Mexborough and Swinton Times November 13, 1936

“Cut and Dried”
Allegations Over Council Appointment
Gallantry to Be Recognised

Allegations by Mr J Leatherland that the appointment of a junior gardener, recommended by the Allotments and Pleasure Ground Committee, was “cut and dried,” brought comment from the chairman of Conisborough UrbanCouncil (Mr G Oldfield) at the council’s monthly meeting on Wednesday. Mr Leatherland asked for his vote to be registered “against” of the names of those who voted for the appointment.

The Chairman said he refused to allow such remarks.

Mr Tom Sheppard said he attended the meeting with an open mind, nor had the appointment been mentioned that a Labour Party meeting.

Mr G Sheldon said he understood that when anything was done in committee it was confidential. He was not afraid to let anyone know for whom he voted.

Mr G Gregory said 17 boys made application for the post. They were a fine set of lads, and he was sorry they could not find employment for them all.

Mr JI Webster said it might be pointed out Mr J Humphreys withdrew from the meeting at which the appointment was made.

Mr JTE Collins said Mr Leatherland’s remarks was unfair. The list of 17 had been reduced to a shortlist of seven and four before the appointment was eventually made. He understood the Labour Party had had no meeting on the subject.

The committee’s recommendation of the appointment of Benjamin Humphries, Annerley Street, Denaby Main, was confirmed.

Heroic Acts

the Council are to recognise the bravery of a local girl, Miss Gladys Cuttle, of Denaby, who in an dSeptember saved two persons from drowning in the sea at St Annes, where she was engaged as a waitress. Miss Cuttle dived fully clause from the pier to effect a rescue. She has already received the Vellum of the Royal Humane Society, and the Council decided to apply for sanction from the Ministry of Health to grant her £10 and an illuminated address.

Mrs G Shepherd refer to another heroic act by an orphan boy named Brindley of Barnburgh St, Denaby, who rescued a child from drowning in the canal at Mexborough.

It was decided to seek permission to make a similar grant in this case also.

Not Forgotten

Mr RH Shepherd said it was decided at the Jubilee to award plaques to the best decorated streets. Money was spent on decoration at the time and the scheme had not been forgotten. The Council decided to go forward with a similar scheme for the Coronation, and it had been borne in mind that if the all of the plaques were purchased at one time (at the Coronation) a saving would be affected.

Mr G Sheldon said owing to a lack of funds the Council had discovered that they had insufficient money for this one item of the celebrations. The people had entered into the spirit of the thing and I done it quite well, and the Council felt it was rather a hardship on those who had spent money in decoration. They now felt it desirable to fulfil their obligations.

Mr Gregory urged the cause of “food before plaques”, but Mr Humphreys said money spent on decoration was not taken at the expense of food.

Mr RH Shepherd said even now people are putting money into clubs to provide decorations for the Coronation.

The recommendation was approved.

Displaced Tenants

the surveyor said a letter I had been received from 18 tenants in houses under the slum clearance scheme, asking when they would move into the new houses.

Certain features were still required, trenches have been open in front of the houses, and he could assure them it was impossible even to get near. He could give an assurance that as soon as possible the houses would be completed.

Mr D Sheldon said he sought the Council are doing well in getting as far as they had if they had not taken the bull by the horns and commenced their rehousing scheme before the slum clearance enquiry where would they have been? It was owing to the foresight of the Council and the officials that they were in such a favourable position.

Mr RH Shepherd suggested that the question be submitted to the Housing subcommittee and a special meeting of the Council be subsequently call to see what could be done.

This was agreed.

Mr G Morgan drew attention to the fact that in June a minute was passed recommending a revision of the Clarkes agreement. Nothing had been done, and he considers the question and been deferred too long.

The Chairman said a special meeting had been called to deal with the question.