Mexborough and Swinton Times April 19, 1895
The Consecration Question at Conisborough
A poll took place on Tuesday on the question of spending £300 for the proposed extension of the cemetery chapel, with the wishes of the Archbishop, one declared that unless provision was thus made for the Church people in the parish he will not perform the consecration ceremony.
It may be remembered that the Parish Council decided by the majority of one, to have the Archbishop wishes carried out, but the minority determined to ascertain the views of the ratepayers on the matter.
This has reversed the decision of the Council, as was officially announced by Mr Whitfield shortly after 9 o’clock on Tuesday night:
Against the proposed expenditure 303, for 214; majority against 89.
The hours of falling were from 8 AM to 8 PM, and there was a polling booth the Board School Conisborough and one in the Rossington Street School Denaby Main. The Denaby Main Colliery was not working on Tuesday, and this enabled many of the miners to vote early in the day.
There was a comparatively light poll and only four spoiled papers were found.
After the declaration of the poll, Mr C Holmes proposed the vote of thanks to Mr S Whitfield and his staff for the efficient manner in which their work had been done and for their impartiality throughout the day preceding. This was seconded by Mr W Jones, who regretted that the majority of 89 was not on the other side.
A meeting was afterwards held of the anti-Consecrationist party. Mr C Holmes as chairman’s, said he considered it his duty to congratulate one and all upon the splendid Victor they had one stop he regretted very much that Mr Sharp, through illness, was prevented from being with them and participating in their triumphs. Mr J Pagdin expressed his thanks for the way in which his friends had worked at Denaby, and for the way in which the men at come up to the poll. At this point Mr R.H.Sharp entered the committee room, and expressed his pleasure at such victory.
Mr HJ Sharp said he felt confident of victory for the first by the way in which the committee went to work; he was amply satisfied with the result.