‘Rec’ brook ‘danger for years’ council told

Inspecting the brook at Spencer Park, Dr. P. X. Bermingham, Minister of Health to Rushden Urban Council, was “disturbed” to find it dirty, to see children playing in it, and to establish that it was heavily polluted.

He reported to the Health Committee, who have had the course through the park cleaned out and treated with chlorinated water. Officers were instructed to look for the source of pollution, and the cost of fencing, to keep children away from the brook, is being estimated.

At the council’s meeting on Wednesday, Mr. A. H. Bailey said further information was to be put before the committee at its next meeting.

Mr. F. E. Brown said it was a serious matter. If there was a hot summer and an epidemic broke out the council would be blamed.

Mrs. D. Shrives: It has been a source of danger for years, as we all know.

Mr. Bailey pointed out that a serious view was taken a few years ago when the council decided to culvert the brook. The scheme, he added, was put off for reasons well known to the members.

Assurances were given on questions raised by Rushden Co-operative Society, through their solicitor, regarding the new Upper Queen Street shop they are leasing from the council.

Mr. A. H. Bailey said the officers had reported that at the date of occupation the premises complied with every statutory provision.

In answer to Mr. C. Freeman the clerk, Mr. A. G. Crowdy, said no rent had been paid for the shop but it was accruing, and would be paid when the lease had been signed.

Housing improvement grants are still being offered, it was announced by the Housing Committee.

Mr. C. G. Faulkner had given notice to move their discontinuance in view of the fact that the council had ended rate contributions to the housing revenue account. His resolution was however, rejected by the committee.

‘Disturbing’

Mr. J. E. Wills, the housing chairman, said a disturbing feature had been the complete lack of interest in the grants on the part of landlords as distinct from owner-occupiers.

It was reported that the United Counties Bus Co. could not see its way to contribute towards a passenger shelter at the Boundary Avenue stop in Irchester Road.

Mr. Brown claimed that the stop was used by quite a lot of people who were entitled to some shelter, but Mrs. O. B. Lean said the Highways Committee felt that if a shelter was built there many more would be demanded in other parts of the town.

Mrs. Lean asked the public to report any cases of damage to pavements being caused by lorries. “It would help to keep our pavements in decent condition,” she said.

Paint for ‘Prefabs’

The Southfields “prefabs,” built just after the war with the idea that they would last ten years, are to be repainted externally.

An application is to be made for an Exchequer grant so that ten houses in Kings Road – some of the town’s first council houses – can be improved. It is suggested that if the scheme goes through the rents will be raised from 8s 7d to 11s.

Subject to approval by the Ministry it was decided to buy ground at The Hedges as a site for a block of garages.

Cromwell road and Portland Road will be re-lighted at the cost of £320.

The High Street lighting scheme it was reported, is still awaiting a decision by the Ministry of Transport regarding the acceptance of tenders.

Land at the junction of Duck Street and High Street is to be purchased, and the council is also negotiating for a strip of land between High Street and the bend near Carnegie Street.

The council is to acquire Nos. 37 to 43 Duck Street, with garden ground at the rear, as a site for a sewage pumping station and for widening the road. A resolution was passed declaring the property a clearance area.

The sanitary inspector, Mr. H. W. Ellis, has been instructed to investigate complaints with regard to a mobile fish and chip saloon operating in College Street.

Vote of Thanks

The meeting was the last in Mrs. Alice Muxlow’s year of chairmanship and the outgoing chairman received a warm vote of thanks proposed by Mr. E. E. Newell, vice-chairman, who spoke of her ability in charge of the meetings and as the council’s representative at functions in the town.

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