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

  Mr. G. W. Coles sent an apology, being in London.

  The Chairman welcomed Mr. Spencer back again after his recent illness.

  The minutes of a special meeting held after the death of Mr. W. B. Madin (the late Surveyor) were read, in which it was stated that the Council appointed Mr. J. W. Lloyd as Acting Surveyor pending the appointment of a successor to Mr. Madin, and that the vacancy be advertised.

Baths And Parks Committee

  A meeting of the Baths and Parks Committee was held on Wednesday, September 21^st 1927, when there were present: Messrs. D. G. Greenfield (chairman), G. W. Coles, C. W. Horrell, and James Roe.

Swimming Bath

  The committee had before them plans and specifications of the proposed open-air bath which had been prepared by Messrs. Mouchell, of Birmingham, together with their estimate of the cost.  Before making a recommendation, however, the committee decided to again consider the matter at their next meeting.

Spencer Park

  The Surveyor was instructed to have the grass cut in Spencer Park as soon as possible.

Putting Green

  The question of the provision of a putting green in Spencer Park was considered, and the Surveyor was instructed to prepare a plan and estimate for the laying of such a green near the hard tennis courts, and submit to the next meeting.

Spare Land, Newton-Road Estate

  Before proceeding with the laying out of this land as a playing field the committee instructed the Clerk to communicate with the local School Managers and ascertain their views as regards the use of the land by the Newton-road School.

  The report was adopted.

  Dr. Greenfield, presenting the above report, said that owing to the sad death of Mr. Madin the bath scheme was in abeyance.  The committee had four plans from Messrs. Mouchell, differing slightly in brickwork and reinforced concrete.  Mr. Madin had favoured one particular scheme, but he had not had an opportunity of showing why.  Until the committee had been able to compare costs they had no other recommendations for the time being.  On the question of a putting green, they had heard that that at Swanspool was extraordinarily successful, and the Council would need only a few turves.  As regarding the spare ground at the back of the Newton-road houses, the committee thought it would be suitable for a playing field for the Newton-road School.  But first it needed something done to it, and they had decided to ask the local School Managers to approach their authority to see whether they would be prepared to spend money to do the necessary work for the schoolchildren.  Up to the present the committee had not had a reply.

Plans, Etc., Committee

  A meeting of the Plans, Highways, and Lighting Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, September 28^th, 1927 when there were present: Messrs. J. Hornsby (chairman), A. Allebone, C. Claridge, G. W. Coles, F. Knight, T. F. B. Newberry, T. Swindall, and T. Wilmott.

Plans

were presented for:-

  Extension to existing garage in Robinson-road for Mr. W. Lockie, and no exception taken.

  Office at the rear of No. 138 Cromwell-road, for Mr. A. Colton, and no exception taken.

  Open shed for Messrs. Eaton & Co., Ltd., near their factory in Irchester-road, and passed.

  Garage at the rear of No. 26, Moor-road, for Mr. G. F. Whipple, and no exception taken.

Telegraph Lines

  An application was received from the Postmaster-General for the consent of the Council to lay the following underground and over-head telegraph lines in the urban district, and enclosing a plan of the proposed routes:

Underground Telegraph Lines

1.       Along Irchester-road (east side) from Wellingborough-road to south of Sartoris-road.

2.       Along Park-road (west side) from Newton-road to opposite Co-operative Stores.

3.       Crossing Park-road to slaughterhouse yard near Co-operative Stores.

4.       Along Newton-road (south side) from west of Grove-street to near Oswald-road.

5.       Along Rectory-road from near Orchard-place and crossing to Portland-road.

6.       Along Portland-road from Rectory-road to footpath leading to Queen-street.

Overhead Telegraph Lines

1.       A line of overhead telegraphs along Portland-road from footpath leading to Queen-street to Cromwell-road.

2.       One pole in Moor-road.

3.       One pole and stay in Newton-road near Oswald-road.

4.       One pole in Oswald-road.

5.       One pole in Sartoris-road.

  The consent was granted subject to the Postmaster-General bearing the expense of making good any damage which may be done in the placing or maintenance of the works, the work of replacement of the road surface to be performed by the Council.

Electric Lines

  An intimation was received from the Rushden and District Electric Supply Co., Ltd., that the Company intended to lay under-ground electric lines on the south side of College-street, crossing to the west side of Alfred-street, and down the backway to Messrs. Corby’s factory.

Outside Electric Sign

  A letter was received from Mr. R. J. Scott (Maison Eve) asking for permission to erect an electric sign outside his shop, and was acceded to subject to the sign being at least nine feet clear of the pavement.

  The report was adopted.

Health And Sanitary Committee

  A meeting of the Health and Sanitary Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Wednesday, October 5^th, 1927, when there were present: Messrs. F. Corby (chairman), J. Hornsby, J. Allen, W. Bazeley, D. G. Greenfield, T. F. B. Newberry, and T. Swindall.

Health And Sanitary Reports

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

  The Inspector of Nuisances reported that since the last meeting 50 additional nuisances had been dealt with and eleven abated.

  At the Depot a number of articles of bedding had been disinfected, and at the Sewage Farm a quantity of bedding destroyed, all after cases of infectious disease.

  An application was received from Mrs. Matthews, of No. 3, South-terrace, for compensation in respect of destroyed bedding, and it was resolved to recommend the Council to replace part of the bedding destroyed at a cost not exceeding £1 7s 6d.

  The Inspector also reported that he had made 31 visits to premises where food was prepared or sold, during which inspections a quantity of pork and pork offal and a small quantity of mutton offal, to the total weight of 1cwt. 0qr. 19lb., was found to be diseased or unfit for food and destroyed in the usual way.

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

Gas Works

  The Inspector reported that nothing had been done at the Gasworks to remedy the nuisance complained of at the last meeting and that the pollution of the ditch was still going on.

  He was instructed to interview Mr. Watson, on the spot, and the Chairman was asked to accompany him.

No. 5, Queens-Terrace

  The Inspector submitted a certificate from the Medical Officer to the effect that he had inspected this house and was of opinion that owing to the ground-floor living-room being without proper light and ventilation it was injurious to the health of the residents therein.

  It was resolved to recommend the Council to instruct the Inspector to cause a notice to be served on the owner requiring him to do the necessary works for providing light and ventilation to the room in question.

Rats And Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919

  It was resolved to hold a Rat Week from October 31^st to November 5^th, and to pay 3d. per tail brought in, as was done last year.

Bedford-Road Refuse Tip

  The Surveyor reported that a 10ft. road from the Bedford road to the proposed new tip was in course of construction.

  The committee were of opinion that it would be advantageous to construct a second road higher up the field for use in the first instance, and the Surveyor was instructed to carry out the work.

  Owing to the death of the late Surveyor, who had visited Bradford, the committee thought it advisable for one of the Council’s workmen who would have charge of the fresh operations to visit Bradford and spend a week on the works there so as to gain information as to the exact methods to be adopted.

  The Surveyor was requested to communicate with the official in charge at Bradford and inquire if such an arrangement could be made.

Farm Committee

  The sub-committee recommended that the sale of produce take place on October 10^th and that six heifers be sold, and in the absence of a satisfactory offer being received at home to send two to Wellingborough Market next week.

  The committee agreed.

  The report was adopted.

Finance And Estates Committee

  A meeting of the Finance and Estates Committee was held at the Council Buildings on Thursday, October 6^th, 1927, at 10 a.m., when there were present: Messrs. F. Knight (in the chair), J. Hornsby, G. W. Coles, J. Roe, 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 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 following balances were in his hands:-

Tradesmen’s And Other Accounts

  A number of accounts amounting to £2,894 6s. 1d., were examined and passed for payment.

Memoranda Of General District And Poor Rates

  The Rates Clerk submitted the following memoranda of General District and Poor Rates made April 13^th, 1927:

  The Rates Clerk also submitted the following lists of the irrecoverable amounts, and it was resolved to recommend the Council that they be written off as such:

The report was adopted.

Rates

  The seal of the Council was placed to the poor rate and the district rate, which are estimated to produce £11,862 14s. 7d. and £9,479 11s. 8d respectively.  These were £214 and £187 respectively more than last half-year.

The Parking Of Cars

  A letter was read from the secretary of the Rushden Chamber of Trade asking the Council to approach the Automobile Association with a request that the association have affixed at the Washbrook-road junction with High-street and at the church notices informing motorists where they might park their cars.  If the A.A. would not provide the signs, the letter suggested that probably the Council might do so.

  Mr. Roe, in supporting the letter, said that several members of the Chamber of Trade had complained of motorists leaving their cars in High-street.  When the police moved them away the motorists did not know where to take their cars.  In the majority of towns notices indicated where cars might be parked.  In Rushden a notice at the church might let motorists know of John-street, another at the Independent Wesleyan Church might indicate College-street, and a third at the Washbrook-road junction could give Washbrook-road as the parking place.

  The Chairman said that the Council were all in sympathy with the wishes of the Chamber of Trade.  He suggested that the Highways Committee deal with the letter.

  Mr. Bazeley said that the Chamber had done a good service to the town in calling the attention of the Council to the matter, which was a source of danger.  He referred to the parking in Coffee Tavern-lane, and said it was time the matter was seen to.

  Mr. Spencer suggested that cars be not allowed to park indefinitely in any street.

  Dr. Greenfield said he thought that Rectory-road, being widened, could be used for parking.

  The letter was referred to the Highways Committee.

The Railway Station

  A letter was read from the L.M.S. Railway Company replying to the Council’s request that the station platform be covered.  The letter stated that the Council’s previous letter, of February 16^th, 1925, could not be traced, but that in any circumstances it would be necessary to obtain a report from the Chief General Superintendent, who had been communicated with.

  The Chairman remarked that the Council needed a little more patience yet!