Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 01 March 1913
Mr. Ogley’s Candidature
Well-attended Meeting at Conisboro’
A well attended meeting in support of the candidature of Mr. F. Ogley, the Conservative candidate for the Conisboro’ and Denaby Division, was held at the Church Hall, Conisboro’, on Thursday evening. Mr. W. W. Norwood, of Conisboro’, presiding.
The Chairman, in introducing the candidate, said Mr. Ogley was born and bred in the village, and if elected a member of the Council would study their interests. The Chairman had no fault to find with the retiring candidate, whom they supported at the elections three years ago. He had done his duty. The West Riding County Council, proceeded the Chairman, was a huge spending body, and were second to the House of Commons. They had no care, he contended, for the creation of a County Council, because whatever work had been put into their hands was carried out quite as well previously by the local bodies. The County Council was the most extravagant body that was ever called into play, and he had never yet seen the justification for its existence.
The education question, he observed, was a great thing, but the County Council only interfered with local bodies in its administration. They were merely like “mugs” working under the Wakefield authority. He appealed to the audience to support Mr. Frank Ogley. (Applause.)
The candidate mentioned that he was not new to public affairs, having served on the District Council, Parish Council, and Education Committee. He had no axe to grind here, because he had to act or cease to serve — he was contesting the division on independent lines. (Hear, hear.)
Speaking of County Council affairs, he said the County Council was vast spending authority. He was a firm believer in education with economy. The question of urban powers for the division had been mentioned to him, and he thought it was the greatest question, judging by outside opinions, and would no doubt benefit afterwards. The population of Conisboro’ and Denaby was over 15,000, the gross rateable value of Conisboro’ was £56,418, and Denaby £27,000. Denaby and Conisboro’ were the largest parishes, he believed, in England that were governed by a Parish Council, and if there were urban powers arranged for the division he was quite in favour of it. (Applause.)
If given an opportunity of explaining, he would do so to the best of his ability, and if he did not then be advised the electors to turn him out. (Loud applause.)
The Elective of Thrybergh
The Rev. Bower also addressed the meeting. “What made him particularly interested in county matters,” he said, “was the educational question. He had been more or less brought up from a child in an educational atmosphere. It would be false economy, he declared, to retard educational development in any way whatever. He thought the men on the enormous amount of waste in the educational policy of the West Riding County Council during recent years. A great amount could be saved by care; not pinching economy, without the efficiency being impaired in any way.”
In conclusion the speaker pleaded for support for Mr. Ogley, whom he described as suitable for the County Council. (Loud applause.)
A resolution of confidence in Mr. Ogley was passed by a large majority.