19th Nov 1926 - British and Foreign Bible Society

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British and Foreign Bible Society

Buntingford Auxiliary

The Annual Buntingford Meeting, which was one of 14 meetings being held in the district between November 8th and November 26th, was held on Wednesday in the Congregational School, and was considered by many who have attended them year after year to be one of the best ever held here.

The deputation was Mr Gracie, Sec. in Ceylon. The meeting was as usual preceded by a social hour, with tea arranged and given by the ladies of the Buntingford Committee and other friends.

After tea, Mr and Mrs H. May sang two sacred duets. Mrs Saggers kindly recited twice, and at the commencement of the meeting the anthem "O taste and see" was sung by a special choir, all the items being much appreciated.

In the unavoidable absence of Sir Charles Heaton-Ellis, through indisposition, the chair was taken by Rev. A. Howard. Mr H. May read a portion of scripture, and Rev. John Cole offered prayer.

Mr Gracie, who has worked in Ceylon for 33 years, gave a deeply interesting and instructive address on "the island of spicy breezes," and the wonderful progress which has been made there, and which would have been impossible without the work of the Bible Society.

He related the remarkable way in which the Bible Society had first taken up work there, before any missionary had arrived, through the labours of a young Indian civilian of wonderful linguistic powers and Christian zeal, who was the first translator of the Singhalese New Testament.

Now the Bible is being read and studied by tens of thousands of students, many of whom, though not bapized Christians, are framing their lives by the teaching of Christ. Here at home people are decrying and neglecting their Bibles, but in India and Ceylon it is becoming more and more the one Book worth studying.

The meeting closed with a hymn and prayer. The collection amounted to £2 12s. and the proceeds of the tea to nearly £2.

Appended is last year's report:

[Transcriber note - There is a list of accounts at the end of this report, the layout of which didn't entirely make sense. Please see the original image if you want to see the accounts].

19th Nov 1926 - Board of Guardians and Rural District Council

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Board of Guardians and Rural District Council

Monthly Meeting

Mr C. Hummerstone presided at the monthly meeting of the Buntingford Board of Guardians held on November 11th.

The Master of the Institution (Mr F.W. Butler), reported that the number of inmates was 38. During the month 80 casuals had been admitted.

Gifts had been received from the following: Mrs Greg (books), Mrs H. May (books), Mrs Scarborough Taylor (books), Mrs A. Dixon (cakes), Great Hormead - pre Rev. W.L. Shepherd (vegetables, jam and eggs).

Several relief cases were dealt with, and the Board decided to grant 1/- per week extra coal to persons, for a period of one month, in certain relief cases where the recipients were living solely by themselves.

The Clerk submitted the basis for County Rates for 1927, which showed an increase of £200 on the assessable value for the current year; this increase, however, compared very favourably in proportion to the increases made in other unions in the County.

COUNCIL MEETING

Capt. H.H. Williams presided at the meeting of the Rural District Council which followed.

The Surveyor reported that the Isolation Hospital remained closed. The consumption of water during the past month was 1,060,000 gallons. The work of leathering the pumps has been completed.

Complaints had been made respecting the condition in which the pavements have been left by the contractors who recently opened up the paths for the purpose of laying a telephone cable.

The Clerk was instructed to write to the County Instructor on the matter.

The other business was of a formal nature.

19th Nov 1926 - National Institute for the Blind

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National Institute for the Blind

Successful Whist Drive

The whist drive and dance, in aid of the National Institute for the Blind, held at the George Hotel on Wednesday evening last, passed off most successfully.

There was an excellent company present - 88 sitting down to whist, which commenced at 7.30.

The successful players were:

Ladies - 1, Mrs Rand, 177 (butter dish); 2, Miss Aylott, 176 (case of knives); 3, Mr J. Parrish (playing as lady), 174 (scent spray).

Gents - 1, Mr F. Ward, 180 (case of brushes); 2, Mr S. Howlett, 175 (knife); 3, Mr C. Tottman, 172 (purse).

A lucky ticket prize - an attache case - was kindly given by Miss Lushington, and was won by Mr Rand, of Newtown.

A dance followed, the Standon Orchestra providing an excellent programme of up-to-date dance music, Mr L. Smith officiating as M.C.

Mr B.E. Thody, who annually organises the event officiated as M.C. for whist, and at the close thanked the company for their support.

A hearty vote of thanks was also accorded Miss Lushington for presenting a prize, and the Standon Orchestra for the music.

The total proceeds were £6 0s. 6d.

19th Nov 1926 - Buntingford Property Sale

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Buntingford

Property Sale

Mr G. Scarborough Taylor conducted a sale of freehold properties on Monday last.

Lot 1, which comprised the business premises occupied by Mr H.A. Postle, was withdrawn after a final bid of £1150.

Lot 2, known as "Bell Barns," sold to Mr C.H. Poulton for £245, the adjoining meadow being purchased by Mrs T. Nevett for £260.

Lot 4, consisting of 1 acre, 13 poles of pasture, was purchased by Mr C.H. Poulton for £175, the same buyer purchasing Lot 5: 18 acres, situate [sic] near "The Bowling Green," for £550.