The members present at a meeting of this Council on Wednesday night were:- Messrs. John Claridge (chairman), W. H. Wilkins, G. H. Skinner, G. Denton, H. Brawne, B. Mortimer, J. Spencer, Paul Cave, G. Miller, G. Fountain, and T. Swindall, with G. S. Mason (clerk), and W. B. Madin (surveyor).

Committee Work

The following minutes were adopted:-

Plans. Were presented by Mr. Packwood for three house and shops in Oswald-street and passed subject to conditions to be complied with; by Mr. J. Green for two houses in Queen-street, passed; by Percy Collins for house and factory with stable and coach-house in Oswald-street, passed subject to alterations; by Messrs. Nurrish, Nurrish, and Pallett, for additions to factory on Shirley Park estate, passed; by Mr. B. Ladds for an iron building in Moor-road, passed; by Messrs. Skinner and Miller, amended plan of road on their new estate, passed; by Messrs. Phipps & Co., for Stable, &c., at the rear of the Compass Inn, passed; by Mr. B. Mortimer for three barns at the rear of his houses in Harborough-road, which were not considered, the plans not being in order.

Damages for Illness. A letter was received from Mr. S. Hooper making a claim for £20 damages in respect of his late illness occasioned, he alleged, by a smell by the ventilating shaft in Green’s Yard getting into his room. The Clerk was instructed to reply that whilst regretting Mr. Hooper’s illness and sympathising with him therein the council could admit no liability.

An alleged Nuisance. A letter was received from Mr. J. Jones, complaining of a nuisance arising from a heap of rubbish lying near Mr. E. Claridge’s factory and also from the smoke from the furnace chimney of the factory. Mr. Claridge was requested to remove the heap within a week.

Wooden Buildings. The Surveyor reported that Mr. Franklin, the Rev. J. Cook, and Mr. B. Dickens had failed to remove the wooden buildings belonging to them in accordance with the Council’s requirements. The Clerk was instructed to inform the gentlemen named that if the buildings were not removed by March 9th the Council would proceed to do the necessary work.

Hedge-cutting. The Surveyor reported the failure of Mr. A. Smith to comply with a notice calling upon him to cut the hedge of a field occupied by him adjoining the Kimbolton-road. The Surveyor was instructed to have the hedge in question cut and proceed against Mr. Smith for the recovery of the expense unless the work is done within a week.

Wellingborough-road. It was resolved to construct an asphalted channel along the Wellingborough-road from Duck-street to Fitzwilliam-street.

The Improvement of Park-Road

A scheme for improving Park-road by widening it at its junction with the Newton-road was considered by the committee, who will report to the Council.

The Proposed Market

In accordance with notice Mr. Miller moved “That this Council views with satisfaction the establishment of a market for Rushden and sincerely wishes the project every success.” In doing so he said the resolution was at any rate a harmless one and he hoped it would have the unanimous support of the Council. There was, he understood, shortly to be established a market or auction sale, and he had always taken a great interest in the subject. The question came before the Tradesmen’s Association, unfortunately now defunct, but was dropped, and it now came up in the form of a private enterprise. It was none the less welcome on that account, and he did not think it was beneath the dignity of the Council to give it moral support. In his judgement the market was for the benefit of Rushden. Some might doubt that, but had they ever asked tradesmen in market towns if they were prepared to forego their market? He would like also to add to his resolution a proposal to request the Midland and North Western Railway Companies to afford facilities in the shape of cheap trains as they did in the case of other towns.

The Chairman said that although they hoped the market would be a success, he was doubtful whether they should do that as a Council.

Mr. Miller did not think they would commit themselves, while they would strengthen the hands of the promoters.

Mr. Swindall said he would have been prepared to vote for a resolution that the Council should establish a market themselves.

Mr. Wilkins said the Council would be in a peculiar position if they passed the resolution and then wished to set up a market themselves afterwards.

Mr. Miller said that his object would be attained if an application was made to the Railway Companies.

Mr. Denton said it seemed to him that there was little chance of the market becoming anything else but a purely local concern, and he doubted whether a cattle market would have much support in a town of the character of Rushden. He would be delighted, of course, if the enterprise succeeded. He thought it should not be called a market but a weekly sale, for it would be a long time before they would get a proper market. He thought they as a Council should keep clear of the project. It was an experiment.

Mr. Wilkins thought it was not advisable to do anything till the market was in existence.

Mr. Miller said the object had been served by the discussion, and he would withdraw his motion, which had not been seconded.

A Pawnbroker’s Licence

was granted to Mr. Beaverstock, of Church-lane.