Conisbro’ Parish Council – The Denaby Allotments

March 1905

Mexborough & Swinton Times. March 4th, 1095.

Conisbro’ Parish Council
The Denaby Allotments

An ordinary monthly meeting was held in the Station Road Infants School on Wednesday evening, when there were present Mr. John Brocklesby, the chairman, who presided, along with Mr. H. Baker, Mr. T. Bagdin, Mr. H. L. Smechurst, Mr. G. Smithson, Mr. W. Wilson, Mr. H. Wray, Mr. T. W. Norwood, with the clerk, Mr. J. Hawksworth, and cemetery caretaker, Mr. A. Hodgson.

Mr. Mosby called the Council’s attention to the fact that about six years ago a resolution was passed by the Parish Council to the effect that persons who purchased graves and afterwards ceased to reside in the parish, should not be charged double fees if the graves were re-opened. A gentleman who had removed from Conisboro’ to Denaby had complained to him of having had to pay double fees.

The Clerk stated that he had always tried to act according to the rules, and it was of no advantage to him to charge double fees. Perhaps the case mentioned by Mr. Mosby was not one of re-opening.

Mr. Mosby remarked that the gentleman to whom he referred formerly resided in the parish; he had removed only the width of his house.

The Chairman said Mr. Mosby had the grant of right, and ascertain the amount charged. If anything was wrong the case could be brought before the Council.

Mr. Wilson pointed out that the interment for which the grave was reopened must be of a member of the purchaser’s family.

No action was taken by the Council.

Allotments

The allotment question concerning New Conisboro’ was next discussed, several gentlemen, householders at New Conisboro’, who were desirous of becoming holders, attending before the meeting.

Mr. Wray asked if anything had been done regarding the furtherance of the negotiations, as the men who would become holders were desirous of commencing to lay the plots out.

A draft agreement which had been drawn up, between Mr. F. J. O. Montagu, of Melton Hall, and the Parish Council, was considered, and a further amendment concerning the fencing of the ground, was put forward.

A proposition was put forward by Mr. Wray that the agreement be submitted to Mr. Frank Allen, solicitor, of Doncaster, on behalf of the Parish Council. The fencing was estimated to cost about £30, therefore it would be better to spend £5 on legal advice than risk the loss of a greater sum. They were not solicitors.

Mr. Norwood said the terms read out were those of the landlord, and the Council must either accept them or refuse them. Mr Smithson seconded, and this was agreed to.

The Clerk: I shall not have the allotments.

Mr. Wray: What do you mean?

The clerk: I shall resign.
Mr. Wray: You won’t have the allotments?
The Clerk: I am straight in what I say.
The Chairman: You must not tell the Council you will not.
The Clerk: I shall not.
The Chairman: It is no use us coming here and wasting our time.
The Clerk: Well, I will write tomorrow. I tell you candidly I won’t have the allotments.
Mr. Wray: What do you mean? Do you mean you won’t collect the rents?
The Clerk: That is so.
Mr. Wray: But according to the minute in the minute book they must pay the rent here, and apply here for the allotments.
The matter dropped.

Mr. Baker asked a question as to who were the persons who were entitled to become allotment holders. He noticed that a tradesman in Conisboro’ had two lots whilst a clerk was not an artisan?
Mr. Wilson pointed out that Alpine, although a tradesman, followed the occupation of a miner, too. The Clerk presented the accounts relating to the Conisboro’ allotments, which showed a deficit of £13 9s. 9d. There were several persons who had not yet paid, and the Council hoped they would discharge their liability at the earliest opportunity.