Conisborough Parish Council – Mr Baker Elected Chairman

April 1907

Mexborough and Swinton Times April 20, 1907

Conisborough Parish Council

Mr. H. Baker Elected Chairman
Early Differences Arise
Mr. Norwood Indignant

There was about 50 enthusiastic ratepayers of Conisborough present at the Annual Meeting of the above Council, which was held on Wednesday evening, in the Station Road Infants School. Mr. J. Brocklesby, J. P., occupied the chair. The members present were Messrs Smethurst, W. W. Norwood, H. Baker, R. Clarkson, G. Kilner, W. Appleyard, J. Greathead, E. Brooke, J. Hurst, H. Urch, A. Hume, C. Keyes, with the clerk, Mr. J. Hawksworth

Acceptance of Office

Each member sign the declaration of acceptance of the office, with the exception of Mr Moody, who was unable to attend owing to illness.

The Hope.

Mr. Brocklesby said he was there, as the retiring chairman, to set them going on their journey, which he sincerely hoped would be a prosperous one.

Election of Chairman.

Mr. J. Kilner proposed that Mr Norwood occupy the chair for the ensuing year, and Mr Greathead seconded. Mr Keyes, in proposing Mr H. Baker, said that he had headed the poll by a large majority, and it was only fair to the ratepayers of the parish that he should have the honour of being at the head of affairs. Mr Brooke seconded.

On being put under the meeting Messrs. Keys, Hume, Urch, and Brooke (5) voted for Mr Baker; for Mr Norwood, Messrs Smethurst, Greathead, Appleyard, and Kilner (4). Mr. R. Clarkson remained neutral.

A resolution in favour of Mr H. Baker was then put again, and the vote was as before. Mr Brocklesby vacated the chair in favour of Mr Baker, and took his seat with the spectators.

Mr  Baker, taking the chair, thank the members for their confidence. He was very pleased to have the honour, but he was sorry the vote had not been unanimous. He could not understand why it had not been so, unless there was a feeling abroad that ought not to exist. He sincerely hoped that those feelings would be buried. No more antagonism would be seen. (Here, here.) They were there on behalf of the ratepayers, and the ratepayers should be there first consideration.

He pointed out that he was in quite a different position now to what he was 23 years ago. At that time he came into Conisborough in debt, for some hundreds of pounds, but at the present time he did not owe a farthing; in fact, he could lend, if needs be. Referring to the gentleman round the table, he said many things had been said about the Labour men, but he was pleased to see they had a good representation of that body; manufacturers were also represented, as was the farming class. They had a member to represent Clifton, which had not happened in the past.

He had helped Mr Appleyard to get in at the election, and why had he voted against his (Mr. Baker) nomination for the chairmanship he did not know. Anyhow, Mr Appleyard had pleased himself.

No Vice-Chairman.

Mr Baker said with regard to the vice chairmanship, it was not really necessary to appoint one that night; they could, when necessary, appoint a member round the table. Mr Clarkson, however, moved that Mr Norwood occupy the vice chair. – Mr Norwood declined to stand, and the matter was leftover.