Conisborough Urban Council – Street Hawkers – Mr H.C.Harrison’s Seat Declared Vacant

March 1926

Mexborough and Swinton Times March 12, 1926

Conisborough Urban Council
Mr H.C.Harrison’s Seat Declared Vacant
Protest and Appeal Against Party Decision
Street Hawkers Denaby Traders Petition

A meeting of the Conisborough Urban District Council was held on Wednesday evening, Mr J Shelton presiding.

“Interlopers.”

The Clerk (Mr Spencer Baker) read a letter from a number of Denaby Main tradesman protest against the growing practice of hawking in the street, which was unfair to the tradesmen. If the traders were to meet the demands made upon them in the form of rates, the Council should take steps to prevent these “interlopers” coming into the district.

Mr W.L. Worsley said the hawkers disturbed workmen who had to sleep by day.

Mr A Roberts said there were members of the Council who believed in competition, but there was a stage when competition became ridiculous. In the first place the consumer did not get quality or quantity. The Council had a right to look after the community. They would eventually be discussing the question of rates, and as a Council it was their duty to protect ratepayers. Were they doing justice to the people who paid rates in allowing hawkers to come into the district? The shouting of hawkers was a great nuisance to men were trying to get rest before going to work. He moved that the necessary steps be taken to prevent hawkers coming into the district.

Mr Worsley seconded.

The Clerk said the only thing they could do would be to pass a bylaw with the approval of the Ministry of Health.

Mr T.J.Gregory said he was surprised to hear these complaints. It was a good job there were hawkers in the district, for if there were not, they would have to pay more for their goods.

Mr J Brocklesby said he was surprised the complaints had come forward. Street trading chiefly took place on pay day.

Mrs Kay said that one of the complainants was a hawker himself some years ago.

Mr J Maxfield asked who made more noise than the boys selling sporting papers at 6 o’clock every morning? He moved that they proceed with the next business.

Mr Brocklesby seconded, and it was carried.

Superannuation Scheme

It was decided to support the nominations Mr J Garbett of Hemsworth and Mr A Roberts, of Conisborough, as members of the West Riding Local Authority Joint Superannuation scheme.

Recommended for Magistrate

Mr J Brown sought said they were drawing to the clause of another year, and they are found that the services of the Chairman are been invaluable at Denaby Main, where, as a magistrate, you been able to render great service to those in the district. He moved that they recommend the Chairman for appointment as a permanent Justice of the Peace.

Mr W.B.Wells vice-chairman, said he would be delighted to see Mr Shelton made a magistrate. The resolution was carried unanimously.

Mr H.C.Harrison’s Seat Declared Vacant

In answer to Mr Worsley, the clerk said the last meeting of the Council at which Mr H.C.Harrison was present was in June.

Mr Worsley said as he was a representative of the North Ward several people there had asked him what the position was with regard to the seat held by Mr Harrison.

Mr Brocklesby said it was desirable that every member should attend meeting as often as possible, and he thought it was because of Mr Harrison’s numerous and important duties that he had been prevented attending meetings. He moved that they draw his attention to the fact, and expressed the hope that he would be able to attend more regularly.

Mr Roberts: What is the legal position?

The Clerk said that when a member are been absent continuously for a period of six months the sea did not automatically become vacant, but the Council were in a position to declare the seat vacant by resolution.

Mr Roberts said he had always appreciated Mr Harrison services; he was a gentleman in the broadest sense of the word. As a Council they had a duty to perform. When Mr Harrison was appointed chairman of the Housing and Town Planning Committee, he (Mr Robert) was defeated by one vote. He did not mind that, but when they realise that after being elected Mr Alison had only attended one, it could not truthfully be said he was active in the interests of the ratepayers. He believed Mr Harrison gave of his best when he attended, but they ought not to let Mr Harrison’s position outweigh their duty. He was making no charge, but he was wondering whether there would be as lenient as it was suggested they should be in this case if the question arose with regard to another member. If there was any reason for his absence, Mr Alison should have sent it at each meeting; it was certainly not the Council’s job to ask for a reason at this late hour. If the Council desire to ask Mr Alison’s reason the could do so, but he (Mr Roberts) was prepared to accept the literal interpretation of the Act.

Mr Brocklesby said Mr Roberts said Mr Alison was a gentleman; then they should treat him as such.

Mr Worsley moved that the seat now occupied by Mr Harrison be declared vacant.

Mr Brownsword seconded.

Mr Brocklesby said it would be unusual and not a nice thing to do. If they saw Mr Alison, they will find him surprised that he had not attended more frequently. It seemed hard to shop the door in his face. He thought they ought to approach him. They would find he had a perfectly satisfactory answer stop

The matter was voted upon, and by six votes to 4 the amendment was carried and the seat declared vacant.

Mrs Kaye’s Appeal

The Clerk said the council was now going to be put to a very considerable expense for a by-election.

Mr Brocklesby said he felt so strongly on the matter that he was going to ask for a record of the voting.

Mrs Kay said as the only woman present, she asked her colleague, for the sake of courtesy, to give Mr Harrison a chance stop she had not voted for her party on the issue, and, of course, she would not vote against them. It would be no reflection on the part is they did reconsider the matter. They could not be charged with having done anything unfair.

Mr Maxwell said knowing what he did about the difficulties in the coal trade at present, he had overlooked Mr Harrison absences. He thought they were committing a great injustice to a busy man declaring his seat vacant stop

Mr Roberts said the difficulties of the coal industry were much more disturbing to themselves than to Mr Alison. They would be disturbing to the general manager of such an important concern as the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries, he was prepared to admit, and Mr Alison had done his best to avoid trouble. There never made any secret of the fact that they were there as a party, acting upon the instruction of that party. Whatever their individual opinions, they were carrying out their instruction. They had always voted upon questions of principle and policy as members of a party, and the same rule apply to the present case.

Mr Brocklesby said the reason he demanded a record of the voted was that he desired his position to be made quite clear. They had taken what he considered to be a wrong course, and he thought it was disgraceful to treat a man as they had done without giving him an opportunity of explaining the position.

The request for a record of voting was defeated by a majority of 64. Mrs Kaye again remained neutral.