Conisborough Parish Council

Chairman’s views on the Rural District Council

The usual monthly meeting was held on Wednesday night, Mr S Whitfield presiding. Members present: Messrs Senior, Jones, Taylor, Booth, Norwood, Gillott, Milner, Ogley, Holmes, Robinson and Marsh.

Messrs Merryweather Again

After reading of the minutes the clerk intimated that he had some further correspondence with Messrs Merryweather on the subject of the fire engine.

The Chairman: Oh, put it on the fire, burn it, I have had enough of Merryweather. (Laughter, and hear, hear)

Gas Lighting Requirements

The Clerk read a letter from the clerk of the Doncaster Rural District Council intimating that the Sanitary Committee agreed to recommend that the request of the Council re-additional lamps be complied with.

The Chairman: How does that come about. It was only the other Saturday that they refused to comply with the request. Mr Crawshaw and myself had a rare row about it, and they were all refused except the two at Denaby and the one at Burcroft.

It was afterwards decided, on the motion Mr Ogley and Mr Milner that when increasing the lighting of Conisborough, the District Council should be asked to place three lamps at Chapel Lane and one at Clifton.

It was decided that the District Council’s attention be called to the fact that eight lamps in New Conisborough and three lamps on the road leading to Messrs Kilner’s glass works, which are on private property, had been lighted at the public cost.

The Water Scheme

A letter was read from the Doncaster Rural District Council, stating that they had appointed Mr George White, C.E. of Mexborough, to prepare a scheme for the supply of Conisborough with water.

Subsequently the matter was discussed at some length.

Mr Holmes asked if the Council would be permitted to confer with Mr White as to the scheme.

The Chairman: That’s just fine. I got my head into the crocodile’s jaws last time I mentioned it. They told me that we have nothing to do with it. He pointed out that the District Council could delegate its powers to the Parish Council, but they contended that they did not possess the power. He knew they had.

Mr Senior: They have the power. Suppose the clerk wrote and called their attention to the clause in the Act.

The Chairman: That’s it, badger them with a letter, and tell them they know nowt about it. (Laughter)

Mr Holmes asked if the Council would be committed to everything that Mr White might do.

The Chairman: That is just the danger.

Mr Booth’s: How would it do to write and asked them to delegate their powers to us.

The Chairman: That would be the way to do it. I’ll tell you what it is, I am about sick of the District Council. I’ll tell you what they are; they are the rakings of all the idiots in the division. (“Order,” and loud laughter.)

Mr Holmes: You might have used a milder term, Mr Chairman

Mr Chairman: That’s what they are; they are nothing else; they are just about a dozen of them. (Renewed laughter)

Mr Holmes: If that goes before the public, what will they think of us?

The Chairman: It can go before the public; they daren’t do their business in public.

It was then resolved that the Clerk write to District Council asking them to confirm their powers upon the Parish Council.

Mr Senior move that application be made to the Post Office to erect a pillar box in New Conisborough, and this was agreed to, the site suggested being near the new pawnbroker’s shop.

Mr Jones handed over the keys of the Fire Engine house, and it was resolved that the engine and house now be under the control of the captain, Mr Saville.

Mr Saville objected strongly to the way in which he had been treated. He had been kept out of the engine house without authority, and he also complained of insinuations made by Messrs Rose and Co that someone had tampered with engine.