16th Dec 1927 - Buntingford Rural District Council

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Rural District Council

Cottered Drainage Scheme

A meeting of the Buntingford Rural District Council followed, Captain H.H. Williams presiding.

The Surveyor (Mr E.G. Thody) reported as follows: Since the last meeting one patient has been admitted to the Isolation Hospital and one discharged. The consumption of water in the town has been 1,005,000 gallons during the past four weeks. Tenders have been invited for the provision of an overflow drain at the Cottered housing site. The total length of the drain is 262 yards, which varies in depth from three feet to eleven feet.

The Surveyor also presented his house report, which showed a list of tenants in arrear with their rent. Instruction respecting the collection of these arrears were given the Surveyor.

There was a further discussion of the question of a differentiation in the rents of Council cottages let to farm labourers, the Clerk stating that he had heard from the Ministry on the matter. The Ministry required an answer to a lengthy list of questions respecting the wages, &c., in the district.

Mr Hayes, Mr May and Mr Ward joined in the discussion, the latter remarking that he thought a letter should be sent to the Ministry of Health stating that the Council were of opinion that the highest rent a farm labourer could pay was 3/-.

The Chairman said he was sure they were all agreed upon the general principle of the question. Perhaps they would be getting a little further with the matter if they could get out the particulars asked for by the Ministry.

On Mr Wilson's proposition, the Clerk and Surveyor were requested to draw up a report which would form the basis of a letter to the Ministry.

16th Dec 1927 - Buntingford Board of Guardians

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Buntingford Board of Guardians

Monthly Meeting

The monthly meeting of the Buntingford Board of Guardians was held at the Board Room on Thursday in last week. In the absence through illness of the Chairman, Mr C. Hummerstone, the Vice-Chairman, Mr F.B. Cannon, presided, and expressed the hope that the Chairman would soon be well again.

Others present were Mrs Dimsdale, Captain H.H. Williams, Messrs. C. Fraser, G. Graves, A.W. Page, W.J. May, T.J. Stick, A.J. Hayes, G.C. Wilson, and Herbert Ward, with the Master (Mr F.W. Butler), the Relieving Officers (Mr H.H. Macklin) and the Clerk (Mr E.C. Clarke).

MASTER'S REPORT

The Master presented his monthly report, which was as follows: Number of inmates - men 26, women 18, total 44. Number for corresponding period last year, 37.

Since the last meeting five persons had been admitted and one discharged. The following gifts had been received and much appreciated: Mrs Vasey, books; Miss Thody, magazines; Mrs Searing, books; Mrs Law, books. During the month, 293 casuals have been relieved, against 91 for the corresponding period of last year.

The Master also reported that he had received some subscriptions towards the fund for provided a loud speaker for the men's ward, and he hoped to get enough to meet the cost.

Mr May reported that he had, on behalf of the House Committee, visited that Institution that morning and found everywhere in clean and good order. The new stove had been fixed in the lying-in ward and was satisfactory. The electric light installation was well in hand.

Several cases of relief were dealt with, and a proposition allowing the usual extra Christmas relief (1/6 for adults and 1/- for children) was unanimously carried.

TENDERS

Tenders were received for the supply of goods, &c., to the institution, and the following accepted:

Groceries - Messrs. W.B. Moss & Sons.

Meat - Mr H.A. Jackson.

Milk - Mr C. Smith.

Coffins - Mr G. Saggers.

Hair-cutting - Mr C. Miles.

Bread and flour - Mr G.J. Pearce.

The remaining business, which lasted less than twenty minutes, was of a formal nature.

24th Feb 1928 - Appointment of Registrar

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Appointment of Registrar

After having been in Mr Macklin's family for nearly 100 years the office of Registrar of the Buntingford sub-district has changed hands, Mr B.E. Thody, the newly appointed Registrar having taken over the duties this week.

The office was held by Mr Macklin, by his father and also by his grandfather.

The appointment of a Relieving Officer has not year been completed, and the duties are still being carried out by Mr Macklin.

10th Feb 1928 - School Attendance

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School Attendance

A meeting of the Buntingford Education Sub-Committee was held at the Board Room on Tuesday morning, Mr C. Hummerstone presiding. Other members present were Mrs Alex Dixon, the Rev. F.R. Williams, the Rev. John Cole, Captain H.H. Williams, and Messrs. E.E. Dennis, W.J. May and G.C. Wilson, with the Clerk (Mr E.C. Clarke) and the School Attendance Officer (Mr B.E. Thody).

Five cases of irregular attendance were dealt with and warnings issued. The Attendance Officer reported that there were 690 children on the registers and that the attendance for the past week was 92.7.

The Committee fixed the holidays for the current year and also passed accounts relating to the Technical Institute.