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Board with monthly returns of all plans submitted to and approved by the
Council, in order to facilitate dealing with applications for licenses under
D.O.R.A.
Shops. Compulsory early closing was continued by the Home Office
from May 1st to September 30th, 1918.
Salvage. A Conference at the Local Government Board on 5th April
was convened by the National Salvage Council. Posters and handbills were
distributed in August, and in September nearly 5,000 handbills were well
distributed through the elder scholars.
Reports. On April 23rd, on the suggestion of Councillor Rowe, the
Clerk was directed to condense the reports of Committees to the Council as
much as possible. In April the supply of officers' reports to Committees and
notices of meetings were much reduced, as stationery had become expensive
and difficult to obtain, but in December this limitation was raised. Since
September, 1917, the waste paper, which is not inconsiderable in municipal
offices, has been saved .and sold for 6s. to 8s. per cwt.
Air Raids. In September the firemen were fitted with gas masks and
hooters were fixed at head fire station and sewage farm. In November the
bedding and dressings were collected from all air-raid stations, disinfected
and washed. In December, to all who had worked on air raid service, the
Council's engrossed thanks under seal were sent.
WAR MEMORIAL.
A Committee was appointed early in the year and presented a full report
in June reporting that the idea receiving most support was the erection of
an Institute where ex-service men could meet their particular friends and
the public and also where rooms could be hired by societies, etc., for meetings.
The Institute was expected to be practically self-supporting. A
public meeting was held on 9th May at the Wesleyan Central Hall. Our
Architect was requested to draw up plans. In August another report advised
that instead of erecting an Institute, one be adapted at the "Elms," which
Mr. Rice offered at £3,500, then £3,000 with option to 1st October. The
Committee recommended that "The Elms" be purchased and vested in a
corporate body of Governors who would have full control thereof. In
December application was made to the Local Government Board for permission
to contribute up to 1d. rate (£980) towards the fund.
Death. The death of Lieut. A. B. Lismer, Chief Assistant of our
Engineer, was reported on the 23rd November to have occurred at Daventry,
from pneumonia on 2nd November. I deplore the death of a loyal colleague.
FOOD CONTROL.
On 22nd October, the Food Control Committee was reconstituted as
follows:—Councillors 9, Labour 3, Co-operator 1, Food trader 1, Women 2,