Vote Of Sympathy With Bereaved Member
New Stopping-Places for ’Buses
Rights of Pedestrians

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

  Before the business of the meeting began the Chairman referred to the serious loss which one of their colleagues, Mr. C. Bates, had suffered through the death, with painful suddenness, of his wife on the morning following the last meeting of the Council.  Mr. Hornsby said that it must have been a great shock to Mr. Bates and his family, as it had been to them all to learn of that sudden death.  The Chairman said he would move that a letter be sent to Mr. Bates expressing the deep sympathy of the Council with him and his family in the grievous loss which they had sustained.

  The suggestion was adopted, the members standing a moment in silence.

Housing Committee

  A meeting of the Housing Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, July 20^th, 1927, when there were present: Messrs. L. Perkins (chairman), J. Hornsby, F. Corby, A. Allebone, J. Allen, G. W. Coles, J. Roe, and J. Spencer.

Irchester-Road Building Site – New Street

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to name the street now in course of construction “Westfield-avenue.”

  A letter was received, signed by Mr. H. Toby and other tenants of houses in Irchester-road and the new street, asking the Council to provide better accommodation for coal, firewood, gardening tools, etc.

  The Clerk was instructed to reply that the houses are built in accordance with plans prescribed by the Ministry of Health and the committee have no power to provide the accommodation suggested.

Selection Of Tenants

  The committee had before them a list of applications, which had been divided by a sub-committee into three classes – A. B. and C. It was decided to distribute amongst the members of the committee lists of the applications in Class A, with a view to the selection of 16 tenants, and meet again on Wednesday next to take a vote.

  The report was adopted.

Plans, Etc., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Etc., Committee was held at the Council Buildings on July 27^th, 1927, when there were present: Messrs. J. Hornsby (chairman), A. Allebone, G. W. Coles, f. Knight, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Spencer, and T. Wilmott.

Plans

  Plans were presented for:

  Bay window to No. 28, Victoria-road, for Mr. R. W. Bugby, and allowed.

  Alterations and additions to No. 137, Queen-street, for Messrs. H. W. Chapman, Ltd., and passed.

  Additional lavatory accommodation to factory in Manton-road for Mr. John White, and passed.

  New sewer in Purvis-road, and passed.

  Motor garage in Pightles-terrace for Mr. W. E. Sargent, and no exception taken.

  Wooden shed at rear of No. 13, Winchester-road, for Mr. C. H. Myers, and rejected as not complying with the by-laws.

’Bus Stands

  Communications were received through the Police of objections to the present stopping-places in Church-street.

  The committee felt satisfied that the nuisances alleged were not so serious as to justify them in asking the ’Bus Company to change their arrangements at present, and resolved to recommend the Council to continue the present arrangements for a further month.

Rushden And District Electric Supply Company, Ltd.

  An application from this Company was received asking permission to erect overhead distributing mains along Rushden Court-avenue and a very small portion of Bedford-road, and was acceded to.

Telegraphic Lines

  An application from the Postmaster General was received for permission to lay underground cables in various parts of the town, which was acceded to subject to the Postmaster-General agreeing to the reinstatement of the surface of the roads and footpaths by the Council at cost price.

  The report was adopted.

  The Chairman said he quite agreed over the new stopping-places for the ’buses.

  Mr. Wilmott said he had noticed a change in the stopping-places.  He supposed it would be best to wait and see if the arrangements were satisfactory.

  Mr. Newberry said that regarding the complaints and the statement that there was to be no alteration for some time, the police had altered things so that the Council should not be proceeded against for compensation. There were no by-laws, so that the Council could not touch them.

  Mr. Swindall said he welcomed the alterations, but changes should not be made too suddenly.  The Press was always willing to inform the public about such changes in ’bus stopping-places.  It would have been well to have informed the public.  At the same time, the new stopping-place in Church-street, though it had put people about for want of knowing it, was a good change.  It meant that the Raunds ’buses stopped near the Lightstrung works.

  Mr. Claridge:  When was this put into operation?

  Mr. Newberry said about seven days ago.  The police had made the change because the Council had no by-laws to deal with it.

  On the subject of the Electricity Supply Company asking for permission to erect overhead mains in the urban district, Mr. Roe asked along how much of Bedford-road would the wires be erected, as, he said, a great many people objected to overhead mains.

  Members:  Just across the road.

  Mr. Roe:  That is satisfactory.

Improved Footpaths Needed

  Dr. Greenfield raised the question of an improvement of footpaths outside the town and asked that the Highways Committee consider the matter.  He said that motorists complained of people walking on the road.  Nobody walked on the path towards Sanders’ Lodge.  Several nights last winter he tried to keep to the path, but could not because it was too rough.  There were more pedestrians than motorists, and they should have a little more consideration than they were getting.  From Ditchford-lane towards Wellingborough there was a footpath, but from Sanders’ Lodge to Ditchford-lane there was no path and it was very dangerous, as he had found when he was nearly run over.  He thought the committee might review the whole question some time and see if pedestrians could be better provided for than at present.

  The Chairman said he fully endorsed the doctor’s remarks.  It was a very important matter.  It was not fair to motorists, nor to pedestrians.  The Council had tried to get the County Council to construct a footpath on the Bedford road, as they considered it was necessary.  It would be well if the Highways Committee considered the matter.

  Mr. Wilmott said he also agreed.  He advocated the use of tar on the surface of footpaths out of the town until they could afford to asphalt them.  The method had been used in the park, and the paths were now quite good.  It had been stated that it had cost £400 to construct the footpath in the Wellingborough rural district to Ditchford-lane.  But whenever a motorist drove to or from Wellingborough he would not see one of any 50 pedestrians using the footpath because of the weeds and grass that had grown over the path.  By tarring the surface they could keep such growth down.  He moved that the Highways Committee consider the matter of tarring the footpaths.

  Mr. Newberry seconded, and it was carried.

Public Conveniences

  Mr. Newberry asked that the public lavatories be kept open until a later hour each night.  He said there were still nuisances committed in the town for the reason that the conveniences were closed.

  The request was referred to the committee responsible.

Housing Committee

  A special meeting of the Housing Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, July 27^th, when there were present: Messrs. L. Perkins (chairman), J. Hornsby, F. Corby, A. Allebone, J. Allen, C. Bates, G. W. Coles, J. Roe, and J. Spencer.

Selection Of Tenants

  The list of applicants selected by the sub-committee which had been circulated amongst the members was considered and a vote taken thereon.

  It was left with the Clerk to summarise the vote and submit the result to the sub-committee, who would meet to consider it on Friday morning at 10 o’clock.

  It was understood that the instructions of the sub-committee would be put into operation without further reference to the committee.

  The report was adopted.

Health And Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, August 10^th, 1927, when there were present: Messrs. F. Corby (chairman), J. Hornsby, J. Allen, C. Bates, W. Bazeley, D. G. Greenfield, T. F. B. Newberry, and T. Swindall.

Health And Sanitary Reports

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

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that since the last meeting 13 nuisances had been dealt with.

  Sixty visits had been made to premises where food was prepared or sold, during which inspections quantities of beef and beef offal, pork, and mutton offal, together with 30 tins of canned meat, etc., to the total weight of 2cwt. 0Qr. 26¾lb., had been found to be unfit for human consumption and destroyed in the usual way.

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

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

Milk And Dairies Act – Public Health And Clean Milk

  The Inspector submitted reports on the bacteriological examination of two samples of milk, both of which were satisfactory.

Rats And Mice (Destruction) Act

  The Inspector also reported that during the past month three complaints had been received and four premises inspected.

Elm-Street

  The inspector was instructed to make an inspection of six houses in this street and report to the next meeting.

Factory And Workshop Act

  The Inspector reported that H.M. Factory Inspector had called attention to the insufficiency of the sanitary conveniences at Messrs. W. Sargent & Co.’s factory in Crabb-street, and he had been in communication with Mr. W. E. Sargent with regard to the matter.  Mr. Sargent proposed converting the cottage adjoining the factory, No. 5, Crabb-street, into offices and grindery stores.  This would enable him to provide additional water-closets and at the same time give better factory conditions generally.  The present occupier of the cottage was building himself a house, which would shortly be available for occupation.

  The committee agreed to Mr. Sargent’s proposals.

Manning-Street

  The Clerk informed the committee that the notice ordered at the last meeting to be served on the owner of the four cottages in this street, requiring him to execute works necessary to make the houses fit for human habitation, had been duly served, and that a counter-notice from the owner had been received expressing his desire to close down the houses in question.  On receipt of this notice a closing order had become operative, and it was now the duty of the Council to serve the occupiers with notice thereof and requiring them to cease to inhabit the dwelling-houses in question.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to instruct the Clerk to serve the necessary notices on the occupiers.

  The report was adopted.

Finance And Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Thursday, August 11^th, 1927, at 10 a.m., when there were present: Messrs. C. W. Horrell (chairman), J. Hornsby, G. W. Coles, F. Knight, J. Roe, W. C. Tarry, 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 Collector’s accounts were also examined, 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 since the last meeting:

And that the balances on the undermentioned accounts were as follow:

Tradesmen’s And Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £3,879  7s.  10d. were examined and passed for payment.

Loans

  The Clerk reported the receipt of two sanctions from the Ministry of Health to the borrowing by the Council of the sums of £1,800 and £1,300 for the purposes of grants for subsidies under the Housing Acts and for the purchase of land for the purposes of refuse disposal.

Rural Libraries Act

  A letter was received from the County Accountant forwarding a cheque for £71  15s.  9d., being the amount collected in respect of this Act in the Higher Education Rate for the county during the past three years.  The Library Rate was not chargeable to this urban district, which is a separate Library Authority.

  The report was adopted.

…………………………………………

Playing Field For Rushden Opposed
Allotments More Profitable?
Newton-Road School Provided For
Alfred-Street School Next?

  The question of whether vacant land acquired for the Newton-road housing estate should be used for a playing field – partly in practical support of the national scheme – or for allotments (and so help the rates) was discussed at a meeting of the Rushden Urban Council on Wednesday.  Mr. J. Hornsby J.P (chairman), presided.

  Discussion arose owing to a recommendation from the Housing Committee as follows:

  “Newton-road Building site – Spare Land.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to hand over the control of the land not yet utilised for building purposes to the Parks and Baths Committee in order that it might be used as a playing field for the children in that part of the town until it is required for other purposes.”

  Mr. T. F. B. Newberry said it would be years before the town would need the ground as a public park, and he considered that it ought to be let for allotment purposes and so bring in money for the rates.

  Mr. T. Wilmott said he was not sure about the town having three pleasure grounds, but if the ground under discussion were likely to cause a nuisance to the occupiers of fields round it the Council might consider that point.  Other parks were properly fenced in and guarded, whereas two sides of the new ground abutted on allotments and fields.  If there were to be continual complaints from the outside, he would rather the ground be used for allotments, if allotments were needed.

  Mr. G. W. Coles, J.P., said that the idea underlying the committee’s recommendation was that there might be a playing field in connection with the schools.  The County Council had already provided one for the Intermediate School.  There was a national effort to find playing fields for children.   It was beneficial, not only physically, but mentally, and was a factor for safety also in that it kept the people off the roads.  Children must have somewhere to play in.  Even at present the ground was being used as a playing ground.  The idea was that it should be recognised temporarily as a playing field for the children of Newton-road Schools, and also for the public.  South-End School children had Jubilee Park in which to play.  If this recommendation were adopted, there would then be only one school – Alfred-street – not provided with a playing field.  He hoped that as time progressed the town would be able to spare land in Irchester-road as a playing field for Alfred-street School children.  He thought the ground in Newton-road would be better used a playing field than as an allotment at present.  If there were any complaints, the committee could deal with them.

  Dr. Greenfield said that there had been a formal application to the Parks Committee about the provision of a playing field, and it was suggested that the land mentioned might be used for that purpose.  He did not think the Council need consider expenses as the recommendation stood, though he did not know whether the County Council might contribute.  He thought the Council ought to meet the need for playing fields for the town.  It was impossible for the schools to get them.  He hoped there was no ambiguity in the committee’s recommendation, which was that the ground should be used as a playing field for Newton-road School.

  Mr. Coles:  And the public should be admitted.

  Dr. Greenfield:  Certainly.

  Mr. Wilmott:  That puts a different light on it.

  Mr. F. Corby said he agreed with the recommendation and with what Mr. Coles and Dr. Greenfield had said.  It was from the school that the application came, and he thought the Council were asked to allow the ground to be used for that purpose.

  Mr. Wilmott:  It does not say so.

  Mr. J. Spencer, J.P. (who had formally moved the acceptance of the recommendation), replying to the discussion, said that the Housing Committee took the broader view that in addition to the schoolchildren people living in the neighbourhood should be allowed to use the ground.  It would keep them off the streets.

  Put to the vote, the recommendation was carried nem.con.