Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall
January 11th 1915
Present:- Colonel R. Burdon, Colonel Bowes and Captain Lowe
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
Colonel Bowes stated that tenders for the shelves in the barrack huts had been obtained, but were so much more expensive than was expected that the matter had been again referred to the Clerk of the Works.
The Paymaster at York had written stating that they could not at present spare a Clerk to give instructions with regard to certain difficult War Office forms, but that the Battalion might send a Non-Commissioned Officer to York for instructions.
The bath-room, drying house, and Rifle Range, and the canteen, were all now working most satisfactorily.
It was agreed that Colonel Burdon should write to Messrs. Gradon and call their attention to the fact that the latrines were not yet finished, in spite of continued notifications.
Colonel Bowes reported that recruits were coming in quite fairly. The letter to the Magistrates, etc, has been drafted, and is being sent out.
It was further agreed that Col. Burdon should write and urge Messrs. Gradon to proceed with the repairs to the roads.
Mr. Kirkup, manager for the Lambton Collieries, has also very kindly arranged for ashes to be delivered at 4/- per load. The number of loads to be checked by the Pioneer Sergeant.
It was decided to purchase four more Miniature Rifles; and that a good recruiting notice should be inserted in the "Evening Chronicle", and the "North Star".
Authority for the erection of four more barrack huts had been applied for to York to accommodate the Depot Company: Colonel Bowes having stated that it was possible to carry on with that amount of accommodation: but on talking the matter over, and in view of the fact that two Depot Companies will eventually have to be provided, and that it would be a great convenience to the Bantam Battalion if the County Battalion resigns the use of Newton Hall in their favour, it was decided that as Colonel Bowes said that he would be able to provide for both Depot Companies, if six new huts were built, and he could rely upon the use of West Rainton Drill Shed, Col. Burdon should write to York, and ask for permission to build six huts; and as the tendency of contracts to rise Col.
Burdon accepted a tender from the Darlington Construction Company for six huts at £153 each, lined, and with stove fitted (but not including cost of stove); the first two to be ready in a fortnight; and the remainder within a month; or, if possible five
weeks.
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