Workmen’s Holidays – Divergent Views
The Work Of The Fire Brigade
White Traffic Lines

  Wednesday, present Messrs. C. Claridge, J.P. (chairman), J. Hornsby (vice-chairman), A. Allebone, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Allen, F. Knight, J.P., F. Corby, T. Swindall, C. W. Horrell, L. Perkins, B.Sc., J. Spencer, J.P., G. W. Coles, J.P., C. Bates, T. Wilmott, W. C. Tarry, J. Roe, D. G. Greenfield, M.D., and W. Bazeley, J.P., with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. F. S. F. Piper).

  Mr. Claridge said that before opening the business of the meeting he would like to say how pleased he was – how pleased they all were – that negotiations had been resumed in the industrial situation and that work would soon be possible once more.  He was sure they all hoped a solution satisfactory to all concerned might soon be possible.  He would like to pay a tribute to the admirable way the town – and the whole country – had conducted itself in the trying situation.  (Hear, hear.)

Plans, Etc., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, April 28^th, 1926, when there were present: Messrs. C. Claridge, G. W. Coles, C. W. Horrell, F. Knight, T. F. B. Newberry, T. Swindall, W. C. Tarry, and T. Wilmott.

Chairman

  Mr. Claridge was appointed Chairman of this committee for the ensuing year.

Sub-Committee

  The following sub-committees were appointed:

  Lighting and Fire Brigade – Messrs. Newberry, Tarry and Wilmott.

  Depot – Mr. Swindall.

Plans

were presented for:

  Warehouse in Rectory-road for Messrs. H. P. Hodge, Ltd. (amended plan), and passed.

  Two lock-up shops in High-street for Mr. H. P. Hedges, and passed.

  Additions to premises in Station-road for the British United Shoe Machinery Co., Ltd., and passed.

  House in Higham-road for the Trustees of the Rushden Independent Wesleyan Church, and passed.

  Garage near his house in Wellingborough-road for Mr. C. H. Blunsom, and passed.

  House in Wellingborough-road for Mr. H. Hales, and passed.

  House in Wellingborough-road for Mr. W. F. Cook, and passed.

  House in Spencer-road for Mr. Arthur Sanders, and passed.

  Bungalow in Prospect-avenue for Mr. A. P. Smith, and passed.

  House in Prospect-avenue for Mr. F. P. Penn, and passed.

  House in Prospect-avenue for Mr. P. W. Toms, and passed.

  Applications for subsidies in respect of the last-mentioned six houses were received, together with estimates of the cost thereof, which did not exceed, including the cost of the land, £700 in any case, 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 £100 each.

Miscellaneous Buildings

  A number of applications were received for permission to erect small temporary buildings near applicants’ houses, and it was resolved to take no exception thereto.

Fire Brigade

  The annual report of the Fire Brigade was received, from which it appeared that for the year ended February 28^th, 1926, 46 attendances had been made by the Brigade at the Station for the purpose of drills, etc.  They had entered various competitions with the following results:

  Competitions of the North-Eastern District of the N.F.B.A., held at Spalding – Hose-cart, first prize; escape, first prize; dressing hose-cart, second prize; junior steamer, third prize; senior steamer, fourth place.

  Competitions held at Raunds – Steamer, first prize.

  National competitions held at Torquay (open to England) – Junior escape, third prize;  junior hose-cart, fourth prize; national hose-cart, fourth prize.

  Irthlingborough competitions – Hose-cart, second prize.

  They had also attended competitions held at Castle Ashby and Finedon.

  The calls during the year and the fires attended had been as follow:  Wargate motor garage, Wellingborough-road; Messrs. Holt’s farm, Higham Park; Knuston Hall; Mr. Whitehead’s farm, Hargrave; National and Provincial Bank, Rushden; Mr. W. W. Smith’s farm, Wymington; two houses in course of erection, Higham Ferrers; Messrs. Parsons’ factory, Irchester; Messrs. Pettit and Jones’ shop, Harborough-road; Mr. Smart’s house, Midland-road; Mr. Clark’s house, Duck-street.

  The average time at the above fires for the Brigade turning out had been five minutes from receiving the call.

  Members of the Brigade had performed the necessary fire duties at the Palace and Theatre when required.

  The committee considered the report very satisfactory.

Road Material

  The Surveyor was instructed to obtain prices for the ensuing year’s supply of road materials from the firms at present supplying the Council and submit to the next meeting.

Shirley-Road (East End)

  Letters were received from the abutting owners on this road requesting the Council to make up that part of the road to the east of Messrs. Nurrish and Pallett’s factory, in accordance with their usual specification, and agreeing to pay their apportioned charges in respect of same upon the understanding that when completed the Council would take over the road as a highway repairable by the inhabitants at large.

  The Surveyor was instructed to prepare an estimate of the cost of making up the road and submit to the various owners and at once to put the work in hand upon their previously paying the charges as apportioned.

Rectory Road Improvement

  The Surveyor reported that Mr. George Denton, jun., had verbally offered to give up a small piece of land at the corner of George-street and Rectory-road, upon the Council agreeing to take down and rebuild the wall there.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to accept Mr. Denton’s offer with thanks, and the Surveyor was instructed to put the work in hand.

Workmen’s Holidays

  The letter from the National Union of Municipal Workers requesting the Council to grant to their workmen six days’ holiday per year, with pay, in addition to the usual Bank Holidays, was further considered.

  The committee could not see their way to recommend the Council to accede to the request.

Wellingborough-Road Building Line

  The committee agreed to meet on the site of the Wilson’s Pits Building Estate, Wellingborough-road, on Friday afternoon next, at two o’clock, in order to define the building line there.

Mr. H. J. Newman

  A further letter was received from Mr. Newman with regard to his patent for road repairing, which was ordered to be laid upon the table.

  The report having been received, Mr. Roe asked if the Highways Committee was going to do anything about having the white traffic lines painted.  He noticed that it was being done in several other towns now.

  Mr. Claridge (chairman of the committee) said the committee would see to it.

  Mr. Bates raised the question of workmen’s holidays and the committee’s decision that they could not see their way to recommend the Council to grant six days with pay.  He wondered what other authorities were deciding.

  Mr. Claridge said the majority had not adopted it.

  Mr. Bates said they should be up to the standard of any other local body in the district.  He understood that Kettering would do it, and he saw no reason why Rushden could not do it.  He moved the reference back of this minute for further consideration.

  Mr. Tarry said the committee had considered the matter and could not agree to the request.  The majority of the ratepayers in this town were employed in factories, and it would be unfair to ask them to pay for Council workmen’s holidays when they did not get paid holidays themselves.

  Mr. Coles said that so far as their employees were concerned the people who could well afford to take their own holidays were paid for them.  Surely they could afford six days a year for their worst-paid workmen?  He seconded Mr. Bates’s motion.

  Mr. Spencer wondered if they could work out a scheme something like the boot operatives had – the employees subscribed to a fund and the employers themselves made up the rest.  He supported the reference back.

  Mr. Swindall said he did not think the Council should take this matter in hand.  In the building trade in the town they did not even pay their workmen for Bank Holidays.

  Mr. Hornsby said he understood that at the last monthly meeting they were waiting to see what other towns did.  It had been proved clearly that brainworkers needed a rest and a change.  He thought that equally the manual workers required them.  He believed that if they could grant this holiday the workmen would return with greater health and vigour to their work, and the Council would not be the losers.  They could arrange the work so that the normal work would not suffer.  If they took the opinion of the ratepayers in this town, the majority would be quite favourable to granting the concession.

  Mr. Corby:  I don’t think it would be popular in the town.  The committee have just reason for coming to this decision.

  In reply to Mr. Roe, the Clerk said the application came from the men’s Union.

  A vote was taken, and the voting was seven in favour and seven against.

  Mr. Tarry said he would give a vote for the motion in order to get it discussed again.

  The motion was carried, and the rest of the report was adopted.

Council In Committee

  A meeting of the whole Council in Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Monday, May 3^rd, 1926, when there were present: Messrs. C. Claridge (chairman), J. Hornsby, J. Allen, W. Bazeley, F. Corby, D. G. Greenfield, F. Knight, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Roe, J. Spencer, W. C. Tarry, and T. Wilmott.

Mines Department

  The Chairman submitted a circular from the Mines Department, together with a copy of the Regulations made with regard to coal emergency measures.  A committee consisting of the coal merchants of the town had already been established, and it was necessary for the Council to appoint a Coal Officer for the district and also to appoint one member to act with the merchants.

  It was resolved that the Surveyor, Mr. W. B. Madin, be appointed as Coal Officer, at a salary to be hereafter determined, and that the Chairman, Mr. C. Claridge, be appointed on the Coal Committee.

  The report was adopted.

Health and Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, May 5^th, 1926, when there were present:  Messrs. C. Claridge, J. Hornsby, W. Bazeley, J. Allen, F. Corby, D. G. Greenfield, T. F. B. Newberry, W. C. Tarry, and T. Swindall.

Chairman

  Mr. Hornsby was appointed Chairman of this committee for the ensuing year.

Sub-Committees

  The following sub-committees were appointed:

  Cemetery – Messrs. Allen, Greenfield, and Tarry.

  Farm – Messrs. Bazeley, Corby, and Newberry.

  Depot – Mr. Hornsby.

Health and Sanitary Reports

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

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that ten complaints had been received since the last meeting and action taken where necessary.  Twenty-eight nuisances had been dealt with, of which 20 had been abated.

  Six rooms had been disinfected after cases of infectious disease.

  At the Depot a quantity of bedding had been disinfected, and at the Sewage Farm a quantity destroyed, also after cases of infectious disease.

  Fifty-nine visits had been made to premises where food was prepared or sold, during which inspections he had discovered a quantity of beef, beef offal, mutton, and mutton offal to be diseased and unfit for food.  It had been destroyed in the usual way.

  An application was received from Mrs. G. Steel, of 47, Queen-street, for compensation in respect of destroyed bedding after a case of infectious disease.  It was resolved to recommend the Council to replace part thereof at a cost not exceeding £1  7s.  6d.

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

Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act.

  The Rats and Mice Officer reported that two complaints had been received, and two premises inspected during the past month.

Petroleum Acts

  Applications were received for licences to store petrol as follow:

  A. Okins, 100 gallons in two-gallon tins;

  Watts Bros., 50 gallons in two-gallon tins;

  T. Loasby and Son, 300 gallons in underground steel tank;

  The Rushden Engineering Company, 300 gallons in underground steel tank;

and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accede thereto subject to the stores in each case being constructed to the satisfaction of the Inspector.

  An application was also received from Messrs. Watts Bros. for a licence to store 2cwt. of carbide of calcium, 1cwt. in bulk store and 1cwt. in 1lb. and 7lb. airtight tins, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accede thereto.

Duck-Street

  The Inspector reported that complaints had been received with regard to the condition of certain cottages in this street which had been closed some time and were now harbouring a large number of rats.  He also stated that the walls were in a dangerous condition and should be pulled down.

  The Surveyor was instructed to inspect the property and, if he were of opinion that it constituted a danger to the public, to give notice to the owners to demolish it.

Salvation Army Barracks

  An application had been received from the Salvation Army authorities asking permission to give a cinematograph performance in their Queen-street Barracks.  The Inspector stated that he had inspected the building and, having found it satisfactory, gave the permission required.

High-Street Urinal

  The Surveyor submitted a plan showing his proposals for reconstructing this building, including the provision of two w.c.’s, at a total cost of £250.

  It was resolved that the plan be approved and to recommend the Council, subject to the Finance Committee agreeing to the expenditure, to give instructions for the work to proceed.

Clean Food Supply

  The committee had under consideration what steps could be taken to protect the food supplied to the public from contamination by dirt, etc., in consequence of the manner of its distribution.

  The committee considered that this was a matter for public opinion to express itself, and suggested that all consumers should carefully watch the manner in which food brought to their houses was conveyed there.

Litter in Streets

  The attention of the committee was also called to the state of the streets occasioned by the large amount of litter thrown down by the public, and it was decided that if no improvement takes place proceedings will have to be instituted against anyone littering rubbish, etc., over the streets and footpaths.

Cemetery

  BELL – The Surveyor submitted prices for the supply of a bell for the Cemetery for the purpose of giving notice to the visitors there of the closing time.

  It was resolved to purchase a ship’s bell from Messrs. Thomas W. Ward, Ltd., at the price of £3  10s.

  CLOSING -  The Cemetery Sub-Committee were requested to consider the time for closing the Cemetery during the summer months, with power to act, and report to the next meeting.

  The report was adopted.

  Mr. Hornsby said that with reference to the Duck-street property he hoped the owners would take notice and have the property removed.  It was an eyesore and was dangerous.  In regard to clean food, he sincerely hoped the public would take notice of what Dr. Greenfield had said at the last meeting of the Council.  He hoped that all the tradespeople displaying and delivering food would see that it was in a clean and wholesome condition.  He also hoped the public would take notice in regard to the litter in the streets and see that their children were properly instructed.

Open Dust Carts

  Mr. Perkins said he thought the Council should set the best example and not use open dustcarts in High-street.  He had seen the dust blowing from these carts along the street.  They should make it a rule not to use open carts in a street where foodstuffs were displayed in the shops.  If they had not sufficient closed carts, they must get some.  He hoped the committee would see to the matter.

  Mr. Hornsby promised that the committee would consider it.  There were only two closed carts.  They required two more, but there was no provision in the estimates for them.  They would have to consider whether to have them this year or not.  Meanwhile they would see if they could confine the use of the closed carts to the main thoroughfare.

  Mr. Spencer asked when the new public convenience would be open.

  Mr. Hornsby said it was practically ready for use, and they had to find somebody to look after it and lock it up at night.

  Mr. Madin said it was hoped to open it next week.

Finance and Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Thursday, May 6^th, 1926, at 10 a.m., when there were present: Messrs. C. Claridge, J. Hornsby, A. Allebone, G. W. Coles, C. W. Horrell, F. Knight, and J. Roe.

Chairman

  Mr. Horrell was appointed Chairman of this committee for the ensuing year.

Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £1,461  5s.  3d. were examined and passed for payment.

Memorandum of General District Rate

  The Rates Clerk submitted the following memorandum of General District Rate made on October 14^th, 1925:

  A list of the irrecoverable amounts was also submitted as follows:

And it was resolved to recommend the Council that they be written off as such.

Cemetery Bell

  The committee approved the expenditure of £3  10s. for the purchase of a bell for the Cemetery as recommended by the Health and Sanitary Committee.

High-Street Urinal

  The committee also sanctioned the proposed expenditure of £250 on the reconstruction of this urinal as proposed by the health and Sanitary Committee.

Spencer Park Hard Tennis Courts

  The Parks Committee were authorised to incur an expenditure not exceeding £10 in the provision of a suitable roller for these courts.

  The report was adopted.