Dartford Rural District Council Minutes 1920-1929 - Hartley-Kent: The Website for Hartley

Go to content

Dartford Rural District Council Minutes 1920-1929

Index

Ash Road, Ash    05 Jun 1923
Ash Road, Ash: widening    30 Jan 1923, 13 Mar 1923, 10 Apr 1923, 25 Sep 1923
Ash Road, Hartley and Ash: maintenance    02 Mar 1926
Ash Road, Hartley and Ash: widening    10 May 1921
Ash Road, Hartley: Ambleside    11 Oct 1921
Ash Road, Hartley: Bramberley Hedge    19 Jul 1921
Ash Road, Hartley: Bypass    29 Jan 1924, 08 Apr 1924, 03 Jun 1924
Ash Road, Hartley: Church Road to St John's Lane    16 Dec 1924
Ash Road, Hartley: Copse Side    30 Dec 1924
Ash Road, Hartley: Fairby Grange    05 Jun 1928
Ash Road, Hartley: Fairby Grange Cottages     03 Nov 1925
Ash Road, Hartley: Hagersville    03 Nov 1925, 01 Dec 1925
Ash Road, Hartley: Hartley Old Rectory    03 Jul 1928, 02 Oct 1928
Ash Road, Hartley: Hothfield    03 Jan 1923
Ash Road, Hartley: Improvements    10 Oct 1922, 05 Dec 1922, 03 Jun 1925
Ash Road, Hartley: Ivy Dene    02 Jul 1929
Ash Road, Hartley: Junction with St John's Lane    13 Jan 1925, 27 Jan 1925, 10 Mar 1925
Ash Road, Hartley: Maclean    19 Jul 1921
Ash Road, Hartley: Monksilver    06 Mar 1928
Ash Road, Hartley: Proposal for B Classification    09 May 1922, 31 Jul 1923, 03 Nov 1925
Ash Road, Hartley: Resurfacing    04 Oct 1925, 03 Nov 1925, 01 Dec 1925
Ash Road, Hartley: Ryecroft    07 Nov 1922
Ash Road, Hartley: The Shaw    07 Nov 1922
Ash Road, Hartley: Woodlands    06 Mar 1928
Ash Road: Hartley and Ash: Signage    02 Feb 1926
Ash Village Hall    08 Nov 1921
Beaconsfield Terrace, Fawkham    07 Jul 1925, 04 Aug 1925, 04 Oct 1925, 03 Nov 1925, 01 Dec 1925, 02 Feb 1926
Billet Hill, Ash    07 Jun 1922, 19 Dec 1922
Billet Hill, Ash: Maintenance    02 Mar 1926
Black Lion, Hartley    25 Sep 1923
Boundary Review    03 Jan 1923, 11 Sep 1923
Brickfield at Pinden    02 Dec 1924
Burial Ground, Longfield    18 Dec 1923
Buses: Maidstone and District    05 Feb 1929
Castle Hill, Fawkham    07 Feb 1928
Castle Hill, Hartley: Brianne    03 Jan 1928
Cesspools    27 Mar 1923
Chapelwood Road, Hartley and Ash: Tarring    31 Jul 1928
Children's Competition    16 Dec 1924
Church Road, Hartley    01 Nov 1927, 05 Nov 1929
Church Road, Hartley    05 Nov 1929
Church Road, Hartley, Far Ben    05 Jan 1926
Church Road, Hartley: Apple Tree Cottage    03 Aug 1921
Church Road, Hartley: Ardgowan    19 Jul 1921, 04 Jul 1922
Church Road, Hartley: Barber's Shop    19 Jun 1923
Church Road, Hartley: Blue Firs    10 May 1921
Church Road, Hartley: Bonsalls    27 Mar 1923
Church Road, Hartley: Council Mortgage    04 Oct 1925
Church Road, Hartley: Dedication of land for widening    03 Jun 1925
Church Road, Hartley: Fairview    03 Aug 1921
Church Road, Hartley: Far Ben    04 May 1926
Church Road, Hartley: Grosvenor    07 Jul 1925
Church Road, Hartley: Housing    30 Jan 1923
Church Road, Hartley: Little Stirrups    01 Jan 1929
Church Road, Hartley: Maintenance    02 Mar 1926, 02 Mar 1926
Church Road, Hartley: Melsetta    03 Jan 1923
Church Road, Hartley: No planning permission    01 Oct 1929
Church Road, Hartley: Point Hill    19 Jul 1921
Church Road, Hartley: Pond    03 Apr 1926
Church Road, Hartley: Poor Condition of    06 Nov 1928
Church Road, Hartley: Restharrow    17 Jul 1923, 17 Jul 1923, 11 Sep 1923
Church Road, Hartley: Tarring    07 Jul 1925, 04 Oct 1927, 02 Jul 1929
Church Road, Hartley: Thamesview Farm    07 Apr 1926, 03 Jul 1928
Church Road, Hartley: The Knoll    04 Apr 1923
Church Road, Hartley: The Poplars    02 Mar 1926
Church Road, Hartley: The Stores    10 Sep 1924, 07 Oct 1924, 30 Dec 1924
Church Road, Hartley: Top Spin    19 Jul 1921
Church Road, Hartley: Widening    01 Aug 1922, 15 Jan 1924, 01 May 1928
Church Road, Hartley: Windy Ridge    30 Dec 1924, 27 Jan 1925, 24 Mar 1925
Churchdown Farm, Fawkham    27 Feb 1923
Cinema Licence, Longfield    23 Sep 1924
Clads House Pond, Ridley    13 Mar 1923
Clays Mead, Ash    07 Jun 1921, 24 Jun 1921
Compensation Claim    27 Jan 1925
Concrete Houses    01 Dec 1925
Constitutional Club, Hartley    04 Oct 1925, 02 Feb 1926
Constitutional Club, Hartley    02 Feb 1926
Council House Sales    03 Jan 1928
Council House Sales: Longfield    06 Oct 1927
Council Housing    26 Apr 1921, 24 Jun 1921, 05 Jun 1923
Council Housing: Fawkham    26 Apr 1921
Council Housing: Hartley    10 May 1921
Council Housing: Hodsoll Street    10 May 1921, 19 Jul 1921
Council Housing: Longfield    26 Apr 1921, 01 Aug 1922, 10 Oct 1922, 07 Oct 1924
Council Housing: Speedgate, Fawkham    21 Nov 1922
Council Housing: Waiting List    31 Jul 1928
Council Owned Land: Hartley and Hodsoll Street    07 Apr 1926
Councillor Boucher    17 Jun 1924
Court Pond, Longfield    06 May 1924
Cricket Ground, Hartley    04 Jun 1929
Dartford Tunnel    13 Jan 1925
Diptheria: Longfield    15 Jul 1924, 05 Jan 1926
District Nurse    08 Nov 1921
Electricity    03 Jun 1925
Empty Houses: Ash    07 Apr 1925
Erysipelas: Hartley    07 Apr 1926
Erysipelas: Longfield    17 Jun 1924
Essex Road, Longfield: Bus Traffic    01 Sep 1925
Fairby Lane, Hartley: Scotgrove    02 Dec 1924
Fairby Lane, Hartley: The Shack    05 Jun 1928, 03 Jul 1928
Fairby Stores    11 Sep 1923
Fawkham Club Room    24 May 1921
Fawkham Road, Longfield: Pond    16 Jan 1923
Fawkham Village Hall    20 Nov 1923
Flint Quarry at Longfield    20 Jun 1922, 03 Jun 1925, 01 Dec 1925
Flint Quarry at Longfield: Stats    10 May 1921, 09 May 1922, 07 Jun 1922, 12 Sep 1922, 20 Nov 1923
Fire Hydrants: Ash    09 May 1922
Fire Hydrants: Hartley    06 Oct 1927, 06 Mar 1928
Footpath at Station Road, Longfield    30 Jan 1923
Footpaths at Hartley    08 May 1923, 08 Apr 1924
Gooses Cottages, Ash    02 Dec 1924, 07 Jul 1925, 04 Aug 1925
Gooses Farm, Ash    25 Mar 1924
Gorsewood Road, Hartley    04 Dec 1923
Gorsewood Road, Longfield    30 Jan 1923, 02 Mar 1926
Grange Lane, Hartley: poor state of    02 Jul 1929
Green Street Green Road, Horton Kirby    09 May 1922
Green Street Green Road: Resurfacing    03 Nov 1925, 01 Dec 1925
Green Way, Hartley: Clifton    03 Jun 1925, 07 Jul 1925
Hartley Agricultural Cooperative Society    21 Apr 1925, 05 Jan 1926, 07 Feb 1928
Hartley Bottom Road: Flooding    10 Feb 1925
Hartley Bottom Road: Goldsmiths Cottage    05 Jan 1926
Hartley Bottom Road: Martindown Cottage    05 Jan 1926
Hartley Bottom Road: Middleton Farm    03 Jan 1923
Hartley Bottom Road: Passing Places    03 Jul 1923
Hartley Bottom Road: Poor State of    12 Feb 1924
Hartley Bottom Road: Resurfacing    11 Mar 1924
Hartley Bottom Road: Tarring    02 Oct 1928
Hartley Brass Band    04 May 1926
Hartley Green: Hartley Cottage    31 Jul 1923
Hartley Hill: Gossy Croft    04 Oct 1925, 05 Jan 1926
Hartley Hill: Tarring    04 Oct 1927
Hartley House: Well    02 Feb 1926
Hartley Road, Longfield: Railway Steps    10 Apr 1923, 08 May 1923
Health Visitor    26 Apr 1921
Hedge Lopping    01 Dec 1925, 02 Feb 1926
Hillside Cottages, Fawkham    07 Apr 1926
Hodsoll Street Green    03 Aug 1921
Hodsoll Street: Surplus Housing Land    19 Dec 1922
Hollybush, Longfield Hill    02 Dec 1924
Home Help    05 Jul 1921
Home Ownership Scheme    04 May 1926
Hoselands Hill, Ash Road, Hartley    07 Jun 1921
Hoselands Hill, Hartley: Maintenance    02 Mar 1926
Hoselands Hill, Hartley: Resurfacing    07 Jul 1925, 04 Aug 1925, 02 Feb 1926, 07 Apr 1926
Hoselands Hill, Hartley: Tarring    03 Jul 1928
Hoselands Hill, Hartley: Telegraph Poles    05 Jan 1926
House in the Field, Ash    24 Jun 1921
Housing By Laws    24 Feb 1925
Housing Completions 1922    20 Jun 1922, 07 Nov 1922
Housing Completions 1924    17 Jun 1924, 15 Jul 1924, 30 Dec 1924
Housing Completions 1926    05 Jan 1926, 02 Feb 1926, 02 Mar 1926, 04 May 1926, 01 Jun 1926
Housing Completions 1927    01 Nov 1927
Housing Completions 1928    03 Jan 1928, 03 Jul 1928, 02 Oct 1928
Housing Completions 1929    02 Jul 1929, 05 Nov 1929
Housing Subsidies: 1921    10 May 1921, 07 Jun 1921, 19 Jul 1921, 03 Aug 1921, 11 Oct 1921
Housing Subsidies: 1922    25 Apr 1922, 04 Jul 1922
Housing Subsidies: 1923    17 Jul 1923, 06 Nov 1923, 04 Dec 1923
Housing Subsidies: 1924    29 Jan 1924, 25 Mar 1924, 24 May 1924, 17 Jun 1924
Housing Subsidies: 1925    13 Jan 1925, 21 Apr 1925, 03 Jun 1925, 04 Oct 1925
Housing Subsidies: 1926    05 Jan 1926
Housing Subsidies: 1929    01 Jan 1929, 05 Feb 1929
Longfield Depot: Brick Field    19 Dec 1922, 10 Apr 1923
Longfield Depot: Buildings    03 Aug 1921, 19 Jun 1923, 03 Jul 1923, 29 Jan 1924, 12 Feb 1924
Longfield Depot: Farm Land    07 Jun 1921, 25 Oct 1921, 01 Sep 1925, 04 Oct 1925
Longfield Depot: Nuisance    25 Sep 1923
Longfield Depot: Staff    21 Nov 1922
Longfield Hill: The Orchard    03 Jan 1923
Longfield Village Hall    24 Oct 1922, 10 Sep 1924
Main Road, Longfield: Classification as B Road    10 Mar 1925
Main Road, Longfield: Flooding    15 Jul 1924
Main Road, Longfield: Hedges    17 Jul 1923
Main Road, Longfield: Improvements    16 Dec 1924, 07 Jul 1925, 04 Oct 1925
Main Road, Longfield: Maintenance    02 Mar 1926
Main Road, Longfield: Peccot Hill, widening    25 Apr 1922, 09 May 1922, 07 Jun 1922, 01 Aug 1922
Main Road, Longfield: Pescot Hill    16 Jan 1923, 08 May 1923
Main Road, Longfield: Pondowne Villas    25 Sep 1923
Main Road, Longfield: Tarmac Surfacing    02 Feb 1926
Main Road, Pescot Hill, Longfield    07 Jun 1921
Manns Farm, Ash    26 Feb 1924, 05 Jan 1926
Manor Drive, Hartley    17 Jul 1923, 25 Sep 1923, 01 Jun 1926, 02 Oct 1928
Manor Drive, Hartley: Baldhu    30 Jan 1923
Manor Drive, Hartley: Cedars    19 Jul 1921
Manor Drive, Hartley: Greenways    07 Jun 1921, 19 Jul 1921
Manor Drive, Hartley: Greycote    03 Aug 1921
Manor Drive, Hartley: Pwllycrechan    15 Jul 1924
Manor Drive, Hartley: Sanctamaria    01 Dec 1925
Manor Lane, Hartley, Resfuracing    04 Dec 1928
Maternity Clinic, Longfield    18 Nov 1924
Maternity Clinics: Ash and Longfield    10 Mar 1925
Measles and Mumps: Southfleet    02 Feb 1926
Middle Farm, Hartley    16 Jan 1923
Middleton Farm, Longfield    27 Mar 1923, 07 Jul 1925, 01 Dec 1925
Milk Licences    03 Jan 1923, 06 Nov 1923
Milk Sellers: Longfield    08 Nov 1921
Milk: Hartley and Longfield Round    07 May 1929
Mortgage Application    04 Sep 1928, 01 Oct 1929, 02 Dec 1929
Motorbike    19 Jul 1921
Music Licences    01 Dec 1925
New Barn: Roads    15 Jan 1924
New House Farm, Hartley    24 May 1923
North Ash Farm    16 Jan 1923, 30 Dec 1924, 05 Jan 1926
North Ash Farm: Cow Keeper    25 Apr 1922
North Ash Road, Ash: Slides    10 May 1921
North Ash Road, Ash: Tarring    31 Jul 1928
Old Downs, Hartley    15 Jul 1924
Pease Hill, Ash: Maintenance    02 Mar 1926
Pease Hill, Ash: Resurfacing    04 Oct 1925
Pig Feed    11 Sep 1923
Pinden Road    04 Oct 1925
Pinden Rubbish Tip    18 Dec 1923, 01 Jan 1924, 27 Jan 1925
Planning Regulations for Hartley etc    01 May 1928
Ponds: Hartley and Ash    04 Oct 1925
Ponds: Longfield    20 Jun 1922
Quarry at Longfield: Stats    08 Apr 1924
Railway Tavern, Longfield    01 Jan 1924
Rates    05 Mar 1929
Representation on Council    26 Apr 1921
Roads at Hartley: Drainage    04 May 1926
Roads at Hartley: ponds    25 Oct 1921
Roads at Longfield: Classification of B262    16 Jan 1923
Roads: Ash    10 May 1921
Roads: Ash, Resurfacing    05 Jan 1926
Roads: B262 Road Longfield    25 Apr 1922
Roads: Fallen Trees    04 Dec 1928
Roads: Fawkham    10 May 1921
Roads: Grants for Improvements    31 Jul 1923
Roads: Improvements    16 Dec 1924, 27 Jan 1925
Roads: Longfield Hill    16 Jan 1923, 04 Aug 1925
Roads: Longfield Hill, widening    09 May 1922, 07 Jun 1922, 24 Oct 1922
Roads: Maintenance Plan    02 Mar 1926
Roads: Mexphalite    26 Apr 1921, 27 Sep 1921
Roads: Narrow Roads    11 Sep 1923
Roads: New Barn    11 Sep 1923, 04 Oct 1925
Roads: Over Railways    04 Aug 1925, 04 Oct 1925
Roads: Reinstatement after utility works    02 Feb 1926, 02 Mar 1926
Roads: Snow Clearance    07 Feb 1928
Roads: Tenders for road stone    13 Mar 1923
Roads: Weather Damage    16 Dec 1924
Roads: Winter Gritting    02 Feb 1926
Scarlet Fever, Ash    07 Oct 1924
Scarlet Fever: Fawkham and Hartley    06 Nov 1923, 06 Nov 1923
Scarlet Fever: Hartley    03 Jan 1928, 03 Jan 1928, 03 Jul 1928, 03 Jul 1928
Schools: Ash    31 Jul 1923, 31 Jul 1923
Schools: Longfield    01 Jul 1924, 01 Jul 1924
Scudders Farm, Fawkham    07 Apr 1926, 07 Apr 1926
Sims Petrol Station, Longfield    16 Jan 1923, 16 Jan 1923, 16 Jan 1923
Sleeping Sickness: Hartley    15 Jul 1924, 15 Jul 1924, 15 Jul 1924
Small Owners Limited    01 Jan 1924, 01 Jan 1924
Smallpox    05 Dec 1922, 05 Dec 1922
Speedgate Farm, Fawkham    05 Jan 1926, 05 Jan 1926
St John's Lane, Hartley    10 Apr 1923, 10 Apr 1923, 10 Apr 1923, 15 Jan 1924, 15 Jan 1924
St John's Lane, Hartley: Tarring    31 Jul 1928, 31 Jul 1928
St John's Lane: Poor state of    01 Jan 1929, 01 Jan 1929
Stack Lane, Hartley    01 Jun 1926, 01 Jun 1926, 01 Jun 1926
Stack Lane, Hartley: 3 bungalows    01 Jun 1926, 01 Jun 1926
Stack Lane, Hartley: RC Hall    05 Jan 1926, 05 Jan 1926, 05 Jan 1926, 07 Apr 1926, 07 Apr 1926
Station Road, Longfield    10 Sep 1924
Station Road, Longfield: 1    05 Jan 1926, 05 Jan 1926
Station Road, Longfield: Adoption    13 Jan 1925, 13 Jan 1925, 05 May 1925, 05 May 1925
Station Road, Longfield: Cesspool    02 Dec 1924, 02 Dec 1924, 13 Jan 1925, 13 Jan 1925, 27 Jan 1925, 27 Jan 1925
Station Road, Longfield: Goodwin's Cottage    07 Nov 1922, 07 Nov 1922, 05 Dec 1922
Station Road, Longfield: Hicks Stores    10 Sep 1924
Station Road, Longfield: Poor State of Road    07 Apr 1925, 07 Apr 1925
Station Road, Longfield: Shed used as shop    06 May 1924
Station Road, Longfield: Slaughter House    03 Jan 1928
Station Road, Longfield: Telephone Box    01 Nov 1927
Station Road, Longfield: Widening    25 Sep 1923, 25 Sep 1923, 20 Nov 1923, 20 Nov 1923
Swan Cottages, Ash    30 Jan 1923, 30 Jan 1923
Swanscombe UDC    03 Jun 1925, 01 Sep 1925
Telegraph Lines: Ash    27 Feb 1923
Telegraph Lines: Hartley Hill to new House    05 Feb 1929
Telegraph Lines: Hodsoll Street    02 Mar 1926
Telegraph Lines: Ridley    09 May 1922
Terry's Lodge Road, Ash    10 Apr 1923
The Street, Ash    13 Mar 1923
Tithes: Hartley    11 Mar 1924
Trading Standards: Ash    02 Dec 1924
Trees: Longfield    13 Mar 1923
Tuberculosis: Ridley    27 Jan 1925
Unemployment: Public Works    27 Sep 1921, 25 Apr 1922, 05 Dec 1922, 13 Mar 1923
Valley Road, Fawkham    02 Mar 1926
Valley Road, Fawkham: Maintenance    02 Mar 1926
Valley Road, Fawkham: Patching    16 Jan 1923
Venereal Disease    01 Aug 1922
Vermin Destruction    02 Dec 1924, 05 Jan 1926
Village Hall, Fawkham    21 Apr 1925
Village Hall, Longfield    05 Jan 1926
War Memorial at Hartley    07 Jun 1921
War Memorial: Hartley    20 Jun 1922, 19 Dec 1922
Water Charges    03 Jun 1925
Water Supply: Ash    02 Jul 1929
Water Supply: Hartley    27 Sep 1921, 31 Jul 1923, 11 Sep 1923, 04 Dec 1923
Water Supply: Hodsoll Street    19 Jun 1923
Wells used for road drainage    03 Jun 1925
White House, Fawkham    02 Feb 1926
Whitehill Road, Longfield: St George's Cottages    03 Jun 1925
Whitepost Hill, Longfield    03 Jan 1923
Women's Institute, Hartley    02 Feb 1926



26 Apr 1921    Council Housing
The Housing Board have not approved sites at Hatchfield Wood, Fawkham (in substitution for Speedgate) and the 2nd site at Longfield. They say council should be building on their existing sites rather than acquiring new ones. Cllr Wright of Longfield to speak to architect about adjustments he wants to the planned housing at Longfield Hill.


26 Apr 1921    Elections
Edward Smith the Rectory, Longfield elected unopposed for Hartley. Rev Trevor James Matchett elected unopposed for Fawkham. In Longfield Walter Wright of Station Road got 98 votes (elected), George Thomas Lynds of 1 Arthur Cottages, Longfield Hill got 69 votes.


26 Apr 1921    Health Visitor
Mrs S Edge to be Health Visitor for Ash, Hartley, Ridley and Longfield Hill. Salary £25 pa.


26 Apr 1921    Representation on Council
Both Stone and Sutton at Hone think they should have more councillors. Council decide to wait for the results of the 1921 census.


26 Apr 1921    Roads: Mexphalite
Council decide to experiment with Mexphalite, a by-product suitable for surfacing macadam roads. It costs £8 10s per ton at the works, or £9 4s 2d if delivered to Dartford Station. They will try it out on 100 yards of road at Green Street Green.


10 May 1921    Council Housing: Hartley
Council have received quotations to build 6 houses at Hartley (Probably New House Farm see 21 June below). They are: W Braybrook of Hartley (£4,872 5s), J W Ellingham of Dartford (£4,987), R Hopkins & Son of Gravesend (£5,103), W H Simmons & Son of Wrotham (£5,287 7s 6d), C W Nairn of Hartley (£5,304 1s 3d), F Colyer of Welling (£5,399 16s 3d) and A Knowles of Farningham (£5,447). They decide to accept the tender from Mr William Braybook. They also intend to write to the Housing Board to say that per their instructions, they have gone over Mr Braybrook's tender for the housing site at Ash and believe it is as low as possible.


10 May 1921    Council Housing: Hodsoll Street
Council accept tender of £7,435 10s from A Knowles of Farningham to build 8 houses at Hodsoll Street.


10 May 1921    Flint Quarry at Longfield: Stats
Longfield: "There has been taken from the Council's Quarry from the If to the 25th April 282 yards of flints and 457 yards of ballast, and during the previous month 466 yards of flints and 101 yards of ballast."

Longfield Farm: "The Council's land at Longfield has been prepared and planted with potatoes from last year's crop. 9 tons of special potato manure has been applied at a cost of £147. A summons was issued against J. W. Cooper, of Queen Street, Gravesend, for obtaining potatoes under falte pretences, and as he did not appear at the Police Court, on Friday, the 22nd April, the Court issued a Warrant for his arrest."

Longfield Depot: following matter raised by Cllr Wright, Surveyor instructed to install gear covers and improve workshop ventilation.



10 May 1921    Housing Subsidies: 1921
Housing Subsidy Mr G M Wood of Hatchlands (Church Road) granted £102 4s 5d under Housing Additional Powers Act 1919 for wooden bungalow. Similar grant of £1 06 13s 4d to H G Ayres of Slides, North Ash for wooden bungalow.


10 May 1921    Roads: Ash
"The contract for the supply of ragstone has delivered 130 yards in this parish". Parish council say widening of Billet Hill is more important than Cuckolds Corner, so DRDC will look at Billet Hill scheme.


10 May 1921    Roads: Fawkham
Fawkham: "70 yards of ragstone has been delivered in this parish, and about 50 yards put on the roads and rolled in."


10 May 1921    Ash Road, Hartley and Ash: widening
Hartley: "The widening and improvement of the Longfield to Ash Road has been proceeded with and is now nearly completed. 65 yards of rag stone has been delivered on the roads in this parish, and about 40 yards of same put on and rolled in, as well as 129 yards of flints and 74 yards of ballast."


24 May 1921    Fawkham Club Room
Mr Hohler gets permission to build village club house at Six Acre Field.


7 Jun 1921    Clays Mead, Ash
Surface Water Pond, Clays Mead, Ash "The Chairman brought before the Council the question of cleaning out the surface water pond on property belonging to him at Clays Mead, Ash. He pointed out that he himself did not ask for the pond to be cleaned out, but that the water was found useful by the roadmen when working in the district, and it was for this purpose that it was desired the pond should be cleaned out. It was Resolved that the Surveyor be instructed to have the pond cleaned out."


7 Jun 1921    Hoselands Hill, Ash Road, Hartley
Widening of Longfield to Ash Road complete and fencing erected where hedges removed.


7 Jun 1921    Housing Subsidies: 1921
"The Clerk ... reported that two houses erected by Mr. Wm. B. Gable, at The Drive, Hartley, had been completed, but that completion was subsequent to the extended time allowed by the Ministry of Health for the completion of houses in respect of which subsidies were applied for, and that therefore the Council were not in a position to issue Certificate " B " for the subsidy until further legislation had been passed. He stated that the amount of subsidy in each case was £151 13s 4d. It was resolved that certificate B be issued... as soon as Parliament had passed the necessary legislation permitting it."


7 Jun 1921    Longfield Depot: Farm Land
No progress on case of J W Cooper at Longfield because police can't find him.


7 Jun 1921    Main Road, Pescot Hill, Longfield
Widening of the road near The Briars, Longfield "Mr. Wright brought before the Council the question of the expediency of widening the road near "The Briars," Longfield, in order to safeguard pedestrians from the danger from motor traffic in consequence of its dangerous and narrow condition. The Chairman gave Mr. Wright the same explanation as he did at the last meeting of the Highways Committee, that the improvement, which was admittedly necessary, could not be proceeded with as the Council were unable to obtain a definite offer of the land reputed to be in the ownership of Mr. T. C. Allchin. It was also pointed out that a large amount had been spent on road improvements in that parish, and that there were other equally or even more dangerous roads in the district which required improvement."


7 Jun 1921    War Memorial at Hartley
"Your Committee have received a letter from the Chairman of the Hartley Parish Meeting asking for permission to erect a War Memorial on the triangular piece of green where the road to Hartley Church and Hartley Manor branches off to the Main Road to Ash along the road from Longfield to Ash. They have referred the matter to the Rev. J. T. Matchett and Mr. Wright in order that they may visit the spot and report to the Council.

The Clerk read a report from Mr. Wright stating that he and the Rev. J. T. Matchett had viewed the site of the Hartley War Memorial, but no plan showing the dimensions of the memorial were produced. They, however, considered that there would be no obstruction to traffic if the base measurements did not exceed 12 ft. Mr. Wright reported that since making that report he had received a tracing, which he produced, showing the Memorial and its dimensions. Inasmuch as the dimensions exceeded those mentioned in Mr. Wright's report, it was Resolved to refer the matter back to the Highways Committee."



24 Jun 1921    Clays Mead, Ash
Cllr Wright raised this again. The chairman Mr Day repeated what had been said at the last meeting, and seconded a motion not to clean it out which was lost, so it will be cleaned out.


24 Jun 1921    Council Housing
Building Sites "Your Committee report that tbey have received a letter from the London Housing Board stating that owing to the high prices they were unable to approve the acceptance of the tenders recommended in respect of the New House Farm Site, Hartley; Portobello Road Site, Kingsdown, and Hodsoll Street Site, Ash. They also stated that in regard to the revised tenders for the Forge Site, Ash, they considered the price still too high for them to approve.

They have also received a letter from the Housing Board stating that they regret, having regard to the existing Housing position, and the present commitments, the Ministry of Health found themselves unable at present to approve further contracts, and therefore, in the circumstances, requesting the Council not to take any further steps as regarded tenders.

Your Committee are of opinion that the attitude now adopted by the Housing Board and Ministry of Health places the Council in a very difficult position, and they recommend in view of the needs of the situation, the hope held out to the community, the promises the Council have made, the extent of the Council's schemes, viz.: 890 houses, which they were led to adopt as the minimum requirements of their district, and the fact that the Council, notwithstanding their first estimate, were pressed by the Housing Board to increase the number of houses to be erected, that the Council refuse to acquiesce in the abandonment of their Housing Schemes, and that a copy of this recommendation, if adopted, be sent to the Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for the Division."



24 Jun 1921    House in the Field, Ash
House in the Field, Ash "On Tuesday, the 24th ult., I visited the above premises and found that only one family remained in occupation, viz., Mr. R. Jones, wife and family. I waited and eventually found Mr. Jones, who informed me he was only waiting to get the final papers through to get one of his sons, who is an imbecile, into a suitable institution. I have made inquiries to try and hasten the lad's removal. Mr. Jones informs me he will be willing to go as soon as the boy is " fixed up." Recommendation. Your Committee have instructed the Inspector to take all possible means to obtain the eviction of the remaining family."


5 Jul 1921    Home Help
"Your Committee have received a Report from the Clinic's Sub-Committee in regard to the question of the continuation of the t-erviees of the Home Help. The Sub-Committee reported that the present Home Help had been employed 35 weeks at a net cost of £21 after deducting the contributions towards the cost of her services from persons engaging her services. They pointed out that her services had been very useful, but the demand did not come from those whom the Committee wished to help, but from those who were more or less in a position to pay for her services and pay her direct. They recommended that her services under these circumstances be dispensed with and that she be given notice to terminate her engagement with the Council when the present bookings had been worked out."


5 Jul 1921    Roads: General
Roadside ponds by the school and below Black Lion have been cleaned out, as has the pond by Fawkham Church. In Longfield pond at corner of Station Road and Main Road to be cleaned out, and the one at White Hill to have a spile fence erected around it.


19 Jul 1921    Council Housing: Hodsoll Street
The council's architect has gone through Mr Knowles's tender for 8 houses at Hodsoll Street, and they have agreed to reduce the price from £7,417 to £6,239. The revised tender will be sent to the Housing Division of the Ministry.


19 Jul 1921    Housing Subsidies: 1921
The following have been agreed by the council:

bungalow at Hartley for J W Webster of Joan of Arc Hotel, Plumstead (Certificate A - £260) (Top Spin, Church Road)
2 semi detached cottages at Hartley Green for W Braybrook of Hartley (Certificate A - £260 each) (Maclean and Bramberley Hedge, Ash Road)
concrete bungalow at Churchfield, Hartley for A W P Lewington of 7 Rona Road, Hampstead (Certificate A - £260) (Ardgowan, Church Road)
2 houses at the Drive, Hartley for W B Gable of 40 Kenilworth Road, Penge (Certificate B - £260 (Greenways and Cedars, Manor Drive)
dwelling house, Walden, Hartley Hill for Mr G E Daviss of Walden (Certificate B - £173 6s 8d (Point Hill, Church Road))

The Ministry has told the council that they can now issue certificates B for properties completed since 23.4.1921. For those completed from 24.12.1920 to 23.4.1921 grants will be paid subject to deductions.

[Under the Housing (Additional Powers) Act 1919 councils would issue a certificate A when approving building plans, they would then issue certificate B when the house was completed. The grant would then be paid.]



19 Jul 1921    Motorbike
Council agree to buy secondhand 2¾ hp Douglas Motorbike for Mr F Sutch to be able to travel more easily around his extensive district.


3 Aug 1921    Church Road, Hartley: Fairview
Fairview, Church Road Inspector Sutch reported "I have inspected Fairview Farm, Hartley, where the owner had received a consignment of condensed milk that had been condemned for human food, and I certify that the milk has been used for pig food only."


3 Aug 1921    Hodsoll Street Green
Hodsoll Street Green Council say they have no objection to Mr H G Antrum holding an annual fair there, provided it was properly conducted.


3 Aug 1921    Housing Subsidies: 1921
Housing Subsidies Certificate B (completion) issued for the following properties: Top Spin, Church Road (£260), Apple Tree Cottage, Church Road (£153 6s 8d) and Greycote, Manor Drive (£173 6s 8d)


3 Aug 1921    Longfield Depot: Buildings
Longfield Depot "Your committee have had under consideration a report from the sub-committee appointed to enquire into the several matters at our Longfield Depot, and arising out of such report, they recommend (i) that a round iron shed (about 15 ft diameter) which Mr Wright suggested, be purchased and erected for the use of the men working at the depot, and in which to keep tools; (2) that a covdering shed be erected for the engines and that the tender of Messrs T C Jones & Co Ltd, for the supply of the necessary galvanised corrugated iron sheet, at £28 per ton, delivered free on rail be accepted, the shed to be erected by the council's staff.  

The Surveyor reported that according to a catalogue, which he produced, there appeared to be suitable iron buildings for sale by Mr G Blay of New Malden, where it was proposed to purchase the round-iron shed, and which could be obtained at less cost than the price proposed to be paid for the corrugated iron sheets. It was resolved that the matter be left to the Chairman, Mr Wright and the Surveyor to visit New Malden and inspect the iron buildings, and that if they found anything suitable for the council's requirements they be authorised to purchase same, in which event the recommendation to purchase corrugated iron sheets from Messrs Jones be not adopted."



3 Aug 1921    Roads: General
Roads Pond by Mr Hohler's Home Farm has been cleaned out. Fawkham Bottom Road has had chalk and dirt put on it where broken up. The two ponds at Longfield Hill have been cleaned out. The parish want the one by Mr Blackman's farm reduced by 3 feet 6 inches to allow for road widening. Surveyor to show owner plan of land required.


27 Sep 1921    Roads: General
Surveyor also submitted costings for submitted improvements: Improvement of Billet Road, Ash (£160), widening of road adjoining pond at Longfield Hill (£45), widening and improving road between Longfield Village and Longfield Hill (£400).


27 Sep 1921    Roads: Longfield
At Longfield surveyor reports "as instructed by your chairman, I have had the line of frontage of the road adjacent to the council's new houses near the bottom of the Chalk Hill cut back, the bank removed and a width left sufficient for a 6 feet footpath". Regarding the contraction of the pond at Longfield Hill, he has sent plans to Mr Blackman's neighbour Mr J Woodward. The Post Office want the council to pay for moving a telegraph pole in consequence of the council widening the road outside their housing estate at Whitehill. Council agree to pay the cost of laying on water to the Longfield depot to fill the engines at a cost of £39 12s 6d.


27 Sep 1921    Roads: Mexphalite
Roads "101 tons of granite have been delivered to Fawkham Station and carted into depot on the Green Street Green road, to be used in connection with the experiment of Mexphalite as a binding material instead of sand and water."


27 Sep 1921    Unemployment: Public Works
Publlo Works for the Relief of Unemployment A circular dated the 5th instant was read from the Ministry of Health with regard to a previous circular issued by them with respect to economy in public expenditure, pointing out that an exception was, however, made re Jr] capital expenditure approved for the relief of unemployment, and that in view of the continuance of the serious unemployment, the Minister of Health wished It to be understood that he was prepared to favourably consider, applications for sanction to loans for necessary work giving a relatively large amount of employment, even though a case of extreme urgency could not be made out and the inception of the work was not primarily for the purpose of relieving unemployment.  

A further circular dated the 22nd instant was read from the Ministry of Health drawing attention to the statement recently published as to the conclusions of the Cabinet Committee on unemployment with regard to the inauguration of works of public utility for the relief of unemployment, and setting out the decision of the Committee in regard to grants towards the interest and sinking fund charges on loans raised by Local Authorities to meet expenditure on approved schemes and the procedure to be adopted by Local Authorities generally in connection with such schemes. The Clerk read copy of a letter which he had written to the Ministry of Transport giving a list of some of the larger improvements required in the Rural District as follows:  

(a) Roads,  
(1) Widening and improvement of Watling Street, from Dartford Brent to Gravesend.  
(2) St. James Lane, Stone, from Horns Cross to Watling Street.  
(3) Lower Road from Dartford to Erith,  
(4) Widening and improvement of road from the Dartford Brent to Wrotham via Green Street Green and Longfield, and the branch road from Lanes End Darenth to Sutton Corner.  
(5) Road from the Orange Tree, Wilmington, through Wilmington Village to Swanley Junction.  
(b) Sewers  
(1) Sewerage Scheme for the parishes of Stone and Swanscombe  
(2) Branch Sewer from the Darenth Industrial Colony to the Darenth Valley Main sewer at Hawley.  
(3) Drainage of Horion Kirby Village.  

The Clerk also reported that he had suggested an extension of the Council's Housing Schemes in other parts of the District at present unprovided for and where houses were greatly needed to abate overcrowding.  

A letter dated the 23rd instant was read from the Roads Department of the Ministry of Transport acknowledging receipt of the particulars, and stating that they would be submitted to the Cabinet Committee on unemployment at an early opportunity.  

It was Resolved on the motion of the Vice-chairman, seconded by Mr. Coveney, that in order to press upon the Ministry of Health the urgency of sanctioning the erection of houses on additional sites in the Council's district, a Deputation consisting of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, and Messrs. Mercer and Wright, be appointed to wait upon the Ministry, and that the Member of Parliament for the Division be invited to introduce them in order to add his co-operation in the matter.



27 Sep 1921    Water Supply: Hartley
Special Expenses In addition to the £289 precept, Hartley has special expenses of £10 in connection with the Water Supply added (none of the other parishes in the 1901 scheme were still paying this).


11 Oct 1921    Housing Subsidies: 1921
Housing subsidy "Your committee have received a report from Inspector Sutch stating that Mr G T Oldrey, Hartley Road, Hartley, whose plans were passed for the erection of a bungalow at Hartley [Ambleside, Ash Road] on 1st March last, and which had since been erected, had applied for the issue of certificates A and B under the Housing (Additional Powers) Act 1919. They find that Mr Oldrey omitted at the time to make a formal application for the Housing Subsidy in respect of the bungalow, but the council are not now in a position to issue the certificate unless the Ministry of Health give their sanction. They therefore recommend that application be made to the Ministry for the necessary permission."


11 Oct 1921    Merton Avenue, Hartley: Nil Desperandum
Land at Merton Avenue, Hartley Mr Sutch reports "On Saturday, the 24th September, I inspected a tent in the occupation of Mr W E Barlow, erected on a field at Hartley. The man states that he was ejected from a house in south-east London, and has bought the ground his tent is pitched on. He has erected a rough earth closet and at present is getting his water from the premises adjoining his plot. He has a wife and four children, ages from 7 years to 4 months, all occupying the one tent. Your committee have given instruction for the bye-laws to be enforced."


25 Oct 1921    Longfield Depot: Farm Land
Longfield: At the depot land, a layer of brick earth has been uncovered and is being removed by Messrs J & B Martin. A crop of potatoes needs lifting. Council has decided to let the rest of the land in future rather than farm it themselves. At Longfield Hill, Mr Woodward has agreed that the council can fill in the pond, if they would pay for water to be put onto his buildings. Council agree to this.


25 Oct 1921    Roads at Hartley: ponds
Roads Hartley: "Complaint has been made that the two ponds near Fairby House, which take the road surface water, want cleaning out. This is now being carried out." Council has received £31 in unemployment grants for road from Hartley to Ash.


8 Nov 1921    Ash Village Hall
Village Hall, Ash "Attention was called to the absence of proper sanitary accommodation at the Village Hall, Ash, and in view of the use to which the Hall was put, it was resolved that the Medical Officer of Health be instructed to enquire into the matter with a view to proper accommodation being provided."


8 Nov 1921    District Nurse
Health "The Rev F W Warland reported that owing to the difficulty of obtaining accommodation for the District Nurse for Kingsdown and Fawkham, who was also the council's Health Visitor, there was a danger of losing her services, and appealed for assistance in obtaining a house for her in order that she might be retained in the district."


8 Nov 1921    Milk Sellers: Longfield
Agriculture Mr Kent of Main Road Longfield has applied for registration as a purveyor of milk. "I have asked Mr Kent to concrete the floor and render the walls with impervious material to a height of 4 feet, and limewash the remainder of the storage premises before recommending registration."


25 Apr 1922    Butler's Place, Ash: Council Housing
Forge Site, Ash - It was pointed out to the council that the conveyance of the land promised they would build 12 houses there, but only 8 are proposed. They agreed to ask the Ministry for powers to build all 12.


25 Apr 1922    Housing Subsidies: 1922
Housing Inspector Sutch mentions that work is in progress for Small Owners Cottage and Mr Tolhurst's Cottage at Hartley Green, and at 1-2 Parsonage Cottages. He says work at Yew Tree Cottages, Hartley Green (Castle Hill) has not yet started and recommends a "stiff letter" be written to the owner (these appear to be improvement works for tenanted properties rather than new builds). He also reported that modern closet accommodation has been provided to the Manor House, Longfield and the old privy filled in.


25 Apr 1922    Main Road, Longfield: Peccot Hill, widening
A letter, received on the 25th instant, was read from Mr. H. Pomoroy, South View, New Barn, Longfield, forwarding a petition, signed by 116 residents of New Barn, Longfield1, calling attention to the dangerous corner at the junction of Pescot Avenue and the road leading from the Main Chatham Road to New Barn. They pointed out that a sharp bend prevented those going in one direction from seeing those coming in the oposite direction, and that a high hedge added to the difficulties; that there was a sharp slope towards the concave side of the road, and that there was a considerable amount of traffic along the roads. Mr. Woodward stated that the present owner of the house was, he understood, willing to give up a portion of the front garden of the house for the improvement, and he suggested, as she was shortly leaving, the advisability of proceeding without delay, with a view to obtaining her sanction. It was Resolved - That the suggestion be adopted, and that the Surveyor prepare an estimate of the cost, with plan, and produce same to the Highways Committee at their next meeting."


25 Apr 1922    North Ash Farm: Cow Keeper
Farming - The application from George Day of North Ash Farm to be a registered cow keeper was accepted.


25 Apr 1922    Unemployment: Public Works
Public Utility Works - "A letter, dated the 18th instant, was read from the Roads; Department of the Ministry of Transport, stating that the following grants would be made in accordance with the usual conditions, viz.
Longfield Village to Longfield Hill Road (£200)
Wilmington to Hextable Swanley Junction Road (£874)  

Attention was called by several members of the Council to the manner in which the men worked on these improvements and the roads in general, and pointed to the fact that the slacking, which was evident, was due to lack of supervision, and that the complaints were general and well founded. It was Resolved - That the matter be referred to the Highways Committee to deal with.



9 May 1922    Ash Road, Hartley: Proposal for B Classification
Main Road through Hartley proposed Chairman reminded the Council of the proposal of the Ministry of Transport to widen and improve the road from Watling Street, Southfleet, to Longfield along the Fawkham Bottom Road, through Fawkham, to the Portobello, Kingsdown, where it joined the Maidstone - London Road for the purpose of connecting up those two main thoroughfares, the work being carried out to find employment for London unemployed men, and suggested that a better route for this connecting road would be from Longfield, through Hartley and Ash, joining the Maidstone - London Road at Peckham Corner, on the ground of there being more traffic along that route; a motor omnibus service having been started; that there was a greater prospect of the land being developed for building purposes; and that there was, as a matter of fact, a proposal afoot for a Garden City Scheme. After discussion, it was Resolved (Mr. Wright (member for Longfield) only dissenting) That the Council express the opinion that the alternative route suggested by the Chairman was the best one, and urge the Ministry of Transport to adopt it in place of the route they proposed at present following.


9 May 1922    Fint Quarry at Longfield: Stats
There has been taken from the Council's Flint Quarry, from the 29th March to the 24th April, 247 yards of Flints and 146 yards of Ballast.

Council agree to sell flints from Longfield Quarry to J & B Martin of Pinden provided it is not less than 5/6 per yard. They agree to buy surface picked flints from Mr Ayres of Slides, North Ash at 6/6 per yard and flints from Speedgate if they can agree a price.



9 May 1922    Fire Hydrants: Ash
Fire hydrants Ash Parish Council wanted to erect a hydrant by the school at a cost of £16. DRDC say they should call a parish meeting first to discuss the provision of hydrants more generally.


9 May 1922    Green Street Green Road, Horton Kirby
Roads Messrs J & B Martin offered to erect a barbed wire fence and gates along new boundary of land they had given for the widening of the road at Pinden. Council decided that although widening is in abeyance, they should accept such a good price.


9 May 1922    Main Road, Longfield: Peccot Hill, widening
Longfield, Pescott, Widening of Corners This improvement is now being proceeded with. The Committee and myself met Mr. T. Allchin in on his section, and arranged as to the terms and plan of carrying out the work on his property ; there are 24 men working there. A letter has been received from Mr. Dobson respecting his section, which I will bring before you.

The Surveyor reported that Mr. Allchin asked for an oak fence to be erected on the new boundary, and pointed out that as the length to be fenced had now been reduced, this would mean an extra cost of about £4 over that of the spile fence previously agreed on. Your Committee approve the extra expenditure.



9 May 1922    Roads: Longfield Hill Widening
Longfield Hill Widening This improvement is being proceeded with on Mr. Woodward's and Mrs. Langford's land, the spile fence on the latter's meadow has been erected; there are 19 men working there.  

The owner of a small section of land above Mrs. Langford's has consented to let us have his land required on the same terms as agreed to with Mrs. Langford.  

Your Committee have had before them a letter from Mr. G. Collar, the owner referred to, setting forth the conditions upon which he gave his land, and which they approve.



9 May 1922    Telegraph Lines: Ridley
Telegraph Lines council approves erection of overhead line from existing line at Berry's Maple along Ridley Hill, to a point opposite the Rectory.


7 Jun 1922    Billet Hill, Ash
Billet Hill, Ash Passing places being constructed on land donated by Messrs Day, Wild and Vinson, as well as owner of Billett Farm.


7 Jun 1922    Fint Quarry at Longfield: Stats
Longfield Quarry "There has been taken from the Council's Flint Quarry, from the 24th April to the 23rd May, 285 yards of Flints and 391 yards of Ballast. There has heen delivered to the Guardians' Institution 24 yards of ballast."


7 Jun 1922    Main Road, Longfield: Peccot Hill, widening
Pescot Hill, Longfield Widening of corners progressing, 21 men working on it. Total expenditure so far £305.5.3.


7 Jun 1922    Roads: Longfield Hill, widening
Longfield Hill Widening "The land belonging to Mr. Collar at the top of the hill has been taken and a spile fence erected for him, and, further, the making up of the widened portion is being proceeded with. There are 19 men now working there, and the total outlay for manual labour to date is £652/11/3. Your Committee have agreed to the payment at the same rate of compensation to Mr. Collar in respect of the land given up by him, as that agreed to be paid to other owners surrendering land, vis. £1 per rod.


20 Jun 1922    Flint Quarry at Longfield
Longfield Depot It is reckoned that it costs 5s 2d per yard to excavate material. Foreman says men will do it on piecework at 1s 9d per yard with 6d for loading. Council decide to run an experiment on piecework rates.


20 Jun 1922    Housing Completions: 1922
Housing Completions Bungalow for Miss Piper at Hartley is completed and satisfactory.


20 Jun 1922    Ponds: Longfield
Longfield pond Complaints about pond at Mr Dobson's premises owing to the stench from the silt. Surveyor to report.


20 Jun 1922    Roads: Tarring
Road Tar The supply from Dartford Gas Works is now exhausted, council decides to buy 500 barrels (20,000 gallons) of steam treated tar from the Associated Portland Cement Works at Swanscombe at 5d per gallon.


20 Jun 1922    War Memorial: Hartley
Hartley War Memorial DRDC give permission for the memorial to be erected at the junction of Church Road and Ash Road.


4 Jul 1922    Butler's Place, Ash: Council Housing
Forge Cottages, Ash Tenants for the 8 houses have been selected. Council propose to charge 7s 6d rent per week for parlour houses, and 6s 6d rent per week for non-parlour houses, subject to confirmation from the Ministry.


4 Jul 1922    Housing Subsidies: 1922
Housing £260 grant to Arthur P Lewington for concrete block bungalow at Church Road under Housing (Additional Powers) Act 1919 (Ardgowan )


4 Jul 1922    Roads: General
Roads - work on Billet Hill passing places started but men taken off for tar painting elsewhere. Ash Street has been tar painted and the School, Chapel Yard and front of White Swan tarred privately, as has Fawkham Green and Village. At Longfield the Pescott work is almost complete, 4 men are now working there and the total expenditure has been £397 4s 1d. Seven men are working at Longfield Hill, where the total bill is now £748 0s 1d. Tar painting is going on in the parish, including a section recently coated with granite between White Hill Road and Station Road using "Spramex" [A specially prepared bitumen for road dressing, manufactured by Shell)]


1 Aug 1922    Butler's Place, Ash: Council Housing
Housing They have had second thoughts on the rent for Forge Cottages, Ash, which they now propose will be 6s 6d per week for parlour houses and 5s 6d per week for non-parlour houses, exclusive of rates and water rates.


1 Aug 1922    Church Road, Hartley: Widening
Church Road, Hartley "Mr Wright reported that Mr Haynes, owner of land abutting on Church Road, Hartley, was prepared to give ground to the council for widening purposes, if required."


1 Aug 1922    Council Housing: Longfield
The Whitehill site in Longfield (Fawkham Road) will be named 'Pondowne Villas'. They have also received a tenant right claim of £25.7s.0d from the owner of the land in the abandoned scheme by Longfield School. Ministry says they don't have to pay this because they never authorised the landowner to disturb the occupation of the tenant.


1 Aug 1922    Main Road, Longfield: Peccot Hill, widening
Roads In Longfield, the tar painting of the roads is complete. The telegraph poles have been moved at Pescot where 5 men are working on the corner scheme there, total cost to date £467 10s 8d. Setting back of pond is complete and a concrete retaining wall built. Also widening where Mr Langford gave land near Holly Bridge complete.


1 Aug 1922    Roads: A20 Construction
Longfield - Kingsdown Road Ministry have asked council to prepare an estimate of the cost of repairs caused by traffic associated with the new arterial road, which they will pay for.


1 Aug 1922    Venereal Disease
Venereal disease Council authorise medical officer to put up notices by the County Council on the subject.


12 Sep 1922    Fint Quarry at Longfield: Stats
Messrs J & B Martin have taken 2,325 cubic yards of brick earth at the council's field in Longfield. In the period 19 July - 26 August 746 yards of flint and 717 yards of ballast had been quarried at Longfield.


12 Sep 1922    Roads: General
Roads Tar painting at Ash is complete and the Pescot Corner works at Longfield nearly so. As to Longfield Hill drainage, Mr J M Dobson has offered an old catch pit at the top of the hill, Rev E Smith said another one would be needed at the bottom of the hill. Surveyor to report back.


10 Oct 1922    Ash Road, Hartley: Improvements
Roads The council has submitted a list of road schemes, costing £44,000, to the Ministry for which they ask approval. This includes the Hartley to Ash road.


10 Oct 1922    Council Housing: Longfield
Housing Mr Sutch says he has told tenants of council houses in Longfield to get possession of any rooms let in contravention of tenancy agreement. He also says the cleansing of Mr Jarrett's bakehouse in Longfield has been completed and alterations to shop front completed.


24 Oct 1922    Longfield Village Hall
Music and Dancing License Granted to H C Hickmott for the Longfield Village Hall for 12 months.


24 Oct 1922    Roads: Longfield Hill, widening
Roads Widening and improvement works at Longfield Hill nearly complete. Total costs so far £847 10s 1d. Council decided against kerbing the footpath there because they thought it would be a hazard to traffic at night. Surveyor told to make the path up but splay the edges.


7 Nov 1922    Housing Completions: 1922
Housing Completions Mr Sutch's October report notes the following completions - House at Ash Road for Mr Burr (The Shaw), bungalow at Ash Road for Mr Webb (Ryecroft), bungalow at Ash Road for Mr J Brown.


7 Nov 1922    Merton Avenue, Hartley: Nil Desperandum
Merton Avenue Mr Sutch reported "On the 12th October I visited the plots on the south west side of Merton Avenue, Longfield, where a Mr Barlow, with his wife and family, had been living in a tent. I found Mr Barlow has commenced building a dwelling of chalk and flints; no plans have been submitted, and no notification of intention to build has been submitted. I should like the committee's instructions regarding this case." (Nil Desperandum, Merton Avenue)


7 Nov 1922    Station Road, Longfield: Goodwin's Cottage
Housing WC pan repaired at Goodwin's Cottage, station Road, Longfield.


21 Nov 1922    Council Housing: Speedgate, Fawkham
Housing As the Speedgate site in Fawkham is no longer needed, it will be reconveyed to Mr Sidney Lee.


21 Nov 1922    Longfield Depot: Staff
Longfield depot Cllr Wright of Longfield complained about them employing single men and said they should give preference to men with families.


21 Nov 1922    Roads: General
Roads Picked flints supplied by Mr H G Ayres at Cuckolds Corner and North Ash Hill amount to 183 yards. Council will pay £50 for them. Pond in front of Fawkham Green has had its fence renewed. At Pescot Longfield "the surface of the road at this spot has been re-modelled, the adjoining footpath lowerd and the work completed excepting the new drain into Mr Dobson's orchard. 32 tons of new granite, 72 yards of flints and 14 yards of ballast has been used in re-modelling this surface."


5 Dec 1922    Roads: General
Roads Surveyor has given Post Office permission to erect telegraph line from existing route at Turner's Oak crossroad to a point opposite Mann's Farm, West Yoke. Regarding the extra traffic due to the arterial road improvements (that is, what is now known as the A20), they have submitted an interim claim of £200 for urgent repairs of the Kingsdown - Longfield - Northfleet road.


5 Dec 1922    Smallpox
Smallpox Outbreak in area apparently ceased. 4 Dartford area cases in October removed to Long Reach Hospital. Council has reported contacts of one of the affected cases to Maidstone council.


5 Dec 1922    Station Road, Longfield: Goodwin's Cottage
Housing New WC pan for Goodwins Cottage, Station Road, Longfield. Public Health Act 1875 notice.


5 Dec 1922    Unemployment: Public Works
The surveyor submitted a list of proposed road schemes to go the Ministry or the Unemployment Grants Committee [A government board to reduce unemployment by means of public works project]. Council approved the following applications to the Unemployment Grants Committee - Hartley to Ash Road (£601 8s 3d) and New Barn, Longfield (£728 7s 3d)


19 Dec 1922    Billet Hill, Ash
Roads A start has been made on widening the upper end for passing places at Billet Hill, Ash. Landowner of land to the north will let them know whether they can have some land on that side.


19 Dec 1922    Hodsoll Street: Surplus Housing Land
Housing They decided to let out surplus housing land including 1 acre at Hodsoll Street to the present occupier at the same rent as he paid the former owner, on condition he got no compensation if the council require possession.


19 Dec 1922    Longfield Depot: Brick Field
At Longfield Messrs J & B Martin wish to remove more brick earth from the council's site.


19 Dec 1922    Roads: A20 Construction
Fawkham Valley Road "Constant attention is being paid to the patching up the damage to Fawkham Bottom Road, caused by the extraordinary traffic to Kingsdown for making the arterial road.


19 Dec 1922    War Memorial: Hartley
War Memorial "The road around the site on which the War Memorial at the junction of Stocks Road (Church Road) is erected, has been made up and will be rolled in"


3 Jan 1923    Boundary Review
Boundaries of DRDC district A proposal has been made to move Ash parish to Malling Rural District.


3 Jan 1923    Gypsies
Gypsy Camp Inspector Sutch says he has visited the camp at Pinden and found it to be "quiet and orderly".


3 Jan 1923    Housing Completions: 1923
Housing completions Inspector Sutch's November - December report mentions completion of bungalow at Church Road for Mrs S Johnson (Melsetta).


3 Jan 1923    Merton Avenue, Hartley: Nil Desperandum
Merton Avenue Mr W E Barlow has asked for a temporary license for the habitation. Council refuse saying it is "entirely unfit for human habitation".


3 Jan 1923    Milk Licences
Milk The following licenses have been granted under the Milk and Dairies (Amendment) Act 1922:  
Louisa Langford of The Orchard, Longfield Hill (Wholesale purveyor of milk)  
Eliza Cornelius of Middleton Farm, Longfield (Wholesale purveyor of milk)  
J M Dobson of Pescot, Longfield (Wholesale purveyor of milk)  
H S Parrett of Hothfield, Hartley (Wholesale purveyor of milk)  
J Hollands of Green Farm, Longfield (Wholesale purveyor of milk)  
A W Kent of Main Road, Longfield (Retailer of milk)


3 Jan 1923    Whitepost Hill, Longfield
Surface Water Pond, White Post Hill, Longfield Mr. Wright called attention to the considerable flooding of the land at White Post Hill, Longfield, caused by the overflowing of the surface water pond there, and consequent damage to the tenant of the land, and loss through a number of fowls being drowned. Suggestions were made for raising the bank to prevent further overflowing and confining the water to its proper channel.


16 Jan 1923    Butler's Place, Ash: Council Housing
Housing Ministry approve proposed rents for Forge Cottages, Ash, see 1 August 1922.


16 Jan 1923    Fawkham Road, Longfield: Pond
Roads Council's overflowing pond at the bottom of White Hill Road will be attended to forthwith.


16 Jan 1923    Main Road, Longfield: Pescot Hill
Pescot Pond, Longfield "Surface Water Pond and Improvement, Pescott Hill, Longfield.- Your Committee have received a report from members who recently inspected the surface water pond at Pescott, LongfieJd, and have come to the conclusion that the best method is to have a catchpit constructed and the pond filled in. They also consider that an improvement would be effected if the fence of Mr. J. M. Dobson's property were brought forward into alignment with the other fences on either side, and the road made up in front, if necessary, such work to be carried out by the Council, leaving Mr. Dobson to make up the ground behind the fence when set forward. They recommend: That these works be carried out."


16 Jan 1923    Middle Farm, Hartley
Flints A letter, dated the 15th instant, was read from Mr. Thomas Hockley, Middle Farm, Hartley, stating that he had about ten yards of flints to dispose of, and enquiring whether the Council would make an exchange of ten yards of fine surface gravel for them. It was Resolved: That it be left to the Surveyor to arrange the exchange."


16 Jan 1923    Petrol Licences
Petrol licenses The following licenses to store petrol were granted to John Sims of Station Road, Longfield (20 gallons), and George Day of North Ash Farm, Ash (200 gallons).


16 Jan 1923    Roads at Longfield: Classification of B262
Proposed main roads "Maining of Roads.'The Clerk reported that the required advertisement had been published in the local Press giving three weeks' notice of the Council's intention to make an application to the County Council to take over and maintain certain roads as County main roads. On the proposition of the Rev. Stanley Morgan, seconded by Mr. Coveney, it was Resolved: That application be made to the Kent County Council to declare the undermentioned highways to be main roads repairable and maintainable by the County Council, viz:  

(i) Road from the end of the present main road at the entrance to the Hard adjoining the " White Hart" Inn to the river Thames in Greenhithe Street, via The Avenue, formerly known'as Slaves Alley, to the junction with the London to Gravesend main road at Ingress Abbey entrance Lodge.... 0-37 miles  

(ii) The road from the boundary of the Urban District of Dartford near The Brent passing the entrance to the Southern Hospital at The Gore, over Green-Street-Green via LongfieJd to Longfield Hill railway bridge to the boundary of the Rural District, of Strood - 5.91 miles  

(iii)The road from its junction with the second-class main road at Green-Street-Green near the smith's forge via High Cross, Betsham, and Southflee't station to the boundary of the Urban District of Northfleet near the bottom of Pepper's Hill - 2.54 miles  

(iv)The road from the junction with the Dartford-Farningham main road at the "Orange Tree," Wilmington, to the junction with the London-Maidstone main road, at Swanley Junction via Wilmington and Hextable - 3:56 miles



16 Jan 1923    Roads: A20 Construction
A20 construction traffic "Some of the heavy traffic conveying materials for making the arterial road is now going over the Hartley to Ash section and doing considerable damage; this has been notified to the Ministry of Transport.

The notice boards, as ordered, have been made, painted, lettered, and erected at Longfield, Ash, and Peckham Wood Corner, cautioning drivers of lorries and other heavy vehicles from using the road beyond Ash.



16 Jan 1923    Roads: Longfield Hill
Longfield Hill Improvement "Your Committee recommend 'That the roads abutting on the triangular piece of land adjoining the Mission Room and surface water pond at Long field Hill be improved and widened, and the position of the pond slightly altered, subject to the owners of the land giving it up for the purpose. They also approve of the road being widened and a footpath constructed on the east side of the road leading from Longfield Hill to a point near the railway bridge towards tbe farmhouse, where Mr. j. W. Woodward has kindly given the necessary land for the widening, and ask the Council to ratify this."


16 Jan 1923    Valley Road, Fawkham: Patching
On Fawkham Bottom Road there has been put on for patching, 162 yards of Flints and 14 yards of Ragstone, and rolled in.


30 Jan 1923    Ash Road, Ash: widening
Widening of Ash Road, Ash "A letter, dated the 23rd instant, was read from the Unemployment Grants Committee, stating they were prepared to approve the scheme for the widening of Ash Road for the purpose of a grant of sixty per cent, of the wages bill incurred from the commencement of the work up to the 31st May, 1923, for unemployed men taken on for the work thereof, the grant being limited to the maximum amount of £210, and subject to the usual conditions. It was Resolved: That the Surveyor be directed to proceed with the work and effect its completion by the date mentioned."


30 Jan 1923    Church Road, Hartley: Housing
Housing Mr Sutch says he has received plans from Mr Chisholm for 3 cottages at Church Road Hartley.


30 Jan 1923    Footpath at Station Road, Longfield
Footpath from Hartley Road to Fawkham Railway Station Mrs. Golding called attention to the dangerous condition of the steps leading out of Hartley Rood up to the footpath to Fawkham Railway Station, pointing out that they were in a very worn and dangerous condition, and raised the question of who Jiable for the repair thereof. After discussion; it was Resolved on the motion of the chairman seconded by Mr. Wright: That the Clerk communicate with the Southern Railway, asking them to repair the steps. Mrs Golding proposed, the Rev E Smith seconded, and it was resolved: that in the event of the railway company repudiating liability for the repair of the steps, the Longfield Parish Council be asked to repair them.


30 Jan 1923    Gorsewood Road; Longfield
Longfield to Meopham Road, opposite Schools, Longfield "A letter, dated the 20th instant, was read from Mr. W. B. K. Williams, of "The Retreat," Longfield, stating that he had purchased some land opposite Longfield Schools, and desired to lay it out in building lots, but had heard that the Council intended to improve and widen the adjoining road, and pointing out that if this was so, he would like to know the amount of land which would be required in order that he might take it into account in staking out the plots. It was Resolved: That the matter be referred to a Sub-Committee consisting of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, the Rev. E. Smith, and Messrs. Little, Wright, and Woodward, to meet and discuss the matter on the spot, and that the Surveyor prepare the necessary plan showing the extent of the land which would be required for the widening."


30 Jan 1923    Housing Completions: 1923
Housing Completions Inspector Sutch in his December/January report noted the completion of a bungalow at Ash Road for Mr Chambers and a bungalow at Manor Drive for Mr Harvey (Baldu)


30 Jan 1923    Swan Cottages, Ash
Mr Sutch says that the cesspool at Swan Cottages, Ash has collapsed. He has served notice on the landlord to repair and provide a proper cover.


13 Feb 1923    Butler's Place, Ash: Council Housing
Housing - Forge Site, Ash Council decided to install septic tanks on the new houses to save cost of cesspool emptying in future.


13 Feb 1923    Roads: General
Roads 25 yards of flints used to repair potholes in Fawkham Bottom Road. At Longfield the banks of the pond at Whitehill have been increased, while a hedge at Longfield Hill has been removed to make a footpath with retaining kerb from the railway bridge to the farm there. In Ridley 167 yards of flints and 74 yards of ragstone have been used on New Street and Clad's House Road, and rolled in.


27 Feb 1923    Churchdown Farm, Fawkham
Agriculture Cowkeeper and Milk Purveyor License granted to Albert Henry Ong of Churchdown Farm, Fawkham.


27 Feb 1923    Roads: A20 Construction
A20 road construction Surveyor has spoken to Ministry engineers about damage to district roads by construction traffic, in particular the Longfield to Kingsdown road. Ministry phoned to say they would purchase granite for repairing this road. Council agree to this.


27 Feb 1923    Telegraph Lines: Ash
Telegraph lines Council allow extension of existing line from opposite Mann's Farm to Oliver's Farm, Ash.


13 Mar 1923    Ash Road, Ash: widening
Roads Widening of Hartley to Ash road progressing, 419 yards of flints and 50 yards of ragstone laid in Ash parish and rolled in.


13 Mar 1923    Clads House Pond, Ridley
Pond filled in at Clad's House Corner, Ridley.


13 Mar 1923    Roads: A20 Construction
Fawkham Valley Road "The Fawkham Bottom Road is now continuously used by a number of loaded lorries with flints from newly-opened quarries at Pinden on the Green-Street-Green Road and carted to the arterial road at Kingsdown ; this has practically destroyed the surface of the road. I have called the attention of the Engineers to the Ministry of Transport to this matter, and they have promised to proceed and repair the surface with granite at once."

Surveyor added "I have inspected, with two of the Representatives of the Ministry of Transport, some of the roads damaged by their traffic in carting materials by heavy loads for the making up of their arterial roads.; they acknowledged that great damage was done, and suggested that these roads should be patched and kept passable until their traffic had ceased, when they could be properly re-instated. I have got details out, and applied to the Ministry of Transport for payments on account of improvements to the extent of £1,340, and also on account of maintenance of second class roads for the last quarter, amounting to £158. These amounts, I understand, have been paid over to the Council."



13 Mar 1923    Roads: Tenders for road stone
Tenders for Road Material (a) Granite: The Council opened and considered tenders for the supply of 1,500 tons of granite to the various wharves and railway stations, and decided to accept the following:

Tilbury Contracting & Dredging Co., Ltd., Westminster, S.W., for the supply of 750 tons of machine broken Scotch Granite delivered to the railway stations at Dartford, Farningham Road, Swanley Junction, Fawkham, and Southfleet, at 17/11 per ton.  

Tytherington Stone Company, Falfield, Gloucester, for the supply of 750 tons of machine broken Tytherington Stone delivered to the railway stations at the following prices, viz.: Dartford, 20/9; Farningham Road, 20/7; Swanley Junction, 20/6; Fawkham, 20/9 ; and Southfleet, 20/6.  

(b) Ragstone: The Council also received and considered tenders for the supply of 400 cubic yards of Kentish ragstone to the various roadside depots, wharves, and railway stations, and on the proposition of Mr. Ladds, seconded by Mr. Mewett, it was Resolved 'That the tender (which was the lowest) of Messrs. Chittenden and Simmonds Ltd., Maidstone, at varying prices, be accepted.



13 Mar 1923    The Street, Ash
Mrs Patterson of the Manor, Ash complains about the regular flooding of The Street outside the Parish Room and Post Office. Surveyor to act.


13 Mar 1923    Trees: Longfield
Longfield parish council report dangerous overhanging tree and broken stile. Surveyor has removed tree, but Longfield PC told the stile is up to them.


13 Mar 1923    Unemployment: Public Works
Issue over paying unemployed men to work on roads. Risk of works stopping because their benefits have been withdrawn and the council isn't paying them. Ministry agreed that so long as they get no wages from council they can keep their benefits.


27 Mar 1923    Cesspools
Housing New Cesspool now completed at Mr Hall's Cottages, Ash.


27 Mar 1923    Housing Completions: 1923
Housing completion Mr Sutch reports "I have tested the drains at Mr Bonsall's bungalow, Church Road, Hartley; the bungalow is now ready for occupation."


27 Mar 1923    Middleton Farm, Longfield
Agriculture Cowkeeper license granted to Mrs Eliza Cornelius, Middleton's Farm, Longfield.


4 Apr 1923    Elections
Elections - George Day elected councillor for Ash unopposed.


4 Apr 1923    Housing Completions: 1923
Housing - Inspector Sutch's March/April report states Mr McDaniell's cottage in Church Road completed and satisfactory(The Knoll, Church Road).


4 Apr 1923    Roads: Tarring
Roads Council decide to buy a tar spraying machine if a demonstration proves effective (Kent County Council tell them they don't have one, because the men think hand painting of tar makes a better job).


10 Apr 1923    Ash Road, Ash: widening
Roads Ash: "The Widening and improving the Hartley to Ash Road has been proceeded with; there we now 12 men, obtained through the Labour Exchange and recommended by the Guardians' Relieving Officer, working on it. The wages paid on this work to date Is £139/2/0, at the rate of 36/- per week per man. To straighten and improve the line of road adjoining West Yoke and North Ash Crossways for traffic, it would be well to fill up the open pond existing there and turn the surface drainage down to a pond belonging to Mr. Day. nearly opposite his house; this be agrees to, provided, in case of overflow, the Council will connect it with a deep well existing near thereto. Your Committee have given their approval to this.


10 Apr 1923    Butler's Place, Ash: Council Housing
Housing Last 4 houses at Forge site completed. They agreed to grub out hedge there to create a passing place on the road.


10 Apr 1923    Hartley Road, Longfield: Railway Steps
Neighbouring landowners and the railway company disclaim responsibility for the steps from Hartley Road to the Railway Station. Longfield Parish Council told to repair


10 Apr 1923    Longfield Depot: Brick Field
Longfield: "with the member for Longfield, we measured the space from where Messrs. J. & B. Martin dug and removed the brick earth during the last season, and find the same to amount to 2,040 yards. There has been taken from the Council's quarry from February a8th to March 28th, 636 yards of flints and 101 yards ballast.".


10 Apr 1923    Roads: Hartley
Hartley: 25 yards of ragstone and 70 yards of flints have been put on the roads in this parish and rolled in. Parish Meeting ask for removal of obstructions on certain footpaths and widening of St Johns Lane. Surveyor is seeing to the footpaths, but DRDC will do nothing about the other matter for 6 months as it wasn't in their budget estimates.


10 Apr 1923    Roads: A20 Construction
Fawkham: "Ministry of Transport are repairing some of the damage they have done, and have had a gang of men putting on picked flints on the Fawkham Bottom Road, and two rollers rolling them in."


10 Apr 1923    Terry's Lodge Road, Ash
Ash - "Your Committee have received letters from the Ash Parish Meeting, calling attention to the condition to the section of the road leading from the Main Road to Peckham Wood Corner to Terry's Lodge, where the gradient was very steep. They suggested that the Ministry of Transport be asked to lower the gradient as it was at present considered dangerous to vehicular traffic. They also urged the Council to use Kentish ragstone on the top of flints in connection with the repair of the roads as they contended it would prove of a more lasting character, and also that the road repairs be. carried out under the contract system. Your Committee have instructed the Surveyor to communicate with the Ministry . Transport and request them to lower the gradient of the road at Peck ham Wood Corner. In regard to the question of the use of flints your Committee are of opinion that the larger use by the Council of ragstone would help better to combine the road material, and make a better and more durable surface, and they recommend: That, in general, the Council adopt this policy, and in furtherance thereof, that authority be given for the purchase of 800 cubic yards of Kentish ragstone instead of the 400 cubic yards provided for in the estimate. They do not agree with the Ash Parish Meeting in their expression of view as to the contract svstem."


8 May 1923    Footpaths at Hartley
Footpaths - Hartley Parish Meeting complain of obstruction to footpaths. Surveyor examined two with Mr Tate and "found it almost impossible to find any trace of a path, but its assumed position was obstructed in many ways by poultry fences, sheds, bungalows, and overgrown hedges, the only evidence of one path was the remains of an old stile." Mr Tate promised to trace owners.


8 May 1923    Hartley Road, Longfield: Railway Steps
Roads - Steps from Hartley Road to Fawkham Station to be repaired, DRDC to supply parish council with steps at cost from their depot.


8 May 1923    Main Road, Longfield: Pescot Hill
Longfield - metal pipes for Pescott drain delivered.


8 May 1923    Roads: General
Roads - Ash Road improved with widened portions metalled and rolled and fences erected. Widened portion by White Swan metalled and rolled. Complaints of problems at Hartley Bottom Road with lorries carrying material to new arterial road. Council to write to ministry of Transport. Report from Ministry of Transport says Fawkham Valley Road should be repaired by the end of the month and it will be tarred throughout to extend its life.


24 May 1923    New House Farm, Hartley
Milk - license granted to Joseph Thornton of New House Farm, Hartley, cowkeeper


5 Jun 1923    Ash Road, Ash
Roads - Repairs to Ash road nearing completion.


5 Jun 1923    Council Housing
Housing - after much discussion council agree to build 380 houses including 16 in Longfield and 4 in Hodsoll Street (none in Hartley or Fawkham). Largest number were in Swanscombe (82). Only Mr Wright (member for Longfield) opposed the scheme. The council was more divided on whether some should be built by direct labour, with those in favour prevailing 5 votes to 4. The houses at Longfield and Ash were to be put out to tender, with the direct labour force being but one bidder. One of the leading members in favour was Rev Stanley Morgan a Labour member of the council.


19 Jun 1923    Church Road, Hartley: Barber's Shop
Shops - E Ilott applies on behalf of client to build lock up timber framed barber shop in Church Road


19 Jun 1923    Longfield Depot: Buildings
Roads - Surveyor asks for shed to be erected at Longfield Depot for plant and rolling stock, which had been asked for 2 years ago. Council to look into this further.


19 Jun 1923    Water Supply: Hodsoll Street
Water - Hundred of Hoo Water Company, whose area includes Hodsoll Street, informs council they plan to increase charges by 50%.


3 Jul 1923    Hartley Bottom Road: Passing Places
Ministry will excavate and provide material for up to 5 passing places in Hartley Bottom Road between Longfield and Idleigh to be identified by the council, 2 yards by 10 yards.


3 Jul 1923    Longfield Depot: Buildings
Council approve in principle shed at Longfield Depot.


3 Jul 1923    Roads: Tarring
Roads - . Tar painting of roads in Longfield parish and Fawkham Valley Road in progress. Ministry will excavate and provide material for up to 5 passing places in Hartley Bottom Road between Longfield and Idleigh to be identified by the council, 2 yards by 10 yards.


17 Jul 1923    Housing Completions: 1923
Housing - Inspector Sutch reports completion and readiness for occupation of bungalow in Manor Drive for Mr P Harris, and bungalow in Church Road for Mr R Chisholm (Restharrow, Church Road).


17 Jul 1923    Housing Subsidies: 1923
Housing - council adopt policy of lump sum grant or payments to building society for new private houses, as envisaged by the current Housing Bill. They have been told by the Ministry that the maximum grant will be £75.


17 Jul 1923    Main Road, Longfield: Hedges
Roads - council agrees to remove a hedge by Longfield schools as a matter of urgency if the landowner agrees.


31 Jul 1923    Ash Road, Hartley: Proposal for B Classification
Roads - "The question of improvement and widening of the road from Longfield through Hartley to Packham Corner, Ash


31 Jul 1923    Roads: Grants for Improvements
Roads - Improvement works on district roads in rural areas. A circular from the Ministry of Transport informed councils they may get grants to improve class 1 or 2 district roads, so they may be taken over by the County Council. DRDC decide to limit net cost to the council of £5,000 on 15 schemes including Longfield to Longfield Hill, and Longfield to Hartley road. However one scheme is to create passing places only in New Barn Road. Shed at Longfield Depot to cost £25.


31 Jul 1923    Roads: Tarring
Roads - tar painting of Fawkham Valley Road ("Fawkham Bottom Road") complete and in good condition. "Usual" roads tar painted in Longfield. In the month ending 11th July, 146 (cubic?) yards of flints and 607 yards of ballast removed from council's quarry at Longfield.


31 Jul 1923    Schools: Ash
Ash - Council also tarred school playground at Ash, following a request from Rev H B Hennell. Council agreed to tar the paths leading to Mr E J Gee's house at Hartley Green at his expense. They had previously declined to do so because the work involved was more than they usually agree to (in spite of reference to Hartley Green, it is probably Hartley Grange, Church Road that is meant because that is where Mr Gee lived)


31 Jul 1923    Water Supply: Hartley
Water supply at Hartley - "The clerk reported that Mr F W Tate, the chairman of the Hartley Parish Meeting, had informed him that the parish of Hartley was without a water supply, and that he had at once communicated by wire with the Mid Kent Water Company with a view to the immediate restoration of the supply. A letter, dated the 30th instant, was read from the Mid Kent water Company, regretting the trouble which had arisen, and pointing out that the company cleaned out the reservoir which supplied the district 4 times a year, and that the method which they had adopted for years had enabled them to do so without causing any trouble or inconvenience to their customers, but owing to the unusual drought and recent heat wave, one of the mains had apparently become choked with air, and the same method had not been so successful. They regretted the inconvenience to the customers, and undertook to do their best to see that the stoppage of supplies did not occur again. It was resolved... that in order that consumers might have the opportunity of making some provision, the Company be requested to give public notice in the localities affected whenever supplies were likely to be cut off for any period."


11 Sep 1923    Boundary Review
Boundaries - council refuse Dartford UDC access to their books in connection with their application to transfer the part of the parish of Stone north of Watling Street to the urban district.


11 Sep 1923    Fairby Stores
Food inspection - Inspector Sutch reports, "on Monday the 16th July, I examined the tinned foods at Fairby Stores, Hartley, and found all tins examined to be sound."


11 Sep 1923    Housing Completions: 1923
Housing completions - new house for Mr Chisholm in Church Road (Restharrow, Church Road)


11 Sep 1923    Pig Feed
Agriculture - Inspector Miles says he has given permission to Mr Walpole to convey a quantity of potted salmon from Ongar to New Barn, for the purposes of feeding pigs and poultry.


11 Sep 1923    Roads: Narrow Roads
Roads - Council informed that charabancs are using unsuitable narrow roads, surveyor to draw up list of roads that are unsuitable for charabancs.


11 Sep 1923    Roads: New Barn
Surveyor to look into complaints by New Barn District Ratepayers' Association about the state of the road from Southfleet to Longfield Hill railway bridge.


11 Sep 1923    Water Supply: Hartley
Water supply at Hartley - Mid Kent Water wrote on 4 September to say they do give warning of interruptions of supply, but in this case it had already failed at the higher points before they were aware of the problem. They did tell as many as possible.


25 Sep 1923    Ash Road, Ash: widening
The widened portion of the Hartley to Ash Road has been steam rollered and set.


25 Sep 1923    Housing Completions: 1923
Housing - Inpector Sutch reports final tests on drains have been passed at following new buildings - bungalow at Manor Drive for Mr Harris, new garage at Black Lion and Mr C W Nairn's bungalow. Council also agreed to pay £85 for a retaining wall by the gardens of the council houses in Longfield and kerbing a footpath for 330 feet.


25 Sep 1923    Longfield Depot: Nuisance
Longfield Depot - Mr J J Perry complained of noise from Longfield depot and smoke from fires of engines which burn all night. Council agree to plant trees in front of depot. In month ending 5 September council took 441 yards of flint and 296 yards of ballast from Longfield Quarry.


25 Sep 1923    Station Road, Longfield: Widening
Roads - Mr Rich agrees to sell part of his yard for widening of Station Road, Longfield for £40 and restoration of fence. Council agree to terms.


23 Oct 1923    Roads: General
Roads - Ash Road improvements nearly complete, Hoselands Hill badly washed out and has been repaired with Kentish rag and rolled in. Pavement being built at moment in front of new council houses in Longfield. Council agree that workmen's pay should not be reduced if they are moved to the lower paying Longfield depot.


6 Nov 1923    Housing Subsidies: 1923
Housing subsidy - council agree that it is not to be given to anyone from outside DRDC area, and that total area should be 550 square feet.


6 Nov 1923    Milk Licences
Milk - Inspector Sutch recommends approval of applications from Mr Adam Horne at Swan Farm Ash and Mr Marston Clark at Idleigh Court and adjoining farm belonging to Mr Jull, Ash.


6 Nov 1923    Scarlet Fever: Fawkham and Hartley
Health - Scarlet Fever cases in Fawkham and Hartley (1 each).


20 Nov 1923    Fint Quarry at Longfield: Stats
They are testing for the depth of flints in the council's field in Longfield, 680 yards of flints taken from council's quarry at Longfield between 10 October and 7 November.


20 Nov 1923    Roads: Hartley
Roads - 50 yards of flints and 14 of ragstone have been put on Hoselands Hill (Ouselands), and 62 yards of flints and 10 of ragstone to Castle Hill and rolled in.


20 Nov 1923    Station Road, Longfield: Widening
Shed belonging to Mr Rich at junction of Station Road pulled down and reerected as ordered by council.


20 Nov 1923    Fawkham Village Hall
Entertainment license - Mr H Day of Pennis given license to hold minstrel entertainent at Fawkham Village Hall to raise money for children's christmas party. Fee for license waived.


4 Dec 1923    Housing Subsidies: 1923
Housing - ruling at meeting of 6 November that outsiders couldn't get housing grants rescinded.


4 Dec 1923    Water Supply: Hartley
Water supply at Hartley - "Your committee received a letter from Mr W K W Williams, The Retreat, Longfield, stating that he had been in communication with the Mid Kent Water Company with a view to the extension of their water main to enable the owners of land on both sides of the line of extension (along a footpath) from Church Road to the Railway Crossing, to develop their land for building sites, and enquiring whether the council had any objection to the proposal. Mr Williams has been informed that no objection would be offered to the proposed extension.


18 Dec 1923    Burial Ground, Longfield
Longfield - council agree to voluntary rate of £6.12.0 towards new burial ground.


18 Dec 1923    Pinden Rubbish Tip
Complaint by Mr S W Newcomb of the Gables, Longfield (actually Hartley) of rubbish dumping at Pinden by J&B Martin Ltd. Council to investigate.


1 Jan 1924    Pinden Rubbish Tip
Deposit of House Refuse at Pinden - following complaint by Mr S W Newcomb, the medical officer visited site of Messrs J & B Martin. He found a large heap of rubbish from Purley at the Pinden railway siding, four or five men were employed raking the coarse refuse from the ashes, the coarse refuse is taken to gravel pits where it is covered in soil and buried. He felt the site was well screened and didn't smell. They began bringing the refuse on 4 November with 19 loads in November and 20 in December, deliveries are due to end in March. A stone hole near the road has been brought back to cultivation as it is filled up. Council also spoke to secretary of company. They decide to take no action but to keep it under observation.


1 Jan 1924    Railway Tavern, Longfield
Longfield - Mr Wright reported unsatisfactory urinal at The Railway Tavern, council to write to Russells Gravesend Brewery Ltd.


1 Jan 1924    Small Owners Limited
Housing - new villa for Smallowners commenced in Hartley.


15 Jan 1924    Church Road, Hartley: Widening
following representations by Hartley Parish Meeting, they also agree widening the north-east corner of Church Road by the war memorial, if they can acquire the land (the war memorial was then at the junction with Ash Road by Clifton's Estate Agents).


15 Jan 1924    New Barn: Roads
Roads - the surveyor has visited the New Barn and Southfleet roads with Major Greig from the Ministry of Transport. The major said they couldn't justify paying for a granite surface because the traffic was insufficient and the ministry will be ending traffic from their flint quarries via this road. He did agree that the ministry would pay for damage their lorries had caused, but this was not visible at the time because the road was frost bound. Flooding at Longfield Hill has led the council to ask the surveyor to get an estimate for draining water into a disused chalk quarry, courtesy of Mr J W Woodward, the owner. In Longfield the committee recommend the council acquire land for road widening in front of the proposed new burial ground at Longfield, which the owner is prepared to do before he conveys the land to the Church.


15 Jan 1924    St John's Lane, Hartley
Hartley Roads - following representations by Hartley Parish Meeting, the council agree that the corner of St John's Lane (with Ash Road) needs widening and Mr Snow the landowner is willing to give up the land (27 yards by 3 yards). They also agree widening the north-east corner of Church Road by the war memorial, if they can acquire the land (the war memorial was then at the junction with Ash Road by Clifton's Estate Agents).


29 Jan 1924    Ash Road, Hartley: Bypass
Fairby Estate - "A letter, dated the 25th instant, was read from the Small Holders Ltd (sic), stating that is was the intention of the Company to construct a new road through their estate at Fairby, adjoining Fawkham Station, which would mean that the traffic from the station would be carried by such road form Hartley to obviate the route through the village of Longfield, which was at present necessary, and asking for the assistance of the Council to the matter, and offering to furnish plans and details, if desired. It was resolved: That the matter be adjourned, and that the Company be asked to submit plans and details of the proposal for examination by the Council.


29 Jan 1924    Housing Subsidies: 1924
Housing - council agree that Mr W H Chisholm can have housing subsidy for 2 cottages in Hartley in spite of the fact he had completed them before the scheme started on 1 November, due to special circumstances. Subsidy granted on same grounds to two others.


29 Jan 1924    Longfield Depot: Buildings
Roads - council approve purchase of half an army hut for the Longfield Depot from the Ministry of Transport for £15. The surveyor is given authority to hire another steam roller to meet need at 28/6 per day. Due to rail strike coal is short, so they are taking this opportunity to service the tractor engines there, and they authorise the surveyor to hire horses up to 15/- per day to meet urgent needs.


12 Feb 1924    Hartley Bottom Road: Poor State of
Roads - Mr H Smith of Ash writes to complain about the poor state of Hartley Bottom Road by Red Cow Farm, the surveyor is looking into it.


12 Feb 1924    Longfield Depot: Buildings
Roads - telephone installed at Longfield Depot (Longfield 29), committee recommends installing mains water at a cost of £5.1.0 to tap into main and £14.10.0 to install fire hydrant (Mid Kent Water Co).


12 Feb 1924    Roads: Longfield
Longfield Parish council report that a willow tree at Longfield Hill by the pond sways so much in the wind that it is damaging the mission room there. The Surveyor has made good the damage and trimmed the tree. The parish council also call for widening by the Longfield schools as the road is dangerous there. DRDC reply that it will be widened as part of a wider scheme.


12 Feb 1924    Butler's Place, Ash: Council Housing
Housing - council decides to divide a small quantity of surplus land at the Forge Site, Ash among the tenants of the houses there as additional garden ground.


26 Feb 1924    Butler's Place, Ash: Council Housing
Housing - Mr Sales, tenant of one of the houses at the Forge site, Ash, is in rent arrears. He offered to pay back 8 shillings a month, as he was only earning 30 shillings a week at the moment. Council accept his offer.


26 Feb 1924    Manns Farm, Ash
Milk - Mr C J Stanley of Manns Farm, Ash to be registered as a cowkeeper, subject to his meeting the requirements of the inspector.


11 Mar 1924    Hartley Bottom Road: Resurfacing
Roads Hartley Bottom Road is being repaired, surfacing with flints and ragstone.


11 Mar 1924    Roads: Longfield
Road foreman told to creosote Mr Allchin's fence at Longfield.


11 Mar 1924    Tithes: Hartley
Hartley tithes - "Your committee have received a letter from Mr D T R Gray, Bank Buildings, Hartley, stating that he was communicating with owners of property in the parish of Hartley with a view of entering into an arrangement for a general reapportionment of the tithe rentcharge, and enquiring whether the council, as owners of a piece of land there, were prepared to enter into such an arrangement, as, if 40 owners were agreeable to the scheme, the fees would be £2.2.0 each. As these fees are considerably less than would be the case if a single re-apportionment were carried out, your committee recommend that the council agree to the arrangement."


25 Mar 1924    Gooses Farm, Ash
Milk - committee recommends that A J Caller of Gooses Farm, Ash be registered as a cowkeeper and retail purveyor of milk, if the inspection is in order.


25 Mar 1924    Housing Subsidies: 1924
Housing - council have given out £2,100 in housing grants since the scheme began, and plan to extend it another 3 months, if the Ministry of Health agrees.


8 Apr 1924    Ash Road, Hartley: Bypass
Roads - Hartley Parish Meeting also write to say they are opposed to the construction of an arterial road through the village.


8 Apr 1924    Elections
Election - council record "hearty vote of thanks" to Rev E E Smith the member for Hartley, for their "excellent services".


8 Apr 1924    Footpaths at Hartley
Footpaths - Hartley Parish meeting call for certain paths to be reopened. The surveyor said that in all but one case there was insufficient evidence to show a right of way existed. In the other case the council instructed him to set up signs to show the right of way exists.


8 Apr 1924    Quarry at Longfield: Stats
Longfield Quarry Report - Under 1923 agreement, the 10 men are paid by piece work of 1s 6d per cubic yard for flints or ballast and 6d per cubic yard for loading. The Charge Hand makes the measurements. The men have 10 shillings deducted from their weekly wages which pays for the charge hand amongst other things. "A bed of chalk rises in the centre of the quarry and dips towards the present working face". Council agree to remove this layer at their expense. In the 8 weeks to 19 March 1924 they quarried 1,164 yards of flints and 522 yards of ballast. The overall cost of quarrying the flints was £192.8.0 which worked out at 3s 4d per yard.


24 Apr 1924    Elections
Election - Hartley William Thomas Boucher of Church Road (102 - Elected), Rev Edward Smith of Longfield Rectory (44). Rev Smith writes to council on 21 April, "thanking the council for their kind expression of regret and appreciation of his services and expressing his personal regret that his long and pleasant period of service on the council had come to an end. He also expressed his thanks to the staff for the courteous treatment and assistance he had always received from them."


6 May 1924    Court Pond, Longfield
Roads - committee recommend improvements to Court Pond at Longfield to prevent it encroaching on the highway.


6 May 1924    Station Road, Longfield: Shed used as shop
Housing - owner of temporary shed for shop near the Post Office at Longfield, agrees to move it back to the building line.


24 May 1924    Housing Subsidies: 1924
Housing - the Ministry of Health have written to the council to say they would not agree to the housing subsidy being paid to houses costing over £600, as they could not be considered "working class" housing. Council agree to comply.


3 Jun 1924    Ash Road, Hartley: Bypass
Fairby Estate - "Your committee report that they have had under further consideration the application of the Small Owners Ltd to make a new road on their estate for and at the expense of the company, and allow the cost to be repaid by them over a period of 2 years. A sub-committee has met representatives of the estate on the spot and discussed the proposal with them. Your committee, however, do not think it expedient as a matter of policy, that the council should agree to such an undertaking, and they therefore recommend that the application be not acceded to."


3 Jun 1924    Roads: General
Roads - estimates for widening the road outside the new burial ground at Longfield are £99 for a 100 feet scheme, including a retaining wall and footpath, but committee recommend larger scheme of 300 feet costing £211. Mr H Sims of Hartley has written to complain of the overgrown hedge between Hoselands Hill and the Hartley War Memorial, more than one person has suffered damage due to projecting brambles.


17 Jun 1924    Councillor Boucher
Councillor Boucher - council send get well wishes to Hartley councillor who "had met with a somewhat serious accident, and had had some ribs broken."


17 Jun 1924    Erysipelas: Longfield
Health - 1 case of Erysipelas from Longfield.


17 Jun 1924    Gypsies
Pinden - Inspector Miles and the Medical Health officer visited the gypsy camp there. The owner promised to fix 2 privy doors. Apart from a quantity of old tins making the place look untidy, they didn't find any threat to health.


17 Jun 1924    Housing Completions: 1924
Housing completion - house at Ash Road for Mr Edward (subsidy).


17 Jun 1924    Housing Subsidies: 1924
Housing subsidies - A J Dennis of Elm Villa, Ash Road, has written to the council to say his new concrete and rough cast bungalow at Chapelwood, Hartley is valued at £600. Council say he can be paid the £75 subsidy. Hedley Symons has said his house at Hartley is worth more than that so no subsidy was paid. "Your committee also considered an application from Mr J H Marsh, Hartley Manor Drive, Longfield, for a subsidy in respect of a bungalow built for him at Hartley (probably Southdown, Manor Drive), which, according to the report of the Inspector, was commenced on the 18th May and completed on the 14th September 1923. As no promise of a subsidy was made by the council in either case, your committee recommend that the application be not entertained." Council approved recommendations.


1 Jul 1924    Hoselands Hill, Hartley: Widening
Roads - Councillor George Day (Ash) said he had sold a piece of land he owned at Hoselands Hill, and suggested it might be a good time to acquire the land for widening. Clerk to speak to new owner to give up the necessary land.


1 Jul 1924    Schools: Longfield
Council to tar paint the Church footpath and school playground at Longfield at the usual charge.


15 Jul 1924    Butler's Place, Ash: Council Housing
Housing - council's tenants at Ash complain of rain water regularly beating on doors. Council decide to add porches which had been originally rejected to save money.


15 Jul 1924    Diptheria: Longfield
Diptheria - 1 case from Longfield.


15 Jul 1924    Hoselands Hill, Hartley: Widening
Hoselands Hill - Mrs B G Harker of Old Road West is prepared to give land for widening if council build wall on boundary line, plant a quick set whitethorn hedge on the bank frontage, re-erect gate and make good gradient of house drive. Council agree except for wall which they think unnecessary.


15 Jul 1924    Housing Completions: 1924
Housing completions - bungalow for Mr Dennis at Ash Road, bungalow for Mr Huckerby, Manor Drive [Pwllycrechan]. Both qualify for subsidy.


15 Jul 1924    Main Road, Longfield: Flooding
Longfield - surface flooding at junction of Main Road and Station Road, council agree to install kerbing.


15 Jul 1924    Merton Avenue, Hartley: Nil Desperandum
Housing - "The Medical Officer of Health reported that he had visited and inspected the habitation erected by Mr W E Barlow at Hartley, and gave the council particulars of its construction and accommodation. He pointed out that 2 adults (father and mother) abnd 5 children slept in 2 rooms which constituted the habitation, and that there was no proper water supply; the occupants obtaining what water they wanted from a private house 200 yards distant. Inspector Sutch reported that he was endeavouring to obtain other accommodation for the family so that they could vacate their present habitation."


15 Jul 1924    Old Downs, Hartley
Old Downs - Inspector Sutch reports "I have disinfected the Old Downs Hartley throughout, where Mrs Cohen died of sleepy sickness.


10 Sep 1924    Church Road, Hartley: The Stores
Church Road, Hartley - "Mr Boucher also called attention to a building now being erected in Church Road, Hartley for Miss Davies-Cooke, and stated that other property had been set back 27 feet from the centre of the road but in this case only 18 feet from the centre of the road, and in the event of any contemplated widening and improvement the property would create a difficulty in making the road an uniform width, and suggested that the bye-laws dealing with this point should be reconsidered and amended in view of the requirements of the roads caused by modern traffic." (Probably this is the Stores)


10 Sep 1924    Longfield Village Hall
Cinematograph license - your committee have received an application from the Secretary to the trustees of the Longfield Village Hall for a Cinematograph license. The inspector reports that the building complies with the regulations. Your committee recommend that a license be granted." The council deferred decision until inspector Sutch could see if a side door could be constructed.


10 Sep 1924    Station Road, Longfield: Hicks Stores
Station Road, Longfield - council agree to alteration of property to shop and house for Mr Frederick T Hicks of The Laurels, Longfield. They also decided not to consider any late plans in future, and that all must go to the Sanitary Committee first at least 10 days before the meeting.


23 Sep 1924    Cinema Licence, Longfield
Cinematograph license - further to the last meeting, the surveyor produced plans to the building which satisfied the council and they granted the license.


23 Sep 1924    Hoselands Hill, Hartley: Widening
Hoselands Hill - "The Chairman reported that in pursuance of the reference to them by the Highways Committee, Mr Boucher and himself with the Surveyor, had gone into the question of the improvement of Ouselands Hill (sic), Hartley, and that the Surveyor estimated that the cost of the improvement adjoining the land to be given up by Mrs Harker for the widening would be approximately £154, or if the scheme was extended further down the hill and the necessary land could be obtained, an estimated cost of £208. After discussion it was resolved: That negotiations be re-opened with the Railway Company for land belonging to them lower down the hill to enable the extended scheme to be carried out, but if these negotiations proved abortive, the lesser scheme be approved and carried out."


7 Oct 1924    Church Road, Hartley: The Stores
Church Road, Hartley - "In regard to the submission of plans for the shop and bungalow to be erected by Miss Davies-Cooke at Hartley, your committee find that no breach of the byelaws has been committed, and they are not therefore in a position to compel the structure to be erected further back from the road."


7 Oct 1924    Council Housing: Longfield
Housing - Longfield parish council write to complain that nearly all new council housing goes to Swanscombe, when there is a need in Longfield. Spending money in Swanscombe was a waste, they said, especially as they had applied to leave the rural district and become an urban council. At the same meeting there was also a letter from Swanscombe calling for more houses there.


7 Oct 1924    Scarlet Fever, Ash
Scarlet Fever - 1 case from Ash


18 Nov 1924    Maternity Clinic, Longfield
Health - Longfield Clinic saw 15 babies on 20 October and 18 on 3 November. Due to local demand, council are going to revive the Ash Clinic at Church House.


2 Dec 1924    Brickfield at Pinden
Pinden - Messrs J & B Martin Limited informed the council they are opening a new brickfield "on the opposite side of the road and a little nearer Pinden Lane than Rats Castle". Council referred matter to a sub-committee, but said they had no objection in principle.


2 Dec 1924    Fairby Lane, Hartley: Scotgrove
Housing - Inspector Sutch has tested drains on new bungalow for Mr F Parkin at Hartley in November and found them sound (Scotgrove, Fairby Lane)


2 Dec 1924    Gooses Cottages, Ash
Mr Sutch has also served notice on 22 October on the tenants of Gooses Cottages Ash on the closing order becoming operative.


2 Dec 1924    Hollybush, Longfield Hill
Agriculture - the occupier of Hollybush, Longfield Hill has been served notice regarding the keeping of pigs. The inspector reports the pigs have been slaughtered and no more are kept.


2 Dec 1924    Scarlet Fever: Ash
Scarlet Fever - 2 cases from Ash


2 Dec 1924    Station Road, Longfield: Cesspool
Housing - council in dispute with Mr Downe over construction of a cesspool at his new shop and dwelling house in Station Road, Longfield. Minister of Health told the council they had no power to require a certificate of habitability before the premises were occupied, but on the other hand, the builder must comply with local bye-laws. The ministry inspectors have inspected the district's council houses, because they are surprised at the low cost of the houses the council builds.


2 Dec 1924    Trading Standards: Ash
Food - "On Monday the 3rd November, I inspected foodstuffs at a small store recentlhy opened in Ash, and cautioned the owner regarding selling margarine not properly marked as such. I have revisited the premises and find its owner has a supply of properly marked wrappers and also a notice complying with the regulations."


2 Dec 1924    Vermin Destruction
Fawkham - Inspector Sutch has circulated notices about the destruction of vermin in all but 2 parishes, and found very active rat clubs in Fawkham and Eynsford.


16 Dec 1924    Children's Competition
Local winners from council's children essay competition were: 10-12 Year olds ("Soap and Water") - 1st (£2) Winifred Johnson, West Yoke, Ash (Ash C of E school), 2nd (£1) Isabella Mungeam, White House Cottage, Fawkham (Fawkham C of E school), consolation (5s) Edmund Tubb, Ash Place Farm, Ash (Ash C of E school). Over 12 ("Flies and Disease") - 1st (£2) Ivy Watts, Keepers Cottage, Ridley (Ash C of E school). 12 of the district's 27 schools competed and the contest was judged by the Revs J T Matchett and E Smith


16 Dec 1924    Main Road, Longfield: Improvements
Main Road, Longfield - council agree to minor improvements to the road between the Brent, Dartford and Longfield Hill, so that it can be taken over as a main road by Kent County Council.


16 Dec 1924    Maternity Clinic: Longfield
Health - attendance at recent sessions of Longfield Baby Clinic were: November 17th (18 babies), December 1st (26). New weighing machine purchased for Longfield clinic at cost of £4.10.6 less 20% discount..


16 Dec 1924    Roads: Improvements
Roads policy - the Surveyor submitted a report on road construction to meet the demands of modern traffic.

He outlines 8 principles of a good road. He says that widening narrow roads is preferable to repairing ruts, as they undermine the road's foundations. He is critical of flint as a roadstone, its drawbacks are that they wear to a fine dust, although as strong as granite they are prone to be brittle and lose their bonding. This means a level surface of flints is soon lost. Water causes a lot of damage to local roads and a means of removing surface water must be introduced where necessary. There are 3 types of macadam the council could use (Waterbound, Tar, Asphalt) and he discusses the benefits of each. He quotes from the experiences of other councils and a government report from 1923/24 which noted that modern traffic had led to a move to macadam from more traditional flint and gravel. Tar macadam is cheaper in the long run by using government loans, and has indirect advantages of less scavenging and road closures and diversions.

He included costings for surfacing 4 miles of road (37,500 sup yards), on the basis that current surfacing will last 4 years, while tarmacadam will last 12 years. Traditional surfacing is initially cheaper (£7,500) but over 12 years will cost £26,250. Tarmacadam will cost £15,000 plus £5,000 in serving the loan, a saving over 12 years of £6,250.

The committee agreed and named Cray Road, Crockenhill, Shellbank Lane, Betsham and Ash Road, Hartley between the War Memorial and St John's Lane as the first candidates. However full council struck out the proposal to tarmacadam Ash Road. They did however agree that if a grant could be obtained from the Ministry they would tarmacadam a further 30 miles of roads.



16 Dec 1924    Roads: Weather Damage
Roads - recent wet weather has led to considerable damage to roads, particularly the flint ones, with many potholes. Expensive temporary repairs have been necessary.


30 Dec 1924    Hoselands Hill, Hartley: Widening
Hoselands Hill - Southern Railway agree to give up 14 rods of land for widening on payment of £25 and solicitor's costs. Also they want an unclimbable iron fence 4 feet 6 inches high at the bottom of the new slope, with unclimbable iron gate and lock, to new relocated steps. Council agree but hope the railway company will agree not to demand the £25 and will agreed to a chestnut spile fence. They will also apply to the Ministry for a grant for a general widening scheme of the hill.


30 Dec 1924    Housing Completions: 1924
Housing - inspector Sutch he had checked the drains and found them sound on the following new buildings - bungalow for Mrs Harker (Copse Side, Hoselands Hill), Bungalow and Shop for Miss Davies-Cooke (The Stores, Church Road), Bungalow for Mr Penney (Windy Ridge, Church Road). Certificate of completion received from Frederick Wise of Appledore, Ash Road, Hartley, for a concrete bungalow in Ash Road, Hartley. £75 subsidy to be paid.


30 Dec 1924    Petrol Licences
Petroleum - George Day of North Ash Farm applies for a license to hold 200 gallons in 2 gallon tins.


13 Jan 1925    Ash Road, Hartley: Junction with St John's Lane
Ash Road, Hartley - the owners of the property at the junction with St John's Lane have offered land for road widening, provided a chestnut fence be erected on the new boundary to replace the existing hedge. Surveyor thinks they should agree to this as property is on the market and the widening is urgently required.


13 Jan 1925    Dartford Tunnel
Dartford Tunnel - council hear that proposed tunnel will lead to more traffic on the roads from lorries going from the London and Tilbury Docks, also Kentish Rag and Flint lorries going to Essex.


13 Jan 1925    Housing Subsidies: 1925
Housing - council think criticisms of their housing subsidy scheme in the Daily News of 10 January were wholly unwarranted. They had even appealed to the Ministry on residents' behalf where their forms had been filled in incorrectly to invalidate their claim.


13 Jan 1925    Maternity Clinic: Longfield
Health - Longfield clinic saw 24 babies on 15 December and 22 on the 29 December. Council agree to allowance of 7/6 for medical officer to go from Longfield to Ash Clinic as cycling up hills is difficult.


13 Jan 1925    Station Road, Longfield: Adoption
The Southern Railway also wrote to ask the council to take over the station approach road. Council repeated their past view that they will not until Station Road is joined to Hartley Road.


13 Jan 1925    Station Road, Longfield: Cesspool
Station Road, Longfield - letters received from Mr Hickmott and Mr G S Smith Spark solicitor for W J Bye complaining that Mr Downe's cesspool had been built within 50 feet of their properties. Clerk reminded council that they were forced to relax their bye-laws on this point following instructions from the Ministry of Health.


27 Jan 1925    Compensation Claim
Compensation claim - Claim for compensation by Mr W E Barlow, an employee of the council, as a result of an accident on 24 August. Surveyor said council's insurers had paid compensation in past, but now they say he has recovered, which Mr Barlow disputes. Matter referred to insurers.


27 Jan 1925    Housing Completions: 1925
Housing Completions - Inspector Sutch's reports that the bungalow for Mr Penney in Church Road [Windy Ridge] has been completed.


27 Jan 1925    Pinden Rubbish Tip
Pinden - Following a complaint by S W Newcomb the Medical Officer has visited the premises of J & B Martin Limited. He said deposits were received in truck loads at the siding, immediately sifted with the portion not useful for brick making carted away and ploughed into nearby fields. The company pointed out that refuse was only received November to March, and there was no accumulation, so there was no attraction for flies or vermin. Council decided there was no nuisance and that the refuse was needed for brick making, "which was an important industry at the present time in view of the need for houses". Messrs J & B Martin further asked the council for a reduction of rates on the land they rent from the council for brick earth. The council refused.


27 Jan 1925    Roads: Improvements
Roads - "The Surveyor reported that he had met an Inspector of the Ministry of Transport and gone over the whole of the Council's roads with him on the 21st instant in connection with the council's scheme for improved re-surfacing of roads with the aid of a grant from the Ministry. A letter dated the 24th instant... was read from the Ministry of Transport, adverting to the visit of the inspector and stating that from his report it appeared that the following sections of roads most urgently required resurfacing, viz: (1) Hoselands Hill, commencing at the Hartley War Memorial, past Fairby Stores for a distance of approximately one mile; (2) From the Bromley Boundary to the cemetery through Crockenhill Village, approximately one mile; (3) From the Crockenhill Village to Swanley Junction, approximately one mile. They requested the council to submit plans, together with detailed estimates in respect of these roads when the question of a grant towards the cost would be considered."


27 Jan 1925    Station Road, Longfield: Cesspool
Station Road, Longfield - following complainants about Mr Downe's cesspool, the Minister of Health says the council have powers under the Public Health Act 1875 to act if the cesspool is a nuisance. The council decides it is not at present.


27 Jan 1925    Tuberculosis: Ridley
Health - Inspector Sutch said "I have disinfected 'Pilgrim Corner', Ridley, where Dr Jeffries died of tuberculosis.


10 Feb 1925    Hartley Bottom Road: Flooding
Roads - road from Green Man, Longfield Hill to Hartley Bottom completely flooded to a depth of 3 feet during the last 6 months, due to accumulation of water by railway bridge. Surface water drains laid through an adjoining field into a ditch and the road resurfaced in flint and rag.


10 Feb 1925    Hoselands Hill, Hartley: Widening
Council have received confirmation from District Valuer of valuation of land that they propose to acquire at Hoselands Hill from the Southern Railway. Longfield Parish Council requested and DRDC agreed to dump earth from widening of Hoselands Hill into a hole on the council's land at the corner of Whitehill.


24 Feb 1925    Hoselands Hill, Hartley: Widening
Hoselands Hill, Hartley - "A letter dated the 23rd instant was read from the Ministry of Transport stating that a grant of £293 would be made towards the expenditure of £585 in respect of this improvement".


24 Feb 1925    Housing By Laws
Housing - council appoint committee to see if bye-laws need changing to allow them to enforce building lines.


10 Mar 1925    Ash Road, Hartley: Junction with St John's Lane
New surfacing of district roads with tarmacadam - the two Crockenhill schemes, mentioned in meeting of 27 January, will cost £12,223. New tarmacadam for Hartley War Memorial to St Johns Lane will cost £6,744.11.0. The ministry will pay half leaving the council with £9,484 bill. Committee recommend they go ahead and raise loan for these and the B260 scheme.


10 Mar 1925    Hoselands Hill, Hartley: Widening
Hoselands Hill widening - "this improvement is proceeding satisfactorily and good progress has been made."


10 Mar 1925    Main Road, Longfield: Classification as B Road
Maining of Dartford to Longfield Hill road (B260) - County Surveyor lists the improvements required before they will take it over, including widening at Pinden, Pescott, Longfield Schools and Longfield Hill. Road to be minimum of 20 feet wide with at least one kerbed footway 6 foot 6 inches wide. Roadside ponds to be walled in, and road drainage improved, and entire road to be tarmacadamed. Committee recommend approval of works which will cost an additional £4,626 with £3,184 already budgeted for and £23,429 to come from the Ministry of Transport (total £31,238).


10 Mar 1925    Maternity Clinics: Ash and Longfield
Health - attendance at clinics were Longfield (26 Jan - 24 babies, 9 Feb - 29), Ash (9 Feb - 14). Further to council's decision on 13 January 1925, the medical officer says he can get a car from his home in Greenhithe to Ash and back for 10 shillings, so council agree (with one vote against) to increase allowance accordingly.


24 Mar 1925    Gypsies
Pinden - Mr Miles has inspected the gypsy camp there and found it in fair condition, but some rubbish he has instructed to be cleared.


24 Mar 1925    Housing Completions: 1925
Housing - Mr Sutch reported (10 March) that satisfactory progress is being made on new buildings under construction, including bungalow for Mr Dennis, Ash Road; bungalow for Mr Symons, Church Road; bungalow for Mr Penney, Church Road; bungalow for Mr Snow, Church Road. He has told the owner of Gooses Farm Cottage, Ash to improve ventilation to the living room, because the sash cords have been broken and the sash nailed to the frame, so it will not open.


7 Apr 1925    Butler's Place, Ash: Council Housing
Housing - Ash Parish Meeting said the council houses at the Forge were damp and had damaged the tenants' furniture.  They also refused a requet from Mr F E Duvall, one of their tenants at Ash, to build a pigsty in his garden.


7 Apr 1925    Empty Houses: Ash
Ash PC also pointed to a cottage at the Billet that had been empty for 18 months and one at West Yoke which had been empty ofr 2 months. In view of housing shortage they said owners should be made to let them. DRDC replied they had no powers to force landowners to let houses.


7 Apr 1925    Station Road, Longfield: Poor State of Road
Station Road, Longfield - council to write to Southern Railway about state of approach road to Fawkham Station.


21 Apr 1925    Housing Subsidies: 1925
Housing - Herbert Meddick of Olinda, Ash Road gets plans approved and £75 grant for concrete bungalow at Ash Road, Ash.


21 Apr 1925    Petrol Licences
Petrol Licenses - Hartley Agricultural Cooperative applies to keep 20 gallons of petrol and 100 gallons of paraffin.


21 Apr 1925    Roads: Hartley
Roads - Hartley Parish Meeting call for (1) Signpost at Hartley Hill road junction; (2) Removal of road stone from Hartley Green; (3) Improvements to Hartley Road; (4) Road from Church Road to Ash Road along line of footpath to Black Lion; (5) Mains water along Manor Lane. DRDC's reply (1) Yes; (2) No, nowhere else for it to go; (3) Will investigate; (4) No; (5) Would be done if meeting pay guarantee.


21 Apr 1925    Village Hall, Fawkham
Entertainment License - Mrs Daisy Day of Pennis given license with fee remitted for concert in Fawkham Village Hall.


5 May 1925    Hoselands Hill, Hartley: Widening
Hoselands Hill Improvement - Surveyor reports "Sloping of banks, kerbing and footpath on this improvement carried out when the new kerbing has hardened to take the side thrust of consolidation in re-shaping this road. Surface drainage improvements will also be carried out; under existing conditions surface water scours channels across the surface of road."


5 May 1925    Roads: Longfield
Roads - "Your committee have received a letter from the Longfield Parish Council expressing their thanks to the council for filling up the hole at the corner of White Hill, Longfield, and on behalf of the owners and occupiers of Kent Road for the chalk deposited there for repairing the road."


5 May 1925    Station Road, Longfield: Adoption
Station Road - "Your committee have received a letter from the Southern Railway enquiring whether, in view of the fact that houses had been erected on both sides of the approach road to Fawkham Station, and others were in course of erection, and the Company were frontagers only at the extreme end adjoining the railway, the council were prepared to take over the road as a highway repairable by the inhabitants at large if it were properly made up. On a former occasion the council were approached in a similar manner, and they then stated that they were prepared to consider the proposal provided an outlet from the road was made into the Hartley Road, and your committee still consider this provision necessary. They therefore recommend that a deputation consisting of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council, and Messrs Boucher and Wright with the Surveyor and Clerk be appointed to meet the Railway representatives and discuss the whole matter with them, with a view to some arrangement being made to meet the public needs.


3 Jun 1925    Ash Road, Hartley: Improvements
Ash Road = the council also agreed to strengthen the Longfield to Ash Road this summer, at a cost of £6,745 towards which they would get a grant of £3,372 from the Ministry. They will write to the Ministry for permission to use direct labour.


3 Jun 1925    Church Road, Hartley: Dedication of land for widening
Church Road - solicitor for Mr C Symons and Messrs Campkin said they agree to dedicate land for widening, provided there is agreed an end date for the work to be done. Council agree that this will be 31 December 1925 and pay 2 guineas solicitors costs for each agreement.


3 Jun 1925    Electricity
Electricity - Gravesend Corporation propose to write to the Electricity Commissioners for authority to supply electricity within the DRDC area.


3 Jun 1925    Fint Quarry at Longfield
Operations at the Longfield flint quarry have been suspended, and men employed on tarring at the moment, flints will not be required until resurfacing can be carried out in October. Committee noted that surface picked flints were being sold by locals to other authorities cheaper than the council could provide them from their own quarry, so told surveyor to buy the cheaper flints where possible.


3 Jun 1925    Housing Subsidies: 1925
Housing - Concrete bungalow at Ash Road, Hartley [Clifton, Green Way] for Percy William Dennis of Elm Villa, Hartley completed on 18 May 1925, £75 subsidy can be paid.


3 Jun 1925    Roads: General
Surveyor also reported on roads in Hartley and Ash: "Church Road has been patched, Pettings and Hodsoll Street have been rutted with rag, and Billet Road partly resurfaced. Council's pond near 'White Swan' top of Billet Road, has been fenced to keep out children, as a considerable quantity of water had accumulated."


3 Jun 1925    Swanscombe UDC
Boundaries - council will oppose application by Swanscombe to become a separate Urban District Council.


3 Jun 1925    Water Charges
Water Charges - DRDC agree to forward Hartley Parish Meeting's complaint about water charges by Mid Kent Water to the Board of Trade.


3 Jun 1925    Wells used for road drainage
Roads - Surveyor reports "Surface water has been diverted to old wells at Ash and Brandshatch Fawkham with the owners' approval. This is, in my opinion, a very satisfactory and economical method that should be carried out wherever possible. Ponds are a source of constant trouble; when full, a danger exists and fencing is required; when the water is low they become foul and form a breeding site for mosquitoes. There is also the expense of cleaning out ponds annually."


3 Jun 1925    Whitehill Road, Longfield: St George's Cottages
Housing - Inspector Sutch reports "I have reinspected 7 St George's Cottages, Whitehill, Longfield, and find the tenant has made a great improvement in the state of the cottage. The back bedroom walls have been stripped off and distempered, and work is in progress in regard to the frong bedroom; two children have been sent away to relatives, easing the sleeping accommodation available. I am meeting owner in regard to abating dampness to walls etc..."


7 Jul 1925    Beaconsfield Terrace, Fawkham
1-3 Beaconsfield Terrace, Fawkham - owner told to abolish old privies and replace them with proper flushing WCs. In the meantime Inspector Sutch has had the privies emptied.


7 Jul 1925    Church Road, Hartley: Tarring
Church Road, Hartley - Mr W C Parkin, Church Road complains of the bad condition of the road between the War Memorial and Hartley Church. Surveyor replied that this is in hand. Surveyor also recommends tarring of Church Road, Hartley - "The surface of the road was rutted with granite last December and surface tarring will materially strengthen the binding of the required surface."


7 Jul 1925    Gooses Cottages, Ash
Gooses Cottages, Ash - demolition not complete and work on proposed new cottages not commenced.


7 Jul 1925    Hoselands Hill, Hartley: Resurfacing
Hoselands Hill Waterbound Macadam - "The long period of drought has delayed the resurfacing proposed at Hoselands Hill. Waterbound resurfacing with granite does not bind satisfactorily on a dried out bottoming, and the work should not be undertaken before rainfall and a thorough saturation of road surface."


7 Jul 1925    Housing Completions: 1925
Housing Completions - Inspector Sutch reports (May 1925) the following completions: Bungalows at Church Road for Mr H Symons and Miss Easton [Grosvenor, Church Road], bungalow for Mr P Dennis, Ash Road, Hartley (subsidy) [Clifton, Green Way]. He has tested and passed the drainage for the 3 bungalows and also for Mr Baytum's cottage at Manor Drive, Hartley. He also tested the drainage for Mr Snow's bungalow in Church Road, but the drains there have to be amended.


7 Jul 1925    Main Road, Longfield: Improvements
Roads - only thing that needs to be done before the B260 Dartford - Longfield Hill improvements are commenced is the approval of the District Valuer to the land acquisitions Extra man has had to be employed on scavenging ahead of road tarring on the DRDC roads because of the increased volume of dust. "It is very generally acknowledged that the value of tarring surfaces depends much upon the clean condition of the surface treated."


7 Jul 1925    Middleton Farm, Longfield
Agriculture - Inspector Sutch has spoken to the owner of Middleton Farm, Longfield and they have agreed to build proper paved pigsties.


4 Aug 1925    Beaconsfield Terrace, Fawkham
Inspector Sutch has met the agent for 1-3 Beaconsfield Cottages, Fawkham about abolishing the privies and installing cesspool drainage.


4 Aug 1925    Gooses Cottages, Ash
Housing - Inspector Sutch reports Gooses Cottages, Ash have been demolished and work is well in hand on the two new cottages. He has met the agent for 1-3 Beaconsfield Cottages, Fawkham about abolishing the privies and installing cesspool drainage.


4 Aug 1925    Hoselands Hill, Hartley: Resurfacing
Hoselands Hill - to be included on the resurfacing schedule for 1925-26 with granite waterbond macadam. Same surface also for Forge Ash, to Stanley's Pond.


4 Aug 1925    Merton Avenue, Hartley: Nil Desperandum
Merton Avenue - Inspector Sutch reports "I have served notices on Mr W E Barlow to provide a proper and sufficient water supply to his abode at the rear of Merton Avenue, Hartley.


4 Aug 1925    Roads: Longfield Hill
Longfield Hill - county council want them to use concrete rather than the 6 inches of flint as the foundation for the new widened part of the B260 there.


4 Aug 1925    Roads: Over Railways
Roads - surveyor lists annual costs of maintaining roads over each railway bridge, including Whitehill Road (£14), Longfield Siding (£33), Longfield Hill (£11). Total was £209 for all 12 bridges, as the Railway company only pays £80, he thinks the agreement should be renegotiated. He also reported on damage after recent storm to flint roads which were scoured out, especially on the hills.


1 Sep 1925    Essex Road, Longfield: Bus Traffic
Essex Road, Longfield - "Mr Wright informed the council that omnibuses were using Essex Road and Station Road, Longfield, which, in his opinion were not made to withstand such traffic, and he suggested that the owners be communicated with and asked to keep their buses off these roads. It was, however, pointed out that this was done to avoid the awkward turning for the buses on the main district road and to obviate a danger there".


1 Sep 1925    Longfield Depot: Farm Land
Council's land at Longfield - Mr T Mills, farmer on the council's land, asked for a reduction in rent as he had sustained losses through no fault of his own. Council agree that his arrears be reduced from £40 to £10 and the rent reduced to £1 per acre.


1 Sep 1925    Swanscombe UDC
Boundaries - Swanscombe's application to become a separate Urban District was approved by Kent County Council. DRDC to petition against order.


4 Oct 1925    Ash Road, Hartley: Resurfacing
Hartley to Ash resurfacing with tarmacadam - "The material received from Messrs Tarmac Ltd has been of good quality, well coated, and fresh from the mixer. Satisfactory progress has been made on this work by direct labour. The road crust requires reshaping, and new foundations are required on the haunches before the new surface is laid. Concrete kerbing was necessary over one section to provide sufficient support and prevent cracking of the surface." The surveyor also reported on weak haunching on the road: "A dangerous and weak haunch exists near the Black Lion on this road, which requires strengthening. The hedge boundary on east side of the road is unsupported, and a sudden drop of 2 feet exists directly on the haunch of the road. The danger is not apparent from the road, owing to the existing hedge, the roots of which are now exposed on the cottage garden side. Lorries passing close to this hedge would readily thrust out the narrow margin of existing road crust, and possibly overturn. The property is owned by Mr Fleet, and I would respectfully recommend that permission be requested to strengthen the slight supports of road on this section. The ground on the other side of hedge is uncultivated, and littered with rubbish."


4 Oct 1925    Beaconsfield Terrace, Fawkham
Beaconsfield Terrace, Fawkham - Abolishing old privies at 1-4 Beaconsfield Terrace, Fawkham and replacement with Wcs delayed,


4 Oct 1925    Church Road, Hartley: Council Mortgage
Housing - William Strange MacPherson of Manor Drive asks for £450 loan on land and brick bungalow to be built in Church Road. Council values it at £600 normally and £700 in current conditions, agrees to loan,


4 Oct 1925    Constitutional Club, Hartley
Entertainment License - Constitutional Hall granted music and dancing license for Fairby Hall.


4 Oct 1925    Housing Completions: 1925
Housing Completions - Inspector Sutch's report for July/August 1925 notes the completion of bungalows for Mr Vine, Church Road; Mr Hemmings, Church Road; Mr H Symons, Church Road; Mr Smith, Westfield and Mr Gray, Hoselands Hill. Also bungalow for Mr F Snow, Church Road; bungalow for Mr F W Smith, Church Road and 2nd bungalow for Mr H Symons, Church Road.


4 Oct 1925    Housing Subsidies: 1925
Housing subsidies - Hartley Development Co have applied for grants for the proposed bungalows in Church Road, Hartley and Ash Road, Ash. Council to defer decision pending investigation of plans. "They also received an application from Mr F E Smith, Church Road, Hartley, for a subsidy in respect of a bungalow which he had erected at Hartley as he could not find the rest of the amount required, beyond a loan which he had raised, to pay the balance of the cost of construction. Inasmuch as the Minister of Health will not sanction the payment of grant after the premises have been commenced [Westfield, Church Road], and this particular bungalow is now completed, your committee recommend that Mr Smith be informed that the council were not in a position to accede to his request." The Minister of Health has rejected an appeal by Mr R C Whitmore (? Gossey Croft, Hartley Hill) against the council's refusal to pay a grant on his house, because building had already commenced. They also passed a resolution that in future permission from the council will be needed if someone who has received a grant, wants to sell the property for more than £600.


4 Oct 1925    Longfield Depot: Farm Land
Council's land at Longfield - Further to previous discussions, Mr Mills has paid the £10 and agreed to new lower rent.


4 Oct 1925    Main Road, Longfield: Improvements
Dartford - Longfield Hill Road (B260) - Permission has been granted to proceed by Ministry of Transport, provided council agree not to pay compensation without District Valuer's sanction. Potholes on road filled with rag and grounted with colas. "This method of reparation appears to be the only effective stopping that endures. This emulsion is more expensive than tar, but does not require heating, and an additional advantage is, the binding effect applies to wet or dry surfaces."


4 Oct 1925    Pease Hill, Ash: Resurfacing
Pease Hill, Ash resurfaced with flint and rag; "a section of the Ash Road, foundations lifted and resurfaced temporarily to take granite when a roller can be spared. An important advantage of using granite is the increase in assistance by grant from the Ministry of Transport, as the tarring grant only applies to granite surfaces."


4 Oct 1925    Pinden Road
The surveyor also reported on a dangerous obscured corner on the Pinden Road which is now much busier since the new granite surface has been tarred. Hedge is on land owned by Mr Murray Wood and surveyor seeks permission to replace hedge with spile fence.


4 Oct 1925    Ponds: Hartley and Ash
Surface water ponds - "Blocked ponds have been cleared since last report, and enlarged at various points; the more important are Stanley's Pond, Ash, Hartley Hill pond, Fairby Pond....."


4 Oct 1925    Roads: New Barn
Roads - Pinden to South Darenth road and New Barn Roads were coated with granite chippings and the steam roller passed over once in each direction. They were then tarred with tar from the Gas, Light and Coke Company


4 Oct 1925    Roads: Over Railways
Roads over rail bridges - council had asked Southern Railway to pay £209 per year, they have offered £142 10s. Council to write back with counter offer of £175.


3 Nov 1925    Ash Road, Hartley: Proposal for B Classification
Roads - Surveyor recommends that Ash Road from Longfield to Ash, the road from Fawkham to West Kingsdown via Brandshath, and the road from Pinden to Horton Kirby be considered as reclassification as secondary roads (ie. B roads). He says "the advantages of classification are the present grant by the Ministry of Transport of 25% towards annual maintenance cost, and also 25% for improvement of road surface - that is, when a classified road is resurfaced, if a more durable material is used, the Ministry of Transport allow 25% towards cost of completed work. In comparison, the only disadvantage is, classified roads do not rank for grant form the Rural Road Fund of 505 assistance for improvement of width and resurfacing. Classifed roads do, however, qualify for 75% grants for maining purposes and unclassified do not. It should be observed, in connection with unclassified roads, that once a 50% grant has been made by the Ministry of Transport to any particular road, it would not be again repeated until after the road has been classified." The council approve the recommendation as to Ash Road, but not the others.


3 Nov 1925    Ash Road, Hartley: Resurfacing
Ash to Hartley resurfacing - "The resurfacing of this road with tarmacadam is proceeding satisfactorily. The strengthening of foundations is completed, and improvements of disposal of surface water have been carried out wherever possible to preserve the foundations. There is now a temporary delay to consignments of tarmacadam as this material cannot be made during wet weather. Hoselands Hill resurfacing with granite will be carried out when the tarmacadam section is completed."


3 Nov 1925    Beaconsfield Terrace, Fawkham
Beaconsfield Terrace, Fawkham - work on new WCs postponed because the builder can't get men.


3 Nov 1925    Green Street Green Road: Resurfacing
Longfield Green Street Green resurfacing - final permission to commence work should be received this week. They need to give 14 days notice to landowners where widening is needed before they grub up hedges etc. Surplus material to be deposited and levelled on the green.


3 Nov 1925    Housing Completions: 1925
Housing completions - Inspector Sutch's October report notes the following completions - No 2 bungalow, Church Road, Hartley for Mr H Symons; bungalow at Church Road, Hartley for Mr F W Smith; bungalow at Manor Drive for Mr Hemmings (subsidy); two converted cottages at Ash Road, Hartley for Small Owners Ltd [?Fairby Grange Cottages]. He has also tested the drains on the following new buildings at Hartley and found them sound: bungalow for Mr Ellerby, Church Road; two converted cottages for Small Owners Ltd, Ash Road; bungalow for Mr Meddick, Ash Road [Hagersville].


1 Dec 1925    Ash Road, Hartley: Resurfacing
Hartley to Ash Road Improvement- "An unavoidable delay to completion of the new tarmacadam surface arises due to cold frosty weather, when it has been undesirable to order forward consignments necessary for completion. This is now proceeding, however, and an early completion of the work is expected."


1 Dec 1925    Beaconsfield Terrace, Fawkham
Beaconsfield Terrace, Fawkham - "the work of providing new wash-down WCs with cesspool drainage... is now proceeding.


1 Dec 1925    Concrete Houses
Housing - "A letter, dated the 30th ultimo, was read from the Minister of Health in regard to the plan and specification of the timber framed bungalow proposed to be erected at Ash Road, Hartley, for Mrs F M Balchin, stating that he had no objection to raise to the proposed method of construction provided that (1) the brick walls under the external framing were not less than 9 inches to a height of 12 inches off the ground; (2) the timbers were spaced not more than 16 inches apart from centre to centre; and (3) all the constructional timbers were treated with rot-proof composition to a height of 2 inches above the ground. In regard to the general question of concrete houses, he stated that where the method of construction was similar to that agreed to by him in the case of the proposed concrete bungalow to be erected in Church Road, Hartley, he considered that this particular method of construction was suitable for a 60 year loan period, and that in the circumstances further approval of the same type of construction might therefore be left to the discretion of the Council."


1 Dec 1925    Fint Quarry at Longfield
Longfield Quarry, Brick Earth - the surveyor gave a report on the quarry. He assumed that the brick earth was of a more or less uniform depth, but the flints are in irrecgular seam. He believes profitable workings are not extensive. He said formerly the council had agreed with J & B Martin to pay for the removal of the brick earth where they want to get at the flints, an arrangement he felt was to the council's disadvantage. He outlined a number of options for the council to consider.


1 Dec 1925    Green Street Green Road: Resurfacing.
Resurfacing Dartford to Longfield road (B260) - the council have received 18 quotations for the work plus an estimate for what direct labour would have cost. They decided to go with the cheapest quote from Tarmac Limited (£22,372). The county surveyor has said the tender is satisfactory from their point of view.


1 Dec 1925    Hedge Lopping
Hedge Lopping - "Generally, the attention to the council's 'Notices to Lop' is receiving better attention than previously, particularly where road improvements have been carried out, and the owners have responded promptly to the request. In several other cases notices have been twice served with no results. There is need for instructions on the procedure for final action on this subject before the season for lopping is too far advanced, as last year many informed me it was too late for the work to be conveniently arranged before March 31st. I have personally inspected and served notices where the hedges have not been attended to for several years, and I regret to report that there is no indication in these cases that the necessary work will be carried out by the owners. The longer the work is allowed to remain unattended to, the greater, apparently, are the efforts required to produce results." Council ask Surveyor to provide names of people in default by January meeting with a view to taking proceedings..


1 Dec 1925    Housing Completions: 1925
Housing Completions - Inspector Sutch in report dated October 1925 notes the following completions in Hartley - bungalow for Mr Hemmings at Manor Drive (subsidy) [Sanctamaria], bungalow for Mr Meddick at Ash Road (subsidy) [Hagersville]


1 Dec 1925    Middleton Farm, Longfield
Middleton Farm - defective pigsties repaired


1 Dec 1925    Music Licences
Music and Dancing licenses - granted to Rev J Trevor Matchett for Fawkham Village Hall, and A L Farrow of the Hartley and District Constitutional Club for Fairby Hall.


5 Jan 1926    Church Road, Hartley, Far Ben
Application for loan - Mr W S McPherson has applied for a loan under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act for a proposed house. Council refuses because their solicitors say the title to the land is not adequate (probably Far Ben, Church Road).


5 Jan 1926    Diptheria: Longfield
Health - one case of Diptheria from Longfield


5 Jan 1926    Hoselands Hill, Hartley: Telegraph Poles
Surveyor asks the council to keep on an extra roller to carry out essential surfacing on a list of roads that includes Hoselands Hill, Hartley when the postal authorities have completed their improvements.


5 Jan 1926    Housing Completions 1926
Housing Completions, Hartley - Inspector Sutch in his November report notes the completion of a bungalow for Mr Vine at Church Road, and a converted recreation hut for Miss Davies-Cooke at Stack Lane ("Stacks Road"). A bungalow at Longfield Siding for Mr Wooding has also been completed. He has also tested and passed the drains at Miss Davies-Cooke's bungalow.


5 Jan 1926    Housing Subsidies: 1926
Housing subsidy - "Your committee have also received a letter from Mr R C Whitmore, Goldsmith Cottage, Hartley, with further reference to his application for a subsidy in respect of the house he has built (probably Gossy Croft, Hartley Hill). The council have already appealed to the Minister of Health on Mr Whitmore's behalf and strongly supported the grant of a subsidy to him, but in view of the fact that no promise was given and the house was commenced before he applied for a subsidy, conditions which the Minister will not waive, the appeal failed. Mr Whitmore is still under a misapprehension in the matter, and considers he is entitled to a subsidy. The council, however, have failed after the utmost endeavour, to obain the financial assistance he wants, and they recommend - that the Clerk communicate with him, and explain the whole circumstances of the case, and the inability of the council to fianancially assit him in view of the dissent of the Ministry of Health." Mr Wooding of Martindown Bungalow, Longfield has made a similar request and refused on the same grounds that the bungalow was commenced before the application was made.


5 Jan 1926    Manns Farm, Ash
Agriculture - "Mr Wright called attention to the bad condition of the cow sheds at Mann's Farm, Ash", Sanitary Inspector to report.


5 Jan 1926    Petrol Licences
Petroleum Licenses - granted to Hartley Agricultural Cooperative Society, Ash Road, Hartley (120 gallons); and George Day, stone shed at North Ash Farm (250 gallons).


5 Jan 1926    Roads: Ash, Resurfacing
Roads - Surveyor reports that surfacing was suspended during frosty weather, and the workmen employed instead of water tabling on the roads where it was most needed. Now surfacing in Ash and elsewhere resumed.


5 Jan 1926    Speedgate Farm, Fawkham
Inpsector Sutch also noted "The work of improving drainage and cowsheds at Scudder's Farm, Fawkham, is now proceeding."


5 Jan 1926    Station Road, Longfield: 1
Station Road, Longfield - the cesspool at number 1 is full and the owner had not emptied it. Inspector Sutch visited the owner and got his written order to do the work.


5 Jan 1926    Vermin Destruction
Agriculture - Inspector Sutch reports "I have had evidence this month of active work in regard to rat killing in my district. At Speedgate a good kill was evidenced by a score of dead rats...."


5 Jan 1926    Village Hall, Longfield
Music and dancing license - granted to Stanley William Lynds of 1 Eltham Villas, Longfield in respect of the Longfield Village Hall.


2 Feb 1926    Ash Road: Hartley and Ash: Signage
Ash Roads - council agree with school headmistress to put up signs at narrow road near school and also, another one to stop motorists going down Church Lane by mistake. They deferred action requested by Ash Parish Council for the pond opposite the school to be cleaned out, pending a decision on the classification of the road.


2 Feb 1926    Beaconsfield Terrace, Fawkham
Beaconsfield Terrace, Fawkham - new WCs completed.


2 Feb 1926    Hartley House: Well
Surface Water, Hartley - "After several interviews, the owner, Mr Spiers of Hartley House, has finally agreed to allow the council to lay surface water pipes through his property to connect to a deep disused well near the roadside. I would recommend that the offer be accepted as there is now other satisfactory method of disposal for a considerable distance, and there will be a saving in maintenance of road if the surface water can be so readily disposed of. In return, Mr Spiers requires access to his property over a small portion of the roadside depot which can be granted without storage loss, as flints will not be required on this section. The cost of laying and connecting pipes is estimated at £25. Mr Spiers would like an agreement drawn up by the council for this.


2 Feb 1926    Hedge Lopping
Lopping of hedges - surveyor told to serve notices on those who have not lopped hedges or trees, giving them 14 days or proceedings will be taken. Surveyor also told to have overhanging branches lopped to ensure free passage of vehicles.


2 Feb 1926    Hoselands Hill, Hartley: Resurfacing
Hoselands Hill - "Hoselands Hill, sections of College Road and Homes Road, Hextable are now being resurfaced with granite of the best quality (Blue Guernsey) supplied by Messrs Mowlam & Co, under their contract. This granite is in accordance with the sample standard in quality and grade. The delivery by the material contractors to rollers direct is resulting in a considerable saving in haulage and handling. The work has been delayed by the recent heavy fall of snow, but progress is now being resumed in a satisfactory manner."


2 Feb 1926    Housing Completions 1926
Housing Completions, Hartley - Inspector Sutch in December 1925 report says that the Hartley Women's Institute and the Hartley Constitutional Club have been completed in the last month.


2 Feb 1926    Main Road, Longfield: Tarmac Surfacing
Dartford - Longfield Road (B260) - "This work has been delayed by the weather prevailing, but the necessary preparations have been made to resume work. It is proposed to employ two gangs on tarmacadam surfacing when weather permits. The widenings are proceeding, the work being carried out by direct labour."


2 Feb 1926    Measles and Mumps: Southfleet
Health - Southfleet School fumigated after a number of cases of mumps and measles over the last 6 months.


2 Feb 1926    Roads: Hartley
Hartley Roads - parish meeting write to council re: (1) the state of Church Road left by the telephone contractors (surveyor to attend); (2) Open manhole near War Memorial; (3) St John's Lane, asking for sign to say it was unsuitable for heavy traffic (agreed); (4) complain about road stone dump on Hartley Green (DRDC say there is nowhere else for it, and it will go anyway very shortly when works completed).


2 Feb 1926    Roads: Reinstatement after utility works
Reinstatement of trenches - "attention was called to the improper reinstatement of trenches cut for gas, water and telephone purposes, for ground in some instances having been left in a dangerous condition and accidents having resulted therefrom. It was resolved on the motion of Mr Boucher, seconded by the Rev Carleton Rashleigh That the Surveyor communicate with the authorities concerned, pointing out that the council were dissatisfied with the manner in which the reinstatement work was carried out, and that they require it to be done in a more efficient and workmanlike way."


2 Feb 1926    Roads: Winter Gritting
Winter gritting - "Your committee have had complaints made in regard to the question of sand or grit not being provided for use on roads, particularly on steep gradients, during frosty weather, and have given the surveyor a general instruction to make reasonable provision for meeting the difficulty."


2 Feb 1926    White House, Fawkham
White House, Fawkham - work of rendering walls to prevent dampness, has been completed


2 Mar 1926    Gorsewood Road, Longfield
Dartford to Longfield Road - the surveyor reports that the owner of the land opposite Longfield schools, Mrs E D Williams of the Retreat, will not surrender land for road widening.


2 Mar 1926    Housing Completions 1926
New buildings - Inspector Sutch has tested and passed drains at new bungalow for Mrs Parker in Hartley. [Possibly The Poplars, Church Road]


2 Mar 1926    Roads: Maintenance Plan
Roads - Surveyor submits long report "I have the honour to submit for the committee's consideration a practical procedure for the efficient maintenance of the highways in the district which, if followed, will, in my opinion, prove the more economical method, and should produce satisfactory results.

"To the Chairman and Members of the Highways Committee. GENTLEMEN :

I have the honour to submit for the Committee's consideration a practical procedure for the efficient maintenance of the highways in the district which, if followed, will, in my opinion, prove the more economical method, and should produce satisfactory results.

Relative to the average traffic in the district, the roads can be classified for convenient comparison in four grades.  

Grade I Roads, with a large proportion of heavy through traffic  
Grade II Roads, with a large proportion of light through traffic  
Grade III Roads, with a large proportion of light local traffic  
Grade IV Roads, that are seldom used, and water tabling the main expenditure incurred

Observing the more durable surface is one laid down with tough stones that bind well, that is, stones that break in a cubical form such as granite. Grade I roads should be constructed with this material. Local ragstone surfaces should be satisfactory for Grade II foads, and surface picked flints could be used for Grade III roads. Quarried flints should be only used on restoration of Grade IV roads.  
Grade II if resurfaced with rag - 7 years  
Grade III if resurfaced with surface picked flints - 10 years  
Grade IV if resurfaced with quarry flints - 15 years

The mileage of Grade I in the district I would estimate as 30 miles.  
The mileage of Grade II in the district I would estimate as 21 miles.  
The mileage of Grade III in the district I would estimate as 40 miles.  
The mileage of Grade IV in the district I would estimate as 33 miles.

........

Probable re-surfacing required each year,  
Grade I: 30/6 = 5 miles (granite)  
Grade II: 21/7 = 3 miles (rag)  
Grade III: 40/10 = 4 miles (surface picked flints)  
Grade IV: 33/15 = 2.2 miles (quarried flints)

This estimate is based on practical experience and personal observations of the average present traffic of the district. Prolonged wet seasons or rapid development of the district must be expected to relatively reduce the estimated life of the roads accordingly.

At the end of the present stoning season the total re-surfacing carried out is expected to be 12 miles. This, if the assumption of requirements is correct, is two miles less than the economical procedure required. The inclement weather has considerably delayed this year's re-surfacing, otherwise the results would have probably been in accordance with the schedule proposed.

The highways estimated expenditure for 1926-1927 has been carefully prepared assuming the necessary work required will be carried out in the manner suggested in this report. I have made a careful survey of all the roads, and from the notes collected during my inspections I consider it is most essential that the re-surfacing schedule proposed should be carried out to maintain the roads in a satisfactory condition.

A detailed statement of the roads included in the mileage of Grades I and II is submitted for your consideration;

Proposed Grade I Roads - Granite Surface.....  
Pinden to Station Road, Horton Kirby (2½ miles)  
Longfield, Fawkham, Kingsdown Road (4½ miles)  
Ash - Hartley Road (2 miles)  
Church Road, Hartley (1 mile).....

Proposed Grade II Roads - Ragstone Surface....  
Billet Hill to Fawkham Green (1 mile)  
Church Road, Hartley (1½ miles)  
North Ash Road (¼ mile)  
Pease Hill, Ash (¾ mile).....

.......

Improvement Works 1926-1927.....  Hoselands Hill (footpaths etc), estimated cost £585, MoT Grant £293.  Road B260 (resurfacing), estimated cost £35,062, MoT Grant £26,296

......

Resurfacing costs, waterbound Roads  Flint, 2 shillings per cubic yard, road grade IV, cost per mile - £528  Flint and ragstone coated, 2s 6d per cubic yard, grade III, cost per mile - £880  Ragstone, 3s per cubic yard, grade II, cost per mile - £1,056  Granite, 3s 6d per cubic yard, grade I, cost per mile - £1,540

Cost of maintenance per annum:  
Grade I Roads, £7,700 (less possible grants £1,540)  
Grade II Roads, £3,168  
Grade III Roads, £3,520  
Grade IV Roads, £1.056  Preservation of roads, surface tarring for 35 miles, £7,000 (less possible grants £1,750  Estimated nett re-surfacing costs £19,154

Charles H Webb, Engineer and Surveyor, 20 February 1926.

Approved by committee.



2 Mar 1926    Roads: Reinstatement after Utility works
Reinstatement of Roads - "Your Committee have received a letter from the Post Office Engineering Department, suggesting a course of procedure with the object of ensuring co-ordination of work between Local Authorities and the Department which had statutory powers to break up and open roads, the adoption of which would tend to prevent unnecessary work and consequent saving in expenditure by all parties, the programme, in fact, being an interchange of particulars of work contemplated for a stated period with a view of minimising the disturbance of roads or footpaths by co-operative methods. Your Committee have referred the suggestions, so far as they are practicable and reasonable from the Council's point of view in relation to the general repair of the roads in their area to the Surveyor for adoption."


2 Mar 1926    Telegraph Lines: Hodsoll Street
Telephones, Hodsoll Street - committee approve new overhead telegraphic line between existing ones at Hodsoll Street and the Gravesend-Wrotham Road.


3 Apr 1926    Church Road, Hartley: Pond
Church Road pond - cleaned out and filled up with hardcore and clinker foundations for a passing place. Surfacing will be carried out when roller in area.


3 Apr 1926    Merton Avenue, Hartley: Nil Desperandum
Merton Avenue - Insp Sargent says Mr Barlow was ordered to leave house within 21 days by order of Dartford Magistrates 24 February 1928


7 Apr 1926    Church Road, Hartley: Thamesview Farm
Church Road - inspector Sutch reports "I have had defective footings for Mrs Hoadley's bungalow, Church Road, Hartley, amended." (Thamesview Farm)


7 Apr 1926    Council Owned Land: Hartley and Hodsoll Street
Housing - housing sites acquired under the Assisted Housing Scheme to be transferred to the Council. This includes 1 acre at Hartley purchased for £93.3.0 with a transfer value of £60; and 1 acre at Hodsoll Street, purchased for £44.5.8 with a value of £30.


7 Apr 1926    Erysipelas: Hartley
Health - one case of Erysipelas at Hartley


7 Apr 1926    Hillside Cottages, Fawkham
1-2 Hillside Cottages, Fawkham - inspector Sutch has told the agents for the owner that one cesspool for two cottages is a recurring nuisance. They agreed to suggest separate drainage to the owner.


7 Apr 1926    Hoselands Hill, Hartley: Resurfacing
Hoselands Hill - "resurfacing with best blue Guernsey granite is completed and surface tarred. Large gauge granite chips were used in gritting this section to prevent a slipping surface." Surveyor also says that new granite surfaces need two coatings of tar the first year laid.


7 Apr 1926    Scudders Farm, Fawkham
Agriculture - Inspector Sutch reports "The alterations and drainage works to the cowsheds at Scudder's Farm are now completed and satisfactory."


7 Apr 1926    Stack Lane, Hartley: RC Hall
Planning - "A letter, dated the 31st ultimo, was read from Dr O C Gruner, Hartley, withdrawing the plan submitted in respect of the small Memorial Hall proposed to be erected on Miss Davies-Cooke's ground at Hartley in view of the local opposition to the proposal, which plan had been before the Public Health Committee and their approval suspended in consequence of the opposition",


4 May 1926    Hartley Brass Band
Hartley Brass Band - council reject suggestion from Mr T F Tate that they should employ the band in different villages in the district.


4 May 1926    Home Ownership Scheme
Housing - Council propose scheme to encourage home ownership. They will build freehold 5 room bungalows for £350 and 6 room houses for £500 including the land. Buyers will then get the £75 government subsidy and will need £25 deposit. Buyers will then take out a 5% endowment mortgage. Total weekly cost of mortgage and rates is 12/6 per week for bungalows and 18/6 per week for houses.


4 May 1926    Housing Completions 1926
Housing - Inspector Sutch has tested drains at new bungalow in Hartley for Mr McPherson and found them sound. [Far Ben, Church Road]


4 May 1926    Roads at Hartley: Drainage
Surface water drainage Hartley - "your committee report that they have had under consideration the question of the drainage of surface water from the roads at Hartley into an old well on land belonging to Mr A Cripps, he having intimated he was prepared to grant the easement on payment of a sum of £25. Mr Cripps had proposed using this well as a cesspool for a dwelling house erected on the land, and will have to dig a cesspool if the council enter into an arrangement for the drainage into the well. The natural drainage of the surface water from the road is onto the land, but the volume of water has increased, and Mr Cripps is therefore taking more than he has ordinarily been accustomed to." Committee recommends acceptance.


1 Jun 1926    Housing Completions 1926
Housing Completion - Inspector Sutchs reports completion of bungalow for Mrs Balchin of Ash Road. He also reports that he has checked the drains and found them sound for new bungalow for Mr P Harris, Manor Drive, and new bungalow for Miss B Davies-Cooke, Stacks Road.


1 Jun 1926    Stack Lane, Hartley: 3 bungalows
Bungalows at Stack Road - "your committee have received a letter from Miss Davies-Cooke in regard to the 3 bungalows proposed to be erected in Stack Road, Hartley, in respect of which she made an application for subsidy and which the Minister of Health has sanctioned, subject to certain modifications of the specifications and plans, stating that she would undertake to comply with the Minister's requirements. Your committee recommend that in addition to the requirements of the Minister of Health, Miss Davies-Cooke be asked to cover the outer walls with non-flammable material as a protection against fire."


4 Oct 1927    Church Road, Hartley: Tarring
Tarring this year - Church Road, Hartley Hill


6 Oct 1927    Council House Sales: Longfield
Housing - 3 council houses at 1,2,4 Valley Villas Longfield to be sold for £375 each


6 Oct 1927    Fire Hydrants: Hartley
Fire Hydrants - council given urban powers to provide them at Hartley


1 Nov 1927    Butler's Place, Ash: Council Housing
Housing - 12 houses completed at The Forge Ash, 6 non-parlour (£465 ea), 4 non-parlour (£385), 2 parlour (£563). 10 houses at Longfield - 8 parlour (£855), 2 non-parlour (£774)


1 Nov 1927    Housing Completions 1927
Insp Sargent - house completions - 4 bungalows Church Road for Mr Gray. Drainage tested and OK at 2 bungalows in Church Road


1 Nov 1927    Merton Avenue, Hartley: Nil Desperandum
Housing - Mrs Barlow writes to say things said at enquiry to Ebb Flow were wrong.


1 Nov 1927    Station Road, Longfield: Telephone Box
Telephones - Telephone kiosk approved at junction of Station and Main Roads, Longfield to meet local need.


3 Jan 1928    Council House Sales
Housing - Council wrote to 386 tenants to see if they wanted to buy, 107 said no, 5 said yes, rest did not reply


3 Jan 1928    Housing Completions 1928
Housing - Insp Sargent reported completion of bungalow at Old Downs, Hartley for Mr Tree [Possibly Mr Free of Brianne, Castle Hill]


3 Jan 1928    Scarlet Fever: Hartley
Health - one case of Scarlet Fever in Hartley


3 Jan 1928    Station Road, Longfield: Slaughter House
Station Road, Longfield - Mr J Foster says his proposed slaughter house in Station Road will be only for local butcher who kills about 1 pig per week.


7 Feb 1928    Castle Hill, Fawkham
Housing - Drains at house at Old Downs tested for Mr Metherell, OK.


7 Feb 1928    Petrol Licences
Petroleum Licenses - Hartley Agr Co-op licensed to store 500 galls of petrol at shop opposite Fairby Grange


7 Feb 1928    Roads: Snow Clearance
Roads - Snow clearance has cost £452 this year, ministry may pay £113.


6 Mar 1928    Fire Hydrants: Hartley
Fire Hydrants - Mid Kent Water quote £27 for hydrants outside Monksilver and Woodlands Ash Road, they say council's proposal of New House Farm and Hartley Hill won't work because no mains at these points, only 1½" wide.


1 May 1928    Church Road, Hartley: Widening
Roads - Fencing being carried out on land acquired by council near Manor Drive, widening of carriageway will be done when roller available


1 May 1928    Planning Regulations for Hartley etc
Planning - Council propose to extend s23 Public Health Acts (Amdt) Act 1907 re alterations to existing buildings to parishes of Hartley, Longfield, Ash, Ridley etc


5 Jun 1928    Ash Road, Hartley: Fairby Grange
Ash Road - Bermondsey Borough Council refuse to remove trees at Fairby Grange council think are danger to vehicles and pedestrians - "removal of the trees was in the interests of the safety of the occupants of the convalescent home, who used the road considerably, and to whom, owing to its narrow winding nature, there was an obvious danger from motor traffic of which there was a considerable amount...


5 Jun 1928    Fairby Lane, Hartley: The Shack
Fairby Lane - Insp Sargent - "I have received a complaint from the tenants at bungalows in Accommodation Road, Hartley, respecting the use of a timber built shed known as 'the shack' in that road for living and sleeping purposes. I have made an inspection and can find no WC accommodation or water supply. I have therefore written to the owner upon the matter."


5 Jun 1928    Merton Avenue, Hartley: Nil Desperandum
Merton Avenue - Final order to vacate made to Mr Barlow at Dartford Magistrates Court 20 April 28


3 Jul 1928    Fairby Lane, Hartley: The Shack
Fairby Lane - Insp Sargent says owner of The Shack says they've never used it for living purposes, people seen must be trespassers.


3 Jul 1928    Hoselands Hill, Hartley: Tarring
Hoselands Hill - Road tarring completed at Hoselands Hill, Hartley road, Ash Road. Delay in getting granite chippings due to unfavourable tides in river


3 Jul 1928    Housing Completions 1928
Housing Completions - bungalow at Church Road for Mr C Brown, bungalow Church Road for Mr D T Gray.


3 Jul 1928    Scarlet Fever: Hartley
Health - two cases of Scarlet Fever at Hartley.


31 Jul 1928    Chapelwood Road, Hartley and Ash: Tarring
Roads - Surface tarring completed at North Ash Road and Chapelwood road


31 Jul 1928    Council Housing: Waiting List
Housing - 334 applications for council housing have been received in response to a recent advert.


31 Jul 1928    Merton Avenue, Hartley: Nil Desperandum
Merton Avenue - Insp Sargent reports that Mr Barlow still hasn't left, fined 40/- or 1 month.


31 Jul 1928    St John's Lane, Hartley: Tarring
St John's Lane - Mr Edward said St Johns Lane was in places the tarred surface was not gritted or sanded. Surveyor to look into this


4 Sep 1928    Mortgage Application
Housing - "The council also considered an application from Reginald George Lewis Cheeseman of La Vallette Church Road, Hartley for a loan of £520 for 15 years on the security of a dwelling house in Church Road, Hartley" Council refused 9 votes to 2, local member Mr Edward being one of the dissenters with Rev Matchett of Fawkham


2 Oct 1928    Hartley Bottom Road: Tarring
Hartley Bottom Road - Surface tarring completed at Hartley Bottom to Berry's Maple.


2 Oct 1928    Housing Completions 1928
Housing Completions - Insp Sargent reported on completions in last 2 months - 2 dwelling houses at Manor Drive for Mr P Harris, alterations at Hartley Rectory for Rev GW Bancks.


2 Oct 1928    Merton Avenue, Hartley: Nil Desperandum
Merton Avenue - Inpsector Sargent is keeping Mr Barlow's house under observation, he believes he is living in the caravan by day and sleeping in the house at night,


6 Nov 1928    Church Road, Hartley: Poor Condition of
Roads - Reports of poor condition of Church Road from Stack Lane to Hartley Manor and Hartley Bottom Road from Glover's Cottages to Hartley Hill. Also Mr Edward called attention to stumps of a number of trees in Church Road which are a danger to the public after dark. Surveyor to act.


4 Dec 1928    Manor Lane, Hartley, Resfuracing
Roads - Resurfacing with flint at Manor Road ,[Probably Manor Lane], Hartley


4 Dec 1928    Roads: Fallen Trees
Roads - Recent storm led to several fallen trees on highways in district


1 Jan 1929    Housing Subsidies: 1929
Housing - Mr C Ellerby of Highlands, Ash Road, Hartley requests permission to sell Little Stirrups, Church Road on which he received a subsidy of £68.15.0, in excess of minimum selling price, viz at £750. Council approves sale at said price on condition subsidy repaid.


1 Jan 1929    St John's Lane: Poor state of
Roads - Hartley PM complain that St Johns Lane needs repair and there is surface water flooding by partly filled in pond in Church Road. DRDC say St John's Lane will be repaired in due time but water in Church Road an inevitable consequence of filling it in.


5 Feb 1929    Buses: Maidstone and District
Buses - Complaints that Longfield PC has told police to prevent Maidstone and District buses stopping to pick up passengers at the Station, many living in Hartley and Ash, due to preferential consideration to local services. Council tells police Longfield PC has no right to do this and it is against the public interest.


5 Feb 1929    Housing Subsidies: 1929
Housing - Charles Ellerby applies for brick bungalow in Portobello Road West Kingsdown, approved with £50 subsidy


5 Feb 1929    Telegraph Lines: Hartley Hill to new House
Telephones - Council approves overhead telegraph line from existing route at Hartley Hill to New House Farm


5 Mar 1929    Rates
Rates - Rates for next year - KCC 4s 4½d in £, DRDC 4s 6d in £, Hartley Parish Meeting: nil


7 May 1929    Milk: Hartley and Longfield Round
Milk - E W Southwood of Old Perry Street Dairy Farm, Northfleet to sell milk in Hartley and Longfield.


4 Jun 1929    Cricket Ground, Hartley
Cricket Ground - Dartford RDC will roll Hartley Cricket Club pitch [about where Milestone School, Ash Road is now] when in the area at 30 shillings per day.


2 Jul 1929    Church Road, Hartley: Tarring
Church Road - surface tarring completed.


2 Jul 1929    Grange Lane, Hartley: poor state of
Grange Lane - Mr O Delf of Irene House requests repairs to his road. Council say it would be expensive to do, considering there are few houses and road is little used, but they will give road some attention later in the year.


2 Jul 1929    Housing Completions: 1929
Ash Road - house at Hoselands Hill completed for Mr Gray (Ivy Dene).


2 Jul 1929    Water Supply: Ash
Hartley Hill - Mid Kent Water given permission to close roads on line of Redhill Wood to Hartley Bottom and Hartley Hill, for mains laying.


1 Oct 1929    Church Road, Hartley: No planning permission
Church Road - timber dwelling erected without plans approval. Council has received no reply from the builder.


1 Oct 1929    Mortgage Application
Church Road - O J Hollands of Keston, Church Road requests a loan of £380 for 20 years for a bungalow he is planning to build in Church Road. Surveyor recommends refusal.


5 Nov 1929    Housing Completions: 1929
Church Road - in last month a bungalow has been completed for Mr Valentini.


2 Dec 1929    Mortgage Application
Church Road - Mr Valentini applies for £450 loan payable in 20 years for a house he plans to build in Church Road. Council agrees to give loan of 80% of value after discounting the present abnormal conditions.


© Content P Mayer 2000-2018.  Created with WebSite X5
Back to content