Fifty-Two More Houses
Dangerous New Crossing at Queen-Street
Town to Pay Quota for County Rural Houses

  Wednesday, present Messrs. J. Hornsby, J.P. (chairman), F. Corby (vice-chairman), T. Wilmott, J. Roe, W. C. Tarry, D. G. Greenfield, M.D., C. Claridge, F. Knight, J.P., J. Allen, T. Swindall, L. Perkins, M.B.E., J. Spencer, J.P., G. W. Coles, J.P., W. Bazeley, J.P., and C. Bates, with the Clerk (Mr. G. S. Mason), the Surveyor Mr. W. B. Madin), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr. F. S. F. Piper).

Housing Committee

  A meeting of the Housing Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, May 11^th, 1927, when there were present: Messrs. L. Perkins, C. Claridge, A. Allebone, J. Allen, C. Bates, G. W. Coles, J. Roe, and J. Spencer.

Chairman

  It was resolved that Mr. Perkins be appointed Chairman of this committee for the ensuing year.

Sub-Committee

  The Chairman and Messrs. Allebone, and Bates were appointed a sub-committee to select tenants for the 32 houses now in course of erection on Irchester-road.

Irchester-Road – 32 Houses

  The Surveyor submitted a quotation from the Rushden and District Electric Supply Co., Ltd., for wiring these houses at the price of £6  15s.  3d., each, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to accept it subject to the “Fair Wages Clause” being adhered to.

  A further meeting of the committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, May 18^th, 1927, when there were present:: Messrs. L. Perkins (chairman), J. Hornsby, A. Allebone, J. Allen, C. Bates, C. Claridge, G. W. Coles, J. Roe, and J. Spencer.

Housing, Etc., Act, 1923

  The Surveyor informed the committee that he had received inquiries from private builders as to the amount of the subsidy now available in connection with the erection of houses by private enterprise under this Act.  It was pointed out that under the Housing Acts (Revision of Contributions) Order, 1926, the amount of the Government subsidy was reduced from £6 to £4 per annum for 20 years for houses completed between October 1^st, 1927 and October 1^st, 1928.

  The Clerk was instructed to make application to the Minister of Health for permission to grant a lump-sum subsidy of £70 in respect of 25 houses to be completed by October 1^st, 1928, and at the same time to apply for permission to continue the subsidy of £100 for houses completed by October 1^st, 1927.

Further Houses

  The committee had before them the lay-out plan in connection with the Irchester-road site, and instructed the Surveyor to prepare plans for a further 52 houses of the non-parlour type with a view to submission to the Ministry of Health for approval.  It was understood that a number of the houses would be of the two-bedrooms class.

Newton-Road Housing Estate

  Mr. J. Hornsby, with the Surveyor, was appointed to periodically visit and inspect the houses on this estate and give orders for any necessary work of repair.

Next Meeting

  Unless urgent business required, the committee resolved not to meet during the month of June, the next meeting to be held on July 20^th.

  The report was adopted.

  Presenting the above report, Mr. Perkins said that, though the list of applicants for the houses was to be dealt with first by the Selection Committee, their recommendations would not be final.  The whole Housing Committee would have the final decision.  He hoped that neither the Selection Committee nor the whole Housing Committee would be canvassed by residents wanting houses.  Written statements of new information by applicants were attached to the original applications.

  On the same subject, Mr. Wilmott said that when he had been on the Housing Committee people used to go to him and say that Mr. So-and-So (another member of the Council) had sent them.  He (Mr. Wilmott) did not suppose that the other Councillor had literally said “go and see” him, but he suggested that members should “forget” who were the members of the Housing Committee. (Laughter.)  Personally he did not find that the public canvassed the committee so much as blame them for not granting houses to the right people!

Plans, Etc., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, May 25^th, 1927, when there were present: Messrs. J. Hornsby (chairman), C. Claridge, G. W. Coles, C. W. Horrell, F. Knight, T. F. B. Newberry, J. Spencer, T. Swindall, and T. Wilmott.

Plans

were presented for:

  House on the Wellingborough road for Mrs. L. Frost, and passed.

  An application for subsidy in respect of the foregoing house was received, together with an estimate of the cost thereof, which did not exceed, including the cost of the land, £650, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to issue a certificate in respect of same as coming within the Council’s scheme for the subsidy.

  Office (wood and corrugated-iron building) adjoining his works in Coffee Tavern-lane for Mr. A. Sanders, and no exception taken.

  Additions to factory in Irchester-road for Messrs. Easton & Co. Ltd., and passed subject to the landing to exit being 3ft. Wide.

  Pavilion for Messrs. J. Cave and Sons, Ltd., to their sports ground in West-street, and adjourned for the consent of the adjoining owner to be obtained.

Housing, Etc., Act, 1923

  The Clerk submitted a letter from the Minister of Health stating that, subject to compliance with the conditions as to the limiting figures of gross cost as set out in Circular No. 755, he agreed to the extension of the times for commencement and completion of houses until June 30^th and December 31^st respectively in respect of the number of houses already approved for grants under Section 2 of the Act.

  It was pointed out, however, that Exchequer contributions at the present rates would only be payable in respect of houses completed before October 1^st next, and that houses completed after that date would be at the revised rates set out in circular No. 755 referred to.

  The letter also stated that the Minister approved the Council’s proposal to make lump-sum grants of £70 in respect of such houses as would be completed after October 1^st, 1927.

Hayway

  The sub-committee appointed at the last meeting reported that they had met on the site and now recommended that a drain be laid from the south to the north side of this road, at a point near No. 31, to connect into an existing drain, which, it was anticipated, would obviate the trouble of the storm water complained of.  The estimated cost was from £10 to £12.

  The committee approved and recommended the Council accordingly.

Hackney Carriage Licences

  Two Police reports were received with regard to unlicensed owners plying for hire in this district.  The Clerk stated that the owners concerned had since made application and had been duly licensed.

  The committee did not recommend that proceedings be taken in these cases, but stated that any future reports would be more seriously dealt with.

Factory Acts

  An application was received from Messrs. Green and Coe, Ltd., for a certificate that their factory off Newton-road was supplied with proper means of escape in the case of fire.

  The Surveyor submitted a report showing the number of exits provided, and stated that in his opinion sufficient and proper means of escape were provided.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to accede to the application.

   The report was adopted.

  On the subject of the drainage of one part of Hayway-road, Mr. Corby suggested that something also be done to improve the path on the east side.

  The Chairman promised that the point should be considered at the next meeting of the committee.

  Mr. Roe asked whether the Surveyor had been instructed to make up the road past the Salvation Army Barracks.  He said it was very rough and dangerous.  Were the Council waiting for the Salvation Army to vacate the premises?  He thought the work should be done at once.

  The Chairman said he quite agreed with Mr. Roe regarding the condition of the road.  It had been cut up by the heavy traffic of the past few days.  He was under the impression that the Surveyor had authority to complete the work.

  Mr. Madin said he had watched the point and was convinced that it was dangerous.  There was not a ghost of a chance of anyone coming down Queen-street seeing anyone else coming from the station direction past the Salvation Army’s premises until the boards came down.  He had seen some very narrow escapes.  He would do the work if the Council wished.  It had been opened just for the show.  If the road were to be left open it certainly ought to be repaired.  The police and he himself were not at all satisfied that the place was safe.

  Mr. Wilmott moved, and Mr. Knight seconded, that the matter be referred to the Highways Committee.

  Mr. Claridge said it was too urgent to wait a fortnight.

  Mr. Bazeley wondered whether the Salvation Army would agree to having two feet or so off their boards.

  Mr. Hornsby said that if two vehicles met at the junction it would be almost impossible to avoid a collision.  The Council did not want an accident to happen, though they wanted the public to benefit by the open road.

  It was eventually agreed to ask the Highways Committee to meet early on the spot.

Health and Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, June 1^st, 1927, when there were present: Messrs. F. Corby (chairman), J. Hornsby, J. Allen, W. Bazeley, D. G. Greenfield, T. F. B. Newberry, W. C. Tarry, and T. Swindall.

Health and Sanitary Reports

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

  The Sanitary Inspector reported that since the last meeting ten additional nuisances had been dealt with and five abated.

  Fifty-eight visits had been made to premises where food was prepared or sold, during which inspections quantities of pork offal, mutton offal, and beef offal, to the total weight of 3qr. 21lb., had been found to be unfit for human consumption and destroyed in the usual way.

  Three rooms had been disinfected after cases of infectious disease, and a quantity of bedding, etc., disinfected at the Depot.

  A notice had been received from H.M. Inspector of Factories with regard to the insufficiency of sanitary accommodation at one of the factories, which the Inspector already had in hand.

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

Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act

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

Milk and Dairies Act – Public Health and Clean Milk

  The Inspector submitted reports on the examination of four further samples of milk.  In three cases the results were most unsatisfactory, and the Inspector was instructed to show the reports to the vendors concerned and inform them that unless considerable improvement was shown in the next reports the Council would seriously consider withdrawing their licences.

Milk and Dairies Act, 1922

  Two applications were received for registration under this Act as purveyors of milk in the district and adjourned until further samples of their milk had been examined.

Refuse Disposal

  A letter was received from the Ministry of Health stating that before coming to a decision with regard to the Council’s application for sanction to a loan for the purchase of the land on Bedford-road a local inquiry would be held by one of the Inspectors of the Department.

  Mr. Hornsby and the Surveyor reported that, as instructed, they visited Bradford on the 26^th and 27^th instant, and inspected the whole of the arrangements of that corporation for the disposal of refuse.  The principal system used was that of burying the refuse.  The deputation was very impressed with the work, and the information obtained would be of considerable service to this Council.  They were indebted to the superintendent of the Cleansing Department, Mr. Ernest Call, for his courtesy and the trouble taken in explaining the various methods of procedure.

  The Clerk was instructed to write to Mr. Call thanking him for his kindness and for the information so freely given.

  The report was adopted.

Finance and Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Thursday, June 2^nd, 1927, at 10 a.m., when there were present: Messrs. C. W. Horrell (chairman), J. Hornsby, C. Bates, J. Roe, W. C. Tarry, 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:

	£	s	d
General District Rate	2,818	18	3
Poor Rate	3,170	7	2
Market Tolls	2	11	0
Other Roads	21	18	10
Kings-road Rents	68	19	5
Assisted Housing Rents	215	6	6
Subsidy House Rents (1923)	77	13	9
Subsidy House Rents (1924)	126	11	6
Spencer Park	39	0	5
Cemetery Fees, etc	17	19	0
Miscellaneous	3	15	4
	6,563	1	2

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 on the undermentioned accounts were as follow:

Tradesmen’s and Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £5,128  6s.  8d. were examined and passed for payment.

Irchester-Road Housing Site – Loan £2,400

  The Clerk reported that he had negotiated this loan at 5 per cent.  It was resolved to recommend the Council to seal the mortgage at their next meeting.

Housing, Etc., Act – Building Society Guarantees

  A letter was received from Mr. H. F. Norman, of the Court Estate, stating that he was making application to the Northampton Building Society for the release of a portion of land (about 250 square yards) from his mortgage for presentation to the Wesleyan Methodist church as a site for a church.  Before granting the application, however, the Society required the consent of the Council.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to raise no objection.

Sanitary Inspector’s Office

  The recommendation of the Sanitary Committee with regard to the salary of F. W. Linnitt was approved, and it was resolved to recommend the Council accordingly.

  The report was adopted.

Rating Committee

  The first meeting of the Rating Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Monday, May 23^rd, 1927, when there were present: Messrs. J. Hornsby, f. Knight, J. Spencer, T. Swindall, W. C. Tarry, and T. Wilmott.

Chairman

  It was resolved that Mr. Knight be appointed Chairman of this committee for the ensuing year.

New Properties

  The Rates Clerk submitted a list of new properties, and it was resolved to recommend the Council that they be rated as agreed.

  It was also resolved that notice be forthwith given to each owner of the proposed valuation.

  The report was adopted.

Library Committee

  The annual meeting of the Library Committee was held at the Library on Friday, June 3^rd, 1927, when there were present:  Messrs. J. S. Clipson (chairman), Charles Claridge, B. M. Jones, and J. Spencer and the Rev. P. E. Robson.

Minutes

  The minutes of the previous meeting of the committee, held on June 4^th, 1926, were read and confirmed.

Book Selection Committee

  It was resolved that the Chairman with Messrs. Rial, Saddler, and Jones and the Revs. P. E. Robson and C. J. Keeler be reappointed the Book Selection Committee for the ensuing twelve months.

Books Issued

  The Secretary reported that the number of books issued for the year ended March 31^st last was 32,151, made up as follows:

Additions to Library

  The Secretary also reported that 346 books had been added to the Library during the past year as follow:

New Books

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to authorise the committee to expend a sum not exceeding £50 in the purchase of new books during the current financial year.

Papers and Periodicals

  It was agreed to continue the present arrangements with Mr. Charles Robinson for the supply of papers and periodicals for the further period to March 31^st next, upon the same terms.

  The question of the annual sale of the papers was left in the hands of the Book Selection Committee.

Hospital Week Committee

  A letter was received from the committee thanking the Library Committee for the use of a room for their meetings during the past year and making application for the further use of same during the coming year.

  It was resolved to accede to the application.

Magazines

  The Secretary was instructed to obtain prices for covers for the magazines and submit to the Book Selection Committee, who were empowered to accept the most favourable.

  The report was adopted.

Using the Parks

  Applications for the use of Spencer Park were granted as follow:  Rushden united Sunday schools treat, July 14^th; Mr. Charles Thurston, Rushden Feast; Rushden Blind and Crippled children Fund, July 9^th; Rushden Liberal Association, June 20^th; and the Rushden Co-operative Society, July 2^nd, for assembling procession in Spencer Park and children’s treat in Jubilee Park.

Houses for Rural Workers

  On the subject of the Housing (Rural Workers) Act, the Clerk reminded the Council that, acting on a recommendation from the local Urban Councils Association, they had applied to the Ministry of Health for Rushden to be the authority under the Act instead of the County Council being responsible for Rushden.  The advantage would have been that Rushden, looking after its own rural workers, would not be responsible for other parts of the county.  If the County Council was the authority for the whole county Rushden might not get any more houses but would have to pay its quota for houses erected in remote parts of the county – such as the other side of Towcester.  Rushden’s application had been made on March 31^st, and in it he (Mr. Mason) had stated that the Rushden Council were doing their best to provide houses for the poorer workers.  A reply received from the Ministry of Health stated that the Ministry had been in communication with the Northamptonshire County Council and that Council had submitted a scheme for the county as a whole and did not recommend that the Rushden Urban Council should be excluded from the scheme.  The Minister had carefully considered Rushden’s application and did not see sufficient reasons for declaring that they should be made the authority under the Act within their area.  The Minister understood that the County Council proposed to consult local authorities in carrying out schemes under the Act.

  In reply to Mr. Perkins, it was stated that other authorities in the county had made similar applications and that at least one had been refused.

  Mr. Claridge said he had hoped that they would be made the authority.  He thought it was a great shame.  The County Council had again let Rushden down.

  Mr. Mason, replying to Mr. Spencer, said the County Council had no power to exclude Rushden.

  Mr. Spencer:  It is very unfair.

  The Clerk said the Rushden Council would be well advised to ask for 20 houses for their own rural workers.  There were people in the town who would very much like to get small low-rented houses.

  Mr. Spencer:  A very good suggestion.

  The Chairman said the Housing Committee might consider that at the next meeting.

  The subject of representation on the Urban Councils Association being raised, Mr. Coles was appointed the Council’s representative.

Thanks to Overseers

  Mr. Swindall called attention to the fact that the Rating Committee had now superseded the Overseers, and he said that the old office should not become defunct without the Council offering the Overseers the best thanks of the town for the many years of valued services they had rendered.  He gave notice that he would move a resolution to that effect next meeting.