Mexborough and Swinton Times May 9, 1902
Conisbrough Parish Council
Heated Discussion
Mr Baker and Mr Brocklesby Have a Few Words
“A Confounded Liar.”
Mr. Baker Apologises
A very heated discussion occurred at the monthly meeting of the Conisbrough Parish Council, held on Monday evening between two of the members Mr Baker and Mr Brocklesby.
Mr Baker reported an obstruction at the bottom Brook Square, and called upon Mr Brocklesby to explain. Mr Brocklesby said the matter did not concern him, Mr Baker thought it did. Mr Brocklesby then said that Mr Baker brought that matter up purely out of spite against one of the gentlemen who put their carts there. Mr Baker then called Mr Brocklesby a confounded liar, and when asked to withdrew he refused until Mr Brocklesby had done so.
In the end the Press representatives were appealed to as to what Mr Baker had actually said, after which Mr Baker withdrew his remark, apologising to Mr Brocklesby and the members.
After this matters went smoothly, and the usual business was transacted.
There were present Mr C Holmes (presiding), and the other members present were Messrs Brookes, Singleton, Walker, Wilson, Ravenscroft, Robinson, F Ogley and Henry Baker, with the officials, Mr J Hawkesworth (clerk) and Mr Hodgkinson (cemetery caretaker)
Burial Committee
The clerk stated that he had received quotations for a quantity of dross for the Renishaw Iron Co. and Mr Wilson moved that the material for asphalt and the footpath in the cemetery be ordered in quantities of 20 tons.
The Cemetery manager stated that in his opinion they require a hundred tons at least.
The Chairman enquired how it would be to order at the rate of 20 tons a week for five weeks, making it 100 tons..
Mr Brocklesby seconded and it was carried.
The cemetery caretaker, Mr Orchard, stated that the Gas Company would supply them with tar at the rate of 6s a barrel, of 40 gallons.
It was decided that that question be left in the hands of the clerk. He was also decided that the clerk made the best terms he could for the carting of the dross from the station.
The Obstruction
The Clerk then read the minutes of the previous meeting, which were confirmed.
Mr Baker drew attention to the cost of the little wooden bridge over the book, which was £4 18s and also to an obstruction on the public road just at the bottom of Brook Square. He should like the Council to do something in the matter. Sometimes the road was actually blocked, and he thought some steps ought to be taken.
Here Mr Brocklesby entered the room, having been sent by Mr Baker so that they could discuss that matter.
Mr Baker, continued, said that he refrained from say what he was going to say until he was there. Addressing Mr Brocklesby: Do you let stables to these people?
Mr Brocklesby: It does not concern me at all.
Mr Baker: Do you let stables to them?
Mr Brocklesby: They have stables
Mr Baker: From you?
Mr Brocklesby: Yes.
Mr Baker: Then those carts would not be there unless they had got your stables.
Miss Wilson: I think Mr Baker ought to address the chairman this matter.
Mr Baker: I think I am
The Chairman said it was customary to address the chairman and then any other member could reply through the chairman. It was not the custom for one member to address another.
Mr Baker: Very well, sir, it will do in that way as Mr Wilson is so anxious that it should be done. I say that it is out of place that those carts should be there as it is a public road. I should say let it be done without a resolution, without it is necessary, to prevent the road being blocked up. I thought Mr Brocklesby as this is the property adjoining would have it done without a resolution. That is my reason, Mr Wilson for not taking up the time of the Council to move a resolution on that point.
Mr Wilson said that he had no interest in the matter, and he thought that the carts ought not to be left there. He thought that it would be much the better plan to move a resolution instructing the clerk to write the parties, asking them to remove the carts. This
Mr Brocklesby: I don’t think they should be there. I think Mr Baker has brought this matter forward with some feeling of spite against one of the gentleman named. I know there’s been some bad blood between them.
Mr Baker (interrupted): You are a confounded liar.
Cries of Order! Order! Chair! Chair! Etc.
Mr Baker (continuing): I have no bad feeling against one or the other, in fact we have always been a loss and the chance. I say that it is a confounded lie.
Mr Brocklesby: I hope the Council will support me. I think Mr Baker should withdraw his remark.
Mr Baker: I shall not withdraw one iota. I again say we have always been on the most friendly terms.
The Chairman said he could not allow the remark to pass without asking Mr Baker to withdraw it.
Mr Becky: Mr Brocklesby has no business to say that I did it out of spite, and I say I have a perfect right to tell him it is a lie and it is a lie; I cannot withdraw it.
The Chairman: I cannot allow that remark to pass without asking you to withdraw.
Mr Baker: If Mr Brocklesby will withdraw, and say that he was wrong, I will withdraw, but unless he does so I will not. On the contrary I have been on the most friendly terms with two gentlemen named, and again I say that I cannot withdraw it.
The Chairman: I think you can very well withdraw. Mr Brocklesby explained as his opinion that there had been bad blood between you and the other gentlemen named.
Mr Baker: He said there was.
The Chairman: He has his opinion, I suppose; a man can have an opinion.
Mr Baker: Mr Brocklesby censored me by saying there was bad blood between us. I distinctly say there is nothing of the sort. I cannot withdraw, and I shall not.
Mr Robinson: I shall certainly move if Mr Baker does not withdraw, that this meeting be adjourned.
The Chairman: I think Mr Baker ought to withdraw.
Mr Baker: You are very wrong, Mr Robinson and you can move whatever you like.
Mr Robinson: I move we adjourn.
The Chairman: I hope that will not be necessary. There is the business that wants transacting.
Mr Baker: It is unfair of Mr Brocklesby.
Mr Brocklesby: I said that some time ago there was bad blood between the gentlemen named.
Mr Baker: Now we shall have to mention the names – Messrs Farrell and Walters. I have always been the most friendly terms with them.
Mr Brocklesby (Mr Baker): Have you never stand on a committee with one of the gentleman, and have you never found yourself isolated?
Mr Baker: Never.
Mr Robinson: Are you referring to the cricket club?
Mr Brocklesby: Yes. Continuing he said he referred to the bad blood that exists between one of the gentlemen and Mr Baker, and Mr Baker and no one else can deny what he said, had expressed it as his opinion that Mr Baker brought forward that matter on account of that bad feeling. He thought Mr Baker ought to withdraw the remark, as he used language that was quite unjustifiable.
Mr Baker: I say it is untrue that there has been any bad blood between us.
Mr Wilson thought they should get on with the next business, not waste their time over such a paltry matter.
Mr Baker: A paltry matter, Mr Wilson, for a public road to be obstructed. Someone might be killed in the dark, then, tonight.
The Chairman was sorry they could not discuss that matter in a gentlemanly way.
Mr Baker: It is unfair Mr Brocklesby to make a false accusation.
The Chairman: It is an opinion. Will you withdraw your remark?
Mr Baker: I will if Mr Brocklesby will.
The Chairman: Will what?
Mr Baker: Withdraw what he said about me having got it out of spite. I have simply brought the matter of the matter of public importance. I don’t care a toss for anybody
The Chairman: Is that in reference to me as Chairman?
Mr Baker: What?
The Chairman: You mean to imply that you do not care a toss for me as Chairman. Will you withdraw your previous remark?
Mr Baker said with respect to the chairman of that body; he meant to say he did not care a toss for anyone; he should continue to do his duty to the public. He had brought that matter forward as a member of the Council. He did not know he had called Mr Brocklesby a liar. He would abide by what the press said.
The members of the press and appeal, said Mr Baker use the term “a confounded liar.”
Mr Baker said he did not mean to say that: what he meant to say was that it was a confounded line. He should be sorry to say any dental a table was a confounded liar. He apologised to Mr Brocklesby and the members.
Mr Brocklesby said that made it somewhat better, but still a confounded lie meant that a person made a statement which was false and which he knew to be false. He maintained that what he said was not a lie, and he said he knew it was not a lie. If Mr Baker had said he was wrong he should have said nothing further, but Mr Baker use language altogether unjustifiable, which ought not to be used on a public authority like that.
This Mr Baker said Mr Wilson had no right to act as he had done.
Mr Wilson was surprised at Mr Baker lecturing the members as he had done. He moved that the parties be written to asking them to remove the obstruction.
The Chairman thought the Rural Council responsible for the roads.
It was decided that the Clerk right to the parties concerned, asking them to remove the cart, or else proceedings would be taken against him.
Mr Brocklesby called the Council’s attention to another obstruction on the opposite side of the road, and it was decided to write to the order asking him to remove it.
The Footbridge
Mr Brocklesby drew the council’s attention to the footbridge over the brook, stating that a serious accident happened on Saturday. A child fell into the box and cut his head against a sharp stone. He thought they ought to have a handrail on the other side of the bridge. There was one side railed off, and the other side open.
Mr Robertson said he had seen a few bridges in his time, but that beat all of them.
Mr Singleton said as one of the committee appointed to purchase the bridge he would not have said that it was the committee’s fault such a bridge was put up. It was the Council that decided one side of the bridge should be left unprotected
It was decided that the rail be placed on the other side of the bridge.
Finance
The Clerk, referring to the precept, intimated that they had about £40 in hand, but the Burial Committee had nothing. There were the fireman’s uniform is to pay for.
The matter over to the next meeting.
The Coronation
The Chairman replied to member, said the Council could spend money out of the rates for the purpose of celebrating the Coronation. He did not know whether they were prepared to discuss the question that night or not. He thought there ought to be an expression of opinion as to whether they would spend money out of the rates.
Mr Baker: Have you received a letter from the School Board?
The Clerk: Yes. Before reading the letter, the clerk stated that he received a letter from the local Government Board stated that a reasonable amount could be expended out of the rates.
The letter he had received from the School Board was as follows:
“Dear Sir,
Yours of 20 April was bought brought before my board last night. He was resolved that the Board make arrangements a joint meeting with your Council, a date to be mutually range. Any night next week, except Wednesday, would suit my Board.
Yours et cetera Frank Allen.
The Chairman thought it almost a waste of time arranging meetings with the school board. It was only seven weeks to the Coronation, and it was time they put themselves into shape. It would be better if they could arrange a parish meeting, to be held on the following Friday evening, if that would give sufficient time. It was high time they did something if they intended make it anything of a show. They were behind a already.
Mr Brocklesby did not think the voluntary subscription system one be successful, seeing that the Local government Board had had extended them the right to spend so much out of the rates. He did not think the people would give.
A question arose as to what the capital Board were going to do, and it was stated if they spent any money they would provide a treat for the children.
The Chairman, referring to the Education Bill, and the proposed extinction of School Board thought the Local government Board did not think it necessary to provide them with the necessary funds, or give them leave to spend money for the Coronation festivities.
Mr Brocklesby: I admit we are under a cloud at present; I hope we shall survive. (Laughter).
It was decided to call a parish meeting to consider the question festivities, to be held in the Board School at 7.30 on Monday night.