At a meeting of this Council on Wednesday night there were present: Messrs. W. Bazeley (chairman), G. H. Skinner (vice-chairman), J. Claridge, G. Miller, F. Ballard, C. E. Bayes, J. S. Clipson, T. Swindall, F. Knight, C. Bates, J. Paragreen, and A. J. Dobbs, with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. W. Kingston).

Council in Committee

  A meeting of the whole Council in Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 23^rd December, 1908, at 7 p.m., when there were present:- Messrs. W. Bazeley (Chairman), G. H. Skinner, F. Ballard, C. Bates, C. E. Bayes, J. Claridge, J. S. Clipson, A. J. Dobbs, F. Knight, G. Miller, J. Paragreen, and Tom Swindall.

Surveyor’s Office Staff

  The Surveyor informed the Committee that since the last meeting, when he was instructed to advertise for a Clerk at a salary of £1  5s. per week, he had been approached by Mr. J. W. Lloyd, of Thrapston, with a view to his engagement in the office.  Mr. Lloyd’s proposal was that he should be articled to Mr. Madin for a period of two years from the 1^st January next and assist the Surveyor generally in all the duties appertaining to the office during that time.  The Surveyor states that Mr. Lloyd had some experience in the work under his father, who is Surveyor to the Thrapston Rural District Council, and was now employed as clerk in a builder’s office at Thrapston.  The matter had been considered by the Finance Committee, who were unanimously of opinion that this arrangement would be satisfactory to the Council.

  It was resolved that Mr. J. W. Lloyd be engaged as an assistant in the Surveyor’s office during his articles at a salary of 18s. per week for the first year and £1 per week for the second year.

  The Surveyor was also instructed to engage a suitable office boy at a salary of 5s. per week.

  The report was adopted. 

Plans, Etc., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 23^rd December, 1908, when there were present:- Messrs. W. Bazeley (chairman), G. H. Skinner, J. Claridge, J. S. Clipson, A. J. Dobbs, F. Knight, and T. Swindall.

Plans

were presented by:

  Mr. E. Pack for additions to his house, No. 40, Robinson-road, and passed.

  Messrs. Walter Sargent and Co. for additions to their factory in Crabb-street and passed subject to the roof timber being satisfactory and a vertical damp course being provided to the exterior walls.

New Buildings

  The Surveyor reported that during the past year plans for the following buildings had been passed by the Council:-

Sand-Pit Road and Sussex Place

  The Chairman called attention to the bad state of these roads during wet weather, and it was resolved that the Clerk be instructed to write to the owners concerned calling their addition thereto and requesting them to repair the roads.

  The report was adopted.

Finance And Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 6^th January, 1909, at 6.30 p.m., when there were present: Messrs. W. Bazeley (chairman), G. H. Skinner, F. Ballard, and John Claridge.

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 District Rate Account

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

Cemetery Registrar’s Account

  The Cemetery Registrar’s account was also examined, from which it appeared that the following sum had been paid to him since the last meeting:-

Collector’s Fittings Account

  The Committee also examined the Collector’s Fittings account and found 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 the following sums had been paid to him on the following accounts since the last meeting:-

  And that the following balances were in hand on the undermentioned accounts:-

Tradesmen’s And Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £584  19s. were examined and passed for payment.

Public Lavatories

  It was resolved to hold a special meeting of the Committee on Wednesday next at 6.30 p.m. to consider this matter.

  The report was adopted.

Health And Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 6^th January, 1909, at 7 p.m. when there were present:- Messrs. G. H. Skinner (Chairman), W. Bazeley, C. Bates, F. Ballard, C. E. Bayes, and J. Paragreen.

Health And Sanitary Reports

  The Medical Officer reported that eleven cases of infectious disease had been notified since the last meeting, viz., two of scarlet fever, two of erysipelas, one of enteric fever, and six of diphtheria, all of which with one exception occurred in different houses.

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that five statutory and 22 informal notices had been served upon owners or occupiers for the removal or abatement of nuisances, 15 of which had been complied with, the remainder being still under consideration.

  The Inspector also reported that the Council Order served on Mr. W. Garner re the defective drainages at Nos. 84 and 86, Moor Road, had not been complied with.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to institute proceedings against Mr. Garner if the work be not commenced by Wednesday next.

  The Inspector also reported a number of properties not provided with sufficient ashpits or other receptacles for the deposit of refuse and that he had served preliminary notices on the owners of the respective properties requiring them to provide suitable receptacles.

  The Inspector informed the Committee that a great majority of cases the only receptacles used were old tin pails or sugar boxes and that in a number of cases no receptacles whatever were provided.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council that in all cases of this nature the owner be required to provide suitable covered galvanized iron dust-bins.

  The Inspector also reported that in one case of enteric fever he had on the recommendation of the Medical Attendant destroyed the bedding and replaced same at a cost of 25s. 0d.    The Committee approved.

  The Inspector gave a detailed statement of work done, etc., during the past month.

Slaughter-House Licences

  Applications for the renewal of their slaughter-house licences were received from Mr. E. Hollis, Mr. E. Warren, and Mr. E. Sanders and granted.

Dairies, Milkshops, And Cowsheds Order

  The quarterly report of Mr. Bainbridge was received, in which it appeared that on November 27^th, 28^th, and 30^th last, he visited 28 premises belonging to 25 cowkeepers and inspected 278 milk cows and heifers, making special examination of their udders and throats.

  The report was considered very satisfactory and the Sanitary Inspector was instructed to keep certain of the cows under his observation.

Tuberculosis

  A circular enclosing an order from the Local Government Board was received as to the notification of tuberculosis by Medical Officers of Poor Law Institutions.

  Mr. Skinner in moving the adoption of the report, stated that the defective drainage at 84 and 86, Moor-road was being remedied.

  Mr. Claridge asked whether the Council had power to say what kind of receptacles should be used.

  The Clerk said the Council were the sole judges as to what receptacles were suitable and what were not.

  Mr. Claridge: Well, so far as I am concerned, I feel inclined to contest the matter, rather than be compelled to provide receptacles of a particular pattern.  To provide suitable receptacles is quite right.

  The Clerk: The resolution would only apply where the receptacles were not already suitable.

  Mr. Claridge: I feel inclined to resent it.

  Mr. Ballard took it that where a good receptacle was in use the Council would not say that an iron one must be provided.

  Mr. Dobbs: Do the committee think that a wooden receptacle can be suitable?

  The Chairman said the matter was very fully considered by the committee and in those cases where it was necessary to provide fresh receptacles he did not think 3s., the cost of a galvanised dustbin with cover, would be a great burden on the owners of property.

  Mr. Knight moved as an amendment that the Council require proper receptacles to the satisfaction of the Sanitary Inspector and that no particular kind of receptacle be specified.

  The amendment was lost by 6 – 5 (Mr. Miller being neutral), and the report was adopted.

  The Chairman said he had received a letter from Mr. G. Bayes with regard to the provision of dustbins, but the committee did not think it advisable that it should be read.

  Mr. Paragreen: Is this a monthly letter?

  Mr. Bates moved that the letter be read.

  Mr. Paragreen: I will second it, providing there will be any benefit accruing.

  The motion was carried, and the letter was read as follows:-

  “Gentlemen, - With regard to a notice forwarded to me, dated 22^nd December last, requesting me to provide for nine houses sufficient portable galvanised dustbins, with tight fitting lids, may I respectfully ask to be allowed to provide white enamel instead?  They would look much nicer and more up to date.  Kindly allow me to add that the receptacles now used are sufficient inasmuch as I myself clear every particle of refuse away every Tuesday and every Thursday, and your men are supposed to call and collect every Saturday.  I beg most respectfully to inform the Council that in removing this refuse in the way I do I am running myself liable (under your bye-laws) to a penalty of five pounds for every offence.  Your bye-laws read as follows:  “7 (a) Every person who shall remove any filth, dust, ashes, or rubbish from any premises etc., shall use a suitable vessel or receptacle properly constructed and furnished with a sufficient covering, so as to prevent the escape of the contents thereof.”  I am using the same covering your men use, but I am wrong, and they, being Council employees, are right.  Would it not be well to enforce every owner to provide for each tenant a slop pail and certain household utensils for the deposit of foecal matter sometimes found in dwellings.”

  No action was taken on the letter.

Public Conveniences

  The Finance Committee reported that they had had under consideration the question referred to them by the Council in consequence of the resolution passed at the recent town’s meeting relating to the provision of additional public conveniences in the town.  The committee were of the opinion that the present was not an opportune time to incur any additional financial burdens and resolved to recommend the Council not to take any steps in the matter at the present time.

  Mr. Dobbs said he should not move an amendment but should vote against the recommendation because he considered the provision of public conveniences was an urgent matter.  The present solitary convenience was simply an office for the hotel, and was useless to the public.

  Mr. Bates said the question had been before the Council for seven years without their getting any further.  He quite understood the financial position of the town, but he hoped that the necessary provision would be made when the next estimates were prepared.

  Mr. Ballard thought a convenience was very necessary, but did not think the present was an opportune time to incur an expenditure of £1,000.

  The Chairman: The only thing in the way is the present financial position of the Council.

  Mr. Dobbs: If we wait for an opportune time, it won’t be done for 50 years.

  The Chairman: That remains to be seen.

  The recommendation of the committee was carried, Mr. Dobbs voting against.

Ordnance Maps

  In accordance with a suggestion received from the Rothwell Urban Council it was resolved to ask the Ordnance Survey Department to provide large scale ordnance maps for all urban district in the county.

Rectory-Road Improvement

  A letter was received from the Local Government Board stating that before sanctioning the application of the Council for power to borrow £1,000 for street improvement in Rectory-road, a local inquiry would be held by one of H.M. Inspectors.

Medical Officer

  On the motion of Mr. Skinner, seconded by Mr. Claridge, Dr. Morris was re-appointed Medical Officer for one year.

High-Street South Improvement

  Mr. Ballard gave notice that at the next meeting he would ask what the cost of the High-street South improvement had been to the ratepayers of Rushden, exclusive of the contribution from the County Council.  He would also ask if it was a fact that some of the owners of adjoining property had offered to pay part of the expense.