3rd June 1927 - Buntingford Rural District Council

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Buntingford Rural District Council

Monthly Meeting

The monthly meeting of the Buntingford Rural District Council was held at the Board Room on Thursday in last week.

Present: Capt. H.H. Williams (in the chair), Messrs. C. Hummerstone, F.B. Cannon, H.C. Marshall, Claud Fraser, H.E. Dudley, E. Bygrave, F. Prime, A.W. Page, G. Graves, A.J. Hayes, G.C. Wilson, T.J. Stick and W.J. May, with the Clerk (Mr E.C. Clarke), the Medical Officer of Health (Dr R.A. Dunn), and the Surveyor (Mr E.G. Thody).

Surveyor's Report

The Surveyor reported that the Isolation Hospital remained closed.

The consumption of water for the past month has been 1,075,000 gallons.

The Surveyor also reported that Mr C. Reed, of Cottered, had submitted plans for a proposed bungalow to be erected by him at Cottered. The plans were in order.

There was also a report on the water supply at Wakeley cottages, the Surveyor reporting that they reservoir needed repairing and adequate means taken to ensure protection of the water from pollution.

Cottered Drainage

The Surveyor reported that he had again inspected the site adjoining the Cottered cesspool, and he suggested that a small Sub-Committee be appointed to view it.

The Chairman, Mr H.E. Dudley and Mr T.J. Stick arranged to meet on the site on Saturday.

The Clerk stated that the Anstey Parish Meeting had submitted the name of Mr Herbert S. Ward, of Bandons, Anstey, as a candidate to fill the vacancy on the Board caused through the death of Mr James C. Pigg.

Bye-Laws

Copies of the proposed Bye-laws which had been drafted by a Sub-Committee of the Council were submitted to the members.

The Chairman said that two of the members of that Sub-Committee were strongly in favour of the adoption of bye-laws, but one wished to reserve his judgment. If, however, the Council decided to adopt hte bue-laws, that member was of the opinion that those drafted would be most suitable.

In commenting on the drafts submitted, Captain Williams said the intention of the Council was not to draft anything in the way of interfering laws, but he thought that it was a mark of progress that they should have something that would be a guide to the people.

Mr G.C. Wilson moved a vote of thanks to the Sub-Committee for the way in which they had gone into the matter.

It was decided to adjourn the matter for a period of four months.

A further letter was read from Mr Chapman, of London Road, Buntingford, with reference to his application for a subsidy in respect of the bungalow recently erected by him. The Clerk stated that the letter had been sent to the Council by the Ministry of Health, and he had replied to the Ministry, and furnished them with all particulars of the case. The matter was left over until the Ministry has dealth with the Clerk's letter.

Dr R.A. Dunn submitted his annual report of vital and general statistics, an observation of which appears in another column. In answer to a question by the Chairman, Dr Dunn said that cancer is distinctly a disease of old age.

The Council confirmed the appointment of the 2 rating officers to carry out the work in connection with the Registration of Electors' Lists and the preparationg of the Juror Lists.

Mr F.B. Cannon urged that the Council draw the attention of the County Council to the dangerous corner near the Sandon turning at Chipping Bridge. Several accidents had occurred there, and there had been a smash up on the corner that morning.

It was resolved to write the County Council on the matter.

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At the meeting of the Guardians, Mr H.C. Marshall suggested that the Board approach the North Metropolitan Electric Light Co. with a view to obtaining an estimate for wiring the Poor Law Institution.

25th 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.

Surveyor's Report

The Surveyor reported as follows:

Waterworks

The consumption of water during the past month has been:

1st week - 252,000 gallons.

2nd week - 258,000 gallons.

3rd week - 252,000 gallons.

4th week - 246,000 gallons.

A further supply of lubricating oil is required.

Isolation Hospital

No fresh cases of infectious disease have been reported, one patient remaining under treatment.

Water Services

Two applications for water service are submitted.

Coal Emergency

The local merchants' supplies became depleted on 19th inst., but supplies have been obtained from private sources, which will carry up to the end of June. In addition one merchant has this week secured a consignment of 18 tons.

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The Council sanctioned the purchase of 40 gallons of lubricating oil from Messrs. Hagger & Cooper.

Housing Matters

The Surveyor reported on the various Housing Sites in the Union.

Application for the fixing of a register stove in one of the Sunny Hill houses was granted.

Assessment Committee

The following were appointed to serve on the Assessment Committee representing the Ashwell, Royston and Buntingford Unions and the County Council: Messrs. C. Hummerstone, G.C. Wilson and H.E. Dudley.

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.

14th May 1926 - Funeral of Mrs J. Matthews

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Rushden

Funeral of Mrs J. Matthews

On Tuesday afternoon, the moral remains of Mrs J. Matthews, widow of the late Rev. J. Matthews, were laid to rest in a corner of the little Churchyard.

Many old residents of the village were present to pay their last respects to one whose long life was given to the Kingdom of God. The Rev. Matthews was for 47 years vicar of Rushden, and since his death, his widow has resided at Felixstowe, where she passed away last week at the advanced ago of 80 years.

The remains were brought by road and were carried in to the Church by village men, most of whom had been members of the choir under deceased. The Vicar and the Rev. A. Howard, of Layston, conducted the service, which was fully choral, and quite in keeping with such an one as deceased.

There was a large number present at the Church, including the parishioners to do honour to her memory. Beside the immediate mourners we noticed: Dr and Mrs Fell, Mrs A. Dixon, Miss Woods, Mrs B. Cannon, Mrs Dudley, sen., Mrs H.E. Dudley, Mrs W. Sale, Mrs Tweed, Mrs Beadle, Mr and Mrs F.B. Cannon, Mr B. Cannon, Mrs Newland, Mrs P. Castle, Miss Field, and many others.

There was a large number of floral tributes, including a beautiful wreath from the old parishioners.