Irchester-Road Building Site To Be Purchased
Hard Tennis Courts For Spencer Park
More Subsidy Houses?

  Wednesday, present Messrs. C. W. Horrell, C.A., J.P. (chairman), C. Claridge (vice-chairman), T. Wilmott, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Roe, A. Allebone, W. C. Tarry, D. G. Greenfield, M.D., J. Allen, F. Knight, J.P., F. Corby, T. Swindall, L. Perkins, B.Sc., J. Spencer, J.P., J. Hornsby, G. W. Coles, J.P., W. Bazeley, J.P., and C. Bates, with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. F. S. F. Piper).

  Reading the minutes of the business at the last meeting in committee, the Clerk stated that the Salvation Army authorities were to be asked for terms on which the Council acquire the Rushden Salvation Army Barracks.  Also, the Clerk was instructed to ask the L.M.S. Railway Company when the Council might expect to hear the decision of the Company regarding Station-approach.  The Ministry of Health had written giving sanction to a loan of £1,230 for the purchase of land in Irchester-road subject to the Council repaying £375 for 3¾ acres of land on the Trafford-road site not built on.

  The minutes were passed.

Council in Committee

  A meeting of the whole Council in Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Tuesday, January 19^th, 1926, when there were present: Messrs. C. W. Horrell (chairman), C. Claridge, A. Allebone, J. Allen, C. Bates, W. Bazeley, G. W. Coles, F. Corby, J. Hornsby, D. G. Greenfield, F. Knight, L. Perkins, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Spencer, T. Swindall, W. C. Tarry and T. Wilmott.

Irchester-Road Site

  The Chairman reported that he had had an interview with Mr. Sartoris as to the purchase of additional land on this site and had since received an offer through Mr. John Mason as follows:

Equal to £136 per acre.

Equal to £83  4s.  9d. per acre.

  With regard to the 12,391 square yards at 2s. per square yard, the Council had already entered into a contract with regard to this portion and had also an option to take at 1s. per square yard 14,950 square yards of frontage in Field No. 50 and 5,330 square yards of frontage in Field No. 42, and Mr. Sartoris’s offer included the remainder of the land in Field No. 50, about 14 acres, or, if the Council so desired, Fields Nos. 48, 44, 43, and part 42, about 36 acres.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to accept the offer for the whole Field No. 50 and the frontage of Field No. 42 at the prices quoted above and to ask Mr. Sartoris to give the Council an option extending over six months to purchase the remaining land as quoted to enable the Council to have a scheme for development prepared with an estimate of the cost of constructing the necessary roads and sewers.

  The report having been received, Mr. Swindall said he was opposed to the purchase of land at the back of the frontage of Field 28 in Irchester-road, which he contended, could not be developed.  Six acres could not be brought into the public sewer.  Nor could Field 42 be sewered unless the Council were prepared to pay £8,000 or £10,000.  He did not think the Council should saddle themselves with land which would not be wanted for 40 years.  The land in front of which park gates had been constructed had been regarded as a good building site until it was pointed out that it could not be sewered.  He moved that the reference to the purchase of the frontage of Field 42 be referred back.

  Mr. Hornsby said he thought Mr. Swindall’s figures for the sewer to the field were high.

  Mr. Bazeley asked whether the sewer could be taken to Wellingborough-road.

  The Surveyor said it could be done by tunnelling, perhaps from Graveley-street.  But the best way would be to go by the back of Mr. Claridge’s house.  The cost would be about £2,000.  The Council had now bought land in that direction to the limit of the use of gravitation for sewer purposes.

  Mr. Spencer said he was sorry Mr. Swindall’s outlook was so limited.  He (Mr. Spencer) could remember the development of Pyghtles-terrace district, the “Rock” Estate, Wellingborough-road, Spencer Park, and Higham-road districts.  He believed if the opportunity was given land would be developed.  There must, however, be a limit to the present sewage scheme, and probably the gas also, but that was not a reason for stopping development.

  The minutes were passed by all votes except Mr. Swindall’s, which was recorded against.

Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, January 27^th, 1926, when there were present: Messrs. T. Wilmott (chairman), A. Allebone, J. Allen, F. Knight, and W. C. Tarry.

Plans

were presented for:-

  Lock-up shop in High-street for Mr. A. V. Hedges, and passed subject to the sewer at present running under the site being laid with iron pipes and also the drain proposed to be laid under the building and the owner being responsible for all time.

  Additions to their factory on the Bedford-road for the Tecnic Boot Co., Ltd., and passed.

  Alterations to shop in High-street by Messrs. Yarde & Co., and passed.

  Garage (wooden building) for Mr. E. Richardson at the rear of No. 80, Harborough-road, and passed subject to the written consent of the adjoining owner being furnished to the Surveyor.

  Garage (wooden building) for Mr. J. W. Goode adjoining his house in Carnegie-street, and passed subject to the same condition.

  Open shed at the rear of No. 84, Washbrook-road, for Mr. W. Abrams, and rejected as not complying with the bye-laws.

  Cycle shed near “Brayfield,” Prospect-avenue, and no exception taken.

Subsidy House Garage

  A letter was received from Mr. H. Pennis giving particulars of the cost of his house and land and again asking for permission to erect a small garage near thereto.  It appeared that the total expenditure did not exceed £700, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accede to the application subject to a plan and builder’s estimate of the proposed garage being submitted.

Rectory-Road Improvement

  The Surveyor reported that he had now seen the owners of the property abutting Rectory-road and Coffee Tavern-lane corner with regard to the building line.  The latter had agreed to give up the land required subject to the Council erecting a creosoted close-pale fence with oak posts.

  The Committee agreed and resolved to recommend the Council accordingly.

Wellingborough-Road

  A letter was received from the Rushden Brick and Tile Co., Ltd., complaining of the flooding of their pits owing to the defective drainage of Wellingborough-road.

  The Surveyor was instructed to prepare an estimate of the cost of piping-in the ditch on the north side for a certain distance and submit to the next meeting of the committee.

Public Lighting

  The Lighting Sub-Committee reported that, as instructed, they had met and decided to recommend that the lamp at the corner of Queen-street and Rectory-road be kept lighted in unison with the High-street lamps.

  The committee agreed and resolved to recommend the Council accordingly.

High-Street

  The Surveyor reported that, as instructed by the whole Council in Committee, he had again been in communication with the owner of the shop on the south side of the Feathers Inn and had offered him the sum of £109 as compensation for the setting back of the property in a line with the cottage buildings, which the latter had agreed to accept subject to the Council executing the work of moving the crossing a few feet to the north of its present situation.  After consultation with the Chairman he had informed the owner to proceed with the alteration of these terms.

  The committee confirmed the action of the Chairman and Surveyor.

  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 3^rd, 1926, at 10 a.m., when there were present: Messrs. C. W. Horrell (chairman), C. Claridge, C. Bates, J. Hornsby, L. Perkins, and J. Roe.

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:-

Treasurer’s Accounts

  The committee also examined the Treasurer’s accounts, from which it appeared that he had received the following sums during the past month: 

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

Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £2,034  15s.  5d. were examined and passed for payment.

Spencer Park – Hard Tennis Courts

  The Clerk reported the receipt of the sanction of the Ministry of Health to the raising by the Council of a loan of £457 for the provision of two hard tennis courts in Spencer Park.

  Subject to the estimates for the construction of the courts being approved by the Parks Committee, it was resolved to recommend the Council to instruct the Clerk to negotiate a loan for this sum.

Housing Act, 1923 – Subsidy Houses

  The Clerk also reported that 97 grants of £100 each had now been paid in respect of houses erected by private enterprise under the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923.  Ten houses for which subsidies had been promised were under course of construction, and it would be necessary to raise a further loan for payment of these sums.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to make application to the Ministry of Health for sanction to a loan of £2,500.    The Housing Committee were requested to take into consideration at their next meeting the question of further propaganda with a view to more houses being erected under this Act.

Surveyor’s Staff

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to increase the salary of Mr. E. J. B. Mulligan by 5s. per week as from the 1^st inst.  The report was adopted.

Health and Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, February 3^rd, 1926, when there were present: Messrs. F. Corby (chairman), W. Bazeley, D. G. Greenfield, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Spencer, and T. Swindall.

Health and Sanitary Reports

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

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that during the past month 23 nuisances had been dealt with, of which ten had been abated.

  At the Depot a quantity of bedding and wearing apparel had been disinfected and a quantity of articles of bedding destroyed, all after cases of infectious disease.

  Fifty-five visits had been made to premises where food was prepared or sold, when quantities of beef offal, pork, and pork offal, together with twelve tins of canned food, to the total weight of 1cwt. 1qr. 3¾lb., were found to be unfit for human consumption and destroyed in the usual way.

  An application was received from Mrs. Knibbs, of 3, Oswald-road, for compensation in respect of destroyed bedding after a case of infectious disease.  It was resolved to recommend the Council to replace same at a cost not exceeding £1  7s.  6d.

  The Inspector also reported that, as instructed, he had inspected the drainage of the bungalows and houses on the St. Crispin Estate and found that the dyke in front of the estate was polluted with sewage matter, thereby causing a nuisance.  It appeared that when the various cesspools were emptied the matter was allowed to gravitate into the ditch.  It was resolved to recommend the Council to instruct the Inspector to serve a notice on the occupiers concerned requiring them to abate the nuisance forthwith.

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

Factory and Workshop Acts

  The Inspector also reported that for the half-year ended February 1^st, 39 lists had been received, containing the names of 50 outworkers, seven of which would be transferred to other districts.

Petroleum Acts

  Applications for the renewals of their licences to store petrol were received from Messrs. R. Jarvis, the Rushden Engineering Company, and A. Simpson, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accede thereto subject to the respective stores being to the satisfaction of the Inspector.

  Applications were also received from the Rushden Engineering Company and Mr. R. Jarvis for the renewal of their carbide of calcium licences, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to agree thereto subject to the stores being in a satisfactory condition.

Cinematograph Act

  A letter was received from the Temperance and Band of Hope Union stating that they proposed holding a cinematograph exhibition in the Park-road Baptist Rooms on Tuesday, February 9^th.  The Inspector stated that he had visited and inspected the building, which he considered satisfactory for the purpose.  The committee decided to raise no objection.

Public Conveniences

  A letter was received from the L.M.S. Railway Company, with form of agreement, setting out the terms and conditions on which the Company would agree to let their land fronting High-street, near the Station, for the purpose of providing an improved convenience there.  The Surveyor estimated the cost of removing the old one and constructing another in accordance with the plan submitted at £200.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to accept the Company’s terms, which provided for a yearly rent of £1, and to seal the agreement.

Public Health and Clean Milk

  A circular letter was received from the Sanitary Inspectors’ Association stating that that association had been approached by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to assist in promoting short courses of study suitable to Sanitary Inspectors to enable the latter better to protect the consumer and at the same time to advise and assist the producer and distributor with regard to a cleaner milk supply.  They had accordingly arranged for a six-days course to commence at Loughborough on May 17^th next, and asked for the sanction of the Council for their Sanitary Inspector to attend.  The inclusive fee for the six days, including board, lodging, etc., was £3  7s.  6d.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to request the Sanitary Inspector to attend.

Refuse Disposal

  The Surveyor reported that he had been in communication with the Councils of Aylesbury, Letchworth, and Newark, and submitted replies with regard to their respective schemes for the disposal of refuse.  The further consideration was adjourned until the next meeting.

  By general consent the resolution accepting the L.M.S. Railway Company’s terms of £1 a year rent for the site near the railway bridge was referred back.

  The rest of the report was then passed, Mr. Wilmott remarking, amid laughter, that the six-days board and lodging for the Sanitary Inspector at the study course was very cheap!

Parks Committee

  The Clerk reported that sanction had now been received from the Ministry of Health to the borrowing by the Council of the sum of £457 for the provision of two hard tennis courts in the north-west corner of Spencer Park.

  The committee had before them the plan of the proposed site, which was approved.

  The Surveyor was instructed to obtain tenders from the Entant Cas Co., Ltd., and Messrs. Gazes for the laying of the courts, accept the lowest, and put the work in hand.  The report was adopted.

Various Items

  It was agreed that the chairman and vice-chairman be asked to attend the preliminary meeting called by the Kettering Urban Council to consider the formation of a local Association of Urban Councils.

  The district organising secretary of the Royal National Lifeboat Association having written asking the Council to assist in the formation of a permanent branch in Rushden, it was decided to reply that if the association called a meeting the chairman of the Council would be pleased to preside.

  Permission was granted to the National Institute for the Blind to hold an emblem day in the town in the summer.

  A letter from the L.M.S. Railway Company regarding the Council’s revised scheme of taking over Station-approach was read stating that the plan had been sent to headquarters last November and since then nothing had been heard from that quarter.  Headquarters were being approached again on the matter.

  Mr. Horrell remarked that that did not bring the Council much nearer.

  The Salvation Army authorities wrote stating that their surveyor would shortly ask to meet representatives of the Council at an early date on the subject of the Council taking possession of their Rushden premises.

  The Clerk of the County Council wrote stating the action taken by that body on the question of Rushden’s application for increased representation on the County Council. 

  Mr. Coles said they heard the news with regret.  He was sorry they could not congratulate the County Council on acting fairly and justly with Rushden.  The town was more under-represented than any other part of the county.  There might have been difficulties, but they could have been overcome.  Farming interests had a majority on the County Council, and they did not regard urban representatives with great favour.  He thought the Council should thank all those who supported Rushden’s claim and hope that when the matter was again raised it would be with success.

  Mr. Spencer said Rushden had been very badly treated.  He was not sure that they should not apply to join Bedfordshire.  (Laughter.)

  Mr. Allen moved that the L.M.S. Railway Company be asked to collect and deliver parcels in the whole of the new estate.  He said that parcels were not collected or delivered higher in Newton-road than a few houses above the schools, and if the facilities were extended to the rest of the houses it would be a great boon to the householders.

  Mr. Spencer seconded, and he and several members expressed surprise at the statement.

  The motion was carried.

  Mr. Bates asked who would be responsible for the damage to the paving slabs broken in High-street with the removal and replacement.

  The Chairman said the Post Office would be.

  Mr. Perkins gave notice that he would move at the next meeting that the chairman, vice-chairman, and ex-chairmen consider the workings of the committees as at present constituted.