New Post Office For The Town
Subsidy Grants For Houses

  Wednesday, present Messrs. J. Hornsby, J.P. (chairman), F. Corby (vice-chairman), T. Wilmott, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Roe, A. Allebone, C.C., W. C. Tarry, C. Claridge, F. Knight, J.P., J. Allen, T. Swindall, C. W. Horrell, C.A., L. Perkins, M.B.E., 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. J. W. Lloyd), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. F. S. F. Piper).

Plans, Etc., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, February 22^nd, 1928, when there were present: Messrs. J. Hornsby (chairman), A. Allebone, C. Claridge, G. W. Coles, C. W. Horrell, Fred Knight,   T. F. B. Newberry, J. Spencer, T. Swindall, and T. Wilmott.

Plans

were presented for:

  Two houses in Purvis-road for Mr. G. H. Sharp and Mr. A. Swindall respectively, and passed.

  Two houses in Purvis-road for Mr. G. H. Linnell and Mr. S. Robinson respectively, and passed.

  One house on the Wellingborough road for Mr. D. R. Hornsby, and passed.

  Applications for subsidies in respect of the foregoing houses were received, together with estimates of the cost thereof, which did not exceed, including the cost of the land, £620, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to issue certificates in respect of same as coming within the Council’s scheme for the subsidy of £70 each.

  Extension to factory in Lawton-road for Mr. H. Coggins, and passed.

  Shed for Mr. John A. Harris at the rear of his house in Wellingborough-road, and no exception taken.

Subsidy Grants

  The Clerk reported that he had received the approval of the Ministry to the Council’s proposals for affording financial assistance under Section 2 of the Housing, Etc., Act, 1923, by means of lump-sum grants of £70 per house, in so far as they related to a further ten houses, making a total of 152.  He also reported that certificates had already been granted for three of these houses and plans had been passed for five more that evening, leaving only two for further certificates.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to apply for approval of ten further houses, making a total of 162.  It was pointed out to the committee that it was quite possible that no further subsidies will be granted in respect of houses not completed before September 30^th next.

’Bus Time-Table

  It was resolved to permit the ’Bus Company to affix one of their time-tables to the posts at present erected near the Post Office.

Prospect-Avenue

  An application was received from the owners abutting on this road requesting the Council to put into force the Private Street Works Act, 1892, and construct the road forthwith.

  It was accordingly resolved to recommend the Council that Prospect-avenue, not being at present levelled, paved, metalled, channelled, and made good to the satisfaction of the Council, be levelled, paved, metalled, channelled, and made good under and in accordance with the provisions of the Private Street Works Act, 1892, and that the expenses incurred in executing such works be apportioned amongst the premises fronting, adjoining, or abutting on the said street according to the respective frontages, and further that the Surveyor be instructed to prepare and submit to the Council (a) specification of the above-mentioned works, with plans and sections, (b) an estimate of the probable expenses of the works, and (c) a provisional apportionment of the estimated expenses among the premises liable to be charged therewith under the Act.

Public Lighting

  The Lighting Sub-Committee reported that they were arranging with the Electric Light Company to erect near the Vestry Hall a further light of increased power, and they further suggested improved lighting at the corner of the Green and that the signpost at the four roads be so lighted with electric lamps as to enable passers-by to read the directions.  The report was agreed to and the committee authorised to put the works in hand.

Newton-Road

  The Surveyor was instructed at his convenience to complete the kerbing of this road above Oval-road.

Assistant Surveyor

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to appoint Mr. H. Gould on the permanent staff of the Council in the capacity of Assistant Surveyor at the same salary as at present he is receiving.

  The report was adopted.

  Mr. Perkins asked whether any definite message had been received to the effect that there would not be any more subsidies.  As far as they knew, subsidies must continue even though they were diminished.  The paragraph to which he referred would perhaps frighten people.

  The Clerk said that the paragraph had been added at the expressed wish of the committee in order that people might know and make their applications before September 30^th next.

  Mr. Perkins said he hoped that the Council would not delay application for permission to grant any necessary subsidies.

  The Chairman said there would hardly be time for the new Council to get sanction for subsidies for new houses to be completed by September 30^th.

  Mr. Perkins: Then, it is our duty to do so.

  The Clerk said they had sanction for twelve subsidies.  When they applied for a small number of subsidies they usually got permission by return of post, but if they applied for a large number some time might pass by before thy had a reply.  They had never had to wait for permission to grant a subsidy.

  Mr. Perkins: Then, we can simply apply at each Council meeting for all we want.

  On the subject of public lighting, the Chairman said that no doubt the members had noticed an improvement at the Vestry Hall – the extra light high up on the standard.  Improved lighting of High-street, a much-needed work, had also been done.

  Mr. Claridge said that the gas company had been making demonstrations and tests throughout the town for improved lighting.

  Regarding the kerbing above Oval-road, Mr. Allen said that Oval-road was more important than the other, as there were no residents at the further end of Winchester-road.

  The Chairman said it was used more than it formerly was, but perhaps the Surveyor would do the upper part first.

  The Surveyor said he would give instructions to have that done. 

Health And Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, February 29^th, 1928, when there were present: Messrs. F. Corby (chairman), J. Hornsby, J. Allen, C. Bates, W. Bazeley, D. G. Greenfield, T. F. B. Newberry, T. Swindall, and W. C. Tarry.

Health And Sanitary Reports

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

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that during the past month 29 additional nuisances had been dealt with and twelve abated.

  Four rooms had been disinfected after cases of infectious disease.  A quantity of household articles had been disinfected at the Depot, and a quantity of bedding, etc., destroyed at the Sewage Farm, also after cases of infectious disease.

  Applications were received for compensation in respect of destroyed bedding from the Misses E. and E. Mantle, of Albion-place, and Mr. G. F. Cobley, Court Estate, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to replace part of the bedding destroyed at a cost not exceeding £1  7s. 6d. in each case.

  Fifty-two visits had been made to premises where food is prepared or sold, during which inspections two ox livers and one pig’s liver, together with nine tins of canned fruit, fish, etc., to the total weight of 1qr.  22lb., had been found to be unfit for human consumption and destroyed in the usual way.

  The Inspector also reported that upon examination he found that the whole of the defects to the six cottages in Elm-street, referred to at the December meeting, had now been remedied.

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

Rats And Mice (Destruction) Act

  The Inspector reported that since the last meeting one complaint had been received under this Act and three premises inspected.

Factory Acts

  The Inspector also reported that under these acts eight additional outworkers’ lists had been received, containing the names of 19 outworkers.

South-End Schools

  The Inspector submitted a letter from the Secretary of the Education Authority stating that the Authority were negotiating with the owner of the land adjoining the schools for the acquisition of a site for the provision of a new block of sanitary conveniences.

Wellingborough-Road

  The Surveyor reported that he had received an application for the laying of a sewer in this road from Fitzwilliam-street to Duck-street, about 262 yards.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to give instructions for tenders to be invited for carrying out the work.

Dance Halls

  The Clerk informed the committee that he had been approached by the police authorities with regard to the licensing of dance halls, etc., who asked the Council to consider the propriety of adopting Part 4 of the Public Health Acts Amendment Act, 1890.

  The committee decided to defer the consideration of the matter to a future meeting.

Cemetery

  A letter was received from Mr. F. Briggs complaining of the state of his late wife’s grave through earth being placed upon it when a grave was dug in an adjoining space and which the men in charge had failed to remove before Saturday evening.  The committee expressed regret that Mr. Briggs should have cause for complaint, which they agreed he had, and the Clerk was instructed to communicate with him to this effect.

  The Clerk was also instructed to communicate with the caretaker asking him to exercise such supervision in future that complaints of this nature would not be forthcoming.

Infectious Diseases

  A letter was received from the Clerk to the Kettering Urban District Council relative to the recent outbreak of smallpox in various parts of the country and asking the Council to pass the following resolution and forward a copy thereof to the Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for the Division, requesting their support:

“That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable that the law should be amended so as to provide that where persons who have been in contact with, or who are suspected of suffering from, smallpox or other infectious disease in casual wards of Poor Law Institutions, the Medical Officer of Health should be empowered to have them detained and isolated for such period as he may deem necessary.”

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to accede to the request.

Cemetery

  The Cemetery Sub-Committee reported that they had recently visited the Cemetery and suggested that some additional fencing be provided and that the ditch be piped with field-drains so that it could be filled in.  They also recommended that the frames used by the caretaker for small plants be renewed.

  The committee agreed and resolved to recommend the Council accordingly.

  The report was adopted.

Finance And Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Thursday, March 1^st, 1928, at 10 a.m., when there were present: Messrs. C. W. Horrell (chairman), J. Hornsby, F. Corby, C. Bates, G. W. Coles, F. Knight, J. Roe, W. C. Tarry, and T. Wilmott.

Local Government And Other Officers’ Superannuation Act, 1922

  The Clerk reminded the committee that his appointment would again expire on March 11^th next, if not renewed.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to appoint Mr. Mason as Clerk for a further period of one year from March 11^th next, at the same salary.

Rating And Valuation Act, 1925

  A letter was received from Messrs. Michael Farraday and Partners asking to be supplied with four warrants authorising them to enter on, survey, and value any hereditament in the urban district for the purpose of making a valuation under this Act.  It was understood that the hereditaments in question would be special properties which had been referred to Messrs. Farraday and Partners for their professional advice.  It was recommended to pass on the communication to the Rating Committee to be dealt with by them.

Baths

  A letter was received from Mr. Swindall calling the attention to the loss sustained by him in the delay of the completion of the purchase by the Council of the site agreed upon and asking for compensation.

  The committee agreed to refund to Mr. Swindall any amount he may have expended in rates since the Council’s purchase but did not think he should press for interest or loss of rent.

Loan, £5,080

  The Clerk reported that he had negotiated this loan at 5 per cent. with the Northampton Town and County Benefit Building Society.

Housing Loan, £21,550

  The Clerk reported that he had received a letter from the secretary to the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives stating that they were unable to make the further advance of £11,550 to complete this loan, and he was instructed to place himself in communication with the Public Works Loan Board.

Auditor’s Report

  The report of the District Auditor on his recent audit of the accounts of the Council for the year ended March 31^st, 1927, certified by him as correct, was received.  The special report made to the Chairman by the Auditor with reference to the appointment of an Accountant or Accounting Officer independent of the Clerk’s office was also considered, and the committee, who were satisfied that an appointment of this nature could not be made in time to take effect from the 31^st inst., fully appreciated his remarks and, without committing themselves to any definite course of action, decided to further consider the matter after the forthcoming elections.

  The report was adopted.

Cheaper Borrowing

  In reply to Mr. Perkins, the Clerk said it was cheaper to borrow from private lenders than from the Public Works Loans Commissioners, because of the deduction of income-tax.  When the Council paid interest to private lenders the Council deducted income-tax.  They were not allowed to deduct income-tax from interest paid to the Commissioners, though it was mostly recoverable.

Rushden’s New Post Office

  A letter was read from the Postmaster-General, dated February 13^th, on the subject of improved postal facilities for the south end of Rushden.  The letter stated that arrangements were now being made to establish a sub office in the High-street South district, providing a suitable candidate was forthcoming.

  The Chairman said that was very satisfactory.

  Mr. Newberry said the people of the South Ward much appreciated the efforts of the Council in recovering the postal facilities which they had had before the war.

Rushden Station Improvement

  Mr. Coles asked if any reply had been received regarding the improvement at the railway station.

  The Clerk: Not a word!

  The Chairman: I think a further letter ought to be sent.

  It was agreed to write to the L.M.S. again on the subject.