Houses Unfit For Human Habitation
The Health Of The Town
The Low Death Rate

  A meeting of the Council was held on Wednesday evening in the Council Chamber.  Mr. F. Ballard, J.P., presided, and there were also present: Messrs. W. Bazeley (vice-chairman), Fred Knight, J.P., John Claridge, J.P., C.C., G. H. Skinner, G. Miller, C.C., C. E. Bayes, J. S. Clipson, T. Swindall, J. Paragreen, C. Bates, and A. J. Dobbs, with Mr. G. S. Mason (clerk), Dr. Morris (medical officer), Mr. Madin (surveyor), and Mr. Hunter (sanitary inspector).

Plans, &c., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 29^th January, 1908, when there were present:- Messrs. F. Ballard (in the chair), W. Bazeley, C. E. Bayes, J. S. Clipson, G. Miller, and F. Knight.

Plans

were presented by:-

  Mr. John Claridge for alterations to his house on the Wellingborough-road and passed.

  Mr. George Denton, jun., for house in King’s-road and passed.

Irchester And Washbrook Roads

  The Surveyor reported that the path on the Irchester-road between Gordon-street and Graveley-street was giving way into the ditch and required attention.  A similar state of affairs existed with regard to the path on the Washbrook-road near the bridge.

  The Committee resolved to visit the sites on Friday morning.

  The Committee subsequently met on Friday morning as arranged on the sites and instructed the Surveyor to prepare an estimate of the cost of piping and filling in the brook and making up the footpaths in both instances and submit to the next meeting of the Committee.

Main Roads

  The Surveyor reported that he had met the County Surveyor and discussed with him the estimates upon which the Agreement with the County Council for the maintenance of the main roads for the ensuing three years should be based.  A slight reduction from the previous estimate had been made in respect of the price of granite and the cost of team labour; this was insisted upon by the County Surveyor.  The allowance for street scavenging had also been reduced.  With regard to the brick pavements, which required renewing, an item of £55 a year had been agreed to.  With this item included, the estimate which the County Surveyor had agreed to for the yearly maintenance amounted to £1,010, and to this there would be added the sum of £7  5s. in respect of repayment of loans.  The Surveyor considered that a further item of £5 per annum should also be allowed for the re-tarring of the asphalte footpaths.  This would bring up the total amount to £1,023  10s., against £1,040 per annum for the preceding three years.

  The Committee considered that great care would be necessary to keep within this estimate but that on the whole it was satisfactory and resolved to recommend the Council to approve the same.

  The Surveyor also informed the Committee in reference to the repairs necessary to the brick pavements, that he had suggested to the County Surveyor that an indurated pavement should be substituted, the difference in the cost being 1/6 per superficial square yard.  The County Surveyor had agreed, in case the Council adopted this course, to recommend his Committee to approve same, treating the difference of 1/6 as an improvement, half of which amount would be payable by the County Council and half by this Council.  The cost of a new granite curb would also have to be considered an improvement and be payable in agreed proportions.

  The Committee considered the suggestion a good one and resolved to recommend the Council to adopt the same, rather than renew the brick pavement.

  The Surveyor also mentioned that the County Surveyor would be prepared to recommend the agreement to be continued for five years instead of three if this Council so desired, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to enter into an agreement for five years.

Old Fire Engine

  The Fire Brigade Sub-Committee reported that they had met to consider the letter from the Yardley Hastings Fire Brigade with regard to the purchase of the old fire engine and had unanimously agreed that it was not desirable to sell it.  They had instructed the Surveyor to obtain an estimate from Mr. Frank Brazier for doing certain necessary repairs to the wheels.  The Surveyor now submitted Mr. Brazier’s estimate, amounting to £2  18s.  6d., and it was resolved that the same be accepted and the work be put in hand at once.

Team Labour

  The Surveyor informed the Committee that the present contracts for general day-work and house refuse collection would terminate on the 31^st March next.

  It was resolved that the Surveyor be instructed to invite tenders for the work for the ensuing year by advertisement in the local papers.

High-Street South Improvement

  The Clerk reported the receipt of the formal sanctions of the Local Government Board to loans amounting to £450 in connection with this improvement, viz., £193 for carrying out the necessary works repayable in 20 years; £197 for the purchase of the land and houses required for the improvement, repayable in 50 years; and £60 for the remaining land, not required for the improvement but intended to be used for purposes of a public pleasure ground, repayable in 50 years.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to proceed with the work at once and to invite tenders for the building of the culvert and boundary wall and to do the work of pulling down the cottages and making up the road and constructing the footpath by direct labour.

Hedges

  The Surveyor reported that he had given notice to various owners of land adjoining the highways to cut their hedges in pursuance of Section 65 of the Highway Act, 1835, but at present no steps had been taken by the owners to comply with this notice.

  The Surveyor was instructed to report further on the matter to the next meeting of the Committee in order that the necessary proceedings might be taken for bringing any parties in default before the Justices.

Footpath Obstruction

  A complaint having been received with regard to the large advertisement hoardings placed by Mr. Edward Croft on the pavement opposite his place of business in the High-street, to the danger of the public, it was resolved that the Clerk be instructed to call Mr. Croft’s attention to the matter.

  Attention was also called to the danger to the public arising from a defective cellar light to Mr. C. G. Ward’s property in Newton-road.

  The Clerk was likewise instructed in this case to write to Mr. Ward and request him to have the light permanently repaired.

Fire Brigade

  The annual report from the Secretary of the Fire Brigade was received.  It appeared that the Brigade had only been called out twice during the year, viz., on March 18^th to a small fire at Messrs. Scroxton’s in Portland Road, and on June 15^th to the fire at Messrs. Ellard’s factory in York Road.  The monthly drills had been well attended and the men appointed to work the new steam fire engine were thoroughly efficient.  A table of the attendances of the members at the drills was presented with the report and considered satisfactory.

  The report was adopted.

Finance Committee

  A meeting of the Finance Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 5^th February, 1908, at 10 a.m., when there were present:- Messrs. F. Ballard (chairman), W. Bazeley, J. Claridge, and Geo. Miller.

Surveyor’s Cash Account

  The Committee examined and Surveyor’s cash account with the wages books, the expenditure shown therein being as follows:

Collector’s District Rate Account

  The Committee also examined the Collector’s District Rate Account, from which it appeared that since the last meeting he had collected the following sum:-

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.

High Street South Improvement

  The Clerk reported the receipt from the Local Government Board of formal sanctions to the loans necessary for carrying out this improvement, and informed the Committee that the Highways Committee had resolved to recommend the Council to carry out the work forthwith.  The Clerk also informed the Committee that he had been in communication with the Liverpool Victoria Legal Friendly Society, who had agreed to advance the money at 4 per cent., the costs exclusive of stamp duty being £6/6/0.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to accept the loans from the Society named on the terms quoted.

Sewage Farm

  A letter was received from Mr. A. H. Sartoris, from which it appeared that a small part of the sewage farm was subject to the Nene Valley drainage tax but that ever since the sale of the land by the Late Mr. H. Sartoris to the Council the tax had been charged to and paid by the Sartoris Estate.  The tax had amounted to 7/11 per year, and it was agreed to recommend the Council to refund to Mr. Sartoris six years’ tax at this rate.

  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 5^th February, 1908, at 7 p.m., when there were present:-  Messrs. W. Bazeley (chairman), F. Ballard, C. Bates, J. Claridge, J. Paragreen, G. H. Skinner, and Tom Swindall.

Health And Sanitary Reports

  The Medical Officer reported that no case of infectious disease had been notified since the last meeting.

  The Sanitary Inspector informed the Committee that Mr. James Sargent had not as yet commenced the work of re-draining his property in Duck-street.  A letter was read from him asking for further time on account of the unfavourable weather.

  The Committee were unable to agree to a further postponement and the Clerk was instructed to inform Mr. Sargent that proceedings would be instituted if the work was not commenced by Monday next.

  The Inspector also reported that all other orders were either complied with or the work was in hand.

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

Woburn Place

  The Inspector reported that the plate covering the manhole in Woburn Place had been broken; he had made inquiries, from which it appeared that the damage had been done by one of the Council’s carts.

  The Inspector was authorised to replace the plate at the Council’s expense, the estimated cost being 8/0.

Medical Officer’s And Sanitary Inspector’s Annual Report

  This report was received and considered satisfactory, copies were ordered to be circulated amongst the members of the Council, and the Clerk instructed to write to dr. Morris and request him to attend the next meeting of the Council.

  The Chairman reported that the work at Mr. Sargent’s property had been commenced.

  The report was adopted.

The Health Reports

  Dr. Morris, Medical Officer, read his report, as published in this issue.  He added that the death-rate last year of 8 per 1000 was very low, the average for England and Wales being 15 per 1000.

  The Chairman said that on the whole the report was very satisfactory.

  Mr. Claridge: I have been a member of the Council since its formation, and, previous to that, a member of the Local Board and of the Parochial Committee, but I do not think we have ever had submitted to us a report on the whole so satisfactory, particularly regarding the low death-rate and the decrease in infantile mortality.  That is one of the most pleasing features.  We have had to lament sometimes a high death-rate amongst children – sometimes 130 and 140 per 1000 births, and now it is under 80, which is as low, I think, as any town in England.  We may congratulate ourselves upon the high state of efficiency with which our sanitary matters are conducted.  Whatever money we may have expended, we have received good value for it.  I hope the low

Death-Rate Among Children

will still continue to decrease.  There is no reason why it should not do so.  I am glad the Government have taken up this matter, and in the Bill introduced the other night there are things which will help us considerably on this question.

  Dr. Morris, in answer to a question by Mr. Claridge, said the death-rate was about the same as last year.

  Mr. Swindall: Is the birth-rate above or below last year?

  Dr. Morris: It is lower this year.

  The Chairman: It is the same throughout the country.

  In answer to Mr. Bazeley, Dr. Morris said he quite approved of the disinfection of the clothing, etc., in cases of consumption, as mentioned in the Sanitary Inspector’s report.

  Mr. Knight: Does the Medical Officer only visit certain dwellings when asked to do so by the Sanitary Inspector? I am under the impression that there are houses in Rushden which, if the owners do not improve them, ought to be condemned.  (Hear, hear.)  I have been in houses in Rushden which are, I think, altogether

Unfitted For Human Beings

to live in.  (Hear, hear.)  I have talked the matter over with the Sanitary Inspector in one or two cases, and no doubt he will keep his eye upon them.  If there is no improvement, something will have to be done.  There are cottages in Rushden which are not fit for human habitation.

  The Sanitary Inspector said it was his duty to inspect these places and then report to the Medical Officer.  He had so much to do last year that he had not had a great deal of time to visit these houses, but hoped to do something in that way this year.  There were cottages in Rushden which very badly needed improving.

  Mr. Bazeley: It seems to me that the Local Government Board now give every encouragement to sanitary authorities to condemn insanitary dwellings, and now without compensation to the owners, as used to be the case in the past.  It is now the Local Authority’s neglect if these matters are not looked into and the Acts carried out in their entirety.  There is no lack of housing accommodation in Rushden to-day, and the Council can instruct the Medical Officer and Sanitary Inspector to use the powers they possess under the Act and condemn this property if it is not made more habitable.

  The Chairman and Mr. Knight were sure the officers would attend to this matter.

Sanitation

  The annual report of the Sanitary Inspector was next considered.

  Mr. Claridge said it was a very satisfactory report.  They had never had one like it before.  It showed the great amount of work which had been done during the year, and it reflected great credit upon the Sanitary Inspector.  In Mr. Hunter they had a very efficient officer.  He (Mr. Claridge) knew that in Rushden there were houses which were really not fit for human habitation, and it was the duty of the Council to see that something was done and to look after the public health of the place.  With regard to the regulations as to cowsheds and the sale of milk, he thought the Council were to be commended on having appointed an officer, and the results had justified the appointment, a great improvement having been manifested.  Milk entered largely into the daily food, not only of children but of adults, and it was the duty of the Council to get the milk supply as pure as possible.  They might congratulate themselves on having such efficient officers as Mr. Hunter and Mr. Bainbridge.

  Mr. Swindall said the report of the Sanitary Inspector was a splendid one.

Feeding School Children

  A letter was received from the National Education Association, asking the Council to send delegates to a conference in London on April 7^th to consider what reforms were necessary in educational affairs.

  Mr. Dobbs suggested that Mr. J. W. Crough should be one of the delegates, because he was the only School Manager who favoured putting into force the Act for Feeding Necessitous School Children.

  The Chairman, as a member of the Education Authority, said that every member of the authority was in favour of feeding the hungry children.  If they did not favour putting the Act into force they had provided a fund whereby necessitous children could be provided with breakfast, without coming on to the rates for the money.

  Mr. Dobbs:  I object to this charitable fund.  I want to see it come

Out Of The Rates.

Mr. Crouch is the only member of the School Management Committee who is prepared to do that.  I believe the children should be fed out of the rates if they are fed at all.

  Mr. Clipson:  I think you cannot put the Act into force until the voluntary system has failed, and it has not failed in Rushden at present.

  Mr. Bazeley: I think Mr. Clipson is wrong there.  The voluntary system has failed in London but they have not put the Act into force there.  The Act is adoptive and not compulsory, and that is where at present the Act is of no effect in many centres.  In Leeds and some other large towns the Act has been adopted with very good results, and this is supplemented by voluntary aid.  Mr. Dobbs does not think the members of the Education Committee are callous and do not wish the children to be fed, but he believes there should be

A Proper System

adopted.  Unless you adopt this Act, I do not think you will know whether there are children who need a meal or not.

  The Chairman: It is only fair to the members of the Education Committee to say that they met the head teachers of the schools and went thoroughly into the cases, and we were assured by the head teachers that there were not more than two or three cases altogether where children were sent to school without food.  Under those circumstances the committee thought it would be unwise to adopt the Act.  There is no reason to adopt the Act if there is no need to put it into effect.  We get cried down if we spend the rates, and now we are to be cried down if we do not spend the rates.

   Mr. Claridge:  The Education Authority are unanimous that when there is need for the Act they will adopt it, but there is a voluntary fund at present, and that is sufficient.

  Mr. Crouch’s name was rejected by a large majority, and Mr. Ballard and Mr. Claridge were appointed delegates.