Wednesday, present: Messrs. T. Swindall, J.P. (chairman), L. Perkins, B.Sc. (vice-chairman), F. Knight, J.P., T. Wilmott, C. E. Bayes, C. Claridge, C. W. Horrell, C.A., F. Corby, J. Spencer, J.P., J. Hornsby, C. Bates, and G. W. Coles, J.P., with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. F. S. F. Piper).

HOUSING

  The Clerk, reporting on a special meeting of the Council of Feb. 7^th, stated that the Council had authorised a loan for housing of £14,000 from a Friendly Society at £4  15s. per cent., repayable in annual instalments of £708  15s.  7d.

RAILWAY FACILITIES

  A letter was read from the Midland Railway Company replying to one recently sent from the Council urging that the railway be extended from Higham Ferrers to Raunds.  The Company stated that at the end of last year they had replied to the Raunds Council, who made a similar request, stating that they did not feel justified in making the necessary outlay.  They saw no reason to depart from that decision.

  Mr. Knight called attention to the lack of accommodation at the Rushden railway station, especially since the introduction of a large amount of parcels sent from the factories.  Those parcels often had to be left in the rain, and passengers had not sufficient accommodation.  The Company were not treating Rushden at all fairly – they seemed to be spending money on the bigger stations.  He did not know whether the Council should move first, or whether the Boot manufacturers’ Association should take the initiative.

  Mr. Horrell pointed out that there was only one platform, and oft-times that was glutted with parcels.  He did not know a station with worse provision than Rushden.  The matter was too serious to allow of delay.

  Mr. Corby said he imagined that the Rushden line was one of the best-paying on the whole system.  It was due to Rushden that better accommodation be provided.

  Mr. Knight moved that the Clerk make representation to the proper authorities and ask that they meet a deputation from the Council.

  Mr. Spencer seconded, and said that some time ago they had had a high official down.

  This was carried.

PARKS COMMITTEE

  A meeting of the Parks Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, Jan. 31^st, 1923, when there were present: Messrs. F. Knight (chairman), L. Perkins, C. Claridge, G. W. Coles, F. Corby, and J. Spencer.

TENNIS COURTS

  In anticipation that at least three courts will be ready for play during the ensuing season, the Clerk was instructed to obtain prices for the necessary equipment with a view to the purchases being made in the present financial year, and the chairman was authorised to give the necessary orders.

SHELTER

  The Surveyor was instructed to prepare a plan and estimate for the erection of a shelter for the tennis players, providing accommodation for both ladies and gentlemen.

NETTING

  It was resolved that the committee pay an early visit to Wicksteed Park for the purpose of inspecting the posts for boundary netting manufactured by Mr. Wicksteed, with a view to purchasing similar for Rushden.

CHILDREN’S SPORTS

  It was resolved to take the opportunity at the same time of inspecting the swings and other apparatus in use at the Wicksteed Park, and consider as to the provision of additional apparatus in Spencer Park.

BOWLS

  The Chairman reported that a club had been formed in connection with the bowling green on similar lines to that at Wellingborough, and was working very satisfactorily.

  The report was adopted.

PLANS, ETC., COMMITTEE

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, Jan. 31^st, 1923, when there were present: Messrs. L. Perkins (in the chair), C. Bates, C. E. Bayes, C. W. Horrell, J. Spencer, and T. Wilmott.

PLANS

Were presented for:

  Coal barn to house in Higham-road for Mr. W. McC. Horrell, and passed.

  Slaughterhouse in orchard near Higham Ferrers, off the Kimbolton road, for Mr. E. Thompson, and passed subject to satisfactory arrangements being made with the Higham Ferrers Corporation to permit the drainage to run into their sewer.

  Earth closet to cottage on the Wymington road for Mrs. M. A. Dilley, and passed.

  Open shed for Messrs. Jaques and Son, Ltd., near their factory in Station-road, and no exception taken subject to the written consent of the adjoining owner being obtained.

WOODEN SHEDS

  Applications were received from Mr. Frank Tear to erect a wooden shed in the garden at the rear of his house, No. 12, Pratt-road, and Mr. S. Peck for a motor-cycle house on his allotment ground in Hove-road, and no exception taken.

MAIN ROADS

  The Surveyor submitted his estimate of the expenditure on the main roads for the year 1923-4 amounting to £2,075  8s., and it was resolved that the figures be adopted and furnished to the County Surveyor.

HAYWAY CORNER

  The sub-committee reported that Mr. Green had expressed his willingness to consent to give up the land required for rounding off this corner on the understanding that the Council would at an early date extend the sewer in this road as far as his house.  The Surveyor estimated the cost of the work and fencing at £50.  Mr. W. T. Hobbs had promised to give up a small piece of land at the opposite corner, and the cost of setting back the fence there was estimated at £7.

  On the works being completed before March 31^st next, the County Surveyor had stated that the County Council would contribute 75 per cent. of the total cost.

  With regard to the extension of the sewer, the committee understood that Mr. Tall contemplated building a house some distance from the present sewer, about midway to Mr. Green’s house, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to inform Mr. Green that on Mr. Tall’s building being commenced they would make arrangements at once to carry the sewer to the new house and at the same time extend it as far as Mr. Green’s.

NEW BUILDING BYE-LAWS

  A letter was received from the Ministry of health inquiring what progress was being made with the new bye-laws.

TELEPHONE LINE

  An application was received from the Post Office Telegraphs Department for permission to carry an overhead telephone line along Avenue-road from Bedford-road to Higham Park-road, and down the latter road to Higham Park.

  The necessary permission was given.

WELLINGBOROUGH-ROAD

  The Surveyor presented his estimate of the cost of constructing footpaths on both sides and the widening of this road to the west of the Oakley, amounting to £1,825.  He had received a letter from the Ministry of Transport stating that the scheme might be put forward for approval after March 31^st next, and if then approved an amount of 50 per cent. would be made towards the cost.

  The Surveyor was instructed to make the application in due course.

NEW BUILDINGS

  The Surveyor reported that during the year ended Dec. 31^st, 1922, 69 plans for buildings other than dwelling-houses had been submitted, of which 38 had been approved and no exception taken to the remaining 31.

  Plans had also been approved for 16 dwelling-houses during the year; 14 had been certified complete, and 16 were in course of erection on Dec. 31^st, 1922.

  The report was adopted.

  On the above report Mr. Corby said that another road was vitally necessary parallel with High-street.  The congestion of traffic as a regular thing in High-street was a perpetual danger to people.

FINANCE AND ESTATES COMMITTEE

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, Feb. 7^th, at 10 a.m., when there were present: Messrs. T. Swindall (chairman), L. Perkins, C. E. Bayes, J. Hornsby, F. Knight, and T. Willmott.

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 during the past month:-

  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 following balances were in his hands:-

TRADESMEN’S AND OTHER ACCOUNTS

  A number of accounts amounting to £4,024  11s.  1d. were examined and passed for payment.

HOUSING LOAN

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to instruct the Clerk at once to apply to the Ministry of health for sanction to a loan of £3,000 in respect of the eight additional houses now being erected on the Newton-road site.

RATE ARREARS

  The Collector was instructed to insert advertisements in the local papers that proceedings would be instituted against all persons in arrear with their rates on the 28^th inst.

NATIONAL SAVINGS CERTIFICATES

  The Clerk reported that during the year ended Dec. 31^st, 1922, 62,317 National Savings Certificates had been purchased in Rushden.

  The report was adopted.

HEALTH AND SANITARY COMMITTEE

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, Feb. 7^th, 1923, when there were present: Messrs. L. Perkins (chairman), T. Swindall, C. Claridge, G. W. Coles, F. Corby, J. Hornsby, and F. Knight.

HEALTH AND SANITARY REPORTS

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

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that since the last meeting 24 nuisances had been dealt with, of which eleven had been abated.

  A quantity of meat, 14 tins of fruit, fish, milk, etc., and eleven rabbits, to the weight of 2 cwt. 1qr. 21lb., all of which had been voluntarily surrendered, had been examined and found unfit for human consumption and destroyed in the usual way.

  A quantity of bedding and one coat had been disinfected at the depot after cases of infectious disease.

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

SLAUGHTERHOUSE LICENCES

  Applications were received for the renewal of their slaughterhouse licences from Mr. E. Hollis and Mr. F. W. Swindall, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accede thereto.

PETROLEUM ACTS

  Applications were also received from Messrs. Lack Bros., Charles Chamberlain, the Rushden Engineering Company, York, Ward and Rowlett, the Lightstrung Cycle Company, Tailby and Putnam, R. E. Ackroyde, B. Jarvis, Lawrence and Richardson, J. Austin and Son, Wadsworth Bros., Wargate Motor Engineering Company, for renewals of their licences to store and deal in petrol and carbide of calcium, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accede thereto.

MILK AND DAIRIES ACT, 1922

  Applications were also received for registration under this Act as follow:-

Retail Purveyors – Mrs. F. A. Mortimer and Mr. J. Knight;

Cowkeepers and Wholesalers – Mr. Fredk. Corby, Mrs. F. A. Mortimer, and Mr. J. Knight;

and it was resolved to recommend the Council that their names be placed on the respective registers.

  The report was adopted.

DUMPING OF REFUSE

  Attention was called to the dumping of refuse in various parts of the town, and it was pointed out that this could not be allowed to continue, and offenders would in future be proceeded against.  Tradesmen and others requiring the removal of other than domestic refuse could have same removed at a nominal charge on application to the Surveyor.