Not favoured by the cinema proprietors, who are faced with labour shortage and other problems, the proposal for Sunday opening of the picture-houses was turned down by the Rushden Urban Council on Monday.

A few months ago the military authorities made a preliminary enquiry about the opening of cinemas at Rushden on Sundays, and the Council expressed willingness that performances open only to troops in uniform should be given on Sunday afternoons.

It was now reported that the competent military authority had issued a formal certificate, following which the Chairman of the Council met the local cinema proprietors, who stated that with their limited staffs they would be unable to comply with statutory conditions of employment; that there might be difficulty in arranging a change of programmes on Sundays, and that they hardly thought Sunday shows necessary, as the number of troops attending on weekdays comprised only about 10 per cent. of the audience.

The Clerk had explained to the Finance Committee that in order to proceed with the matter it would be necessary to publish a draft Order, to which objections could be made, after which if the Council still favoured the scheme, the Order would proceed via the Home Office to both Houses of Parliament.

Not satisfied that there is at present a need for the opening of cinemas on Sundays, the committee recommended that no steps be taken at the moment to make a draft Order.

The committee chairman (Coun. Allebone) observed: “I don’t think it is necessary for me to make any comment unless there is any questions.” The members being silent, the report was quickly adopted.

Food – No Change

Minutes of the War Emergency Committee on March 18th showed that after the previous meeting a letter was sent to the Divisional Food Officer, strongly supporting the suggestion of the Higham Ferrers Food Control Committee that a separate area composed of Higham and Rushden be set up, with a control office at Rushden, and stating that the inhabitants of Rushden would welcome this in view of the delay and inconvenience caused to retailers and consumers who, in spite of the provision of a sub-office at Rushden, had to travel to Wellingborough for forms, etc.

In reply the officer stated that it was not proposed to disturb the existing arrangement, but he had stipulated that particular care must be taken to ensure that the sub-office facilities at Rushden were adequate to meet the needs of the public.

The committee, while disappointed with the decision, welcomed the assurance contained in the latter part of the reply.

Presenting this report, Coun. Capon said it needed no comment.

Coun. Allen: May I ask what the objections of the Divisional Officer were?

Coun. Capon: I don’t think we have any definite data except that they are perfectly satisfied with the present arrangements.

“Rather Serious”

Coun. Allen: I think it is rather a serious business for the town, and I don’t think it is satisfactory at all for the citizens.

The Chairman (Coun. W. J. Sawford): I think we all agree with that. No-one was more concerned over this than myself. The late Clerk did all he possibly could, but unfortunately the Ministry could not see their way clear at the present time. I hope something will be done in the near future, but I can’t see any hope of it at present.

Coun. Cox, who is vice-chairman of the Wellingborough Area Food Control Committee, said he was afraid it would be unwise to make much further comment. He had had conversations with the Food Executive Officer, and he thought the report explained the position as far as it could be given out at the present time.

“The Food Executive Officer has been approached on more than one occasion,” continued Mr. Cox, “and I think the more we disturb this the more it is likely to be controlled even further than it is to-day. I think if we see that we do get every facility from Wellingborough it is the best we can do at the moment, and I am prepared to help the new office to get better facilities for the tradesmen and pubic. I think it is better to work carefully and slowly to get something better for the future.”

Wait-and-See

Coun. Allebone: If the services are adequate there is nothing more to be said, but if they are not adequate, then I think we have the right to make further representations.

The Chairman said he thought it would be wise to leave it for the time being and see what the arrangements were at the new office in Church-street.

Coun. Dilks said he was glad Mr. Allen had raised the question, and was in entire agreement with him. The more publicity they gave to the matter, the sooner they might be able to get their wishes fulfilled.

Asked by the War Agricultural Committee to co-operate in forming a Land Club at Rushden to arrange help for farmers during the evenings and week-ends, the Council has replied, through the War Emergency Committee, that in view of the large number of young people who are attached to organisations in the town there is little that could be done. It is thought, however, that during the summer holidays the Boy Scouts and Boys’ Brigades may be encouraged to hold their camps near farms and so be in a position to render some service.

Mr. Roe Protests

“I think,” exclaimed Mr. Roe, “the committee have treated this matter of Land Clubs in anything but a serious manner. We have a direct communication from the Government and the War Agricultural Committee asking the Council to find out if there is any additional labour that will be helpful, and all they can suggest is Boy Scouts. I think they might at least have written stating that they were willing to help in every way they possibly could.

“We should help to get this harvest in, and when I saw the request treated in this manner I was very disappointed. A few gentlemen helped the farmers to get the harvest in last summer, and I am sure it was very much appreciated. I am sure that if the committee tried they could get some applications in.”

Coun. Capon said there had been another letter from the War Agricultural Committee, and it would be considered at the Emergency Committee’s next meeting. “I don’t suppose there would be any objection to receiving names to-night,” he added slyly.

Restaurant Serial

Attempts to obtain a “second-hand wooden shed” for erection as a British Restaurant were described in the War Emergency Committee’s report. It appeared that the Divisional Food Officer had visited the town and given advice. The Surveyor had been unable to obtain a building, but was “pursuing his enquiries in other directions.”

Coun. Roe said he was very pleased to see that the restaurant had not been entirely forgotten. Now that the business had been put in the Surveyor’s hands they would probably get something definite very shortly.

At a Highways Committee meeting on March 31, the Surveyor (Mr. J. W. Lloyd) reported that as the necessary materials had not been received it had not yet been possible to erect ‘bus barriers in the town. The Committee decided that the police should be asked for the present to regulate the queues at certain ‘bus stops during peak hours.

“It is a big item,” said Coun. Richardson, “and has been hanging fire for a long time; but perhaps when the spring gets into its stride something will be done.”

Asked by the Council to stop their ‘buses near the open space at the Little-street corner, Messrs. Birch Brothers replied that this did not commend itself to them as an alternative to the present stops at Wymington-road and Harborough-road. The Highways Committee, however, still feel that the suggested new stop would be convenient, and have asked representatives of Messrs. Birch Bros. and the Eastern National Omnibus Company to discuss the matter on the site.

Fire Guard Officer

The War Emergency Committee announced the appointment of Mr. G. C. N. Fountain, of Park-avenue, as Assistant Fire Guard Staff Officer and clerical assistant to the Chief Air Raid Warden, stating that he commenced duties on February 22nd.

Coun. Capon said he understood the appointment met with general approval. A most enthusiastic meeting of Fire Guard leaders had been held on Tuesday.

The Medical Officer (Dr. D. A. McCracken) reported the following cases of disease during March: Tuberculosis 1, scarlet fever 2, whooping cough 25, measles 18, pneumonia 19, meningitis 2, erysipelas 1, dysentery 1.

Eleven males and nine females were born during March and there were 13 deaths, including nine of persons 65 years of age or over.

It was agreed to issue badges, supplied free of cost by the Directorate of Salvage, to Rushden’s 72 salvage stewards.

Mrs. Muxlow said the badges would help the stewards in the coming book recovery drive, which it was hoped to begin as soon as possible after a committee had been formed.

The Housing Committee announced an inspection of the Irchester-road trees with a view to some of them being removed.

Material salvaged last month was valued at £102.

Office Problem

The new Chief Financial Officer reported on arrears of work in his department, partly due to the fact that for about seven weeks recently the Council had no one in the post. It was stated that Mr. A. Maclean, the former officer, now at Earby, had been invited to visit Rushden to discuss the work, his expenses to be paid by the Council. He had replied, however, that it was not possible for him to comply.

It was agreed that officers and workmen of the Council should have two days’ holiday at Easter.

The Library Committee are furnishing as a junior library, the room recently vacated by the food control authorities and hope to have a formal opening ceremony on May 5. Junior borrowers will still be able to borrow from the senior library, but only during junior library hours, and adult readers may get books from the new section. Alterations and a new book case will cost about £21 10s.

Committees – including the Library Committee – which have hitherto used the room will have to manage in a smaller one, and the Hospital Week Committee, which is too large for the small room, is to be informed that accommodation is no longer available.

Future Government

When members received a typed report on the recent national conference on the reorganisation of Local Government, Coun. Allebone said he wondered if there was anything in the report that vitally affected the Council.

The Clerk said it was a question of post-war planning. The report recommended that local authorities should approach their M.P.s urging that no action should be taken until the whole question had been thoroughly discussed.

A resolution to this effect moved emphatically by Coun. Waring and seconded by Mrs. Muxlow, was promptly carried.

Couns. George, Green and Waring were re-elected as members of the Wellingborough Guardians Committee.

The Council accepted an invitation from the Rushden Hospital Committee to take part in the hospital civic parade to St. Mary’s Church on Sunday, May 2.

A rate of 6s. in the £ for the coming half-year was sealed and was estimated to produce £25,961.

The Chairman welcomed the new Clerk (Mr. T. L. Watts Ll.B.) and Chief Financial Officer (Mr. B. W. Williams, from Ely), Mr. Watts replying. Also in attendance was the Librarian (Miss Marion Perkins) who was greeted by the Chairman and Coun. Capon, the latter remarking that she bore a name which was honoured in the annals of the Council.

Invited

The presence of the Librarian for the first time prompted Coun. Allebone to suggest that the other officers might attend in future. The Chairman agreed that it would be “nice” and a resolution asking for their attendance was carried unanimously. During the war only the Clerk, Financial Officer and Surveyor (Mr. J. W. Lloyd) have attended regularly.

It was agreed to place on the minutes a record of the recent informal meeting when presentations were made to the ex-Clerk Mr. W. L. Beetenson.

The annual meeting of the Council, at which the new chairman will be appointed, was fixed for Wednesday next at 7.30.

Members in attendance were Couns. W. J. Sawford, J.P. (Chairman), A. F. Weale (Vice-Chairman), A. H. Bailey, J. Roe, A. Allebone, J.P., C.C., T. W. Cox, F. Green, J.P., Dr. R. W. Davies, Mrs. O. A. H. Muxlow, J. Allen, W. E. Capon, J. George, T. J. Swindall, J. E. Dilks, J. H. J. Paragreen, H. Waring, E. A. Sugars and J. T. Richardson, J.P.