Sweeping Snow From Pavements:
Whose Responsibility?
Full Lights Ahead – And Pay For Them!

  If the December meeting of the Rushden Council was “historic,” as was claimed by Mr. J. Spencer, the meeting held on Wednesday this week was in one respect of outstanding importance in that the Council decided at last to cease the practice of darkening the town one week in every month of the winter.

  There were present Messrs. J. Hornsby, J.P., (chairman), F. Corby (vice-chairman), T. Wilmott, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Roe, A. Allebone, 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, the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Acting Surveyor (Mr. J. W. Lloyd), and the Sanitary Inspector, (Mr. F. S. F. Piper).

  The Chairman said that Mr. W. C. Tarry had sent a telegram stating that he would be unable to get back to Rushden from a distance in time to attend the meeting.

  Mr. Hornsby said that as that was the first meeting of the New Year he wished everyone present a happy year.

  Members:  And the same to you, sir.

  The Chairman:  Thank you.

Housing Committee

  A meeting of the Housing Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, December 21^st, 1927, when there were present: Messrs. L. Perkins (chairman), J. Hornsby, F. Corby, A. Allebone, J. Allen, C. Bates, C. Claridge, and G. W. Coles.

Irchester-Road Housing Site

  The committee decided to recommend the Council to at once invite tenders for the extension of Westfield-avenue, a sufficient length to provide for the erection of 52 houses.

  The report having been received, Mr. Lloyd, replying to Mr. Wilmott, said that the length of road needed for the 52 houses would be 207 yards.  That would not reach Irchester-road.

  Mr. Horrell asked whether there would be any saving in getting a tender for the whole of the road instead of taking 207 yards only.

  Mr. Wilmott said he did not think there would be a halfpenny of difference.  Also, by taking too much there would be money spent and lying idle.

  Mr. Spencer thought Mr. Horrell’s point was a good one, and said it was sometimes an advantage to act on such lines.

  Mr. Perkins suggested that the work of the committee be not delayed at all.  Perhaps it would be advisable, he said to give the committee discretion in the matter.  There was the question of further sewering to be considered with the new road.

  Mr. Coles said there need be no delay and the Council had nothing to lose by having alternative prices.

  Mr. Allebone spoke similarly.

  The Chairman favoured going carefully with the expenditure on roads not required immediately, and after further remarks the committee’s report was passed, the committee also being requested to get alternative prices.

Plans, Etc., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, December 21^st, 1927, when there were present:  Messrs. J. Hornsby (chairman), A. Allebone, C. Claridge, G. W. Coles, C. W. Horrell, F. Knight, T. Swindall, and T. Wilmott.

Plans

were presented for:

  Extension to his factory off Newton-road by Mr. John White, and passed subject to the sewer under the buildings being of iron pipes.

  Gangway connecting factory in Crabb-street with cottage near to Messrs. Walter Sargent & Co., Ltd., and passed.

Building By-Laws

  A sub-committee consisting of Messrs. Coles, Knight, and Allebone was appointed to inspect the building in Carnegie-street about which complaints were being made by an owner of an adjoining building.

Graveley-Street

  The surveyor submitted an estimate for constructing a road 12ft. wide down the centre of this street amounting to £60, and he was instructed to inform Messrs. Austin and Co. that the Council would contribute £15 towards the cost if they arranged for the balance.

Public Lighting

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to give instructions for full public lighting in all streets as from January 1^st.

Electric Supply Company

  Notice was received from this Company of their intention to lay underground electric lines on the north-west and north-east sides of Crabb-street.

  The report was adopted.

  Mr. Bazeley asked whether Messrs. Austin and Co. had accepted the Council’s offer.

  Mr. Lloyd:  Yes, sir.

  In regard to the committee’s recommendation on public lighting, the Chairman said that the Highways Committee had taken into consideration all things connected with the question and had come to the conclusion that it would be the wisest course to have all the lamps lighted throughout the season.  He believed that it would meet with the wishes of the townspeople, and they would also have the pleasure of paying for it.  (Laughter.)

Health and Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, January 4^th, 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 December was received.

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that since the last meeting seven rooms had been disinfected after cases of infectious disease.  A quantity of bedding, etc., had been disinfected at the Depot and a quantity destroyed at the Sewage Farm, also after cases of infectious disease.

  Applications were received from Mrs. E. Draper, of 91, Cromwell-road, and Mrs. P. Childs, of 104, Glassbrook-road, 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.

  Thirty-seven visits had been made to premises where food was prepared or sold, during which inspections the head of an ox and a quantity of pork offal, to the total weight of 2qr. 16½lb., had been found to be unfit for human consumption and destroyed in the usual way.

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

Petroleum Acts

  The Inspector submitted applications for the renewal of their licences to store petrol as follow:

The Lightstrung Co., Ltd., Church-street;

W. Elstow, 72, Crabb-street;

J. W. Wrighton, in Essex-road;

Wadsworth Bros., Newton and Park roads;

Lack Bros., Sartoris-road

Peck’s Road Transport Co., Washbrook-road;

Wargate Motor Engineering Co., Wellingborough-road;

England Smith & Co., Victoria-road;

Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society, Newton-road;

D. Nicholson, Higham-road;

C. A. Hedley and Son, High-street;

J. Austin and Son, Oakley-road;

T. Loasby and Son, Washbrook-road;

R. Marriott, High-street;

H. W. Chapman, Ltd., Cromwell-road;

Charles Chamberlain, 78, Wellingborough-road;

and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accede thereto.

  Applications were also received for renewals of licences to store carbide of calcium as follow:

The Wargate Motor Engineering Co., Wellingborough-road;

W. E. Espin, Queen-street;

R. Parker, 105, Park-road;

T. Loasby and Son, Washbrook-road;

Charles Chamberlain, Wellingborough-road;

and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accede thereto.

  An application was also received from Mr. Ralph Parker, of No. 105, Park-road, for a licence to store 40 gallons of petrol at the rear of his premises in a store composed of iron with a close-fitting lid.  It was resolved to recommend the Council to accede thereto subject to the store being constructed to the satisfaction of the Inspector.

Cemetery

  The Cemetery Registrar submitted his half-yearly report, from which it appeared that the interments during that period had numbered 62.  Twenty-nine grave spaces had been purchased and five reserved.  One other space had been reserved for a second period of 14 years.  The fees collected and banked during the half-year amounted to £113  9s. and no fees remained outstanding.  The committee considered the report very satisfactory.

  The Surveyor was instructed to provide a new shelter for the men engaged in digging graves, at an estimated cost of £3  5s.  6d.

Smallpox Hospital

  The sub-committee reported that they had visited the hospital and recommended various small repairs to be carried out at an estimated cost of £6  10s.  They also recommended that the stove in the old ward be repaired at a cost of £1  12s.  6d.

  The committee approved and resolved to recommend the Council accordingly.

  The sub-committee were very much impressed with the satisfactory manner in which the hospital had been kept.

Nuisance By-Laws

  The attention of the committee was called to the failure of the occupiers of houses and shops to clear away the snow from the pavement in front of their premises, and it was resolved to issue a notice calling the attention of residents to their obligation to do this work.

Mortuary

  The Clerk was instructed to inquire from the Standing Joint Committee of the County Council if they would be prepared to make a similar arrangement with regard to a mortuary at the Police Station here as was made at Wellingborough.

Covered Sanitary Carts

  The question of the provision of further covered carts was referred to the Depot Committee to consider as to the character of the cart to be provided, particularly the covering.  The Chairman of this committee was asked to join the Depot Committee for the purpose.

Milk and Dairies Order, 1926

  With reference to the salary of the Veterinary Inspector, a letter from the Clerk to the County Council was received stating that the County council had now resolved to repay to the Local Authorities which have continued to employ Veterinary Inspectors after October 1^st, 1926, one-half of the salary actually paid, and that therefore the contribution of the County Council to the Rushden Authority would be £10  10s. per annum.  A cheque for the contribution for the year ended September 30^th last had been received.

  The Veterinary Inspector submitted his quarterly report, from which it appeared that on December 19^th and 20^th last he visited 20 premises in this district and inspected 193 cows, making an individual examination of each udder.  With one exception the whole of the cows were clinically normal and for the most part in good condition. The committee considered the report very satisfactory.

  In his annual report the Inspector stated that there had been a marked improvement in the cleanliness of the cows and their surroundings during the year.

Slaughterhouse Licences

  Applications for renewals of their slaughterhouse licences were received from:

Mr. E. Hollis, 44, Duck-street;

Mr. E. Thompson, Higham-road;

Mr. F. Knight, 57, Moor-road;

Mr. F. W. Swindall, 87, Moor-road; and

The Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society, Ltd.;

and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accede thereto.

Knacker’s Yard

  An application was also received from Messrs. G. Chettle and Son for a renewal of their knacker’s yard licence, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to agree thereto.   The report was adopted.

  Mr. Spencer, speaking on the by-law regarding snow on pavements, said that if it was only a case of calling attention to the by-law he did not think it would have much effect.  He would rather have had the by-law made compulsory, due warning being given to the inhabitants.  He believed that 75 per cent cleared their paths from snow and 25 per cent did not.

  Mr. Claridge:  The other way about, perhaps.

  Mr. Spencer:  Washbrook and Wellingborough road people have been very good in that respect.

  Mr. Willmott said that most people did not know that the Council had such a by-law.  “Honestly,” he said, “I did not know myself.  (Laughter.)  You cannot make fish and flesh of the people.  If you prosecute, you must, if necessary, take a whole trainload of people down to Wellingborough.”

  Mr. Perkins: Who will prosecute the Council for having neglected sweeping the snow from the corner round the Council Buildings? (Laughter.)

  The Chairman:  We must take notice from the recent experience to sweep before our own doors and let the Council do their own.

  Mr. Corby:  It was an inopportune time for getting labour for sweeping the snow during the Christmas week.  If our friends in the town take notice of the by-law, it is as much as we can do.

Finance and Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Thursday, January 5^th, 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.

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 since the last meeting:

And that the balances were as follow:

Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £3,838  6s.  8d. were examined and passed for payment.

Housing – Loan, £21,550

  The Clerk reported that he had received from the Ministry of Health the formal sanction to the raising of this loan and had applied to the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives for the advance, £10,000 in February next and the balance in May.  The Union had replied that they were now only making advances on the standing loan principal, and stated they were prepared to advance the sum of £10,000 in February.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to accept this sum at 5 per cent. and express to the Union their hope that they will be able to provide the balance of the loan in May.

Audit

  The Clerk reported he had received from the District Auditor notice that he would commence the audit of the Council’s accounts for the year ended March 31^st last on January 17^th.

  The report was adopted.

Postal Facilities

  Mr. Newberry, in accordance with notice given at the previous meeting, moved that the Postmaster-General be asked to grant increased postal facilities for the south end of the town.  He said that there were some 5,000 or 6,000 people affected, including old-age pensioners and widow-pensioners.  On the question of the number of letters posted, it was obvious that people having to go to the main office for stamps would post their letters there and not bring them back to be posted in pillar-boxes, so that the census of letters posted did not count.

  Mr. Wilmott seconded the proposal, and said he agreed that it was no criterion to take a census of letters posted at the main office.

  Mr. Swindall suggested that better facilities for the Irchester-road district also be requested.

  Mr. Spencer seconded.

  Mr. Claridge said he did not think they would be able to make out a very good case because of the wall-box at the Oakley.

  The original resolution was eventually carried.

Town Planning

  A letter having been read by the Clerk inviting the Council to send representatives to a conference of local authorities for the greater part of Northamptonshire, to be addressed by an official from the Ministry of Health on the subject of town planning, it was agreed that the chairman, Mr. Perkins, Mr. Coles, and Mr. Claridge be requested to attend.

County Council

  Mr. Coles asked whether there was any information in regard to the Rushden Council’s application for additional representation on the County Council.

  The Clerk:  I have no official information from the County Council, but this morning I received a letter from Mr. John Bond, Clerk of the Urban District Councils’ Association for this area stating that the County Council would to-morrow (Thursday) morning received the Finance Committee’s report recommending that the application from Rushden, Wellingborough, and Kettering be turned down.  This letter also suggested that I write to the local County Councillors and resident Alderman asking them to be in their places to-morrow to support our application, and I have done that.

  Mr. Coles:  I suppose it is too early to express our indignation yet.  (Laughter.)  I hope our Rushden representatives and others from neighbouring towns will speak for us to push this scheme.

  The Chairman said the Council all appreciated what the Clerk had done in the matter.