4th June 1926 - School Attendance

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School Attendance

A meeting of the Buntingford Education Sub-Committee was held at the Board Room on Monday last. Present - The Rev. F.R. Williams (Chairman), The Revd. John Cole, Mrs Dimsdale, Messrs. C. Hummerstone, E.E. Dennis and W.J. May. Mr C. Hummerstone was appointed Vice-Chairman.

The School Attendance Officer presented his report which showed that there were 728 children on the books. Cases of irregular attendances were reported, and dealt with by the Committee.

The Clerk read a communication from the County Council respecting the attendances made by the Nuthampstead children, and this was fully discussed.

Mr W.J. May referred to the evening class syllabus for 1926-1927, and said he hoped that such subjects as Agriculture and Horticulture would be included in the programme. The committee were in favour of this, and the Clerk was instructed to write to the County Council on the matter.

4th June 1926 - Buntingford Petty Sessions

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Buntingford Petty Sessions

Friday last, before The Hon. Baron C.R. Dimsdale (in the chair), Mrs Dimsdale, Col. C. Heaton-Ellis, Claud Fraser, Esq., and Capt. H.H. Williams

No Driving Licence

John William Lawler, of 19, Half-Moon Street, Piccadilly, was summoned for failing to produce a motor driving licence, at Buntingford.

P.C. Williams said he was on duty at Buntingford at 1.30 a.m. on 9th April, when a car approached from the direction of Royston. He signalled the driver to stop, and asked to see his driving licence. The defendant searched in the pocket of the car, but could not find the licence which he said must have been left at home. He said the licence was in order as it was a new one.

Inspector Herbert said investigations had been made by the Metropolitan Police, and it was found that defendant's driving licence expired on 8th Sept. 1925.

The Chairman said a letter had been received from the defendant, who was not present in Court. After consultation, the Bench imposed a fine of £1 and 4/- in costs.

A Rate Summons

J. Franklin, of Buntingford, was summoned for non-payment of a Poor Rate for the Parish of Aspenden. The Assistant Overseer, Mr J. Boniwell, stated that the rate was made on 30th November last, and that personal application had been made for payment.

The defendant's son said they were under notice to quit when demand for payment was made, and he thought it was a legal point whether they were liable to the charges.

The Chairman said that as the defendant was in occupation for the whole period of the rate there was no doubt that the rate was due. On [sic] order for payment would be made, and th distress warrant would be held over for one month to enable the defendant to pay.

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.

28th May 1926 - Ruri-Decanal Conference

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Ruri-Decanal Conference

The World Call To The Church

A meeting of representatives of the Ruri-Decanal Conference for the Rural Deanery of Buntingford, took place at the Assembly Rooms, the George Hotel, Buntingford, on Tuesday afternoon.

The Rev. F.R. Williams (Rural Dean), of Anstey, presided, being supported by the new Secretary (The Rev. W.L. Shepherd). The Clergy present were: The Rev. F.B. Philips, The Rev. A.G. Langdon, Rev. A. McKerr, Rev. L.W. Wright, Rev. A. Howard and Rev. F. Jobson. There were about 30 lay representatives present.

In opening the meeting the Rural Dean referred to the departure of the Rev. Stubbs and said The Rev. Web Bowen had been appointed Vicar of Barkway. The Conference extended a hearty welcome to the new Rector of Braughing, The Rev. F. Jobson.

The Rural Dean then alluded to the death of the Rev. W.J. Tapper, of Cottered, and said he was sure the conference would extend its deep sympathy with Mrs Tapper and her family. The Rev. Tapper had only been at Cottered about eight months, but he had made his mark there, and his excellent work would not be forgotten.

The Secretaries of the various committees then presented their annual reports. The Rev. Stubbs reporting on the Finance Committee, The Rev. A. Howard on the Missionary Committee, and The Rev A.G. Langdon on the Education Committee, after which an address on "The World Call to the Church" was given by the Rev. G.P. Winter, Association Secretary of the C.M.S.

The World Call, he said, is no single call, it comes from every section of the Church Overseas. Many and varied are the needs which lie behind the call, but the voice of the fiels is unanimous that the whole church should see the world situation as it really is.

The speaker dealt fully with the matter, and at the close of the address explained the proposals of the Bishop to hold meetings in almost every parish in the Diocese when special speakers would address the Parochial Electors.

At the close of his address, The Rev. Winter was accorded a hearty vote of thanks on the proposition of the Rural Dean.

The Rural Dean's Retirement

The Hon. Baron Dimsdale said he had heard that they were likely to lose the most essential services of their Rural Dean, The Rev. F.R. Williams. if this was correct he hoped that some small testimonial would be raised to mark the gratitude of the representatives on the Conference for the work he has done. (Applause).

Col. Heaton-Ellis associated himself with Baron Dimsdale's remarks, and said he would like to echo every word that had been said. He hoped that a gift would be made to their Rural Dean, not so much for its intrinsic value but as very real proof of the esteem and affection in which he was held.

The Rev. A. Howard also associated himself with Baron Dimsdale's remarks.

The Rural Dean said he was exceedingly grateful for what had been said. In this Diocese one was only supposed to hold the office of Rural Dean for five years, but he had held the office for seven years, and was acting Rural Dean three years before that.

During his term of office, he had been on most friendly terms with everyone, and it was through the kindness of those with whom he had to work that his term of office had been such a pleasant one. (Applause).

The Conference then closed with the Grace, after which tea was served to the representatives present.