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| The Rushden Echo, 6th/27th March 1903, transcribed by Jim Hollis |
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Rushden Urban District Council
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A meeting of the Council was held on Wednesday night in the Vestry Hall, Mr. George Denton presiding. There were present Messrs. J. S. Clipson, F. Knight, J. Claridge, W. Bazeley, J. Green, W. H. Wilkins, J. Hornsby, F. Ballard, and T. Swindall.
Plans &c. Committee A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Vestry Hall, on Wednesday, the 18th February 1903, when there were present:- Messrs. G. Denton (chairman), J. S. Clipson, W. Bazeley, F. Knight, J. Spencer, J. Green, and W. H. Wilkins. Plans were presented by:- Mr. J. Northern for additions (new engine room) to his factory in John-street and passed. Messrs. Cave and Sons for amended plan for offices to their new buildings in High-street passed. Mr. J. Hyde for an open shed in his yard adjoining his factory in Glassbrook-road and passed. Messrs. Luck and Andrews for carpenters’ shop in Glassbrook-road and passed. The trustees of the Zion Baptist Church for additions to their chapel in Station-road and passed subject to the ventilation shaft being fixed to the satisfaction of the Surveyor.. Main Roads The Chairman reported that representatives from this Committee and from the Wellingborough and Higham Ferrers road authorities had met in conference and discussed the method of making out the estimate required by the County Surveyor preparatory to entering into a contract for maintaining the roads next year for a fixed amount. The Surveyor had now completed this estimate and an appointment had been made to meet the County Surveyor thereon on Friday next. The estimate including establishment charges was as follows:
The Committee approved of the estimate and appointed the Chairman and Mr. Wilkins to attend with the Surveyor and Clerk at the meeting on Friday next. Rushden Hill A communication was received from the Town Clerk of Higham Ferrers stating that his Corporation would be prepared to deal with the sewage of the building estate on the North side of the Hill on the following terms: (1) That notice be given to the borough surveyor before making any connections and that same be made subject to his approval. (2) That the Council pay the Corporation at the rate of 9d. in the £ per annum on the assessable value of every house connected.. (3) That the arrangement be terminable by a year’s notice on either side. (4) That these terms be embodied in the agreement to be prepared at the expense of the Council. The Committee agreed that the terms were reasonable but considered that the 9d. rate, whilst a perfectly fair amount for ordinary cottage property, would work out at rather too much for higher rated properties, and it was agreed that the Clerk should see the Higham Authority and suggest that they should accept a 6d. rate with a minimum payment for each house of 6s 0d. Water Van The Surveyor reported that the water van at present in use was completely worn out and beyond repair. He was instructed to obtain quotations for a new one. Steam Roller The Surveyor also reported that the scarifying wheel of the steam roller was wearing thin. He was instructed to obtain prices for having it re-plated with steel plates. College-Street A letter was received from Messrs. John Cave and Sons, Limited, expressing surprise that their apportionment should amount to £296 instead of £150 which they stated they were assured would be the outside amount falling upon them beyond the land given up. They considered the sum of £150 more than their fair proportion, but this they were agreeable to pay. The Surveyor produced the correspondence which had passed between Messrs. Cave and himself from which it appeared that when the estimate of £150 was given it was in respect of a contemplated road 36 feet wide with asphalted pavement and iron kerbs, whereas the road now contemplated is from 38 feet to 42 feet wide with indurated pavement and granite kerbs. The letters moreover expressly stated that the estimate was an approximate one only, and the actual amount expended on the road would be apportioned. The Clerk was instructed to reply to Messrs. Cave pointing out the above facts and at the same time to inform them that as it appeared impossible that the owners would all enter into the agreement, the Council would have no alternative but to put in force The Private Street Works Act which they could not do until the additional land had been thrown into the width of the street. Factory and Workshops Act, 1902 Means of escape in case of fire. – A certificate was granted to Messrs. B. Denton and Son in respect of their factory in High-street, George-street, and Rectory-road that such factory is provided with proper means of escape in case of fire. Mr. Hornsby deprecated the use of the town water for watering the streets until a more adequate supply of water be obtained. The recommendations of the committee were adopted. Finance &c. Committee A meeting of the Finance, Cemetery, and Sanitary Committee was held at the Vestry Hall, on Wednesday, the 25th day of February, 1903. Present : Messrs. J. S. Clipson (chairman), George Denton (vice-chairman), F. Ballard, J. Claridge, J. Hornsby, and T. Swindall. 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 examined, from which it appeared that during the past three weeks he had received the following sum on the under mentioned accounts:-
Treasurer’s Receipts The Treasurer’s Account was examined from which it appeared that the following sums had during the past three weeks been paid to him by the under mentioned persons on the following accounts:-
Treasurer’s Balances The Committee examined the treasurer’s books and found that the following balances were in his hands on the under mentioned accounts:-
Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts A number of accounts were examined and passed for payment. General District Rate The Collector submitted the following memorandum with regard to the general district rate made on the 23rd July last.
A list showing the amounts of the irrecoverable arrears was also submitted by the Collector and it was resolved that the same be written off. Water Rates The Collector submitted the following memoranda with regard to the water rates made on the 7th May, 23rd July, and 12th November:-
List of the irrecoverable amounts were submitted by the Collector and ordered to be written off. Medical Officer’s Annual Report The annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the District was received and ordered to be printed and circulated amongst the members of the Council. Sanitary and Health Reports The Medical Officer in his monthly report stated that no case of infectious disease had been notified, but information had reached him of an outbreak of measles which he believed had been imported in a reprehensible manner. It was resolved to ask the Medical Officer of Health to meet the Committee at a special meeting previous to the next Council meeting. The Inspector reported that since the last meeting he had received from the various firms of manufacturers in the town lists of their out-workers, and where the same were employed outside this urban district he had forwarded copies to each Sanitary Inspector of the district in which they were so employed, comprising nine different sanitary authorities. Robinson Road The Clerk submitted a statement as to apportioned charges still outstanding, and was instructed to intimate to the owners concerned that unless the amounts be paid at once the Council will proceed to sell the various properties charged, in accordance with the notices served in November. Cemetery It was resolved that the notices on the Board at the principal entrance be re-printed and that such of the new regulations as might be applicable should be included. It was resolved that similar notice boards be erected at the other entrances to the cemetery and that the board at the Park-road entrance have a notice, prohibiting football and other games being played in any part of the cemetery grounds. In moving the adoption of the report, Mr. Clipson said the health of the town was very satisfactory. The Chairman, reporting upon Dr. Morris’s interview with the Sanitary Committee previous to the meeting of the Council that night, said that the doctor had his own theories regarding the excessive mortality among infants, but had nothing definite to state. Mr. Bazeley thought the Medical Officer should present the annual report in person, so that the members of the Council could ask him to go into details. The Chairman said that Dr. Morris was always ready to attend the meetings of the Council. The report was adopted. The Education Act The Chairman moved that the whole Council be appointed a committee to consider the provisions of the Education Act as far as it relates to Rushden. Mr. Wilkins seconded the motion, which was carried. The Free Library It was decided to call a town’s meeting with regard to the selection of a site for the free library. The Clerk thought the town’s meeting might also appoint a committee to raise the necessary funds. A suggested public improvement at the bottom of Church-street was referred to. |
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| The Rushden Echo, 27th March 1903 Rushden Urban District Council At a meeting of this Council on Wednesday night there were present Messrs. G. Denton (chairman), J. S. Clipson (vice-chairman), F. Knight, J. Claridge, W. Bazeley, C. Bates, W. H. Wilkins, J. Spencer, J. Hornsby, F. Ballard, and T. Swindall, with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason) and the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin). Education Committee A meeting of the special committee appointed to consider the Education Act, was held at the Vestry Hall, on Wednesday the 4th March, 1903, when there were present:- Messrs. Geo. Denton (chairman), J. S. Clipson (vice-chairman), F. Ballard, W. Bazeley, J. Claridge, J. Green, J. Hornsby, F. Knight, T. Swindall, and W. H. Wilkins. The Chairman explained to the Committee the steps which the County Council were taking with regard to the constitution of their Education Committee and suggested that this Committee might wish to make some immediate representations to the County Council as to the constitution of such Committee; after some discussion it was unanimously resolved that representations be made to the County Council urging that body, in the constitution of its Education Committee, to restrict itself as far as possible to members of the County Council. The report was adopted. Plans, &c., Committee A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Vestry Hall, on Wednesday the 11th March, 1903, when there were present:- Messrs. George Denton (chairman), J. S. Clipson, F. Knight, J. Spencer, J. Green, and W. H. Wilkins. Plans were presented by:- Mr. C. A. K. Green for stable and coach house (a corrugated iron building) in Queen-street and passed. Mr. C. W. Horrell for alterations and additions to his factory in Moor-road and passed. Mr. W. Walker for house on the Higham-road and passed subject to the light and ventilation to the w.c. being provided to the satisfaction of the Surveyor. Mr. E. Smith for stable and coach-house at rear of his house on the Wellingborough-road and passed subject to evidence being supplied as to party wall. Mr. John Hare for Theatre and three lockup shops (corrugated iron buildings) in Park-road and Newton-road and rejected as not complying with the Bye-Laws. Mr. Chas. Dennis for a house on the Rushden Court Estate on the Bedford-road and passed. Messrs. Knight and Bradfield for four new streets marked as Hove-road, Trafford-road, Canterbury-road, and Taunton-road on their Newton-road Estate and passed. A specification of the mode of construction of these streets was also submitted and approved. Water Van The Surveyor submitted a number of Estimates received from different firms for the supply of a water van. These were referred to a sub-committee consisting of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman to consider and report. Steam Roller The Surveyor submitted letters received from the Surveyors of various other authorities with regard to the re-plating of the scarifying wheels and in every case the report was satisfactory. It was resolved that the Surveyor be authorised to have one wheel of the steam roller re-plated with steel plates by the Oxford Steam Ploughing Company at a cost of £15. College-Street A further letter dated 25th February from Messrs. Cave was submitted with reference in the expenses proposed to be incurred in making this street and the share apportioned to them as abutting owners. The committee again had before them the whole of the correspondence which had taken place during the last year and could find nothing bearing out the statement made by Messrs. Cave to the effect that they were assured that the outside expenses falling on them would be £150, on the contrary it was explicitly stated that the actual cost of making the street would be apportioned on the owners abutting on each side according to their respective frontages. The Clerk was instructed to write to Messrs. Cave to this effect and to inform them that under the circumstances the Committee had no alternative but to allow the matter to remain in abeyance for the present. Road Materials The Surveyor was instructed to advertise for tenders for the supply of materials during the ensuing year. Team Labour and Day Work The Surveyor was also instructed to advertise for tenders for this work. The report was adopted. Finance, etc., Committee A meeting of the Finance, Cemetery and Sanitary Committee was held at the Vestry Hall, on Wednesday, the 18th March, 1903, when there were present: Messrs. J. S. Clipson (chairman), George Denton (vice-chairman), F. Ballard, J. Hornsby, C. Bates, 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 Accounts The Collector’s Accounts were examined from which it appeared that during the past three weeks he had received the following sums on the under mentioned accounts.
Treasurer’s Receipts The Treasurer’s Account was examined from which it appeared that the following sums had during the past three weeks been paid to him by the under mentioned persons on the following accounts:-
Treasurer’s Balances The Committee examined the Treasurer’s books and found that the following balances were in his hands on the under mentioned accounts:-
Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts A number of accounts were examined and passed for payment. Sanitary and Health Reports The Medical Officer reported that only two cases of infectious disease had been notified since the last meeting, both of erysipelas, one of which had recovered. The Inspector reported that the two cases of erysipelas referred to by the Medical Officer were in Sussex-place and Glassbrook-road, the former of which had recovered. The inspector further reported that he had fumigated a house in Rectory-road, where Mr. Harry Watts had been suffering from typhoid fever, and found it necessary to destroy a quantity of bedding, etc., which he had done and submitted the account to the Clerk; it was resolved that the Council be recommended to approve the action of the Inspector and to pay the amount of compensation for the destroyed bedding at the figure named by him, viz., £1 7s 6d. Cemetery The Clerk submitted a draft of notices proposed to be printed at the various entrances of the Cemetery which was agreed upon. It was also resolved to recommend the Council that a full table of fees should be printed on the notice board at the principal entrance. Office Boy The Finance Committee at a meeting held prior to the Council meeting, were informed by the Surveyor that the office-boy, Wm. Cunliffe, had completed his month’s trial satisfactorily. The committee therefore recommended that he be permanently appointed at a wage of 5s per week. The report was adopted. The Proposed Free Library The Chairman said it was within the knowledge of all the members of the Council present as to what was done at the town’s meeting held on the previous night and it appeared to him that the Council should deal with the matter. Would the Council like to ask the Sites Committee to continue in office? Mr. Ballard: Would they consider the letter from Messrs. Cave? The Chairman: They would, I take it, consider all the sites. Mr. Hornsby: Would they consider the site at the bottom of Church-street? The Chairman thought the committee could re-open that question. Mr. Spencer moved that the exiting Sites Committee – Messrs. Denton, Knight, Claridge, Wilkins, and Swindall – be asked to confer with the gentleman appointed by the town’s meeting. Mr. Bates seconded the motion. Mr. Wilkins said he should decline to serve again. Mr. Bazeley said he thought the Sites Committee ought to finish their work and not take umbrage. Mr. Wilkins said he did not take umbrage, but he had had enough of the subject. At the expressed wish of the Council, Mr. Wilkins eventually agreed to serve again on the committee and Mr. Spencer’s motion was then agreed to. Appointment of Overseers The Council unanimously re-elected Messrs. Spencer, G. H. Skinner, J. Claridge, and J. T. Colson overseers of the poor. The Gas Company formally submitted their annual balance-sheet to the Council. Mr. Bazeley noticed that the Company had had a very good year and desired the town to share in the profit made. They had reduced the gas 2d per thousand feet. He thought they might have taken off the rent of the cookers. At Northampton no rent was charged, and the gas was 2s 5d per thousand feet as against 3s at Rushden. The Chairman thought Mr. Bazeley was going to refer to the meter rents. It was not every tradesman that made his customers pay for scales to weigh what he had sold them. (Laughter.) The Clerk said the charges made for the cookers did not cover wear and tear. Mr. Spencer thought Mr. Bazeley’s suggestion was a very good one, and that the Gas Company might consider it at least. Parting Compliments Mr. Claridge said that as that was the last meeting of the Council under the Chairman he did not think they ought to separate without thanking Mr. Denton for the able manner in which he had presided over their meetings and for the keen interest he had taken in the work of the Council and the town. He moved that the best thanks of the Council be given to the Chairman. Mr. Bazeley seconded the motion with much pleasure and said he had no wish to sit under a fairer Chairman. Mr. Denton gave everyone fair play. The vote was heartily accorded. Mr. Denton said it had been a pleasure as well as a duty to preside over their gatherings, for he could bear his testimony to the fact that everyone connected with the Council had devoted himself whole-heartedly to the work before them and their proceedings had been very pleasant. He had felt he had had a difficult task to follow such able chairmen as they had had, and he was satisfied if the standard of the Council’s work had been kept up. He had a painful recollection that last year he omitted to give expression to the Council’s thanks to the Vice-chairman at that time. He would not make the same mistake again, but would propose a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Clipson for his work as Vice-chairman. Mr. Clipson had done a lot of work as chairman of the Finance Committee. Mr. Bates seconded the motion, which was cordially passed and Mr. Clipson suitably acknowledged the vote. Mr. Spencer Thought they ought to thank the Press for the time given to the work of the Council and for the very good reports they gave of the meetings. Mr. Denton was sure they all recognised the value of the services of the Press and echoed what Mr. Spencer had said. The Press would accept that, he was sure, without a formal resolution. In the same way he wished to thank the Clerk for the way in which he filled his office, apart from any question of remuneration. The Surveyor, too, had devoted himself to his work most thoroughly, and he was sure the Council had a staff of workmen under the Surveyor equal to those of any town. |
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