Mexborough and Swinton Times April 2, 1926
Conisborough Urban.
No Surprise: One New Councillor.
One of the most uninterested elections ever experienced in Conisborough came to an end with the announcing of the results to a small crowd assembled outside the Church Hall at 8.50 on Saturday night. Perhaps the fact that there were only three wards to count was overlooked by some residents, as many rolled up too late for the declaration. The count was very expeditious, and Mr Spencer Baker and his staff did well. The normally quiet period had proceeded the actual day of polling. And many persons, even on the day of election, were in a bit of a fog to which where their candidates, so little interest have been taken. Not a single meeting was held, and those who looked for 11 hours propaganda were disappointed. There was nothing additional to the election addresses, and many not receive these until polling day.
Looking through the figures from 1922, it will be found that this was the lightest poll recorded in the East Ward, the number voting being 445 and there was no spoil papers.
From 1922 to 1925 the totals have been 522, 525, 504, and 484 respectively.
In the North Ward 598 papers were issued, and two of these were spoiled. Last year, when there were five candidates for two seats, 787 electors went to vote. In 1924 Mr T. Gregory had a walkover. Whilst in 1923 there were 647 voted and 597 in 1923.
The South Ward poll, too, was lighter than usual, 596 papers being issued, three spoiled. From 1921 to 1925 the figures have been 665, 679, 638 and 612 respectively. It was in this Ward that Mr J. Drabble had record majority of 371 over Mr P. Bonsall, the Labour nominee.
The first Ward to be counted was the East, for the polling station was also the returning office. This was the Ward which proved most troublesome to the prophets, for there was no retiring member, and it was difficult to judge the strength of the candidates. When the papers had been checked and the presiding officers figures verified, the papers were sorted into heaps for the candidates, and then it appeared that Mr Gillot’s pile was slightly the larger. Subsequent counting verified the conjecture and Mr Gillot was found to have a majority of 81. Mr Linstead, who has contested this ward at their last three elections, increased his poll by six.
The South Ward came next, and from the beginning it was apparent that the retiring member would romp home.
The North Ward at first threatened to create a surprise, but it was not long before it was very evident that there would be no change. Here Mr Worsley had 342 votes against 333 last year, when he was 2nd to Mr H. C. Harrison’s 467. Mr Wray increased his last year’s figures from 219 to 254. The returning officer announced the results has follows:
North Ward.
- L. Worsley (Lab) 342
- H. Wray (Ind) 254
Majority 88
South Ward.
- Drabble (Ratepayers) 482
- Bonsall (Lab) 111
Majority 371
East Ward.
- W. Gillot (Ratepayers) 263
- Linstead (Lab) 182
Majority 81
In the West and Denaby wards there was no contest, Miss E. Kaye and Mr H. Brownsword, both Labour, being returned unopposed.
After the announcement inside the hall, Mr J. Drabble proposed the vote of thanks to the returning officer, and this was seconded by Mr W. L. Worsley, who commented on the “quickest count he had known.”
Mr Spencer Baker thanked the movers for the compliment and passed it on to the staff, who did their “donkey work.” He could sympathise with the defeated candidates, for he had been in a similar position himself.
The figures having been announced outside the hall, Mr Drabble stated that he was proud to have been re-elected. He had tried his best to serve in the past three years, and would continue along similar lines in the future.
Mr W. L. Worsley thanked the North Ward electors and said he would endeavour to serve again to the best of his abilities the interests of all concerned. He had a good record as a campaigner, having come successfully through three elections in five years. He claimed that he had worked well for the North Ward, and would serve well the interests of all the ratepayers.
Mr H. W. Gillott thanked the Ward for electing him. He was not 1 inch taller nor 1 pound heavier than before the account. Not one item of his address would he go back upon, and he would endeavour to serve faithfully the interests of all. He congratulated Mr Linstead on the campaign, and said that if Mr Linstead could not be called Councillor he had proven a gentleman. It was a 50% poll.