Archived Extracts

the nottinghamshire FREE PRESS

a weeks news dated - May 20th 1932

HUTHWAITE URBAN COUNCIL.

COMMITTEE MINUTES.

Extracts from the Committee minutes confirmed at the monthly meeting of the Huthwaite Urban District Council last week are appended:-
Gas, Lighting and Water Committee.- The Chairman reported upon the necessary alterations in the charges for gas, and it was resolved that pre-payment meter consumers be charged 1d. per 15 cubic feet instead of 14 cubic feet, and that discount be discontinued.
An appeal was submitted from residents of Chesterfield Road for the extension of the gas main along this Road. Further consideration of the matter was deferred pending development of the proposed housing scheme in that vicinity, and the Surveyor was instructed to postpone the asphalting and completion of the footpaths accordingly.

Housing Scheme.

The terms of the Derbyshire and Notts. Electric Power Company for the fixing of three lamp standards in Main Street, were accepted.
Roads and Buildings Committee.- The Architect's report on the progress of the Blackwell Road housing scheme, which stated that it was hoped all 12 houses would be completed and ready for occupation before the next meeting, was approved.
Correspondence was read with Mr. A. Farnsworth with regard to the purchase of land on Chesterfield Road for a housing site, and terms were agreed subject to the Ministry of Health's approval of the scheme.
Applications were submitted for tenancy of the new Council houses, and 12 applicants were chosen as tenants.
Health and Hospital Committee.- The Medical Officer of Health reported 11 births and eight deaths, equivalent to an annual mortality of 18.6 per 1,000, had been notified during the month and that no infectious diseases had been notified.
The Surveyor was deputed to attend the annual conference of the Institution of Municipal and County Engineers to be held at Glasgow from 15th to 18th June next.
Notice of health work from 9th to 15th October next was submitted from the Royal Sanitary Institute, and Councillor Simpson promised to give prominence in his school to the health educational matters mentioned.

HUTHWAITE.

A full week's holiday was given the New Hucknall men for Whit week. A good many employees had got in their waiting days at the Exchange during the last few weeks, so that they will be entitled to unemployment relief, and this will ease the situation in some degree.

Sunday evening at the Gospel Mission Church was devoted to a service of song, entitled "Billy Bray," Mr. Gruby presided, Mr. P. Hardy, who had trained the children for the occasion, also conducted them. The organist was Mr. G. Goodwin, and the necessary readings were given by Mrs. Brooks. The Church funds benefitted by the proceeds.

There was some more thrilling cricket at Huthwaite on Saturday. New Hucknall Office Staff played their opening match with Huthwaite C.W.S. first eleven whose opening match it was also, but the C.W.S. were more at home than their opponents, although the match was played on the Colliery ground. The visitors hit up 80, but the "Sports," the whole eleven of them, only mustered 8, and two of these were byes and it is rumoured that even then the C.W.S. did not put on their best bowler!

CORRESPONDENCE.

MINERS' WAGES.

Dear Sir,- I sincerely believe that "our member," Mr. Seymour Cocks, would be desirous of his constituents knowing the full truth as to the standard of life in the mining industry to-day. Imagine my surprise when discussing his speech with a group of mine-workers, on learning that they believed our wages had actually fallen 49 per cent, in the last 10 years, while output per man had increased from 187 tons per man per year to 262, the latter figure for 1931, and the former I presume for 1920.
I suggest that such a misuse of figures misleads the public, and I suggest a careful study by my readers of the following round figures, which I have taken from statistical works on the coal trade:-
1913 - 258 tons per worker per year.
1920 - 187 " " " " "
1931 - 262 " " " " "

1931 - 20 cwts. per worker 8 hour shift.
1920 - 15 " " " 7 "
1931 - 21.6 " " " 7½ "

1913 -- 6/6 wages per shift.
1920 - 16/6 " "
1931 - 8/6 " "
Relative values of earning power of miners making all due proportional allowances for difference in cost of living:-
1913 - 6/6.
1920 - 6/3.
1932 - 5/9.
Had the calculation been made upon the basis of food only, the 1931 figure would have been approximately 6/6, showing that on food alone, our wages were very near per shift to the 1913-14 basis.

Into any argument of "standards" must come the change in hours and conditions. While everyone would like to see the hours question satisfactorily settled, it is no use denying that it has a very important effect on the costs of production. If, as has been argued by Socialists the country through, the reduction in hours had and would have no effect on output per shift, then why did the N.M.A. and the Federation generally insist on raising contractors' rates and price rates by from 12.2 to 14.2 per cent. (Notts. 14.17) when we came from the 8 hour day to the 7 hour day? Let us also not forget the increase of social services, which cost money and which come out of production, higher rates, higher taxes.
Whatever slight revision may be made by various authorities on my figures, I show conclusively that the miners' wages have not fallen 49 per cent, as told in Commons by our member. Further, the question of output in 1920 and 1921 was proved a false figure by the datum line settlement of October, 1920, when output rose in November and December, immediately the bonus on output was agreed to.
Perhaps Mr. Cocks did not remember this during his speech, or that the public - under State control (his pet system) - were called upon to pay very high prices for the production of coal under State enterprise. These half truths.

SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHOLARS DEMONSTRATE.
THOUSANDS PARADE AT SUTTON AND HUTHWAITE

Spectacular Scenes at Annual "Walk-Round."

The passing of years appears to detract little, if any, from the interest evinced in the annual Whitsuntide "walk round" of scholars attending the various Sunday Schools in Sutton, and this year's parades have once more attracted tremendous crowds of spectators. Happily the proceedings on Monday at Forest Side and on Tuesday morning and afternoon at the Market Place were favoured with delightful weather, and the youngsters, as they paraded in their new frocks and suits, made a very charming sight. ...

HUTHWAITE PROCESSIONS.

The Whit-Monday demonstration at Huthwaite was a conspicuous success in every way. The chief concern of the public was to show how completely it could rise superior to adverse conditions, and the spectacle as a whole has never been surpassed in magnitude and multi-coloured interest. The variety of colours was greater than ever and the happiness of the juveniles was reflected in the satisfaction of the parents, while those who were present merely as sightseers found much to enthuse about.
The arrangements this year were in the hands of Mr. E. Adkin (secretary), and Mr. H. Purseglove (assistant secretary), and the programme was carried out without a hitch of any sort. The weather on Sunday was not of a very favourable character, and Monday morning was not much better, but by a very fortunate circumstance Monday afternoon held fine and warm while the processions were in progress, and there was nothing to mar the spectacle. Many of the processionists, however, when they set out from home, carried raincoats, which they hoped would not be required.

Four Bands.

After assembling at their different places of worship the children, marshalled by the Sunday School teachers, and accompanied by the church members, proceeded to the Market Place. Their banners were carried in front of each denomination, and four brass bands were present. Huthwaite Silver Prize, Sutton Temperance and two provided by Mansfield Salvation Army. On the Market Place the following representatives of the churches ascended the platform: Rev. Robt. Highfield (Wesleyans), Rev. J.H.C. Rogers (Primitive Methodists), Mr. A. Drabble (United Methodists), and Mr. W. Gruby (Gospel Mission). The last named offered prayer and the necessary announcements were made by Mr. Rogers. The singing was conducted by Mr. Wilson Hill with good effect, ...
After the Doxology the procession was re-formed, and the chief thoroughfares paraded, a return then being made to the different churches, where tea was served by the teachers and friends, and nuts and sweets distributed. The collections made in the streets were shared impartially among the four churches. The Council field in Mill Lane had been loaned for games, but a wet evening put paid to any further open-air diversions, though this drawback was a great deal mitigated by a fine afternoon.
It may be mentioned that Mr. A. Drabble (United Methodist Church) has now walked round at Whitsuntide for over 60 years without a break, his first few years being at Sutton. Mr. A. Wilson (Wesleyan) has taken part in Huthwaite without a lapse. These are wonderful records. ...

HUTHWAITE.

The services in the Parish Church on Whit Sunday were well attended and were conducted by the Rev. W.L. Boulton who was also celebrant at the early services. Choral communion was sung to a setting by Eyre in A and in the evening the anthem was rendered by the choir. The organist was Mr. E. Lowe.

The marriage was solemnised between Miss Ethel Fox, New Street, Huthwaite, and Mr. Alfred Richard Dove, 27, Brookdale Road, Sutton, during the Whitsuntide. The father of the bride, Mr. Samuel Fox, gave her away, ... a bouquet of red roses being carried. The bridesmaids were Miss Linda Wright and Miss Jennie Brown. ... Two small attendants were Miss D. Fox (cousin of the bride) and Miss Jessie Fearn (niece of the bridegroom).... The bride was presented with a silver horseshoe by Miss Gwennie Kelly. The best man was Mr. Arthur Dove (brother of the bridegroom). The bridegroom's gift to the bride was a string of pearls, and to the bridesmaids crystal necklaces.

Malcolm Keen and Dorothy Boyd are seen in "The House of Unrest" on the first three nights at the Lyric Theatre next week. ... For those to whom a detective thriller appeals, "The Speckled Band" appearing this week-end, is a first-rate story with Sir Arthur Conon Doyle as its author.

GREYHOUND RACING - OPENING OF SUTTON TRACK.

Greyhound racing made its initial appearance in Sutton on Saturday evening, when the new track which has been made on the Avenue Football Ground was brought into use for the fist time. The meeting attracted a large crowd of interested spectators, and some excellent racing was witnessed, with several very close finishes. Racing is to take place on four nights a week - Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday - and the meetings are under the auspices of the Sutton Greyhound Racing Co., Ltd. The officials at the first race were:- Stewards, Messrs. W. King, G.A. Hibbert, F.F. Hibbert, H. Storer and J. Page; judge, Mr. H. Wilds; timekeeper, Mr. A. Roberts; park steward and starter, Mr. W.J. King; racing manager, Mr. W. King.