The following committee reports were received:-

Plans, eEtc., Committee

A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, October 28th, 1914 when there were present:- Messrs. J. S. Clipson (chairman), T. Swindall, J. Hyde, F. Knight, J. Spencer, and T. Wilmott.

Plans

were presented by:-

The Central Machinery Co. for covering the yard adjoining the factory now in course of erection in Rectory-road and passed.

The Coxton Boot Co. for engine house to their factory in Rectory-road and passed.

Mr. W. G. Wilmott for sanitary convenience to factory in East-grove and passed.

Mr. James Jaques for motor house at the rear of his house on the Wellingborough-road and passed.

Messrs. Eaton and Co. for factory at the corner of Irchester-road and Sartoris-road and passed.

Mr. C. W. Horrell for box shed at the rear of his factory in Fitzwilliam-street and passed.

Mr. John Clark for 15 houses, viz., three in Duck-street (block A), six in a proposed private street off Carnegie-street (block B), and six in Carnegie-street (block C); and as to block A, passed subject to Bye-law 30 being complied with and the usual agreement being entered into with regard to the combined drain; as to block B, rejected on the ground that the proposed new street contravenes Bye-laws 5 and 6; and as to block C, passed subject to compliance with Bye-law 30 and separate branch drains connecting each house being provided and the usual agreement being entered into with regard to the combined drain.

Wooden Buildings

A plan was received from Mr. J. G. Leeding for coal barn at the rear of his house, No. 52, Station-road, and no exception taken.

Messrs. W. Green and Son

An application was received from Messrs. W. Green and Son for permission to build up the end of the open shed adjoining their factory in Queen-street, and acceded to, subject to Messrs. Green and Son giving an undertaking to remove the built-up end when required so to do by the Council.

Dangerous Corner

The Surveyor submitted an amended estimate of the cost of carrying out the work in connection with the dangerous corners, which was approved by the Committee.

Fire Brigade

It was resolved to recommend the Council to adopt the following scale of charges for attending fires:-

Mr. Bates, with respect to the allowance for members of the Fire Brigade, moved that it be 2/6 instead of 2/0.

Mr. Bazeley seconded, but the proposition was defeated.

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 3rd November, 1914, at 10 a.m., when there were present:- Messrs. J. S. Clipson (chairman), T. Swindall, J. Claridge, C. Bates, and Fred Knight.

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 Committee examined the Collector’s accounts, from which it appeared that the following sums had been collected since the last meeting:-

Treasurer’s Accounts

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

Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts

A number of accounts amounting to £1,456/5/3 were examined and passed for payment.

General District Rate

It was resolved to recommend the Council to refund the sum of 11/9 to Mrs. Hills, being the apportioned amount shown to be due to her in respect of her property in Newton-road, which was unoccupied for nine weeks during the past half year.

Surveyor’s Junior Clerk

It was resolved to recommend the Council to increase C. Allen’s salary by 2/6 a week.

The report was adopted.

Health and Sanitary Committee

A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 4th November, 1914, when there were present:- Messrs. T. Swindall (Chairman), J. S. Clipson, C. Bates, W. Bazeley, L. Perkins, and G. H. Skinner.

Health and Sanitary Reports

The Medical Officer reported that five cases of infectious disease had been notified since the last meeting, viz., one of scarlet fever, one of diphtheria, and three of tuberculosis, and two re-notifications.

A sample of water had been taken from a well at No. 3, Park-road, and found to be unfit for domestic purposes. The well had since been closed and the town water laid on to the property.

A sample of water had also been taken from a well at Messrs. Willmott’s farm and upon examination found to be free from pollution.

The Sanitary Inspector reported that 33 written and verbal notices had been issued during the month, calling attention to nuisances, etc., which were for the most part receiving attention.

One lot of bedding had been destroyed after a death from consumption and the room sprayed and fumigated. It was resolved to recommend the Council to replace the bedding at a cost not exceeding £1.

The Inspector also reported that the Council notice served on the owner of the cottages in Ebenezer-terrace to remedy certain defects had not been complied with. The Inspector was instructed to inform him that unless the work be in hand by the next meeting proceedings would be taken.

A quantity of tomatoes which had been voluntarily surrendered had been destroyed as being unfit for the food of man.

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

Cemetery

The Cemetery Sub-Committee reported that they had visited the Cemetery and decided to recommend that a cold three light frame be provided for the storage of plants. Two tenders were now received and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accept that of Messrs. Clark and Sanders, £3/8/0, the lowest.

It was also resolved that the scullery in the Caretaker’s cottage be ceiled with match-boarding at a cost not exceeding £2.

Mr. Spencer suggested the planting of trees at the sewage farm.

Mr. Swindall said the committee would meet at the farm and consider the question.

Attention was called to the statement in an evening paper that there was an outbreak of diphtheria in Rushden, and Mr. Swindall said the statement was incorrect.

The Sanitary Inspector said there had been two deaths from diphtheria during the month.

The report was adopted.

Housing Committee

A meeting of the Municipal Housing Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Friday, October 30th, 1914, when there were present:- Messrs. J. S. Clipson (chairman), T. Wilmott, and W. Bazeley.

Tenders for Grates

Tenders were received from four firms for the grates, etc., required for the 28 houses now in course of erection, and it was decided to accept the lowest tender, that of Mr. George Miller, for all grates required.

The Committee agreed to meet on the site on Tuesday next at a time to be arranged.

Meeting, 3rd November, 1914

Present:- Messrs. J. S. Clipson (chairman), T. Swindall, J. Claridge, W. Bazeley, and T. Wilmott.

The Committee inspected both classes of house now in course of erection, and decided to recommend that the Surveyor prepare sketch plan and estimate for providing a tool house to each cottage.

The Surveyor was instructed to prepare amended plans for the 12 houses to be built in King’s-road, in three blocks of four each, showing parlours, living room, and scullery to each house.

Mr. Spencer said he hoped rapid progress would be made in the erection of the houses.

Mr. Knight thought there should be no additional expense involved without the matter coming before the Council.

The Chairman said that any increase in the cost would have to come before the Council.

Mr. Hyde moved that the Council meet in committee after the present meeting to consider the amended plans. This course was adopted.

Shops Act

A memorial was received from the tailors, clothiers, and gentlemen’s outfitters asking for a closing order under the Shops Act.

A letter was received from the Co-operative Society suggesting that the hours adopted at their stores would be most useful (9 p.m. on Fridays and 10 p.m. on Saturdays), instead of 8.30 on Fridays and 10.30 on Saturdays.

It was decided to confer with the tradesmen concerned.