The Chair

Mr. Claridge proposed thanks to the Chairman for the able manner in which he had carried out the duties of Chairman during the past year. Mr. Knight had presided over their deliberations in a business-like and impartial manner.

Mr. Hornsby seconded and said it was not often that the members disagreed with Mr. Knight.

Mr. Wilmott supported and said that Mr. Knight had done his work in an admirable way, and the affairs of the town were now in a position for going ahead.

The vote was unanimously accorded.

Mr. Knight thanked them for their flattering expressions and for the splendid support they had given him. The past year had been a strenuous one owing to the termination of the war, which had brought a great deal of work to the Chairman and the Council – work which would not have come in a normal time. Every-one would have wished to have seen better progress made. He was sure that it was not the fault of the Council. He referred particularly to the housing question. Rushden was one of the first authorities to take up the housing question. They had been subjected to pin-pricks and opposition from higher authorities who ought to have supported them rather than to be against them. Mr. Knight thanked Mr. Mason, Mr. Madin, and staff for the very willing and valuable assistance given to him and the Council in the work of the town. He proposed that Mr. Claridge be Chairman for the ensuing year. Mr. Claridge had filled the Chair on several occasions in the past.

Mr. Swindall seconded and it was carried.

Mr. Claridge thanked them for having elected him to such an honourable position. It was one that he shrank from and had never sought, though he had occupied it before. He hoped he would be able to perform his duties to the town.

Mr. Spencer moved that Mr. Bazeley be elected vice-chairman and said that Mr. Bazeley had occupied that position about 12 years ago, when he had carried out the duties in an efficient manner. He also congratulated Mr. Claridge on his being elected Chairman.

The motion was carried unanimously.

Mr. Bazeley thanked the members for the honour they had conferred upon him. He said his colleagues wished him to stand for the position and it was gratifying to have been elected unanimously. He would do his best to support the Chairman.

It was decided that the Council meetings be held at the same times as heretofore.

The following Committees were elected:-

Finance and Estates – The Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Messrs. Knight, Hornsby, Swindall, and Wilmott.

Health and Sanitary – Chairman, Vice-chairman, Messrs. Bates, Hornsby, Knight, Perkins and Tomlin.

Plans, Highways, and Lighting – Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Messrs. Horrell, Bayes, Spencer, Swindall, and Wilmott.

Park – Messrs. Knight, Spencer, Swindall, Perkins, and Wilmott.

Housing – Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Messrs. Bayes, Knight, Wilmott, and Spencer.

Parks Committee

A meeting of the Parks Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Monday, the 15th March, 1920, when there were present :- Messrs. F. Knight (chairman), J. Claridge, C. E. Bayes, J. Tomlin and T. Wilmott.

Band-Stand

Representatives of four Bands attended the meeting with regard to the allocation of the Band-stand for Concerts in the Park during the summer months, particularly the Sunday and holiday occasions.

It was unanimously agreed that the various dates should be settled by ballot, and the representatives of the Bands resolved to take such a ballot on Thursday evening next in the presence of the Chairman.

The Committee decided that in no case were collections to be made at the entrance gates to the Park.

The report was adopted.

Housing Committee

A meeting of the Housing Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 17th March, 1920, when there were present:- Messrs. F. Knight (chairman), J. Claridge, C. E. Bayes, W. Bazeley, J. Tomlin and T. Wilmott.

Tenders

Tenders were received for the erection of 42 houses, viz., 16 houses, types “A” and “B,” 20 houses, types “2a” and “4b,” and 6 type “A,” and it was resolved to accept the tenders of Messrs. G. Henson and Son, Ltd., for 24 of the houses and the Rushden Master Builders’ Association for 18 at the respective prices of £20,566 5s. 7½d. and £15,145, subject to the approval of the Ministry of Housing.

The report was adopted.

Mr. Bazeley asked if there was anything further from the Housing Commissioners on the subject.

The Clerk said that the Ministry of Health had written sanctioning the erection of the houses, but the Ministry of Housing had not finally sanctioned the laying out of the drains, etc.

Mr. Hornsby asked if they were likely to make better progress with the new houses than with those already in course of erection, which were going very slowly.

Mr. Bazeley suggested that a start be made without waiting for the sanction of the Ministry of Housing.

The Clerk said that Mr. Madin had stated that he could not set his levels until the Ministry of Housing had approved the plans of the drains. The Ministry had had specifications last December, and a representative of the Ministry had viewed the site 18 months ago and was perfectly satisfied.

Plans, &c., Committee

A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 31st March, 1920, when there were present:- Messrs. F. Knight (chairman), J. Claridge, W. Bazeley, L. Perkins, J. Spencer, and T. Wilmott.

Plans

were presented for:-

Additions to house in Pyghtles-terrace for Mr. E. Sargent and passed subject to iron sewage pipes being substituted for the existing ware ones.

Store-room at the rear of 124, High-street for Mr. W. Smart and passed subject to the 4½ inch walls being rendered in cement.

Shed at the rear of the Club premises, Higham-road, for the Trade Union Club and passed.

Motor house in Manton-road for Mr. I. Cunnington and passed.

Additions to house in Grove-road for Mr. H. Knight and passed subject to the drainage arrangements being to the satisfaction of the Surveyor.

Cycle shed in Montague-street for Mr. C. Skeeles and no exception taken.

Road Materials

GRANITE & SLAG. – Tenders for the supply of granite and slag for the current year were received, and the surveyor instructed to place orders with the various firms tendering at the respective prices quoted by them.

CARTING – Mr. W. G. Wilmott’s tender (the only one received) for day work carting was accepted.

Higham-Road

The Surveyor reported that he had had an interview with the District Engineer of the Post Office Telegraphs and agreed with him as to the lopping of certain of the trees as were at present growing into the wires. The Engineer stated that no further wires would be placed upon the poles so as to interfere with the trees.

Main Roads

The Surveyor also reported that he had agreed with the County Surveyor to the sum of £2,000 for the maintenance of the main roads in this district for the year ending 31st March next.

The Committee approved.

High-Street & Church-Street Corner

It was resolved to recommend the Council to purchase the stone from the house and shop now being razed by Messrs. Praed and Co., Ltd., at the price of 2/6 per cube yard.

Public Lighting

The Surveyor informed the Committee that general public lighting ceased on the 28th March.

The Committee approved.

The report was adopted.

Finance and Estates Committee

A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 14th April, 1920, at 10 a.m., when there were present :- Messrs. F. Knight (chairman), J. Claridge 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 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:-

And that the balances were as follows:-

Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts

A number of accounts amounting to £969 4s. 1d. were examined and passed for payment.

Memorandum of General District Rate

The Rates Clerk submitted the following Memorandum of General District Rate made the 8th day of October, 1919.

A list of the irrecoverable arrears was also submitted and it was resolved to recommend the Council that they be written off as such.

Mr. Perkins asked if the irrecoverable arrears were accounted for by people not paying their rates.

The Clerk said they were caused through certain Crown property being exempted, and property unoccupied which, if in use, would have paid rates.

The Chairman said the figures were very satisfactory to the Council and reflected much credit on the rate collector.

The report was adopted.

A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, the 14th April, 1920, when there were present:- Messrs. J. Claridge (chairman), F. Knight, C. E. Bayes, C. Bates, J. Hornsby and J. Tomlin.

Health and Sanitary Reports

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

The Sanitary Inspector reported that 11 informal Notices had been served during the past month all of which were receiving attention.

Two lots of bedding had been destroyed after deaths from infectious disease and the rooms cleansed. It was resolved to recommend the Council to replace part of the bedding destroyed after a death from consumption in January last at a cost not exceeding £1 7s. 6d.

One lot of infected rags and paper had also been destroyed.

A book belonging to the Public Library found in an infected house had also been destroyed. It was resolved to recommend the Council to replace the book.

A quantity of veal weighing 28 lbs., two ox livers and 20 tins of fish, fruit, etc., that had been voluntarily surrendered, had been destroyed as being unfit for human consumption.

The Inspector gave a detailed statement of his work since the commencement of his duties.

Petroleum Acts

The Inspector of Nuisances also reported the storing of an excessive quantity of petrol in a private garage which was not in a proper fireproof store with the necessary preventative measure in case of fire.

It was resolved to recommend the Council to call upon the owners to construct a proper fireproof store and to make application for a license to store such a quantity.

An application was received from Mr. R. W. E. Jarvis for a licence to store 40 gallons of petrol at the rear of his premises, No. 13, Church-street, and acceded to subject to the proposed store being constructed to the satisfaction of the Inspector.

Dairies, Cowsheds, & Milkshops Order

The quarterly report of the Veterinary Inspector was received, from which it appeared that during the quarter he had visited 31 premises and inspected 183 cows and heifers making an individual examination of each udder.

The report was considered very satisfactory.

The Inspector of Nuisances was requested to keep one of the cows mentioned therein under his observation.

Cemetery

The quarterly report of the Cemetery Registrar was received, from which it appeared that there had been 47 interments during the past three months, 17 grave spaces had been purchased, five reserved, three headstones erected and nine spaces enclosed with stone or marble kerbing. The receipts had been £73 13s. 6d.

The Cemetery Sub-Committee reported that they had visited the Cemetery and with regard to the trespassing complained of, the Committee instructed the Clerk to write to the offender informing him that if there were a continuation of the trespass, proceedings would be taken without further notice.

PLANTING – The Sub-Committee suggested that some provision might be made for planting the garden near the caretaker’s house with flowers, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to authorise an expenditure of £5 for this purpose.

CARETAKER’S COTTAGE – The Sub-Committee suggested that certain repairs should be done to the Caretaker’s cottage and to the gate leading into the Cemetery field and instructions given to the Surveyor to carry out the necessary work.

HOURS OF OPENING – It was resolved to recommend the Council to make an alteration in the hours of opening the Cemetery on Sundays, and in future that the gates be opened from 9 to 12 noon in the morning and from 2 to 7 in the afternoon.

The report was adopted.

Spencer Park

An application by the Clubs Benevolent Fund Committee for the use of part of Spencer Park on a Saturday for sports and a hoop-la was granted.

Rushden Co-operative Society and Rushden Labour Party were also given permission to hold a meeting in Spencer Park.

A Petition

was received from the residents of Harborough-road and others who used the path from the top of Harborough-road to Newton-road, across the allotments, calling the Council’s attention to the bad state of the ground in the middle of the field where a stretch of water and soft earth needed bridging.

Mr. Hornsby said the part referred to was in a very bad state. It was almost impassable since the bridge had disappeared. He moved that the matter be referred to the Highways Committee.

Mr. Bazeley said he had had complaints from residents before the memorial was sent in. It was the water-course which made the path impassable. The Council need not delay its action in the matter. All that was needed was a broad plank or two across the water. Years ago the Council had set aside £5 a year to keep footpaths like that free from obstruction.

The Surveyor was instructed to carry out the work.

The Clerk read a letter from the Ministry of Transport replying to the Council’s request that cheaper fares be granted to hospital patients. The Ministry stated that in view of the present position of railway companies it was not in a position to issue cheap tickets.

Mr. Spencer said that in several places it was possible to get cheap market tickets.