Sale
At Royston on Wednesday last, Mr G. Scarborough Taylor conducted a sale of freehold properties and land situate [sic] at Reed.
Lot 1 - an enclosure with arable land, with an area of 4 acres, was sold to Messrs. Tott Bros., of Reed, for £120.
Lot 2 - comprising five brick built cottages, was sold to Mr Harling, of "The Bull" Hotel, Royston, for £200.
Lot 3 - seven acres of pasture land and buildings, was sold to Mr J. Sworder, of Barkway, for £400.
Buntingford Board of Guardians
The Chairmanship
The monthly meeting of the Buntingford Board of Guardians was held at the Board Room yesterday (Thursday).
Present: Capt. E.T. Morris, Capt. H.H. Williams, the Rev. L.W. Wright, Messrs. F.B. Cannon, W.J. May, G. Graves, E. Bygrave, T.J. Stick, E.J. Marchal, W.H. Kittow, A.J. Hayes, G.C. Wilson, H.E. Dudley, and C. Hummerstone, with the Clerk (Mr E.C. Clarke), the Master (Mr F.W. Butler), and the Relieving Officer (Mr H.H. Macklin).
Capt. H.H. Williams was voted to the chair.
THE CHAIRMANSHIP
The Chairman said the first business was to elect a new Chairman of the Board.
Mr W.J. May said he had much pleasure in proposing that Mr C. Hummerstone be appointed Chairman for the ensuing year. Mr Hummerstone had been on the Board for the past nine years, and no one had taken a keener interest in the affairs of the Board.
Mr A.J. Hayes seconded the proposition.
On taking the chair, Mr Hummerstone said he had hoped that Mr May would carry on for another year, but as it was the Board's wish that he (Mr Hummerstone) be elected Chairman he would do his best. (Hear, hear).
The Chairman moved that Mr F.B. Cannon be elected Vice-Chairman. The members all knew what interest Mr Cannon took in matters of local government.
The Rev. L.W. Wright seconded.
Mr Cannon thanked the members for electing him and said he would do his best.
COMMITTEES
On the proposition of Mr W.H. Kittow, seconded by Mr G.C. Wilson, the following were appointed to serve on the House Committee:
Mrs K.J. Dimsdale, Rev. L.W. Wright, Capt. E.T. Morris, Capt. H.H. Williams, Messrs. F.B. Cannon, C. Fraser, G. Graves, C. Hummerstone, H.C. Marshall, W.J. May, A.W. Page and G.C. Wilson.
Capt. H.H. Williams moved, and Mr F.B. Cannon seconded, that the following be appointed to serve on the Finance Committee:
Capt. E.T. Morris, Capt. H.H. Williams, Messrs. C. Fraser, C. Hummerstone, H.C. Marshall, W.J. May, E.J. Marchal, A.W. Page and G.C. Wilson.
The following were appointed to serve on the Assessment Committee on the proposition of Capt. E.T. Morris, seconded by Mr E.J. Marchal:Gr
Capt. E.T. Morris, Capt. H.H. Williams, Messrs. F.B. Cannon, H.E. Dudley, C. Fraser, C. Hummerstone, W.H. Kittow, W.J. May, T.J. Stick, and G.C. Wilson.
MASTER'S REPORT
The Master reported as follows:
Number of inmates - men 17, women 15, children 2. Total 34. Corresponding period last year - men 21, women 17, children 3. Total 41. Casuals 18. Corresponding period last year 9. Since the last meeting of the Board 55 casuals have been relieved.
GIFTS
Gifts of books have been received from the Captain (Salvation Army), Mrs Veasey, Mrs Scarborough Taylor and Mrs J. Smith. On 28th the inmates were invited to a concert given by "The Bunties" Concert Party, and a most enjoyable time was spent.
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A discussion arose as to the increased number of tramps, and the Master as given instructions with regard to certain cases.
The Chairman said the Board were grateful to the donors of the gifts and to "The Bunties" Concert Party.
HOUSE COMMITTEE REPORT
The House Committee visited the House on April 19th, and found the inmates carefully attended and comfortable.
The contract work to the day rooms, sick wards and scullery was well in hand. The question of dealing with the excess of tramps was discussed by the Committee.
The Committee also inspected the meat and found it quite satisfactory.
OFFICERS' SALARIES
The clerk read a circular from the Ministry of Health giving the average weekly cost per inmate for officers' salaries and rations, also of buildings and repairs. The following is an extract - Officers' salaries - Buntingford Union 7/5 and a half, Ware Union 9/3 and a half, Royston 8/5. Buildings and repairs - Buntingford Union 3/2 and a quarter, Ware Union 2/4, Royston Union 2/2 and a quarter.
The Chairman said the Buntingford figure of 3/2 and a quarter included the cost of the new heating arrangements.
RELIEF
Several cases of relief were dealt with by the Board, and instructions given to the Relieving Officer.
OVERSEERS
The Board appointed overseers for the following parishes: Broadfield, Buckland, Little Hormead, Meesden and Rushden.
GRANT UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL RATES ACT
The Clerk stated that the sum of £240 14s. 4d., under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896, had been placed to the credit of the Guardians.
Women's Institute
Monthly Meeting
Parade of Shawls
The President, Mrs H.C. Marshall, presided at the monthly meeting of the Buntingford Women's Institute, held at the George Hotel on Wednesday in last week.
A demonstration on basket and cane work was given by Mr R.A. Bunn, of the H.C.C., and was watched very attentively by the members. Mr Bunn afterwards raffled the tray he made and gave the proceeds of the draw to the Teachers' Benevolent Society. The tray was won by Mrs T. Dellow.
On the proposition of the President, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Bunn for his very interesting demonstration.
There were 30 entrants for the parade of shawls, and some beautiful specimens were seen. Mrs T. Dellow was awarded first prize, Mrs Mottram second, and Mrs Scarborough Taylor third.
Votes of condolence were accorded Mrs H.J. Fordham, whose husband was killed at the Puckeridge Races, and Mrs Tapper, of Cottered.
The question of the summer outing was discussed, and it was suggested that an historical place such as Hampton Court be visited this year. The matter was left over for discussion.
Tea was served by Mrs H., Mrs W.J. and Mrs J May, of Wyddiall.
Great Hormead
The Bunties
"The Bunties" Pierrot Troupe gave a variety entertainment at the Village Hall on Friday evening last to a very appreciative audience. The programme was the same as that presented at Buntingford.
At the close Mr Codrington proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the Troupe, who he said, had given a delightful programme.
Cheers were then given for the Troupe, after which Mr Scarborough Taylor returned thanks.