Meeting of Parishioners – A Recommendation.

January 1892

Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 01 January 1892

A Recommendation.

On Christmas Eve a meeting of parishioners was held in the Conisborough Board school with respect to application being made for the borrowing of an additional loan of £500 for the purpose of providing a caretaker’s house for the burial ground and for the building of a boundary wall and making the necessary road and paths. The motion also stated that the question of consecration will be considered. There was much grumbling on account of the meeting being convened for Thursday night, and as for the matter of consecration, it was freely remarked in the village that it had all along been understood  the burial ground was not to be consecrated.

This provoked the following circular. Which was largely distributed:

“A wonderful Chriettrias box. To be given away, a plot of valuable land which coat the Parish of Conisborough several hundred pounds. It is proposed to consecrate a portion of the burial ground, which practically means a gift to the vicar, and unless ratepayers turn up and vote against misappropriation of parish property, it will be done.”

At seven o’clock, the time fixed for the chair to be taken, only half-a-dozen ratepayers were present and the suggestion was freely discussed of postponing the preceding until after the Christmas holidays. But the number present gradually became augmented, the parishioners, at great inconvenience, groping their way through the dense fog.

Amongst those present were Mr W.H. Chambers (manager of the Denaby Main Colliery), Messrs Boomer, Sharpe, Senior, Brocklesby, Clarkson, Smith, Earnshaw, Gillett, Holmes, Pagdin, Dearden, Baker etc.

It was proposed that Mr. Chamber should take the chair.

On the motion of Mr. Sharpe, the minutes of the previous meeting were read.—These had reference to the borrowing of £500 for work in connection with the burial ground.—Mr. Gillott moved, and Mr. Pagden seconded, that the £500 be borrowed.—One hand —that of Mr. Dearden–was raised against the motion.

The Chairman said that meeting was necessary in order to meet the requirements of the Lord of the Treasury by drawing up a more concise and formal resolution as to the loan of £500. The resolution to be passed that night would only have the same effect as the one part previously.

Mr. Smith : The Burial Board have borrowed sums of money at the rate of 3 ½% interest. Is it from a private party from a company? Can you tell me?

The Chairman: It had been borrowed from a public company; but I really forget the name. (A voice: “Preston and Company.”) It was a company that had lent large sums of money to a long list of corporation, Burial Board, school boards etc.

Mr Smith: Do you pay anything for procuring the loan independent of interest?

The Chairman: I am not aware that such is the case.

Mr Sharpe: May I ask, in the interests of the public, if you know of any objection to the board meetings being attended by the press. The ratepayers would like to know, from reports, what takes place. (Hear, hear.)

The Chairman: there seems to be a diversity of opinion as to the desirability of reported being admitted to the meeting. Some are in favour and some are not.

Mrs: I moved that this meeting requested chairman of the Burial Board to admit reporters to the meeting, so that we may know what path. (Hear, hear.)

Mr Dearden: I will second that.

Mr Clarkson: I will give a little explanation. I agitated it on the Board at the vestry meeting, and there was one gentleman who promised he would propose second that reporters be admitted he told me that privately; but when I got there I watched the scene propose it, but he didn’t. Then I said I would move a resolution that the Test be admitted to the meeting, and I did so at a full meeting of the Board, but I did not meet with a second. That is how the matter stands. I think the reason is this – that Mr Kilner objected and said reporters were admitted he would resign. No one seemed to think they would like to seconded because of that. I said I did not move the resolution with the wish that he should resign; but I thought it was my duty to the ratepayers and the parish to propose the resolution, and I think it is the best for all parties. “Here, here.”

The Chairman: As a member of the Board I can corroborate what Mr Clarkson says.

Mr Brocklesby: His eight in our power to submit a resolution of that kind to the Board?

The Chairman: I doubt it. The suggestion of Mr Sharpe will come before the Board; but I don’t think this meeting has any power to tell them to admit reporters into the room. There is no doubt that what you say you would like will have some significant; but I don’t think it is necessary to put such a resolution to the meeting.

Mr Brocklesby: If a resolution went from this meeting it might only tend to irritate some of the members, but if the wishes expressed that might answer the purpose and the Board might take the matter into consideration and would perhaps “Generously Yield,” what I believe is the wish of the parish. I should be very glad if the Press were admitted.

Mr Sharpe (to the chairman): You have power as to admit or to refuse a resolution of this kind, notice not having been given. And I presume that, even though this meeting express an opinion unanimously for the admission of reporters, it will still be at the option of the Board, whether they admit them or not. (A voice: “that’s a.”) I am rather surprised to bear an expression of opinion like that for Mr Kilner. He must have very good reason sorry. I cannot believe that Mr Kilner, in his public capacity, especially when he has fought so gallantly in this position as way warden – will be opposed to this principle of public matters been reported, and, if you will admit the resolution I moved that we ask the Board to admit reporters their meeting. (Hear, hear.)

The Chairman: if you would excuse me Mr Sharpe, I would rather not put that to the meeting as it seems to be altogether extraneous for the purpose for which we are met tonight. An expression of opinion mate will have just the same effect and perhaps more so than the resolution.

Mr Sharpe: Very well; there it drops.

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