Smallpox Scare Causes Increase in The Rate
White Lines to Regulate Traffic
Policemen and Dangerous Corners
Rectory-Road Widening

  Wednesday, present: Councillors C. W. Horrell, C.A., J.P. (chairman), C. Claridge (vice-chairman), T. Wilmott, J. Roe, A. Allebone, W. C. Tarry, D. G. Greenfield, M.D., F. Corby, T. Swindall, L. Perkins, B.Sc., J. Spencer, J.P., J. Hornsby, G. W. Coles, J.P., and C. Bates, with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason) and the Surveyor (Mr. W. B. Madin).

Housing Committee

  A meeting of the Housing Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, August 19^th, 1925, when there were present: Messrs. C. Bates (chairman), W. Bazeley, C. W. Horrell, T. F. B. Newberry, and T. Wilmott.

No. 22, Trafford-Road

  The Rates Clerk reported that the tenant of this house had recently died and the widow had made application for permission to exchange houses with Thomas Whitney, of No. 12, Woburn-place.  The latter was an ex-Serviceman and was already on the Council’s waiting-list.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to agree.

  The report was adopted.

Plans, Etc., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, August 26^th, 1925, when there were present: Messrs. T. Wilmott (chairman), A. Allebone, G. W. Coles, F. Knight, and W. C. Tarry.

Temporary Buildings

  Applications were received from the following persons for permission to erect small wooden buildings near their premises, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to take no exception thereto:-

Miss D. M. Catlin, Spencer-road

Mr. A. J. George, 81, Washbrook-road

Mr. H. Weedon, 76, Portland-road

Mr. F. A. Fairey, Higham-road

Mr. F. Darlow, Spencer-road

Motor Traffic

  A letter was received from the Inspector of Police stating that the Chief Constable was considering the Council’s application for a policeman to be on point duty continuously near the church for the purpose of regulating the traffic there.  The letter also requested that any further opinions of the committee with regard to the matter might be communicated to him.

  The committee considered the question of marking the street corners with white lines, and resolved to recommend the Council that such lines be placed at the various corners near the church, at the High-street end of Station-road, and on the Wellingborough-road near its junction with Duck-street.

High-Street South

  The Chairman reported that the fence near the South-End Schools had now been set back as agreed between the Council and the County Council and that it was desirable that the line of the fence be continued as far as the bridge.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to get into communication with the owner of the land in question with this end in view.

Newton-Road Footpaths

  The Surveyor reported that the footpath improvement on the south side of Newton-road had been carried out, but the improvement on the north side had not yet been commenced.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council not to proceed with the footpath from Hove-road, as previously agreed upon, for the present, but to fix concrete kerbing in front of the Council houses as far as Oval-road.

Public Lighting

  It was resolved to commence full street lighting on Saturday, September 5^th, next.

  The report was adopted.

  On the subject of white lines, Mr. Corby asked how far the lines would be carried.

  The Chairman said he did not think that the Highways Committee had decided that point.  The County Council had agreed at their own expense to put motor warning signs in the town.  The Clerk had received a letter regarding the Council’s application for a constable at Ward’s Corner, and the letter rather suggested that for the present the white lines and motor warning signs be tried.  The County Architect was likely to come to Rushden on Friday in regard to the signs, on the principle of which Mr. Horrell said he felt that the Council could agree, though they might not need to agree on the white markings.

  Mr. Wilmott said that the Surveyor and he had met the Police Inspector after the Chief Constable had paid a visit.  It was left to the Highways Committee to mark the roads.  The Surveyor and he were agreed that they ought to mark round the bends, extending far enough to warn motorists that they were approaching danger points so that the drivers would keep to the proper side of the road.

  Mr. Claridge: I take it that the points mentioned in the report are not the only places to be marked?

  Mr. Corby said it was a great mistake to have decided against having a policeman to regulate traffic.  Marking the roads was a step in the right direction, but it was not sufficient to mark three places.  From Ward’s Corner they should mark right round the front of the church to the Wheatsheaf yard and, in the other direction, right up Newton-road and into Park-road, which was a dangerous corner.

  The Chairman said they all agreed about the necessity of a policeman.  He would point out that one was usually there at busy times and would not be withdrawn.  The white lines were only an experiment, and if the Council could prove to the police authorities that a policeman was absolutely necessary they would probably be prepared to detail one.  He also agreed that there were other dangerous corners in the town where white lines should be put down, nor should the Council be opposed to the lines extending a few yards over a safe distance.

  Dr. Greenfield said that unless the line at Ward’s Corner was long enough long vehicles could not possibly get round on the proper side.  He urged, also, that the pillar-box at Ward’s Corner be moved about 10 yards down the street to stop the loungers obstructing the view of motorists.

  Mr. Wilmott said that the committee were not against putting white lines at other corners, but he would add that there were places, such as at the bottom of Harborough-road, where a long vehicle could not possibly be kept absolutely to the left side when turning, and drivers must in such cases exercise their own judgment.

  Mr. Allebone suggested that the committee decide at once on the places and length of the lines rather than wait for another meeting.

  Mr. Coles asked what evidence was required by the Chief Constable for putting a policeman at a corner.  Was it the amount of traffic, or must someone first be killed?

  The Chairman: I am afraid I do not know what evidence is necessary, but it would be well to carry out the suggestion.  If we have accidents, which I sincerely trust we shall not, our claim will be very strong.

  Mr. Coles: Better be wise before!

  On the question of the letter-box, the Clerk was instructed to write to the Postmaster-General requesting that it be moved.

Parks Committee

  A meeting of the Parks Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, August 26^th, 1925, when there were present: Messrs. F. Knight (chairman), G. W. Coles, D. G. Greenfield, T. Swindall, and W. C. Tarry.

Football Pitches

  Applications were received from the St. Peter’s Church F.C., the Adult School F.C., and the Wesleyan Reform Mission F.C. for pitches in Spencer Park for season 1925-6, and it was resolved to accede thereto at the usual charge of £1 each.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to have the grass scythed where necessary and the pitches well rolled.

Spencer-Road Boundary Fence

  It was reported that several occupiers of houses in Spencer-road had constructed entrances to their properties through this fence.

  The committee agreed that this could not be allowed and unless the practice was immediately discontinued steps would have to be taken to deal with the offenders.

Litter Baskets

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to have three baskets for the reception of litter, etc., placed in convenient parts of the Park.

Next Meeting

  The committee resolved to meet at the Park on Wednesday, September 16^th, at 5.30 p.m.

  The report was adopted.

Finance and Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, September 2^nd, 1925, at 10 a.m., when there were present: Messrs. C. W. Horrell (chairman), C. Claridge, C. Bates, J. Hornsby, and J. Roe.

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 since the last meeting:

Treasurer’s Accounts

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

And that the balances were as follows:

Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £1,783  16s.  6d. were examined and passed for payment.

General District Rate

  The committee considered the amount of the rate to be raised for the ensuing half-year.  The estimates for the year made no provision for the expenses incurred in connection with the outbreak of smallpox.  These expenses, including the extensions to the Hospital and furniture, amounted to nearly £1,500, equivalent to a rate of 8d. in the £.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to instruct the Rates Clerk to prepare a rate at 4s. in the £ for the ensuing half-year.

  On presenting the above report the Chairman said that half the £1,500 had been spent in building and furnishing the Isolation Hospital.  It had been the policy of the Council not to estimate for any balance;  consequently anything special like the epidemic had to be met either out of an additional rate or from a loan.  In the present case the Finance Committee recommended it be by rate.  That would make 7s.  4d. for the year.  Going back to 1920, 1921, and 1922, they had rates of 8s. to 8s.  8d., and in 1923 it was down to 6s.  8d., a reduction of about 16½ per cent.  The whole of the additional cost represented the cost of the epidemic to the town.  They were fortunate in some respects that it was as light as it was, and they must be satisfied to pay.

  Mr. Swindall said that, while they very much regretted the raising of the rates, it was sound finance to be clear at the end of the year.  (Hear, hear.)

  The report was adopted.

Health and Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, September 2^nd, 1925, when there were present: Messrs. F. Corby (chairman), W. Bazeley, D. G. Greenfield, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Spencer, and T. Swindall.

Health and Sanitary Reports

  The report of the Medical Officer for the month of August was received.

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that 42 nuisances had been abated since the last meeting.

  Eleven rooms had been disinfected since the last meeting, all after cases of infectious disease.  At the Depot a quantity of bedding had been disinfected, also after cases of infectious disease.

  Twenty visits had been made to premises where food was prepared or sold, and during these inspections the carcases and organs of two sheep and the livers of three oxen had been found to be unfit for human consumption and destroyed in the usual way.  The total weight was 2cwt.  1qr.  21lb.

  The Inspector submitted an application for compensation in respect of bedding destroyed after a case of infectious disease, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to replace same at a cost not exceeding £1  7s.  6d.

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

Rats and Mice (Destruction) Acts

  The Inspector also reported that under this Act one complaint had been received and two premises inspected.

Factory and Workshop Acts

  Lists had been sent to the various factories for returns of outworkers, and 41 had been received back containing the names of 52 outworkers, seven of whom had been transferred to other districts.

Milk and Dairies Act, 1922

  An application was received from Mr. Ralph Dickens, of No. 55, Harborough-road, to be registered as a cowkeeper and wholesale and retail purveyor of milk.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to accede to the application subject to the sheds, which were situate off the Wymington road, being to the satisfaction of the Inspector.

Dairies, Etc., Order

  The quarterly report of the Veterinary Inspector was received, from which it appeared that on August 27^th and 28^th last he visited 24 premises and inspected 166 milking cows, making an individual examination of each udder.  The whole of the cows were clinically normal.

  The committee considered the report very satisfactory.

Smallpox Hospital

  The Clerk submitted a statement showing the expenditure in connection with the recent outbreak of smallpox, amounting altogether to £1,364  4s.  3d., and stated that there would probably be further liabilities amounting to £100.

  The committee resolved to recommend the Council to authorise the Finance Committee to grant honoraria of £25 and £10 to the Medical Officer and Sanitary Inspector respectively in recognition of the large amount of extra work involved in connection with the outbreak, and also to pay to the Inspector the extra cost involved in providing his son with lodging during the time his school authorities would not permit him to reside at home.

  The Medical Officer and Sanitary Inspector were requested to make a report to the committee at their next meeting as to the future care of the Hospital.

  The report was adopted.

Footpath Through The Cemetery

  Mr. Perkins asked if the Cemetery Sub-Committee had further considered the question of a footpath from Harborough-road to Newton-road, so that little children did not have to go so far to school in the coming winter.

  The Chairman said he did not think anything had been done since the last report.

  The minute of the last meeting was read which stated that the committee agreed that the provision of the footpath must be postponed until the necessary land had been acquired.

  Mr. Perkins moved that during the winter months the children should be allowed to go through the cemetery.  He did not think they would do any mischief.

  Mr. Tarry seconded, and it was carried.

  Mr. Hornsby said he wished to reiterate very strongly the feeling, not only of the Harborough-road residents, but of others in other parts of the town, that the footpath be provided.  Candidates gave a definite promise at the last election to get a footpath through from the top of Harborough-road to Pightles-terrace.  Residents felt very strongly over the fact of nothing being done in the matter.  About 18 months ago an attempt was made to get through, but he understood that nothing came of it.

  Mr. Corby:  I don’t wish it to be thought that we are opposed to it.  Approaches have been made to the owner of the land, but we have not succeeded in buying.

  Mr. Wilmott:  That is the stumbling-block all the way through.

The South End

  In regard to the Council’s request for a sub post office for the south end of Rushden, Mr. W. G. Cove, M.P., who had been asked to take up the matter with the Postmaster-General, wrote under the date September 2^nd as follows:  Enclosed please find copy of the reply which I have received from the Postmaster-General.  I am sorry that I have not been able to secure a reversal of their previous decision, but if there is anything else that you think could be done, I shall be pleased to do my best.

  The copy referred to above was dated August 19^th and was as follows:  Dear Sir, - You wrote to Sir William Mitchell-Thompson on July 31^st with regard to a request of the Rushden Urban District Council for the additional sub post office in the South Ward of that town.  This question was recently under consideration, but it did not appear that the suggested sub post office could be justified by ordinary standards.  The matter has been reviewed, but there are, I regret, not sufficient grounds for modifying the previous decision.  For an office in High-street South the only practicable position would be on the edge of a built-up area, and its utility would be very restricted.  I should add that postage stamps are already obtainable from a local shopkeeper.

  Mr. Corby moved that the thanks of the council be sent to Mr. Cove for what he had done.  He much regretted that Rushden was treated as a third-rate power.  In this matter Rushden was, he believed, under Wellingborough.  Those who loved the town would not be satisfied to let the matter drop.

Wymington-Road

  The residents of Mill Estate, Wymington-road, again petitioned the Council to put lamps in Wymington-road, pointing out that since their last request other houses had been erected on the estate.

  The letter was referred to the Lighting Committee.

Rectory-Road Improvement

  The Clerk announced that sanction had been obtained for a loan of £400 for the purchase of land in Rectory-road for the widening scheme, and for another of £1,600 for carrying out the work.

  The Chairman said the Council must pass a resolution if the work was to be proceeded with.

  Mr. Perkins asked if it was worth laying out further money when they could not get through the bottle neck between the Rectory and Portland-road.

  Mr. Horrell:  If the Railway Company will not appoint a deputation to meet the Council, we should appoint a deputation to meet them. (Hear, hear.)

  Mr. Wilmott: At present we have got the whole lot to do.  If we carry out this first part of the scheme we shall only have the five cottage tenants to accommodate.  (Hear, hear.)  We are trying to put white marks on the bad corners where we should shift 50 per cent of the traffic if we open Rectory-road to the station.  I would go to the extent of using compulsory powers to get the work done. (Hear, hear.)

  On the motion of Mr. Swindall, seconded by Mr. Wilmott, it was agreed that the work proceed.

Sympathy

  The Chairman expressed the sincere regret of the Council at the unfortunate circumstances in which Mr. C. E. Bayes found himself (being seriously ill), and said that no member of the Council was more interested in the work than Mr. Bayes.  It might be some help to Mr. Bayes, the Chairman added, to know that the Council remembered him at that time.  (Hear, hear.)  He moved that an expression of sympathy be sent.

  Mr. Wilmott seconded, and it was carried.

County Council

  Mr. Coles having asked what was being done in regard to the promise to give Rushden an extra representative on the County Council, Mr. Horrell said that the subject would be raised at the next meeting.