18th January 1924 - Buntingford Rural District Council

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Note: The last column of the article seems to be one that actually belongs in the middle, before the column that starts "Cottered". I have transcribed this with the text in the correct place to prevent any confusion with screen readers.

Buntingford Rural District Council

The monthly meeting of the Buntingford Rural District Council was held in the Board Room on Thursday of last week.

The Chairman (Mr H.C. Marshall) presided, others present being Messrs. E.T. Morris, F.B. Cannon, C. Fraser, G.C. Wilson, H.H. Williams, C. Hummerstone, W.J. May, F. Prime, J. Bygrave and G. Graves, Mrs C.R. Dimsdale, the Clerk (Mr E.C. Clarke) and the Surveyor (Mr E.G. Thody).

Isolation Hospital

The Surveyor reported that no cases of infectious disease had been notified during the past month, and that the Hospital was closed.

Waterworks

The consumption of water during the past month was reported as follows:

1st week 207,000 gallons

2nd week 214,000 gallons

3rd week 190,000 gallons

4th week 208,000 gallons

The water level has risen a further two feet and the rest level is now 33 feet, being 2ft. 6ins. higher than in January 1923.

A supply of 400 gallons of paraffin had recently been procured.

Buckland House Scheme

The Surveyor reported that a sample of water taken from the bore hole had been submitted for analyst [sic].

The report stated that the water was distinctly hard, but in all respects it was quite good.

It was considered a wholesome water, and the turbidity would disappear with use.

Electric Light Discussed

It was notified that the North Metropolitan Electric Company proposed applying for powers to supply energy to include the Rural Districts of Buntingford, Ashwell, Hadham and Hitchin.

The Chairman explained the purport of the Bill, and said that he thought the Board would approved of it, but at the same time he thought that a public meeting should be called to discuss the matter.

He hoped that the proposed charge of 10d. per unit would be revised as early as possible.

The Chairman then made the following observations on Clauses 7 and 8 of the Bill:

Clause 7. Under this clause as drawn, the Company can exercise their powers without the consent of the Local Authority where such authority were not authorised distributors at the time of pass the Act. Should the Company obtain the consent of the Council before exercising their powers in the district?

Clause 8. The maximum charge of 10d. per unit, which is to remain in force for a period of three years from the passing of the Act. Under this clause as drawn, a revision of prices cannot take place until after a period of three years. A revision of prices should be permitted to take place any time after the passing of the Act.

It is suggested that Clause 7 should be amended so that the Council would be protected in regard to the Company exercising their powers in the District, and the County Council should consult those Councillors representing the district and ascertain their views before giving their consent.

The following resolution was then unanimously carried:

"That this Council having examined and considered the North Metropolitan Electric Power Supply Bill 1924 are of opinion that Clause 7 should be amended to the effect that the Company shall not exercise their powers to supply in the District except without the previous consent under seal of the County Council, after consultation with representatives of the Local Authorities.

That Clause 8 should be amended so as to permit a revision of charges taking place at any time after the passing of the Act, and not post-poned for a period of three years."

The Chairman, who said that the Hertfordshire Council had the matter in hand, said he would be seeing Sir James Devonshire on the 23rd of January, and that no doubt if the public were willing, and could guarantee a certain number of consumers, the Company would expedite facilities.

Captain E.T. Morris asked if the service would pass through Buckland, and the Chairman said he understood it would.

The Clerk was instructed to write to the Clerk of the Hertfordshire County Council respecting the points raised.

Cottered

The Surveyor stated that owing to carelessness on the part of those drawing water, the elevator was broken on the 8th. The cost of repairs would be £2.

Ardeley

It was reported that the contractor was proceeding with the well-boring, and was down 210 feet. There was 50 feet head of water, and testing was being commenced that day.

A Nuisance at Cromer

The Surveyor reported that a considerable quantity of sewage matter discharged into an open ditch running through the village street. It appeared that the sewage flowed from several properties.

The Surveyor was instructed to interview the owners of the properties with a view to devising a scheme whereby the sewage could be dealt with.

Condemned Cottages

Four cottages situate in Little Lane, which had previously been condemned as unfit for human habitation, were reported to be vacated and closed.

Westmill Cottages

One of the tenants of the Council Cottages at Westmill reported that the mantel shelf in the parlour collapsed, and that his clock and sundry ornaments were thrown to the floor and broken. The tenant had estimated the damage to be about £5.

One of the Councillors caused laughter by saying that he thought mantel shelves should have a notice similar to that on brides, showing what weight they could take.

10th September 1926 - Notes of the Week

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Notes of the Week

Since any matter under this heading has appeared in our columns our little town has been honoured with an up-to-date postage stamp machine.

It is a convenient addition, and is, we believe, used by a large number who previously have made a habit of calling on neighbours for stamps on Sunday evenings.

***

The Electric Light Standards have been erected in our district in a very short while, and it is expected that before Christmas the current will be passing through the miles of cable now being fixed.

There does not, however, appear to be any chance of a supply for the town this year, as a transforming station will have to be built near the town.

***

Another motor accident has occurred at the Harestreet road Corner. The alterations to the bridge do not appear to have had the desired effect, the trouble being due to the fact that the Harestreet road traffic cannot be seen by motorists coming from the town until they reach the crown of the bridge.

The vast majority of motorists appear to be afflicted with a superstitious dread of carrying the simplest requisites and remedies that might be useful should a mishap occur.

Perhaps it is thought that a "medical" case will invite a catastrophe, much as some men and women imagine that the making of a will may hasten his or her death.

A few bandages, some iodine and sticking plaster do not take up much room.

***

8th October 1926 - Not the electric light

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Not the electric light

To those townsmen and visitors who may think that the cables now being laid in the High Street are for the supply of electric light, it is pointed out that the cables are being laid for the Post Office authorities.

We understand that the telephone poles are now carrying their maximum amount of wires, and the new cables will connect up telephone subscribers to the Buntingford Post Office. 

It must be some years since the paving which commences at the top of Church Street was removed en masse, and it is a pity that during the excavations some of it was broken.

11th March 1927 - Rural District Council

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Rural District Council

A meeting of the Rural District Council followed, Captain H.H. Williams presiding. The officers present were - the Medical Officer of Health (Dr R.A. Dunn), and the Surveyor (Mr E.G. Thody).

The Surveyor reported that the Isolation Hospital remained closed. During the month the consumption  of water had been 999,000 gallons, and the water level had risen another 3ft.

Application was made for the renewal of petroleum licenses, and plans were submitted in respect of a bungalow, for which an application for a subsidy had been submitted.

The Chairman said he understood that as the bungalow had been commenced, it could not rank for a subsidy.

The Surveyor again reported the cases in which tenants of the Council's houses were in arrears with rent, and instructions to serve notices to quit were given.

Electric Light

Plans were submitted by the North Metropolitan Electric Light Company showing the proposed route of their underground cable in Aspenden, Layston and Westmill.

A discussion arose as to the adoption of bye-laws for building, and it was decided to hold the matter over until it had been ascertained what bye-laws were in force in other Rural Council areas.

The Chairman, who spoke in favour of the adoptions of such bye-laws, said it was important to protect the amenities of the countryside, and so far this part of the County was unspoiled.

A communication was received to the effect that a conference for the purpose of considering certain matters in connection with the Rating and Valuation Act, would be held at the Law Society's Hall on Monday, and the Council were asked to nominate two members to attend.

The names of the Chairman and Mr W.J. May were submitted.

20th May 1927 - Electric light installation

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There seems a sudden lull in the battle of pick-axes and shovels carried out by men of the North Metropolitan Electric Light Company, the reason, it is believed, being the shortage of cable.

Early this week there was a thump, bang, bang, thumb, of workmen, who were having a glorious time in Church Street. They were playfully wrenching up pavement slabs and pebbles and throwing them to the four winds, while other humorists followed with brick rubble and tar-mac.

The result is that there is now a decent path for part of one side of the street, and we shall now be able to call and pay our water rate without getting wet feet.

The Electric Light Company have certainly "made good" the paths and roads in a more satisfactory manner than the firm that recently put down the telephone cable.

Working for the Electric Light Company must be a delighful occupation. The men are served with tea (for which they have to pay 6d. per week) three times a day. They all seem happy, for occasionally they burst into song, and all the time they are at work there is light-hearted chatter going on.