Mexborough & Swinton Times, February 14, 1936

Condolence Vote Criticised
Allegations of Hypocrisy
Employees Extra Pay
Member’s Strong Protests

There was a remarkable outburst at Conisbrough Urban Council on Wednesday against a resolution of sympathy with the Royal family, one member Mr J. T. E. Collins, remarking that there had been too much for hypocrisy about messages of condolence regarding the death of King George.

Mr RH. Shepard was moving a resolution of condolence with the Royal family, and expressing the loyalty to King Edward VIII, when Mr J. Leatherland shouted, what about Saklatvala?

Mr. J. C. Macfarlane said they should be thinking of those who had been killed in the Kilnhurst disaster.

The chairman agreed and added that they could include in the vote of condolence the men who have lost their lives at Kilnhurst.

Mr. J. T. E. Collins if you are going to codole with these, I hope you will also do so with Mrs Saklatvala and remember also that there are 240 men, or about that number, still in Gresford colliery.

The chairman said that Conisbrough Council had at all times be sympathetic, and had expressed that sympathy in other directions, contributing to the colliery disaster fund. It was agreed that all those mentioned be included in the message of sympathy and tribute, and the council then stood in silence for two minutes.

Cruel Sports.

The Clerk said he had received a communication from the National Society for the Abolition of cruel sports, in which he was requested to ask the council to prohibit hunting and coursing on land owned by the council, and that any restriction of wildlife be carried out under proper supervision.

It was pointed out that not only was considerable damage cause, but there was also strong feelings against the practice.

Mr G. Oldfield said “Does it mention anything about rats ? (laughter).

The Clerk said the letter was accompanied by a vivid description of a foxhunt, taken from a newspaper. Mr Webster offered full support to the request, and said if they as a Council were able to do anything to stop this unspeakable sport and to keep off their the so-called gentlemen who came round for foxhunting they should take that opportunity.

Mr J Leatherland, supporting Mr Webster’s view, mention particularly the damage caused. If I were to trespass like that I should be prosecuted he said

Mr Ben Roberts suggested that the council restrict their observations strictly to foxhunting.