11th June 1926 - Buntingford Petty Sessions

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Buntingford Petty Sessions

Friday last before Col. C.H.B. Heaton-Ellis, C.B.E., The Hon. Baron Dimsdale, Capt. H.H. Williams and H.C. Marshall, Esq.

Poor Rate

The Cottered Poor Rate was signed by two Justices. The rate was at 5/- in £.

LONDON MEN BROUGHT UP ON REMAND

Wrong Names and Addresses

The three London men, who, as reported in our last issue, were remanded for stealing three pairs of motor goggles, the property of the Herts. County Council, were brought up on remand, and were formally charged with theft. All the defendants pleaded guilty.

Supt. Wright informed the Bench that from enquiries made it had been ascertained that when the men were arrested by P.S. Dean they each gave wrong names and addresses.

The defendant who gave his name as Sullivan and address Beaconsfield Road, Shoreditch, was George Wright, of 18, Marnesbury Terrace, Canning Town. Anderson's correct name was Frank Slade, of 84, Clarence Road, Canning Town, and the defendant Jones, who stated he resided at Beaconsfield Road, Shoreditch, was R. Murphy of 61, Croydon Road, Plaistow.

Herbert Smith, of Gt. Munden, a road foreman in the employ of the Herts. County Council, stated that he missed the goggles from a bag attached to his cycle, which was standing near Hamels Park. The goggles (produced) were the ones in his care. They were valued at 2/- each.

Sergt. Dean stated that on Monday, 31st May, he was on duty when he received information that five pairs of motor goggles had been stolen between Buntingford and Standon. He went towards Standon, and saw three men lying on the grass.

He told them he was a police officer, and that he was making enquiries about some stolen goggles. He started to search the defendants, when Anderson produced three pairs of goggles, two other pairs being found on Sullivan by P.C. Gillett. The defendants stated that the goggles were given them by a man.

Supt. Wright stated that nothing was known against Wright and Slade, but it had been found that Murphy had been previously convicted for stealing £1 16s. 10d. in 1920. He had also been sent to an Industrial School, and was discharged from there in 1922.

One of the defendants told the Bench they were all three sorry for what they had done; they had been in prison since Monday and they hoped the Bench would deal leniently with them.

After consultation the Chairman said all three defendants would be dealt with alike; they would go to prison for 14 days with hard labour.

4th June 1926 - School Attendance

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School Attendance

A meeting of the Buntingford Education Sub-Committee was held at the Board Room on Monday last. Present - The Rev. F.R. Williams (Chairman), The Revd. John Cole, Mrs Dimsdale, Messrs. C. Hummerstone, E.E. Dennis and W.J. May. Mr C. Hummerstone was appointed Vice-Chairman.

The School Attendance Officer presented his report which showed that there were 728 children on the books. Cases of irregular attendances were reported, and dealt with by the Committee.

The Clerk read a communication from the County Council respecting the attendances made by the Nuthampstead children, and this was fully discussed.

Mr W.J. May referred to the evening class syllabus for 1926-1927, and said he hoped that such subjects as Agriculture and Horticulture would be included in the programme. The committee were in favour of this, and the Clerk was instructed to write to the County Council on the matter.

4th June 1926 - Rural District Council

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Rural District Council

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

The Emergency Committee

The Chairman said he thought the members would like to express their thanks to the volunteer workers who assisted during the recent emergency.

The following resolution was then moved by the Chairman and seconded by Mr C. Hummerstone:

"The R.D.C. wishes to express its sincere appreciation of the assistance afforded it by voluntary workers during the recent emergency.

In particular the thanks of the Council are due to Mr Scarborough Taylor for the time and trouble he gave to the compilation of data relative to the food supplies of the district. The invaluable clerical assistance of Mrs Scarborough Taylor and Mr Frank Fraser is greatfully acknowledged.

The Council is also greatly indebted to a Committee of Traders for advice and suggestions. Messrs. F.W. Butler, S.G. Lees, B. Kennedy and H. Feasey were most helpful in carrying messages and communications by cycle and motor-cycle; and Mr B.E. Thody was of constant assistance in many ways.

Mr Bayman, of Forrest Stores, very kindly obtained food supplies from Bishop Stortford on behalf of the district in general.

Further the Council desires to thanks its officers, Mr E.G. Thody and Mr E.C. Clarke for the generous and untiring manner in which they performed the additional duties which fell to them.

Surveyor's Report

The Surveyor reported as follows:

Isolation Hospital

One patient was admitted on May 5th suffering from scarlet fever. There are no other cases under treatment.

Waterworks

The consumption of water during the past month has been:

1st week - 250,000 gallons.

2nd week - 204,000 gallons.

3rd week - 190,000 gallons.

4th week - 255,000 gallons.

The water level remains at 42ft., being the same as at May last. During the past three weeks the men have been engaged in overhauling the pumps and fitting new couplings. We hope to complete the work this week.

Coal Emergency

The merchants' stocks of coal are getting low, and in view of the circumstances I have communicated with the representative of the Mines Department respecting an offer of foreign coal.

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Speed of Motor Vehicles

The Clerk stated that he had received a communication from the County Council stating that the warning boards for motorists could be erected subject to the sites being approved by the County Council.

Tenders

Tenders were received for painting, &c., the exterior of the Sunny Hill houses.

The following tenders were received, that of Messrs. Attwood & Son being accepted  Mr G. Handy, £192; Messrs. Attwood & Son, £58 16s.

4th June 1926 - Occasional Court

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Occasional Court

A Smart Capture

At an Occasional Court, presided over by Capt. H.H. Williams, on Tuesday, three Shoreditch men, Frank Anderson (21), Richard Jones (19), and John Sullivan (19), all of Beaconsfield Road, Shoreditch, were remanded in custody until today (Friday) for stealing five pairs of motor goggles, value 2/- each, the property of the Herts County Council.

Sergt. Dean stated that on Monday, 31st May, he was on duty when he received information that five pairs of motor goggles had been stolen between Buntingford and Standon. He went towards Standon, and saw three men lying on the grass.

He told them he was a police officer, and that he was making enquiries about some stolen goggles. He started to search the defendants, when Anderson produced three pairs of goggles, two other pairs being found on Sullivan by P.C. Gillett. The defendants stated that goggles were given them by a man.

Supt. Wright asked for a remand until Friday, and this was granted, as stated. One of the defendants refused to have his finger prints taken, and the Supt. made application to the Chairman for a request to be made to the Governor of Brixton Prison for the finger prints to be taken. The application was granted.

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Read the Petty Sessions report dealing with this case a week later.