Thanks To Retiring Chairman and Vice-Chairman

Regret at Non-Return of Councillors

  The last meeting of the “old” Rushden Urban District Council was held on Wednesday, when there were present Messrs. J. Hornsby, J.P. (chairman), F. Corby (vice-chairman), T. Wilmott, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Roe, A. Allebone, C.C., D. G. Greenfield, M.D., W. C. Tarry, C. Claridge, F. Knight, J.P., J. Allen, T. Swindall, C. W. Horrell, C.A., L. Perkins, M.B.E., J. Spencer, J.P., G. W. Coles, J.P., and W. Bazeley, J.P., with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Surveyor (Mr. J. W. Lloyd), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. F. S. F. Piper).

Plans, Etc., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, March 21, 1928, when there were present: Messrs. J. Hornsby (chairman), A. Allebone, G. W. Coles, C. W. Horrell, F. Knight, T. F. B. Newberry, T. Swindall, and T. Wilmott.

Plans

were presented for:-

  House in Purvis-road for Mr. A. E. Cook, and passed.

  House in Purvis-road for Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Woods, and passed.

  House on the St. Crispin Estate for Mr. F. C. Rice and passed.

  Applications for subsidies in respect of the foregoing houses were received, together with estimates of the cost thereof, which did not exceed in any case, including the cost of the land, £620.  It was resolved to recommend the Council to issue certificates in respect of same as coming within the Council’s scheme for the subsidy of £70 each.

  House in Higham-road for Mr. S. Pallett, and passed.

  House in Higham-road for Mr. H. E. Wilmott, and passed.

  House in Wellingborough-road for Mr. W. R. Hewitt, and passed.

  A branch office in High-street for the Northampton Town and County Benefit Building Society, and passed.

  Additions to factory in Beech-road for Mr. H. Mackness, and passed.

  Additions to factory in Spencer-road for Messrs. Sanders and Sanders, and passed.

  Additional kitchen to premises in High-street for the Waverley Hotel Co., Ltd., and passed.

  Greenhouse to No 90, Washbrook-road, for Mr. W. Bridgeford, and passed.

Post Office Telegraphs

  An application was received from the Superintendent Engineer of the Post Office for the Council’s consent to place poles in Brookfield-road and Allen-road.  The Clerk reported that in accordance with the standing instructions the usual consent had been given.

Electric Supply Co. Ltd

  A notice from this Company was received of their intention to lay underground cables in Denmark-road.

Road Materials

  The Surveyor submitted tenders for the ensuing year’s supply of road materials, and a sub-committee consisting of the Chairman and Mr. Wilmott was appointed to go through them and instruct the Surveyor to place orders for the current year’s requirements.

Team Labour

  Tenders were received for daywork carting for the ensuing six months, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to divide the work between Messrs. Ashford and Son, C. Spriggs, and C. Holley at the respective prices quoted by them, as was done during the last year.

Public Lighting

  It was resolved to cease full lighting after April 21^st and adopt the same procedure as last year with regard to the High-street and the all-night lamps.

Classified Roads

  The Surveyor submitted his estimate for the maintenance of these roads during the ensuing year as follows:

  No. 1.  £936          No. 2.  £975

  The committee approved.

Irchester-Road

  The Surveyor was requested to interview the County surveyor on his next visit to Rushden with a view to an early application being made for the maining of this road from Knuston Spinney to the Higham road.

  The report was adopted.

Health and Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, March 28^th, 1928, when there were present : Messrs. F. Corby (chairman), J. Hornsby, J. Allen, W. Bazeley, T. F. B. Newberry and W. C. Tarry.

Health and Sanitary Reports

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

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that since the last meeting 19 additional nuisances had been dealt with and eight abated.

  Forty-three visits had been made to premises where food was prepared or sold, during which inspections a quantity of beef offal to the weight of 2qr. 18lb. had been discovered to be unfit for human consumption and destroyed in the usual way.

  Eight rooms had been disinfected after cases of infectious disease.  A quantity of bedding had been disinfected at the Depot and a quantity destroyed at the Sewage Farm, also after cases of infectious disease.

  Applications were received from Mrs. Knight, 49, Irchester-road, Mrs. A. Willis, 18, York-road, Mrs. A. Page, 2, Westbourne-grove, and Mrs. A. Garley, 52, Cromwell-road, for compensation in respect of destroyed bedding, and 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.

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

Milk and Dairies Order 1926

  The quarterly report of the Veterinary Inspector was received, from which it appeared that on March 13^th and 15^th he visited 18 premises and inspected 190 cows, making an individual examination of each udder.  The whole of the cows were clinically normal, and the majority in good condition.

  The committee considered the report very satisfactory.

Petroleum Acts

  Applications were received from Messrs. J. White, Ltd., for a licence to store 500 gallons of petrol in an underground tank, with pump attached, and Mr. G. E. Lord, of 32, Cromwell-road, to store 20 gallons of petrol in two-gallon tins.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to accede to the applications subject to the respective stores being constructed to the satisfaction of the Inspector.

  Team Labour – Scavenging

  Tenders were submitted for the team labour required during the ensuing six months, and it was resolved to recommend the council to accept those of Messrs. Ashford and Son and Mr. Charles Adams for horse, cart, and man, and Mr. C. Townsend and Mr. Charles Adams for horse, harness, and driver, at the respective prices quoted by them.

Wellingborough-Road

  Tenders were received for the construction of about 262 yards of sewer between Fitzwilliam-street and Duck-street, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accept that of Messrs. G. H. Greasley, Ltd., of Leicester, at £335, the lowest.  The report was adopted.

Finance and Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the council Buildings on Thursday, March 29^th, 1928, at 10 a.m., when there were present: Messrs. C. W. Horrell (chairman), J. Hornsby, F. Corby, G. W. Coles, F. Knight, and J. Roe.

Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £452  3s.  7d. were examined and passed for payment.

Rates Department

  An application for an increase of salary was received from the junior clerk in the Rates Department, and it was resolved to recommend the Council that his salary be increased by 5s. per week dating from April 1^st.

Northants Association of Urban District Councils

  Mr. Coles submitted a report on the recent meeting of this Association at Kettering.

  The report was adopted.

Swimming Bath

  The Council approved the seal being placed to a mortgage of £5,080 at 5 per cent. with the Northampton Building Society in respect of the site and the swimming bath.

Rates

  Mr. Horrell moved the recommendation of the Finance Committee that the poor rate for the six months be 4s. In the £.

  This was carried.

  Mr. Horrell further moved that the committee’s recommendation regarding the general district rate be approved.  He said that the balance of £1,588  14s.  2d. At the end of the year now closed would not be realised at the end of the next year according to estimates.  With a rate of 8s. In the £, unless there was a saving on the expenditure, the balance at the end of the coming year would be £108  15s.  1d.  The committee were anxious that the rate should not be increased from the present amount.  He moved that a rate of 4s. In the £ for the first half-year be approved.

  Seconding, Mr. Spencer said it would be running very near.  He hoped the position would be reviewed at the end of the six months.

  Mr. Horrell: That is always done.

  The Chairman said it was the wish of all not to exceed the 8s. rate for the twelve months.

  The motion was carried.

The Railway Station

  The Clerk read a letter from the L.M.S. Railway Company, dated March 21^st, as follows:  “I am directed by the president of the company, Sir J. Stamp, to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 19^th and to say that the representations of your Council are receiving careful consideration of the company’s officers.  The question of accommodation at Rushden station is only one of many similar questions before us.  A definite reply will be sent on as soon as possible.”

  The Chairman:  Are we a step nearer, gentlemen?

  Mr. Allebone:  Not much further, anyhow.

  Mr. Wilmott:  The reply is similar to the one we had last time.

  The Chairman:  We must still have hope.

  Mr. Knight:  The railway company have not got many stations that require it worse than Rushden.

  The Chairman said the matter certainly needed attention and something ought to be done at once.

Thanks

  Mr. Horrell moved the best thanks to Mr. Hornsby for the way in which he had carried out the duties of chairman in the past twelve months.  They were all gratified, he said, that Mr. Hornsby’s health had been as good as it was, enabling him to discharge his duties so satisfactorily not only to the Council but to the town.  They all appreciated his fairness and business-like methods, and they trusted that now he was about to serve in a different capacity his health would continue to be good. (Applause.)

  Dr. Greenfield, seconding, said that, no matter if some of them might not hold the same views as those expressed by Mr. Hornsby outside that building, they all fully approved his actions on the Council.  (Hear, hear.)  Mr. Hornsby had filled the chair with honour and dignity and had acted most fairly and courteously towards all members of the Council.  The town, also, the doctor hoped, gave Mr. Hornsby thanks for his past year’s service.  No doubt it had been a pleasure to Mr. Hornsby to carry out the duties of chairman – it had certainly been a pleasure to serve under him.  (Applause.)

  Mr. Spencer paid tribute to Mr. Hornsby’s impartiality.

  Also supporting, Mr. Tarry said that Mr. Hornsby had gained added respect from all the members.  He had been an admirable chairman in every way, and they hoped that he would continue in good health and in his good work for the town.  (Hear, hear.)

  The motion was carried with acclamation.

  In reply, Mr. Hornsby said he certainly did not expect such an expression of kindness as had been made.  “I can only say that I highly appreciate the kind remarks made; also the vote of thanks that you have passed.  It is with great pleasure that I respond to it.  I might say that I wish to thank sincerely every member of the Council for his kindness towards me during the past twelve months.  Twelve months ago, when you unanimously elected me to the chair, I took it somewhat reluctantly.  I felt I was not equal to the task.  But, thanks to the help and support that you have given me, it has been a real pleasure, and I have enjoyed the work.  (Hear, hear.)  I can only say this – and it applies to all the officials of the Council – all have given their support and all information they could give.  The surveyor, Clerk, and all officials have always tried to give me every information, and I have highly enjoyed the consultations we have had together.  I can assure you that I very much value the support you have given me.”  In conclusion, Mr. Hornsby thanked the Press.

The Vice-Chairman

  Mr. Coles moved a vote of thanks to the vice-chairman.  He said: His duties have been light, as the chairman has been in regular attendance.  But I am satisfied that had Mr. Corby been called upon he would have carried out the duties to our satisfaction and to his pleasure.  I very much regret that Mr. Corby will not be with us any longer.  (Hear, hear.)  I cannot discuss the reasons – it is outside our province – but I am sure we all regret it.  He has been chairman of the Health and Sanitary Committee and has shown a great interest in the work.  He has attended regularly and put in much valuable time.  (Hear, hear.)

  Seconding, Mr. Roe said they all appreciated the work that Mr. Corby had done.  Had he been called upon to occupy the chair, Mr. Corby would have filled the office very ably.  The town much appreciated the work of Mr. Corby on Council committees.  “I also very much regret,” Mr. Roe concluded, “that we shall not have Mr. Corby with us in the next three years.  Had he been chairman, we should have found in him a good successor to Mr. Hornsby.” (Hear, hear.)

  Mr. Perkins, associating himself with the previous speakers’ remarks, said that had the public been admitted to the meetings of the Council, to see the conduct of members, there was not the slightest doubt that Mr. Corby would have been re-elected.  He (Mr. Perkins) felt quite sure of that.  He had pleasure, mixed with regret, in supporting the resolution.

  Mr. Corby thanked the members for their kindly references about himself, and he said he hoped Mr. Hornsby would have a continuity of good health.  During the six years that he (the speaker) had been on the Council he had found the duties a pleasure, and he had always found the officers most courteous.  The work had been educative – he now had a greater insight into the work of the town than he had had before.  He very much regretted that he was not to be on the new Council.

Losses

  Mr. Hornsby said he would also like to refer to those others who would not be on the new Council.  He deeply regretted that they were losing not only the vice-chairman but Mr. Bazeley, Mr. Bates, and Mr. Tarry.  No doubt the Council would welcome the new members, but they were sorry to lose the old ones.  Mr. Bazeley had done very many years of useful service on the Council and had twice occupied the chair.  Mr. Bates had put in 22 years of service.  During Mr. Tarry’s three-years service he did not wish for a better colleague.  (Hear, hear.)  Mr. Tarry had also served very usefully on an important committee, the Rating Committee.  He was sure the whole Council regretted the loss of those members.  (Hear, hear.)

  Mr. Bazeley responded.  “Of course, it is with feelings of regret I retire,” he said.  “I shall still have the interests of the town at hart and shall have to watch the administration from the outside.  Public work has always been a pleasure to me.  If I have done any good for the town in which I live, I feel very happy that I have been of service.  All the members of the Council have worked well together and had the greatest respect for each other.  (Hear, hear.)  Whatever difference we have in our opinions in some respects, as far as the town’s affairs are concerned I think we have all tried to work together for the common good.  I am sure I am leaving the Council in very capable hands, and I know that you will work together as harmoniously during the next three years as we have done in the past three years.” (Hear, hear.)

  Mr. Tarry said he would like to thank all members of the Council for the kind words spoken and for the courtesy he had always received in the chamber and outside it.  He hoped he had always given that same courtesy in return.  “There are some very good men in this town – and in others – who do not offer themselves for public work.  Perhaps the uncertainty of elections has something to do with it.  I can at least claim that I have offered by services.  When I was first asked to stand I said I should be pleased if I was returned and pleased if I was not.  Those sentiments I claim fairly represent my feelings to-night, because it leaves me free to devote myself to other interests and other pursuits in which I am interested.  Changes are inevitable in Town Councils, as in other walks of life.  They often do good.  It would not be right for a chamber of this kind to have old members continually returned.  I hope the changes will be for the good and that during the next three years the old and the new members will work together as well as they have during the past three years.”  (Hear, hear.)