wooden building until recently used as a store at the hospital be removed to Spencer Park and converted into a shelter, at an estimated cost of £35.

  The chairman and Surveyor were requested to meet at the park and fix the site.

Tennis Frame and Netting

  The Surveyor submitted an estimate from Messrs. Wicksteed Limited, of Kettering, for the supply of the framework for enclosing the tennis courts amounting to £35  14s., and it was resolved that the estimate be accepted and the work put in hand at once.

  A quantity of 1⅜in. mesh wire netting would also be required, the cost of which would be £1  14s. per roll.  The Surveyor was authorised to purchase the necessary quantity.

  The report was adopted.

Serious Unemployment

  A letter was read from the Ministry of Labour dated March 23^rd, in reply to one the Clerk had written on March 15^th calling the attention of the Ministry to the increased number of unemployed in the district.  It was stated now that the position had been inquired into gain, and the Minister felt justified in granting a certificate to the effect that serious unemployment existed in the area.

 The Chairman said it was very satisfactory to have got the letter, although the facts represented a serious state of affairs.  It allowed them to go forward with relief schemes.

  It was resolved that the proposed scheme of improvement of High-street North (the junction of Washbrook-road to Mr. Cave’s house, at an estimated cost of £600) be pressed again on the Ministry of Transport, with the object of getting a substantial grant.

  Mr. Bates said that the number of unemployed on the register that afternoon in the Rushden district was 401.

  Mr. Spencer: A further increase.

The Feast

  Mr. Charles Thurston wrote asking for the use of Spencer Park for his roundabouts, etc. for Rushden Feast week.  In reply to a question, the Clerk said that the Council had always charged Mr. Thurston £20, before, during, and after the war.

  It was decided to refer the application to the Finance Committee.

House Rents

  The Clerk read a letter from the Ministry of Health, dated March 21^st, replying to one he had written on March 15^th, relative to the rents of the new Council houses.  The letter stated that on the information at present available it did not appear to the Minister that rents lower than those already agreed on could be justified, having regard to the provision of Schedule B of the Local Authorities Assisted Housing Schemes Regulation, 1919.

  Mr. Mason said that since he had received the above letter the District Valuer had visited Rushden and had made inquiries as to rents of houses in the town.  No doubt the Council would hear again.

Open Space

  Mr. Perkins, in accordance with notice given, moved that the gates of the open space in High-street South be left unlocked in the daytime for the use of old people only.  The space would have been open to the public from the beginning but for damage done by young people.  He would not say it was schoolchildren – they were often blamed for the older offenders.  He would not suggest a time for closing the gates, but he felt it should be locked in the evenings.

  There being no seconder, the motion could not be put to the vote.

  The Clerk, referring to a copy of the minutes, said that on May 24^th, 1911, Mr. John Claridge in the chair, the council resolved that the space be kept open from 8 a.m. to sunset.  On June 14^th, 1911, ten days less than a month later, Mr. J. Claridge again in the chair, it was resolved that the gate be kept locked owing to considerable damage being done to the trees, etc.

  Mr. Perkins said it would have been better to have found the culprits and made examples of them.  Damage had been done on the Green since the improvement, but they could not close the Green, nor was it right that they should.  Therefore they ought to apply the same rule to the High-street South space.

......................

11^th May, 1923

Mr. Thurston and The Feast Ground
Co-operative Women and The Housing Bill
War-Time Allotments

  Wednesday, present: Messrs. L. Perkins, B.Sc., J.P., (chairman), C. Bates (vice-chairman), T. Swindall, T. Wilmott, C. E. Bayes, C. Claridge, F. Knight, J.P., C. W. Horrell, C.A., F. Corby, J. Spencer, J. Hornsby, and G. W. Coles, J.P., with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. F. S. F. Piper).

  Reading out of the minutes, the Clerk said that the scheme of the proposed improvement of the junction of Washbrook-road and Higham-road had been submitted to the Ministry of Transport in view of the serious unemployment in the town.  An acknowledgement had been received from the Ministry.

Plans, &c., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, April 30^th, 1923, when there were present:-

  Messrs. L. Perkins, C. Bates, G. W. Coles, J. Hornsby, C. W. Horrell, and T. Wilmott.

Chairman

  It was resolved that Mr. Wilmott be elected Chairman of this Committee for the ensuing year.

Sub-Committees

  The following Sub-Committees were elected:-

Lighting and Fire Brigade: Messrs. Wilmott, Bates, and Horrell.

[Next line on fold and unreadable]

Plans

were presented for:-

House and shop in Washbrook-road for Mr. Smith and passed.

----------- house in High-street for the London Midland and Scottish Railway, and no exception taken subject to the ------- being built in accordance with the Surveyor’s report to the Committee.

Miscellaneous Wooden Buildings

  Applications were received from Messrs. Warren, Newton-road, E. Bandey, of Brookfield and Glassbrook-roads, Lawrence, 47, Grove-road, A. Head, Griffith-street, and W. L. Beetenson, Wellingborough-road, for permission to erect small wooden buildings near their premises and it was resolved to recommend the Council to take no exception thereto.

Road Materials

  The Surveyor submitted tenders for the supply of road materials for the ensuing year and he, together with Mr. Wilmott, were authorised to make a selection therefrom and give the necessary orders.

King’s Road

  A letter was received from Messrs. Hacksley Bros., of Wellingborough, calling attention to an alleged encroachment by the Council on their property in ------ of the boundary fences of Nos. 28 ------- King’s-road.  The Surveyor submitted a plan of the Rectory Estate, of which King’s-road forms part, and also a plan of the Rock Estate, each of which had a perfectly straight line in accordance with the fences as they stand, and the Clerk was instructed to so inform Messrs. Hacksley Bros.

Building Bye-Laws

  The Clerk read a letter from the Ministry of Health enquiring if anything had yet been done by the Council with regard to the adoption of their new model Building Bye-laws.

  The Chairman and Mr. Perkins were asked to confer with the Surveyor ------- and report to the next meeting.

  The report was adopted.

Finance and Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, May 2^nd, 1923, when there were present:-  Messrs. L. Perkins, C. Bates, J. Hornsby, C. W. Horrell, and T. Wilmott.

Chairman

  It was resolved that Mr. Perkins be elected Chairman of this Committee for the ensuing year.

Collector’s Accounts

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

Treasurer’s Accounts

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

  And that the following balances were in his hands:-

Surveyor’s Cash Account

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

Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £930  10s.  0d. were examined and passed for payment.

Spencer Park

  The application from Mr. Thurston for the use of part of Spencer Park for his amusements during Feast week 1923, referred to this Committee by the Council at their last meeting, was considered.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to accede to the application upon the same terms as last year, viz. £20, Mr. Thurston to make good any damage caused.

Newton Road Improvement
Public Conveniences

  The Clerk read a letter received from the Charity Commission from which it appeared there would be no difficulty in the proposed purchase of the Clerk’s house from the Rector and Churchwardens.  The Council would have to pay the whole of the costs of the Trustees, incidental to the sale, including a valuation by an independent Surveyor acting on behalf of the Trustees.

Classified Roads

  The Clerk reported that as instructed he had made application to the Ministry of Transport for sanction to a reduction in the surveyor’s salary.  A letter had since been received making various queries as to the dates of the variations made in the salary and further enquiring if the Surveyor agreed to the proposed reduction.

  Having regard to the fact that £200 of the salary had been allotted for work in connection with classified roads and that the Ministry had offered to contribute £100 per annum towards this amount, it was resolved to recommend the Council to withdraw the application and to rescind such part of the resolution of the Council of the 13^th December, 1922, as referred to the salary of this official.

  On the reception of the report, Mr. Corby said he thought that the sum of £20 suggested to be charged to Mr. Thurston for the use of Spencer Park was not sufficient.  He was not able to attend the Finance Committee meeting or he would have opposed the motion.

  Mr. Spencer said he agreed.  He moved that the sum be altered to £40.

  Mr. Swindall seconded and said he had held the same view for many years past.  He considered that Mr. Thurston had been let off too lightly;  £20 was not nearly enough.

  Mr. Hornsby said that the Committee had borne in mind past experience and they did not think it would be wise to alter the amount charged.  Mr. Thurston made good the damage and he did not occupy more than two acres.

  Mr. Knight said that if he had been able to attend the Committee meeting he would have supported the recommendation of the Committee.  They had never had any trouble as a result of Mr. Thurston’s visits.  He had always kept order – not an easy matter with the class of people who usually attended fairs.  Mr. Thurston always promptly paid for the repairing if necessary of the Park.  He had given a donation to the Rushden War Memorial, and had presented a valuable cup to the Spencer Park Bowls Club.  The £20 did not include all that Mr. Thurston spent in the town.

  Voting for the amendment were Messrs. Bates, Swindall, Bayes, Corby, and Spencer, and as all the others, excluding the Chairman, voted against the amendment it was lost.

  On the question of the proposed rescinding of a resolution affecting the Surveyor’s salary, Mr. Spencer moved that the matter be referred back to the Committee.  He said he had no personal feeling on the subject, but he was opposed to the principle of one officer of the Council having his salary maintained at the war-time figure and others being reduced.

  Mr. Coles seconded the motion and said he did so entirely on principle, having the highest esteem for Mr. Madin.

  Mr. Horrell opposed and said that the Ministry were no doubt anxious to ensure that the officers towards whose salaries they made a contribution should be of high qualifications.  Further, it was by no means sure that the Council would save the sum they had suggested to the Ministry for reduction.

  Other members also spoke, and, put to the vote, the amendment was lost.

  Mr. Wilmott then moved that the matter be referred to the whole Council in committee.

  This was seconded by Mr. Coles and carried nem. com.

  The Committee’s report thus amended was passed.

Health and Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 2^nd May, 1923, when there were present:- Messrs. L. Perkins, C. Bates, C. e. Bayes, F. Knight, C Claridge, and T. Swindall.

Chairman

  It was resolved that Mr. Bates be appointed Chairman of this Committee for the ensuing year.

Sub-Committees

  The following Sub-Committees were appointed:-

  Cemetery: Messrs. Perkins, Claridge, and Knight.

  Farm: Messrs. Bates, Spencer, and Swindall.

  Depot: Mr. Bayes.

Health and Sanitary Reports

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

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that since the last meeting 23 nuisances had been dealt with of which number nine had been abated, and of the outstanding nuisances 22 had been abated.

  Following cases of infectious disease seven rooms had been disinfected, and at the sewage farm, at the request of the owners, a quantity of bedding had been destroyed.

  A quantity of park and beef offal to the weight of 2 qrs. 17 lbs., all voluntarily surrendered, had been destroyed in the usual way as being unfit for food.  One carcase of a pig had been submitted for inspection and found to be fit for food.

  The Inspector gave a detailed statement of his work since the last meeting.

Milk and Dairies Act, 1922

  An application was received from Mr. A. J. Waller, of 75, Midland-road, to be registered as a retail purveyor of milk at that address.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council that he be registered as such, subject to his store being constructed to the satisfaction of the Inspector.

Petroleum Acts

  An application was received from Mr. Arthur Okins, of 16, High-street South, for a renewal of his petrol licence, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accede thereto.

Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act 1919

  A letter was received from the Ministry of Agriculture enquiring what steps had been taken for carrying out the provisions of this Act in Rushden and enclosing circulars and forms with regard thereto.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council that the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. Piper) be appointed as the Officer under the Act.

Cemetery

  The Surveyor suggested that a short extract from the Regulations be posted at the entrances to the Cemetery on the Newton-road and Park-road.

  The Committee approved and instructed him to do what was necessary.

House Refuse

  The Surveyor reported on the amount of house refuse collected and the cost, and also presented an estimate of the expense of providing covered carts for the purpose, including horses, if the Council so decided.  As the whole matter depended upon the method to be ultimately adopted for the disposal of the refuse it was resolved to adjourn further consideration until the Surveyor, with members of the Committee, could visit and inspect the apparatus provided by other towns of a similar size.  The Surveyor undertook to present a list of such towns to the next meeting.

  The report was adopted.

Allotment Committee

  A meeting of the Allotments Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, May 2^nd, 1923, when there were present:- Messrs. J. Hornsby (chairman), C. Bates, T. Wilmott, L. Baxter, and W. Gutteridge.

  The Clerk read a letter from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries stating that the Ministry agreed to County Court proceedings being taken against those cultivators who had not paid the rent due in respect of their plots.  The Clerk submitted a list of the cultivators in arrears and it was resolved to recommend the Council to institute proceedings against such of them as had not paid within 14 days from the next Council meeting, to recover the arrears of rent and for the possession of the property.

  The Clerk reported that he had received complaints from some of the owners that the plots occupied exceeded in area the amount paid for, and the Committee decided to instruct Mr. Adnitt to make a survey of the plots in question.

  The report was adopted.

Gas

  Mr. Swindall reported on a meeting of representatives of municipal authorities at Northampton that he had attended, called for the purpose of recommending from the County Council that that authority appoint a gas examiner for Rushden, Irthlingborough, Raunds, Wellingborough, and other town jointly, and he moved that Rushden fall into line with the others.  Rushden’s contribution, he said, would be £20 a year.

  Mr. Spencer seconded, and it was carried.

Housing

  The Clerk read a letter from the Rushden Women’s Co-operative Guild urging the Council to adopt powers under the Housing Bill before Parliament when it became an Act and erect as many houses as possible in view of the terrible shortage.

  Mr. Knight, reporting on a meeting of the Housing Committee held just before that meeting, said that when Parliament had settled the matter the Rushden Council would immediately take steps to build more houses.  He was very glad that the ladies were taking in interest in housing.  It would be a stimulus to the Committee.

  Mr. Coles said he understood that local authorities were recommended by the Ministry of Health to prepare and submit schemes pending Parliamentary settlement.

  The Chairman said that that was so.  It was for the Housing Committee to deal with that point.

  Mr. Coles said he hoped they would not delay.  If they waited for the Bill to pass there would be many others wanting attention and with the delays in getting materials the winter months would have come before anything was done.