The Shortage of Labour

In Warwickshire “the prospects for the coming season are not rosy.” This is the verdict of a man (says a contemporary) who has a very large experience of the conditions of agriculture in that part of the county round Warwick. There was a very bad planting season last autumn, and this, coupled with the shortage of labour, discouraged the farmers very seriously in their efforts to carry out the wishes of the Government to increase the area under wheat. In a great many cases there is less and not more wheat under cultivation. Many cases of decrease have come under the observation of farm valuers. In one instance, instead of finding, as they expected, 132 acres under wheat on a 500 acre farm, there were only 32 acres. In one district the recruiting officer took the labourers away in the midst of the planting, and one farmer renting 1,000 acres gave up the work in despair, and did not plant his farm at all. Everywhere the complaint is raised of the shortness of labour, and one case is cited in which a farmer says he would have planted a much larger area of wheat if he could have had men, even if he had to pay high wages. Store cattle are selling up to 46s. per cwt., and grass keeping is being disposed of well, in some cases 50 per cent more than last year. A suggested explanation of this is that well-to-do farmers are taking keep and leaving as much of their own land for hay as possible. But there will be great difficulty in ensuring sufficient labour to get a large hay crop. Stock and all kinds of agricultural produce are selling remarkably well.

Banbury Guardian, May 1915

The Board of Trade and Meat Prices

The Board of Trade announce that at a meeting of the Advisory Committee of the National Federation of Meat Traders Associations, held at the Board of Trade on the 17^th May, the effect on the meat trade of the increased requirements of the British and French armies and of the relative shortage of vessels equipped for the conveyance of meat from overseas was discussed. The Advisory Committee expressed the opinion that the recent daily and weekly fluctuations of supplies in the wholesale markets rendered it difficult to fix average quotations. They expressed the opinion that the only was of avoiding a further advance in price in the near future would be an appreciable reduction of the demand by the civilian population. The Board of Trade, having considered the report of the Advisory Committee, wish to call the attention of the public to the great importance of restricting the consumption of meat, with a view to economising the national supplies and avoiding an excessive increase of price.

Banbury Guardian, May 1915

The Commissioners of Customs and Excise have issued a return of the numbers of old-age pensioners in each county and county borough of the United Kingdom in March 1914, together with proportion to population at the last census, and the estimated cost. The following are the particulars for the counties of Oxford … and Warwick:-

In Oxfordshire there were 4,864 pensioners, of whom 2,057 were men and 2,807 women.  These represented 35.65 per 1,000 of the total population at the last census, and 718.46 per 1,000 of the population of the age of 70 and over. The estimated cost per annum was £60,971, or 20.96 pence in the pound rate on assessable value equivalent to cost of pensions.

In Warwickshire there were 7,051 pensioners – 2,790 men and 4,261 women; these being 23.44 per 1,000 of population, or 637.06 per 1,000 of those of pension age. The estimated cost was £88,385, or 11.89 pence in the pound.

Extract from Banbury Guardian, May 1915

The usual meeting of the above Council was held on Thursday, Mr. W.J. Weld in the chair. There were also present – The Rev. J. Howell and Messrs. R. Brown, A. Spencer, R.H.A. Holbech, W.H. Jarvis, A. Fairfax (clerk), and G. Elkington (surveyor).

THE APPOINTMENT OF INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES

The Clerk said that with reference to the appointment of Mr. Dawson as Inspector of Nuisances, he had had a letter on the 21^st of April from the Local Government Board in reply to one which he had sent to them. In this letter the Board said that as Mr. Dawson intended to carry on his business as surveyor, under those conditions it would be necessary for Mr. Dawson to give an undertaking that his duties as sanitary inspector should not in any way interfere with his private work. He (the Clerk) wrote to the effect that Mr. Dawson would give the undertaking and the Board had agreed to the appointment of Mr. Dawson at a salary of £24 per annum, and they agreed to the appointment from the 3^rd of April 1915 to the 29^th April 1916. They were not prepared to sanction the appointment of Mr. Dawson as a permanent officer as he was engaged in private practice, and that he should continue to hold the office from year to year, subject to the appointment of the Board.

The Council agreed to the course proposed.

MISCELLANEOUS – THE FARNBOROUGH WATER

The Clerk read some correspondence with reference to a road conference in London in connection with the Municipal Engineers’ Institution, but no action was taken in the matter. The Clerk said the balance in hand was £271 3s. He read a letter from the Radway Parish Council calling attention to the condition of a drain across the allotments.

The matter was referred to the surveyor.

The Clerk read a letter with regard to the analysis of the water in the well at Farnborough, which had been made by Messrs. Bostock Hill and Rigby, the county analysts for Warwickshire. The letter said that the water appeared bright and clear, but it contained many small particles of a nature which showed that the water contained a great quantity of fresh and oxidised organic matter, the bulk of this being undoubtedly derived from sewage, so that in its present condition it could not, in their opinion, be considered safe for use for drinking purposes.

Mr. Holbech expressed surprise at the letter, and said that as the well was a quarter of a mile away from houses there could be no possible contact with sewage.

The Clerk – It may have been left in the well after it was cleaned out.

Mr. Holbech – It has been cleaned out three or four times, and the people who use the well seem satisfied with the water. There have been no complains, Mr. Elkington?

The Surveyor – The people seem satisfied.

Mr. Holbech remarked that the letter did not contain the usual information to be found in an analysis. It was simply a general statement.

The Rev. J. Howell – Tell them that it is impossible for sewage to get into the well.

Mr. Spencer – I think that might be done.

The Clerk – Now that Mr. Dawson has been appointed we might hand the matter over to him.

Mr. Spencer – It seems rather hard on the owners of the well.

The Clerk – They say, “It can’t, in our opinion, be considered safe for drinking purposes”.

Mr. Holbech – They don’t think it was better than it was before. They have not sent a proper analysis showing all the constituents of the water.

The Inspector suggested that there should be an independent analysis.

The Chairman – A sample might be sent to a private analyst.

The Clerk – It might be sent to Mr. Fisher, who is the recognised analytical authority for Oxfordshire.

It was agreed that the inspector send a sample of the water to Mr. Fisher on behalf of Mr. Holbech.

The tender of Mr. Edwards to do the labour on the Radway roads for £15 was accepted, on the motion of Mr. Spencer, seconded by Mr. Holbech.

THE RADWAY DRAINAGE SCHEME

Mr. Brown said that in accordance with notice which he had given some months ago, he moved that the sanitary inspector prepare a scheme such as that suggested by the committee when they met at Radway to consider the drainage of the village. The inspector would put the scheme on paper and would be able to give them some idea as to the probable cost. He understood that this would be a special charge on the parish.

The Chairman – Certainly.

Mr. Brown – Naturally enough the inspector will make a special charge for preparing the scheme.

Mr. Holbech seconded the motion, which was carried. He asked if Mr. Dawson had been to Radway over the matter.

Mr. Brown – Not yet.

The Clerk – I will give Mr. Dawson an idea of what the committee suggested should be done.

Mr. Brown suggested that Mr. Howell and himself should meet Mr. Dawson at Radway.

The Inspector thanked the members of the Council for the appointment which they had conferred upon him, and said he should endeavour to do his duty. He said that some of Mr. Smith’s books were practically filled up and he would require to get new ones, which the Council sanctioned.

He said that Mr. A.J. Hartley, of Oak Cottage, Farnborough, had applied to be registered as a milk seller. He got the milk from Mr. Boddington and sold it in the village. The application was granted.

He reported a large number of defects in cottages in a number of the villages, and steps will be taken to remedy what was complained of.

This was all the business.

Banbury Guardian, May 1915

THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1894 (56 and 57 Vict., c.73), and

THE PUBLIC HEATH ACT 1875 (38 and 39 Vict., c.55)

FARNBOROUGH RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL

I the undersigned, hereby give notice that the Accounts of the above Rural District Council and the Officers thereof, for the half-year ended the 31^st day of March 1915, will be audited by A.F.P. Barton, Esquire, District Auditor, on Tuesday the 15^th day of June 1915 at two o’clock in the afternoon, at the Board Room of the Guardians of the Banbury Union, at Banbury and that such accounts duly made up and balanced will be deposited at my Office and be open during Office hours thereat to the inspection of all persons interested for seven days before the Audit.

Dated this 26^th day of May 1915

ARTHUR FAIRFAX, Clerk to the Farnborough Rural District Council.

Banbury Guardian, May 1915

A very desirable COTTAGE RESIDENCE with Stables, Outbuildings, Capital Garden and Close of Arable and Pasture Land, know as “Emberley’s Leys” having an area of 1a. 1r. 26p. Freehold. Possession on completion.

PERCY W. FLICK is instructed by the Excrs. of the late Mrs. Elizabeth Sandford TO SELL THE ABOVE BY AUCTION, at the Rose & Crown Inn, Ratley, on FRIDAY JUNE 11^th 1915 at 7 o’clock in the evening, exact time subject to Conditions of Sale to be then produced and read.

Particulars of Sale may be obtained of Messrs. Fortescue and Sons, Solicitors, and of Percy W. Flick, Auctioneer, both of Banbury.

Banbury Guardian, May 1915

Petty Sessions – yesterday (Wednesday)

(Before Mr. Andrew Motion in the chair; Mr. Edward Parke, Mr. W.J. Weld, Mr. V. Mills and Mr. R. Lean.)

NO LIGHT – Robert Ridley Brown, farmer, Radway, was fined 1s. for driving a horse and cart in Banbury Road, Ratley, without a light at 8.35 p.m. on the 27^th April.

OBSCURED IDENTIFICATION PLATE – Dorothy A. Hazelwood, 18 Westminster Road, Coventry, was fined 10s. for driving a motor cycle on Banbury Road, Radway on the 25th April and allowing the identification plate to become obscured.

NO LICENCE – Edward Elkington, farmer, Warmington was summoned for moving six swine from the premises of William Buller, Banbury to his premises at Warmington on the 3rd of May without a licence, and William Buller, farmer, Neithrop Grounds, Banbury, was summoned for allowing six swine to be moved from his premises at Banbury to the premises of Edward Elkington, without a licence on the 3rd of May. Defendants were fined 5s. each.

NO DOG LICENCE – John Walton, labourer, Pillerton was fined 2s. 6d. for keeping a dog without a licence at Pillerton Priors on May 1st.

Banbury Guardian, May 1915

In order to clear off a deficit on the renovation of the chapel, the Wesleyans arranged a rummage sale for Tuesday in the schoolroom. There was a good company, and a good display of goods were quickly disposed of. The stall-holders included Mrs. Merton, Mrs. Geden, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Capp, Mrs. Green, Mrs. Shepherd, Miss Cheadle and Miss Wills. Tea was provided under the superintendence of Miss Morewood and Miss C. Lewis.

Banbury Guardian, May 1915

FENNY COMPTON WHARF ESTATE

At the Red Lion Hotel, Banbury. Sale at 4 o’clock.

JOHN MARGETTS AND SONS, Auctioneers.

Banbury Guardian, May 1915

This year the ancient Custom of holding an out-door procession on Rogation days was revived. On Tuesday May 11^th, a considerable congregation assembled at Church at 6.30 p.m. A procession was formed, with the cross-bearer, choir, and Vicar, in surplices, leading the way. A litany was sung as they walked slowly to the village green. Here a stand was made, and after the Vicar had explained the object of the service, prayers were offered for the deliverance of our land from evil, for God’s blessing upon the crops and flocks and herds, and for protection and victory for our forces. The procession passed on to the Mutton Hill, to the allotments, where further prayers were offered, and the service ended with the singing of the National Anthem and an evening hymn in the churchyard. A large number of parishioners took part in the procession.

Banbury Guardian, May 1915