The Chairman’s Loss

The Vice-Chairman, referring to the death of Lance-Corpl. Spencer, son of the chairman of the Council, said: Before commencing the ordinary business of the Council I should like to refer to the great loss our chairman (Mr. Spencer) has sustained since our last meeting, in the death of his son, who was killed in action in France. I should like to move that an expression of the Council’s sympathy be extended to Mr. Spencer and his family in their great bereavement.

The vote was carried in silence, the members rising.

Mr. Spencer: I wish to thank the members of the Council for the kind sympathy – sympathy which has been expressed throughout the town, both to me, my wife, and family. It is a heavy loss, but it is a great consolation that during his long career as a soldier his motto was: “Be faithful to duty,” and he died “faithful unto death.”

Plans, Ect, Committee

A meeting of the Plans, Highways and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 19th April, 1916, when there were present:- Messrs. J. Spencer, T. Wilmott, W. Bazeley, F. Knight, J. S. Clipson and T. Swindall.

Sub-Committee

The following Sub-Committee was appointed: Lighting and Fire Brigade – Messrs. J. Spencer, T. Wilmott and T. Swindall.

Plans

were presented by:-

Mrs. W. Radburne for w.c. to No. 155, High-street and passed.

Road Materials

Granite. – Tenders for the supply of granite for the current year were considered and the Surveyor instructed to place orders as follows at prices quoted for the different sixes and grades:-

Slag. – Tenders for the supply of slag were also received and the surveyor instructed to place orders as required from the following firms at the respective prices quoted by them:-

Team Labour. – one tender only was received for carting road metal to the various places where required, viz., Mr. W. G. Wilmott, and it was resolved to recommend the Council that same be accepted.

The Chairman, in answer, to a question, said that everything in the way of road materials had gone up, and the cost to the Urban Council would be about £50 in advance of previous prices.

The report was adopted.

Finance and Estates Committee

A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Tuesday, the 2nd May, 1916, at 10 a.m., when there were present:- Messrs, J. Spencer, T. Wilmott, C. Bates, J. Claridge and Fred Knight.

Chairman

It was resolved that Mr. J. Spencer be appointed Chairman of this Committee for the ensuing year.

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 also examined, from which it appeared that he had collected the following sums since the last meeting:-

Treasurer’s Accounts

The Committee also examined the Treasurer’s accounts, from which it appeared that he had received the following sums since the last meeting:-

And that the balances were as follows:-

A number of accounts amounting to £423/0/11 were examined and passed for payment.

Cemetery Registrar

The Committee had under consideration the recommendation from the Health and Sanitary Committee with regard to the remuneration of Mr. Herbert Lack, and resolved to recommend the Council that Mr. Lack’s salary be increased by £5 for the months of May and June.

The Chairman referred to the hard work which Mr. Lack had put into the work of his office.

The report was carried.

Health and Sanitary Committee

A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 3rd May, 1916, when there were present:- Messrs. J. Spencer, T. Wilmott, J. Claridge and G. H. Skinner.

Chairman

It was resolved that Mr. T. Wilmott be appointed Chairman of this Committee for the ensuing year.

Sub-Committee

The following Sub-Committees were appointed:-

Cemetery. – Messrs. T. Wilmott, J. Spencer and J. Claridge.

Farm. – Messrs. T. Wilmott, C. Bates and G. H. Skinner.

Health and Sanitary Report

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

The Sanitary Inspector reported that during the month of April, 36 preliminary notices had been issued, calling attention to nuisances, &c., all of which were receiving attention.

Three lots of bedding had been destroyed after deaths from consumption. It was resolved to recommend the Council to replace parts of the bedding destroyed at a cost not exceeding £1/5/0 in each case.

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

Petroleum Acts

An application was received from the Lightstrung Cycle Co., for permission to build a storage pit for petrol in their yard abutting Church-street, and acceded to.

Knacker’s Yard

An application was also received from Messrs. George Chettle and Son for a renewal of their Knacker’s yard licence, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accede thereto.

Cemetery Land

The Surveyor suggested that, instead of selling the grass on the spare land adjoining the Cemetery by auction, as hitherto had been the custom, the land should be let subject to the Council retaining the right to tip surplus soil thereon and to possession of any part being given up to the Council when required. He had received an offer of £4 for the land to the 31st March next from Mr. Wm. Macdonald on the terms above stated.

The Committee considered the Surveyor’s suggestion a good one, and resolved to recommend the Council to accept Mr. Macdonald as tenant of the land up to the 31st March next at the rent and on the terms above stated.

The report was adopted.

Entertainment Tax

With regard to the work under this tax it was decided to make arrangements with the County Council for the police to do what is necessary in Rushden.