Mexborough and Swinton Times January 6 1906
Conisborough Parish Council.
New Year Troubles.
A Warm Time.
Mr Baker and Mr Smethurst.
Strong Words.
Denaby Allotments.
The Conisborough Man’s Responsibility.
The Conisborough Parish Council have begun the New Year in a fine style, for the members at their first meeting held on Wednesday night, in the words of the chairman, had a “warm time. Mr Baker, of course, was in the front row, and he and Mr Smethurst were continually at it.
Mr John Brocklesby (the chairman) presided, the other members present being: Mr Henry Baker, Mr T. W. Mosby, Mr D Robinson, Mr H. L. Smethurst, Mr H. H. Wray, and Mr Wilson, with the clay (Mr John Hawksworth), and cemetery caretaker (Mr Hodgson)
The Seasons Compliments.
Before the ordinary business was commenced, the chairman said he took that opportunity of wishing all the members “A happy and prosperous New Year.” He was satisfied there was room for improvement commercially, and he hoped better times were in store for the parish of Conisborough, in company with other places. (Hear, hear.)
Accounts.
The clerk presented the burial board accounts, amounting to £8 2s. 6d., which were ordered to be paid.
Fire Brigade Captains Report.
The Clerk reported the receipt of their annual report from Mr W. Jones, captain of the Fire Brigade. It was as follows:
“Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure in submitting to you my 10th annual report. In the first place, we have only been called out to one fire, and that was to Mr Wright’s drapers shop at New Conisborough, and I am pleased to say that the firemen responded to the call in excellent time.
We have attended the Yorkshire Fire Brigade demonstration at Malton, and also the annual meeting and competition of the National Fire Brigade union at Ilkley, but I am sorry to say we were not successful this year in bringing any prizes to Conisborough. We have also attended several demonstrations for charitable causes.
I am pleased to say that my men have attended well to their drills and are quite today in working the appliances we have got, which, however, are only for saving property. I consider we are far behind the times for saving life, and to make the brigade today we ought to have a hand cart and fire escape combines, and each man trained to carry a live weight down the escape. At present we have only old ladder, which is not safe for one man to go up.
I hope, gentleman, that you will give this your consideration, as I am afraid that if anything serious should occur, our appliances would not be equal to cope with it.” Mr Jones also included the accounts for the year which amounted to £10 1s 6d.
Mr Mosby thought the captain ought to be present to give his report, so that he would be able to answer any questions.
Mr Wray: What do we want a fire escape for?
Mr Baker: We don’t want anything, of that sort; we have a lot to be thankful for, and for the little were we have to do, I think we are fully equipped.
Mr Wray fully agreed that a hand cart was necessary.
The Chairman said he for it necessary that a handcart should be provided. It would, he believed, save the necessity of calling out the horses in some instances; they would be able to get to their work quicker.
Mr Baker said he did not think there would be any great difficulty in obtaining one – it was ultimately decided that the accounts been paid, and that the captain be asked to attend the next meeting of the council.
Denaby Allotments Valuation
A Stormy Quarter of an Hour
The Clerk read a letter in received from Mr Shearman, the arbitrator appointed by the Council, to decree, along with Mr Dawson’s (four Mr B.J.Clarkson), the amount of valuation to be paid to Mr Clarkson in respect to the land taken for allotments at Denaby. In it Mr Shearman stated that he and Mr Dawson could not agree, stating that Mr Dawson submitted the names of three firms to act as umpires and requested him to make a choice. He asked the Council what steps he should take.
After some preliminary remarks, during which the Chairman said it seemed as if it was going to be a serious matter,
Mr Wray said he guaranteed that, it would not be done under £50.
Mr Baker said seeing the matter had been a bugbear for such a long time, he sought it would be better if they asked for an umpire to be appointed from the Board of Agriculture.
Mr Wray: It has cost too much money already, and it is likely to cost more.
Mr Smethurst: It is all right. Mr Baker is going to pay.
Mr Baker: Oh, let that drop now.
Mr Wray: Who is going to pay?
Mr Smethurst: Why, Mr Baker.
Mr Baker: I shall not do what Willie Wilson did.
Mr Smethurst: Oh and what did he do?
Mr Baker: Why, he knocked you down. Well, let it drop – that is cleared up now.
Mr Smethurst: Never.
Mr Baker: The Chairman can decide it. I offered, if the chairman joined with the valuer, to pay the extra money, but he did not accept my challenge, and the matter dropped. Was it not Mr Chairman?
The Chairman: I didn’t accept the challenge.
Mr Baker: There you are.
The Chairman: You made a challenge to me, and I have thought the matter over since, but I really cannot understand what I have to pay. It strikes me that I have something to receive (laughter) if it was confirmed, but I really don’t know. At any rate, it was understood you were prepared to pay.
Mr Baker: Now, Mr Brocklesby, you have just mentioned something about me; now, let us be truthful of the matter, because you know very well that I am not one of those who when he says a thing he does not mean it.
Mr Wray: Ahem.
Mr Baker: That is rather a dirty noise, Mr Wray. What do you mean? (Loud laughter)
Mr Wray: I never said a word. I was writing.
Mr Baker: All right. Continuing, addressing the Chairman, he said he knew very well that when he did not accept the challenge, the matter fell through.
Mr Smethurst: Will Mr Baker tell this meeting whose fault it was that the £10 of in the first instance was not accepted, and who has really been the bugbear in the all matter?
Mr Baker: What do you mean?
Mr Smethurst: Go on, I am ready to be knocked down any time you like.
Mr Baker: Stop a minute; you deserve it.
Mr Smethurst: Start your knocking down then.
Mr Baker: A little man has done it once.
Mr Smethurst: No little man has knocked me down.
Mr Baker: But there has.
Mr Smethurst: No, there hasnot
The arguments over the £10 continued and a further full page was reported by the newspaper. We continue to the chairman’s closing remarks.
The Chairman said: “The scene we have had tonight and been a very unseemly one. Mr Baker complains that certain personality been indulged in, addressed was himself. That maybe so, but the unfortunate the first offender was himself, and I greatly deplore he referred to matters which are altogether outside the business of this meeting, matters which I consider were calculated to irritate men more than anything else.
I think it is largely to the credit of Mr Smethurst that he did not show more feeling in regard to the matter. That was the beginning of the scene we have had tonight, and I don’t think Mr Baker is entitled to any sympathy from the chair, because he was the first offender, and if people will make these gross attacks on members of the Council, is only natural, it is only English, and it is only human nature that men should retaliate. (Hear, hear)
Men are bound to defend themselves, and if personalities are indulged in others would take the same course. I had hoped for some time we should learn wisdom in this respect, our meeting certainly have been conducting in a more seemly fashion of late, but tonight we have had a very warm time, and I am very sorry for all parties concerned.
But still, let us remember this, that we have our duty to do, and it should be carried out with becoming courtesy. It is quite right we should have opinions which vary in their character. It is quite right we should give expression opinions, and it is quite right we should vote support of our opinion, but when we have taken that course we have gone as far as reason demands and expects us to do.
If we go further than, we are taking a class can only be described as sheer obstruction. I don’t want any member of the Council to go as far as that. Let it be understood then, that the scene tonight, in my opinion, is attributable to the unfortunate reference by Mr Baker to certain personal matters which ought never to have been mentioned in this Council.”