28th May 1926 - Hertfordshire County Library

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Hertfordshire County Library

The Local Committee of the Buntingford Centre met on Tuesday at the Parish Room, the Rev. A. Howard presiding in the absence of the Chairman (Mr C. Fraser).

The other members present were Mrs H. Williams, Mrs Page, the Rev. L.W. Wright, Mrs Baker and the Local Librarian (Mrs Howard).

It was decided to open the Library weekly on Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m., commencing with a formal opening on Tuesday next (June 1st), when those who have signed the membership cards will be able to select a book.

14th May 1926 - Correspondence

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Correspondence

We have received the following letter from Mr G. Scarborough Taylor, who has been acting as Transport Officer to the Buntingford district on behalf of the Ministry of Transport Committee for Hertfordshire:

To the Editor, Buntingford Gazette.

Dear Sir,

I trust you will permit me to thank the following for their very ready and willing assistance they gave in help me carry out duties in connection with haulage of food supplies during the recent strike:

Mr Bayman, of Forrest Stores, who obtained food supplies from Bishops Stortford on behalf of the district, and for seeing the various grocers so as to ensure no shortage;

Messrs F.W. Butler, S.G. Lees, B. Kennedy and H. Feasey, for their time and use of motor cycles and bicycles in going round the district;

Mr Frank Fraser and Mrs Scarborough Taylor for their clerical assistance and tabulating records of food supplies;

and last, but certainly not least, to Mr B.E. Thody for the almost continual and numerous ways he has readily assisted.

Yours faithfully,

G. Scarborough Taylor

Buntingford, May 13th, 1926.

14th May 1926 - The Great Strike

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The Great Strike

The General Strike was called off by the Council of The Trades' Union Congress at 1.15 p.m. on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister had made it quite clear that the Strike had to be called off without conditions being entered into by the Government.

It is the view of many that the steadfastness displayed by the people as a whole really brought about the decision to abandon the General Strike. The Trade Union leaders, it is thought, must have seen that this weapon was, in the long run, bound to tell. If the Strike had not been called off by the T.U.C. there would, in a few days time, have been no strike to call off, so numerous were men returning to work.

As Mr Baldwin said, it was a victory for the common sense of the best part of the people of the United Kingdom.

BUNTINgFORD EMERGENCY COMMITTEE

During the recent crisis, the Buntingford Rural District Council formed themselves into a District Emergency Committee, and meetings were held on Thursday, Saturday, and Tuesday.

It was stated that under the Emergency Act of 1926 the Council had been vested with various powers.

Captain E.T. Morris stated that the ratepayers of the district should know that their representatives on the Council were watching matters on their behalf.

The question of food supplies was discussed at the meeting on Thursday, and returns called for from local traders.

The Chairman (Captain H.H. Williams) and Mr Scarborough Taylor undertook the work of securing returns from the Buntingford tradesmen, and these were carefully tabulated by Mrs Scarborough Taylor, Mr Claud Fraser, and helpers.

At the meeting of the Emergency Committee, held at the Board Room on Saturday, Mr Scarborough Taylor was co-opted on the Committee. He reported that with the assistance of Mr F.W. Butler, Mr B.E. Thody, and Mr B. Kennedy, he had made a survey of the whole of the Buntingford district, and that foodstuffs appeared sufficient to meet the normal demands of the public for some time.

The Council thought this was most re-assuring.

TRANSPORT

On Monday, Mr Scarborough Taylor, who was appointed Transport Officer for the Buntingford district, made a complete list of all the motor transport which could be called upon for the conveyance of foodstuffs to the district.

FREE CANTEEN

Matters became so well organised that by Wednesday morning it was found practicable to establish a free canteen for all lorry drives passing through the town. The canteen was opened at Mr Maughan's office in the High Street, and a large notice was posted up to the effect that drivers of lorries and special constables on duty could obtain free refreshments between the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.

There was a general rush of volunteers to assist with the scheme, and four shifts were arranged: Mr H.C. Marshall and Mr F.W. Butler taking the first turn from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Mr G.H. Maughan and Mr G. Scarborough Taylor from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., Mr C.S. Knowles, Mr S. Lees and Mr H.A. Thody from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m., and Mr H. Clarke and Mr B.E. Thody from 5 a.m to 8 a.m.

During Wednesday night, 87 drivers of lorries were entertained at the Canteen, and all were very grateful for the hospitality shown. A large number of the men were on long-distance trips, and as some were on their journey to London from the North it was decided to run the canteen on Thursday night also. Again many drivers took advantage of the opportunity for a rest and refreshment.

Thanks are due to the ladies' committee, who were responsible for the provisions. The committee were Mrs H.C. Marshall, Mrs G. Scarborough Taylor, Mrs Amstrong, Mrs G.H. Maughan and Mrs E.G. Thody.

TRAMS AND BUSES

Although there were no trains on the Buntingford Branch a service of buses was started on Monday morning, the Buntingford driver taking the 8.10 bus to Ware as usual.

THE NEWS

The welcome news that the strike was to be called off, was made known by wireless shortly after 1 p.m. on Wednesday. The announcer said further announcements would be held over for a few minutes as some important news was expected.

After a few minutes wait, he read a message from No. 10, Downing Street, to the effect that the Trades' Union Congress had decided to call off the strike. Within a few minutes flags were flying from many windows in the High Street.

NEWSPAPERS AND THE STRIKE

As was generally expected no papers reached Buntingford during the first two or three days of the strike. A British Gazette was posted up at the Police Station on Thursday, and two strike specials were issued in the district. This paper and the Hertfordshire Mercury published their usual editions on Friday.

On Sunday evening a supply of Continental Daily Mails, brought from France by aeroplane, were delivered in the town, and there was a ready sale for the paper, which contained photographs of strike scenes in London.

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the British Gazette was freely sold in the district, and gave confidence.

30th April 1926 - Rural District Council

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Rural District Council

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Mr G.C. Wilson proposed that Captain H.H. Williams be elected Chairman for the ensuring year. Capt. Williams was one who had done a large amount of work for the Guardians and the Council, and he was one of those members who attended every meeting.

Capt. E.T. Morris seconded.

Capt. Williams, in thanking the members for electing him, said he appreciated the honour and privilege. The position meant a certain amount of work, but one's labours were lightened by the way in which the members worked together and by the Council's excellent clerk.

The Chairman then proposed that Mr G.C. Wilson be appointed Vice-Chairman. Mr Wilson had done a large amount of good and practical work.

Mr H.E. Dudley seconded.

Mr Wilson thanked the members for his appointment, and said he would do his best.

COMMITTEES

Mr C. Hummerstone proposed, and Mr W.J. May seconded, that the following be appointed to serve on the Housing Committee:

Mrs K.J. Dimsdale, Captain E.T. Morris, Capt. H.H. Williams, Messrs. F.B. Cannon, C. Fraser, G. Graves, C. Hummerstone, W.H. Kittow, H.C. Marshall, W.J. May, E.J. Marchal and G.C. Wilson.

The following were appointed to serve on the Hospital Committee:

Mrs K.J. Dimsdale, Rev. L.W. Wright, Capt. E.T. Morris, Capt. H.H. Williams, Messrs. John Bygrave, C. Fraser, C. Hummerstone, A.J. Hayes, H.C. Marshall, W.J. May and A.W. Page.

The following were appointed to serve on the Water and Sewage Farm Committee:

Capt. H.H. Williams, Messrs. F.B. Cannon, H.E. Dudley, W.H. Kittow, W.J. May, T.J. Stick and A.J. Hayes.

SURVEYOR'S REPORT

The Surveyor reported as follows:

ISOLATION HOSPITAL

No cases of infection disease have been notified during the month, and the hospital remains closed.

WATERWORKS

The consumption of water during the past month has been:

1st week - 264,000 gallons.

2nd week - 249,000 gallons.

3rd week - 256,000 gallons.

4th week - 258,000 gallons.

The water level remains stationary at 42 feet, being the same level as April 29th last year. Water services have been made to premises in the High Street for the Electro Tanneries, LTD., and to premises in the London Road.

WESTMILL WATER SUPPLY

In consequence of complaints made by the tenants of the Council's cottages alleging impurity of the water supply, a sample of water has been submitted to the Counties Laboratories for analysis.

The analyst reports as follows: "This is very hard water of the highest degree of organic purity. The hardness is such that it will rapidly fur kettles, boilers, &c. We regard the water as a pure and wholesome supply."

A same from the newly-dug well at Westmill has also been submitted for analysis, and the analyst reports: "This is a hard water containing a trace of vegetable matter in suspension, which is doubtless due to the recent sinking operation. In other respects it is satisfactory and of a fair degree of organic purity. Assuming that the well is efficiently constructed, we regard the water as suitable for drinking and domestic purposes.

HOUSING

The Survey reported on the Housing Scheme as follows:

All the cottages owned by the Council are in occupation.

A tenant makes application to erect a small motor shed at one of the cottages at Meesden.

The Chairman said the application would be granted.

A letter was read from the Ministry of Health with reference to the sundry expenditure in connection with the Housing Final Accounts, and stating that subject to audit the amounts would rank for financial assistance.

ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY

The North Metropolitan Electric Supply Company wrote stating that they had been obliged to alter their proposed route owing to the trouble of getting way leave. The route would not be about 500 yds. further east.

The Chairman said the Company had not stated where the new line would be diverted, and he thought it would be a good thing if the Clerk wrote and asked the Company.

This was agreed.

LOCAL EDUCATION

The Clerk stated that the Herts. County Council had asked the Council to appoint three members on the Local Education Committee of the Herts. County Council. The following were then elected: Capt. H.H. Williams, Messes. C. Hummerstone and G.C. Wilson.

ADVERTISEMENTS REGULATION ACTS

A circular was read from the Council Council respecting the above Act which gives power to protect from disfiguring advertisements.

1. The view of rural scenery from a highway or railway or from any public place or water.

2. The amenities of any village within the district of a Rural District Council.

3. The amenities of historic or public buildings &c.

The County Council also pointed out that a conference upon the subject was being held in London on Friday, 7th May, and asked for two representatives of the Council to be appointed to attend.

Capt. Morris proposed that Capt. H.H. Williams and the Rev. L.W. Wright be appointed. This was agreed.

GRANT

The Clerk stated that the sum of £93 0s. 10d. had been placed to the credit of the Council under the Agrucultural Rates Act of 1896.