27th August 1926 - Correspondence - Health of the District

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Correspondence

The Health of the District

To the Editor, Buntingford Gazette

Dear Sir - 

Having read the report on the Buntingford Rural District by Dr R.A. Dunn (Medical Officer of Health for this portion of Hertfordshire), which I consider should be made widely known in the district, it seems that Buntingford is actually one of the healthiest parts of the county.

The death rate for the year is very low, being only 61 (namely 12.3 per 1000), of whom 39 were of persons over 65 years of age, and of these 16 were actually over 80 years of age - figures which speak for themselves.

As regards Housing, it compares very favourably with other parts of the county. According to the last census, the number of rooms per person was person was 1.35, as compared with 1.27 for the whole county.

I certainly think that these figures should be made widely known, and that if only the L&N.E. Railway Co. gave better facilities in the way of cheaper weekend and daily excursion tickets it would no doubt be of considerable benefit to the district, as it would cause a larger number of visitors to come more frequently.

Yours faithfully,

Albert J. Hayes

25 Aug., 1926.

20th August 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

Isolation Hospital

No cases of infectious disease have been notified, and the hospital remains closed.

Waterworks

The consumption of water during the past month has been:

1st week 258,000 gallons.

2nd week 276,000 gallons.

3rd week 274,000 gallons.

4th week 264,000 gallons.

We have received the consignment of parafin costing £16 13s. 4d.

Coal Emergency

Since submitting my last report a fair quantity of coal has come through, sufficient to meet all current domestic needs up to this date.

Two further consignments, however, due this week, have not yet come to hand owing to the delay experienced in unloading the vessels at the London Docks.

I have secured a further consignment for delivery on Wednesday next, and am in negotiation for further supplies for the following week.

Slaughter Houses Order

Horace Piggott, of Buntingford, makes application to register his premises as a licensed slaughter house.

A new slaughter house has been constructed and is quite satisfactory.

Complaint at Little Hormead

In accordance with the instructions of the Council, I have interviewed Mr Pattern, relative to the proposed drainage scheme in connection with the Council cottages, and am pleased to report that Mr Pattern will be willing to assist the Council in the matter.

On Mrs Dimsdale's return we propose meeting on the site and discussing the best method of dealing with the matter.

Housing

The Surveyor reported that with the exception of Sandon, where one cottage became vacant on 23rd ult., all the cottages were in occupation.

Milk and Dairies Order

The order was explained by Dr R.A. Dunn, and it was resolved to communicate with all cow keepers.

Petroleum Order

The Clerk stated that a new order was in force re the storage of Petroleum. He had sent for the forms of registration.

Roads

The Chairman said that special forms needed to be completed before the County Council took over the roads now owned by the Buntingford Council, and the Clerk was instructed to write to the County Council asking whether a separate form was required for each section of road.

17th September 1926 - Rural District Council

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Rural District Council

Captain H.H. Williams presided at the meeting of the Council which followed. Dr R.A. Dunn (M.O.H.) and the Surveyor (Mr E.G. Thody) were also present.

Vote of Condolence

The Chairman said he felt he must endorse the remarks which Mr Hummerstone had made with reference to the late Mr Edward Pigg.

Everyone must feel that men with such a high sense of public spirit were very rare, and the death of Mr Pigg was indeed a great loss.

Surveyor's Report

The Surveyor reported as follows:

Isolation Hospital

No cases of infectious disease have been notified, and the hospital remains closed.

Waterworks

The consumption of water during the past month has been:

1st week - 246,000 gallons

2nd week - 257,000 gallons

3rd week - 240,000 gallons

4th week - 258,000 gallons

The rest level has fallen and now stands at 37ft, being 1ft. lower that [sic] at September last.

Little Hormead Drainage

I have again interviewed Mr Patten with reference to the proposed drainage, and he is willing that the drain take the line shewn upon the accompanying plan.

Housing

Mr T. Pugh, of Ardeley, submits plans for the erection of a bungalow at Ardeley. The plans are in order.

Coal Emergency

Since submitting my last report, increased supplies have reached the merchants, which together with a quantity that I have been able to secure, has been sufficient to meet current needs.

Sandon

Samples of water from properties at Sandon have been sent for analysis, and the owners should be called upon to provide an efficiant and wholesome supply.

Estimates

The Clerk presented the estimates for the half-year ending 31st March, 1927.

The expenses were estimated at £1,675, and after deducting receipts, £813 was required. This was a decrease of £93 compared with the corresponding period last year.

Special Expenses

£139 was required for Special Expenses, which was a decrease of £82 compared with corresponding period of last year.

Tenders for Scavenging

Mr C.H. Poulton submitted a tender for Scavenging, 12/- per day. This was considered very reasonable and was accepted.

The other business was of a formal nature.

14th January 1927 - Buntingford Rural District Council

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Buntingford Rural District Council

Captain H.H. Williams presided at the monthly meeting of the above Council, held at the Council Offices on Thursday in last week.

The Surveyor, Mr E.G. Thody, presented his monthly report.

The Isolation Hospital remained closed. The town's water consumption for the past month was 1,014,000 gallons; the water level at the well had risen another 12in., and stood at 38 feet, the same as at January last.

Condemned Cottages

Dr R.A. Dunn, the Medical Officer of Health, presented a report on the condition of the cottages in Baldock Road, previously reported on by the Surveyor. After discussion it was agreed to issue closing orders.

Fuel Overseer

The Board discussed the question of remuneration to be paid the Fuel Overseer for his duties during the period of the coal dispute - 30 weeks.

The Chairman said a great amount of extra work had been entailed in connection with the issuing of permits and the recording of stocks of coal.

After discussion it was agreed to pay Mr Thody the sum of £30 for his services, and the Chairman said the Board wished to thank him for the manner in which he had dealt with the situation.

During the coal dispute Buntingford was much more fortunate than many other places, with regard to the supply of coal.

Roads

The Surveyor presented a schedule showing the cost of putting in order the roads which the County Council proposed taking over.

The amount stated (£8213), was considered much too high, and it was agreed to get into comunication with the County Councillors representing the District, with a view to getting this amount substantially reduced.

11th March 1927 - Rural District Council

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Rural District Council

A meeting of the Rural District Council followed, Captain H.H. Williams presiding. The officers present were - the Medical Officer of Health (Dr R.A. Dunn), and the Surveyor (Mr E.G. Thody).

The Surveyor reported that the Isolation Hospital remained closed. During the month the consumption  of water had been 999,000 gallons, and the water level had risen another 3ft.

Application was made for the renewal of petroleum licenses, and plans were submitted in respect of a bungalow, for which an application for a subsidy had been submitted.

The Chairman said he understood that as the bungalow had been commenced, it could not rank for a subsidy.

The Surveyor again reported the cases in which tenants of the Council's houses were in arrears with rent, and instructions to serve notices to quit were given.

Electric Light

Plans were submitted by the North Metropolitan Electric Light Company showing the proposed route of their underground cable in Aspenden, Layston and Westmill.

A discussion arose as to the adoption of bye-laws for building, and it was decided to hold the matter over until it had been ascertained what bye-laws were in force in other Rural Council areas.

The Chairman, who spoke in favour of the adoptions of such bye-laws, said it was important to protect the amenities of the countryside, and so far this part of the County was unspoiled.

A communication was received to the effect that a conference for the purpose of considering certain matters in connection with the Rating and Valuation Act, would be held at the Law Society's Hall on Monday, and the Council were asked to nominate two members to attend.

The names of the Chairman and Mr W.J. May were submitted.

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.

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.

----

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.

23rd July 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's Report was presented and passed.

Little Hormead Cottages

The Surveyor reported on the drainage at these cottages, and after a discussion the Surveyor was instructed to interview Mr Pattern.

Housing Acts

Application for subsidies under the House Act, 1923, were received from Mrs Lacey, of Cottered, and Mr R.G. Peck, of Rushden. Both applications were granted.

The Milk and Dairies Order, 1926

The order was discussed, and the Medical Officer of Health (Dr Dunn) was asked to report on the order at the next meeting of the Council.

Rating and Valuation Bill

The question of the new Rating and Valuation Bill was discussed, and the following elected to serve on the local Rating Committee: Mrs Dimsdale, Messrs. W.J. May, C. Fraser, A.J. Hayes, W.H. Kittow and G. Graves.

Mr C. Hummerstone asked what would be the position of the present Assistant Overseer when the new act came into force.

The Clerk pointed out that there would have to be a certain number of collectors, and the matter was left for the Committee to report upon.