Government Cannot Help At Present
Conference Verdict On Rushden Industry

  The Government cannot assist in industrial development at Rushden within the next few years, but might include the town in any long-term scheme of development.  This, as reported to Rushden Urban Council on Wednesday, is the opinion of Government representatives who conferred with members of the council at Rushden on Monday.

  Arising from last month’s Council debate, which was followed by a resolution to the Board of Trade, the conference was attended by officials of the Board of Trade, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Town and Country Planning and County Planning Department.  Members of the Council spoke of the desire to see additional industries at Rushden, but mentioned their anxiety that the boot trade should not be upset by the introduction of industries employing predominantly female labour if it had to be engaged locally.

  Dr. Wells, of the Board of Trade, said the Board desired to redistribute industry to towns which could conveniently be enlarged, but not until the former depressed areas had received all possible aid.  Rushden, with its good record of employment, could not make out a case for Government action on a short-term policy and would have to depend on a natural influx of industries and labour from other areas.

  In regard to a long-term policy, it was agreed that if a serious position arose locally from the loss of export markets during the war, Rushden would have a stronger case, meriting its inclusion, so far as industries employing male labour were concerned, in any scheme of dispersal from London or elsewhere.

Postal Obstacle

  When the report was presented on Wednesday, Coun. Bailey said some of the members might be disappointed, but it was obvious that the depressed areas had a first claim.  The fact that they would not get much from Government action was all the more reason why they should collect all the evidence required by those who might wish to develop industries in Rushden.

  One obstacle to development was the totally inadequate postal service in Rushden, and he gave notice to propose a resolution at the next meeting asking the Postmaster-General to revise the whole of the existing arrangements in Rushden, particularly in the South Ward, which had no postal facilities at all.

  Coun. Allebone said the Council representatives impressed on the delegation that the town offered facilities reasonably adequate to meet all demands that might be made.

  The Chairman (Coun. H. Waring) said the question of the ill-balanced labour supply did not seem to impress the deputation, because it was apparently common throughout the country.

  Coun. Capon:  While we are naturally anxious to see this develop, I cannot see the sense in going on with this discussion at all.

  Coun. Green:  The officials were very considerate, and I was much surprised at the amount of knowledge they had of the town.

Water Conference

  Several members showed much concern because the Council was not to be represented at the water supply conference called by the County Council.

  “You will see in to-night’s local Press that other councils are invited to attend,” said Mrs. Muxlow.

  “If Higham has had an invitation, I fail to see why we have not had one.” said Coun. Allebone.

  Coun. Weale said the conference was of supreme importance.  The Council needed full information, and the only way to get it was by direct representation.

  “We don’t want to see ourselves saddled with huge expenditure which we are not sure will be wise.” said Coun. Allen.

  The Clerk (Mr. T. L. Watts) explained the situation.  In a ’phone conversation, it appeared, he told the Clerk to the County Council that the Higham Ferrers and Rushden Water Board was the authority which dealt with the water question.

  “If we want to go, we can go,” added Mr. Watts, who said he was unable to explain the fact that Higham Town Council had apparently received an invitation.

  The members insisted upon direct representation, and Coun. Richardson was appointed to attend the conference. 

Housing Progress

  It was reported that work on the temporary housing site was making very satisfactory progress.  The air-raid shelter is to be removed, and the Clerk has again asked for the removal of the static water basin.  When the proper time comes a notice will appear in the Press inviting applications for tenancy of the temporary houses.

  Coun. Dilks said the waiting list for Council houses had risen to over 300, but it seemed as if the Council might make up the leeway in due course.  Some tenants who were compelled to move into Council houses some years ago had protested against the recent rent adjustment, but the Housing Committee could see no other course.

  It was decided to proceed with the deferred Avenue-road (Court Estate) improvement if the County surveyor is able to do the work.  The cost is £3,778, of which £500 falls on the Council and the remainder on the Ministry of War Transport.

  The Surveyor (Mr. J. W. Lloyd) was instructed to report on general highway repairs and improvements which might be carried out at an early date.

  Blinco-road is to be made up under the Private Street Works Act.

  The Medical Officer reported the following cases of disease:  tuberculosis 12, scarlet fever 4, erysipelas 3, pneumonia 1, measles 52.  during the last month there were 20 births and six deaths.

British Restaurant

  British Restaurant receipts for the first 12 months of operation were £3,694, and 53,485 main course were served.  The attendance still averages about 250 daily.  Capital expenditure on the restaurant totals £1,698.

  The Clerk reported that some of the evacuees have no homes to return to and will have to remain in Rushden until the London authorities find accommodation for them.

  A sum of £200 resulting from the sale of land between Harborough-road and Pightles-terrace is to be put aside for the construction of a road in that neighbourhood.

  Building plans were as follows:  Two pairs of bungalows in Allen-road, Messrs. T. Swindall and Sons; bathroom at 32, Portland-road, Mr. W. Brown; outbuildings at “Rusholm,” Irchester-road, Mr. A. Dickens; garage at 56, Duck-street, Mr. H. G. Silsby; garage at 11, Hall-avenue, Mr. A. J. Frost.

  Salvage in May was valued at £67 and included 8¾ tons of paper and 4¾ tons of kitchen waste.

Danger To Children

  Coun. Allen said the static water basins were becoming extremely dangerous to children, the wire round them being “no good at all.”  His plea that the basins should be emptied was referred to committee.

  The Chairman said the Council’s letters of welcome to repatriated war prisoners were much appreciated.  One ex-prisoner wrote that everyone was so kind to him that he sometimes felt “a bit of a fraud,” having played so small a part in the war.

  Members attending were Couns. H. Waring, J.P. (Chairman), J. George (Vice-Chairman), A. H. Bailey, J. Roe, C.C., A. Allebone, J.P., C.A., F. Green, J.P., Dr. R. W. Davies, Mrs. O. A. H. Muxlow, J. Allen, W. E. Capon, A. F. Weale, T. J. Swindall, J. E. Dilks, W. J. Sawford, E. A. Sugars and J. T. Richardson, J.P.  Couns. T. W. Cox and J. H. J. Paragreen sent apologies for absence.