Proposed District Medical Officer
Motion For The Erection of Stables

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

Plans, Etc., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 30^th June, 1909, when there were present:- Messrs. F. Knight (in the chair), W. Bazeley, C. Bates, J. Claridge, G. Miller, and T. Swindall.

Plans

were presented by:-

  The Northants Union Bank for shed at the rear of factory in Sartoris Road, and no exception taken.

  Messrs. Nurrish and Pallet for corrugated iron shed near their factory on the Shirley Park Estate, and passed.

  Mr. J. Northern for sanitary conveniences to the factories occupied by himself and Messrs. Sargent and Son in John-street, and passed.  The wall dividing closets to be 9 inches or cemented on each side.

  Mr. B. Mortimer for stable and open shed at the rear of his farm premises on the Newton-road, and passed.

  Messrs. Darlow and West for shoe factory in Gordon-street and passed.

  The Co-operative Wholesale society for three pavement lights to their factory in Portland-road, similar to the existing ones, and allowed.

Kilburn Place and Elm Street

  A letter was received from Mr. T. Patenall and Mr. A. O. Groom, owners abutting on these streets, objecting to the works proposed by the Council, and stating that they were prepared to make up the streets themselves.

  The Clerk was instructed to write in reply stating that if the owners would submit a specification of the works they were prepared to carry out and give an undertaking to commence them forthwith the Committee would again consider the matter.

  It was further reported that at a meeting of the Plans Committee held that night plans were presented by:-

  Mr. Alfred Clayton for additions to his factory in Manton-road, and passed, subject to the drainage arrangements being made to the satisfaction of the Surveyor.

  The Central Machinery Company for a shed adjoining their new premises in Rectory-road and passed.

  With regard to Kilburn-place and Elm-street a letter was received from Mr. Patenall, stating that he and Mr. Groome were consulting a contractor, and they were prepared to carry out the work to the satisfaction of the Council.

  The Committee recommended the Council to meet the owners’ wishes, subject to the specification submitted being acceptable to the committee.    The report was adopted.

Finance and Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings, on Tuesday, the 6^th July, 1909, when there were present: Messrs. F. Knight (chairman), W. Bazeley, F. Ballard, and J. 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 Accou8nt was examined from which it appeared that he had collected the following sum since the last meeting:-

Collector’s Fittings Account

    The Collector’s Fittings Account was examined from which it appeared that he had collected the following sum 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 £2,331/13/1 were examined and passed for payment.

  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 7^th July, 1909, at 7 p.m., when there were present:- Messrs. F. Knight (chairman), G. H. Skinner, F. Ballard, J. S. Clipson, A. J. Dobbs, and J. Paragreen.

Health and Sanitary Reports

  The Medical Officer reported that seven cases of infectious disease had been notified since the last meeting, viz., three of scarlet fever, two of diphtheria, one of enteric fever, and one of pulmonary tuberculosis.

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that during the month of June 34 informal notices calling attention to nuisances had been served and for the most part complied with.

  The Inspector also reported that acting on the advice of the doctor in attendance he had destroyed a quantity of bedding after a case of enteric fever and had replaced same.

  The Committee approved the action of the Inspector.

  Two houses, Nos. 3 and 4, Beaconsfield-place, had been closed as unfit for human habitation.

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

Messrs. Groome’s Factory

  The Inspector reported with regard to the sanitary conveniences at Messrs. Groome’s factory that at present nothing had been done to improve the accommodation.

  The Surveyor submitted a report from which it appeared that he had visited the factory and found that the sanitary conveniences consisted entirely of ordinary uncovered pails without any satisfactory means of deodorising the stools.  He did not consider the accommodation provided sufficient and suitable having regard to the number of persons employed and suggested the owners be requested to provide proper w.c. accommodation throughout.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to give notice to Messrs. Groome, requiring them to make the alteration suggested by the Surveyor within one month.

Medical Officer of Health

  The Chairman reported that he, with Mr. Bazeley, Mr. Claridge and the Clerk, attended the conference at Higham Ferrers held at the suggestion of the Local Government Board on the 1^st instant.  Dr. Thomson, of the Local Government Board attended the conference and explained at length the advantages in obtaining the services of a Medical Officer specially trained in Public Health work.  The delegates of the various authorities represented, with the exception of Rushden, expressed themselves as against such an arrangement and no resolution was put to the meeting.

  Mr. Miller asked whether it was stated at the conference that the Rushden Council was unanimous.  Personally he was against the Local Government Board proposal.

  Mr. Knight thought the Council was in favour of it.

  Mr. Bazeley considered that the Council was practically unanimous, see that the proposal had never been opposed by a member.  He was very much surprised at the Conference to find that the local authorities represented were not so progressive as the Local Government Board, but seemed to put property, with a big P, before life.  He noticed that the Ratepayers Association had a meeting a day or two afterwards and passed a vote of thanks to the local authorities who opposed the Local Government Board’s proposal, but condemned Rushden for supporting it.

  Mr. Bates: They would.

  Mr. Bazeley:, Yes, and it fully proves to my mind that we are on the right track, seeing that we are opposed by that body.  It seems everyone else must be thanked but their town’s representatives.

  Mr. Claridge, as one of the delegates, thought the Rushden Council still adhered to the principle they agreed upon years ago – that it was desirable to have a whole-time medical officer.  He certainly supported it very strongly, and he got a severe lecture after the conference, but he didn’t mind that.  The only thing that seemed to weigh with the delegates appeared to be the question of expense, which was a small matter in relation to the public health. (Hear, hear.)  He had nothing to say against the way the present Medical Officers had done their duty, but he believed the appointment of a whole time officer would be better for the community and he would not give way on that matter.  He did not at all regret his action at the conference.  (Hear, hear.)

  Mr. Ballard expressed his regret that he was unable to attend the conference though appointed a delegate.  He was sure that none of the delegates wished to waste money, and at any rate it was the first time Mr. Claridge had been accused of it.

  Mr. Miller thought that to get over the inconvenience of having a medical officer resident at Wellingborough they should appoint a local doctor.  He believed that would be much more satisfactory than having one officer responsible for many districts.  He thought the town was worthy of a medical officer of its own.

  Mr. Dobbs said he thought so too, but doctors were strong trade unionists, and the Council could not afford to pay an officer the trade union rate.  He was opposed to a medical officer having private practice in the town, and supported the Local Government Board’s proposal.

  Mr. Swindall wished to thank the Rushden delegates for their action, and expressed the opinion that the people of Northamptonshire ought to give Rushden Council some credit for experience in health matters, seeing that the death-rate was the lowest in the county.  One reason he supported the appointment of a district medical officer was that uniformity of action would be ensured.  It was only a matter of time before they were forced to have such an officer.

  In reply to Mr. Swindall, the clerk said the increased cost to Rushden would be about £45 per annum.

  The report was adopted.

Free Library Committee

  A meeting of the Free Library Committee was held at the Library on Friday, the 9^th July, 1909, when there were present:- Mr. J. Claridge (Chairman), The Ven. A. Kitchin, Messrs. G. H. Skinner, F. Ballard, W. Clark, L. Perkins, S. Saddler, and J. T. Colson, with Mr. W. H. Brown, the Secretary.

Absent Members

  Apologies were received from the Rev. W. F. Harris and Mr. J. S. Clipson for their inability to attend this meeting.

Management Sub-Committee

  The Management Sub-Committee reported that they had met three times since the last meeting of the Committee, dealing with various details of management.

Gifts of Books

  The Secretary reported the gift of Stubbs’ Directory and Bennett’s Business Directory by the respective publishers.  The gifts had been acknowledged and the thanks of the Committee accorded to the donors.

New Books

  It was resolved to request the Council to authorise the Committee to expend a further sum of £15 in the purchase of new books.

Secretary

  A letter was received from Mr. W. H. Brown stating he would be leaving Rushden shortly, and tendering his resignation as Secretary to the Library Committee.

  The resignation was accepted with an expression of thanks to Mr. Brown for his valuable services.

  It was resolved that Mr. J. T. Colson be appointed secretary in place of Mr. Brown, to take up the duties from the 31^st instant at a salary of £5 per annum.

Reading Room

  Attention was called to the crowded state of the Reading room often in the evenings and it was agreed that in future a number of the papers at present placed on the table in this room be removed to the Magazine room.

  Mr. Claridge, in moving the adoption of the report referred to the approaching departure from the town of Mr. W. H. Brown, and said Mr. Brown had been a very useful citizen.  Mr. Brown’s work for the Free Library had been very valuable and he had done the work of secretary extremely well.

  Mr. Miller and the Chairman also expressed regret at Mr. Brown’s departure and appreciation for the work he had done.

  In regard to the appointment of Mr. Colson as secretary, Mr. Claridge spoke in the highest terms of Mr. Colson’s qualifications for the office and his interest in the library.

  The report was adopted.

Proposed Erection of Stables

  Mr. Bazeley, in accordance with notice, moved that the loan which was obtained for the erection of stables at the Council’s depot be now expended and that tenders be invited for the work.  His idea in moving the resolution was to give the new Council an opportunity of doing away with the present system of scavenging and doing their own work.  He considered the present system was very unsatisfactory and believed that the proposed change would conduce to both efficiency and economy.

  Mr. Ballard seconded the motion and felt sure that the new Council would thank them for the opportunity of doing the scavenging in a more efficient manner.  One had only to visit the Bedford-road field where the rubbish was deposited to be satisfied that an alteration was needed.

  Mr. Claridge asked what would be done with the refuse.

  Mr. Ballard had no doubt that the gentleman who undertook to receive the refuse when the matter was up before the Council on a previous occasion would be willing to take it now.

  Mr. Claridge thought the erection of stables would in the end involve the erection of a dust destructor, and that at any rate they ought to wait till after the next Council election before any action was taken.

  Mr. Ballard:  Is there any member of the Council who is satisfied with the present arrangement.

  Mr. Claridge: Not with the accumulation of refuse.

  Mr. Swindall said he was strongly in favour of the resolution on principle, but would vote against it on this occasion because it would mean taking £200 out of the current rate for horses, etc.  He thought they would have to let the matter slide for a few more years until they were in a more prosperous condition.

  Mr. Miller said the present method was not altogether satisfactory, but he contended they were not in a position at the present time to incur any further expense.  He was quite in favour of the principle of the resolution.

  Mr. Dobbs said that in view of the way the work was done he was surprised at any member of the Council not being prepared to vote for the resolution, especially seeing that they had the money in hand.

  Mr. Bates pointed out that the Council did not seem to mind a little expense in connection with the Medical Officer’s appointment, and it seemed hardly consistent to argue that they could not afford the money needed for another change which would be for the benefit of the public health.

  Mr. Bazeley did not think there would be any difficulty in getting rid of the refuse.  With regard to the present method, the carts used were in his opinion very unsuitable.  As for the expense, he believed the Council would save money if they did their own scavenging.  At present they allowed Mr. Smith, the contractor, to deposit refuse close to the infectious hospital, and he thought that placed them in a serious position.  He contended that it was not fair to the new Council not to provide the stables for them.

  Mr. Ballard: If a case of smallpox occurred, can the Sanitary Inspector tell us whether the Local Government Board would allow the patient to be placed in the infectious diseases hospital with that accumulation of refuse near it?

  The Inspector said he did not think the Local Government Board would interfere unless the matter was brought before them, but he did not think a medical man would direct that the patient should be sent to the hospital.

  The motion was lost by six votes to five.  Those in favour of it were Messrs. Bazeley, Ballard, Bates, Paragreen, and Dobbs: against, the Chairman, Vice-chairman, and Messrs. Claridge, Miller, Clipson, and Swindall.