Transcribed Free Press reportage dated 1924

Thanks extend to Mr Trev Ashmore for sourcing and supplying this marvellous piece of historic reportage. I've attempted a completely accurate transcription which may well reflect differing punctuation and any possible spelling variations. The subject itself may have been intended at time to cause embarrassment for all those named, but in revealing historic detailing today it can expose many older family names of genealogy interests, also addressing the yards and streets before indicating great need still existed for more affordable village housing. Quite a comparison considering similar 21st century demands, apart from the amounts once charged.

Huthwaite Rates

Considerable difficulty has been encountered by the Huthwaite Council in obtaining rates, for tenants of several houses are being victimised by boarders. In the majority of cases, the tenants are elderly people, not in good financial circumstances, and to eke out a living take in boarders, who, not being the registered tenants, escape without having to pay any share of the rates. This state of affairs has been known to have existed by the local authority, but there does not appear to be any remedy. Another large batch of summons was issued last week, to the number of 106, for nonpayment of General District Rate, and about another 103 for nonpayment of Poor Rate. The amounts owing were from 10s. 6d. to £2 7s. 3d., and the magistrates made orders and costs in each case.

For District Rate, the following had orders issued against them, nearly 50 others having paid beforehand :- H. Hayes, Allsop's yard; H Thompson, Sansom's-yard; B. Moakes and S. Fox, Swan-yard; Wm. Stopps and S. Scothern, Pilsworth's-yard; Samuel Stones, G. Greatorex, G. Goddard and B. Lee, Station-road; A. Shore and J. Holmes, senior, Wood-end; Wm. Wain, John West, J. T. Machin, A. Scothern, J. T. Brown, Mrs. Jacques, J. H. Barlow, G. Bowler and Joseph Marshall, Blackwell-road; John Bowler, Woodhead's-yard; James Hancock, J. T. Woodland, G Rodgers, Wm. Spencer, Pit-row; Wm. Gamble, Wm. Dennis and C. H. Wint, Longsides; John Maltby, E. Bancroft, A. Greatorex and Wm. Hill, Main-street; E. White, Jessie Shephard, W. Cox, George Percival, Samuel Hallam, George Winson, Chas. Oliver, Robert Williams, Alfred Hill, Richard Barnes, Geo. Hulme, Florence Shephard, Alfred Birk, John James Bradley, J. Harrison, Newcastle-street; C. H. Reed, King-street; John Bee and Charles Allsop, Sutton-road; Albert Sissons, Ted Dykes and Jos. Wilson, Sherwood-street.

For Poor Rate the following had orders issued against them, half having paid beforehand :- John Bee, G. Percival, G. Barnes, G. Allsop, S. Hallam, G. Winson, J. T. Bradley, R. Bowers, A. Reeves, J. W. Gunby, F. Wilson, C. W. Ashton, J. T. Goddard, W. Longden, A. Sissons, G. W. Reeves, H. Hayes, A. Greatorex, G. W. Ashmore, H. Wilson, J. W. Wilson, S. Fox, G. Copestake, J. Clynes, A. Rhodes, J. T. Machin, W. P. Stopps, S. Stones, G. A. Greatorex, G. Goddard, B. Lee, J. P. Elliott, G. Freeman, W. H. Holmes, W. Wain, J. W. West, J. Bowler, A. Brown, A. Nunn, Mrs Jacques, H. Draycott, F. Baker, J. Marshall, C. H. Wint and T. Wright.

Owing to the acute housing shortage at Huthwaite, often four adults independent of each other can be found in one house, and do not contribute towards the rates. In these cases, the magistrates realised the position, and gave the tenant advice as to the steps to be taken.

Transcript Produced 05 Nov 07