Sunday Lighting Of Business Premises - “An Undesirable Practice”
Baths To Be Started

  Wednesday, present Messrs. J. Hornsby, J.P., (chairman), F. Corby (vice-chairman), T. Wilmott, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Roe, A. Allebone, W. C. Tarry, D. G. Greenfield M.D., C. Claridge, F. Knight J.P., J. Allen, T. Swindall, C. W. Horrell, C.A., L. Perkins M.B.E., J. Spencer J.P., G. W. Coles J.P., W. Bazeley J.P., and C. Bates, with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Acting Surveyor (Mr. J. W. Lloyd) 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, January 18^th, 1928, when there were present: Messrs. L. Perkins (chairman), J. Hornsby, F. Corby, A. Allebone, J. Allen, C. Bates, C. Claridge, G. W. Coles, J. Roe and J. Spencer.

Housing – Irchester-Road Site
Westfield Avenue

  The Surveyor was instructed, in obtaining tenders for the making up a further part of Westfield Avenue, to also invite prices for the portion to complete the road.  The tenders to state what reduction would be made provided a contract for the whole was at once entered into.

Spare Land

  A letter was received enquiring if the Council were prepared to sell a plot of land on Westfield Avenue and its consideration was deferred to a future meeting.

Housing Committee

  A meeting of the Housing Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Monday, February 6^th, 1928, when there were present: Messrs. L. Perkins (chairman), J. Hornsby, F. Corby, J. Allen, G. W. Coles, C. Claridge, J. Roe, and J. Spencer.

Housing – Westfield-Avenue – Tenders

  Tenders were received for the making up of Westfield-avenue as follows:

(1)  For the completion of the second portion, including the sewers; and

(2)  For the completion of the third part and residue of the road.

  The committee were satisfied that it would be to the advantage of the Council to at once accept tenders for the whole of the work, and it was accordingly resolved, subject to the approval of the Ministry of Health, to recommend that those of Mr. H. Wilmott, the lowest, at £1,995 and £1,394 respectively, be accepted.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to at once make application to the Ministry for sanction to the raising of a loan of £3,500 for the purpose.

Further Houses

  The Surveyor was instructed to at once proceed with the plans of the further 52 houses proposed to be erected in Westfield-avenue, with a view to their early submission to the Ministry of Health for approval.

  The reports were adopted.

  Mr. Wilmott asked how long it would be before building would begin on the second road.

  Mr. Perkins said that the second contract must be completed in May.  He estimated that about 50 houses could be completed on that piece of road by December.  The third stretch would not be wanted in 1928.  Presumably it would be wanted in the spring of 1929.

  Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee

  A meeting of the Plans Highways and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 25^th January, 1928, when there were present: Messrs. J. Hornsby (chairman), A. Allebone, C. Claridge, G. W. Coles, C. W. Horrell, F. Knight, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Spencer, T. Swindall, and T. Willmott.

Plans

were presented for:

  House in Purvis-road for Mr. Frank Andrews and passed.

  An application for subsidy in respect of the foregoing house was received, together with an estimate of the cost thereof, which did not exceed, including the cost of the land, £620, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to issue a Certificate in respect of same as coming within the Council’s scheme for the subsidy of £70.

  Lavatory accommodation at their Works for the Rushden and Higham Ferrers District Gas Co. and passed.

  Motor Cycle Shed for Mr. A. Dickens near his house off the Irchester-road and passed.

  Motor Garage for Messrs. Chas. Sanders Ltd. near their Works in Duck-street and no exception taken.

Buildings in 1927

  The Surveyor reported that plans for 7 ordinary private houses, 15 subsidy houses and 83 Council houses had been approved during the year and that during the same period 8 ordinary houses, 23 subsidy houses and 68 Council houses had been certified as completed.  The houses in course of erection at the end of the year were 4 subsidy houses and 51 Council houses.

Building Bye Laws

  The Sub-Committee appointed to view the Building in Carnegie-street about which complaints had been received reported that they had inspected the property and did not advise the Council to take any action in the matter.

Main Roads

  The Surveyor reported that he had furnished the County surveyor with a provisional estimate of the cost of the main roads within the Urban District amounting to £2,821  16s.  9d.  The Committee approved.

Graveley-Street

  The Surveyor reported that Mr. Austin had accepted the Council’s offer with regard to the making up of this street and the work would now proceed forthwith.

Public Lighting

  A report was received from the Police calling attention to the insufficiency of the existing lamps near the Churchyard entrance stating that at the cross-roads it was dangerous for the officer regulating traffic there owing to the difficulty of the drivers of approaching cars seeing him.  The report suggested that the matter be considered by the Lighting Committee.  The Committee agreed that the lights at the part named were not satisfactory and instructed the Lighting Sub-Committee to deal with the matter with power to act.

  The report was adopted.

  Mr. Allen asked that a piece of pavement which had not been constructed near some of the Addison houses be completed.

  The Chairman promised that the matter should be brought before the next meeting of the Highways Committee.

  Mr. Roe, speaking on the subject of public lighting, said that for the last two to three Sunday nights one of the large stores in High-street had been illuminated.  He was sure the Council did not wish that6 practice to become general.  He felt certain that if the Clerk wrote to the proprietors they would cease to use their lighting on Sundays.

  Mr. Horrell said that although the light might seem useful in some respects, it would be quite a mistake to have the town lit up on Sunday nights from store windows.  It would be bound to be followed by other store proprietors in the town.  It could be pointed out in the letter that the practice might very well cease in the interests of the responsible people.

  The Chairman said that while the Council had no control in the matter, if it was the wish that the Clerk should make the request he would do so.

  The suggestion was unanimously approved.

Health and Sanitary Committee

 A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, 1^st February, 1928, when there were present:- Messrs. F. Corby (Chairman), J. Hornsby, J. Allen, C. Bates, W. Bazeley, D. G. Greenfield, T. F. B. Newberry, T. Swindall, and W. C. Tarry.

Health and Sanitary Reports

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

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that 24 additional nuisances had been dealt with during the month and 17 abated.

  Thirty-two visits had been made to premises where food was prepared or sold, during which inspections a quantity of mutton offal, the carcase of a pig together with other offal to the total weight of 1 cwt. 1 qr. 11 lbs. was found to be unfit for human consumption and destroyed in the usual way.

  Twelve rooms had been disinfected after cases of infectious disease.  A quantity of bedding and wearing apparel had been destroyed at the sewage farm and a number of articles of bedding disinfected at the Depot, also after cases of infectious disease.

  Applications were received from Mrs. S. Gibson, No. 1, Pemberton-street, Mrs. Clarke, No. 82, Cromwell-road, Mrs. Furniss, No. 21, Roberts-street, and Mrs. A. Childs, No. 22, Upper Queen-street, for compensation in respect of destroyed bedding, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to replace part of the bedding destroyed at a cost not exceeding £1  7s.  6d. in each case.

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

Factory Acts

  The Inspector reported that since the last meeting outworkers’ lists had been despatched to 55 factories and workshops, and of that number 44 had been received back containing the names of 63 outworkers; five of this number had been transferred to other districts.

Milk and Dairies Act

  An application was received from Mr. F. H. Abbot for registration as a retail purveyor of milk at premises known as No. 74, Higham-road, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accede thereto, subject to the store being to the satisfaction of the Inspector.

  An application was received from the Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society, Ltd., for a renewal of their licence to sell pasteurised milk, and agreed to.

Public Health and Clean Milk

  The Inspector also reported that during the month four samples of milk had been taken for bacteriological examination.  Three of the samples were satisfactory; with regard to the fourth, the Inspector was instructed to see the purveyor concerned and inform his that unless a considerable improvement was noticed in the next examination the Council would consider the question of cancelling his registration.

Petroleum Acts

  Applications were received from Mr. A. Simpson, 22, High-street South, and the Rushden Engineering Co. Ltd., High-street South, for renewals of their Petrol Licences, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accede thereto.

South End Schools

  The Inspector reported that he had visited these schools on several occasions.  The sanitary conveniences at the girls’ and infants’ departments had been made satisfactory, but those at the boys’ department were still in an unsatisfactory condition, although he had been informed some two years ago that new accommodation was to be provided.  He was instructed to communicate with the Education Committee on the subject enquiring when the Council might expect the new works to be completed.

Sewage Farm

  The Surveyor informed the Committee that owing to some change being made in the power supplied by the Electric Co., a new motor would be required at the works and that the Company were providing one at their own expense.

Covered Sanitary Carts

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to place an order for two carts of a larger capacity than those at present in use with roller canvas covers with Messrs. Wadsworth Bros. at £40 each.

Team Labour

  The Surveyor was instructed in asking for tenders for team labour for the ensuing six months to inform all contractors that a better type of horse will be required than those now employed.

  Mr. Roe said he hoped that the trouble of dust collectors waiting, through there being about three men to one cart, would be alleviated when the new dust carts were purchased.  There had been such a long time between the visits of the dust carts in the past.  He was not complaining of the men, who did their work all right, but there had been a lot of waiting in the past.

  The Chairman:  I think it may obviate that to some extent.  There will be the larger capacity, meaning bigger loads.

  Mr. Wilmott said that only last week one cart went along only half filled, following another cart in the same street.  He thought it all depended on the locality, because there was not so much dust to collect in some streets as in others.  Now that the Council had a permanent tip at the end of the town, the whole town wanted dividing to see which was the most thorough way to work it.  The men did their work well, and it was not a nice job.

  Mr. Spencer mentioned complaints of not collecting dust from the Sartoris-road district.  He said he did not know the reason.

  The Chairman promised that the Surveyor would make note of all those remarks and make any necessary arrangements.

Finance and Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Thursday, 2^nd February, 1928, at 10 a.m., when there were present:  Messrs. C. W. Horrell (chairman), J. Hornsby, F. Corby, C. Bates, G. W. Coles, F. Knight, J. Roe, and W. C. Tarry.

Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts

  A number of accounts, amounting to £1,458/0/9, were examined and passed for payment.

Rates Department

  The Committee had under consideration the staff in the Rates department.  Leonard Fennell, a junior clerk, having recently retired, the Committee considered that the vacancy should be filled by a somewhat older and more experienced Clerk, and having appointed Mr. Malcolm Boyd to that position, recommended the Council to confirm the appointment, the salary to be £2  10s.  0d. per week for the first three months and afterwards £3 per week, the appointment dating from Monday last.

Rent Collector

  During the vacancy in the collecting department Mr. Amos Wright had been collecting rents on behalf of the Council.  He had performed this work for four weeks and it was resolved to fix his remuneration at £5.

Cemetery Allotments, Newton Road

  The Clerk submitted a statement of the rents collected from these allotments for the period to 29^th September last, which was approved.

Audit

  The Clerk reported that the audit of the accounts of the Council for the year ended 31^st March last was completed on Tuesday last and the financial statement signed by the District Auditor.  The Chairman in due course will receive a report from him.

  The report was adopted.

Special Committee

  A meeting of the Special Committee appointed to consider the vacant Surveyor-ship was held at the Council Buildings on Thursday, the 2^nd of February, 1928, when there were present:- Mr. J. Hornsby (chairman), Messrs. F. Corby, D. G. Greenfield, F. Knight, C. W. Horrell, and L. Perkins.

Appointment of Surveyor

  The Chairman reminded the Committee that the appointment of Mr. Lloyd as acting surveyor was to be considered at the expiration of three months and that the three months expires on Wednesday next.  The Committee understood and believed that the work was being carried out in a satisfactory manner by Mr. J. W. Lloyd, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to rescind the resolution instructing the Committee to advertise the appointment and to appoint him surveyor at an inclusive salary of £350 per annum for all Council work.

  The report was adopted.

  Mr. Allen asked whether the appointment to the Rating office above referred to had been publicly advertised.

  Mr. Horrell said it was not filled by public advertising because there might have been the difficulty of too great a list of names to be considered.  In this instance there were about a dozen names to choose from.

  Mr. Allen:  Is it usual procedure for the Council to make a public appointment without advertising?

  The Chairman:  It has been done occasionally, I understand.

  Mr. Horrell:  Perhaps Mr. Allen does not know the circumstances under which the appointment was made.

  Mr. Allen said he was quite satisfied with the replies.

  At this stage Mr. Lloyd left the meeting during discussion on the minute referring to him.

  On the question of the appointment of the Surveyor, Mr. Horrell said that the members of the Council were well versed in the position which the Council had adopted on the death of Mr. Madin.  It was thought at one time that they should consider applications for the post, but after a long discussion the Committee, including the Chairmen of all Council Committees, decided to continue for three months with Mr. Lloyd in the position of acting surveyor.  The Committee met last week and after giving the matter every consideration, they decided that a resolution standing on the minutes be rescinded and that Mr. Lloyd be offered the post of Surveyor.  Mr. Horrell formally moved the adoption of that recommendation.

  Mr. Willmott seconded, and it was supported by Mr. Newberry, Mr. Roe, Mr. Allen, Mr. Coles, and Mr. Corby, and it was carried unanimously.

  During the discussion it was stated that the salary did not include remuneration to Mr. Lloyd as Engineer to the Water Board.  Several complimentary remarks were made with reference to Mr. Lloyd’s ability and efficiency.

  Mr. Lloyd, having returned to the Council room, the Chairman said he had the honour and pleasure to inform Mr. Lloyd that the Council had unanimously appointed him Surveyor to the Council if he would accept the position.  Several of the members of the Council, Mr. Hornsby further stated, had spoken very highly of Mr. Lloyd’s work, and they sincerely trusted that he would be blessed with good health, and that he would endeavour to carry out the work to the satisfaction of the Council, the town, and himself.

  Mr. Lloyd said he should like to thank the special committee which was appointed to go into the matter, and also the whole Council for the unanimous vote.  He had always tried to do his best, and he always should.  At the end of the year he hoped they would see that they had not made a mistake.  (Applause.)

Baths and Parks Committee

  A meeting of the Baths and Parks Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Monday, February 6^th, 1928, when there were present: Dr. Greenfield (chairman) and Messrs. W. Bazeley, C. Claridge, G. W. Coles, C. W. Horrell, L. Perkins, J. Roe, and J. Spencer.

Swimming Baths

  The Clerk reported that he had received from the Ministry of Health formal sanctions to the borrowing by the Council of the sums of £285, £1,000, £2,198, and £1,597 for the purpose of provision of public swimming baths in Station-road.  The amounts had been allocated in the following manner: 

  The letter forwarding the sanction stated that they were issued on the condition that the compressive stress in the concrete would be reduced to 66lb and that the supervision of the construction would be done by some one fully qualified for the purpose.

  The Surveyor informed the committee that all necessary arrangements as to this had been made.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to give instructions for the works to be commenced forthwith and that the Clerk be authorised to negotiate the loans required.

Putting Green

  It was resolved to provide a putting green in Spencer Park on the west side of the hard tennis courts, and the Surveyor was instructed to commence the preliminary work of removing the turf on the proposed site.

Privet Hedge

  It was resolved to plant a privet hedge along the eastern boundary of the Park, between the poplar trees, subject to Messrs. Perkins and Son advising that it would grow in this position.  The price of the hedge to be £12  10s., plus cost of labour in planting.

  The report was adopted.

  Dr. Greenfield said that at last their negotiations with the Ministry of Health had come to a successful termination.  They were now in a position to begin work on the public baths, and their first duty was to raise the money.  He moved that the Committee’s recommendation be adopted.

  Mr. Coles seconded, and it was carried.

  Dr. Greenfield said that the suggested putting green would not cost more than £50 according to Mr. Lloyd’s estimate.

  A letter was read from the secretary of the Northants Agricultural Society referring to the show held at Rushden in June last year.  The letter stated that at the annual general meeting of the Show committee a formal vote of thanks was passed to the Urban District Council of Rushden, the local committee, and the honorary secretary for the cordial and great assistance received on the occasion of the visit of the show to Rushden.  The writer asked that these expressions be conveyed to all concerned.

  The Chairman said he was sure that was very gratifying.

  A letter was received from the County Council, with reference to Rushden Council’s application for part of the Rushden Police Station to be used as a mortuary.  The letter stated that the request had been forwarded to the Standing Joint Committee.