Mexborough and Swinton Times April 23, 1886
Parish Meeting at Conisborough
Meeting that was Adjourned
An adjourned parish meeting was held in the board School, Conisborough, on Friday evening last. In contrast with the noisy proceeding of the previous meeting, the conduct of business on the present occasion was remarkably orderly and quiet. There was a very good attendance
On the motion Mr Colley, seconded by Mr Kilner, Mr J Blyth was elected to the chair, and, on opening the meeting, he said he that the business that night would be conducted in a business like manner, and to that end every person intending to speak stand-up, and he hoped that no one would interrupt.
The first business for the proposed making of a new footpath from the Station Inn to New Conisborough. Mr Kilner would deal with the question, and, as for himself, he was convinced that such a step was very necessary, for the number of persons went all that ground in 24 hours was something extraordinary. (Applause)
Mr Kilner said before making any proposition, he wished to make a retrospective view of the footpaths throughout the village. In the first place he would take High Street, one of the most important streets in Conisbrough. In that street there were three professional and two independent gentleman, and a large drapery and gross establishment. Now that street was paved with bricks, and, although bricks were very well on their way, they were made to build and not to pave with.
Then the footpath to the lime kilns, Church Street and Post office street; where they fit for a village like Conisbrough?
Now, he advocated, making the church as a centre, and making footpaths through every street in the village, so that people could get dry shod to worship. (Applause)
With regard to the expense, to make footpaths in the way you describe will perhaps come to something like £1000. Of course, it will not do to spend £1000 out of the rates at once, but they could borrow that money. They could go before the highway board at Doncaster, and asked their sanction to do it, and then the board would doubtless borrow the money, and the parish will have to pay back by instalments of principal and interest. That would be the easiest way of doing it, but at the same time he did not think he should have enough supporters to that scheme.
Then the second scheme was to pave the streets at the bottom, round by Mr Birbeck’s two New Conisborough. That will cost £500, and it was very necessary that a footpath should be made along that way.
The third scheme was the making of a footpath from Station Inn to New Conisborough, and the crossing from the entrance of the glassworks. (Applause). The reasons that he gave was that the firm to which he belonged were large rateplayers and employed a number of work people would use the footpath; he spoke on behalf of the work people and the miners of Denaby Main, those men walked to and fro from Conisbrough to their work; on behalf of the women who went to the market or to the station; on behalf of the children took meals and add other business along the road; and on behalf of the 1662 people who used the road on the 3 April and the 1686 who used it on 5 April. (Applause)
the last scheme would mean a rate of 7 ½d cottage property and 2d online. That is what it will cost. The footpath he proposed would be composed of broad curb stone, Phil within 3 inches of the top with ashes and other glassworks refuges; that consolidated would make a footpath that will set like granite. He would propose the first scheme; if that fell through, he would propose the second; if that fell through the third. He had a doubt in his mind whether it would be competent for the meeting to deal with the first and second points, because it had not been called for that purpose, so you will content himself with proposing the third.
Mr Short said there were plenty of pass in Conisbrough which ought to be done quite as well as up from the Station Inn to Denaby.
The Chairman remarked that it might be so, but the meeting had not been called for the consideration of other footpaths.
Mr W.H.Chambers (manager of the Denaby Main colliery) seconded Mr Kilner’s proposition. He had frequently travelled along the road, and had often remarked upon its awful condition, and he seconded the proposition of the behalf of the miners working at Denaby, who traversed the road. It was almost impossible for people to walk backwards and forwards from the station to Denaby during six months of the year. He had been informed that formerly there was a footpath on the top of the side of the road, but that it had been worn into disuse for want of proper repair. He saw a letter the other day which was addressed to the Surveyor of Highways by the Railway free, and he would like to ask the Waywarden had received it. The company remarked in the letter that they had reason to complain of the state of the roads in Conisbrough and Denaby parish. Complaints have been made three years, and he thought it was high time that the matter received attention (hear, hear and applause)
Mr Barron said he would like to ask you previously if there had been a footpath from Conisbrough to Denaby and whether it was not the duty of the way one is to keep that pathway in repair?
Mr Crawshaw believes that such a footpath did exist before the Highway Board came into existence, it was the duty of the ball you pick repair. The board, he believed was constituted in 1864, 22 years ago. He had travelled over the road in the old coaching days, but he never saw footpath or anything in the shape of footpath before 1864.
Mr Kilner said he had known the road for 22 years, but he had not seen any footpath.
The Chairman said that the road had been diverted into places, and they left ground for a footpath, but it had never been made. That was 38 years ago, when the railway was made.
Mr Wilson moved as an amendment Mr Kilner’s proposition, “That all the streets and footpaths in the village be looked at and reported on before any money was spent.”
Mr T Shutt seconded.
Mr Wilson moved that the meeting be adjourned to such time as the chairman might think fit
the Chairman explained that the meeting because of a definite object and the business ought to be settled one way or the other.
Mr Kilner: we ought either to reject or accept the proposition. (Applause)
Mr Nicholson a great pleasure in supporting the proposition. They might settle the question of the other past at another time. The Denaby road have been in a dreadful state was really in need of a footpath. He thought it would be advisable to have a footpath. Mr Whitfield asked, if the improvement was sanction, Alan the money was to be paid?
The Chairman remarked that Mr Kilner said that they should borrow the money and pay back by instalments.
Mr Whitfield: From what source? (A Voice: “it will rain it down; we shall be sure to find some fine morning.” Laughter)
Mr Whitfield: I think it is desirable that this meeting should know how this money is to be paid.
The Chairman: Perhaps you would like to know what the interest rate will be.
Mr Whitfield: Is it going to be levied as a highway rate, or a special rate?
The Chairman: The highway rate.