Mexborough & Swinton Times, Friday, 27 February 1903

Conisboro’ School Board

The usual monthly meeting of this authority was held in the new Infants’ School, Station Road on Monday evening, under the chairmanship of Mr. J. Erskine. Others present were Messrs. Hy. Baker, D. Robinson, Dickinson, and Ravenscroft, with the Clerk, Mr. F. Allen, and the attendance officer, Mr. Masfield.

The High Price of Coke

Mr. Baker called attention to what he characterised as “a very blunder.” He said that he had been made by the Board with respect to the price they were paying for coke.

At present their coke bill was at the rate of 17s. per ton, whilst that of neighbour schools was only 15s.

The Chairman said this would be a very proper question to discuss two months hence when the tenders for coke were considered.

Mr. Dickinson expressed the opinion that the coke consumed at the Conisboro’ School was of superior quality to that used at other schools in the neighbourhood.

The Clerk remarked that on occasions when they had fallen short of fuel they had obtained small quantities of coke from the Conisboro’ Gas Works, at the rate of 11s. per ton.

Subsequently the Clerk was instructed to provide the contract note and invoices of the consignments received on account of the contract, and submit them to the next meeting.

Finance

The Clerk submitted the usual cheques, which were sent in of various amounts.

Attention was drawn to an account of £5 15s. 6d., representing the amount of gas consumed at the various schools under the jurisdiction of the Board, and after a brief discussion this was also ordered to be paid.

School Attendance

The Attendance Officer (Mr. Masfield) submitted the following report for the past month.

Conisboro’ Boys: No. on registers, 325; average attendance, 286.6; percentage 88.8.

Girls, 280, 246, 87.7.

Infants, 249, 206, 82.

Conisboro’ Infants, mixed, 94, 56, 66.6.

Infants, 125, 107.4, 85.8.

Denaby, mixed, 332, 296, 89.1.

Infants, 155, 124.4, 80.

Total average per cent, 83.

The report was considered satisfactory under the conditions which prevail throughout the district, owing to the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries’ dispute.

Questions of Salary Increases

The Clerk read a letter from Mr. Farmery, caretaker at the schools, applying for an increase of salary.

He stated that he had been employed by the Board for a period of five years, and during that time he had endeavoured to do his duty to the satisfaction of everybody concerned.

The work that he had to do was of a very onerous character, and moreover, it took quite eleven hours each day to carry out his work.

Mr. Baker said he is always at work; he is either finishing or mending his nets.

In reply to a question the Clerk said the applicant’s present weekly salary was 24s.

Mr. Baker said he was rather tardy about advocating the increase of salaries, as you know, but still I would give the Devil his due.

Laughter.

The Chairman said this is not the first application he has made.

Mr. Robinson said I am not generally opposed to advancing salaries, but I think I am justified in doing so in the present instance.

If you refer to the time he was appointed it will be found that it was thought that a salary of 24s. per week would be ample sufficient.

It was stated that the position was one only equal to that of a labourer, and after some discussion it was decided to pay him the wages of labourers then current in the district, and he was accordingly paid at that rate, viz., 20s.

The question subsequently came before the Board, and after considerable discussion an advance of 4s. weekly was conceded, which brought up his wages to their present level.

My contention is this: his work at these schools does not occupy half of his time during the summer months, and therefore it would be interesting to know what his earnings really amount to, for it is well known that he has other sources of income.

Mr. Baker said I have never, so far as I am aware, visited these schools when I have not seen him at work.

Mr. Robinson said there is another point.

The caretaker seems to take it as a matter of right that the schools have his holiday in the same way as the teachers have theirs.

It is common knowledge that when the schools are closed for a month there is untold damage committed to school property.

On these occasions he is invariably absent.

Then, again, you have not taken into consideration the perquisites he receives when concerts are held at the schools.

I am told he does not forget to charge.

It is within my knowledge that numerous complaints have been received concerning the manner in which he charges.

Mr. Baker asked why did you not report the circumstance.

Mr. Robinson replied the matter has been before the Board.

Mr. Baker said oh, no, it has not.

Mr. Robinson said his attention had been called to Mr. Farmery’s doing other work, and he found him engaged in a stock yard.

Mr. Dickinson pointed out that Mr. Farmery was obliged to keep some of his children at home, whereas, under other circumstances, they would be in service.

That was one reason why he was favourable to the application.

Ultimately it was resolved that the applicant’s wage be increased to 26s. per week, and that he devote the whole of his time to the services of the Board.

It was also decided that the new mixed schools be opened on March 16th.

The application of the Clerk for an increase of salary next came under consideration.

The Chairman said the Clerk’s present salary is £36 10s. per annum.

I may say his duties have considerably increased since his appointment, and I think those duties will be still further increased when the schools are in full working order.

I move that the salary be increased to £50.

Mr. Baker asked when will the increase take place.

The Chairman replied from the first day of March.

There is no doubt that Mr. Allen is a very efficient servant of this Board, and it is, I believe, the unanimous wish of the Board that we should grant him such an increase as we think would be a reasonable acknowledgment of his fidelity.

Mr. Dickinson seconded the motion, which was unanimously adopted.

Mr. Baker enquired whether the clerk had received any communication from the West Riding County Council with respect to increase of salaries, and whether such communication, if received, suggested that such increase should not be considered until the West Riding County Council take over the administration of education.

The Clerk replied that no such communication had been received.

Mr. Baker asked will the clerk state when he received his first increase of salary.

The Clerk said on Oct. 12, 1901.

When I was first appointed I had £20 per annum, and on October 16th, 1901, the Board increased my salary to £36 10s.

After some further discussion, the Clerk said he was very much obliged to the Board for the increase they had granted him, and the more so because they were unanimous in acceding to his request.

He said ever since he received his appointment under that Board he had endeavoured to carry out his duties to the best of his ability, which he would continue to do so long as he retained his present position.

His application was not prompted by the knowledge of the immediate passing of the Education Bill.

Had he done so it would have been possible, when the new authority came into existence, they might have done away with his services, and he would certainly never have been tempted to do so in any such manner.

He made enquiries as to the salaries clerks employed under boards of similar proportions were receiving, and after giving the matter due consideration, he did not consider his application was an unreasonable one.

In conclusion, he said so long as he remained in his present position he would do all he possibly could in furtherance of the Board’s interests.