Rushden Postal Facilities -  “Almost a Scandal”
Council’s Strong Demand for Head Office Status
Second Guardians Fiasco: Mr. Coles Blames the Conservatives
Another Big Batch of Houses in Highfield Road

  “We have been too long dependent on officials in other towns, and the time has come when we should stand up for our rights,” declared Mr. J. Roe at Wednesday’s meeting of the Rushden Urban District Council, when he led a unanimous request to the Postmaster General that Rushden Post Office should be made a head office.

  The Council, however, failed to find a man for one of the positions that Rushden is entitled to hold, and for the second time the appointment of a representative on the District Guardians Committee had to be adjourned, Mr. Coles attaching the blame to the Conservative councillors, who, he said, were neglecting to carry out a Conservative Act of Parliament.

  Rushden’s prompt payment of the general district rate was commended by Mr. Capon, and other business included the acceptance of tenders for 66 houses in Highfield-road.

  In accordance with notice, Mr. Roe moved “That representation be made to the Postmaster General with a view to steps being taken forthwith to make the Rushden Post Office a head office.”

  First and foremost, said Mr. Roe, he thought the whole of the members would agree with him when he said that the dignity of the town now warranted a head office.  That was one of the chief reasons why he brought the matter forward.

  He noticed during the Council election that most of the candidates stated in their addresses that they would uphold the status of the town.  He thought the fact of the Rushden Post Office being a sub-office of Wellingborough very considerably reduced the status of the town.

Rushden a Centre

  “In view of the fact that Rushden is undoubtedly the centre for business purposes of the surrounding villages,” continued Mr. Roe, “better facilities would be obtained.  We should have direct communication with our own postmaster instead of having to refer to a postmaster in another town, who might not have the same interest.

  “There are many tradesmen who communicate with customers in the villages round about, and it is no advertisement when letters are addressed to “Stanwick, near Wellingborough.”  It should be “Stanwick, near Rushden.”

  “We have been too long dependent on officials in other towns, and the time has come when we should stand up for our rights.  A sub-post office in a place of this size is a disgrace to the town, and I am going to move, in view of the development of the town during the last few years, during which time it has grown to be an important industrial centre, that we ask for steps to be taken to make Rushden Post Office independent of any other office in the district and under the control of our own postmaster.

  “If this is carried I am going to suggest that a copy be sent to the Member of Parliament for the Division.”

  Mr. Capon seconded.

Stamped at Wellingborough

  Mr. Green said one thing that struck him at the election was that when the letters were taken to the Post Office they had to go to Wellingborough to be stamped and then came back to Rushden.

  Mr. Allebone:  If we want to renew a motor licence in the middle of the year we can’t get it at Rushden, but have to go to Wellingborough or Northampton.  It is almost a scandal in a town of our rateable value that you have to go nearly six miles to obtain proper service.

  The Chairman said he did not think further discussion necessary, as they would all agree.

  The resolution was then carried unanimously.

Guardian Problem - “Old System Best”

  There was laughter when the Chairman invited the members to elect one of their number to serve on the Guardians Committee.  This matter was on the agenda last month, when no-one would stand.

  “Is there any salary attached to it?” asked Mr. Hornsby.

  To a member who proposed another adjournment, the Chairman replied:  “May I point out that we may be in the same difficulty next month.  Might it not be the wiser plan to write to the County Committee saying we have no nominations for the post?”

  Mr. Wilmott (a Guardian) expressed disapproval of the members’ reluctance.

  Mr. Spencer:  I think it was a mistake to put in on to Councils.  I think the system of elected Guardians was much better.  We had six Guardians at one time, and unfortunately when one died they reduced the number to five.  Then when Mr. Newberry retired there were only four.  I think it is the Public Assistance work they don’t like.

  Mr. Perkins:  Must the person nominated be a member of this Council?

  The Clerk:  Yes.

  Mr. Perkins:  You might put the names in a hat on this side.

  Mr. Wilmott:  I wonder what you are all frightened at.

  Mr. Green:  Would Mr. Hornsby take it on?  It wants a man of leisure.

  Mr. Hornsby:  On no consideration!

  Mr. Coles said he wished to remind the members that it was a question of duty to the public.

  “We have one Labour representative and one Liberal representative,” he added, “and it is up to the Conservatives to appoint one of their number.  The Conservatives placed this Act on the Statute Book, and it is their duty to carry it out.”

  Mr. Allebone:  I am bound to try to get one in here, seeing that you started it.  Might I mention that although we have only one representative on the Library Committee I did not notice any Labour member resign in order to secure equal representation?

  The Chairman:  I don’t think the question of politics enters.

  Mr. Allebone:  I agree, I agree.  I am sorry it has ever been mentioned.  (Laughter.)

  A proposal to adjourn the question another month was carried.  Messrs. Spencer and Wilmott voting against.

Hall Trees Protest - Who Gave Instructions?

  Mr. Roe said he noticed there was no report from the Parks and Baths committee, and he took it that they had not met since the new Council was appointed.  He would like to ask the late chairman of the committee if the trees which had been cut down in the Hall grounds were dangerous to the public, or whether there was any special reason for cutting them.

  Dr. Greenfield:  I have no knowledge of it.

  The Chairman:  Perhaps the Surveyor can inform us.

  The Surveyor replied that the trees were lopped to prevent the bowling green at the back of the Conservative Club getting out of order.

  Mr. Roe:  I don’t wish to criticise the action of the Surveyor, but I very much deplore them being cut down in that manner.  I certainly think it should have come before the committee.

  The Surveyor:  It was on the instructions of the sub-committee that it was carried out.

  Mr. Allebone:  I don’t think any sub-committee has power to order work to be done without the confirmation of the whole Council.

  The Chairman:  The Surveyor has to use his discretion in these matters, and I don’t think we can criticise his action too much, as he says he had the authority of the sub-committee.  I don’t know who the sub-committee were.

Library Committee

  Deferred from last month, the appointment of new Public Library Committee members was carried out with little difficulty.

  Mr. Sugars moved the appointment of Mr. Edmund Freeman, who had served a large number of years on the Education Committee and also as secretary of the W.E.A.

  Messrs. J. S. Denton, T. W. Cox and H. H. Reid (headmaster of Alfred-street School) were also proposed.

  Mr. Perkins said that Miss Winifred Clipson had taken a great interest in the work, and as many ladies used the Library he thought it would be just as well to have a lady on the committee.  “I would be very pleased to withdraw,” he added, “as I am not an expert on libraries.”

  It was found that the number of seats was not limited, and Messrs. Freeman, Cox, Denton and Reid, with Miss Clipson, were elected.

All-Night Lights

  Mr. Coles announced that it was proposed to cease lighting the lamps in the streets on May 26.

  Mr. Perkins:  Does that apply to every lamp, or have we still some to be kept alight in the High-street, and are they sufficient?

  Mr. Allebone:  There is one on the Bedford-road, one at the apex of the Green, one at the Triangle at the bottom of Washbrook, one at the boundary against Higham, and one at the Oakley.  They are all-the-year-round lights.

  Mr. Perkins:  I suggest that we have one in between those in the High-street.  I am not a motorist myself yet, but there seems to be a long stretch without any light.

  Mr. Allebone replied that only that evening Mr. Hornsby and himself were talking it over.  They had had proposals submitted to them, both by the Gas Company and the Electric Supply Company, which, they believed, would bring an improvement in the lighting for next winter.  When the committee met they were going to consider the new proposals for the lighting of High-street altogether.

  Mr. Perkins said he was satisfied.

Rates Paid Up - Mr. Capon’s Praise

  The Accountant (Mr. Maclean) submitted the Rate Arrears Account for the half year ended Sept. 30, 1933, from which it appeared that with the exception of the sum of £2  4s., the whole of the recoverable arrears at that date had been paid.

  Mr. Capon drew attention to this memorandum as “a matter of great interest.”

  “I think it is extremely satisfactory,” he said, “and I am quite sure there are few Councils, if any, in England, who can show such a clean sheet.”

  The Clerk reported that the Treasurer’s account in connection with the “assisted” houses was overdrawn in consequence of the large amount of repairs executed during the past year.  The nominal sum invested in 4 per cent. Consolidated Stock on account of the Repairs Fund was £461/12/11, and in order to place the account in credit it was advisable to redeem a portion of this stock.

  The Council instructed the Clerk to proceed to the sale of £200 of the stock.

House Repairs

  Mr. Hornsby opened a discussion on this matter by inquiring: “Do I understand that there has been too much spent on repairs during the past year?”

  The Chairman:  No, I don’t think so.  I think this amount of money is allocated to the Housing Committee on the Assisted Housing Scheme.  It is allocated for repairs.

  The Clerk:  For the first few years no repairs were necessary, and a fund was accumulated.  On the advice of the auditor that sum was invested, but the time came, last year, when a certain amount had to be spent, and it left the account slightly overdrawn.  From what I understand, it will not be necessary to spend so much money next year as in the last two or three years.

  Mr. Perkins asked if it did not seem rather absurd, when they had large balances on account of other things, to be afraid of one particular account being overdrawn.  Money in the bank on that account would not be earning the four per cent. they would like to be earning.  They certainly had plenty in the bank of one sort or another.

  The Accountant explained that the Repairs Fund belonged to the Government and not to the Council at all.

  Mr. Perkins:  This is for the Newton-road houses?  You won’t do it for the others?

  The chairman:  No, it will not be necessary.

66 New Houses

  Tenders were received for the erection of a further 66 houses on the Highfield-road, and the Housing Committee recommended that the lowest be accepted, as follows:  Messrs. J. W. Williamson and Sons, Ltd., Peterborough, for 54 houses, £15,598, and Messrs. W. Thompson and Sons, Ltd., Irthlingborough, for 12 houses, £3,384.

  It was resolved that application be made to the Ministry of Health for sanction to the raising of a loan of £19,100 for carrying out the work.

  Building plans were as follows:-

  House, Wellingborough-road, for Mr. W. Tilley; house, Higham-road, Mr. Rollie Cox; four houses, Park-avenue, Messrs. A. Sanders; 14 houses in new road off the Wellingborough-road, near the Masonic Hall, for Mrs. M. M. Drabble (subject to separate drains being provided for each house); two houses, Upper Queen-street, Messrs. T. Swindall and Sons; two houses, Prospect-avenue, Messrs. T. Swindall and Sons; two houses, Bedford-road, Messrs. T. Swindall and Sons (subject to the building line being agreed by the County Surveyor); garage, Hayway, Mr. W. A. Groome; garage (wooden building) at the rear of No. 60, Roberts-street, Mr. T. G. Pettit; garage (wooden building) at No. 17 Park-avenue, Mr. F. W. Summerlin.

  Mr. Coles said they were very pleased to see the large number of new houses.

Underground Wires

  The Council agreed to an application from the Post Office Supt. Engineer for consent to the placing of underground telegraphic lines in High-street and Park-road.

  Notice was received from the Rushden and District Electric Supply Co., Ltd., of their intention to lay underground low tension cables (alternating current) in Grove-street, Newton-road, Robinson-road, Kings-place, Kings-road, Portland-road and Cromwell-road.

  An application was received from the Captain of the Fire Brigade for permission to order a variable shut-off control nozzle, to replace the one at present in use, which was non-variable, at a cost of £3  15s., and three 75 feet lengths of hose at the price of 1s.  1½d. per foot plus 2s. per pair for binding own couplings. – The Council agreed.

  The Highways Committee had under consideration the question of the danger to cyclists in Fitzwilliam-street.  Various suggestions were made, and ultimately Mr. Coles and the Surveyor were requested to visit the site with a view to a sign being erected at the most convenient spot, calling attention to the danger, and advising cyclists to dismount.

John Street Proposal

  The Inspector (Mr. F. S. F. Piper) called attention to the unsatisfactory state of John-street, and the Surveyor (Mr. J. W. Lloyd) was instructed to prepare an estimate of the cost of repair, and to proceed with the work, provided the abutting owners agreed to pay their apportioned shares.

  The Clerk reported that under Section 266 of the Local Government Act, 1933, which comes into force on June 1 next, it was necessary that all contracts made by the Council after that date be entered into in accordance with Standing Orders which should be made by the Council as soon as possible.

  A sub-committee consisting of Messrs. Capon, Allebone and the Clerk was appointed to consider the matter and at the same time to take into consideration, with a view to revision, the Standing Orders regulating the proceedings and business of the Council.

  Nineteen applications were received for the post of office boy in the Sanitary Department.

  A letter was received from Ald. C. W. Horrell thanking the Council for its appreciation of his services and wishing it every success.

No Tickets Issued

  In reply to Mr. Perkins, the Clerk said he had had no applications whatsoever for tickets of admission to the meeting.

  Members in attendance were Messrs. J. Allen, J.P. (Chairman), A. Allebone, C.C. (Vice-chairman), J. White, J. Roe, T. W. Cox, F. Green, D. G. Greenfield, M.D., L. Perkins, M.B.E., W. E. Capon, J. S. Denton, A. Wilmott, J. Spencer, J.P., J. E. Dilks, G. W. Coles, J.P., W. J. Sawford, J. Hornsby, E. A. Sugars and J. T. Richardson.

Council Committees

  Committees appointed for the ensuing twelve months are as follows:-

  Finance and Estates: Mr. W. E. Capon (chairman), with Messrs. J. Allen, A. Allebone, G. W. Coles, J. E. Dilks, F. Green, J. Spencer and J. White.

  Health and Sanitary: Mr. J. T. Richardson (chairman), with Messrs. J. Allen, T. W. Cox, J. E. Dilks, J. S. Denton, D. G. Greenfield, J. Hornsby, L. Perkins and E. A. Sugars.

  Plans, Highways and Lighting: Mr. G. W. Coles (chairman), with Messrs. J. Allen, A. Allebone, W. E. Capon, F. Green, J. Hornsby, J. Roe, J. Spencer, W. J. Sawford and A. Wilmott.

  Housing:  Mr. J. Roe (chairman) with Messrs. J. Allen, T. W. Cox, J. S. Denton, D. G. Greenfield, J. T. Richardson, W. J. Sawford, J. Spencer, E. A. Sugars, J. White and A. Wilmott.

  Letting sub-Committee: Messrs. Allen, Richardson and White.

  Baths, Parks and Hall:  Messrs. J. Allen, A. Allebone, G. W. Coles, J. E. Dilks, D. G. Greenfield, F. Green, L. Perkins, W. J. Sawford and A. Wilmott.

  Rating and Valuation: Messrs. J. Allen, W. E. Capon, T. W. Cox, J. S. Denton, J. Hornsby, J. T. Richardson, J. Roe, E. A. Sugars and J. White.

  Lighting and Fire Brigade sub-Committee:  Messrs. Allebone, Hornsby and Wilmott.

  Depot: Messrs. Coles and Richardson

  Cemetery: Messrs. Allen, Dilks, Hornsby and Sugars.

  Farm:  Messrs. Cox, Denton, Hornsby and Richardson.