Highweek Parish Council: The monthly meeting of Highweek Parish Council was held on Monday evening … … The Widening of the Lemon Bridge: The Surveyor to the Newton Urban District wrote enclosing plans and stating estimates of the cost of widening the bridge over the river Lemon near the Recreation Ground. The Sanitary Committee of his Council had approved of the plans and ordered them to be sent to the Highweek Parish Council. The Chairman remarked that the cost, £96, was rather more than they expected it would be at first. Mr. Shilston: Have we committed ourselves to this? The Chairman: No; we have been waiting for the estimate. There is no specification accounting for the outlay. Mr. Pinsent: Directly, receive no benefit. It might benefit the Recreation Ground Company. Mr. Olver observed that the rateable value of the parish would be greater. The bridge looked very dangerous at present. If an accident happened the Council would be held partly responsible. Mr. C. G. Vicary took it that the Newton Urban District Council agreed to pay two-thirds the cost. Mr. Pinsent: They don’t say so. The Chairman said it was understood. Mr. Olver asked if the owner of the property, Mr. St. Maur, had been asked to contribute to the cost, because the property would benefit. Mr. Rogers thought the estimate was reasonable. The amended plans were more elaborate than the original plans. A brick arch was to be added. Mr. Shilston considered it would be spending a lot of money for very little benefit to have the work done. The Chairman: We are bound to do something. Mr. C. G. Vicary moved that the Council join the Newton Urban District Council in carrying out the work, subject to the consent of the Rural District Council. Mr. Pinsent seconded the motion, which was agreed to: The Lighting Question: According to notice Mr. R. Pascoe proposed that a lamp be fixed near Whitehill Cottages. It had been talked of for years, and a lamp was urgently required at the spot. Mr. Olver seconded. Mr. Shilston proposed, as an amendment, and Mr. Pinsent seconded that the question be deferred. Mr. C. G. Vicary remarked that the motion opened up a big question. Many other places required lamps. At least 20 were wanted. Mr. C. Adams (plumber) said several lamps required repairing and some would hardly last out the winter. Mr. Pascoe’s motion was carried, and Messrs. Rogers, Pascoe, Segar and Adams (plumber) were appointed a sub-committee to inspect the lamps and report to the Council: The Suggested Amalgamation: The clerk reported that no reply had been received to his letter to the Newton Urban District Council with reference to the proposed amalgamation of Wolborough and Highweek: Seats on Knowles Hill: Mr. Rogers moved that seats be placed on Knowles Hill — one at the bottom, another near Elmcroft, and a third near Elmhurst. Iron seats 6ft. in length would cost about 37s. each. Mr. Segar thought that if they had nothing to spend on lighting, they could not spare anything for seats. The Chairman: There is no doubt seats are desirable. Mr. Pinsent pointed out that the parish would have to lay out a considerable amount of money on improving the drainage shortly. Mr. Olver said seats would be wanted in Bradley Woods next. Mr. C. G. Vicary quite sympathised with the motion and was ready to support it, if it could be shown where the funds were coming from. The Clerk reminded the Council that a new precept would have to be issued if the motion was carried. Mr. Rogers withdrew his motion. The Chairman: That is House of Commons style. (Laughter.)
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Referenced
GRO0911 Devonport: William Swain Pinsent: 1843 – 1920