Eight More Houses To Be Erected
Housing Subsidies

  Wednesday, present Messrs. C. Bates, J.P. (chairman), C. W. Horrell, C.A. (vice-chairman), T. Swindall, T. Wilmott, C. E. Bayes, C. Claridge, F. Knight, J.P., L. Perkins, B.Sc., J. Spencer, J.P., J. Hornsby, 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 Committee

  A meeting of the Housing Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, Jan. 28^th, 1925.  Present: Messrs. F. Knight (chairman), C. Bates, C. W. Horrell, C. E. Bayes, J. Spencer, and T. Wilmott.

Architect’s Fees

  The committee had under consideration the account of the Architect’s fees in connection with the housing scheme, with a letter from the Ministry of Health thereon.

  Mr. J. W. Fisher attended the meeting and explained how the account was made up.

  It was resolved to refer the matter again to the Finance Committee for consideration, the members of this committee not acting on that committee to be asked to attend the meeting.

Additional Houses

  The Surveyor was instructed to advertise for tenders for the additional eight houses proposed to be erected in Oval-road.

  The report was adopted.

Health And Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, January 28^th, 1925, when there were present: Messrs. C. W. Horrell (chairman), C. Bates, C. Claridge, G. W. Coles, F. Corby, and T. Wilmott.

Health And Sanitary Reports

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

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that 45 visits had been made to premises where food was prepared or sold, during which inspections a quantity of beef, mutton, and pork offal to the weight of 78lb. Was found to be diseased or unfit for food and destroyed in the usual way.

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

  Thirty-five nuisances had been dealt with since the last meeting, of which number 25 had been abated.

  The Inspector gave a detailed statement of his work since the last meeting.

Slaughterhouse Licences

  Application for renewals of their slaughterhouse licences were received from J. Knight and Son, the Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society, Mr. E. Hollis, and Mr. F. W. Swindall, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accede thereto.

Knackers’ Yard

  An application was also received from Messrs. George Chettle and Sons for a renewal of their knackers’ yard licence, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to agree thereto.

Petroleum Acts

  Applications were also received for renewals of their petrol and carbide of calcium licences from Messrs. Lawrence and Richardson, Washbrook-road; the Lightstrung Co., Ltd., Church-street; Messrs. Lack Bros., Sartoris-road; Mr. R. Parker, 105, Park-road; the Rushden Engineering Co., Ltd., High-street South; Mr. A. Simpson, 22, High-street South; Messrs. England, Smith & Co., Victoria-road; Messrs. York, Ward, and Rowlatt, Ltd., High-street; Messrs. Wadsworth Bros., Newton-road; Messrs. J. Austin and Son, Oakley-road; Mr. F. Wilkins, High-street South; Mr. C. A. Hedley, High-street; Messrs. Tailby and Putnam, High-street; Mr. W. Elstow, 72, Crabb-street; and Mr. C. Chamberlain, 78, Wellingborough-road; and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accede thereto subject to the respective stores being to the satisfaction of the Inspector.

  An application was also received from Messrs. H. W. Chapman, Ltd., of Cromwell-road for a licence to store 500 gallons of petrol in an underground tank they proposed constructing.  It was resolved to recommend the Council to accede to the application subject to the store being constructed to the satisfaction of the Inspector.

Milk And Dairies Act, 1922

  An application was received from Mr. W. Hodgkins, of “Denehurst,” Newton-road, to be registered as a cowkeeper and dairyman and also a retailer of milk.  The Inspector reported that the premises proposed to be used by Mr. Hodgkins were in satisfactory condition, and it was accordingly resolved to recommend the Council to accede to the application.

Dairies, Cowsheds And Milkshops Order

  The quarterly report of the Veterinary Inspector was received, from which it appeared that on January 19^th and 20^th last he visited 24 premises in this district and inspected 170 cows, making an individual examination of each udder.  The report was considered satisfactory.

Cemetery

  The report of the Cemetery Registrar for the year ended December 31^st last was received, from which it appeared that during that period there had been 138 interments, 61 grave spaces had been purchased, and seven reserved for a period of 14 years.  Nine headstones had been erected, and 46 kerbs laid down.  The total receipts had been £244  17s.  9d., and no fees were outstanding.

  The committee considered the report very satisfactory.

Refuse Tip

  The Chairman reported that he, with the Chairman of the Council and the Surveyor, had recently visited the tip on the Newton-road, which in his opinion was not kept in a satisfactory manner.

  It was resolved that the whole committee meet on the site next week and give instructions to the Surveyor as to how it was to be dealt with.

’Bus Stands

  Attention was called to the inconvenience and nuisance arising from the large number of ’buses now having stands in High-street South, particularly the lack of sanitary conveniences for drivers and conductors.

  The committee were of opinion that the time had now arrived when the ’Bus Company should provide a park for its ’buses whilst standing in Rushden, together with the necessary sanitary conveniences.

  The committee instructed the Clerk to write to the ’Bus Company on the subject and to inquire from them if their representative would attend their next meeting and discuss the matter with them.

Cemetery

  The Surveyor reported that a large number of indicators for numbering the graves was required and further drainage operations necessary.

  It was resolved to refer the matter to the Cemetery Sub-Committee to visit the Cemetery and give such instructions as they might consider necessary.

Soap-Boiling Works

  The application of Messrs. A. Austin and Co. for permission to manufacture soap at their works in Irchester-road was considered.

  Soap works are one of the noxious trades named in the Public Health Acts which are not permitted in an urban district without the consent of the Council.

  The Clerk was requested to inquire from Messrs. Austin & Co. if they could supply the Council with information as to works of a similar nature in other towns, with the names of the towns, so that inquiries might be made.

Public Health (Meat) Regulations, 1924

  A circular letter from the Ministry of Health forwarding a printed copy of these regulations was submitted.

  The Clerk informed the committee that each member would be supplied with a copy of the circular and of the regulations before the next meeting, when they could be considered.

  In the meantime the Clerk was instructed to obtain the necessary forms for service upon all meat traders.

  The report was adopted.

                Finance And Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, February 4^th, 1925, at 10 a.m., when there were present: Messrs. C. Bates (chairman), C. W. Horrell, C. E. Bayes, C. Claridge, G. W. Coles, F. Knight, 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 were as follow:

Tradesmen’s And Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £1,777  12s.  8d. were examined and passed for payment.

Allen-Road  -  Private Street Works Act

  The Surveyor reported that Mr. H. Wilmott’s contract for the making up of part of Allen-road under the Private Street Works Act was now complete.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to pay Mr. Wilmott the sum of £300 on further account.

Building By-Laws

  Tenders for printing the new by-laws were received, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accept that of Mr. C. Cross, the lowest.

Rectory-Road Improvement

  The Clerk submitted a letter from the Ecclesiastical Commission with regard to the proposed sale of part of the Rectory grounds to the Council, stating that it would be necessary to be furnished with an independent surveyor’s report and valuation of the land.

  A report was now received from Messrs. Traylen and Lenton, architects and surveyors, of Stamford, stating that in their opinion the purchase price should be 6s. 6d. per yard, which worked out at £215  16s. For the land required.  The Council to be required to rebuild the wall to a height of 6ft. 6in., the full length of the property, and that the trees when removed to be the property of the vendors.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to agree to their terms and to instruct the Clerk to proceed with the necessary agreement.

Subsidy Houses

  The Clerk was instructed to negotiate a further loan of £5,000 for the payment of subsidies under the Housing Acts, 1923.

Housing – Architect’s Fees

  The committee had under consideration the question of the account for Architect’s fees, referred to them by the Housing Committee, and ultimately decided to refer it to a sub-committee consisting of the Chairman, Mr. Horrell, and Mr. Coles, to confer with Colonel Fisher thereon and report to the next meeting.

Council Chamber

  The Surveyor submitted a plan of the proposed seating accommodation for the new Council, which the committee approved.

  The report was adopted.

Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, February 4^th, 1925, when there were present: Messrs. C. Bates (chairman), C. W. Horrell, C. E. Bayes, J. Hornsby, F. Knight, T. Swindall, and J. Spencer.

Plans

were presented for:

  Four houses in Washbrook-road for Mr. A. Sanders, and passed.

  House in Glassbrook-road for Mr. G. C. Parker, and passed.

  Two houses on the Higham road for Mr. J. Hall and Miss M. A. Hall, and passed.

  House in Spencer-road for Mr. W. Packwood, and passed.

  Two houses in Oakley-road for Mr. W. Holloway and Mr. T. J. Swindall, and passed.

  Applications for subsidies in respect of the foregoing houses were received, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to instruct the surveyor to issue certificates in respect of same as coming within the Council’s scheme for the subsidy of £100 each.

  Garage in Portland-road for Mr. H. Martin, and passed subject to evidence as to party wall being produced.

  Additions to factory in Graveley-street for Messrs. J. Austin, Ltd., and adjourned until the next meeting.

  Box-shed to factory in Oakley-road for Messrs. Allebone and Sons, Ltd., and passed.

  Workshop on the St. Crispin Estate for Mr. J. W. Neville, and passed.

  House and shop at the corner of Higham and Kimbolton roads for Mr. E. Thompson, and passed.

  Cycle shed at the rear of No. 28, Portland-road for Mr. A. Shortland, and passed.

Temporary Buildings

  Several applications were received for permission to erect a number of small temporary buildings, and it was resolved to take no exception thereto. 

South-End Schools  -  Main Road Improvement

  A letter was received from the Clerk to the County Council with regard to the proposed setting back of the fence in front of the South-End Schools, stating that the resolution of the Education Committee recommending, subject to the erection and maintenance by the Urban Council of barriers on the footpath, opposite the two entrances, that they cede to the urban Council, with the consent of the owners, a strip of land 3ft. in width and 40 yds. in area, to be used for widening the footpath, had been withdrawn.  The letter further stated that, as the road upon which it was proposed to effect the improvement was a main road, the matter had been referred to the Roads and Bridges Committee, with power to act, and asked for particulars of this Council’s proposals and an estimate of the cost thereof.

  The Surveyor was requested to prepare an estimate of the cost of laying down concrete slabs on the portion of land thrown into the footpath and forward to the Clerk to the County Council.

Hayway

  The Surveyor submitted an estimate of the cost of laying about 250 yds. of storm-water drain with the necessary gulleys, and also for kerbing the footpath on the south side of the Hayway, amounting to £350.

  The committee could not see their way to recommend the Council to incur expenditure to this amount at the present time, and resolved that the matter be deferred.

Newton-Road Improvement  -  Clerk’s House

  Tenders were received for razing the “Clerk’s House,” the Council to retain all the stone required and the contractor to have the materials not so required.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to accept that of Messrs. W. Packwood and Son to carry out the work and to pay £27.

Factory Acts

  The Clerk was instructed to communicate with Messrs. Green and Coe, Ltd., and Messrs. G. Warner, Ltd., inquiring what steps were being taken to comply with the Factory Inspector’s application that sufficient and proper means of escape in case of fire be provided at their respective factories.

Housing Act, 1923  -  Subsidy Houses

  A letter was received from the Minister of Health stating that he approved generally of the Council’s proposals for affording financial assistance to private enterprise in the erection of a further 50 houses by means of a lump-sum grant of £100 each.  The Minister, however, did not feel that he could properly authorise the Council to issue certificates in respect of houses of which the net cost to the purchaser or building owner, after allowing subsidy, was in excess of £600, including the cost of land.  In issuing certificates the Council should ordinarily limit their promise of assistance to such houses as were likely to be commenced before June 30^th next and completed before December 31^st next.

  The report was adopted.

Mortgage

  The seal of the Council was placed to the following: Mortgage with the Rushden Co-operative Society for £575 at 4¾ per cent., repayable in ten annual instalments of £73  11s.  10d. (for the new steam-roller); agreements with the Rector and Mr. J. W. Radburne for the purchase of land in Rectory-road; new building by-laws, to be advertised (and expected to be in force in about six weeks); Newton-road improvement demolition of the “Clerk’s House” by Messrs. W. Packwood and Son).

Gas

  The quarterly report of the Gas Examiner was presented, showing that the average calorific value of the gas had been 483.1 as compared with the guaranteed 460 B.T.U.

Baths

  Mr. Spencer said that the special committee appointed to consider the provision of public baths in Rushden had been expecting to be called to receive information which it was understood was in the possession of the Clerk on the subject, and he asked that the meeting be called during the coming month if possible.  There did not seem any reason why the meeting should be further postponed.

  The Chairman said that the members would meet next Wednesday.

Railway Station

  Mr. Spencer further asked whether there was any further information on the much-neglected subject of covering the platform at Rushden station which the Railway Company had promised.

  Mr. Wilmott asked if the Clerk had heard anything more from the L.M.S. Railway about the deputation to meet representatives of the Rushden Council with reference to the opening of Rectory-road at the station end.  The Council were making a start at the Newton-road end, and the whole scheme could go on if the Company would act.

  The Clerk said he had written twice, and each time it was postponed.

  Mr. Spencer moved that the Company be again approached on both points.

  Mr. Wilmott seconded, and it was carried.