South Yorkshire Times, January 27th, 1933
Thurnscoe U.D.C.
‘Flu Ravages
Thurnscoe’s Trying Time
Toll of Children
In his report to the monthly meeting of the Thurnscoe Urban Council on ‘Tuesday, the Medical Officer (Dr. McColm) said the health of the district was not very satisfactory at the moment. Influenza bad been raging throughout the district for three weeks and children were the greatest sufferers. The type was fairly mild, but danger was created by complications, mainly pneumonia, and deaths had been rather too frequent among children. It had been necessary to close the schools, though the epidemic was now on the wane. There had also been an increase in other forms of infectious diseases.
Last month twelve cases were reported, two being of scarlet fever and three of spotted fever. There were seven deaths and 10 births, giving respective rates of 8.2 and 11.7.
Answering Mr, A. Bramham, the doctor said he thought that the schools should remain closed until the end of next week.
Mr. W. M. Starkey said they all regretted the epidemic and especially the number of deatle4 among young children, hut the Medi. Ottieer should be commended for the wily he had dealt with the epidemic. Tle had had four extra doctors.
“Farcical” Conference.
An outspoken report was issued by Messrs. Bramham and W. H. Mabin of a conference held last Thursday in London of representatives of necessitous areas. The report said. “It was most unfortunate that the meeting was not controlled by a representative possessing personal knowledge of the 1929 Act and strong enough to keep the representatives in order, as the result of the proceedings was deplorable and almost farcical in character, certainly not in keeping with the tending of the various representatives or the importance of the matter under discussion.”
Hospital Finance.
A letter was received from the Conisboro’ Urban Council suggesting an alteration of the present method of contribution by members of the Doncaster and Mexboro’ Joint Isolation Hospital Board. They suggested that the basis of contribution be the product of a penny rate, and not on the basis of population. The present proportions were fixed when the population of the area of the owed was 87,000. The population was now 30,000, and the time was ripe for revision of t basis.
The letter was referred to the appropriate committee, the Clerk (Mr. J. Ledger Hawksworth) remarking that the suggestion would make little difference to Thurnscoe.
Town Planning.
The Town Clerk of Barnsley wrote that Thurnscoe had ceased to be members of the Sheffield District Committee. He asked if Thurnscoe were prepared to join a similar committee for the Barnsley area.
Mr. Branham: I went to Sheffield for three years, and it was a waste of money. We were at the tail-end there and we shall be in the same portion at Barnsley
The Chairman (Mr. H. Garwood) said he could not see any advantage to be derived from these committees.
The Clerk pointed out that the new Act gaveadditional powers for town planning and thought they should receive a report in committee.
Mr. Starkey was of opinion that if there were any advantages, to be gained by joining such committees, Thurnscoe should not stand aloof, if the financial obligation was not too t.
Mr. C. H. Turner: There will be not advantage at present because we have no money.
The matter was left with the General Purposes Committee.
Rota Scheme.
A letter was received from the Mexborough Employment Committee pointing out that Wath and accepting a Rota scheme and appealing to other Councils to do the same. The scheme was to give monthly intervals of work to casual employees, so that employment could be given to a larger amber of men, which would give opportunity for keeping them in condition and allowing them to get additional food and comforts. The Council having no casual work in hand at the moment, decided to bear the scheme in mind.
Revaluations.
A resolution was received from the Minehead UDC requested a state of Health to consider legislation to avoid unnecessary expense of revaluation every five years, and suggest that revaluation should take place every 10 or 15 years.
It was decided to let the matter lie.
‘Bus Service to Great Houghton.
A request for support was received from the Yorkshire Traction Company for an application by them to the Traffic Commissioners to extend the service between Mexborough and Thurnscoe to Great Houghton. If the application is successful one bus will make the journey every two hours. The Parishioners refused to license the service several months ago, but the Company are endeavouring to re-inaugurate the service “as it will be of benefit to the public.”
The Council agreed to support
The Surveyorship.
The question of appointment of a surveyor has been deferred.
New Ground of Eviction.
A resident in Merrill Road has been requested to get rid of a dangerous dog, otherwise the Council take steps to determine the tenancy.