Archived Extracts

EXTRACTS from the Committee minutes confirmed by the Huthwaite Urban District Council at the monthly meeting on Tuesday evening are given below.
  Roads and Buildings Committee.- The provision of public seats in certain localities was discussed and referred to the Surveyor for investigation and report at the next meeting.

  A letter was submitted from the Traffic Commissioners for the East Midland Area enclosing a list of stopping places for the Mansfield and District Traction Co.'s 'buses, and at which "bus stop" notices are proposed to be fixed, and requesting the Council's approval of these. It was resolved that the list be approved subject to two suggested amendments.
  Cemetery, Pleasure Grounds and Allotments Committee.- A request was received from the Huthwaite United F.C. for the free use of a football playing piece on Huthwaite Park during the coming season, and this was granted.
  The provision of a drinking fountain in the Park was discussed and deferred for submission of an estimate of the cost by the Surveyor.
  Health and Hospital Committee.- The Medical Officer of Health reported that five deaths had occurred in the district during the past month, and were equal to an annual mortality of 11.7 per 1,000, as compared with 9.3 per 1,000 for the corresponding period last year. Six births, all males, were registered during the month.
  The Clerk read a circular letter from the Ministry of Health respecting the special inspection of slum areas in the district, and the establishment of a time table and five year's programme for the improvement or demolition of houses situated therein, and the provision of new dwellings for dispossessed tenants. The matter was fully discussed and the Health Officials reported upon the inspection of records already made. It was resolved that the inspection be completed forthwith and a report submitted to the next meeting of the Committee for the purpose of the completion of the time table.

  The question of pail closet conversions was again discussed, and the replies of the various owners to the Council's enquiries read. It was resolved (1) that Mr. Simpson, with the Clerk and Sanitary Inspector, arrange an interview with the Agent of the New Hucknall Colliery Company with a view to the Company's participation in the contributory scheme, and (2) that the scheme be in any case at once proceeded with and sanction to the necessary loan applied for by the Clerk and negotiated after conferring with the Sanitary Inspector as to the probable requirements.
  Finance and General Purposes Committee.- The Surveyor was authorised to employ Mr. Stones as a temporary part-time caretaker of the Park, subject to one week's notice to terminate his duties. The caretaker is to be supplied with a suitable official cap and armlet, and his wages are to be apportioned between his duties as caretaker and his scavenging work.
  The auditors report for the last audited year was again read and fully discussed in conjunction with that of the previous year, and it was resolved (1) that the Collector submit to the next meeting a revised list of all outstanding rate arrears with a view to any possible action to effect their reduction, (2) that the Rating Officer and Collector furnish to the Clerk a detailed statement of the existing method of prepayment meter reading and checking and collection and disposal of contents, (3) that the Clerk convey such information to the Ministry together with an explanation of the satisfactory system of making out and issuing of rate demand notes.
  Public Library Committee.- The Caretaker reported that 908 books had been issued during the month, as compared with 653 in the corresponding period last year.
  The Clerk read correspondence between himself and the Secretary of the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust respecting a grant for the purpose of library books, etc., in which the latter stated that the Trustees' Grant Policy does not embrace places with population of under 10,000, and recommended the Council's amalgamation with the Notts. County Library scheme. After discussion the proposal was deferred for the time being.

Another warning to youths and others who commit breaches of the bye-laws in connection with Huthwaite Park was issued at the monthly meeting of the Huthwaite Urban District Council held in the Council Offices on Tuesday evening in the Council Offices on Tuesday evening, when Councillor F.C. Sowter presided over the following members:- Councillors J. Davies, A. Wilson, T. Goodall, J. Peters, D.D. Bonser, M. Betts, W. Clarke, E.H. Lowe, H.A. Simpson, J. Potter, J.G. Wright and S. Allcock.
  Referring to a minute of the Roads and Building Committee to the effect that it had been reported that a member of the Council was acting as night-watchman upon the building site, in the employ of Mr. J. Searson, contractor, Mr. Betts asked the Clerk if he had gone into the question as requested.

  The Clerk said according to a section of the Local Government Act a Councillor must terminate office if he had any interest or voice in a Council contract, or if he participated in any profits. The case in question was a perfectly plain one of a member of the Council being employed by a contractor without participating in any profits or receiving any bonus, and it did not constitute a breach of the law.
  Mr. Clarke: Thank you.
  Mr. Betts said he had had the matter brought to his notice by several people and had promised to bring it before the Council, and he still held that the member, as Chairman of the Council, ought never to have accepted the job knowing the number of men who were out of work and practically starving.
  The Chairman: I did not take this job with my eyes shut. I had some idea of the law before I took it and knew my position before the Clerk explained it to-night. I should think I have been out of work almost longer than anybody else in Huthwaite, but apparently Mr. Betts, as a member of this Council who believes that people should take their turn for work, does not consider that I am unemployed.
  "Mr. Betts has round this table, championed the cause of people who have been in similar cases," added the Chairman. "I have never asked a Councillor yet to help me to get a job. I sought the job myself and secured it, and I still contend that I have as much right to live as any other man. If any other man can say I have taken his place, I will gladly stand down for him."

  Mr. Betts rose to continue the discussion, but the Chairman ruled him out of order.
  The Clerk reported that the total amount of grants received in connection with the Chesterfield Road scheme was £2,074.
  The Secretary of the Huthwaite Bowling Club wrote notifying the Council of the sudden death of Mr. S. Allen after playing bowls on Saturday night, and regretting the absence of a local doctor.
  It was resolved that a letter of sympathy be sent in reply, together with the explanation that the Council was not responsible for the absence of the doctor.
  The question as to whether the Council should meet during August was discussed, the Chairman explaining that it was customary not to hold meetings during August except in case of emergency.
  Mr. Clarke thought they ought to meet again before September as probably some houses would be finished in the meantime.
  He was informed that there were not likely to be any houses ready before September. Mr. Davis said some very important work was going on - it was not like a normal time - and in his opinion they ought to meet as usual in August.
  Mr. Clarke made an appeal on behalf of the forthcoming hospital carnival and hoped all Councillors would help as much as possible.

  In reply to Mr. Betts, who asked how much it had cost the Council to send delegates to the Urban District Councils' Conference, the Clerk said the Ministry of Health allowed 25s. per day for each delegate, plus third class return railway fare, but the Council had never been asked to allow more than £1 1s. per day and this had been paid on this occasion.
  The Chairman said although he had not been to the conference he had gained some helpful information from the report of the delegates and he contended that the expenditure had been well worth while.
  Mr. Betts: It was never worth the money for the information brought back.
  Two Stanton Hill youths, who had been reported to the Council by the police for an allege offence of riding bicycles on a footpath in Huthwaite Park, attended the meeting and were given a talking to by the Clerk, who said the Council was willing to excuse them this time if they would give an undertaking not to offend again and also to warn others of the offence.
  The Chairman told the lads that the Council was determined to put a stop to the practice of riding bicycles on the footpaths in the Park, and also to the breaking of other bye-laws, and said that in future offenders would be prosecuted.
  The lads said they did not know they were doing any wrong and gave the undertaking asked for. On the proposition of Mr. Bonser it was agreed that another offender, who had been before the Council previously, be given another chance.

  In the course of the morning service at the Parish Church, Sutton, the Rev. F. Brodhurst (Vicar) announced that the Duke of Devonshire had offered him the living of Ault Hucknall and Heath, and that he had decided to accept the same. It was 18 years since Mr. Brodhurst came to Sutton, in succession to the Rev. Charles Bellars, and during the period a good deal had been done in connection with the work of the Church. New wings had been added to the National Schools at Sutton and Hucknall Huthwaite, and at the latter place a new school had been erected. ...

  For the second time within twelve months the Hucknall Huthwaite Harmonic Glee Singers had successfully competed in singing contests, and had been awarded prizes which did honour to their musical abilities. Opposed by five other choirs, each of which was the stronger by two or three voices, the Harmonic Singers were awarded the second prize. Considering that they numbered only six, with no female voices, this was highly satisfactory to the party and their conductor, Mr. W. Allsop.

  The County Council had consented to continue the lectures and classes in practical coal mining at the Hucknall Huthwaite centre for another year. Seven members of the class took the examination, held at the close of the previous session, and all had passed in the advanced grade in the following order of merit:- John Ensor, Joseph Smith, Arthur Lineker, George B. Ball, John Lineker, Eli Guest and Enoch Jones.

  Salmon - Chapman. -On the 8th inst., at the Sutton Parish Church, by the Rev. F. Brodhurst, Joseph Salmon to Elizabeth Hibbert Chapman, both of Sutton.
  Rhodes - Mailing. -On the 10th inst., at the same place by the Rev. F. Brodhurst, William Rhodes to Elizabeth Mailing, both of Hucknall Huthwaite.