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Corporation of Lancaster Council Meeting Minutes

During the First World War Lancaster Corporation had to discuss and agree many matters relating to the First World War and it's impact on the Borough.  These are extracts of relevant information from the Corporation's Minute Books.

Extracts from Minutes November 1914 - October 1915

 

Urban and Port Sanitary Committee - 13th November 1914

Military Authorities – Sanitary Services

It was reported that the War Department had declined to pay for certain sanitary services rendered at the Bowerham Barracks, and the question was referred to the Town Clerk to report thereon.

Gas Committee - 16th November 1914

Free Gas Supply
The Chairman reported that the had arranged for a supply of gas free of charge to the following prices:-
a) to the new stables in Dallas Road for the War Department.
b) to houses occupied exclusively by Belgian refugees under the care of the Local Refugee Committee.
Resolved – That the action of the Chairman be approved and adopted.

Tramways Committee - 17th November 1914

Recruiting Notices on Cars

A communication was submitted from the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee, asking whether recruiting notices could be exhibited on the cars, the Town Clerk was instructed to obtain a supply of cards of the kind submitted for hanging in the tram cards.

Storey Institute Committee - 18th November 1914

Recruiting Posters

An application was submitted from the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee to exhibit Recruiting posters on the notice boards of the Storey Institute.
Resolved – That such application be granted.

Watch Committee - 15th January 1915

War Office – Enlistment of Mounted Constables
Read a letter from the War Office, asking whether the Committee would assist in the recruiting for the Military Mounted Police, by allowing members of the force who were so desirous, to enlist in this branch for service during the war.

The Chief Constable reported that PC’s W Lea and T Bird were desirous of enlisting in accordance with the terms of the circular.

Baths and Recreation Grounds Committee - 6th January 1915

A letter was read from the Officer Commanding the 22nd Service Battalion, Manchester Regiment, at Morecambe, asking for the use of the Swimming Baths for the men stationed at Morecambe. The Committee fully considered the question as to granting facilities for any of the troops which may come to Morecambe, and those in the Borough.

Resolved – That the whole matter be left in the hands of the Chairman and Mayor, with a view to their meeting representatives of the military authorities and making any necessary arrangements. Authority was also given, if the Committee desire, to arrange for the closing of the gymnasium and the opening of the large swimming bath.

Troops at Baths

Referring to the early minute, the Committee, again considered the question as to the admission of troops to the Baths, and it was
Resolved – That the troops be admitted to the Baths on payment of a fee of 2d each, such charge to include the use of slipper, shower and plunge baths, together with soap and towels.

Storey Institute Committee - 20th January 1915

Library Assistant – Enlistment
It was reported that Mr W Peel, at present Assistant in the Library, had notified his intention of enlisting, and the Chairman was authorised to take the necessary steps for filling the vacancy.

Hospitals Sub- Committee - 11th February 1915

Hospital Accommodation for Interned Aliens

Referring to an earlier minute the Sub Committee considered correspondence from the Medical Officer at the Wagon Works with respect to the provision of Hospital accommodation for infectious diseases amongst the prisoners, and after going carefully into the whole question it was
Resolved – (1) That the War Department be informed that the Committee is willing to undertake the erection of temporary hospital accommodation and furnishing thereof at the cost of the War Department, such temporary hospital accommodation and furniture to be removed by the War Department when not required by them, (2) that the treatment of patients in such hospital be undertaken by the Committee at a charge to the War Department of 4/- per day per patient, (3) the War Department to be responsible for guarding the prisoners, and for the safety of the other inmates of, and persons legitimately visiting the hospital.

Watch Committee - 12th February 1915

Enlistment of Constable

The Chief Constable reported that PC Leadbetter, who was loaned to the War Office as a drill instructor, now desired to enlist, and that the War Office had stated that the provision of the Police Reservists (Allowances) Act, 1914, and would apply in such case.
Resolved – That PC Leadbetter be granted permission to enlist, and that his wife be granted an allowance in accordance with the above mentioned Act.

Baths and Recreation Grounds Committee - 22nd March 1915

Giant Axe Field – Applications

Read letter from the Officer Commanding, Depot, Phoenix Street, asking for permission to use the Giant Axe Field for drilling troops from such depot.
Resolved – That the application be granted, subject to the other lettings of the field not being interfered with.

Properties Committee - 24th February 1915

Report re Use of Old Town Hall

The Chairman reported that he had granted permission for the use of the Court Room and the adjoining room in the Old Town Hall by a Committee of Ladies who were forming a club for soldiers wives, such committee having undertaken to pay the cost of light used and a proportionate charge for heating the premises.
Resolved – That the action of the Chairman be approved and that permission be granted to the Ladies’ Committee to use the rooms above referred to during such time as they are not required for any other purposes.

Storey Institute Committee - 24th March 1915

Application for Books – Soldiers’ Libraries
The Committee considered an application on behalf of the Australian Expeditionary Force at present in Egypt, for any suitable books for the establishment of Soldiers’ Libraries, and the Librarian was instructed with respect thereto.

Town Council Meeting - 31st March 1915

Education Committee

Lancastrian – Victoria Cross

Resolved – That the Town Clerk be instructed to convey to Lieutenant James Edgar Leach (an old scholar of the Bowerham Council School), the congratulations of the Council on the honour that has been conferred upon him by the award of the Victoria Cross, and to state that the Council at the same time appreciate the honour which has been brought to the town by a Lancaster born man.

Town Hall Committee - 16th April 1915

Proscenium – Ashton Hall

It was reported that in connection with the recent concert organised by the Mayoress for “comforts” for the 5th K.O.R.L.R. it had been necessary to erect a proscenium, and it was suggested that this should be taken over by the Town Hall Committee, together with the curtains for same.
Resolved – That the suggestion be approved and adopted and that the proscenium and curtains be paid for by this Committee and kept in store to be let, if required, with the Ashton Hall.

Storey Institute Committee - 21st April 1915

Books – Soldiers’ Libraries

Referring to an early minute, the Librarian reported that the had been able to collect and forward about 360 books for the establishment of Soldiers’ Libraries, and a letter of thanks on behalf of the Australian Expeditionary Force in Egypt was read.

Chairmen of Committees Meeting - 26th April1915

War Munitions – Municipal Employees

A circular letter was submitted from the Local Government Board, making enquiries as to the probable number of men who could be spared by the Corporation for work in connection with the manufacture of war munitions; and stating that a Conference will be held at the County Offices, Preston, on Tuesday, the 27th April, and inviting the Corporation to send three delegates to such Conference.

Resolved – That the Mayor, the Town Clerk, and the Borough Surveyor be appointed to attend on such date.

The Committee subsequently considered a list of the Employees in the various departments of the Corporation and agreed, subject to the approval of the Council, to release certain men for the work above-mentioned.

4th May 1915

Recruiting

A letter was submitted from Lord Derby, asking whether the Corporation would be prepared to assist in the Recruiting Campaign which he proposed to commence in the West Lancashire Territorial Division.

The Committee carefully considered the whole question in relation to the Borough, after which it was

Resolved – That in view of the special circumstances, and the number of men already enlisted from the two leading works in the town (Lord Ashton’s and Messrs. Storey Brothers), this Council is of opinion that the Government should be asked to grant exemption to these two works from further enlisting, and that pressure should be used to increase the scale of enlistment in the country districts, and amongst a large class of young men in the town who have not yet volunteered.

Work on War Munitions

Referring to the earlier minute, a report was read as to the Conference held at the County Officers, Preston on the 30th April at which the Town Clerk and the Borough Surveyor attended, and at which the question of the releasing of suitable Employees by Local Authorities for Government Work on War Munitions was discussed. The Committee then considered lists prepared by the various Heads of Departments as to the Employees under their control, and after carefully considering the same, it was

Resolved – To recommend the Council to release 80 Employees now agreed upon, for the work on War Munitions, if required by the Government.

Gas Committee - 17th May 1915

War Office – Communication

The Committee considered a letter from the High Explosives Department of the War Office asking that arrangements should be made for the washing of gas in order to obtain a maximum amount of toloul, and the Engineer was instructed to carry out the suggested alterations necessary to carry the same into effect.

Library, Newsroom and Museum Sub-Committee - 11th May 1915

Films – Offer of
The Sub-committee considered a letter from Mr T E Scholey asking whether the Sub-Committee desired to purchase certain films of public events in Lancaster, and putting them on offer at a price of Ł10.

Resolved – That the Committee cannot see their way to recommend the purchase of the films above-mentioned.

[Scholey is known to have filmed the King's Own at Bowerham Barracks and the 5th Battalion as they mobilised for war in 1914, and the 5th Reserve Battalion as they trained - may be these were some of the films offered and refused?]

Watch Committee - 3rd June 1915

Enlistment of Constables

The Committee considered applications from the following Constables for permission to enlist in the Military Police, or in the alternative, join some Regular Regiment of the Army, namely:-

PC Harry W Dawson
PC Henry Bowker
PC Joseph Theobald
PC William Richmond
PC James Marshall
PC Fred Bell
PC Jack Robinson
PC George Connor

and asking that the provisions of the Police Constables Naval and Military Service Act, 1914, as amended by the Police Emergency Provisions Act, 1915, should be extended to them.

Resolved – That the Act be extended, as suggested, and that the necessary leave of absence be granted to such constables, and that allowances be made to the dependants thereof in accordance with the provisions and conditions specified in the Police Reservists (Allowances) Act, 1914.

Baths and Recreation Grounds Committee - 21st June 1915

Troops at Baths

The Committee considered application from the Adjutant, Bowerham Barracks, asking for the troops at the Barracks to be admitted to the Baths free of charge.
Resolved – That the Committee cannot see their way to allow free admission, but are prepared to allow the troops to the Baths on payment of half the usual charges, namely 1˝ d per head.

Finance and Parliamentary Committee - 25th June 1915

War Badges
The Committee Considered a suggestion that suitable badges should be provided for Corporation employees who could not be released for military duty and it was
Resolved – That the suggestion be not entertained.

Meeting of the Council - 30th June 1915

Mayor’s Communications
Lancaster Post Office

A letter was read from the Postmaster, Lancaster, stating that on and after the 5th July next, the hours of business at the General Post Office, Lancaster, will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. instead of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. the change being necessitated on account of the depletion of the staff due to the war.

Admission to the Railway Station
Arising out of an earlier minute, the Mayor reported as to an interview with the District Superintendent of the London and North Western Railway Company, with respect to the admission to the Castle Station of the immediate relatives of soldiers departing by train.

Baths and Recreation Grounds Committee - 12th July 1915

Use of Baths by Troops

The Committee considered an application on behalf of the troops at the Wagon Works, for permission to use the slipper baths upon payment of a fee of 2d.
Resolved – That such application be granted.

Electricity Committee - 13th July 1915

Use of Lathe – Electricity Works
The Committee considered an application from Mr F W Hartley, of Lancaster, asking for the loan of the lathe at the Electricity Works, in order to complete a contract for the supply of shell bases.
Resolved – That the matter be left in the hands of the Chairman, with power to deal therewith, and, if necessary, to permit the removal of the lathe from the Electricity Works to Mr Hartley’s workshop.

Properties Committee - 14th July 1915

Old Town Hall – Use of Room
Resolved – That permission be granted to the Local Munitions Committee to hold their meetings in the large Committee Room at the Old Town Hall, recently used by the Labour Exchange as a Munitions Bureau.

Council in Committee - 20th July 1915

Recruiting in Lancaster
Referring to an earlier minute, the Town Clerk read a communication from the War Department stating that they were prepared to grant a conditional exemption from recruiting to the works of Messrs Jas. Williamson & Son, and Storey Brothers & Co. Ltd, and that the local Recruiting Officers had been instructed accordingly.

Urban and Port Sanitary Committee - 17th September 1915

Latrines – Remount Depot and Bowerham Barracks

The Medical Officer submitted a report as to the erection of Dry Earth Latrines at the Remount Depot and Bowerham Barracks, and instructions were given with respect thereto.

Streets Committee - 20th September 1915

Munitions Factory
The Surveyor reported that at the request of the Directors of the new Munitions Factory he had undertaken for them the survey of the site and the taking of levels thereof.

Munitions Factory – Drainage etc.
The Committee considered the question as to the possibility of laying a new sewer in connection with the drainage, etc. from the Munitions Factory on Caton Road, and the matter was referred to the Plans and Projections Sub-Committee for consideration and report.

Electricity Committee - 21st September 1915

Service to National Projectile Factory

The Committee considered a report by the Chairman, as to an application for the temporary supply of electricity for both motive and lighting purposes to the new Projectile Factory on Caton Road, such supply to be a maximum of 50 kilowatts per day.
Resolved – That a supply of electricity be offered to the Directors of the National Projectile Factory, they to pay all charges in connection with the laying of a cable from Bridge End to the site of the proposed new works, the current to be supplied to them in accordance with the present scale of charges plus an extra 10 per cent, in view of the greatly increased cost of fuel, etc. for the Electricity Works.

Baths and Recreation Grounds Committee - 18th October 1915

Application – Giant Axe Field
The Committee considered an application on behalf of the Band of the 2nd/5th K.O.R.L. for permission to use the Giant Axe Field (Centre Pitch) for a series of football matches in aid of the “Comforts” Fund of the 5th K.O.R.L.
Resolved – That such application be granted.
Further Resolved- That any applications for the use of the Giant Axe Field during the coming winter by left in the hands of the Chairman, with power to deal therewith.

Gas Committee - 18th October 1915

National Projectile Factory –Gas Supply

The Committee considered a communication from Vickers Ltd., as to the terms upon which a supply of Gas would be offered to the new Factory on Caton Road, and the Engineer submitted an estimate as to the cost of laying the necessary main for such supply amounting to Ł315.

Resolved – That a supply of Gas be offered upon the terms of the present scale for industrial purposes, and that the question as to arranging with Vickers Ltd., as to the cost of laying the main be referred to the a Sub-Committee consisting of the Chairman and Councillor Roberts with power to deal therewith.

Tramways Extensions Sub-Committee - 18th October 1915

Pursuant of an earlier minute, the Sub-Committee considered the question as to the Tramway Extensions or the running of Motor Buses within the Borough, in view of the fact that a large number of men will probably be working at the new factories which are being built, and correspondence with the Board of Trade with respect thereto was submitted from which it appeared that the powers for the running of motor buses for munition workers might be obtained by way of Provisional Order.

Resolved – That the Town Clerk be instructed to communicate with the firms concerned in the erection of the new works, with a view to ascertaining what demand there is likely to be for motor bus facilities and if possible to arrange an interview with representatives of the firms.

Town Hall Committee - 19th October 1915

Ashton Hall – Letting

The committee considered an application on behalf of the Trades and Labour Council for permission to use the Ashton Hall on Sunday 24th October at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. for the purpose of holding Recruiting Meetings in connection with the scheme of the Central Association for Recruiting, at which meetings it was proposed to utilise the service of a Regimental Band.

Resolved – That such application be granted, and that the Town Clerk be instructed to make the necessary application to the Borough Magistrates for permission to amend the license so as to provide for a band or organ being used at these or other similar meetings on Sundays.

Council Meeting - 27th October 1915

Presentation of Addresses to VC’s

Resolved – That this Council in Committee recommend that suitable addresses be presented to Lieutenants James Edgar Leach and William Thomas Forshaw, the former of whom was born in Lancaster and the latter being for some time connected with the Schools of the Borough, as a mark of the appreciation of the honour brought to the town, and that the Mayor be authorised to make the necessary arrangements for such presentations and to affix the Common Seal of the Borough to the Addresses.
 

 

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 You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images.

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