Wednesday, present Messrs. C. Claridge, J.P., (Chairman), J. Hornsby (vice-chairman), T. Wilmott, J. Roe, A. Allebone, W. C. Tarry, J. Allen, F. Knight, J.P., F. Corby, T. Swindall, C. W. Horrell, C.A., L. Perkins, B.Sc., J. Spencer, J.P., G. W. Coles, J.P., W. Bazeley, J.P., and C. Bates, with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. F. S. F. Piper).  The Medical Officer of Health (Dr. O. A. J. N. Muriset) attended to present his annual report.

Housing Committee

  A meeting of the Housing Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, May 19^th, 1926, when there were present: Messrs. C. Claridge, A. Allebone, C. Bates, W. Bazeley, J. Allen, F. Corby, J. Roe, L. Perkins, and J. Spencer.

Chairman

  Mr. L. Perkins was appointed Chairman of this committee for the ensuing year.

Irchester-Road – Further Houses

  The Surveyor reported that he attended at the Ministry of Health on April 14^th and submitted the amended plans for 24 parlour houses fronting on Irchester-road and 16 non-parlour houses on the proposed new road.  The plans did not receive the approval of the officials, and on their suggestion he had submitted further plans for 26 parlour and 10 non-parlour houses, and the Clerk had that afternoon received a telegram from the Ministry stating that there was no objection to the proposed lay-out and to the Council’s proceeding to invite tenders for the erection of the 36 houses.

  The committee accepted the revised plans and instructed the Surveyor to advertise for tenders with as little delay as possible.

  It was further resolved as follows: That the Council be recommended to forthwith make application to the Ministry of Health for approval for subsidy purposes (under the Housing Act, 1924) of the erection of 36 houses on the Irchester-road site, such houses to be subject to special conditions.  That the Council cause their common seal to be affixed to the undertaking required by the Ministry for the purposes of Sub-section1 of Section 3 of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, and further that the Council at once apply to the Ministry for sanction to a loan of £19,180 for the erection of the houses in question.

Additional Site For Houses

  The Clerk submitted the District Valuer’s report on the proposal to acquire 17 acres of land off Irchester-road, in which he stated that he considered the price proposed to be paid to be a reasonable one.

Surveyor’s Salary

  The Clerk reminded the committee that the arrangement with the Surveyor as to additional remuneration in connection with the housing scheme ceased on March 31^st, and it was unanimously resolved to recommend the Council to continue the same arrangement until September 30^th next.

Houses To Let

  It was resolved that a waiting list of 20 names of applicants for houses be prepared and houses allotted to them in order as they became vacant.

  The Chairman and Mr. Bates were authorised to make a selection from the present list of tenants for three houses now ready for occupation.    The report was adopted.

  In presenting the above report Mr. Perkins said that the Committee were very anxious that there should be a full renewal of the cases of applications for houses.  A fresh form of application had been drawn up.  Circumstances had no doubt changed with many families and the Council might not have been notified.  He hoped applicants would notify the Council particularly of change.  On the new forms it was emphasised that the Committee were not desirous of any canvassing of members.  Every case would be very carefully considered and it was not in the interests of the applicants that they should weary members of the Council by repeated applications and canvassing.  It would be noticed that the Council had definitely decided to erect the houses under the Wheatley Act.

  On the subject of housing Mr. Perkins said there were roughly 150 houses in the district which were overcrowded, which meant that the Council’s rate of building houses was not great enough.  They must hurry up.  (Hear, hear.)  They could not go on for ever; there must ba a limit.  But very soon the Council would have to be prepared to state definitely how far they would go to make up for the overcrowding.  Going through the list of applicants he could not help but be impressed with the fact that there were over 100 who ought to be dealt with immediately. The Council was catering for 40 houses.  Long before the scaffolding was removed from those houses the Council ought to be well forward with the lay-out of their next scheme.  There must not be a waiting gap between one scheme and the next.  (Hear, hear.)

  Mr. Coles said he agreed with Mr. Perkins that the Council must go on with big housing schemes.  He hoped the Council would not hold back.

Baths and Parks Committee

  A meeting of the Baths and Parks Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, May 19^th, 1926, when there were present: Messrs. C. Claridge, C. Bates, G. W. Coles, C. W. Horrell, F. Knight, D. G. Greenfield, L. Perkins, J. Roe, and J. Spencer.

Chairman

  Dr. Greenfield was appointed Chairman of this committee for the ensuing year.

Site For Baths

  The Clerk submitted a letter from the Ministry of Health, with reference to the proposal to purchase the site in Station-road, asking that the Ministry might be furnished with:

1. A report by the District Valuer as to the valuation of the land to be purchased.

2. A 6in. map of the district showing the proposed site.

3. A report by the Surveyor as to the suitability of the site for the purpose proposed.

4. Information as to existing conditions and the necessity for the proposed open-air swimming baths.

5. Information as to the source of the water proposed to be used for the baths.

  The Ministry also inquired as to whether the Council had adopted the Baths and Wash-houses Acts, and, if so, for a copy of the resolution to be supplied.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to pass a resolution at their next meeting adopting the Baths and Wash-houses Act.

  The Clerk reported as to the other requirements of the Ministry that he had applied to the District Valuer for his report and valuation of the site, and that requirements 2, 3, 4, and 5 were being supplied.

  The report of the District Valuer had been received, but his estimate of the market value of the land was only £265, against the agreed price of £344  1s.  9d.  The report had been forwarded to the Ministry, and if any question was raised by them as to sanctioning a loan for the full purchase price, the Chairman with the Clerk and Surveyor were authorised to seek an interview with the Ministry of the subject.

Entertainment

  A letter was received from the hon. secretary of the Kettering Working Men’s Club Philharmonic Society asking for permission to give a concert in Spencer Park during the coming season.

  The Clerk was instructed to inform the society that they were at liberty to give a concert in the Park any Thursday or Saturday evening they might choose on giving reasonable notice of the date selected.

Band of The 4^th Battalion, Northants Regiment

  A letter was received from Captain R. A. Marriott, the president of this band, asking permission to give concerts in the afternoon and evening on one or two Sundays during the ensuing summer.

  It was resolved that the permission asked for be given, and that the local bands be informed that they must make provision accordingly.

Blind and Crippled Children’s Fete

  Permission was granted for the use of the Park for this purpose on Saturday, July 17^th.

Emergency Committee

  The Chairman asked for the appointment of a small committee with whom he might confer in small emergency matters of such importance as not to make it necessary to convene a special meeting of the whole committee.

  Mr. Coles and Mr. Knight were appointed.

Hard Tennis Courts

  The Surveyor informed the committee that he hoped these courts might be finished in the course of the next week or two, and it was resolved that the committee meet in the Park for a formal opening on a date to be fixed by the Chairman.

Schoolchildren

  It was resolved that the schoolchildren of the town from 11 to 14 years of age be allowed to play on both hard and grass courts on weekdays other than Thursday and Saturdays up to four o’clock p.m., the fees to be reduced to 1s. per hour for the hard courts and 8d. per hour for the grass courts, the children in every case to be accompanied by a teacher.

Bedford-Road Park

  It was decided to provide suitable public conveniences in this Park, and the Surveyor was instructed to prepare plans and submit to the next meeting.  The Surveyor was also instructed to adapt the present building on the site for use as a shelter.

Bands

  A deputation of the various bands in the town was received by the committee and placed before it their views with regard to the bandstand.

  The Chairman informed the deputation that the committee were shortly meeting in the Park and would then consider if anything could be done.

  The deputation were also informed that in future the committee would require to be supplied early in the season with a programme showing the engagements made for the use of the bandstand, and they must understand that they must not take it for granted that the use of the bandstand for Sunday afternoon and evening concerts would be confined to Rushden bands.

  For the present season the committee had promised the use of the bandstand to the Band of the 4^th Battalion Northants Regiment for two Sundays, both afternoon and evening, and the representatives of the bands were asked to be good enough to meet and suggest two suitable dates to the committee.    The report was adopted.

  In regard to the District Valuer having valued the site for the proposed baths, Mr. Allebone asked whether, if the Ministry refused to sanction the loan for the scheme over and above the sum mentioned by the Valuer, the Council would have to meet the extra themselves.

  The Chairman: Yes.  We shall have to provide it if we go on with the scheme.

  Mr. Perkins asked that when the tennis court was not being used on Thursdays, school children be allowed to play on it.

  Mr. Coles (who had presented the report in the absence of Dr. Greenfield) said he thought the Council would raise no objection to that.

  On the question of the Bedford-road Park convenience and shelter, Mr. Swindall asked whether payment would be made out of current rate or loan.

  The Chairman: Current rate.

  Mr. Swindall: Will it stand it?

  The Chairman: That is rather problematical.  We must “wait and see.”

  Mr. Wilmott said that the Co-operative Society had been generous enough to pay for swings and other amusements for the children to enjoy themselves, but he thought the Committee should go very gently with expenditure for a time.

  Mr. Bazeley: I take it that the adaptation of the shed and the construction of conveniences will not be more than a small item?

  The Chairman said he agreed, and added that there would be nothing to worry about.

  Mr. Coles: It is absolutely essential.

  The Chairman: Quite.

Plans, Etc., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, June 2^nd, 1926, when there were present: Messrs. C. Claridge, (chairman), G. W. Coles, C. W. Horrell, F. Knight, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Spencer, T. Swindall, W. C. Tarry, and T. Wilmott.

Plans

were presented for:

  A lock-up shop in Higham-road for the Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society, Ltd., and referred back for the Surveyor to confer with the architect as to the culvert running under the site.

  Extension to warehouse in Wellingborough-road for the Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society, Ltd., and passed subject to the Surveyor’s approval of small minor amendments.

  Shed and urinal for St. Mary’s Church Institute off Robinson-road, and passed subject to modifications to be agreed upon by the Surveyor.

  Motor garage for Mr. M. Stringer off Wellingborough-road, and passed.

  Wooden barn at rear of 15, Oval-road, for Mr. George Headland, and no exception taken.

Miscellaneous Buildings

  Permission was granted for the erection of a number of wooden buildings.

Main Roads

  The Surveyor submitted a letter from the County Surveyor stating that the estimate for main roads for the year ending March 31^st, 1927, had been approved, with the addition that the whole of the cost of the tar-spraying would be paid for by the County Council, bringing up the total amount of the estimate to £3,041  3s.  10d.

Bedford-Road Improvement

  The Surveyor submitted a letter received by him from the Ministry of Transport stating that, as the County Council were not contributing to the proposed improvement, the Ministry were unable to make a grant, but were communicating with the County Surveyor on the subject.

  The Surveyor was requested to communicate with the County Surveyor and invite him to visit the site.

Road Materials

  The Surveyor submitted tenders received for the supply of road materials for the ensuing year and was authorised to purchase from the various firms such quantity as would meet his requirements at the prices quoted.

Workmen’s Holidays

  This matter was further considered by the committee, who unanimously resolved to recommend that two additional days’ holiday be granted with pay – namely, Tuesday in Whit-week and Tuesday in August Bank Holiday week.

White Lines

  The Chairman reported that these lines were being provided in various parts of the town as required.

  The report was adopted.

  On the subject of workmen’s holidays, Mr. Coles stated that the resolution had not been passed by the committee unanimously.

  Mr. Roe said he noticed that the committee promised two days instead of the six asked for.  He could not support that.  The Council would be putting their employees in a more favourable position than boot operatives were in.  The Council’s employees were paid for bank holidays and did not lose anything in wet weather or from other causes, whereas if factory machinery broke down, operatives had to lose the time.  He thought the original resolution should have been adhered to.  He would also like to know how much the extra holiday would cost the Council.

  Mr. Coles contended that it would not cost the Council anything, seeing that they would not employ other men to do the work.

  Mr. Swindall: The work will not be done.

  Mr. Bates said he was glad the point had been referred back to the committee as there was now some improvement.  He was still sorry they were not up to Irthlingborough and Kettering Councils, who had granted 14 days.

  Mr. Corby said he did not think there should have been any compromise.

  The Chairman: I don’t think we can go into details on the scheme, but only on whether we accept the committee’s report or not.

  Mr. Allebone said he did not think the two extra days met the case at all.  Six days was asked for so that the men could have a complete week’s rest to recuperate from the year’s work.  That applied to every other trade.  By giving the men an extra day they still did not get a complete week’s rest.  He would rather see a scheme on the lines of the boot operatives – give the men a complete week with pay and if they wanted bank holidays let them be holidays without pay.  That answered very well in the staple industry.

  Mr. Spencer said that many Councils had agreements with unions to give additional holidays.  By some means or other Rushden Council adopted one clause and not another.  He thought two additional days would be a help in that the men would get from Saturday dinner-time to Tuesday night.

  Mr. Hornsby said he was disappointed that the committee did not see their way to recommend a full week’s holiday.  But the Council employees, like others, must be thankful for small mercies.  He would vote for the resolution but had it been for a week he would have been better pleased.  He did not think the Council would lose by it.  They had already granted a superannuation scheme for the officials which would cost the Council more than the full week’s holiday for the men would have cost.

  Mr. Horrell said he supported the two days.  He did not agree with Mr. Hornsby on the matter of superannuation.  A scheme was offered to the employees as well as the staff, and the employees turned it down.

  The Chairman said that Mr. Allebone’s idea of a contributory scheme had not been considered as one that would answer.

  Mr. Allebone:  I did not suggest a contributory scheme.

  The resolution was carried nem. con.

Health and Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, June 2^nd, 1926, when there were present: Messrs. J. Hornsby (chairman), C. Claridge, J. Allen, W. Bazeley, F. Corby, D. G. Greenfield, T. F. B. Newberry, T. Swindall, and W. C. Tarry.

Health and Sanitary Reports

  The report of the Medical Officer of health for the month of May was received.

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that during the past month 32 nuisances had been dealt with and ten abated.

  Sixty-four visits had been made to premises where food was prepared or sold, and during these inspections a carcase of a pig, together with a quantity of pork offal, chilled beef, and beef offal, to the total weight of 2cwt. 3qr. 16lb., had been found to be unfit for human consumption and destroyed in the usual way.

  Nine rooms and a quantity of bedding had been disinfected, all after cases of infectious disease.

  The Inspector also reported that the water-course at the rear of the gardens to the houses on the south side of Harborough-road was being polluted by matter from the pigsties owned by the occupiers of Nos. 58, 62, and 70, thereby causing a nuisance.  It was resolved to recommend the Council to serve a notice on each of the owners concerned requiring them to abate the nuisance forthwith.

  The Inspector also called attention to the common yard at the rear of Nos. 113, 115, and 117, High-street, which was defective.  It was resolved to serve a notice on each of the owners requiring them to remedy the defects forthwith.

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

Rats And Mice (Destruction) Act

  The Officer under this Act reported that one complaint had been received and three premises inspected during the past month.

Milk and Dairies Act, 1922

  The Inspector also reported that five samples of milk had been taken under this Act since the last meeting and submitted for analysis.  The reports of the analysis were read to the meeting, and the Inspector was instructed to communicate with three of the purveyors with regard thereto.

Public Health and Clean Milk

  The Sanitary Inspector informed the committee that, owing to the absence from Rushden of the Medical Officer, the Inspector had been unable to attend the course of lessons at Loughborough.  He now suggested to the committee that he should be authorised to attend a course at the Northants County Council Training College at Moulton.

  The committee approved.

Farm Sub-Committee

  The sub-committee reported a visit to the farm, when they inspected the cattle and crops.  They recommended that the committee authorise the manager to dispose of the cattle as they became fit for the market.

  The committee approved and resolved to recommend the Council accordingly.

New Rick-Cloth

  It was resolved to recommend the Finance Committee that they authorise the purchase of a new rick-cloth at a cost not exceeding £10.

Cemetery

  The Cemetery Sub-Committee recommended that the hours for opening and closing the Cemetery be as follow:

  April 1^st to Sept. 30^th – Sundays, 9.30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; other days, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  Oct. 1^st to March 31^st – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  The committee approved and resolved to recommend the Council accordingly.

  The Clerk reported the receipt of a letter from the Ministry of Health forwarding sanction to the borrowing by the Council of £1,865 for the 20 acres of land contracted to be purchased from the late Mr. John Clark’s executors.  Formal approval of the provision and use of the land for the purpose of burials was also enclosed.

  The letter stated that a further communication would be received with regard to the proposal of the Council to purchase the additional area of 5½ acres abutting on Harborough-road.

Bell

  The sub-committee reported that they had inspected the bell, which they found satisfactory, and had given orders for it to be fixed on the chapel.

Greenhouse

  The sub-committee instructed the Surveyor to prepare an estimate for the provision of a small greenhouse at the Cemetery, to be presented at the next meeting of this committee.

Scavenging

  The Surveyor stated that he was arranging for the covered carts to be used as far as possible in High-street.

  The Chairman and the Surveyor were requested to see Mr. Collins and inquire from him if it were possible for the present arrangements for tipping on his land off Newton-road to be continued for three months from the end of June.

Refuse Destructors

  It was resolved that a small sub-committee visit the destructors at Letchworth and Aylesbury, the sub-committee to consist of the Chairman, Dr. Greenfield, and Mr. Swindall, with the Surveyor.

Moor-Road and Washbrook-Road Corner

  The Surveyor reported on the flooding of the sewer at this point, and suggested as a possible alleviation the connection of the sewer with the storm-water drain near.  The committee agreed and resolved to recommend the Council to instruct the Surveyor to proceed with the work.  The report was adopted.

Finance and Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Thursday, June 3^rd, 1926, at 10 a.m., when there were present: Messrs. C. W. Horrell (chairman), C. Claridge, J. Hornsby, A. Allebone, G. W. Coles, F. Corby, F. Knight, and J. Roe.

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 since the last meeting:

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 on the undermentioned accounts were as follow:

Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £5,015  16s.  4d. were examined and passed for payment.

Housing

  The Clerk reported the receipt of the sanction of the Ministry of Health to the borrowing by the Council of the sum of £1,600 for the purchase of further land in Irchester-road from the trustees of the late Mr. Herbert Sartoris.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to instruct the Clerk to negotiate a loan for this amount.

Cemetery (Extension of)

  With regard to the sanction received to the borrowing by the Council of the sum of £1,865 for the purchase of land in Newton-road from the executors of the late Mr. John Clark, it was agreed that the raising of this loan might be postponed pending the receipt of the further communication with regard to the purchase of the 5½ acres from Mr. Hodgkins.

Surveyor’s Staff

  The Surveyor stated that he had received an application from Mr. W. Ginns for his son to be received in the office as an articled clerk.

  The committee recommended the Council to accede to the application, the articles to extend over a period of three years, and the salary to be £10 for the first year, £20 for the second years, and £30 for the third year.

Housing – Surveyor’s Salary

  The recommendation of the Housing Committee with regard to this matter was agreed to

Sewage Farm

  The recommendation of the Sanitary Committee as to the purchase of a rick-cloth was also agreed to.

New Kitbag

  The Clerk was authorised to procure a new bag for the conveyance of books from the Clerk’s office to the Council Buildings.  The report was adopted.

Library Committee

  A meeting of the Library Committee was held at the Library on Friday, June 4^th, 1926, when there were present:- Messrs. J. S. Clipson (chairman), J. Spencer, W. W. Rial, B. M. Jones, S. Saddler, C. Claridge, and C. J. Giles.

Minutes

  The minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on the 12^th June, 1925, were read and confirmed.

Book Selection Committee

  It was resolved that the Chairman, with Messrs. Rial, Saddler, and Jones, and the Revs. P. Robson and C. J. Keeler, be re-appointed the Book Selection Committee for the ensuing 12 months.

Books Issued

  The Secretary reported that the number of books issued for the year ended 31^st March last was 28,349, made up as follows:-

Additions To Library

  The Secretary also reported that 333 books had been added to the Lending Library during the past year, as follows:-

          Four of the Non-fiction were presented to the Library by Mr. T. C. Clarke, and the thanks of the Committee had been accorded to him therefor.

Gift of Books

  An offer of a number of books was received from Mr. Charles Claridge, and it was resolved that the offer be accepted and that the thanks of the Committee be extended to him therefor.

New Books

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to authorise the Committee to expend a sum not exceeding £50 in the purchase of new books during the current financial year.

Papers and Periodicals

  The Secretary was instructed to obtain prices for the supply of the various papers and periodicals required in the Library during the ensuing year, from the newsagents in the town, and submit to the Book Selection Committee, who were empowered to accept the most favourable.

Hospital Week Committee

  A letter was received from this Committee thanking the Library Committee for the use of a room for meetings during the past year and making application for the further use of same during the coming year.  It was resolved to accede to the application.

Hours of Closing

  It was resolved to recommend to the Council that in future during the summer months, i.e., from the 1^st May to the 30^th September, the Library be kept open until 9.30 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. as at present.

  The report was adopted.

  Mr. Spencer appealed to members of the Council and others to present readable books to the Council and said that many had been used to such an extent that they were worn out.

  Mr. Wilmott asked what sort of books in particular were required or preferred.

  Mr. Spencer said the book selection committee could make suggestions.

  Mr. Wilmott said he had placed six of the best volumes he had ever read in the Library.  They dealt with building construction, drainage, heating, lighting, land surveying, how to buy a house, and more information than he had ever seen in aby other books.  After five years he found that one of the books had been taken out once, so he withdrew the books and took them home.

  Mr. Spencer said he was sorry to hear that.  People did not always know what books they could have for asking.

  Mr. Corby: Probably those books were too “deep.”

Charity Trustees

  Rushden Charity Trustees, Messrs. C. Bates, C. Claridge, J.P., J. Hornsby, F. Knight, J.P., and L. Perkins, B.Sc., were re-elected, Mr. Roe being added.

Act Adopted

  The Council formally adopted the Baths and Washhouses Act, in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Health.

The New Rating

  Discussion took place on the new Rating and Valuation Act, on which the Council were invited by letter from the County Council to offer criticism, if any.  The Clerk explained that the area in which Rushden would be placed was Wellingborough, and that the authorities and the numbers of representatives in that area would be Wellingborough Urban 3, Wellingborough Rural 2, Rushden 2, Finedon 1, Irthlingborough 1, Higham 1, Raunds 1, Wellingborough Board of Guardians 1, Thrapston Guardians 1, and Northants County Council 5.  The population would be 63,003 and the rateable value £284,733.

  Mr. Knight asked whether Rushden Council had decided to join.

  The Clerk said it was not a question of joining – they had no power in that respect.  They were asked whether there was anything in the scheme to which they objected. The Council’s representatives to meetings, discussing it, had agreed that the scheme was a good one and fair in its application to Rushden.

  Mr. Spencer thought the Finance Committee should have considered it.

  The Chairman: But they had no chance to object to it.

  Mr. Horrell said the Council had from time immemorial belonged to the Wellingborough area.  Thrapston were being brought in.  Rushden were not being removed so that there could be nothing to object to.

  Mr. Knight:  Are Rushden people going to assess Rushden or will Irthlingborough or Finedon people do it?

  Mr. Horrell: We have two representatives out of 18 and I don’t think there will be any fear in that respect. The idea of the Act is to get uniformity between one area and another.

  Mr. Bazeley: It is to do away with the personal influence and not to have too many representatives.

  Mr. Knight: It is quite clear that the rating of this town will be taken out of the hands of the people of Rushden.

  Mr. Mason said that the Overseers never had any power.  It was the Assessment Committee at Wellingborough who had to do it.  Rushden had two representatives on that committee now and would have two under the new arrangement, so that they would be just the same.

  Mr. Corby: Our own Overseers will not exist?

  The Clerk: They are abolished by Act of Parliament.

  Mr. Coles: We have no reason to think the new body will act unfairly.

  Mr. Wilmott: Not for time! (Laughter)

Miscellaneous

  The Council gave permission to the united Sunday schools of the town to use the Spencer Park for the annual treat parade and accepted the invitation of the organisers to witness a march past as in previous years.

  The Council accepted the invitation of the Rushden Co-operative Society to attend the official opening of Jubilee Park on Saturday, July 3^rd.

  The Chairman and Vice-Chairman were asked to represent the Council on the town’s committee for the relief of miners’ wives and children.  Mr. J. Allen having written for the committee, the Council gave permission for the use of the Park on Saturday and Sunday, June 19^th and 20^th for the Committee’s purposes.