Conisborough Ratepayers Association – New President – The “Water Cress” Stall

February 1926

Mexborough and Swinton Times February 26, 1926

Conisborough Ratepayers Association
New President
The “Water Cress” Stall

At the Fox Hotel, Conisborough, on Tuesday, Councillor J.Drabble presided in the absence of Councillor J Brocklesby, over the adjourned annual meeting of the Conisborough Ratepayers Association.

Most of the time at the earlier meeting was occupied the discussion the council’s action in purchasing a new car for the Surveyor.

Mr E.J. Degenhart said he desired to resign. The Association had lost 40 members who had not heard the explanation of the “Surveyors rise,” but this loss had been made good. This week he had seen 35 members and not one would guarantee a further subscriptions owing to the action of the car.

Mr F Wheatley said that apart from the car, apart from salary, and even if they belonged to a watercress stall, let them see that they had the gumption to carry on in their tin-pot way. If anything else came along then would be the time. This was number two dose, and it was said that the third time paid for all.

“Let them see that we can give change at a watercress stall,” he concluded.

Mr Degenhart was elected secretary, and he stated that he would carry on until another could be found. The meeting and decided that the position, which had been honorary, should be remunerated at £5 per annum.

Councillor J Drabble was the only person proposed as President, and he takes the place of Councillor J Brocklesby has held for so many years

Councillor Irad Webster was re-elected vice president, and Mr T Morgan was also elected vice president. Councillor J Maxfield, who stated at the last meeting that he should resign from the office of treasurer and also from the Council,: now carried out the first of his expressed intention, and Mr O Turnbull was elected treasurer. The committee was re-elected.

It was announced that Mr H Hulley will contest the West Ward, Mr T Morgan the North Ward, and Mr W Still the Denaby Ward at the Urban Council election. The retiring members are Labour men.

Mr H Gillott referred to Council Roberts remarks about protecting the Surveyor from insidious attacks. He said that the Surveyor had got his position by grit and determination and no one had ever thrown stones at him, therefore Mr Roberts appeal looked like the last cry of a defeated general trying to rally his forces.

Mr F Wheatley deplored the fact that no cancers are replied at the last council meeting to Council Roberts speech. Freddie Wheatley’s watercress stall had wakened up, and he would know it in a fortnight.

In the end an appeal was made to the members to “pull together.”