8 Feb 1895 Irlam and Cadishead

Eccles and Patricroft Journal, Feb 8, 1895, at S.L.H.L.

IRLAM AND CADISHEAD.

 

Skating.

The keen frost of this week has enabled the lovers of skating to indulge in the exercise. Some good ice was to be found in the old bed of the Mersey, but the greater portion was rough, caused by the half-melted snow being frozen.

 

Woolden Dam was also a rendezvous for many living in the vicinity. It had been partially brushed.

 

Barton Moss Parish Council.

The Parliamentary Committee of the County Council recommend that Barton Moss and nine other places having a population under 300 and more than 100, each have a Parish Council composed of five members. An intimation has been received from the Local Government Board thet they are now framing rules for the election of Parish Councillors in the present and future years.

 

With a view to having a uniform system throughout the county, it has been ordered that treasurers of Parish Councils should give security in the form of a policy in any approved guarantee society, the names of twelve such being given.

 

Irlam New Soap Works.

At the Irlam Co-operative Society Branch annual party, held in the Church schools on Saturday, it was stated that the Co-operative Wholesale Society's soap works on the banks of the Ship Canal would cost in round numbers £46,300, made up approximately as follows:- Land £6,300, building £20,000, plant and fixtures £12,000, lay-bye £8,000.

 

Of this there has already been expended over £35,000. Mr. Green, who for some time has been manager of the Wholesale Society's soap works in the city of Durham, has been appointed manager of the works at Irlam.

 

Rixton Wesleyans.

On Thursday week, the distribution of prizes to the Sunday scholars took place in Rixton Wesleyan Chapel. There was an excellent meeting, presided over by Mr. John Tonge. Mr. William Bate read a very encouraging report of the school and of the Band of Hope, which was commenced a year ago.

 

About 40 good books were awarded the scholars for early attendance and good conduct. Mr. George Whitfield, of Cadishead who when Miss Downs was a teacher in the school, was the recipient of a very beautiful silver teapot, and also an address from the teachers, scholars, and friends. The meeting was afterwards addressed by Mr. T.J. Downs and Mr. Whitfield.

 

DISTRICT COUNCIL.

A meeting of the District Council was held on Monday evening at the Offices, Clarendon-terrace, when there were present Messrs. J. Clare (chairman), D. Higginson, J. Taylor, A. Salt, R. Sharp, D. Ogden, W. Kirkham, R. Lonie, J. Jackson, T.S. Womack (clerk pro tem), and Mr. W.J. Widdowson (solicitor).

 

The Appointment of Officers.

Mr. Womack read a letter from the County Council stating that the payment of Clerk and Sanitary Inspector must be separate, and a separate salary for each.

 

Mr. Jackson asked if Doctor Knowles, Mr. Whitworth, or Mr. Bland had applied.

 

The Chairman replied in the negative.

 

Mr. Jackson said, having made no application, they were dying a natural death.

 

Mr. Widdowson said they were not bound to apply.

 

Mr. Jackson understood if they did not apply they could not demand compensation.

 

Mr. Womack: The Act does not say anything about them having to apply. They are our servants up to March 25th. and it won't save us a penny if we tell them now we don't want them any longer. If we appoint our own Surveyor we shall have to pay him a salary from to-morrow.

 

Mr. Salt said they had come to a definite arrangement with the Barton Authority that until the end of January they should continue to look after the sewage works, after which time Irlam would take them over. What was that Council to do if they turned round and said "We did make arrangements but we cannot keep them."

 

Mr. Woddowson: It is their own fault.

 

Mr. Salt said Mr. Hooley promised to get all ready he could by the 2nd of February.

 

Mr. Jackson: I think we might appoint a Surveyor for now and take the Sewage Works over, and let us be men.

 

Several of the members said money would be lost by doing that.

 

Mr. Jackson did not think so.

 

Mr. Womack said it would be better to go on up to the end of the financial year. Then they could begin with their own officers, and a properly made up balance sheet. He thought it best to say they had not had time to make arrangements and the old officials could continue to March 25th.

 

Mr. Lonie: It was decided we should take them over on February 2nd.

 

Mr. Jackson: I have had about twenty years under the Barton Authority, and the sooner we get from under the better.

 

Mr. Womack said the more he got to know the more he was convinced they had made a mistake in leaving Barton. They would never carry on the work as cheaply as Barton had done.

 

Mr. Jackson: I am very sorry that we are a Council then.

 

Mr. Womack: You are no more sorry than I am. We have our work cut out.

 

Mr. Jackson: Who must the Barton Authority hand particulars to?

 

The Chairman: This Council.

 

Mr. Jackson said he had told them before they got appointed what the old Authority would do. They would let them have nothing until they were really forced. He should not deliver a good customer up until he was forced.

 

Mr Sharpe: Do what you will they will be paid up to the end of their time.

 

Mr. Jackson: How little we look.

 

Mr. Womack: I don't care how little we look if we save the ratepayers some money. There is no littleness in a man thinking he has been in a hurry, and acknowledging it in a straightforward way.

 

We cannot do better than tell them our accounts must be made up to the end of the financial year. This Council is to blame because we told the officials at Patricroft we should be ready on the 2nd of February for our men to begin work, and they are not ready.

 

Mr. Ogden moved that they take the works over. He would not like to fall back from what a deputation had arranged.

 

The Chairman: Barton have not kept their promise.

 

Mr. Salt: You know how difficult it is to get anything from them. If they had had to go to the overseers' offices they could have got whatever they had asked for.

 

Mr. Lonie said as it was no use delaying matters he would second Mr. Ogden's motion.

 

Mr. Salt said he would move the appointment of Mr. Walter R. Kay as surveyor at £15 per annum.

 

Mr. Higginson seconded the appointment of Mr. Kay as sanitary inspector at £50 per annum, and this was carried.

 

Mr. Sharpe moved Mr. Kay as clerk of works at £100 per annum.

 

Mr. Taylor seconded, and it was adopted.

 

Mr. Salt moved that the appointments be subject to a month's notice for either side.

 

Mr. Jackson seconded, and this was agreed to.

 

Lighting the District

Mr. Womack read a communication from Mr. Bland asking if the Council were willing to consent to the employment of Thomas Rigby as lamplighter.

Mr. Salt thought Barton Moss Council ought to be charged a fair proportion. He would move that Mr. Womack reply that Rigby would continue to light the lamps until March 26th, and that they pay a proper portion of his wages.

Mr. Ogden seconded, and it was carried.

 

The Late Enquiry.

An account was received from Mr. W. Cobbett which had been received from the Lancashire County Council, for expenses incurred by the County Council authorities in creating Irlam into an Urban district. The amount was £36 8s. 5d.

 

Mr. Salt: That is shameful.

Mr. Sharp: It is very high.

The Chairman: It is over a half-penny in the £.

It was moved that the account be paid in due course, on the motion of Mr. Sharp, seconded by Mr. Kirkham.

 

Caretaker.

Mr. Salt moved and Mr. Sharp seconded that Mr. Edward Barber be appointed caretaker of the offices. He would live rent free, and be allowed a certain amount of coal.

The Council then went into Committee.

 

 

Eccles and Patricroft Journal, Feb 15, 1895, at S.L.H.L.

 

IRLAM DISTRICT COUNCIL

To the Editor of the Journal.

 

Sir, - Your report of the Council meeting of February 4th does not reflect much credit of the knowledge of the Council as to the working on the Urban powers granted us by the Act of 1894.

 

I fully expected ere this that the full staff of officials would have been in something like order. But Iam sorry to notice that the spirit of rivalry still shows itself at the meetings.

 

I was of opinion that after the site of the offices had been settled to the satisfaction of the Irlam Ward, matters would have moved with a better tone. But the members do not seem to understand the duties they have been elected to perform.

 

Surely every candidate read carefully the Act before consenting to be nominated. I am surprised that any person would seek election when he had no sympathy with the powers granted. Have not we, as a district, groaned under the mis-rule of the old Sanitary Authority, and what was the prospect of the future if this blessing of 1894 had not come?

 

Are our burdens any lighter now than a few years ago?

 

Cadishead has advanced 50 per cent, the last ten years in valuation. Have we had ample returns for what has been charged? I say no. There is only one mistake. Cadishead should have been a district of itself, and I have the fullest assurance in saying it would have been well.

 

Councillor Jackson's statements are quite contradictory. First he says he had had twenty years under the old Authority, and the sooner we are from under it the better and directly after states he is sorry and is quite certain the work cannot be carried on as it had been under Barton.

 

Surely Mr. Womack is not in league with the Rural District Council. If not, I am sorry for his lack of memory as to the past doings of the Rural Sanitary Authority. What about our sewage scheme? Mr. Womack states we have got our work cut out, but if no more practicable work is accomplished than has been up to the present time, not much credit will be due to the Council.

 

As to the expenses of the district, it is rediculous to talk of how we are situated until there is a full and complete statement of our liabilities.

 

The clerk should have been at work procuring every information possible. It is simply a waste of valuable time, and Mr. Womack's remarks as to saving the ratepayers' money are absurd upon the face of it.

 

Did not Rural Sanitary Authority cease to exist upon the formation of the several new authorities? Where is the new rate that is about to be collected going to be spent? Surely it is not spent already.

 

Cadishead will pay to the sanitary rate a sum for special expenses of £275, and for sanitary general purposes £86. I consider if the Council will vet ??? wisely and devote their time to practicable work, the district need not be overburdened with very heavy rates, as we have heard it is sure to be with the sewerage scheme included, and I have no hesitation in saying we shall be in no worse position than under Barton.

 

The solution lies in the working of the Council, but until a more harmonious manner is adopted nothing very grand must be expected. The district is growing, and by careful management the rates should grow no more, and the question is in our own hands at every election.

 

Yours etc.,

ENGEWLS

Cadishead, February 12th, 1895.

 

Done