Mexborough & Swinton Times May 11
Food Control Red Tape
Unrest at Conisboro´
Councillors Condemn Committee´s Impotence
A Few Words About Heroes
Several members of Conisborough Urban Council complained at Wednesday´s meeting of the Council of the futility of sitting on the Food Control Committee. One member described it as the “most glorious example of red tape” he had ever witnessed.
“A Wash-Out”
Coun. D. Sheldon said the Committee was a wash-out. They had had a sheet of foolscap before them that evening in which it was stated that the Committee had no power to enforce the provisions of the Act as it had nothing to do with profiteering in foods.
The Clerk (Mr Spencer Baker) said that word should have read “goods”.
Coun. Kelsall said it had not been at all definite what the word should be. It had not been corrected in the minute.
Coun. R. H. Shephard said he was of opinion that the Committee was functioning in name only. It was about time they “packed up”. Everything had to be done by the Regional Officer in Leeds: he should come down there and do the work.
Coun. Gomersall said it was the most glorious example of red tape he had ever witnessed.
The discussion closed.
A Narvik Hero
Coun. A. Wellings asked if anything was to be done with regard to the district´s Narvik hero, John Burton of Melton View, Denaby.
Coun. Gregory said he had congratulated him, and had told him the Council would like to have him down to see them to congratulate him publicly, but he had discovered since that he had been ill in bed.
Coun. Sheldon said the war was not over yet. There would be a great number of heroes in the district, and if they were going to create a precedent things might, in the end, become unbearable. They might find their greatest hero at the end of the war, when all the enthusiasm had died down, he might be left in the lurch.
It was decided to record their appreciation of Burton in the Council´s minutes.
Librarianship
Coun. G. Oldfield drew attention to a minute of the Library Committee who, he said, had met to consider the appointment of a new librarian at Denaby to succeed Mr. S. C. Urch.
It was mentioned that Mr. Urch was die to retire, and that his appointment had been extended on three occasions. The West Riding County Council approved a recommendation that Mrs. Smith be appointed to succeed him. Mr. Urch had expressed a wish to carry on, and it was for the Council to confirm the recommendation. It was also mentioned by the Clerk that Mr. Urch had done his job “supremely well”.
Coun. Oldfield moved acceptance of the recommendation and Coun. A. M. Carlin seconded.
Coun. Roberts asked if the librarian at the Conisborough end had been considered and it was stated that it would be impossible for him to look after both ends.
Coun. J. Humphreys said he could not understand why the County rejected married women teachers but approved married women librarians.
Coun. Gomersall pointed out that there was no comparison between the two jobs, because one was regarded as a side line, or a spare time job.
Coun. Wellings asked if the job could not be given to some ex-Service man who had, perhaps, lost a limb and was incapacitated.
Coun. Oldfield said a trained librarian was needed.
The minutes were confirmed.
In reply to a letter from the Council urging that soldiers be allowed to travel at reduced rates on public service vehicles, the Clerk read a reply which stated that the question had been under consideration by the Ministry of Transport, and at present no general fare concession was envisaged. Steps were being taken to ensure that where workmen´s tickets were issued N.C.O.´s and men could have them, no matter what time of the day they travelled.
In reply to a letter to the I.N.E.R. regarding Kilner´s Bridge, the railway company wrote stating that instructions were being given for the parapet of which the Council complained to be raised to five feet above road levels.
Items.
A seat is to be provided at the top of Kearsley Lane.
A request by St. Alban´s School for a plot of ground to be cultivated by the scholars will be granted if possible. It was mentioned on Wednesday that the question was being investigated.
At a meeting of the Allotments and Pleasure Grounds Committee, the Clerk read a letter from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, urging local authorities to make further efforts to induce people to take up allotments. It was recommended that in view of the efforts already made in this direction, no further action be taken. The minute was confirmed on Wednesday, when the Chairman (Coun. A Wellings), said no one seemed to be really interested, no one seemed to bother about digging for victory.
At a meeting of the Finance Committee (which preceded the Council meeting), the Clerk read a letter from the Divisional Secretary of the National Association of Local Government Officers, with relates to the salaries of officers, and adjustments due to the increased cost of living, and asking the Council, as a constituent member of the Yorkshire Joint Council for Local Authorities Administrative Technical and Clerical Services to accept the recommendation of that Council, which was that a 6 per cent bonus on salaries up to £300, and 3per cent. On the next £200 of salary in the case of persons earning over £300 be granted. It was recommended that the matter be deferred until the next meeting of the Committee. This was confirmed.