Buntingford
Death
The death occured on April 19th of Mrs Caroline Woodcock.
The deceased, who was 62 years of age, has resided in the town for a number of years, and has been in failing health for some time.
The funeral took place at Layston Church yesterday.
Westmill
Organ Recital
A most successful organ recital was held in St Mary's Church on Sunday, April 18th after shortened evensong.
Mr J. Dykes Bower, from Cambridge, and Mr Mark Pasteur, from Hadham, gave solos on the organ; Miss Douglas played two violin solos; and Mr C. Longdon-Thurgood sang "Angels ever bright and fair" and "Easter Hymn"; Mrs Thurgood and Miss Pasteur sang a descant to the hymn "Oh worship the Lord" while the collection in aid of the Church Renovation Fund was being taken.
It amount to £12 11s., and on Monday further donations amounting to £11 3s. were received.
The Hon. Sec. of the Parochial Church Council is most grateful to all who so kindly helped.
Confirmation
Bishop Lander, the Suffragan Bishop of St Albans, conducted a Confirmation Service at St Peter's, Buntingford, on Thursday in last week.
There were 20 condidates for Confirmation from the following parishes - Layston 16, Bedford 1, Totteridge 1, and Meesden 2.
The Bishop gave a very helpful address, his text being "I have set before thee an open door."
In the evening the candidates were entertained to tea at the Parish Room by the Rev. A. and Mrs Howard. The Vicar also presented each of the candidates from Layston with a suitable book.
Rural District Council
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
Mr G.C. Wilson proposed that Captain H.H. Williams be elected Chairman for the ensuring year. Capt. Williams was one who had done a large amount of work for the Guardians and the Council, and he was one of those members who attended every meeting.
Capt. E.T. Morris seconded.
Capt. Williams, in thanking the members for electing him, said he appreciated the honour and privilege. The position meant a certain amount of work, but one's labours were lightened by the way in which the members worked together and by the Council's excellent clerk.
The Chairman then proposed that Mr G.C. Wilson be appointed Vice-Chairman. Mr Wilson had done a large amount of good and practical work.
Mr H.E. Dudley seconded.
Mr Wilson thanked the members for his appointment, and said he would do his best.
COMMITTEES
Mr C. Hummerstone proposed, and Mr W.J. May seconded, that the following be appointed to serve on the Housing Committee:
Mrs K.J. Dimsdale, Captain E.T. Morris, Capt. H.H. Williams, Messrs. F.B. Cannon, C. Fraser, G. Graves, C. Hummerstone, W.H. Kittow, H.C. Marshall, W.J. May, E.J. Marchal and G.C. Wilson.
The following were appointed to serve on the Hospital Committee:
Mrs K.J. Dimsdale, Rev. L.W. Wright, Capt. E.T. Morris, Capt. H.H. Williams, Messrs. John Bygrave, C. Fraser, C. Hummerstone, A.J. Hayes, H.C. Marshall, W.J. May and A.W. Page.
The following were appointed to serve on the Water and Sewage Farm Committee:
Capt. H.H. Williams, Messrs. F.B. Cannon, H.E. Dudley, W.H. Kittow, W.J. May, T.J. Stick and A.J. Hayes.
SURVEYOR'S REPORT
The Surveyor reported as follows:
ISOLATION HOSPITAL
No cases of infection disease have been notified during the month, and the hospital remains closed.
WATERWORKS
The consumption of water during the past month has been:
1st week - 264,000 gallons.
2nd week - 249,000 gallons.
3rd week - 256,000 gallons.
4th week - 258,000 gallons.
The water level remains stationary at 42 feet, being the same level as April 29th last year. Water services have been made to premises in the High Street for the Electro Tanneries, LTD., and to premises in the London Road.
WESTMILL WATER SUPPLY
In consequence of complaints made by the tenants of the Council's cottages alleging impurity of the water supply, a sample of water has been submitted to the Counties Laboratories for analysis.
The analyst reports as follows: "This is very hard water of the highest degree of organic purity. The hardness is such that it will rapidly fur kettles, boilers, &c. We regard the water as a pure and wholesome supply."
A same from the newly-dug well at Westmill has also been submitted for analysis, and the analyst reports: "This is a hard water containing a trace of vegetable matter in suspension, which is doubtless due to the recent sinking operation. In other respects it is satisfactory and of a fair degree of organic purity. Assuming that the well is efficiently constructed, we regard the water as suitable for drinking and domestic purposes.
HOUSING
The Survey reported on the Housing Scheme as follows:
All the cottages owned by the Council are in occupation.
A tenant makes application to erect a small motor shed at one of the cottages at Meesden.
The Chairman said the application would be granted.
A letter was read from the Ministry of Health with reference to the sundry expenditure in connection with the Housing Final Accounts, and stating that subject to audit the amounts would rank for financial assistance.
ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY
The North Metropolitan Electric Supply Company wrote stating that they had been obliged to alter their proposed route owing to the trouble of getting way leave. The route would not be about 500 yds. further east.
The Chairman said the Company had not stated where the new line would be diverted, and he thought it would be a good thing if the Clerk wrote and asked the Company.
This was agreed.
LOCAL EDUCATION
The Clerk stated that the Herts. County Council had asked the Council to appoint three members on the Local Education Committee of the Herts. County Council. The following were then elected: Capt. H.H. Williams, Messes. C. Hummerstone and G.C. Wilson.
ADVERTISEMENTS REGULATION ACTS
A circular was read from the Council Council respecting the above Act which gives power to protect from disfiguring advertisements.
1. The view of rural scenery from a highway or railway or from any public place or water.
2. The amenities of any village within the district of a Rural District Council.
3. The amenities of historic or public buildings &c.
The County Council also pointed out that a conference upon the subject was being held in London on Friday, 7th May, and asked for two representatives of the Council to be appointed to attend.
Capt. Morris proposed that Capt. H.H. Williams and the Rev. L.W. Wright be appointed. This was agreed.
GRANT
The Clerk stated that the sum of £93 0s. 10d. had been placed to the credit of the Council under the Agrucultural Rates Act of 1896.