Old Age Pensions Committee
Street Improvements

  A meeting of this Council was held on Wednesday night, when there were present: Messrs. W. Bazeley (chairman), G. H. Skinner (vice-chairman), F. Knight, J. Claridge, G. Miller, F. Ballard, C. E. Bayes, J. S. Clipson, J. Paragreen, C. Bates, and A. J. Dobbs, with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. W. Kingston).

Old Age Pensions

  Mr. Bates, referring to an entry on the minutes of the last meeting regarding nominations to the local Pensions Committee, asked who appointed the committee.

  Mr. Claridge:  The Pensions Committee of the County Council.

  Mr. Bates:  Wasn’t there a mistake in asking the Chairman for nominations?

  Mr. Miller said the fact was that the Chairmen of Urban Districts were asked to make nominations but the districts were not mentioned in the request.  Irchester and Wollaston were in the same district as Rushden, so in making the appointments three members were assigned to Rushden, two to Wollaston, and one to Irchester.

  Mr. Bates said it looked ridiculous to ask for names and then to find that other gentlemen were elected.

  Mr. Miller said the County Council Committee took the same view, but the difficulty arose through the absence of the Clerk to the County Council on his holidays.

  The Chairman was glad the matter was brought up.  It did make him look ridiculous, but he was only in the same position in that respect as the Mayor of Higham.  If he had known that other places were included in the district he would have known that five or six names would be quite sufficient.

  Mr. Ballard said the surprising thing to him was that names had been selected that were not sent in while others had been sent in and not elected.  It seemed to him that the County Council might just as well have selected the names right away themselves.

  Mr. Dobbs:  It looks to me as though the gentlemen nominated by the Chairman were objected to because they were afraid the people who were likely to want pensions would be too well sorted out.

  Mr. Ballard:  I must object to that.

  The Chairman hoped that the Committee would administer the Act in a generous way.

  Mr. Claridge:  I don’t think there’s anything to fear in that respect.

  The subject was then allowed to drop.

Council In Committee

  A meeting of the whole Council in Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 9^th September, 1908, when there were present:- Messrs. W. Bazeley (Chairman), G. H. Skinner, C. Bates, C. E. Bayes, J. Claridge, J. S. Clipson, A. J. Dobbs, F. Knight, G. Miller, J. Paragreen, and Tom Swindall.

Cemetery

  The Sub-Committee reported that they visited the cemetery that afternoon and with regard to the plants for next year recommended that the Council purchase such as may be required, only storing this year such as accommodation can be found for at the Cemetery.  The Committee considered the large elm tree in the Caretaker’s garden dangerous in rough weather and recommended that the Caretaker be authorised to take off the top.

  The Committee approved and decided to recommend the Council accordingly.

  Extension. – With regard to the work required on the new ground, the Surveyor was authorised, if he found it necessary, to engage additional labour for a short time.

  The report was adopted.

Plans, Etc., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 30^th September, 1908, when there were present:- Messrs. W. Bazeley (Chairman), G. H. Skinner, J. Claridge, J. S. Clipson, A. J. Dobbs, F. Knight, and T. Swindall.

Plans

were presented by:-

  Mr. W. Durham for a coal shed (wooden building) at the rear of his house, No. 1, York-road, and no exception taken.

  Mr. Thos. Hooper for three coal sheds (wooden buildings) at the rear of Nos. 88, 90 and 92, Crabb-street, and no exception taken.

  Messrs. W. Green and Son for coal shed and covering for gas plant (wood and iron erection) at their factory in Queen-street and no exception taken.

  Mr. A. E. Ellard for corrugated iron store room near the factory occupied by him in Sartoris-road and no exception taken.

  Mr. M. Selwood for wooden coal barn at the rear of his house, No. 245, Wellingborough-road, and no exception taken.

  Mr. Frank Sharwood for wooden cycle shed at the rear of No. 53, Park-road, and no exception taken.

Infringement Of Bye-Laws

  Mr. T. Surridge attended the meeting and explained his action in putting up the shed at the rear of his house in Brookfield-road without first submitting a plan.

  It was resolved to accept Mr. Surridge’s explanation and to take no exception to the shed so long as the plot of land at the side of his house remains unbuilt upon.  Mr. Surridge to give an undertaking to remove the shed if at any time he builds upon the plot of land in question.

  The Surveyor reported that all his requirements in respect of the dwelling house recently erected by Mr. Young on the Court Estate had been complied with and a certificate of completion given.

J. Northern

  The Surveyor also reported that Mr. Northern, since presenting plans on the 29^th July last for the erection of three sheds at the rear of Nos. 176, 178, and 180, Wellingborough-road, in the place of those erected in contravention of the Bye-laws, had taken no steps to carry out the work.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to institute proceedings against Mr. Northern unless the plans are carried out forthwith.

Damage To Chestnut Trees

  A report from the police was received stating that two boys, George Alderman, aged 11, and Thomas Willis, aged 10, had been caught throwing stones at the chestnut trees on the Green to the public danger.  The boys, after being cautioned, had repeated the offence.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to institute proceedings before the Magistrates against the boys.

High Street South Improvement

  The Surveyor submitted a statement showing the cost of the works of this improvement to amount to £411/4/3, being £33/11/0 in excess of the estimate submitted to the County Council.  This was accounted for by reason of the stone from the old cottages not being, as was anticipated, of sufficiently good quality for the road foundation.

  It was resolved to forward an account of the works to the County Council with an explanation why the estimate had been exceeded and ask for a contribution towards the excess.

  It was resolved to plant the open space with trees and shrubs, and a sub-committee, consisting of the Chairman and Mr. Knight, was appointed to select and purchase the trees, &c., required for the purpose.

Main Road Footpaths

  The Surveyor reported that the work of renewing the footpaths in Church-parade and opposite the Capital and Counties Bank was now complete.  With regard to the footpaths in front of the Coffee Tavern and Mr. J. F. Knight’s shops, it was resolved that before giving any instructions the Committee visit the sites.

Rectory Road Improvement

  The Sub-Committee appointed to consider this matter reported that they had met the architect, together with a director of the Co-operative Wholesale Society on the site, who had offered to sell to the Council 350 yards of land, including that on which the cottage stands, for £185.  The Sub-committee also reported that they had met Mr. E. Claridge who had agreed to sell the necessary land and property for £720, which would bring the total cost of effecting the improvement to about £1,200.

  It was resolved that the consideration of the matter be referred to a meeting of the whole Council in Committee to be held immediately preceding the next Council meeting, and that in the meantime the report of the Sub-Committee be placed before the other Committees.

Higham Road Culvert

  A letter was received from the Wansford Estate Office calling attention to the flooding of the Fitzwilliam property at the south end of Higham Ferrers in times of heavy rains, owing, it was alleged, to the culvert crossing the road being insufficient to carry off the water coming down the water course.  The Surveyor informed the Committee that in his opinion the culvert was of ample size and that the flooding appeared to arise from the water course overflowing on to the Fitzwilliam land higher up through the bank being too low on the Higham side.

  The Surveyor was instructed to write to the Wansford Estate Office to this effect.

Fitzwilliam-Street

  The Clerk read a letter he had received from Mr. W. J. Wood, offering on behalf of his mother to sell the land required for the improvement at the junction of this street with Duck-street at 4/6 per yard.

  The Committee were of opinion that if the corners of the street were set back about six feet and the walls on either side lowered the danger would be obviated, and the Clerk was instructed to write to the owners asking if they would be agreeable to give the land necessary for this.

Public Lighting

  The Chairman called the attention of the Committee to the lamp in front of Gordon-terrace opposite North-street and suggested that the same be moved forward on to the curb of the footpath.

  The Committee agreed, and instructed the Surveyor to make the removal.

Main Roads

  The Clerk produced a draft of the agreement with the County Council for the maintenance of the main roads for the ensuing three years and stated that he had approved the same on behalf of the Council.

  The Clerk reported that Mr. Northern had written stating that he would submit further plans.

  It was decided to postpone taking proceedings for a fortnight.

  In regard to the Committee’s recommendation to prosecute two boys for throwing stones at trees on the Green, Mr. Dobbs moved as an amendment that the boys be brought before the Plans Committee and cautioned.  He was against boys being prosecuted for doing what was quite natural to them.  Besides it would be the parents who would be punished.  The children had nowhere to play, and if anyone was to blame it was the Council for not getting them a recreation ground.

  Mr. Paragreen seconded the amendment and asked if the trees were sacred.

  Mr. Claridge said it was not only the stone-throwing at the trees but the danger to people passing.  He knew of several people having been hit by stones.  He did not like taking boys to Wellingborough, but thought it was necessary to do it to stop the damage.  He did not agree with Mr. Dobbs as to it being natural for boys to do such things.  It depended a good deal on the way they were brought up.  If they had a recreation ground it would not do away with the difficulty.

  In reply to Mr. Paragreen, the Clerk said the matter was brought before the Council by the police.

  The amendment was lost.

  Referring to the High-street South improvement Mr. Ballard suggested that in view of the increased value of the surrounding property the owners, who were so anxious to see the rates kept low, should have an opportunity of subscribing to the cost of the shrubs, etc.

  Mr. Dobbs said he should vote against the report in the matter of Fitzwilliam-street, because he did not think the danger would be removed if the corners were merely rounded, as suggested.

  The report was adopted.

Finance Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 7^th October, 1908, at 10 a.m., when there were present:  Messrs. W. Bazeley (chairman), and John Claridge.

Surveyor’s Cash Account

  The Committee examined the surveyor’s cash account with the wages books, the expenses shown therein being as follows:-

Collector’s District Rate Account

  The Collector’s District Rate Account was examined from which it appeared that he had collected the following sum since the last meeting:-

Treasurer’s Accounts

  The Committee also examined the Treasurer’s accounts from which it appeared that the following sums had been paid to him on the following accounts since the last meeting:-

  And that the following balances were in hand on the undermentioned accounts:-

Tradesmen’s And Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £948/14/4 were examined and passed for payment.

  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 7^th October, 1908, at 7 p.m. when there were present:-  Messrs. G. H. Skinner (Chairman), W. Bazeley, C. Bates, G. Miller, C. E. Bayes, F. Ballard and J. Paragreen.

Health And Sanitary Reports

  The Medical Officer reported that since the last meeting 14 cases of infectious disease had been notified, viz., eleven of scarlet fever and three of diphtheria, one of which was fatal.  The drains where the diphtheria cases had occurred had been examined but nothing could be discovered at all likely to cause the outbreak.

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that eleven informal notices had been served on owners and occupiers calling attention to nuisances, and of this number five had been remedied, the remainder being still under consideration.  The drains of several properties had been tested and any defects made good.  A notice had been received from H.M. Inspector of Factories calling attention to the lack of sufficient sanitary accommodation in Messrs. Cave’s factory.  This had been brought to the Company’s notice and the requirements complied with.  The Inspector also reported that additional sanitary accommodation had been provided at Messrs. Clarke’s bespoke factory.

  The Inspector also reported that, as instructed, he had written to Mr. W. W. Smith with a copy of the Nuisance Bye-laws calling his attention to Bye-law No. 13 relating to pig-keeping, but that pigs were still being kept on the premises.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to take proceedings against Mr. Smith for breach of the Bye-laws, the summons not to be issued if Mr. Smith, immediately discontinued the keeping of pigs on the premises within the prescribed distance of eighty feet from a dwelling house, and gives an undertaking not to repeat the offence.

  The Inspector also reported that complaints had been received as to nuisances in Rectory-road and Queen-street caused by Messrs. Denton’s and Green’s gas-plants respectively.

  The Clerk was instructed to write to Messrs. Denton’s and Messrs. Green’s calling their attention to the matter and requesting them to take every precaution against the escape of gas from the plants in question.

  The Inspector reported the existence of a nuisance of premises owned and occupied by Mr. George White in Manton-road.  The nuisance was occasioned by the floor of a pig-stye and cowshed being defective, and in a dirty state, and by the existence of a pail closet in close proximity to the dairy.  The owner’s attention had already been called to the matter but without any result.

  It was resolved that the Council be recommended to instruct the Officer to serve Mr. White with formal notice requiring him to abate the nuisance within 14 days.

  The Inspector submitted a statement of inspections made and work done during the past month.

Sanitary Inspector’s Association

  The Inspector’s report of the Conference held at Liverpool last month, a copy of which had been supplied to each member of the Committee, was received.

  It was resolved that Mr. Kingston be thanked for his report which was ordered to be printed with the minutes and circulated amongst the members.

Consumption

  A circular was received from the Northampton branch of the National Association for the prevention of consumption stating that the Executive Committee were now within measurable distance of being able to erect a Sanatorium for the reception of early cases of consumption occurring in Northamptonshire and the neighbouring areas and enquiring what support this Council would give them from the rates.

  It was resolved that consideration of the matter be deferred until the next meeting of the Committee.

Milk Supply

  A circular letter was received from the London County Council stating that Part 4 of the L.C.C. (General Powers) Act, 1907, which empowers the Council to take samples of milk produced for, or intended to be sold within the County of London had been put into force on 1^st July, 1908, and also enquiring if the cows in this district were periodically examined by a Veterinary Inspector.

  The Clerk reported that he had acknowledged the letter and had replied in the affirmative to the latter question.

  A circular letter from the Northants County Council was also received on the subject.

Sewage Farm

  The Surveyor reported that the produce sold by auction on the 5^th instant realised £160/19/5 against £137/0/4 realized last year.

Rectory Road Improvement

  The Chairman of the Plans and Highways Committee reported to this Committee the result of the Sub-Committee’s enquiries with regard to the proposed purchase of land and widening of this road.

Cemetery

  The Surveyor reported that a slight settlement had taken place in the Caretaker’s cottage at the Cemetery and should be attended to at once.

  The Committee thought that further settlement might be stayed by putting in two iron rods and the Surveyor was instructed accordingly.

  A letter was read from Mr. W. W. Smith, stating that he had only nine pigs on the premises and they would be sent away next week.  He also asked for an interview.

  It was understood that proceedings would only be deferred if Mr. Smith gives an undertaking not to repeat the offence.

  The report was adopted.

Rectory-Road Improvement

  The minutes of a meeting of the whole Council in committee, held prior to the Council meeting, showed that the question of carrying out this improvement was considered at length.  It was ultimately resolved that the matter be referred back to the sub-committee, to approach the property owners and ascertain if a modification of the terms could be made.

  The minutes were confirmed.

High-Street Footpaths

  It was resolved that the work of renewing the footpath in front of Mr. J. F. Knight’s premises and the Coffee Tavern be proceeded with, and that the owner of the shop adjoining the Coffee Tavern be approached with a view to the new pavement being carried in front of his property.