At the annual meeting of this Council on Wednesday night there were present Messrs. W. Bazeley (retiring chairman), G. H. Skinner (vice-chairman), J. Claridge, F. Knight, G. Miller, F. Ballard, J. S. Clipson, T. Swindall, J. Paragreen, C. Bates, and A. J. Dobbs, with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. W. G. F. Kingston).

For Services Rendered

  Mr. Swindall moved that the best thanks of the Council be given to the retiring Chairman, Mr. Bazeley, for his services during the year.  From his position in the Trade Union it might have been thought by some that Mr. Bazeley would show a leaning towards his party.  That would have been natural perhaps, but Mr. Bazeley had put all his feelings on one side and had acted in a most impartial manner.  In addition to that, he had been punctual and regular in his attendance and had treated all the members of the Council with great courtesy.  (Applause.)

  Mr. Skinner seconded the motion and said Mr. Bazeley had treated him very courteously and had carried out the duties of the Chairman most efficiently.

  Mr. Claridge supported, and said he fully endorsed all that had been said about the way Mr. Bazeley had carried out his duties.  He could not see his way last year to support Mr. Bazeley’s election to the chair, but he felt he must now bear testimony to the way in which Mr. Bazeley had conducted the business.  The retiring Chairman had discharged his duties faithfully and well.  (Applause.)

  Mr. Miller also supported the motion and said no member was able to raise the slightest objection to Mr. Bazeley’s rulings.

  The motion was carried withy acclamation.

  Mr. Bazeley, in reply, said he did not need thanks, but he was very gratified with the cordial way in which they had received the motion.  He had tried to give everyone fair play as was his duty, and his thanks were due to the Council for the way in which they had supported him.  Few chairmen had taken the office under more unpromising conditions than he did, and if it had not been for the belief that the interest of labour ought to be recognised he would probably have refused the position.  The members, however, had given him their support, as they promised, and had made his year of office very pleasant.  (Applause.)

  Mr. Knight moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Skinner for his services as vice-chairman, and also wished to associate himself with what had been said as to Mr. Bazeley’s work.

  Mr. Bazeley seconded the motion.

  Mr. Ballard supported, and said that Mr. Skinner’s work had been done most satisfactorily to the Council.

  The motion was carried unanimously, and Mr. Skinner briefly replied.

  On the motion of Mr. Clipson, seconded by Mr. C. Bates, a similar vote was accorded to the Clerk, Surveyor, Inspector, and the Press.

  Speaking in support, Mr. Bazeley said that with such officials the Council had there was not much fear that the business of the town would go far wrong.  He also spoke highly of the way in which the meetings of the Council were reported.

Election of Chairman, Etc.

  Mr. Bazeley proposed the election of Mr. Skinner as Chairman for the ensuing year, and expressed the hope that he would enjoy good health to carry out his duties.

  Mr. Miller seconded the motion and referred in high terms to Mr. Skinner’s long connection with the governing body of the town.

  The motion was carried unanimously amid applause.

  Mr. Skinner, in taking the chair, thanked the Council for his election and said he fully appreciated the responsibility of the office.  He hoped that he would, however, received the same support which had been given to his predecessors.  He was a Rushden-bred man and hoped to live in the town all his life, but he could not claim to have any pet scheme to bring before them.  He had much pleasure in proposing Mr. Claridge’s name for the vice-chair, for he wanted a strong man by his side.

  Mr. Claridge said that motion came as a surprise to him, and while thanking Mr. Skinner he wished to propose the election of Mr. Knight.

  Mr. Clipson, in seconding Mr. Knight’s appointment, said Mr. Knight made a very able chairman some years ago and it was time he got into harness again.

  The motion was unanimously carried.

  Mr. Knight thanked the Council, and said if it was their wish he should serve as vice-chairman he would do so to the best of his ability.

  The committees were then appointed.

Plans, Etc., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 31^st March, 1909, when there were present:- Messrs. W. Bazeley (chairman), G. H. Skinner, J. Claridge, J. S. Clipson, A. J. Dobbs, F. Knight and T. Swindall.

Plans

were presented by:-

  Messrs. Sanders and Sanders for gas plant shed and coke store adjoining their new factory in Spencer-road and passed.

  Mr. E. Robinson for stable and coach house at the rear of No. 59, Robert-street, and passed.

  Mr. C. W. Horrell for additions to his factory in Moor-road and rejected on the ground that the proposed buildings would project beyond the front main walls of other buildings in the same street.

  Mr. C. Sanders for alteration to out-buildings at the rear of No. 15, Park-road, and passed.

  Mr. George Selwood for additions to his house on the Newton-road and passed.

  Mr. William Packwood for two houses in Kings-road and passed.

  Mr. Robert Marriott for motor shed at the rear of house on the Irchester-road and passed.

Duck Street

  The Surveyor submitted a plan of the proposed improvement at the junction of Duck-street and Fitzwilliam-street which was approved and the work ordered to be proceeded with.

Hayway

  A memorial was received from the occupiers of the west side of the Hayway requesting the Council to make up and asphalt the footpath on that side.

  A letter was also received from Mr. C. A. K. Green with a similar request on behalf of the east side.

  The Committee were unable to recommend that the footpaths be asphalted, but instructed the Surveyor to have gravel laid down where required.

Griffith Street

  The Surveyor submitted a plan of the proposed improvement at the bottom of Griffith-streeet and an estimate of the cost amounting to £28/7/6. It was resolved that the matter be deferred until the estimates for the ensuing year come up for consideration.

Wentworth Road

  The Surveyor reported that this road had been made up by the owners to his satisfaction.  It was resolved to recommend the Council to issue the usual notices declaring same a public highway repairable by the inhabitants at large.

Washbrook Road

    The Surveyor submitted his estimate of the cost of fencing in the open space at the bottom of Washbrook-road and planting with shrubs, amounting to £32/1/0.  It was resolved that the matter be adjourned until the consideration of next year’s estimates.

Kilburn Place and Elm Street

  The Surveyor was instructed in preparing plans and specifications for the making up of these streets under the Private Street Works Act, 1892, to follow the lines adopted for Wentworth-road.  The report was adopted.

Finance and Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 7^th April, 1909, at 10 a.m., when there were present: Messrs. W. Bazeley (chairman), F. Ballard, J. Claridge, and G. H. Skinner.

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 District Rate Account

  The Collector’s District Rate Account was examined from which it appeared that he had collected the following sum since the last meeting:-

Collector’s Fittings Account

  The Committee also examined the Collector’s Fittings account and found that he had collected the following sum since the meeting:-

Cemetery Registrar’s Account

  The Cemetery Registrar’s account was also examined, from which it appeared that the following sum had been paid to him since the last meeting:-

Green Tolls Account

  The Green Tolls account was also examined from which it appeared that the following sum had been paid on this account during the past year:-

Treasurer’s Accounts

  The Committee also examined the Treasurer’s accounts from which it appeared that the following sums had been paid to him on the following accounts since the last meeting:-

  And that the following balances were in hand on the undermentioned accounts:-

Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £294/18/5 were examined and passed for payment.

Memorandum of General District Rate

  Rate made the 26^th day of October, 1908.

  A list of the irrecoverable arrears was submitted by the Collector and ordered to 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, the 7^th April, 1909, at 7 p.m. when there were present:- Messrs. G. H. Skinner (Chairman), W. Bazeley, C. Bates, G. Miller, and J. Paragreen.

Health and Sanitary Reports

  The Medical Officer reported that 14 cases of infectious disease had been notified since the last meeting, viz., six of scarlet fever, two of erysipelas, five of diphtheria, and one of pulmonary tuberculosis.  The diphtheria cases did not appear to be of a very infectious nature.

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that 56 informal notices had been served since the last meeting calling attention to nuisances and contraventions of the Bye-laws, etc., and had for the most part received attention.

  The Inspector also reported that the yards at the rear of Mrs. Brawn’s property in Woburn Place were in a bad condition.  He was instructed to write to Mrs. Brawn calling her attention thereto and to recommend the laying down of a quantity of gravel in the yards.

  The Inspector also reported that the notice served on Mr. C. Wiggins to provide a proper w.c. to his house had not been complied with.

  The Chairman and Mr. Bazeley were appointed a Sub-Committee to visit the premises and report to the next meeting.

  The Inspector informed the Committee that in four instances books belonging to the Public Library had been found in infected houses and had been destroyed.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to replace the books at a cost not exceeding 16/0.

  An application was received from Mr. Geo. Chettle for a renewal of his knacker’s yard licence.  The Inspector stated that all his requirements with regard to the drainage had been complied with.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to accede to the application.

  In consequence of there having been several cases of diphtheria connected with the Newton-road Infant Schools the Inspector, with the sanction of the Committee, proposed fumigating the class rooms during the Easter holidays.

  Approved.

Messrs. Groome’s Factory

  Mr. G. H. Groome attended the meeting with regard to the sanitary accommodation at this factory and asked that the existing conditions might be allowed to remain.

  It was resolved to further consider the matter at a special meeting to be held on the 21^st April, at 6.30 p.m.

Pig Keeping

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that on visiting Mr. W. W. Smith’s premises in Griffith-street he found that pigs were again being kept there within a distance of 80 feet from a dwelling house and in contravention of the Council’s bye-laws.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to take proceedings before the magistrates against Mr. Smith for a breach of the nuisance bye-laws.

Refuse Receptacles

  The Inspector of Nuisances submitted a report with regard to a number of houses, showing the nature of the accommodation afforded for the deposit of refuse.

  It appeared to the committee by this report that the several houses therein referred to were without a sufficient ashpit, ashtub, or other receptacle for the deposit of refuse, and it was resolved to report to the Council accordingly with a recommendation that notices be served upon the respective owners requiring them within one month to provide for each house a portable galvanised receptacle with light fitting lid.

Public Health Congress, 1909

  A communication from the Lord Mayor of Leeds was received inviting this Council to appoint delegates to attend the meetings of the Congress.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to appoint their Surveyor, Mr. W. B. Madin, as delegate to attend the same.

  The Chairman, referring to the paragraph in the report relating to Mr. W. W. Smith’s premises, said he was informed the pigs had now been removed, and he understood that proceedings would not therefore be necessary.

  Mr. Ballard: What guarantee have we that Mr. Smith won’t have another lot there before the next meeting?  We have had this difficulty time after time.

  Mr. Bates: What is the position of the Council if he has pigs there to-morrow morning?

  Mr. Claridge: When did he remove them?

  The Inspector: Yesterday.

  The Chairman: I don’t think we shall have any more trouble.

  Mr. Ballard: I take it that if Mr. Smith puts the pigs there again we should at once take action and not withdraw.

  Mr. Dobbs asked why proceedings need be withdrawn now.  It seemed to him that Mr. Smith thought he had the Council on a bit of string.  The Council were not so hard on Mr. Smith as they were on boys throwing stones at chestnut trees.

  The Chairman: We decided that if the pigs were not removed we would take action.

  In reply to a question, the Clerk said that on the last occasion when the matter was before the Council Mr. Smith gave a written undertaking that he would not keep pigs on the premises again.

  Mr. Ballard:  Then I will propose that proceedings be taken in this case.

  Mr. Paragreen said he would second the motion, seeing that the agreement had been broken.

  Mr. Swindall moved and Mr. Claridge seconded that proceeding be taken only if pigs are again placed on the premises.

  Mr. Bazeley said he should support Mr. Ballard’s motion.  Mr. Smith had not treated the Council right, though he had every chance, and they had no guarantee that he would not repeat the offence.

  It was resolved by six votes to three to institute proceedings in the present case.

  The remainder of the report was adopted.

A Sanitary Matter

  It was reported that at a special meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee that evening, it was decided to call on Messrs. Groome to provide a sufficient number of w.c.s at their factory.

Old Age Pensions

  A letter was received from the County Council stating that the local Pension Committee would at an early date consider the question of the re-appointment of local sub-committees.  The Local Government Board had sanctioned an increase in the number of members on the Rushden Sub-Committee from 9 to 11, and the observations of the Rushden Council on the subject were invited.

  Mr. Miller and Mr. Bazeley thought the Rushden Committee had worked very smoothly and that Rushden was adequately represented.

  Mr. Ballard thought that if they suggested an increase in the number of Rushden representatives, the members of the various sick benefit societies in the town should be asked for a nomination.

  It was resolved to re-nominate the present representatives.

The Medical Officership

  In reply to a letter from the Council, the Local Government Board wrote that in expressing their views on the subject of the appointment of the Medical Officer they made no particular reference.  They considered it advisable that Rushden and neighbouring authorities should combine to appoint a Medical Officer who should devote the whole or at any rate a great part of his time to his public duties.  In view of Dr. Morris’s great age, they did not suggest he should take up the appointment.  They limited their sanction of Dr. Morris’s appointment to July to make it coincide with his appointment by the Wellingborough rural District Council.  Before July it was hoped that the Councils concerned would consider the question of making a joint appointment.

  The Chairman proposed that the matter be referred to the Sanitary Committee.

  Mr. Claridge seconded the motion, and expressed the opinion that the policy suggested was a very good one.  He hoped the Sanitary Committee would meet at once and communicate with the other authorities.

  The motion was carried.

Vote of Sympathy

  Mr. Ballard referred to the continued absence of Mr. C. E. Bayes through illness, and said it was something like three months since they had him with them.  He had visited Mr. Bayes this week and trusted that they would soon have him with them again.  He proposed that a vote of sympathy be sent to the absent member.

  The Chairman, in seconding, said he was sure they all had great sympathy with Mr. Bayes and his family.

  The motion was carried.

Small Holdings

  Mr. Miller said they would all be aware that the scheme for taking the Rectory Farm for small holdings had been wrecked by financial considerations.  He very much regretted that, but he had to announce that an enquiry would be held next week in that room if possible on behalf of the County Council.  He hoped the men would not think that the committee at Northampton were not doing their duty.  They had found the land, only to find that the men could not take it up, but they were not going to sit down because that particular scheme did not come off.  He hoped every applicant for land would attend the inquiry.

Tarring The Roads

  The Surveyor introduced the question of tarring the main street through the town and said the County Council would contribute half the cost, which would be about £60.

  It was decided that the necessary steps should be taken in conjunction with the County surveyor to tar the road from Harborough-road to the front of the Victoria Hotel.