18th June 1926 - Buntingford Union

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Buntingford Union

Tenders are invited for the supply of provisions, necessaries, meat, bread, flour, milk, coal, boots and shoes, clothing, oil-men's goods and other articles for the Union Workhouse; also for furnishing coffins and conducting funerals, and hair-cutting and shaving from the 1st July, 1926, to 30th September 1926; also bread for the Outrelief District for the same period.

Tenders will be opened at 10 a.m. on the 24th June, 1926.

Forms of Tender and particulars will be supplied on application to the Master (Mr F.W. Butler) enclosing stamped addressed envelope.

E.C. Clarke, Clerk to the Guardians.

Buntingford, Herts.

14th June, 1926.

18th June 1926 - Notes of the Week

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Notes of the Week

Encouraging the Youngsters

The School Sports held on Thursday of last week were a step in the right direction. Perhaps one of our local schools will turn out an English champion.

The way to the top of the ladder is easy through the School Sports Association for any lad with the right stuff in him.

The Weather

The weather conditions were decidedly bad for a sports meeting, competitors and spectators alike being driven to cover by the heavy showers which fell during the afternoon and evening.

Every available nook and corner seemed to be taken up when the rain came on, and two boys were seen taking shelter under a motor car crowded with children.

The Ladies

Once again that wonderful band of "helpers" rose to the occasion and did their very best in the management of the teas.

Under a roughly made shelter, which threatened to collapse at any minute, they worked untiringly for some six hours under trying conditions.

The Officials

The excellent arrangements for the sports were made by Mr E.E. Dennis, who was assisted on the day by a band of workers. Of these, Mr Roberson and Mr E.C. Clarke deserve special mention.

Mr Clarke spent the whole of the afternoon and evening in a bell tent recording and tabulating the results of the various events. His task was made more difficult by the competitors themselves - some thirty of them crowding into the little tent during the heavy showers.

More Difficulties

The sports were originally arranged for Wednesday, June 2nd, but had to be postponed on account of the wet weather. On Wednesday of last week most of the arrangements were complete and a large marquee was erected to serve as a tea tent and a shelter combined.

The gale of Wednesday night brought the tent down and damaged the poles so much that it was impossible to erect it again. In addition some cattle broke through the sports enclosure during the night and badly damaged the running tapes and pegs.

Another tent received such bad treatment from the elements that it had to be pulled down just before the competitors began to arrive.

4th June 1926 - Rural District Council

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Rural District Council

A meeting of the Rural District Council followed, Captain H.H. Williams presiding.

The Emergency Committee

The Chairman said he thought the members would like to express their thanks to the volunteer workers who assisted during the recent emergency.

The following resolution was then moved by the Chairman and seconded by Mr C. Hummerstone:

"The R.D.C. wishes to express its sincere appreciation of the assistance afforded it by voluntary workers during the recent emergency.

In particular the thanks of the Council are due to Mr Scarborough Taylor for the time and trouble he gave to the compilation of data relative to the food supplies of the district. The invaluable clerical assistance of Mrs Scarborough Taylor and Mr Frank Fraser is greatfully acknowledged.

The Council is also greatly indebted to a Committee of Traders for advice and suggestions. Messrs. F.W. Butler, S.G. Lees, B. Kennedy and H. Feasey were most helpful in carrying messages and communications by cycle and motor-cycle; and Mr B.E. Thody was of constant assistance in many ways.

Mr Bayman, of Forrest Stores, very kindly obtained food supplies from Bishop Stortford on behalf of the district in general.

Further the Council desires to thanks its officers, Mr E.G. Thody and Mr E.C. Clarke for the generous and untiring manner in which they performed the additional duties which fell to them.

Surveyor's Report

The Surveyor reported as follows:

Isolation Hospital

One patient was admitted on May 5th suffering from scarlet fever. There are no other cases under treatment.

Waterworks

The consumption of water during the past month has been:

1st week - 250,000 gallons.

2nd week - 204,000 gallons.

3rd week - 190,000 gallons.

4th week - 255,000 gallons.

The water level remains at 42ft., being the same as at May last. During the past three weeks the men have been engaged in overhauling the pumps and fitting new couplings. We hope to complete the work this week.

Coal Emergency

The merchants' stocks of coal are getting low, and in view of the circumstances I have communicated with the representative of the Mines Department respecting an offer of foreign coal.

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Speed of Motor Vehicles

The Clerk stated that he had received a communication from the County Council stating that the warning boards for motorists could be erected subject to the sites being approved by the County Council.

Tenders

Tenders were received for painting, &c., the exterior of the Sunny Hill houses.

The following tenders were received, that of Messrs. Attwood & Son being accepted  Mr G. Handy, £192; Messrs. Attwood & Son, £58 16s.

4th June 1926 - Buntingford Board of Guardians

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Buntingford Board of Guardians

The Tramp Question

The monthly meeting of the Buntingford Board of Guardians was held at the Poor Law Institution on Thursday in last week.

Present: Mr C. Hummerstone (in the chair), Mr F.B. Cannon (Vice-Chairman), Mrs Dimsdale, Captain H.H. Williams, Messrs. C. Fraser, G. Graves, E. Bygrave, W.J. May, A.J. Hayes, G.C. Wilson and H.E. Dudley, with the Clerk (Mr E.C. Clarke), and the Master (Mr F.W. Butler).

Master's Report

The Master reported as follows:

Number of inmates - men 16, women 16, children 2. Total 33.

Corresponding period last year - 36.

During the past month 67 tramps have been relieved, against 1- for the corresponding period of last year.

The Master stated that he viewed the position in the coming winter with alarm, having 25 tramps a week now in the middle of the summer, and with scanty accommodation.

Gifts

Gifts have been received from the following and were greatly appreciated: Mrs Greg, rhubarb and books; Miss Bower, Mrs Camp, Mrs H. May, Rev. L.W. Wright, books.

The Chairman said the Guardians were very grateful to the donors of the gifts.

The question of the large increase in the number of tramps was fully discussed, and it was resolved to invite tenders for more hammocks in the tramp wards. The following resolution, proposed by Mrs Dimsdale, was also passed:

"That this Board views with alarm the continued increase in the number of vagrants seeking admission to the casual wards, and are of opinion that such increase is attributable to the action of the Minister of Health in abolishing the task of oakum picking, and the inability of various Boards of Guardians to prescribe an alternative task, where, in consequence of abnormal numbers and inadequate accommodation, the tasks set out in the Fourth Schedule to the Casual Poor (Relief Order) 1925 cannot in all cases be imposed.

"That representation has been made to the Minister of Health with a view to his authorising the task of oakum picking, in certain cases, more especially in cases of habitual tramps.

"That copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Minister of Health and all Boards of Guradians in the county."

Amongst the correspondence was a letter from the Gaumont Company asking whether they could quote the Board for a cinema installation. The matter was left over.