Mexborough & Swinton Times, November 20th, 1891
Conisborough Co-Operative Society.
Annual Tea and Meeting.
The annual tea in connection with the above society was held in the Cooperative Hall, Conisborough, on Monday evening, about 200 sitting down. The president of the society is Mr. Wightman (Doncaster), and the secretary Mr. Jas. Wood. According to the financial statement for the past year the society is in a very flourishing condition, and the amount of manty which they are expending in building purposes shows that the society’s finances are in an excellent fettle. The hall, in which the tea and meeting took place, is a newly-erected stone building, capable of seating about 300 people, and underneath the stores are situated, where the members of the society do their “shopping.”
At one end of the room a platform had been erected, at the back of which were hung curtains, relieved with Japanese fans, etc., whilst in front of the platform were placed pots of choice chrysanthemums. Round the room were various mottos, setting forth the advantages of co-operation, such as:
“The meaning of co-operation is help,” and
“Why co-operators are healthy, wealthy, and wise, etc.
The tables were presided over by lady members of the society.
The chair at the meeting was taken by Mr. Wightman, and in commencing the proceedings, he said he was always pleased to come to Conisborough, and he was also glad to see the good attendance there was at their annual tea and meeting. All of them, he noticed, had good appetites, and he was sure they had been well satisfied, for the contractor had done his work well, and had taken good care that everyone had had enough. (Laughter.)
After a song or two had been given the Chairman said he should like to call their attention to the benefits of co-operation for a titan while. There had been a steady growth of co-operation in the whole of the United Kingdom, with the exception of Ireland, and he had no doubt they would soon begin to see its benefits is that country. The number of societies in existence at present were no less than 1,544, and they were all doing what they were established for, viz., better-tog the conditions of the working classes. Then had been a considerable gain on previous years during the past 13 months, for co-operation had taken a firm hold on the minds of the people. They perceived the benefits that were to be derived from it. The savings in the co-operative saving banks had attained an amount amazing. The profits during the past year had reached the sum of £4,170,038, which must have improved the condition of the people of the country. More work-people still ought to join it. They had it in their reach, and would then be able to have more for their money, as well as a return in the shape of dividend. To come to their own society there had been a trading of £85,877 during the past year, showing an increase upon the preceding year of £10,278. That spoke well for the welfare of the society. He thought he heard someone say the dividend had not increased. In Conisborough alone the profit had increased to the extent of £263 10s.11d. He hoped next year to have a better report from Conisborough. More people were going to live there, and it altogether gave promise of being a large town in time, so that they ought to have a better trading. They were working on steady lines. They had a new manager just come amongst them, and he would introduce him in the course of the evening. The committee were well satisfied with Conisborough in every respect. With regard to the building operations, he might tell them the society had completed those at Hexthorpe, and hoped soon to have those in progress at Conisborough finished. The builders said they had not very much to do now, so that the co-operators would not then have far to go to get to the store. As far as it was possible the houses, when finished, would be let to the members. He was sorry to take up so much of their time, but it was of no use calling a meeting like this unless they told them what they were doing. (Cheers.)
Mr. Power said he had been called upon to perform a very pleasant duty. He had to propose a vote of thanks to the ladies for presiding at the tables. He believed they had performed their duties very well. Since they had last met the business had increased wonderfully. All these societies, he must remind them, were affiliated to the Manchester society, so that they were all getting their goods from the same market, and at the same rates. He was very pleased to read in the newspaper the other day the remarks of a rev. gentleman of Batley on co-operation. He said co-operation had done more for the amelioration of the condition of the working people during the last ten years than anything he knew, with the exception at temperance. It had enabled thousands to feel independent, and had been the means of reducing taxation. The poor rate in their own county had been influenced by its spread, and its beneficial effects had been felt in Conisborough. Co-operation would help to join the parties of capital and labour. After referring to the decorations of the platform, the speaker said he had much pleasure in moving the rote of thanks.
Mr. Green seconded, after which votes of thanks to the singers were proposed by Mr. Smith, and seconded by Mr. Bamforth, the last-named gentleman being introduced as the newly-appointed manager. He said he had been a buyer for the society, but had now become a manager. He had great pleasure in serving them, and would always do his best to please them in every way.
Mr. Haley, in a humorous speech, moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, which was seconded by Mr. Senior, and the Chairman, returning thanks, the meeting came to a close after some more singing.
The following was the musical programme:
Pianoforte solo, Mr. Clarke; song, “Ah! well-a-day,” Miss Pillin; cornet solo, “The lost chord,” Mr. Ripon; song,” True till death,” Mr. Pacey; song,” McCarthy’s widow,” Mr. Tomlinson (encored), song “The old maids of Lee.” Miss Pearce; song, “Ever constant.” Miss Pillin; cornet silo, “The better land,” Mr. Ripon.