8th April 1927 - Rural District Council

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Rural District Council

Captain H.H. Williams presided over the meeting of the Rural District Council which followed, other officers present being - Dr R.A. Dunn (M.O.H.), and the Surveyor (Mr E.G. Thody).

Surveyor's Report

The Surveyor reported that the Isolation Hospital was closed. The town's consumption of water during the month had been 935,000 gallons, and the water level had risen slightly.

A further supply of disinfectants was required - estimated cost £10 3s.

Drainage

Drainage work had now been completed at the Little Hormead site, and difficulty was now being experienced with the drainage at Cottered; it would be advisable, if possible, to secure a piece of the land adjoining the Council's cottages, for use as a dump.

The Surveyor also asked for instructions as to the cropping of the Buntingford Sewage farm, and stated that sugar beet had been grown there with success during the past year.

After discussing the matter, the Council decided to grow two acres of sugar beet on the farm. It was also agreed to purchase the disinfectants required. The question of the purchase of a piece of ground at Cottered for the disposal of drainage matter from the Council's cottages was left over until the Surveyor had seen Mr Sanders, of Cottered.

A letter was read from Mr Chapman, who has recently erected a bungalow on the London Road, to the effect that, although he had complied with the Surveyor's instructions, as to certain parts of the buolding, he had received a letter from the Clerk to the effect that he was not entitled to the subsidy.

The matter was fully discussed by the Council, and it was unanimously agreed that the Council were in order in not recommending a subsidy.

The Surveyor reported on the rent arrears, and the Chairman said he was very pleased to see that there was an improvement, and that some of the tenants had made an effort to get the arrears down.

The question of adopting bye-laws was again discussed, and the Surveyor presented a draft of the bye-laws which the Council proposed adopting before the war. Mr H.C. Marshall proposed that the Surveyor look through them and report on the matter to a sub-committee consisting of Capt. H.H. Williams, Messrs. C. Hummerstone and W.J. May.

Mr W.J. May reported on his visit to a conference in London on the Rating and Valuation Act, and was thanked by the Chairman for his interesting and instructive report.

The Clerk read a letter for Sir Charles Longmore to the effect that the work of preparing the Jurors Lists, and registers of electors would now be carried out by two of the Council's rating officers.

Mr C. Hummerstone said the matter required consideration. If the work was being taken out of the hands of the Assistant Overseers, there would be compensation to pay. Some of the Assistant Overseers had been collecting rates, and had been paid no salary for the work, buy they had been receiving certain sums for the preparation of the lists of voters; it was now proposed to take this work from them and give it to the Council's rating officers.

The Clerk said that the amount paid for the preparation of the whole of the lists was approx. £100. He (the Clerk) did not want the job.

Mr G.C. Wilson said he believed thre was a lot of feeling over the matter, and he was anxious, if possible, or giving the Assistant Overseers a chance to carry on.

Mr H.E. Dudley also spoke in a similar way, and after further discussion the Clerk was instructed to write to the County Council for a ruling on the matter.

The North Metropolitan Electric Company submitted plans showing the route of their overhead cable, and these were passed.

The half-yearly estimates were presented by the Clerk. The total required - £3763 - was an increase of £81. There would be a General Rate of 5/- for the district.

Tenders

The following tenders were accepted - Scavenging - Mr C.H. Poulton. Team labour for highways - Mr E.J. Crane.

8th April 1927 - Whist

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Whist

Prizes at the whist drive, held on Saturday evening in aid of the Town Band funds, were won by the following:

Ladies - 1 Mr S. Pledger (playing as lady), 2 Miss E. Cutts. Lowest score - Mrs S. Smith.

Gents - 1 Mr South, 2, Mr C. Baker. Lucky chair - Mr C. Crane.

Spot dance competition - Mr L. Smith and Miss D. Bush.

2nd November 1923 - Death and Funeral of Mrs E.J. Crane

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Death and Funeral of Mrs E.J. Crane

It is with much regret that we record the death of Mrs Ernest J. Crane, of Buntingford.

Mrs Crane, before her marriage was an assistant mistress in the Barkway Council Schools, a post she held with some distinction until her marriage in 1917. She was much esteemed by all her pupils on account of her kind disposition, and was greatly respected by a large circle of friends in Barkway and Buntingford.

After a short illness the end came on Sunday last, and much sympathy is felt for her sorrowing husband and her six months' old child.

On Wednesday afternoon the remains were conveyed by motor hearse to the deceased's old home at Barkway, where she was born. The funeral took place at Barkway yesterday (Thursday).

The Rev. W.T. Stubbs very impressively officiated at the service, and a large number of friends were present to pay their last respects.

Mrs Bowman presided at the organ, and the hymn sung was "On the Resurrection Morning." As the cortege left the church the organist played Mendelssohn's "Oh Rest in the Lord."

The plain oak coffin bore a breast plated inscribed:

Jessie R. Crane, Died October 28th, 1923, Aged 36 years.

The immediate mourners were Mr E.J. Crane (husband), Mr and Mrs Copeland (father and mother), Mr and Mrs C. Copeland (brother and sister-in-law), Mrs J. Crane (mother-in-law), Mrs H. Beeton (sister-in-law), Mr H. Beeton, Mrs E. Martin and Mrs Knife (cousins), Mrs F.G. Crane (aunt), Mrs Gray and the seven employees of the firm.

Amongst the 54 beautiful floral tokens were the following:

To dear Jessie, from her loving husband and little John - "A devoted wife and loving mother."

To our loving daughter, from her affectionate father and mother.

In loving memory, from Mother and Mary.

In loving remembrance, from the old Barkway scholars.

With heartfelt sympathy, from the Organist and Choir of Barkway Church.

With deepest sympathy, from the Buntingford Ex-Service Men's Club.

With deepest sympathy, from the Buntingford Women's Institute.

With deepest sympathy, from the tradesmen of Buntingford.

With sincere sympathy, from the teachers of Barkway School.

In loving remembrance from Harold and Millie.

In affectionate remembrance, from uncle, aunt and Cyril.

With deepest sympathy, from Harry.

With loving sympathy, from auntie Gray.

With sincere sympathy, from Barney, Bert and Harry.

With deepest sympathy from Castle, Clark, Parker and Clark sen.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr George Saggers.

7th May 1926 - Situations Vacant

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Situations Vacant

Wanted, a Day Girl. Apply, Mrs Crane, High Street, Buntingford.