Housing Hold-Up:
 Council and The Ministry
Mr. Allen Complains of “Consistent Delay and Obstruction”
Wellingborough’s Big Batches – But Rushden Started First!
Assessments Alarm: All About Milk: Tribute To Clerk

  Has Rushden made a mistake in building houses by sixties and seventies instead of planning a couple of hundred at a time?  Has it been fairly treated by the Ministry of Health, and is there anything to learn from Wellingborough?

  These questions were debated at the Rushden Urban District Council’s meeting on Wednesday, when a change of procedure by the Ministry, which now requires houses and roads to be tendered for at the same time, led to a general review of the housing position and of the Irchester-road estate which is now nearing completion.

  Members registered dismay on learning of large assessment increases on Council and Water Board property, and also found time to discuss by-pass roads, the milk supply, and the Court Estate water problem.

  Tribute was paid to the great services of Mr. George S. Mason, the Council Clerk, who retires at the end of the month after holding the office since the formation of the Council in 1894.

Ministry Holds Up New Road

  The discussion on housing began with the Acting Clerk’s report that he had sent to the Ministry of Health the Council’s resolution applying for sanction to a loan for making the remaining portion of Highfield-road preparatory to the construction of about 70 houses.  The Ministry had replied that while the tender proposed to be accepted appeared to be in order, the Department would defer sanction for the loan pending the receipt of tenders for the erection of the houses.

  Mr. Allen:  According to the letter they are not going to adhere to their usual practice of road construction first and the erection of houses afterwards.  I think the change of procedure is likely to accentuate difficulties and cause much delay, because there will be quite a time before the road becomes complete and ready for the erection of houses, and the time that elapses between the road-making and the building of the houses may be of such duration that even when we have got our tenders out, owing to the fluctuation of prices it might be necessary to advertise for fresh tenders.

  “It seems to me,” he continued, “that the procedure is wrong – that the road should be made first and the houses built afterwards, as has been the usual custom.  It appears that the Ministry of Health so far as this Council is concerned, has consistently delayed and obstructed the building of houses in this town, especially during the last three years.  We are dealing with a very serious problem of housing accommodation, yet every time we put forward proposals delay is sure to result when the Ministry get hold of the particular resolutions.

Room For 103 More

  “Including the 66 or 70 houses now proposed we have put up during the last three years approximately 180 houses, and there is still left room for 103 on the estate.  That will complete the lay-out of the estate.

  “So that there will be no further delay I should like this Council to instruct the Surveyor to advertise for tenders for the erection of a further 66 houses to complete Highfield-road.  I understand a letter has been received from the church authorities who are thinking of purchasing a site on that estate, and which would take up a frontage equal to four houses.

  "If that is done the tenders will be in at the next meeting, and the Council may be able to accept them, and the confirmation of the Ministry of Health will then come through far more speedily.”

  The Chairman:  I am sure we should have liked the road to go through, because the men are anxious to work.

  Mr. Roe:  What type are we going to put up?  Are we going to have a different plan – because we don’t want all the houses on the estate to be alike?

  Mr. Allen:  The committee will thoroughly consider that when the tenders are out.  The 56 put up last time have given satisfaction to everybody.  I think perhaps other members would speak on that point.

  Dr. Greenfield:  Yes, I should like to do so.  I know these houses very well, and first of all I should like to congratulate the Surveyor on their appearance.  They are the only nice-looking new houses we have put up on the new estate, and as regards the arrangements inside, they are admirable.

Fair Treatment?

  Mr. Perkins:  We have already arranged what the size should be, and fixed the rents, but the details can be modified even after we have got the sanction to carry on with the business.  I was in Highfield-road myself on Sunday, and it is a very nice addition to the estate – largely due, I think, to the tiles, which give a great improvement on the slates such as those that are over the house where I live.  But I think those on the committee should see that they don’t go back, but rather forward on their designs.

  Mr. Hornsby:  I think it is a question whether the Ministry are treating us fairly.  It seems to me that Wellingborough are putting them up at a much larger rate than we are, and for the life of me I fail to see why there is all this delay over getting the sanction for the road and the houses.  All the time this delay is going on, others are wanting the houses.  There is a tremendous lot wanted in the town.  We thought some time ago we had reached the limit, but I begin to think there is a thousand houses still needed in Rushden.

  Mr. Coles:  I am not here to defend the Government, but I do think the waste of time is somewhat on our own shoulders.  If instead of submitting schemes for 60 or 70 we submitted them for 200 or 250 it would take no longer.  Wellingborough has been mentioned, and that is what has been done at Wellingborough.

Rushden Got In First!

  Mr. Perkins:  Of course, we got a move on first.  They have got arrears to make up!

  Mr. Allebone dealt with technical points involved in the making of roads and houses, and said he quite believed the fact of getting the estimates together would accentuate the building of houses rather than delay it.

  Ald. Horrell:  I suggest the committee should take a wide view of the question and submit the whole scheme for the completion of the estate before the next meeting.  I think possibly we may have been a little slow in not building a lot at a time, but at the same time it is quite right what Mr. Perkins said – that we started to build before Wellingborough.

  The Chairman said the Clerk would wait on the Ministry on Wednesday and might approach them on the question.

  Mr. Allen said it had been a matter for the full Council to decide from time to time, and he did not think it had been the fault of the Housing Committee.  The Council had only allowed the committee to go so far.

  Ald. Horrell:  Why I make this suggestion is because there has been some replacements. There has been 20 or 30 replacements, I think.   Mr. Allen’s proposition was then carried.

Tribute To Clerk
“An Honourable Servant”

  The Chairman said that as that was the last ordinary meeting of the Council he would like to bring before the members the retirement of Mr. George S. Mason, who at the end of the month would cease to be their Clerk.  He would propose that a letter of appreciation be sent to Mr. Mason for his long and faithful service to the town, hoping that his health would improve and that he would live long to enjoy his retirement.  He also proposed that a record be made on the minutes.

  “It is a very exceptional case,” said Mr. Spencer.  “I believe in 1888 Mr. Mason was a member of the School Board.  When the Local Board was formed a number of applications was received and Mr. Mason received the appointment as Clerk.  Then again, when the Council was formed in 1894 he became the Clerk.  I remember the meeting quite well.  There are not many of us left to tell the tale, and those still living are Mr. Mason, Mr. Clipson, Mr. Brawn and myself.

  “I think the success of this Council has been largely due to the guiding hand of Mr. Mason.  He has been a very honourable servant of the town – honest beyond reproach; and the sound advice he has given us o many occasions has been very helpful.  During the period when we were short of water many years ago, Mr. Mason’s advice and help were really wonderful.  Some of us thought sometimes his advice on finance was on the careful side, but looking at it broadly there is no doubt that it has made our finances sound, and the advance the town has made has been continuous.

Worked Day and Night

  “As a young man I always used to go and bother him to get information with regard to the various Acts of Parliament, and it was always his pleasure to give all the assistance he possibly could.  When during the War Mr. Mason had that great calamity, the loss of his son, it affected him very much, but he worked day and night for the benefit of the town.  When we were so short of food and other commodities his advice was always on the right side.”

  Ald. Horrell:  I think we all recognise that he has rendered very valuable service to the town.  I cannot cover such a long period of Council history as you can, but I think everybody in the town appreciates the services Mr. Mason has rendered, and it would be very nice to send the letter you suggest.

  The Chairman’s suggestion was agreed to.

Assessments Alarm
Increases on Council Property

  Referring to the Rating Committee’s report (not issued to the Press), Mr. Hornsby said the total increase of  assessments was £4,851.

  “It is a very large increase,” he said, “and one is led to believe that some of the increases are extraordinary.  I don’t know what the Finance Committee think of this matter, but it seems to me that the increases that the County Valuation Officer has put on the Council properties are very high indeed, and I hope the matter will be taken up.”

  The increase of the penny rate, added Mr. Hornsby, brought it up to £269.

  Mr. Roe:  There are members of the Area Assessment Committee present tonight.  They can probably tell us whether any other local authorities have taken action with regard to these assessments.

  The Isolation Hospital and the yard in Newton-road, he added, were rated very high indeed.

  Ald. Horrell:  There has been one appeal – from the Wellingborough urban authority.

  Mr. Allebone said he agreed that the advances were tremendously high.  All over the area similar increases had been made, but he was satisfied that there would be a joint meeting of the authorities, and that they would come to some uniform basis, so that Rushden would contribute the same as any other authority.

  Mr. Hornsby said he was glad this explanation had been given, because some of the increases seemed absurdly high.  If they could come to a uniform agreement it would be quite all right.

  Mr. Perkins:  I should like to know why the Water Board have gone up to £289.  Is it the pipes that are rated, or only yard or the pumps?

  Ald. Horrell:  All of it – everything.

  The Acting Clerk:  The Water Board are assessed on their accounts like every other public company.

Mr. Pewter Seen Through?
Clean Milk Question

  Mr. Hornsby said the Health and Sanitary Committee found there had been great improvement in the cleanliness of the milk since bacteriological examinations had been made periodically.  He was glad to see that the samples taken last month were quite satisfactory, and he thought the public might rest assured that they were being supplied with clean and very good milk.

  “May we take it,” said Mr. Perkins solemnly, “that the committee can assure us that this town is quite free from bovine tuberculosis?  We were so alarmed on Saturday over the wireless when Mr. Pewter told us what a lot of people died of it through drinking milk.  I didn’t know whether we were quite free from this terrible disease.”

  Mr. Pewter, despite his reputation for leg-pulling and his weakness for beer, was treated with the Council’s usual courtesy, the Chairman referring the matter to Dr. Greenfield.

  The doctor said he did not know whether they could give any assurance at all.  If they wanted milk that could be guaranteed absolutely free from tuberculosis they had got to pay very much more for it that at the present time.  All the cattle were free from disease, but that did not mean that the milk was free.  No doubt the wireless speaker was quite right in what he said, but to do away with all risk was a problem that would be extraordinarily difficult to grapple with.

  The Chairman (to Mr. Perkins):  The cattle are examined and samples are taken, but the question is almost too learned for me, so I referred you to the doctor.

Court Estate Water

  Mr. Newberry asked if there was any possible chance of getting water to the Court Estate.  Bungalows and houses were being built there, and there was no doubt that if water could be supplied, more would be built.

  Mr. Coles replied that the question was an important one, and had been before the Water Board more than once.  It had been turned down on account of the enormous expense.  Although there was a large number of houses and bungalows (between 70 and 80) on the estate, they had no guarantee that they would take the water.  Some of the people lived a long distance from the road and would have to pay for taking the water from the road.  Some might not be willing to pay.  He thought, however, that without divulging anything that was at present confidential he could say that a special committee was sitting just now, and that in their report this question was dealt with.  The matter would therefore come before the Board when they got this report.  In the meantime he suggested that the matter be not further dicussed pending the report.

  Mr. Newberry intimated that he was satisfied.

New Houses

  Building plans were as follows:  Six houses in a new road off Wellingborough-road, Mrs. M. M. Drabble;  bungalow, Fern-road, Mrs. M. M. Drabble; two houses, Prospect-avenue, Messrs. T. Swindall and Sons;  two lock-up shops, Station-road, Mrs. W. H. Davison; alterations and additions to No. 27, Glassbrook-road, Mr. C. G. Parker; wooden garage, Park-road, Messrs. Fred Knight, Ltd.

  Mr. Wilmott said he was rather pleased with the plans, because there was a steady increase in building private property.

Sanitation

  Team labour (daywork carting) tenders were accepted from Messrs. C. Spriggs, B. Folkes and C. Holley.  Scavenging contracts went to Messrs. Folkes, Holley, C. Adams and G. C. Townsend.

  The Surveyor reported that the tank in connection with the water cart required renewing.  He was authorised to have the work done at an estimated cost of £15.

  Mr. Wilmott said the old cart was worn out and needed a new body.

By-Pass Roads

  Mr. Richardson raised a question about by-pass roads.

  “At the last meeting” he said, “we were talking about signs.  Some towns have signs, and we have not.  Some have by-pass roads, and we have not.  I was wondering whose duty it was to provide these roads.  Wellingborough has two very good by-pas roads.”

  The Chairman:  The County Council has a lot to do with it, and the Ministry sometimes helps with various grants, which we have not been fortunate enough to get.

  Mr. Roe:  I sincerely hope we don’t have anything of that sort in Rushden.  We want people to come through Rushden, not miss us.

  The Chairman agreed that there was something to be said on both sides of the question.

Just a Word

  Commenting on a minute dealing with the retention of a clerk in the Surveyor’s department, Mr. Roe said “I don’t want to quibble to-night, but there is one phrase that is rather misleading – ‘it is essential.’  I don’t like that word, Mr. Chairman; I should like it much better if the Surveyor ‘asked that the clerk’s services be retained.’  It might convey to the clerk that we were absolutely dependent on his services.”

  Mr. Allebone:  I quite agree to the substitution of the word ‘desirable.’

Allowance Cancelled

  With regard to owners’ allowances, the District Auditor pointed out that an allowance of 5 per cent. to owner-occupiers with a rateable value not exceeding £10 had been made under Sec.II (1) of the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925, whereas this allowance can only be passed on to such owner-occupiers when the Council pass on to their tenants any portion of the owners’ allowance on property owned by them.  It did not appear from the accounts that the Council had passed on any portion of such allowance.

  The Finance Committee considered the question and recommended that as and from April 1 the 5 per cent. allowance be discontinued.

  This was agreed to.

Allotment Rents

  The Auditor also suggested that the allotment rents should be collected by the Council’s staff, and not, as before, by a private person.  It was accordingly decided that the staff of the Rating Department should collect these rents.

New Telephones

  The sub-committee appointed to confer with the Post Office representative with regard to the installation of a new telephone system for the Council Buildings, reported that they had made arrangements for a switch-board to be placed in the Surveyor’s general office, from which extensions would be made to each office.  The total annual cost would amount to £17  16s., against £14, the present yearly cost of telephones at the Council Buildings.

  At the request of Mr. Allebone it was decided to spend £7 extra and have the latest and most sanitary type of mouth-pieces attached to the telephones.

Cemetery Trees

  A letter was received from Mrs. L. Webb, of Robinson-road, requesting the Council to agree to the removal of two trees near graves of her relatives, on account of their damaging effect on the graves.

  A sub-committee consisting of Mr. Hornsby and the Surveyor was appointed to visit and inspect the trees.

  Mr. Hornsby now reported that they failed to see that the trees caused damage.  If they started removing trees, he did not know where it would end.

Mr. Claridge’s Farewell

  Mr. Charles Claridge, who was attending for the last time, having left the town some time ago to take up residence at Hove, said he would like to thank the members for the great kindness and courtesy they had shown him during the twelve years he had been a member.  He would leave them with very much regret, but would always take a great interest in the town.  He had lived in Rushden practically the whole of his life, and he had seen it grow from a population of 3,000 to its present dimensions.  He remembered when there were only three or four factories there – one of them was his father’s.  Now there were nearly 40 factories, turning out 100,000 pairs a week.  He hoped the town would go on increasing, and he believed it would.  With the manufacturers it had there was no reason why it should not go forward as it had done in the past.  At any rate, he looked forward to it growing to 20,000, and he wished the Council and town every success.

  The Chairman said they knew Mr. Claridge’s interest would always be with them.  Although he was some distance away, anything pertaining to Rushden would always be in his mind.  They wished him and his family every success.

Members Present

  Members in attendance were Mr. John Spencer, J.P. (Chairman), Ald. C. W. Horrell (vice-chairman), Dr. Greenfield, Messrs. T. F. B. Newberry, W. C. Tarry, A. Allebone, C.C., C. Claridge, Fred Green, J. Roe, J. Allen, W. E. Capon, L. Perkins, M.B.E., A. Wilmott, G. W. Coles, J.P., J. Hornsby and J. T. Richardson.

23^rd March, 1934

Frank Financial Review at Budget Meeting
Why Rate is Maintained Despite Higher Assessments
Rushden Council’s Balance:  Local And County Services
Mr. Tom Swindall’s Farewell

  Although unable to reduce the rates, the Rushden Urban District Council, at its special Budget meeting on Wednesday, managed to avoid an increase.

  For those who had anticipated that a rate reduction would result from the recent increase of assessments, amounting to nearly £7,000, the whole financial position was reviewed in detail.  Mr. Allebone showed how the working balance into which the Council had been dipping must now be preserved at a safety-point, and Ald. Horrell revealed the services the County Council renders for its share of the rate, declaring that they represented 15/6 in return for 8/6.

  Members agreed that the Budget, though taking more than £3,000 extra from the ratepayers’ purse, was based on a sound view of affairs and provided properly for the maintenance of essential services.  Mr. Allebone, the “Chancellor,” received general congratulations.

  Though still unwell, Mr. Tom Swindall, who is retiring after 27 years’ service, attended after some months’ absence and made a striking farewell speech in reply to colleagues who spoke in praise of his devoted public work.  He predicted that all the old members who seek re-election to-morrow will be successful.

  Mr. Allebone said he was pleased in presenting his first Budget that it was not necessary for him to ask for an increased rate.  In his opinion, however, the amount they estimated to carry forward was now down to the minimum.

  In order to keep the rate down to its existing level it had been necessary again to dip into the reserves.  Two years ago their estimated balance was nearly £10,000; twelve months ago it was about £7,000, and to-day they could only estimate to carry forward £4,500, which was £2,500 lower than last year.  He thought they would all agree that this figure was the minimum that they should estimate to carry forward. 

  “I believe,” he continued, “it is the desire of the majority of this Council that our rate, if at all possible, shall not exceed the amount at which it now stands, and if that is the general wish I think it is my duty to inform you that any future expenditure on social services, unless it is met by loan, will mean an increase in the rate, or a still smaller carry forward.”

  Two items alone this year had cost about £1,600 though not budgeted for - £1,000 for the new offices and £600 for the bowling greens in Spencer Park.

  “There is another item that I think it is also my duty to point out to the Finance Committee and the Housing Committee – not that I want to be controversial this evening, but for the future consideration of the committees, I find that the principal sums which were raised to build our houses are spread over 60 years in repayment, and in assessing our present-day rents we have only calculated on the subsidy which is paid, over a period of 40 years.  It has occurred to me that it is the duty of this Council to consider what position is likely to arise when the subsidy is ended and we have 20 years to carry on in repayment of loans.

  “It is my opinion that we should consider providing a Sinking Fund to meet the amount that will be needed to cover the amount which is now granted in subsidies for the time when that subsidy ceases.  I know it is a long time to look forward to, and it is for you to decide if it is our duty to meet this demand, and not throw the burden on anyone else after 30 years.”

Debt of £330,000

  Having thanked the committees for keeping their estimates within the required proportions, Mr. Allebone went on: “We have outstanding already in loans approximately £330,000, on which we have an annual liability in interest of approximately £25,000.  With our huge assets, as long as things are normal, we need not worry ourselves unduly over the future, but I think it is as well that all of you should know of this position, because our liability is permanent, and we cannot foresee the future.  Hence the necessity for a good balance.

  “I am pleased to inform you that the Finance Committee, by its action in taking advantage of the monetary position, will save in interest on existing loans in a full year many hundreds of pounds, and although the majority of this will automatically be to the benefit of the tenants in our Council houses, yet we shall also save a nice sum on the loans that have been raised on items which come under the heading of Social Services.

  “I do not propose to make much comment in respect to the County Council precept, which this year amounts to over £27,000, which is at the same rate as last year, although it is an extra payment by this Council of about £3,000.  It is, of course, due to the increase in our rateable value.  Our rateable value this year has increased by £6,819, and a 1d. rate has risen from £241 to £269.

  “It has been expressed by some members of this Council that by the increase in our rateable value we should have more money to play with in respect to social services, but so that they shall not be led away by undue optimism I would like to point out that after the amount which is taken by the County Council, which 8/6 in every 10/6 we collect in rates, when we have carefully looked after the essential services, such as lighting, scavenging, refuse removal, the water services and general maintenance, there is not much left to play with, and whatever else we do, essential services must be maintained in the highest degree of efficiency.

“Greater Service”

  “We are entering, in the next financial year, on a scheme which is new to this Urban Authority.  We are housing our own Clerk, we shall have our own qualified Accountant, and we shall have our own Housing Inspector, which will mean two extra delegated posts.  I am pleased to say that the amount that will be required in administration charges on this Council will only be about £100 extra per annum; and when we consider the growth of the town, and the extra work that has fallen upon this Council, with the building and management of its housing estate, and the greater service we shall have behind us, I think we can be congratulated on the way this Council is served, and on how it is serving the town.”

  Mr. Allebone then went through the estimates in detail, comparing all items of expenditure and income with last year’s figures.  One of the new points revealed was that the Lighting Sub-Committee had a scheme which would be of benefit to the town.  Owing to the capital outlay required for this the lighting estimate had been increased by £250.  Another point was that £50 had been allowed to provide turnstiles at the baths. 

  The Government contribution in respect of de-rating was down by £258, which was practically a penny rate.

  The total estimated expenditure was £72,662.  The estimated receipts were £36,515.  If they added £33,625, which was a rate of 10/6 in the £ less the proceeds of 1d. rate transferred to the Housing Account, there was a total of £70,140.  That left a debit balance of £2,521.

  The estimated balance in the treasurer’s hands at the end of the present financial year was £3,824, and the amount due from the Ministry was £3,203, making a total balance of £7,027.  If they deducted the £2,521 which they were having to take from this balance to keep the rate down to 10/6, it would carry forward an estimated balance at the end of the next financial year of £4,506.

Depleting The Reserve

  “We have had a successful year,” said Mr. Allebone in conclusion, “and all our services have been well maintained, but I must again remind you that we cannot further deplete our reserve if we want still to have that feeling of stability which we have always carried on with in the past.”

  Mr. Allebone then moved the adoption of the estimates, with a rate of 10/6 in the £ for the year 1934-35 (the same as last year), the Rates Clerk to be instructed to prepare a rate of 5/3 for the first six months of the year.

  The Chairman said they had all listened with interest to Mr. Allebone’s very able speech and explanation of the accounts.

  Mr. Coles seconded “with very great pleasure,” and said he must congratulate Mr. Allebone upon the very clear statement he had made.  It must have taken a great amount of time to study the whole problem, and they appreciated it very much.

  They had been reminded that out of a 10/6 rate 8/6 went to the County Council, which meant that 2/- was the whole of the money controlled and spent by Rushden Council.  When one thought of the social services they possessed for a 2/- rate he thought the town should be well pleased and satisfied.

  Mr. Tarry drew attention to the estimate for the Free Library.  He saw it was £350 – the same as last year.  Out of that £50 went for the purchase of new books and £25 for renewals.  He did not think this was enough to keep the Library in a state of efficiency, and he would like to know if it could be increased.

  Mr. Allebone replied that the Acting Clerk did not think it advisable at present to increase the estimate, but if there was an application from the Library Committee later in the year the Council could give it consideration and make an extra grant.

  Mr. Allen was informed that the item of £320 as income from the Cemetery was only an estimate;  the actual figures were not produced until March 31^st.

The County’s Share

  Mr. Horrell said he should like to confirm what Mr. Coles had said in respect to their indebtedness to the Chairman of the Finance Committee.  They realised the amount of time he must have spent in preparing the Budget, and he personally agreed that the ratepayers had every reason to be grateful to the Council for keeping the rate where it was in view of the services that were rendered.

  Dealing with the County Council’s share of the rate, Mr. Horrell said the services the County Council rendered were not 8/6 but 15/6 in value.  The cost of elementary education was 3s. 2.45d., higher education 9.52d., libraries 1½d., public assistance 2s.  1¾d., police 9.86., public health 8¾d., roads and highways 5s.  7¼d., and other services 1s.  3½d., making a total of 15s.  6.34 in the £, against which the Exchequer grant was worth 5/10¾, licence duties 3d., the elementary education balance 4d., higher education 1d., and other balances 6d.  That accounted for approximately 7/- in the £.

  “Although we may think the County Council are very exacting in drawing from us the highest part of the 10/6,” said Mr. Horrell, “the service the town gets from the County Council is worth 15/6.”

  Mr. Perkins: I would like to support what has been said in reference to Mr. Chamberlain’s – er, Mr. Allebone’s work. (Laughter.)

  “One point I want to be clear about,” he added.  “It is quite true that the money we have in the form of subsidies is for 40 years only, but at the end of 60 years the whole of that property becomes the property of Rushden, and those who come afterwards will find they have a very nice Easter gift at that time.  A good many years have run since we erected those houses in Kings-road, and they will become our property as well.  The town may then be able to reduce the rates.”

  Mr. Perkins had one criticism.  He looked at the clock – which was not working – and wondered why on earth it was not arranged to have it running at the time the estimates for public clocks were being presented.

  “But,” he added, “if that is the only mistake the Chairman of the Finance Committee makes, I think we can excuse him.” (Laughter.)

A Bit Disappointed

  Mr. Hornsby confessed that when the figures were read be was a bit disappointed.  He hoped that as they had an increased rateable value they would benefit by it, but the County Council was requiring £3,000 more than last year.  He certainly had been hoping that they would be able to reduce the rates by the amount that would accrue from the extra assessment, but although disappointed he recognised that Mr. Horrell’s statement put a different light on it altogether.

  The Chairman:  The estimates were gone through very carefully, and the Finance Committee has been determined that if we had balances in hand they should be used for the good of the town.  We were determined to make Wymington-road a good road, and we have had the bowling green and new offices – all out of current rates; so I think we have every reason to be pleased with the position in which we stand financially.  Of course, I cannot wholly agree with what Mr. Horrell has said about the County Rate, because I don’t think they spend the amount on Rushden roads that they do on the county roads.  We are pleased with the park improvements and the Hall grounds.

  The estimates and rate were then adopted by a unanimous vote.

Mr. Spencer Thanked

  Mr. Horrell said it was his privilege to express their gratitude and thanks to the retiring Chairman for the splendid service he had rendered to the Council and town during the year.  When they unanimously elected Mr. Spencer they did so with the utmost confidence and assurance that he would discharge the duties to the advantage of the Council and the town generally.  He would vacate the chair with the increased confidence of the members and the gratitude of the town.  He had attended every meeting of the Council, and, Mr. Horrell believed, all committee meetings.

  “We very much regret to-night,” continued Mr. Horrell, “that Mr. Swindall has felt it necessary to retire from the Council.  It is a wonderful record of 37 years, and I believe Mr. Spencer’s is about 34.  It is a record of which the town and Mr. Spencer has every reason to be pround, and that we have every reason to be thankful for.  He has discharged his duties to every member, and if he has erred at all it has been on the side of leniency and freedom.  But the freedom has been in no way abused.  The business of the Council has been conducted in a very satisfactory way.  We have not wasted time and words.  Most of the business has been gone into thoroughly by the committees, and some of the public meetings have been very short,  I think it has often been difficult for the reporters to find headlines of anything sensational.  I think every member has tried to be business-like in the questions raised and in any argument, however controversial, that has been before the Council.”

  Mr. Horrell added the hope that Mr. Spencer’s health would remain good for many years to come, and that he would continue to be a member of the Council for many years.

  Mr. Roe, seconding, said the duties of the Chairman did not finish when he left the Council meetings.  He himself found out a year ago that he was called upon to undertake many other activities, and Mr. Spencer had carried these out with great credit to himself and satisfaction to the town and Council.  He hoped Mr. Spencer would have many happy recollections of his year of office.

  The vote of thanks was heartily carried.

Intelligent Members

  “It has been a very happy year to me, both inside the Council and outside,” Mr. Spencer replied.  “I am pleased to say, so far as I know, that I am in better health now than when I started – showing that the various duties are helpful rather than otherwise.  I set out to conduct the business in a fair manner, not to make speeches, and the members have always taken an intelligent interest in the business of the town.  I should think we have had a record attendance, both for committees and the Council.  The members have attended all the meetings they possibly could and I am sure it is a credit to the town.

  “I think it was in 1897 that Mr. Swindall came on the Council and he has given his best continually.  I don’t know how many meetings he has attended – probably a couple of thousand – and he has shown great ability and taken a deep interest in all the work of the Council.

  “There is one point that most people may have overlooked.  If he had remained a builder outside the Council he might have been able to contract at times, but the profit that might have accrued to him has gone outside – simply through his public interest.  I am sure the public appreciate it.  I hope he will improve in health and be able to return at some future time.  Mr. Tarry, too, has taken a great interest and done his best for the town.”

  Mr. Spencer expressed the hope that Mr. Tysoe, whose illness has compelled him to retire, would have a speedy recovery, and mentioned that the last report showed a slight improvement.  Having thanked the officers and the Press, the Chairman moved a vote of thanks to the Vice-Chairman, who, he said, had always been there to give assistance and advice.

  Mr. Green, seconding, said the business of the Council was done chiefly in committee, and on committees he had always found Mr. Horrell a man of good sense and business ability, and very useful to the committees, particularly on the committee which went into the rearrangement of the staff.  “When the time comes for him to take the place of Mr. Spencer, I am sure he will do it with his usual ability,” said Mr. Green.

Mr. Swindall’s Memories

  Mr. Swindall followed with a farewell speech.

  “It was with great regret that I made up my mind that I would not offer myself for election,” he said.  “As you know, it is through having indifferent health during the winter.  I believe that anyone taking an office should be in a position to fulfil that office.

  “When Mr. Allebone was giving his report on finance my mind went back to the time when we met in the Vestry Hall.  I was contrasting the estimate of that time with the estimates we have at present.  I suppose then they would only occupy about three pages, whereas now we have a book full of them.

  “Mr. Horrell mentioned that we have always been prompt, and I assure you that was through the late Mr. William Wilkins, who was very strict on time and would always start promptly.  I think it has been a great feature of the Council that both committee meetings and the full meetings have started prompt on time, and that the members do the business and get away.

“I am very sorry to say goodbye.  It has been a great pleasure to me to serve for so many years, and if I had my time over again I should be only too pleased to carry out the same kind of work.  Though I have given a lot of time to it, I have derived a great deal of pleasure out of it.  It is like musicians; they get the most pleasure of their songs, and those who do public work get the greater pleasure out of it themselves.”

  Mr. Swindall congratulated the Council on its efficiency.  The 12 who sat in the old Vestry Hall, he said, did their best to make a large village into a town, and they were diligent, just as the members were now.

  “I wish you every success next Saturday,” he added.  “The town has always been very kind to old members, because they know they have done good work. I believe the old members will all go back, and I am very pleased to see there are young men coming forward to take the places of those who are retiring.”

Free From Politics

  Mr. Tarry said it had been a pleasure to him to serve with them and do what little work he had done for the benefit of the town.

  “At a public meeting a few weeks ago,” he continued, “Mr. C. W. Clark, of Kettering, remarked on the harmony that existed on this Council, and perhaps the secret of that harmony is due to the fact that when a member enters this chamber he is free altogether from party politics.  It is true that next Saturday you will all be fighting under your party label, but it is only for one day, and when you are elected, as I am confident you will all be, you will settle down to your work as you always have done.”

  Mr. Tarry added the hope that at some future time he would be privileged to serve again.

  The members present were Messrs. John Spencer, J.P. (Chairman), C. W. Horrell, C.A. (Vice-chairman), T. F. B. Newberry, A. Allebone, C.C., J. Roe, F. Green, D. G. Greenfield, M.D., W. C. Carry, J. Allen, W. E. Capon, L. Perkins, M.B.E., T. Swindall, A. Wilmott, G. W. Coles, J.P., J. Hornsby, and J. T. Richardson.