12th Oct 1928 - Buntingford Board of Guardians

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Buntingford Board of Guardians

MONTHLY MEETING

ANXIOUS FOR THE CLOSING OF CASUAL WARDS

The monthly meeting of the Buntingford Board of Guardians was held at the Board Room on Thursday (yesterday) morning, when there were present: Mr C. Hummerstone (in the chair), Mrs K.J. Dimsdale, Capt H.H. Williams, Messrs. G.C. Wilson, H. Ward, J. Russell, S. Pigg, A.J. Hayes, E.J. Marshal, G. Graves, J. Bygrave, and H.E. Dudley, with the Relieving Officer (Mr B.E. Thody), the Clerk (Mr E.C. Clarke) and the Master (Mr F.W. Butler).

The House Committee reported that they had visited the wards at the Institution and found them clean and the inmates cheerful. The Committee recommended that several ceilings be white-washed, for which there was no immediate hurry. The Committee also reported that it had been impossible to solicit tenders for the alteration of windows in the dining hall as the sizes required were not standard and it would probably be necessary to cut away the brickwork, which the Committee hoped to avoid, so the matter was left in the hands of the Chairman to arrange with Mr Thody to go into the matter further.

The Master reported that during the month gifts had been received from Mrs F.R. Williams (books), Miss Davies (sponge cakes), the Rev. E. McKerr (produce from Meesden harvest festival and also from the festival at Wyddiall), Rev. W.L. Shepherd (produce from Great Hormead harvest festival), and Rev. A. Howard (grapes). 

Miss L.M. Baker brought her pupils to the Institution and they gave gifts to the inmates and also sang harvest hymns in the sick wards. The Layston Church Choir also assisted with the singing at the harvest service in the dining hall on Sunday evening last. The Master had written to the kindly donors thanking them on behalf of the Board. 

Since the last meeting 494 casuals had been admitted against 257 for the corresponding period last year. The number was made up as follows - First week 101, second week 117, third week 147, fourth week 129. The accommodation was sufficient.

Mrs Dimsdale pointed out that the casual wards at Hatfield and other unions were closed, and this naturally made more seek admission at Buntingford Union. She did not think it was fair for a small union like Buntingford to have to relieve the large number of casuals when the casual wards of much larger unions were closed.

It was resolved that the Clerk enquire into the matter, with a view to obtaining sanction for the closing of the casual wards here.

The Board dealt with several relief cases and issued instructions to the Relieving Officer.

Among the correspondance was a circular from the Ministry of Health authorising the discontinuance of the examination of casuals; and a resolution from the Cockermouth Union with reference to unemployment, which the Board left on the table.

19th Feb 1926 - Buntingford Bowls Club

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Buntingford Bowls Club

Annual General Meeting

PROPOSED NEW GREEN

The annual general meeting of the members of the Buntingford Bowls Club was held at the George Hotel on Thursday evening in last week. Mr G. Scarborough Taylor presided, and was supported by the Captain (Mr W.J. May) and the Hon. Sec. and Treas. (Mr J.L. Cornwell).

After the minutes of the last general meeting had been read and confirmed, the Chairman read a letter from Mr H.C. Marshall (the President of the Club), who said he regretted being unable to be present that evening.

REPORTS

Mr J.L. Cornwell read his annual report. During the past season the club had played 34 matches, and had entered for the various competitions in the East Herts. Bowls League. In this League they had scored 767 points against their opponents 606.

Mr W.J. May and Mr J. Lawrence had kindly presented gold and silver medals for a club competition, which was most successful. The Captain's Cup had not been won outright, as owing to bad weather the competition was not finished.

The finances of the club were satisfactory; on last year's workings there was a small adverse balance of 1/5, which had been defrayed that evening. (Applause).

The Chairman said he considered the report and accounts very satisfactory. In passing, he would like to add that the annual dinner, at which he had the pleasure of being present, was a most successful affair; he was sure everyone present spent a very happy evening.

The accounts and report were then passed, on the proposition of the Chairman, seconded by Mr F.B. Sharp.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Mr W.J. May moved the re-election of the President (Mr H.C. Marshall). Mr Marshall was a true sport and was always willing to do his utmost for the club. He (Mr May) hoped that their president would find pleasure in supporting the ancient game of Bowls (applause)

This was seconded by Mr F.W. Butler and carried.

Mr J. Lawrence moved the re-election of the Vice-Presidents en bloc with the addition of Mr George Aston and Mr Chapman-Wood. The club was very grateful to the Vice-Presidents for their support and interest.

Mr E.J. Totman seconded.

Mr C.H. Poulton replied on behalf of the Vice-Presidents, and said he was pleased the club was going successfully.

Mr W.J. May, who has been Captain for three seasons, proposed that Mr F.W. Butler be asked to be Captain for 1926.

Mr Butler moved an amendment that Mr May be re-appointed, and this being seconded by Mr J. Lawrence was carried unanimously. The Chairman said he was pleased Mr May had reconsidered the matter. He was a man of keenness and enthusiasm, coupled with tact.

Mr F.W. Butler was unanimously appointed Vice-Captain on the proposition of Mr E.J. Totman, seconded by Mr Cornwell.

Mr Cornwell then intimated that he was no longer able to carry out the duties of Hon. Sec. and Treasurer. Mr Butler then proposed that Mr J. Lawrence be appointed. In moving this, he (Mr Butler) would like to say that the members were very grateful to Mr Cornwell for the way he had carried out the combined duties (Applause).

Mr Lawrence agreed to take over the post, and said he would do his best.

The general committee elected were as follows: Messrs W.J. May, F.W. Butler, J. Lawrence, E.J. Totman, J. Pateman, J. Boniwell, E. Birkett, F. Crouch, J.L. Cornwell, and H. Clarke.

The green committee elected were - Messrs F.W. Butler, E. Brett, J.L. Cornwell, W.J. May, E.J. Totman, and J. Lawrence.

Selection committee - The Capt. and Vice-Captain, and Messrs E.J. Totman, J. Lawrence, J. Boniwell, and F.B. Sharp.

OTHER BUSINESS

It was decided to enter the East Herts. Bowls League and the Rinks and Pairs Competitions.

The Captain said the question of a new green was on the agenda. As a matter of fact the new green did not exist, but the [sic] hoped something could be done to get a longer green than the one they had at present. When the club visited other clubs in the League, they had to play on full dized greens, and it was some time before the Buntingford players could get accustomed to the length. Mrs Ashford had kindly offered the club another site, and if the members agree a small committee might be formed to go in to the question of cost, &c. 

Various suggestions were put forward, and it was eventually decided to appoint a small sub-committee to discuss the matter and report later. The committee appointed were Messrs. G. Scarborough Taylor, W.J. May, F.W. Butler, C.H. Poulton, E.J. Totman and J. Lawrence.

THANKS

A vote of thanks to the chairman for presiding brought the meeting to a close.

5th Feb 1926 - Board of Guardians monthly meeting

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Board of Guardians

Monthly meeting

Poor law reform

The monthly meeting of the Buntingford Board of Guardians was held at the Board Room yesterday.

Present - Mr W.J. May (in the chair), Capt E.T. Morris, Capt H.H. Williams, the Rev L.W. Wright, Messrs A.W. Page, H.C. Marshall, Claud Fraser, E. Bygrave, J.C. Pigg, F.B. Cannon, H.E. Dudley, A.J. Hayes, W.H. Kittow, C. Hummerstone, G. Graves, and G.C. Wilson with the Master (Mr F.W. Butler), the Reliving Officer (Mr H.H. Macklin), and the Clerk (Mr E.C. Clarke).

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Master's Report

The Master reported as follows:

Number of inmates - men 23, women 15, children 2. Total 40.

Corresponding period for last year 45.

During the month 2 males have been admitted and 1 has died.

The following gifts have been received: Hormead Mothers' Union, cakes, tobacco and cigarettes; Mr C Hummerstone, books; Mr E.G. Thody, apples.

Relief

The Relieving Officer presented his report and several cases were dealt with.

House Committee

The House Committee report that they had inspect the Institution and found everything satisfactory.

Poor Law Reform

Mr H.C. Marshall said the question of the reform of Poor Law Administration had been fully discussed by the County Council, and it might be interesting to the Board if he explained what the County Council thought of the scheme. The County Council did not like the scheme and they felt that they have as much work at present as they were able to cope with. They also felt that if the proposed reform came in to force the administration would not be done any better, but would cost more money. (Hear hear).

The County Council realise that in the County the work of the Board of Guardians had been exceedingly wel done. There was also the danger of a flat rate of relief, and the Chairman of the County Council thought that what would be a sufficient scale for Buntingford and Sawbridgeworth would not be fair for Watford or St Albans (Hear, hear). 

The County Council say that if the reform is passed they will do their best, and they hope that who have done such good work in the past will come forward and help (Hear, hear).

The Chairman said they were very grateful to Mr Marshall for his remarks. They had a book on the proposed reform, and he thought it would be best to adjourn the matter until the next meeting. It might be suggested that a letter be sent to the Ministry, stating that the Board did not agree with the scheme.

Mr H.C. Marshall: I think it would be advisable to wait a bit; meanwhile we might formulate a resolution to send to other Boards of Guardians in the county.

Mr C. Fraser: I am sure we all agree with what Mr Marshall has said, and we are very grateful to him. A delay of a month might be beneficial.

Captain Morris: Is there any necessity to adjourn the matter? The County Council have said that they do not agree with the reform and we have endorsed their views. Why then discuss the matter further?

Mr C. Hummerstone said he had spent some time reading a book on the subject, and he thought there was nothing in it of any use.

Capt Williams said he did not think the Board wished to turn the matter down at this stage. They might say that they would discuss it at the next meeting, and then put forward any reasonable argumenents.

A general discussion then followed, in which Mr W.H. Kittow, the Rev L.W. Wright, and Mr H.E. Dudley took part. It was finally agreed to discuss the matter fully at the next meeting.

Rates

The Clerk reported that the County Council had asked for payment of one of the County Rates, and that a cheque had been drawn for three rates.

The Clark also reported that the average cost of upkeep for each inmate for the ending 25th March 1925, was 10/1 and quarter penny, against 9/7 and halfpence for 1924, and 10/4 for 1923.