Archived Extracts

HUTHWAITE Councillors sat much longer than usual at their monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, when several interesting matters were discussed. Councillor J. Davies presided over the following members:- Councillors T. Goodall, E.H. Lowe, J. Iball, A. Wilson, F.C. Sowter, J. Peters, W.E. Hancock, W. Clarke, J. Potter, M. Betts and D.D. Bonser.
  Mr. Lowe raised the question of the condition of Cross Lane, which, he said was still very dangerous, and it was agreed that the Clerk continue the correspondence with the Sutton Council and get to know what was being done in the matter.

  Referring to a minute in the Gas, Lighting and Water Committee with regard to the request of the licensee of the Miners' Arms for a lamp to be affixed over the entrance of the licensed house, for the maintenance of which, and for the gas consumed, he would be responsible. Mr. Bonser suggested that a lamp be placed there if there was one to spare. It was very dark at the corner in question, and it was a narrow turn.
  Mr. Sowter was in agreement with the suggestion and as an alternative suggested that one of the existing lamps be moved nearer the corner.
  The Surveyor said he had inspected the corner and agreed that it was very dangerous.
  Mr. Lowe thought it would be best to write the Brewery Company first asking them to erect the lamp, and it was agreed this be done.
  In reply to Mr. Potter, the Clerk said the Surveyor had been instructed to approach the manager of the C.W.S. factory with regard to the condition of a portion of North Street.
  Mr. Iball called attention to the dangerous condition of a certain section of the footpath on Sutton Road, and it was resolved that the attention of the County Council be drawn to the matter.

  The Clerk reported that he had written a letter to the County Council urging the acceptance of the proposed through road from Huthwaite to Stanton Hill as a productive work for the unemployed, and had received a reply to the effect that the matter was to be submitted to the appropriate committee.
  Mr. Lowe moved the deletion of the following Health and Hospital Committee minutes:- "It was reported that Mr. A. Taylor had not complied with the statutory notice served upon him with respecting his property in Pilsworth's Yard, and the Clerk was instructed to inform him that failing compliance within seven days the Council will carry out the work and charge him with the cost." Mr. Lowe objected to Mr. Taylor being made an example, and thought if they would give him a month the work would be done. Several other houses had been condemned, but the owners of those had not had notice. Mr. Betts seconded.
  Mr. Sowter: It is the intention of the Council to serve notice.
  Mr. Lowe: Well let us start with them all. Mr. Sowter said Mr. Taylor had made alterations to the house in question knowing that it was condemned and had to come down, and that was the reason for the final notice.

  The Chairman said everyone knew the building in question was very undesirable and the air space was needed. If Mr. Taylor insisted upon making alterations contrary to the Council's wishes, he must expect action being taken. The Council did not wish to be drastic, but at the same time the owner could not be allowed to do as he liked.
  Mr. Betts: I don't think he wants to.
  Mr. Lowe said Mr. Taylor intended making a wash-house for the three cottages.
  Mr. Sowter: Why would Mr. Taylor make these alterations without notifying the Council. If he continues to do things in the dark he must abide to what we do here.
  Replying to Mr. Betts, the Surveyor said the yard space was needed more than the wash-house.
  The Clerk, in reply to the Chairman, said according to the Slum Clearance Act the house must be made habitable or pulled down.
  Mr. Sowter said if the Council did not comply with the Act in regard to the demolition of property they could not expect the Ministry to allow them to proceed with the erection of new houses.
  On a vote being taken the minutes were confirmed.

  Referring to a minute of the Finance Committee with regard to the proposed application to the Ministry of Health for sanction to the borrowing of a loan for the erection of the additional 34 dwellings for which the present housing site was available, the Chairman thought the matter ought to be delayed another month. They had sanction to erect 40 houses and to ask for 24 more almost with the same breath was hardly advisable.
  It was agreed that the matter be referred to the appropriate Committee for consideration next month.
  In moving the adoption of the Free Library Committee minutes, Mr. Clarke made an appeal to the public for the gift of volumes for the Library, the shelves of which were not nearly so full as they ought to be.
  The Chairman referred to the defacing of Library books. He mentioned that pages had been torn out the centre of one new book, and he thought borrowers ought to keep the books as clean as possible and not deface or tear them. A notice would be placed in the Library to that effect.
  A deputation from the Huthwaite branch of the Unemployed Workers' Movement was received by the Council. Mr. T. Bradley (secretary) was the spokesman and said the branch, which had a membership of 50, was desirous of the free use of the Library Lecture Hall for the purpose of a recreation room.

  The branch had done all in its power to assist the unemployed, including the distribution of cheap seeds supplied by the Society of Friends and the organisation of three concerts, and the Committee were prepared to carry out the wishes of the Council in every respect.
  The Chairman said he did not think the unemployed wished to deprive the aged the use of the Hall, but just to enjoy the same facilities.
  In reply to Mr. Lowe, it was stated that the unemployed did not expect the use of the Hall when it was otherwise engaged.
  Mr. Sowter thought the whole of the Council were prepared to give every assistance to the unemployed, and he appealed to the churches and others to do their part to help those who were in less fortunate circumstances through no fault of their own.
  Mr. Bradley said his Committee would also like the Council to grant the free use of the ante-room for branch meetings, for which a 1s. per meeting was now being paid.
  It was agreed that this request be considered in Committee.
  Mr. Simpson agreed that the Council ought to do everything in their power to help the unemployed but he hoped things would be properly organised. They ought to explore in all directions to see how far the men could be not only entertained but educated and profitably employed. He would be pleased to do all he could.

  Mr. Bradley said the Committee were prepared to be responsible for the organisation of games, etc., and also to see that no extra duties were placed on the caretaker.
  Mr. Betts said he was prepared to do all he could to help, and the Chairman expressed the hope that the churches and all interested would join in helping the unemployed.
  On the proposition of Mr. Potter it was agreed that the dispensation request be granted.
  Mr. Sowter was unanimously re-elected the Council's representative of the Mansfield and District Public Assistance Area Committee, and it was agreed that the co-option of Mr. Betts on the Committee be suggested to the authorities concerned and that objection be made to preference being given to a co-opted member who had not sat on a public body.
  The boundaries question was raised by a letter from the New Hucknall Colliery Company, and the Chairman would receive valuable help from the Colliery Company with regard to the Council's objection to the County Council's proposals.
  The Mansfield and District Traction Company wrote asking permission to erect posts indicating stopping places and where lamp posts were available to affix notices to these.
  It was pointed out that the Council were concerned only with Main Street, and that the Company be asked to confer with the Surveyor with regard to the erection of posts here, and that the application for posts elsewhere be referred to the County Council.