Wednesday, present Messrs. T. Swindall, J.P. (chairman), D. G. Greenfield, M.D. (vice-chairman), Tom Wilmott, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Roe, A. Allebone, C.C., F. Green, C. Claridge, J. Allen, F. Knight, J.P., L. Tysoe, C. W. Horrell, C.A., L. Perkins, M.B.E., A. Wilmott, J. Spencer, J.P., G. W. Coles, J.P., J. Hornsby, and J. T. Richardson, with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason) and the Surveyor (Mr. J. W. Lloyd).

Housing Committee

  A meeting of the Housing Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, May 16^th, 1928, when there were present: Messrs. L. Perkins (chairman), J. Allen, C. Claridge, F. Green, J. Hornsby, J. Roe, J. Spencer, and L. Tysoe.

Westfield-Avenue  -  Further 52 Houses

  The Surveyor reported that he attended at the Ministry of Health on Thursday last with the plans of both parlour and non-parlour type for the proposed further 52 houses, which the Ministry approved.

  It was resolved that the houses consist of 24 of the parlour type and 28 of the non-parlour.

  The Surveyor was instructed to obtain tenders for the erection of these houses for consideration at the next meeting of the committee.

General Repairs

  Mr. Hornsby and the Surveyor were appointed a sub-committee to visit and inspect the various Council houses and give instructions for any necessary repairs.

Westfield-Place

  The Surveyor reported that the houses in Westfield-place were nearing completion and it would be necessary for the sewer to be extended there about 15 yards.  He was instructed to obtain a price for the work and, if considered satisfactory, to put the matter in hand.

Selection Of Tenants

  The committee went very carefully through the lists of applications and made selections for the first section of the houses now nearing completion.

  The report was adopted.

  Mr. Perkins said he hoped the new 52 houses would be ready by Christmas.  He could assure the public that the committee still went very carefully through the list of applicants for houses.

  Dr. Greenfield asked how many there were on the list still.

  Mr. Perkins said there were over 200 and after the committee had let the new houses there would be 150, even if no more came along.

  Mr. Newberry asked whether the committee were taking any steps to find new houses for the tenants who were turned out of houses in Mannings-lane.

  Mr. Perkins:  At the next meeting of the committee they will consider special points like that which cannot very well be done in full Council.  The committee cannot guarantee that every one of those tenants will get a Council house unless the Council gives us an order to find one for each dispossessed tenant.

  Mr. Swindall said he did not think the Council would force the committee in that way.

  Mr. Tom Wilmott said he thought that when the Council were doing away with what was called slum property they should consider finding other houses for the people.  One had been to his (Mr. Wilmott’s) house on the matter and was earning enough money to pay the rent of a Council house.  At present the man was living rent-free, which was not a satisfactory state, all things considered.

  Mr. Richardson said he sympathised with the Housing Committee in their difficult task, and the town owed them a debt of gratitude for their work.  He wondered, however, whether the members could visit and see for themselves the state in which people referred to were living.

  Mr. Knight considered that as the Council had given the closing order the tenants concerned should have first chance.

  Mr. Tom Wilmott:  I think so, too.

  Mr. Swindall:  Other things being equal.  But some cannot afford to pay the rent.

  It was practically impossible, Mr. Perkins said, for people who had been paying only 4s. a week to pay 10s. 6d. a week.  If the committee could recommend those people to landlords who owned similar houses, the people in those houses could probably go into Council houses.  That helped two families and was being done by the committee.  Perhaps in that way they would be able to do something for the people who had been mentioned.  The committee would grant houses where they could.

Plans, Etc., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, May 23^rd, 1928, when there were present: Messrs. C. W. Coles (chairman), T. Swindall, A. Allebone, D. G. Greenfield, C. W. Horrell, F. Knight, T. F. B. Newberry, J. T. Richardson, A. Wilmott, and T. Wilmott.

Depot Sub-Committee

  It was resolved that Mr. G. W. Coles be appointed on the Depot sub-Committee.

Plans

were presented for:

  Conversion of lock-up shop into a house in Kimbolton-road for Mr. E. Thompson, and passed.

  Motor garage and leather store in Grove-road for Messrs. John White, Ltd., and passed.

  Extension to scullery in Bedford-road, at “Homesdale,” for Mr. J. Smith, and passed.

  Shed at rear of No. 22, Kings-road, for Mr. A. Clayton, and no exception taken.

  Shed at rear of No. 33, Queen-street, for Mr. Elias Packwood, and no exception taken.

The Rushden And District Electricity Orders, 1912 To 1925

  A notice was received from the Company of their intention to lay electric lines contained in pipes, culverts, or troughs or cable sheathed or armoured and lead-covered along the north-west side of Pratt-road.

Housing, Etc., Act, 1923

  A letter was received from the Ministry of Health stating that subject to the usual conditions the Minister approved this Council’s proposals for affording financial assistance to private individuals by means of lump-sum grants of £70 per house for ten additional houses, making a total of 172.  The letter reminded the Council that in making application for payment of the Exchequer subsidy the Local Authority would be required to certify that they were satisfied that the conditions as to size, etc., and cost were compiled with, and the date for completion should in no case be later that March 31^st, 1929.

Irchester-Road  -  Maining

  The Surveyor reported that he visited the Ministry of Transport on Thursday, the 10^th inst., to discuss this matter, when it was suggested that he should in the first instance approach the County Surveyor and agree with him what works are necessary to be done in order to bring the road up to his standard requirements.

  A letter from the Ministry referring to the interview was received stating that after an agreement had been arrived at with the County Surveyor the details of the proposals should be submitted to the Ministry, which would then receive consideration.

The Crabb-Street Accident

  A police report was received with regard to the recent fatal accident in High-street South at the foot of Crabb-street.  The report suggested that the attention of the County Surveyor should be drawn to the matter and recommended that a “Concealed Turn” sign be erected in High-street South on the Church side at a reasonable distance from Crabb-street to warn drivers of vehicles approaching that street of the danger ahead.  The Surveyor informed the committee that the Divisional Road Engineer of the Ministry of Transport had visited the site and the Council would no doubt shortly receive some recommendation from him.  It was resolved to forward the police report to the county Council and to await communications from the Ministry of Transport before taking any further steps.

Tar-Spraying

   The Surveyor reported that Messrs. Johnson Bros. were now in the district doing County Council work and suggested they should be employed to do the spraying in the urban district on the same terms as last year.  It was resolved to recommend the Council to agree to this.

  The report was adopted.

  Mr. Spencer asked that something be done to improve the footpath by the Tecnic boot factory and on the Wellingborough road to Sanders’ Lodge.  Owing to those paths being cinder tracks, he said, people walked on the roads in danger.  A little tar would improve the surface and would not cost much.

  Mr. Green:  Is it intended to tar-spray Queen-street as other streets?  That will not be enough to put it in order.

  The Surveyor said the street would first be repaired.

Baths And Parks Committee

  A meeting of the Baths and Parks Committee was held at the site of the Bath on Friday, May 25^th, 1928, when there were present: Dr. Greenfield (chairman) and Messrs. A. Allebone, J. Allen, G. W. Coles, C. W. Horrell, L. Perkins, J. Roe, and A. Wilmott.

Swimming Bath

  The committee visited and inspected the Bath now in course of construction.

Spencer Park

  An application was received from Mrs. C. Thurston for permission to use part of Spencer Park for amusements during Feast Week, 1928, on the same terms and conditions as last year.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to accede thereto.

  The Emergency Sub-Committee reported that applications for the use of Spencer Park and Jubilee Park had been granted to the Foresters Friendly Society and the Co-operative Society.

  The committee approved.

  The report was adopted.

  Dr. Greenfield said that the delay of the scheme had been owing to the finding of a spring.  The bath would not be finished until some time in August, and there was very little hope of using it this year.

  Mr. Coles asked if it was not possible to use pressure on the contractor to increase the size of his staff so as to get the work done quicker.  There were only eight or nine men at present, and the bath would not be done this year unless the Council did something.

  The Surveyor:  I don’t think so, sir.

  Dr. Greenfield said the foreman had said the work could not be hurried if the job was to be guaranteed.

  Mr. Horrell contended that it would be a mistake to force the position for the sake of a month or so of use this year.  It would be best to wait to have the contract completed properly for another season.

  Mr. Coles said he did not wish to reflect on the efficiency of the work so far, but would like it to have gone on quicker.

  The subject then dropped.

Health And Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, June 6^th, 1928, when there were present: Messrs. T. Swindall (chairman), D. G. Greenfield, J. Allen, T. F. B. Newberry, J. T. Richardson, J. Spencer, L. Tysoe, A. Wilmott, and T. Wilmott.

Health And Sanitary Reports

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

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that since the last meeting 42 additional nuisances had been dealt with and 20 had been abated.

  Forty-seven visits had been made to premises where food was prepared or sold, during which inspections a quantity of foodstuffs to the total weight of 7cwt. 3qr. 23¾lb. had been found to be unfit for human consumption and destroyed in the usual way.

  Six rooms had been disinfected after cases of infectious disease.  A quantity of bedding had been disinfected at the Depot and various articles of bedding destroyed at the Sewage Farm, also after cases of infectious disease.

  An application for compensation in respect of destroyed bedding was received from Mrs. J. G. Perkins, of 51, Moor-road, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to replace part of the articles destroyed at a cost not exceeding £1  7s.  6d.

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

Milk And Dairies Order, 1923

  The Inspector submitted results of four examinations of milk taken in the district within the past month, none of which was quite satisfactory.  He was instructed to see the purveyors with the reports and inform them that the committee expected a considerable improvement.

  The Medical Officer stated that he did not consider the present method of sending the milk to Northampton for examination altogether satisfactory and suggested that the Council should purchase some containers in which the sample bottles sent could be packed in ice.  The Inspector was requested to obtain and submit to the next meeting the prices for the container suggested.

  It was further suggested that the Inspector should prepare and lay on the table at each meeting of the committee a chart showing the results of all examinations under four different grades.  This was agreed to.

Farm Bailiff’s House

  The Surveyor submitted tenders for the outside painting of this house, and that of Messrs. Prickett and Dunkley for £8  10s. (the lowest) was accepted.

Farm Sub-Committee’s Report

  This sub-committee reported that the horse at the Sewage Works was now past work and should be disposed of and another horse purchased for use on the works.  The committee resolved to recommend to the Council that this course be adopted.

  The sub-committee further reported that all the cattle had been sold at good prices.

  The committee decided not to purchase further cattle at present, but to lay the grassland for hay and consider the purchase of cattle after the hay had been got in.

Mortuary

  A letter was received from the Clerk of the Standing Joint Committee with reference to the inquiry made of them by this Council as to whether they would provide a mortuary on part of the site of the Rushden Police Station as was done at Wellingborough.  The letter stated that the committee had considered the matter at a meeting held on the 12^th ult. and had directed him to reply that neither the committee nor the County Council had any legal power to provide mortuaries and that the committee were not prepared to entertain any proposal for the sale or leasing to the District Council of any part of the Police Station property as a site for a mortuary.

  The committee were satisfied that the provision of a mortuary in Rushden was an urgent matter and should be dealt with at once and instructed the Surveyor to prepare plans of a building which could be placed at a small expense on a site to be provided by the Council.

Health Week

    A letter from the Health Week Committee dated the 1^st inst. Was received stating that Health Week this year would be October 7^th to 13^th and asking if this Council would assist.  The committee decided, in view of the difficulties experienced at the last Health Week promoted in Rushden of obtaining funds to defray the expenses, not to join in the movement this year.

  The report was adopted.

  Mr. Hornsby asked whether the horse to be disposed of at the sewage farm had not since died.

  The Chairman: Yes.  It anticipated our movements. (Laughter.)

  On the subject of a mortuary, Mr. Hornsby said he knew there was a feeling that a mortuary should be provided and that inquests should be held on other than licensed premises.  But in view of the very few inquests in Rushden, he hoped the committee would not choose a costly scheme.

  Dr. Greenfield said it was through him that inquiries were made about a mortuary.  He still felt strongly on the need for one.  He did not think there was much chance of inquests being held in a central position unless the Council provided a mortuary.  He hoped the cost would be in the neighbourhood of £100 to £150.  He thought the Council would be wise to adopt the proposal, because the Coroner would be able to hold his inquests there and it would be much better for the public.

  The Chairman said he felt that the depot was the place for the site and he would ask the committee to meet there to consider it.

  Mr. Newberry, speaking on the subject of the farm report, said he wanted it to go forward that, though the Wellingborough Council had had to report a loss of about £1`,500, the Rushden Council could show a profit on the cattle of over £150.

  Mr. Tom Wilmott:  A profit?

  Mr. Newberry:  Well, £150 more than we gave.

  Members:  Ah!

  The Chairman said that that was only one item.

  Mr. Tom Wilmott said it would be rather misleading to accept it as stated by Mr. Newberry.  Though the cattle had been sold for more than the Council paid for them, the cattle had had to be kept and it would be necessary to take that into consideration to get at the balance.

  Mr. Newberry:  They ate what we could not sell.

  Members:  No! No!

  They all understood, Mr. Spencer said, that the sewage farm was not paying.  At the same time, it was well managed and was very satisfactory.

Finance And Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Thursday, June 7^th, 1928, at 10 a.m. when there were present: Messrs. C. W. Horrell (chairman), T. Swindall, G. W. Coles, C. Claridge, F. Green, J. Hornsby, F. Knight, L. Tysoe, J. Roe, and T. Wilmott.

Tradesmen’s And Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £6,184  7s.  7d. were examined and passed for payment.

Purvis-Road  -  Damage To Hedge

  The youths concerned in the damaged hedge at the top of Purvis-road attended the meeting and expressed their regret and agreed to pay the cost of the repairs.  The Chairman cautioned the lads and stated that any future complaints of this nature would be seriously dealt with.

Fire Brigade

  Upon an application from the secretary it was resolved to recommend the Council to take out motor-driving licences in respect of three members of the Brigade.

Housing, Etc., Act, 1923

  The Clerk reported the receipt from the Ministry of Health of formal sanction to the borrowing by the Council of the sum of £1,750 for the purposes of grants under Sub-section 3(a) of Section 2 of the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923.

  The Clerk was instructed to negotiate the loan upon the best terms available.

  The report was adopted.

  On the subject of interest on loans, Mr. Perkins asked whether it would not be possible to get the rate of interest on loans reduced to 4¾ per cent.  It would mean about 4d. a week of the houses.

  The Clerk said that, although issue prices were sometimes different, he did not think anyone could borrow at less than 5 per cent.

Other Business

  The Council granted the use of Spencer Park for the United Sunday Schools treat and accepted an invitation to watch the march-past, but in view of the Chairman’s statement that not more than half the children were in the procession by the time it got to the church, and because of the position in which they (the Council) were placed, the site at the High-street Independent Wesleyan Church was chosen.

  Mr. C. Claridge and Mr. F. Corby were re-elected as Managers of the Intermediate School, Rushden.

  A letter was received from the Northampton Chamber of Commerce asking the Council to support them (and the London chamber of Commerce) by endeavouring to persuade the big spending departments, railway companies, etc., to insert in forms to tenders for contracts a clause that all goods not otherwise specified must be in accordance with the British Engineers’ Examiners’ specification.  The Rushden Council were also asked to insert a similar clause in their own contracts.

  Dr. Greenfield asked if it was a recognised standard.

  The Surveyor said that goods would have to confirm to a standard set by the British Association of Architects.

  On the suggestion of Mr. Horrell, it was decided to ask for further particulars.

  Mr. Richardson asked that, as the council had a rubbish dump, the uneven parts of the roadside in Bedford-road be carted to the dump so as to give a better surface for a path.  In the Wellingborough district paths were such that people could walk on them in safety.  He further suggested that pipes be put in the cuttings and the tops levelled over.

  Mr. Newberry supported, and said the matter had been brought forward two or three years ago.  Ratepayers in that part of the town expected to be looked after.

  Mr. Coles said there were not two opinions as to the necessity.  There was no footpath beyond Jubilee Park.  The matter was one for the County Council.  He suggested that the Highways Committee deal with it.

  Mr. Perkins asked the same committee to consider at the same time railing off the high footpath at High-street South.  Only recently he was terrified at nearly falling off.  The danger was greater than the other places mentioned.  There would be a fatal accident, and then the Council would take action.

  Mr. Swindall:  We have discussed it at many committee meetings.

  Mr. Perkins:  then, I will give notice to raise the subject at the next meeting of the full Council.  The Council is a bigger one now.

  Mr. Knight:  But no better! (Laughter.)