One Hundred And Twenty More Houses To Be Built

The Bandstand in Spencer Park

The Rectory-road Improvement

  Wednesday, present Messrs. Charles Claridge, J.P. (chairman), J. Hornsby (vice-chairman), T. F. B. Newberry, J. Roe, A. Allebone, W. C. Tarry, D. G. Greenfield, M.D., J. Allen, F. Knight, J.P., F. Corby, T. Swindall, C. W. Horrell, C.A., J. Spencer, J.P., W. Bazeley, J.P., G. W. Coles, J.P., and C. Bates, with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason) and the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin).

Housing Committee

  A meeting of the Housing Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, July 21^st, 1926, when there were present: Messrs. L. Perkins (chairman), A. Allebone, C. Claridge, J. Allen, C. Bates, W. Bazeley, J. Roe, and J. Spencer.

Subsidies For Assisting Private Enterprise

  A letter was received from the Ministry of Health stating that, subject to the total number of houses – viz., 132 – not being exceeded without the prior consent of the Minister, the Council might issue certificates in respect of houses the construction of which would be substantially commenced by October 1^st and completed by March 31^st, 1927.

Assisted Houses

  The Chairman reported that the sub-committee had decided to carry out the outside painting of all the houses erected under the assisted scheme.  The Surveyor was inviting tenders from various painters, which would be received this week.

  The Chairman and Surveyor were authorised to open and accept tenders at their discretion.

Further Houses

  It was resolved to prepare a scheme for early submission to the Ministry for the building of 120 additional houses on the Irchester-road site, approximately 30 of the parlour type on the Irchester-road frontage and 90 of the non-parlour type on the land at the rear of the 36 houses about to be erected.

Sewer

  The Surveyor was instructed to obtain from Mr. Wilmott and the late Mr. Clark’s executors a firm offer as to the amount of compensation they would be prepared to accept for carrying the new sewer through their lands from Irchester-road to Wellingborough-road.

Pond on Land Taken Over From Assisted Housing Scheme

  It was resolved that such portion of the pond situate partly on this land and partly on the land of the Allotment Association as lies on the Council side of the fence be filled in, and the Surveyor was instructed to carry out the work forthwith.

  The report was adopted.

  In respect of the Council’s decision to ask for permission to erect a further 120 houses, Mr. Coles said he would like a little more information.  Was it proposed to go on with the suggested new scheme after the 36 houses already decided on were erected, or would the extra houses be started on as soon as possible without waiting for the completion of the 36?

  Mr. Bates (who had presented the minutes in the absence of Mr, Perkins, on holiday) said that the intention of the committee was to proceed with the new scheme as soon as possible, irrespective of the 36 houses now being built.

Parks and Baths Committee

  A meeting of the Parks and Baths committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday July 21^st, 1926, when there were present: Messrs. C. Claridge (in the chair), C. Bates, G. W. Coles, C. W. Horrell, F. Knight, L. Perkins, J. Roe, and J. Spencer.

Rushden Feast

  A letter was received from Mr. Charles Thurston asking for the use of Spencer Park for Feast Week on the usual terms.

  The committee resolved to recommend the Council to accede to the application, the amount payable by Mr. Thurston to be £25, as last year.

Football Pitches

  Two applications were received for the use of football pitches during the ensuing season and were referred to the Emergency Committee to deal with.

Bandstand

  A letter was received from the acting secretary of the local Bands stating that a deputation would arrange to meet the Emergency Committee on receipt of an intimation of date and time.

  It was resolved that the Emergency Committee meet at the Council Buildings at seven o’clock on Friday evening and that the deputation be invited to attend the meeting.

First-Aid Outfit

  It was resolved to procure and place in the Park a first-aid outfit at an estimated cost of 26s.

Breach Of By-Laws

  A letter was received from Mr. J. W. Waplington with regard to the contemplated prosecution of his son, J. V. W. Waplington, for riding a bicycle in the Park after being requested to dismount.  The letter contained an expression of sincere regret that his son should have behaved in this way and an apology to the Council and the Park-keeper for his behaviour.

  A letter was also received from the son expressing similar regret and an apology to the Park-keeper, and asking the Council to forgive him on this occasion and not to proceed with the summons.

  It was unanimously resolved to accept the apology and to recommend the Council to take no further proceedings.

  The report was adopted.

  In further explanation of the minute about the four bands of Rushden, Dr. Greenfield said that the Emergency Committee met the bands’ representatives and the latter had arranged to give concerts again.  The Council on their part promised to do something to the bandstand to make it more convenient to the bands.  He understood that no concerts had been given at present.  The Council had tried to meet the bands as far as they could to make the stand more comfortable so that some of the complaints might not be justified in the future.

  Alluding to the action of the Council over Mr. J. V. W. Waplington, he could say that the committee had had other complaints.  The public could be sure that the Council would uphold their officials, and if anyone in future persisted in breaking the by-laws the Council would take steps against them.

Plans Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, July 28^th, 1926, when there were present: Messrs. C. Claridge (chairman), G. W. Coles, C. W. Horrell, F. Knight, F. F. B. Newberry, J. Spencer, T. Swindall, W. C. Tarry, and T. Wilmott.

Plans

were presented for:

  House in Irchester-road for Mr. A. Sanders, and passed.

  An application for a subsidy in respect of the above mentioned house, together with an estimate of cost thereof, which did not exceed, including the cost of land, £700, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to issue a certificate in respect of same as coming within the Council’s scheme for the subsidy of £100.

  House in Wymington-road for the Northants County Council, and passed.

  Extension of buildings at Gasworks for the Rushden and Higham Ferrers District Gas Company, and passed.

  Extension of shed at factory in Fitzwilliam-street for Messrs. C. W. Horrell, Ltd., and no exception taken.

Miscellaneous Buildings

  A number of applications were received for permission to erect small temporary buildings near applicants’ houses, and no exception was taken thereto.

Bedford-Road Improvement

  The Surveyor submitted a letter he had received from the County Surveyor stating that the Ministry of Transport had advised him that from the particulars furnished practically the whole of the proposed work was within the existing limits of the highway, and the work therefore would be accepted as grant-earning under the classification scheme.  In view of this, the County Surveyor saw no reason why it should not be put in the annual estimates for next year, but in submitting the scheme under the ordinary maintenance estimates to the County Council it should be specially referred to and kept separate.

Census Of Traffic

  A letter was also received from the County Surveyor asking that a census of traffic on Class 2 roads might be taken forthwith.

  The Surveyor was instructed to take the necessary steps for such a census near Mr. Eaton’s house on the parish boundary.

Irchester-Road

  The Surveyor reported that he had not yet received a notification of approval by the Ministry of Transport of the proposed improvements on this road, and that owing to the Council houses erected there it was very desirable that the work should proceed forthwith.

  The committee resolved to recommend the Council to instruct the Surveyor to proceed with the work.

Newton-Road

  The Surveyor was instructed to proceed with the asphalting work along the north side of this road between Winchester-road and Oval-road.

Factory Acts

  A letter was received from H.M. Inspector of Factories asking to be informed what action had been taken by the Council with regard to Messrs. Green and Coe’s failure to provide satisfactory means of escape in case of fire in connection with their factory.

  The Clerk was instructed to inform Messrs. Green and Coe that the work must be proceeded with forthwith if they desired to avoid proceedings by the Inspector.

  The Clerk was instructed to write a similar letter to Messrs. George Warner, Ltd.

Street Watering

  A letter was received from the Rushden Chamber of Trade asking if arrangements could be made for the town watercart to be used more frequently.

  It was pointed out that the main street was now almost entirely asphalted and became dangerous for horses when very wet, and on this account the Surveyor refrained from using the watercart except for the channels.

  The Clerk was requested to reply to this effect.

Wilson Estate

  The letter from the Allotment Association asking for compensation to the amount of £10 for land given up in Wellingborough-road, referred to this committee by the Council at their last meeting, was considered, and the committee resolved to recommend the Council that the amount asked for be paid to the Allotment Association.

Motor Lorry

  The Surveyor submitted prices he had received for the overhauling of this lorry and was instructed to obtain further prices for the work required.

Rectory-Road Improvement

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to forthwith take the necessary steps for obtaining compulsory powers for the purchase of the property required for completing this improvement.

Duck-Street

  The Chairman, Mr. Wilmott, and Mr. Swindall were appointed as a sub-committee to meet Mr. Sanders and agree as to an amended street line near the latter’s house.

Danger Signs

  It was resolved to ask the County Council to provide danger signs near the entrance to the new Park in Bedford-road.

  The report was adopted.

  Mr. Roe said he was disappointed with the action of the committee over the dust nuisance.  It was a very serious matter.  In many other towns water was used and the dust was stopped.  In High-street there were roadmen at work at any hour of the morning, or even the afternoon, making a terrible dust.  It was a great nuisance.  He thought something more definite should have been done.  The tradespeople did not ask for much.  He would like to have seen the minute referred back.  He did not think the explanation given for not using the watercard (being dangerous to horses) was satisfactory.

  Mr. Madin said that at a meeting of many Surveyors it was stated that watering was not done much now, except in the channels.  One town had 36 watercarts, and they had not been used for seven years.  His own experience was that as soon as the watercart had been out he got complaints that the roads were unsafe for horses.

  Mr. Roe contended that the tradespeople did not want roadmen at work in High-street at all times of the day sweeping and making a dust.

  Mr. Madin assured the Council that his department did the best they could.  He said that much of the dust was caused by people sweeping dust out of shops, the road being tar-surfaced, and paper and litter was blown into the streets.  It was not that his department did not want to water the streets, but that they wanted to do the best thing.  It was no use cleaning the streets in the early morning if dust was to be swept into the streets afterwards.

  Mr. Roe said that the tradespeople thought the collectors were at fault – they collected straw, paper, and all sorts of things from the shops.

  Mr. Madin: A good many tradespeople pay for that service.

  Mr. Roe: And a good many do not.  I am not satisfied, Mr. Chairman.  I think the watercart ought to go down.  I have been to a large number of towns, and the streets are watered every time they need it.

  On the recommendation of the Chairman, Mr. Roe agreed not to move the reference back of the minute.

  In reply to Dr. Greenfield, Mr. Coles, and others, the Clerk said that with compulsory powers the Council would purchase the properties for their Rectory-road scheme at prices to be fixed by a referee under the Land Act.

  Mr. Horrell said it was the right course to adopt.  (Hear, hear.)

  A letter from the Ministry of Health was read indicating that the Ministry had approved of the new assessment area (to which the Rushden Council appointed two representatives at the last meeting).

  Mr. Spencer asked what was the term of office of the representatives.

  Mr. Mason said that Rushden’s representatives would automatically retire next March, when the rest of the Council committees retired, and that it would then be for the Council to say what should be the normal term.  He thought one year would be long enough.

  The County Council wrote agreeing to pay half the cost of laying the sewer to the new house for the Medical Superintendent of Rushden House Sanatorium.

L.M.S. Parcels Delivery

  The Clerk read a letter from the Rushden station passenger department, under the date July 17^th, as follows:  “Dear Sir, - With further reference to your letter of March 1^st respecting the delivery of parcels on the new estate, Newton-road, Rushden, further representation has been made to headquarters on the matter.  I am pleased to inform you that it has now been agreed that a service of the delivery of passenger-train parcels shall be given by us to houses on the estate.- Yours faithfully, C. C. Gregory.”