At a meeting of this Council on Wednesday evening there were present Messrs. John Claridge (chairman), J. S. Clipson (vice-chairman), F. Knight, G. Denton, C. Bates, A. Mantle, T. Swindall, W. Bazeley, F. Ballard, W. H. Wilkins, with the clerk’s deputy (Mr. C. W. Wing).

Plans, &c., Committee

A meeting of the Plans, Water, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Vestry Hall, on Wednesday, the 17th June, 1903, when there were present:- Messrs. John Claridge (chairman), J. S. Clipson, F. Ballard, W. Bazeley, F. Knight, W. H. Wilkins, and J. Spencer.

Fire Brigade

Mr. F. Knight reported that two of the firemen, Messrs. Green and Underwood, had changed their place of abode. The Clerk was instructed to request the Telephone Co. to make the necessary alterations to the Telephone calls.

Plans

were presented by:-

Mr. C. E. Bayes for two houses in Griffith-street and passed subject to ventilation to bath-room drain and w.c. being provided to Surveyor’s satisfaction.

Mr. S. Higgins for house on the Bedford-road and passed subject to cesspool being provided with impervious bottom.

The Rushden Conservative Club for additions to club premises and passed.

Messrs. P. Phipps and Co. for alterations and additions to four cottages on the Higham road and passed.

Irchester-Road Sewer

It was resolved to recommend the Council that the surveyor be instructed to extend the main sewer along this road from Gravely-street to Nansen-street.

Steam Roller

A letter was received from the Higham Ferrers Corporation asking if this Council would hire out to them their steam roller and if so upon what terms. It was agreed to recommend the Council to let the steam roller to the Corporation at 25/- per day including services of driver and the scarifier at 10/- a day.

Midland-Road Depot

It was resolved to recommend the Council to instruct the Surveyor to metal the upper portion of the Midland-road depot at his convenience.

Trees

The Surveyor reported that one of the trees in Griffith-street had been damaged. He was instructed to post notices offering a reward for information that would lead to the conviction of any person damaging trees in public places in the town.

Gordon-Street

It was resolved to make application to the Higham Ferrers and Rushden Water Board to lay a main in this street.

Church Clock

A letter was received from Mr. Fisher stating that the church clock required cleaning and the Clerk was instructed to request Mr. Fisher to carry out the work.

College-Street

The Clerk reported that, as instructed, he had communicated with the owners of property in this street, giving each the amount upon payment of which the Council would undertake the making of the street, but had as yet received no definite reply from Mrs. Bradfield or Mrs. Higgins. The Committee considered the matter and ultimately Mr. J. Claridge and Mr. Wilkins were requested to call on these ladies and explain the circumstances to them and obtain a reply if possible.

The report was adopted.

Finance, etc., Committee

A meeting of the Finance, Estates, Cemetery, and Sanitary Committee was held on Wednesday, the 24th June, 1903, at the Vestry Hall, when there were present:- Messrs. J. S. Clipson (chairman), J. Claridge, C. Bates, Geo. Denton, A. Mantle, J. Hornsby and Tom Swindall.

Surveyor’s Cash Account

The Committee examined the surveyor’s cash account with the wages books, the expenditure shown therein being as follows:-

The Collector’s Accounts were examined from which it appeared that during the past month he had collected the following sum on the under-mentioned account:-

Cemetery Registrar’s Account

The Committee examined the Cemetery Registrar’s account from which it appeared that during the past three months he had collected the following sums on the under-mentioned accounts:-

Treasurer’s Receipts

The Committee examined the Treasurer’s account from which it appeared that the following sum had been paid to him during the past four weeks by the under-mentioned person on the following accounts:-

A number of accounts were examined and passed for payment.

Health and Sanitary Reports

The Medical Officer reported that four cases of infectious disease had been notified since the last meeting, viz;:- Two of erysipelas and two of scarlet fever, all of which were doing well.

The Inspector reported as follows:- That the cases of infectious disease notified were in Cromwell-road, Robinson-road (scarlet fever), Harborough-road and Wellingborough-road (erysipelas).

That during the month he had inspected a number of factories, workshops, and bake-houses, and found same in a satisfactory condition.

That the notice served on William Chapman to abate a nuisance on the Wymington-road had been complied with.

That the notice to abate the nuisance on Mr. Hewitt’s property was also being complied with.

The Inspector further reported that he had destroyed the bedding used by Laura Garley during her illness, and had sent the account to the Clerk together with that for the bedding used by Mrs. Makeham whilst staying with her son-in-law, which had also been destroyed. The Committee approved the accounts and ordered same to be paid.

Sewage Farm

The Surveyor reported that the grass at the farm had been sold by auction and realised £22.

Cemetery Land

The Surveyor also reported that the grass on this land and the grazing until the 29th September next had been sold for £9. The purchaser asked that he might be allowed to effect an entry from the Newton-road for grazing purposes.

Hospital Land

The Surveyor further reported that the grass on this land had been disposed of for £1/4/-.

Oakpits

The Surveyor informed the Committee that the tenant had applied to him to have the fence of this land repaired and a gate provided. The Estates Committee were requested to inspect the fence and report to the next meeting.

Cemetery Notice Boards

The Surveyor produced an estimate for two boards to be placed near the Park-road entrance and the Caretaker’s house, amounting to £14/10/- and was authorised to put the work in hand forthwith.

Sanitary Institute

The Committee resolved to recommend the Council to appoint the surveyor as their delegate to attend the annual congress at Bradford in July.

Cemetery Fence

The Cemetery Sub-Committee reported that the fence between the Cemetery field and Mrs. Smith’s land was in bad repair, and the Surveyor was instructed to have same put in order as soon as possible.

Sewage Disposal Works

The Surveyor produced plans for detritus tanks, etc., at an estimated cost of £62 and was instructed to proceed with the work forthwith.

The report was adopted.

Postal Arrangements

A letter was received from the Postmaster General in reply to one from the Council asking for improved postal facilities for the town. It stated that as soon as arrangements could be made, a post-office, at which money order and savings bank business would be transacted, would be opened in High-street South, and a pillar letter-box would be erected near the Church. With regard to the illuminated dial clock which it was desired should be erected at the new post-office, it was not the custom to provide such dials at offices of that class. (Laughter).

Mr. Wilkins did not think the applicants to hold the post-office in High-street South were very keen about it. He understood that the pay was £5 a year, the applicant to find his own letter-box. The hours were from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and holder of the Post-office might have a half-day’s holiday on Thursdays with the sanction of the Council. However, two out of the three things the Council had asked for had been granted, which he thought was fairly good.

Mr. Ballard: We must mention the illuminated clock first next time. (Laughter).

The New Rate

The seal of the Council was affixed to the new general district rate at 2/- in the £ for the half-year.

Promenade Concerts

Mr. Chas. Ashby, secretary to the Rushden Temperance Band, wrote asking the Council to allow the Band to give promenade concerts in the Council’s enclosure in Park-road.

The application was granted.

Rushden Urban District Council

At a meeting of this Council on Wednesday night there were present Messrs. J. Claridge (chairman), J. S. Clipson (vice-chairman), F. Knight, G. Denton, F. Ballard, T. Swindall, C. Bates, W. H. Wilkins, A. Mantle, W. Bazeley, and J. Hornsby, with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), and the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin).

Plans, &c., Committee

A meeting of the Plans, Water, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Vestry Hall, on Wednesday, the 8th day of July, 1903, when there were present:- Messrs. John Claridge (chairman), J. S. Clipson, W. Bazeley, F. Ballard, Fred Knight, and W. H. Wilkins.

Plans

were presented by:-

Mr. J. Cooper for a bungalow on the Rushden Court Estate and passed subject to a ventilating shaft and fresh air inlet to the drain being provided to the Surveyor’s satisfaction.

College Street

The Chairman and Mr. Wilkins reported that they had not been successful in their efforts to obtain the owners’ consents to this street being made under a voluntary arrangement, and upon the proposition of Mr. Bazeley seconded by Mr. Ballard, it was resolved to recommend the Council to put in force forthwith the provisions of the Private Street Works Act with regard to such part of the street as lies between Alfred-street and Duck-street, leaving the upper part of the street to be dealt with at a subsequent date.

Co-operative Society’s New Premises

An application was received from the Co-operative Society asking the sanction of the Council to the erection of a temporary platform on the pavement in front of their new premises in the High-street on the occasion of the opening ceremony on August 6th. The Clerk was instructed to reply that the Committee would raise no objection to this proposal but to ask the Society to construct and remove the platform with as little delay as possible.

Footpath Improvements

The Surveyor was instructed to continue the asphalted footpath on the Newton-road as far as Winchester-road.

The report was adopted, and a request by the Co-operative Society that the traffic should be stopped between Coffee Tavern-lane and College-street during their opening ceremony was acceded to.

Finance, etc., Committee

A meeting of the Finance, Estates, Cemetery, and Sanitary Committee was held on the 15th day of July, 1903, at the Vestry Hall, when there were present:- Messrs. J. S. Clipson (chairman), J. Claridge, A. Mantle, C. Bates, Geo. Denton, J. Hornsby, and Tom Swindall.

Surveyor’s Cash Account

The Committee examined the Surveyor’s cash account with the wages books, the expenditure shown therein being as follows:-

The Collector’s Accounts were examined from which it appeared that during the past three weeks he had collected the following sum on the under-mentioned account:-

The Committee examined the Treasurer’s account from which it appeared that the following sum had been paid to him during the past three weeks by the under-mentioned person on the following account:-

The Committee examined the treasurer’s books and found that the following balances were in his hands on the under-mentioned accounts:-

A number of accounts were examined and passed for payment.

Health and Sanitary Reports

The Medical Officer reported that six cases of infectious disease had been notified since the last meeting, viz., one of scarlet fever, one of erysipelas, three of diphtheria, and one of typhoid fever. He had visited the cases of typhoid fever and diphtheria, and was unable to find anything likely to cause the disease.

The Medical Officer further reported that he had examined two samples of water sent to him by the Inspector, one of which was good and the other unfit for use.

The Sanitary Inspector reported that the six cases of infectious disease notified to the Medical Officer were as follows: - Scarlet fever in East Grove, erysipelas in Washbrook-road, diphtheria in Pemberton-street, and typhoid fever in Crabb-street, all of which were doing well.

The samples of water referred to by the Medical Officer were taken from Crabb-street and Pratt-road, the latter being condemned as unfit for use. On receipt of the Medical Officer’s report of this water he had put a notice on the pump stating the water to be unfit for drinking purposes and had communicated with Mr. Robinson Burton, the owner of the property.

The houses in Pratt-road affected are Nos. 34 to 42, which have now no proper water supply.

It was resolved that the Clerk be instructed to serve notice on Mr. Robinson Burton, requiring him to put in town supply at once.

Dairy, Milkshop, & Cowshed Regulations

The Sub-Committee appointed to consider this matter reported in favour of adopting regulations similar to those at present in force in the Urban and Rural Districts of Kettering, subject to slight modifications.

It was resolved that printed proofs of the regulations suggested be circulated amongst the members of the Committee before their next meeting.

Oakpits

The Sub-Committee reported that they had visited this property and recommended that a new gate be provided and the fence repaired where necessary.

The Surveyor was instructed to carry out the necessary work.

The report was adopted.

[Note: There then follows a long and detailed report of the Sanitary Institute Congress attended by Mr. W. B. Madin]

Re-Appointment of Sanitary Inspector

The Chairman moved the re-appointment of Mr. J. B. Martin, as sanitary inspector, and said he was sure Mr. Martin did his work thoroughly well.

Mr. J. S. Clipson, as chairman of the Sanitary Committee, seconded the motion, and said he was satisfied that Mr. Martin did his work most conscientiously.

The motion was carried.

Public Conveniences

Mr. Bazeley, in accordance with notice, moved that a loan be obtained for providing public lavatory accommodation for both sexes on a site near the Green, and expressed the opinion that the work could be done for £500. He said the matter had been shelved from time to time, but he was pledged to move in it. The place need not be an eyesore, but, with shrubs planted round, might add to the appearance of the Green. He expected that his motion might be objected to on the score of want of water and expenditure, but they were on the eve of getting a good supply of water. With regard to the expense they might look at it from the point of view of the property owners and tradespeople, but the cost would hardly be felt by them. Besides that, it was said that money was to be saved under the Education Act, and if that was so they could not do better than use it for providing lavatory accommodation, public baths, a steam fire engine, and other things on the labour programme.

Mr. Bates seconded the motion, and Mr. Mantle supported.

Mr. Denton asked if the mover of the resolution would go as far as to put such places all over the town. It seemed to him that that was the logical result of the motion. They had made one experiment in the way suggested, and in his opinion it had proved more or less of a nuisance. He should vote against it.

The Chairman thought the resolution was rather premature, because it would be two years before they got their water supply.

In reply to Mr. Ballard, Mr. Bazeley said he meant an underground lavatory.

Mr. Ballard said that in that case they would need an attendant, which would greatly add to the expense.

Mr. Bazeley did not think an attendant was needed. Replying to Mr. Denton, he said they must put up one convenience before they could put up more. The Council had provided good roads and footpaths, but had done practically nothing else for the workers. They had no baths or anything of that sort, but if loans were obtained to provide them the town would be the gainers.

The motion was lost.

Education Act

Mr. Wilkins then moved “That in the opinion of the Rushden Urban District Council, it is essential for the successful working of the Education Act that the fullest possible powers should be delegated to the local authorities.”

He said that much as they might object to certain provisions in the Education Act, it was their duty to get all they could for the interests of the children. This should be done by getting the local managers made real managers, by practically giving them the powers of a School Board. He proposed that a copy of the resolution be sent to the County Education Committee.

Mr. Mantle seconded the motion.

In reply to Mr. Bazeley, Mr. Denton said he could not say what powers could be delegated, but the official view was that the powers that could be delegated were very small.

The Chairman supported the motion, which was unanimously carried.