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

Free Library Committee

  A meeting of the Free Library Committee was held at the Library on Friday, the 22^nd November, 1907, when there were present:- Mr. J. Claridge (chairman), the Venerable Arthur Kitchin, Rev. W. F. Harris, Messrs. T. Swindall, G. H. Skinner, F. Ballard, J. H. Derbyshire, S. Saddler, J. T. Colson, C. E. Bayes, W Clarke, and W. H. Brown.

Minutes

  The minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee having been printed and circulated amongst the members it was resolved that the same be confirmed under the hand of the Chairman.

Gifts of Books, Etc.

  The Chairman reported that he had received a parcel of books from Sir Francis Channing, M.P., and had thanked him on behalf of the Committee.

  The Secretary also reported the receipt of framed pictures from the London and North Western and Midland Railway Companies and also framed mementoes of the ceremony in connection with the opening of the Library from Mr. Chas. G. Jowitt.  These gifts had also been acknowledged with thanks.

  It was resolved that an expression of the thanks of the Committee to the several donors be recorded on the minutes.

Newspapers and Periodicals

  A list of the newspapers and periodicals for the year was settled by the Committee.

Bank-Holidays

  It was resolved that the Library be closed at one o’clock on Easter Monday, Whit Monday, and August Bank Holiday.

Books

  The Secretary reported that the number of books issued from the 1^st January to the 31^st October was 19698 against 16941 during the corresponding period of last year.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to expend a further sum of £15 in the purchase of new books.  It was also resolved to re-bind a number of books.

  Mr. Claridge, in moving the adoption of the report, said that four tenders were received for the supply of papers and periodicals and that of Mr. Philipson, being the lowest, was accepted.  He thought that the number of books issued for the nine months mentioned in the report showed that the library was much appreciated by the public and it was realising the most sanguine expectations.  The only unsatisfactory feature was the fact that the reference room was not more used.  There were some good books in that room and be would like to see them used more.

  The report was adopted.

Plans, &c., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 27^th November, 1907, when there were present:- Messrs. W. Bazeley (in the chair), C. E. Bayes, J. S. Clipson, and F. Knight.

Plans

were presented by:-

  The Northamptonshire County Council for new Schools at the north end of the town and passed.  The Architects submitted a proposal for bringing forward the building so that the centre block would stand slightly in front of the existing block of school buildings.  The Committee decided to visit the site and see the building line set out before coming to a decision on this point.  The Surveyor pointed out that the proposed arrangement of the drainage rendered it necessary for the protection of the Council that they should ask for an undertaking from the County Council for the future maintenance of the drain running into Spencer-road.  It was decided to recommend the Council to sanction the drainage system as shown on the plan subject to an undertaking as to future maintenance being given by the County Council.

  Messrs. Jaques and Clark for additions to factory in Fitzwilliam-street and passed subject to the drainage arrangements being made to the satisfaction of the Surveyor.

Street Numbering

  The Surveyor was instructed to obtain samples of metal numbers for the purpose of completing the numbering of the houses.

Milestones

  The Surveyor submitted a sketch of the milestones he proposed to erect on the Bedford and Kettering main road.

  The Committee approved and authorised him to proceed with the work subject to the sanction of the County Surveyor being first obtained.

Main Roads

  A letter was received from the Clerk to the County Council stating that the Roads Committee had under consideration the system of Main Road maintenance in force in the County and desired to investigate the results, from a point of view both of finance and efficiency, of the system of direct maintenance and come to a conclusion as to the desirability of adopting such system either more or less extensively than hitherto and inviting any observations this Council might desire to make on the subject so far as concerns the Main Roads within this area.

  The matter was discussed at length and the Clerk was instructed to reply that the Committee had no hesitation in expressing a strong opinion both with regard to economy and efficiency that the present system in force in the Urban Districts was much to be preferred to that of direct maintenance and in doing this the Clerk was further instructed to reiterate the various reasons which were submitted to the County Council when the subject was under consideration in 1902.

North End Schools

  The Committee met again as arranged at the site of the new schools in the Hayway on Monday, the 2^nd December, when the architect set out the line of frontage proposed by him, and the Committee agreed to recommend the Council to approve the same.

  The Surveyor, referring to the milestones, said the County Surveyor would do nothing until the matter had been before the Roads and Bridges Committee.

  The report was adopted.

Finance Committee

  A meeting of the Finance Committee was held at the Council Buildings, on Wednesday, the 4^th December, 1907, when there were present:- Messrs. F. Ballard (chairman), W. Bazeley, J. Claridge, and Geo. Miller.

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 Accounts

  The Committee also examined the Collector’s fittings account, from which it appeared that during the past month he had collected the following sums:-

Cemetery Registrar’s Account

  The Cemetery Registrar’s account was also examined, from which it appeared that he had received the following sum 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 under-mentioned accounts were as follows:-

Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts

  A number of accounts were examined and passed for payment.

General District Rate

  The Collector submitted a General District rate which he had prepared in accordance with a resolution of the Council, at 2/4 in the £ and it was resolved that the Council be recommended to seal the same at their next meeting.

Inspector of Nuisances

  The Clerk read a letter he had received from the Local Government Board sanctioning the re-appointment of Mr. Hunter as Inspector of Nuisances for this District to the 30^th September 1908 inclusive, at a salary after the rate of £75 per annum to the 12^th November and at the rate of £85 per annum for the remainder of the period.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to pay Mr. Hunter the sum of £1/2/10 the proportion of the £10 increase granted from the 1^st October to the 12^th November.

  The report was adopted.

Estates, Cemetery and Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Estates, Cemetery, and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 4^th December, 1907, at 7 p.m., when there were present:- Messrs. W. Bazeley (chairman), F. Ballard, J. Claridge, J. Paragreen, G. H. Skinner, and T. Swindall.

Health and Sanitary Reports

  The Medical Officer reported that since the last meeting he had examined two samples of water taken from shallow wells situate at No. 106 High Street South and Brickfield Cottages, Wellingborough-road, which he found to be unfit for drinking purposes.

  No case of infectious disease had been notified during the month.

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that the work of re-draining the Robert-street property had now been commenced and that the work at Nos. 60, 62, 64, 66 and 33 Harborough-road was well in hand.

  The Inspector also reported that the Notice served on Mr. James Sargent had not been complied with.  Mr. Sargent had written asking that the matter might stand over for a short period on account of unfavourable weather.

  It was resolved to defer the matter until the next meeting.

  The properties from which the samples of water (referred to by the Medical Officer) had been taken had now had the town water laid on.

  The Inspector further reported that he had disinfected one house during the month in which a death from consumption had taken place.

  The Inspector submitted his usual detailed statement of work done, complaints investigated and Notices served during the past month.

Factory and Workshop Act

  Lists of home workers had been received showing the number to be 1079 during the year ending August 1907.

  The Inspector drew the attention of the Committee to the new Factory and Workshops Act 1907 and to the new Home Work Order 1907.

Notification of Births Act

  The question as to whether or not this Council should adopt this Act was again considered and attention directed to the circular of the Local Government Board pointing out the ultimate object of the measure, viz., the giving of advice and instruction to those who have charge of the infants, the Board intimating that in ordinary circumstances they would not be prepared to consent to the adoption of the Act unless it appeared that arrangements had been made for this purpose.

  The Clerk was instructed to inquire from the Local Government Board if they would consider the provision of printed notices giving advice and instruction sufficient compliance with their requirements and sanction the adoption of the Act if the Council undertake to deliver such printed instructions at every house where a birth is notified, or whether the Board consider it imperative that personal visits should be paid to the houses by an Officer appointed by the Council.

Taxation of Land Values

  The circular letter from the United Committee of the Leagues for the taxation of Land Values asking this Council to pass a resolution in favour of the declared policy of the Government on the Taxation of Land Values was again considered and it was resolved to recommend the Council to pass such a resolution and order copies thereof to be forwarded to the Prime Minister and Sir F. A. Channing, M.P.

Footpath Obstructions

  Complaints were received as to the obstructions on the footpaths in the High-street caused by shopkeepers displaying their goods thereon and it was resolved to instruct the Inspector to co-operate with the Police with a view to stopping the practice.

Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milkshops Order

  The Chairman reported that the Dairies, etc. Sub-Committee had met just previous to this meeting and had considered Mr. Bainbridge’s report on his quarterly examination of the milk cows and heifers in this district.  The Report was considered satisfactory and was referred to the Sanitary Inspector for him to keep certain of the cows mentioned in the reports under his observation.

  The report was adopted, with one dissentient, Mr. Miller voting against the recommendation with regard to the taxation of land values.

Postal Service

  A letter was received from the postal authorities asking whether the Council would raise any objection to the suspension of the third delivery of letters on Thursdays so as to relieve the postmen.

  The Chairman said he believed the postmen would rather have had Saturday afternoon, and personally he thought Saturday would be a better day.

  After discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Claridge, seconded by Mr. Bates, that the Council had no objection to the suspension of the third delivery on Thursday but thought Saturday would be preferable.

Swimming Baths

  Mr. Bazeley, referring to the proposed new schools at the North End, asked whether it would be possible to provide a swimming bath in connection with them.  At Chesterfield, on a similar site, they had underground swimming baths and the children had swimming lessons in school hours.  The public were admitted after 4 p.m. and on Saturdays, and the baths were a great success.  He believed such baths would be a great boon to Rushden and Higham and he believed they would well repay the outlay.

  The Clerk said it was entirely a matter for the education authority.

  Mr. Claridge thought it was too late now to do anything in the matter.

  Mr. Bazeley: Not if the County Council are in favour of the idea, I think.

  The subject was allowed to drop.