20^th April, 1934

Strangers in Rushden Council Chamber
Surprise Visit and Its Sequel: Admission by Ticket!
New Chairman and Defeat of Former Councillors
Mr. White Declines to Serve on Means Test Committee

  “Admission by ticket only” is the new facility offered to members of the general public by the Rushden Urban District Council.  There will be seats for an audience of nine, and the tickets will be obtainable from the Clerk.

  The arrangement for spectators was made on Wednesday at the first meeting of the new Council, when the members were startled by the appearance of three ratepayers – Messrs. A. Knight, Wm. Taylor and G. R. Cook – who walked straight in and made themselves at home.  Several years had elapsed since strangers were “spied” in the Chamber.

  Mr. J. Allen was elected Chairman of the Council, with Mr. A. Allebone, C.C., as vice-chairman, and the meeting produced many interesting items, one being the refusal of Mr. White – who would have nothing to do with the Means Test – and other members to serve on the Guardians Committee.

  Mr. John Spencer was appointed temporarily to the chair and moved that Mr. Allen be appointed chairman for the coming year.  He did so, he said, with great pleasure.  Mr. Allen had been for eight years a member of the Council and served with credit on a number of the committees.  His work on the Housing Committee as chairman had been one to which he had devoted an immense amount of time, and he had done it to the satisfaction of most people.

  “It is a thankless office,” said Mr. Spencer, “but he has devoted an immense amount of time to it, and deserves thanks for his work.  I hope he will be given good health and the same support that I have had, and I am sure he will be able to carry out the duties with credit to himself and to the town.  I hope he will have a very happy year.”

  Mr. Fred Green, seconding, said: “Mr. Allen will no doubt be handicapped somewhat through not serving his apprenticeship in the vice-chair, but I am sure he will adapt himself to the position and have the confidence of all the members.  I wish him good health and a happy year of office.”

  The proposition was carried unanimously, and on taking the chair Mr. Allen received a handshake from Mr. W. L. Beetenson, who was sitting as Clerk for the first time.

  “I sincerely thank you for the honour you have conferred upon me,” said Mr. Allen, “and I shall endeavour to do my best in this office and try to give satisfaction and to give fairness to all concerned.

  “I thank Mr. Spencer and Mr. Green for the very kind words that they proposed and seconded me with, and I hope that I shall fill this office with the same satisfaction that many other chairmen have done in the years that have gone by.  I realise that I am following in the footsteps of many able men, and I hope that nothing I shall do will lower the dignity of the office.  I shall endeavour to place what ability I have at the service of this Council and the town.”

  “Since the last meeting,” continued Mr. Allen, “we have had to regret the passing of two former members of this Council.  It was with great regret that we heard of the death of Mr. Swindall, who for 37 years was a member of the Council, and who served this town with conspicuous ability, on several occasions occupying the chair.

  “We regret Mr. Tysoe’s passing also.  He was a very useful member of committees of this Council, although his service was not so long as Mr. Swindall’s.

  “I have on your behalf to welcome to this Council the six new members.  That is rather a large number in a way.  We wish them a very happy time, and I am sure the town and Council will appreciate any ability that they have to bring to the work of the town.

  “We have also with us a new officer – Mr. Maclean, the Accountant – and I should like to assure him of a very kindly welcome and of the assistance of this Council in carrying out his duties.

Election “Calamity”

“We have also to regret that two members were not re-elected, and I think in the case of one it was almost a calamity, probably, for the town.  Both rendered very valuable service to this Council.”  Mr. Allen suggested that the Council might like to record on the minutes an appreciation of the services these ex-members rendered.

  Mr. Wilmott:  I think at least we could thank them for their past services.  We all know the value of Mr. Horrell; he loved the work and loves the town in which he lives.  We all appreciate their work, and I think we might put it on the minutes.

  “Mr. Horrell was a very able member of the Council,” said Mr. Spencer, who seconded, “and we all regret – perhaps not from a party standpoint, but from a town standpoint – that he was not re-elected.  I think there is one thing that has escaped notice, even in the Press.  Mr. Newberry served for 21 years as Guardian and attended to his duties in a very able manner and gave a very large amount of time.”

  Mr. Perkins suggested that in order to avoid creating a precedent they should record the ex-members’ valuable service without specifying the number of years and other particulars.

  This was agreed to.

  The election of Mr. Arthur Allebone as vice-chairman was proposed by Mr. Perkins.

Very Respectable

  “I have much pleasure in proposing the name of Mr. Allebone,” said Mr. Perkins, “and I would introduce him to those new members who are here to-night – he is the third member on that side.  (Laughter).  To those of us who have been on the Council some years he is certainly very well known, and it would be out of place here to run through all his qualifications for the office.

  “I hope that during the next year the vice-chairman will not be called upon to occupy the chair, but knowing him as I do I feel sure he will keep his eyes open and watch not only the chairman, but the new members, to see that they are learning the business properly.

  “We have a good name for orderliness and the respectability of our meetings.  We do not hurl epithets across the room, and in that respect I think we set a good example to other districts – not many miles away!” (Laughter).

  “Mr. Allebone has been a very active man since he came on the Council,” said Mr. Coles, seconding.  “He has served on every committee, and has served with distinction and taken a great interest in the work.  There is no one more pleased to see him occupying the position than myself.

Politics Washed Out

  “There is some talk at election times about politics, but when we meet here that is all washed out.  We desire to make progress, and Mr. Allebone is a man of progressive ideas, well qualified to speak and work for those he represents.”

  Mr. Allebone was elected by a unanimous vote.  “I appreciate very much being elected to the vice-chair of this Council,” he said, “although I hardly know how to thank you.  Being a young member, perhaps if I say too much now I shall be called over the coals by the older members, but I do assure you that it will be my earnest endeavour to do all I possibly can on behalf of the Council and the town in general during my year in the vice-chair.

  “I should also like to say that I hope that the chairman will be able to carry out his duties without absence, because I have yet to sit at a meeting when the vice-chairman has had to occupy the chair of the full Council.

  “Reference has been made to six new members, and I would like to suggest that in view of these new members Standing Orders should be issued to each one.”

  The Clerk:  They have been.

  Mr. Allebone:  I was going to suggest that they might need revising, and that we should all have a copy, because I don’t know where mine it.  I hope we shall all be very happy together.

Busy Committee

  The appointment of committees followed, and Mr. Allen suggested that the Housing Committee should now meet every month.  It was now a busy committee, with over 600 houses to control.

  Mr. Richardson agreed, and said he had long thought this should be done.

  Mr. Wilmott:  I quite agree.  We never know when we are going to have a meeting, and generally have to have one half-an-hour before the full Council.    On Mr. Wilmott’s proposition it was agreed that the Housing Committee should meet on the third Wednesday each month.

  In a letter Mr. George S. Mason, who retired last month after 43 years’ service as Clerk to the Council and received a letter expressing the Council’s appreciation of his work, recorded “my appreciation of the resolution and my thanks to them for the kindness with which they have always treated me during my long term of office.”   The former Clerk’s letter was received with every sign of pleasure.

Dangerous Hill

  When the Council turned to committee reports, Mr. Capon said he should like to draw attention to the accident that happened at the bottom of Fitzwilliam-street the other day.  He was well aware that there was a notice at the top of the hill, but he thought it would be of advantage to motorists, pedestrians and cyclists if they put a larger sign there.  It was unfortunate that the lad concerned in the accident was one who had recently come to the town from Jarrow.

  “It always has been a dangerous corner,” said Mr. Capon, “and I suppose always will, but I think the larger notice might help.”

  The Chairman said the matter would no doubt be considered by the Highways Committee.

  Mr. Wilmott said he would promise that the committee would give it their best attention.

Unwanted Job - Failure to Appoint Guardian

  Mr. White had something to say about the Means Test when Mr. Allebone proposed and Mr. Green seconded his appointment as a member of the Guardians Committee in place of Mr. Newberry.

  Mr. Perkins:  May I ask the correct title of this committee?

  “The Public Assistance Functions Guardians’ Committee,” replied the Clerk.

  Mr. Perkins:  I didn’t know whether the title of “Guardians” had been retained.

  Mr. Wilmott:  We can’t do without it!

  Mr. White:  Before accepting, I should like to ask whether as a member of the Guardians Committee I am expected to sit on the Means Test Committee, because if so I respectfully decline.

  Mr. Wilmott:  They must come from the Guardians.  You can’t appoint one outside the Guardians Committee.

  The Clerk:  Yes, I think if you are elected you would probably be appointed on this committee.

  Mr. White:  Yes, well if that is so I am afraid I shall have to decline the honour.

  Mr. Wilmott:  I think it is a great pity that Mr. White should withdraw.  There is a tremendous lot of meetings that the Guardians neglect going to.  It is not a lovable job, I can tell you, but they do miss a lot – some of them.  It is an awkward job.

  Mr. White definitely declined; Mr. Roe declined: Mr. Cox, whom Mr. Wilmott commended as “just the man for the experience,” said his time was fully occupied in other directions.

  The Chairman suggested deferring the matter for a month.

  Mr. Spencer:  I think the members of that committee would all be very pleased to give up the work in so far as it is associated with the Means Test, but there is a great deal in the way you administer that Act.

  On Dr. Greenfield’s proposition the matter was adjourned until the next monthly meeting.

Filling Vacancies

  The Council had to appoint a Free Library Committee, and it was mentioned that of the old members Messrs. Claridge, Jones and Saddler had left the town, while Mr. Swindall had passed away.  The other members were Mr. W. C. Tarry, Mr. John Spencer, Mr. J. S. Clipson, Mr. C. J. Giles, Rev. C. J. Keeler, Mr. L. Perkins, Mr. W. W. Rial, Rev. Travers Stoney and Mr. W. A. E. Sherwood.

  Mr. Spencer:  I think the members of the Council should be more strongly represented on the committee.  There used to be four or five of us, but it has got very low now.

  Those able to serve again were reappointed, and the filling of the vacancies was deferred.

  Mr. F. Green (proposed by Mr. Roe) and Mr. L. Perkins (proposed by Mr. Allebone) were appointed to the Water Board in place of Messrs. Swindall and Claridge.

  There were three persons to appoint and six to nominate for the County Education Committee’s approval as members of the School Managers, and Mr. Allebone announced: “Mr. White has sent a letter to our organisation that he wishes to be relieved of this committee.”

  Mr. A. T. Chambers, Mr. F. Corby and Mr. E. A. Sugars were then appointed, Mr. Chambers in place of Mr. White.  The six other Managers were again nominated.

  Messrs. Allebone, Capon and Coles were appointed as new Charity Trustees.

  The Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Clerk were deputed to attend the annual conference of the Urban District Councils’ Association.

New Rate

  As arranged at the last meeting, the Council’s seal was affixed to a general district rate of 5s.  3d. in the £ for the half-year, the amount to be realised being £18,123.

  The Chairman announced that a letter had been received from the Irthlingborough Urban District Council, enclosing a copy of the resolution.  After reading the letter the members would see whether there was any point in having this resolution moved.  He thought it was necessary in order to be courteous to the Irthlingborough Council that the letter should be placed on the agenda, but members would see that as it was already covered by the Budget there would be no purpose in passing a resolution.

  Mr. Spencer agreed, and expressed satisfaction that the “cuts” referred to had been restored.

  Mr. Roe gave notice to move a resolution requesting the Postmaster-General to make the Rushden Post Office a head office.

  Mr. Spencer added a hearty “Hear, hear.”

  Mr. Allebone asked that the Council should go into committee to consider an important matter in connection with the sub-committee that was appointed to re-arrange the offices of the Council.

Admitting The Public

  The Council went into committee accordingly, but afterwards resolved into full Council again and discussed the question of admitting members of the public to its meetings.

  It was agreed to admit the public to future meetings to a number not exceeding nine, and that those desiring to attend be admitted only by tickets issued by the Clerk.

  Leading items in the committee reports were as follows:-

Hall Bandstand

  The Parks, Baths and Hall Committee had received a letter from the bands of the town requesting the Council to meet a deputation from them with reference to suggested improvements of the Hall bandstand.  The meeting took place, and as a result the expenditure of not more than £20 was authorised on any improvements that were desirable.

  Building plans were as follows:-  Bungalow, Washbrook-road Allotments, for Mr. E. Middleton:  two houses, Upper Queen-street, Messrs. T. Swindall and Sons;  garage, Station-road, Mr. Jack Joyce;  sports pavilion, Allen-road, Rushden Baptist Sports Committee;  garage at “Inglenook,” Newton-road, Mr. H. J. Watts;  open shed to factory in North-street, Mr. C. K. Woods.

  The Rushden and District Electric Supply Co. gave notice of their intention to lay low tension cables in Griffith-street, Blinco-road, and along the new road off Wellingborough-road (near the Masonic Hall).

New Seats

  The Surveyor (Mr. J. W. Lloyd) was instructed to purchase five seats for placing in various parts of the town.

  The Veterinary Inspector reported that he had visited 18 premises and inspected 179 dairy cows.  With one exception the cows were clinically normal, and the great majority in good condition.

  A memorial from ten residents of the St. Crispin Estate requested the Council to extend the main sewer as far as their properties.  The Surveyor was instructed to prepare a report.

  A letter was received from Mr. Robert Tusting, on behalf of the Nene Conservancy Board, stating that the Board had been cleaning out the brook from Skew Bridge to the Marshes, and asking the Council to contribute to the cost.

  The Clerk was instructed to reply that the Council were unable to comply with the request.

Superannuation

  An application was received from 14 of the Council’s employees for their posts to be designated for the purposes of superannuation, under the Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Act.

  The Clerk reported that he had been in communication with the Clerk to the County Council, who had written stating that on the establishment of the scheme, the question of including therein employees of the class referred to was considered, but upon investigation it was discovered that their inclusion was not desired by the great majority of those affected.  The County Council’s scheme therefore did not include such employees.  The matter had again been considered, upon an application from an admitted Authority, but having regard to the considerations referred to, was not acceded to, and as no material change had taken place since, there was no reason to think that the County Council would depart from the decision already agreed to.

  The Finance Committee agreed that it would be useless to put forward the application at the present time.

Members Present

  Members in attendance (given in their original order round the table) were Messrs. J. White, J. Roe, A. Allebone, C.C., T. W. Cox, F. Green, D. G. Greenfield, M.D., J. Allen, W. E. Capon, J. S. Denton, A. Wilmott, L. Perkins, M.B.E., J. Spencer, J.P., J. E. Dilks, G. W. Coles, J.P., W. J. Sawford, J. Hornsby, E. A. Sugars and J. T. Richardson.