Lamenting the decline in the number of births in the town at Wednesday’s meeting of the Rushden Urban District Council, Mr. J. Spencer, J.P., could not see why young healthy married couples did not want children.  “A lot of happiness is derived from them,” he added.

  Another member said he had received complaints from shoppers and shopkeepers about the lamp standards which were being erected in the town.

  The meeting decided to send messages of congratulations to the Rushden Infant Welfare Centre and to the local Fire Brigade on their recent success.

Chairman’s Tribute

  The Chairman (Mr. A. Allebone, J.P., C.C.) referred to the sad loss sustained by Mr. Wilmott in the death of his wife.  “I understand Mr. Wilmott has been married about fifty years and we can appreciate what a very sad loss it means to him,” added Mr. Allebone.

  To those who had known Mrs. Wilmott they would realise that their colleague had not only lost a wife but a pal, and only Mr. Wilmott could appreciate what that meant.  He was sure every member of the Council would wish him to express their deep sympathy with Mr. Wilmott.

  The members stood in silence for a few moments as a mark of respect.

  Mr. Allebone made reference to the success of the Rushden Infant Welfare Centre in winning the Parentcraft Shield for the third year in succession.  “I think it would be nice,” he added, “if we as a Council were to send a message of congratulations to them, especially to Mrs. Houghton.  It is certainly a wonderful performance and we are very proud of them.”

  The Medical Officer, Dr. O. A. J. N. Muriset, then presented his annual report, which is summarised elsewhere in this issue.

  In proposing a vote of thanks to Dr. Muriset, Mr. Capon said their thanks were also due to the Sanitary Inspector and the other doctors in the town.

A Lament

  Mr. Spencer, supporting Mr. Capon’s proposition, said there were two things to be gathered from Dr. Muriset’s report.  The first was that Rushden was getting an older town because of the larger number of deaths over the age of 65 years, and the second was there was a less number of births, which the speaker greatly lamented.  He added, “I cannot see why young healthy married people do not want children.  They would certainly derive a lot of happiness from them.”

  Mr. Coles also congratulated the doctor on his report in which he noticed that reference was made to the health services in the area.

  “I want to raise the question of our cottage hospital,” he went on, “and I would like to ask the doctor’s opinion of the desirability of extending it.  We have only two beds there and they are very often not in use.”  He wanted to see a success made of the hospital because it would certainly be more convenient for friends to visit the patients, who would also have the advantage of having their own doctors to attend to them.

  Dr. Muriset said it was rather a difficult matter but he was willing to make further investigations for Mr. Coles’ benefit.

  The report together with that of the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. F. S. F. Piper) was adopted.

Plans Passed

  The Plans, Highways and Lighting Committee minutes stated that plans were presented for :-

  House in High-street South for Messrs. T. Swindall and Sons, and passed.

  Bungalow in Birchall-road for Messrs. T. Swindall and Sons, and passed.

  House in Manton-road for Messrs. W. Boddington and Sons, and passed.

  Two houses in St. Mary’s-avenue, for the Waverley Building Co., Ltd., and passed.

  Bungalow in St. Margaret’s-avenue for Messrs. M. M. Drabble, and passed.

  Bay window at No. 1 Park-avenue, for Mr. J. W. Ward, and passed.

  Garage at No. 4 St. Margaret’s-avenue, for Mr. C. G. Perkins, and no exception taken.

  Garage at No. 32 Purvis-road, for Mr. S. A. Holyoak, and no exception taken.

  The Chairman reported that he had been approached by Wargate Motors, Limited, with a view to the tree at the front of their premises in Wellingborough-road being removed.  It was agreed that the tree greatly handicapped the firm in the conduct of their business, and after careful consideration it was resolved to accede to the firm’s request.

  Notice was received from the Rushden and District Electric Supply Co., Ltd., of their intention to lay electric lines contained in pipes, culverts or troughs in St. Peter’s-avenue.

  The minutes were approved.

Shoppers Inconvenienced

  Mr. Roe said he had had his attention drawn to the new lamp standards which were being erected.  “In some cases they have been erected directly in front of shop doors, and in these days when a lot of shopping is done by car, shopkeepers are finding that they cause obstruction and inconvenience to shoppers.  I was wondering if the Lighting Committee would see that they were put past the doors.”

  Mr. Hornsby replying said that if Mr. Roe would point out the particular standards the Committee would only be too pleased to try and comply with his wishes.  They had dealt with the matter very carefully in committee, when they arranged that the standards should be fixed in the best possible places for the benefit of shoppers and shopkeepers.

  Dr. Greenfield objected to the lamp standards near the Green.  “Is it possible,” he said, “to have some standards a little more dignified around the Green.  I do hope something will be done.  They don’t disfigure the High-street but they do disfigure the Green,” he added.

  Mr. Hornsby: If the doctor knows a better site we would be pleased to discuss it with him.

  Dr. Greenfield: It was not the site I object to, it is the thing itself.

73 New Members

  The Librarian’s report for the quarter ended June was included in the Library Committee minutes, which were adopted on the proposition of Mr. Spencer.

  The report stated that the average daily book issues were as follows: Adult fiction, April 94, May 86, June 90; non-fiction, April 14, May 10, June 11; juvenile fiction, April 26, May 19, June 16.

  During the quarter 73 new members were enrolled, and 42 borrowers renewed their tickets.

  Catalogues containing a classified list of the books purchased during the last financial year had recently been published, and were on sale at the Library at a purchase price of 2d. each.

  The Book Selection Committee reported that at a meeting held on June 4, 194 new books had been selected at a cost of £26 13s. 2d.  The instructions of the Committee were sought as to the amount which should be placed at the disposal of the Selection Committee for (a) rebinding, and (b) the purchase of remainders of Boots Book-lovers Library.  It was resolved that amounts of £20 and £40 be allocated to the respective purposes.

  The Librarian sought the Committee’s instructions as to whether the Committee intended to take advantage of the pre-publication offer of “Seven Pillars of Wisdom” at a cost of 30s.

  It was resolved that the Librarian be authorised to purchase this book.

Sewer Question

  The Health and Sanitary Committee minutes stated that a letter was received from the Ministry of Health enclosing copy of a letter they had received from the Solicitors to the owners of the Grange and Headlands Estates complaining of the refusal of the Council to extend the sewer to their Estates, and asking for the Council’s observations thereon.  The owners’ letter also requested that an estimate of the total cost be obtained.

  The Clerk was instructed to reply pointing out the difficulties of connecting a sewer from these Estates with the existing sewer and the large expense which would be involved in constructing a new sewer.  Also that the cost of obtaining an estimate of the approximate expense was such that the Council did not feel justified in incurring at the present time, owing to the fact that it would mean the employment of extra skilled assistance in the Surveyor’s department.

  On the proposition of Mr. Roe it was decided to discuss the matter in committee.

  The remainder of the minutes, which were presented by Mr. Perkins and passed, stated that the Inspector reported the presence of rats on various of the Council properties and he was instructed to employ the usual Council rat catchers, at an estimated cost of £3, with a view to the extermination of the pests.

Yard Paving

  The Sanitary Inspector also reported that the yard paving at the rear of cottages on Bedford-road was defective and in a very bad state of repair, and that the footways in connection with such cottages were without any kind of paving whatsoever.

  It was resolved to recommend to the Council that a statutory notice be served on the owner requiring him within 21 days to execute all such works as are necessary for the repair of the paving and the provision of such where required.

  The quarterly report of the Veterinary Inspector was received that on the 25 and 27 June last he made his usual quarterly inspection of the dairy cows in milk in this district, visiting 15 premises and inspecting 149 cows.

  The whole of the cows were clinically normal and the majority in good condition.

  The Committee considered the report very satisfactory.

  The Finance Committee reported that there were due for repayment or renewal next September, loans amounting to £93,768 at four per cent., all having a “break” clause.  Lenders of sums up to £44,785 of that amount agreed to a reduction of interest to 3¼ per cent.  The remainder (£48,983) plus £16,375, due for repayment next October, and £17,566 needed for current or pending new work, brought the total to be re-borrowed to £82,911.  Tenders having been invited from financial houses, the London and Westminster Property Company offered £26,464 to cover 25 of the small loans up to 30 years at £3 3s 9d. per cent., for the whole of the outstanding periods.

Saving £500 A Year

  It was recommended that the Ministry of Health be asked to recommend the Public Works Loans Board to lend the Council £15,182 at 3½ per cent., and that a sub-committee be empowered to act in raising the balance of £41,265 at the best possible terms.

  The above operations give effect to the statement by Mr. Capon in his “budget” speech that the town would be saving approximately £500 a year by conversion of existing loans subject to redemption “break” clause.

  The minutes included the fact that a letter was received from the Clerk of the Lieutenancy for the County enclosing a photograph of the Loyal Address and of one of the volumes of “Elizabethan England” presented by the County to Their Majesties.

  It was resolved to recommend to the Council that the photographs be framed and placed in the Council Chamber.

  The minutes were adopted on the proposition of Mr. Coles.

  The Council decided to send a letter of congratulation to the fire Brigade on their recent success at Irthlingborough.

  Members present were: Mr. A. Allebone, J.P., C.C. (Chairman), Mr. J. Richardson (Vice-Chairman), Messrs. D. G. Greenfield, M.D., J. Spencer, J.P., G. W. Coles, J.P., L. Perkins, M.B.E., J. Allen, J. Hornsby, J. W. Sawford, J. S. Denton, J. White, J. Roe, J. E. Dilks, T. W. Cox, F. Green and W. E. Capon, with the Clerk (Mr. W. L. Beetenson), the Medical Officer (Dr. Muriset), the Accountant (Mr. A. Maclean), the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. F. S. F. Piper), the Surveyor (Mr. J. W. Lloyd) and the Rating Officer (Mr. H. Lack).