The Housing Subsidy Scheme
Important Points Discussed
Complaints Regarding Fried Fish Shops
Road Improvements

  Wednesday, present: Messrs. C. Bates, J.P. (chairman), T. Swindall, T. Wilmott, C. E. Bayes, C. Claridge, F. Knight, J.P., L. Perkins, B.Sc., F. Corby, J. Spencer, J.P., J. Hornsby, and G. W. Coles, J.P., with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. F. S. F. Piper).

  The Chairman read a letter of apology from Alderman C. W. Horrell (vice-chairman), unavoidably detained in London.

Housing

  Reading the minutes of the Council in Committee (at the conclusion of the last ordinary Council meeting), the Clerk stated that members had complained of the slow progress of the housing scheme and that he had been instructed to write to the Architect with a view to a more speedy conclusion of the houses.

  Mr. Coles asked if there had been any reply from the Architect.

  The Clerk said that Mr. Fisher had written expressing his regret at the delay, and adding that his staff had done everything possible and he had communicated with the contractors and the sub-contractors, all of whom promised to push on with the work.

  Mr. Coles:  Is there a time limit?

  The Clerk:  There is supposed to be, but the Government will not enforce it.

  Mr. Wilmott:  There are so many things to retard progress.

Housing Committee

  A meeting of the Housing Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Monday, September 22^nd, 1924, when there were present: Messrs. F. Knight (chairman), C. Bates, C. W. Horrell, C. E. Bayes, J. Hornsby, J. Spencer, and T. Wilmott.

Council Subsidy Houses

  A list of applicants was submitted by the Rates Clerk and tenants selected for the remaining 20 houses, which it was hoped would shortly be ready for occupation.

  The report was adopted.

  A meeting of the Housing Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, October 1^st, when there were present: Messrs. F. Knight (chairman), C. Bates, C. W. Horrell, C. E. Bayes, J. Hornsby, and J. Spencer.

Rent Arrears

  The Collector attended the meeting and reported that a number of tenants were in arrears with their rent, and asked for the instructions of the committee.  The Clerk was requested to write to the tenants in question reminding them that there were many applicants for the houses who would gladly pay the rent if they were fortunate enough to secure a house, and inform them that unless the arrears were all paid by the end of the year the Council would seriously consider as to whether their tenancies should not be terminated.

Further Houses

  The committee had under consideration the question of building additional houses and how they could be procured in the most expeditious manner.  It was resolved to make inquiries at Birmingham and Leicester as to the schemes adopted there, and a sub-committee consisting of the Chairman of this committee and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council and the Surveyor was appointed to visit both Leicester and Birmingham and obtain all the information possible.

  The report having been received, Mr. Knight said that private enterprise could not possibly supply the housing needs of Rushden.  There had been 72 applications for the subsidy.  The 20 houses that had been let had not done a tithe of what was necessary, as there were that number of other houses not properly fit for habitation.

  Mr. Swindall said that a builder ought to have been elected on the sub-committee.

  Mr. Spencer said he had moved the election of the sub-committee, but he had no objection to an additional member, a builder, being appointed.    Mr. Bayes was appointed.

  Another meeting of the Housing Committee having been held immediately before the full Council meeting, the Clerk read the minutes as follow:  The committee recommended that the 20 houses let at the last meeting be rented at 9s.  9d. where without bay windows and 10s. with bay windows.  Accounts were submitted of the houses erected by Mr. Arthur Sanders, Messrs. R. Marriott and Son, Messrs. W. Packwood and Son, and Mr. W. G. Wilmott, as follow:  Mr. Sanders, four houses, total cost £3,632  16s.  11d. (final certificate for payment of £282  16s.  11d.); Messrs. Marriott, 26 houses, total cost £23,259  9s.  (final certificate (£1,009  9s.);  Messrs. Packwood, 24 houses, total cost £20,337  2ss.  5d. (final certificate £727  2s.  5d).; Mr. Wilmott, twelve houses, total cost £9,795  14s.  4d. (final certificate £480  14s.  4d.).  The committee recommended that the final payments be made.  A letter was received from the Minister of Health, asking for an estimate of the number of subsidy houses likely to be commenced during the next three months, also a statement of such houses already erected, together with an estimate of their selling value.    The reports were adopted.

  Mr. Perkins asked whether people erecting their own houses under the new Act would receive a greater subsidy than that paid in the past.

  The Clerk said that the £100 would not be altered.

  Mr. Wilmott said he assumed that if the Government increased their subsidy (£75) the Council would reduce theirs, so that future house builders would not be treated better than others.

Health and Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, September 24^th, 1924, when there were present: Messrs. C. W. Horrell (chairman), C. Bates, C. Claridge, G. W. Coles, F. Corby, L. Perkins, and T. Wilmott.

Health and Sanitary Reports

  The report of the Medical Officer of Health for the past month was received.

  The Medical Officer also mentioned a case where one of the Council’s tenants on the Newton-road Estate had taken in lodgers, whereby the health of the tenant was affected, and inquired if it were possible to take any steps to remove the lodgers.

  The Clerk was instructed to call the attention of the tenant in question to the regulation prohibiting the subletting or taking in of lodgers, and to inform him they must be removed forthwith.

  The Clerk was also requested to circularise all the tenants of the Council houses, calling attention to the prohibition referred to and asking each one to supply the Collector with information as to any subletting or taking in of lodgers.

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that 36 visits had been made to premises where food was prepared or sold, during which inspections a quantity of pork and pork and beef offal had been found to be unfit for human consumption and destroyed in the usual way.  The total weight was 1cwt. 1qr. 5ob.

  Thirteen rooms had been disinfected since the last meeting, all after cases of infectious disease.  At the depot a quantity of bedding had been disinfected, and a quantity destroyed at the sewage farm, also after cases of infectious disease.    It was resolved to recommend the Council to replace the bedding destroyed in one case at a cost not exceeding £1  7s.  6d.

  During the month 32 nuisances had been dealt with, of which number 22 had been abated.

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

Petroleum Acts

  An application was received from Mr. W. E. W. Espin, of No. 1, Queen-street, for a licence to store 28lb. of carbide of calcium.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to accede to the application subject to the store being constructed to the satisfaction of the Inspector.

Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act

  The Inspector reported that several complaints had been investigated and the necessary notices served.  Three premises had been treated voluntarily.

  A circular was received from the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries calling attention to the proposed holding of a “Rat Week” in November next and making various suggestions in connection therewith.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to insert advertisements in the local papers offering 3d. per tail brought in during that week.

Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milkshops Order

  The quarterly report of the Veterinary Inspector was received, from which it appeared that on September 15^th and 16^th he visited 26 premises in this district and inspected 183 cows, making an individual examination of each udder.  The whole of the cows were clinically normal.

Scavenging

  Tenders were received for team labour for house scavenging for the ensuing six months at the same prices as for the previous six months.  It was resolved to recommend the Council to renew the contracts with Messrs. Charles Holley and N. M. King at the prices tendered.

  Mr. H. Wilmott’s tender for the collection of tins, etc., was also accepted at the same price as for the previous six months.

Sewage Farm

  SALE OF CROPS – The Farm Sub-Committee reported that they had met and decided to recommend that the sale of the crops at the Farm take place by public auction on Monday, October 6^th.

  The committee agreed.

  GRAZING – The sub-committee also reported that the Manager had suggested to them that the Council should purchase eight steers to graze the land during the winter months and consume the hay at present stacked on the farm.  The sub-committee recommended that this course be adopted, and the committee agreed; it was therefore resolved to recommend the Council to authorise the sub-committee to purchase the cattle required.

Public Conveniences

  The committee had under consideration the question of improving the accommodation near the railway bridge, and the Surveyor was instructed to prepare a scheme for providing a more permanent structure with six stalls on the site, somewhat removed from the present building.  The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council were requested to place the matter before the Divisional Engineer of the Railway Company when they met him next month on the question of the station approach.

Fried Fish Shops

  Attention was called to the unpleasant vapours from several of the fried fish shops in the town.  Some of the shops seemed to be carried on in a manner less objectionable than others, and the committee expressed a hope that the proprietors of all the shops would endeavour to carry on their business in such a manner as not to offend passing passengers.

  Complaints were also seriously made of the nuisance arising from the papers of consumed fish and potatoes being scattered on the streets.  The committee felt that the Council should make a public protest and, if necessary, take proceedings to stop the practice.

  The report was adopted.

  Respecting the complaints about the fish shops, Mr. Corby said he considered the nuisance so great that the trade ought to be carried on in Rushden only by licence issued by the Council.

  Mr. Hornsby suggested that wire receptacles for paper and similar rubbish be placed at suitable spots and the public be requested to use them for the purpose.

  The Chairman said that the suggestion had already been discussed.

  Mr. Perkins asked if there was not a bye-law in existence affecting the point.

  The Clerk said that there was, but to enforce it prosecutions must be made in individual cases, a rather difficult thing.

  Mr. Perkins further called attention of the Sanitary Committee to the continued nuisance caused by cows on pavements.  (Hear, hear.)  He said that someone had had to throw down 18 bucket-fulls of water to clear the path recently.  If the Council had no powers against that, it was time to obtain powers.  He would not suggest that beast be prevented from walking through the town, but that owners be made responsible for the animals not walking on footpaths and not splashing windows.

  Mr. Spencer supported, and said that in Victoria-road two people had called his attention to it, both sides of the street being in a nasty state.

  Mr. Corby said that cows had the faculty for liking to walk on nice clean pavements, and not alone either.  Perhaps those who owned the cows were as much concerned as were the Council with the pavements.  He had seen a man walk on the pavement to keep the cows off and then the cows would go on the opposite pavement.

  The Chairman said that in spite of strong comments at the last meeting the nuisance had since been worse.  He had seen three people in Victoria-road using water to clear the pavement.  The nuisance must be prevented.  If one man could not manage the cows, then two men should be sent with them.

  Mr. Wilmott agreed that it was the duty of the Council to remedy the nuisance if they could.  He thought their not-over-worked roadmen might clean up after the cows had gone by and not leave it several hours.

  The Chairman objected to the roadmen being sent to do what he considered the owner of the cows was responsible for.

  Mr. Coles said that two men with the cows could prevent the nuisance. 

Finance and Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, October 1^st, 1924, at 10 a.m., when there were present: Messrs. C. Bates (chairman), C. E. Bayes, C. Claridge, G. W. Coles, F. Knight, T. Swindall, and T. Wilmott.

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 Collector’s accounts were also examined, from which it appeared that he had collected the following sums during the past month:-

Treasurer’s Accounts

  The committee also examined the Treasurer’s accounts, from which it appeared that he had received the following sums during the past month:-

And that the following balances were in his hands:

Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £2,460  19s.  5d. were examined and passed for payment.

Hayway Sewer Extension

  The Clerk reported the receipt of the Ministry of Health’s sanction to a loan of £400 for 30 years for carrying out this work.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to instruct the Clerk to negotiate the loan on the best terms possible.

General District Rate

  The Rates Clerk was instructed to prepare a rate at 3s.  4d. in the £ for the half-year ending March 31^st next for sealing at the next meeting of the Council.

Local Government and Other Officers’ Superannuation Act, 1922

  A letter was received from the Clerk to the County Council stating that his Council had adopted this Act and that consideration would be given at a later date to the question of the admission of Officers of smaller Local Authorities.

  It was pointed out that this Council had already made application to the County Council for their Officers to be admitted to the County Council scheme.

British Legion

  A circular letter was received from the British Legion asking the Council to attend a meeting at the Queen Victoria Hotel on Wednesday, October 8^th, at 7.30 p.m., with regard to the holding of a “Poppy Day” on November 11^th next.

  The Chairman and Vice-chairman were requested to attend the meeting.

  The report was adopted.

Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, October 1^st, 1924, when there were present: Messrs. C. Bates (chairman), C. W. Horrell, C. E. Bayes, J. Hornsby, F. Knight, J. Spencer, and T. Swindall.

Plans

were presented for:-

  A bungalow on the St. Crispin Estate, off the Wellingborough road, for Mr. W. J. Neville, and passed.

  An application for the subsidy in respect of the foregoing house was received, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to instruct the Surveyor to issue a certificate in respect of the same as coming within the Council’s scheme for the subsidy of £100.

  Motor garage with storeroom over for Mr. Charles Clark at the rear of his house off Irchester-road, and passed.

  Slaughterhouse (temporary building) on the Bedford road for Mr. C. Cobley, and no exception taken provided a permanent building be erected within two year.

  Wooden hut at the rear of his house on the Hayway for Mr. Loasby, and no exception taken provided he reduce the size to that provided by the By-laws for exempted buildings.

Miscellaneous Wooden Buildings

  Applications were received for permission to erect small wooden buildings near their premises as follow:

Mr. H. Anderson, 6 Ealing-terrace;

Mr. George Jones, Carnegie-street;

Mr. J. B. Langdon, 75, Newton-road;

Mr. J. N. Ginns, 16, Moor-road;

Mr. A. G. Sanders, Court Estate;

Mr. D. Jones, 161, Newton-road;

Mr. S. Saint, Newton-road;

Mr. R. E. Silburn, Carnegie-street;

And it was resolved to recommend the Council to take no exception thereto.

Grants to Road Improvements

  A letter was received from the Divisional Road Engineer to the Ministry of Transport stating that, in future, applications for grants in respect of road improvements must be made before the work is commenced, otherwise the improvement could not be considered as grant earning.  This also applied to expenditure in connection with the acquisition of land for road works.

Roads Act, 1920

  The Clerk submitted a letter from the Secretary to the Ministry of Transport enclosing two copies of the Order made under Section 7 (4) of this Act with regard to the closing of certain streets in this district to heavy vehicular traffic.

Public Lighting

  A letter was received from Mrs. F. Hill, of Bedford, requesting that the lamp fixed to her property, Nos. 6 and 8, Newton-road, might be at once removed.

  The matter was referred to the Lighting Sub-Committee.

Infringement of Building By-Laws

  Mr. J. E. Wrighton attended the meeting with regard to the erection by him of a building at the rear of his house in Harborough-road without having first obtained the sanction of the Council thereto.

  It appeared that the building was a wooden one, not in accordance with the By-laws.  Mr. Wrighton undertook to submit a plan to the next meeting showing alterations to the building in order to comply, and the matter was adjourned for a month for this to be done.

Team Labour

  Tenders were received for daywork carting for the ensuing six months from Messrs. Ashford and Son, Charles Spriggs, and Charles Holley, at slightly reduced prices.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to divide the work, at the prices quoted, between the three contractors, as was done for the past six months.

Factory Acts

  The sub-committee appointed to visit and inspect Messrs. Patenall’s factory in North-street with regard to the means of escape in case of fire reported that in their opinion sufficient means were not provided.  The owners, however, promised to consult a builder and then submit a plan showing improved facilities for escape.  The further consideration was accordingly adjourned for a month.

Steam Roller

  As instructed at the August meeting, the Depot Sub-Committee reported that they had obtained prices for a new steam roller and had also received quotations for the old one.  They recommended that a new 8-ton machine be purchased from Messrs. Aveling and Porter at the price of £769  10s., subject to a reasonable price being obtained for the old roller and a satisfactory quotation given for a differential gear.

  The committee agreed and resolved to recommend the Council accordingly.

Wellingborough-Road

  The Surveyor submitted a plan for the rounding-off of the Wellingborough and Kimbolton roads (west) corner, and stated that the Industrial Co-operative Society had agreed to give up the land required subject to a rail fence and quick hedge being provided.  He estimated the cost at £50.

  It was resolved that he be instructed to communicate with the County Surveyor and the Ministry of Transport with a view to their making grants towards the cost.

Bedford-Road

  Attention was called to the dangerous state of the open brook near the Tecnic boot factory, and a sub-committee consisting of the Chairman, Messrs. Bayes and Knight was appointed to interview the adjoining owner on the subject and report.

  The report was adopted.

Steam Roller

  Regarding the purchase of the steam roller, Mr. Perkins asked over what number of years the payments would be spread.

  The Clerk said that the committee had not decided whether to pay for it by loan.

Applications

  Mr. W. C. Tarry wrote asking that the footpath at the back of the Tecnic boot factory be diverted in accordance with a plan which he enclosed.

  The request was referred to the Highways Committee.

  Mr. J. White wrote applying to purchase a small piece of land adjoining his factory sufficiently wide to have a covered way for loading and unloading, and so dispense with the continual line of railway drays and other vehicles, and also allowing for the removal of his office to a better position.  The latter, he contended, would be to the advantage of the Council in the extra rateable value of the property.

  The Highways Committee were asked to consider the application.

  Mr. H. J. Newman, of Spencer-road, wrote asking permission to excavate in Skinner’s-hill two tracks six inches wide and four feet apart, to enable him to put his road-making patent into practice, at his own expense.  He stated that he had had inquiries, but was not able to make progress until he could refer authorities to a piece of road where his patent was being tried.

  [Mr. Newman’s patent has been fully described and illustrated in The Rushden Echo.]

  Mr. Knight asked if the Council had not had a similar application before.

  The Chairman:  Not before the Council.

  Mr. Wilmott said that that was the first time Mr. Newman had offered to construct the road himself.

  This matter also was referred to the Highways Committee.

  On behalf of Mr. F. S. F. Piper (hon. secretary of the Rushden Health Week Committee), the Chairman asked the Council to give all the support they could, as in previous years, to Rushden celebrations at the end of the present month.