South Yorkshire Times, June 17th, 1944
Wanton Damage at Conisbrough
Council’s Patience Exhausted
Warning that unless willful damage to sheds, gardens and other property in the area ceased, the Council would be compelled to take drastic action, was given by members of Conisbrough Urban District Council at their meeting on Wednesday the Chairman (Coun. G. Oldfield) presiding.
Coun. H. Gomersall thought it was the work of irresponsible youths over whom there seemed to be a lack of control. Apart from damage to sheds and railings, damage was also being done to the Memorial Park and throughout the district. Branches were being broken off trees in the park, while panes in the potting sheds were being broken six at a time. They must assist the police in making reasonable prosecutions.
Reduced social activities due to war-time conditions were in the opinion of Coun. G. Cheshire a case of the destruction. He thought too, that children had been allowed to run wild by their parents and parents’ attention should be drawn to the serious position.
County Coun. B. Roberts said they had been too tolerant and Coun. M. P. Knowles said he held to the old saying “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” When that obtained there was a minimum of this kind of damage.
The Clerk (Mr. R. W. Birch) read a letter from the Ministry of Health, stating that the resolution concerning rent control submitted by the Council would be brought to the attention of the inter-departmental committee which had been appointed on the subject. The West Riding Urban Councils; Association thanked the Council for their resolution, but said they had already given evidence before the inter-departmental committee.
Letters of sympathy are to be sent to Mr. H. Thirlwell, the Surveyor and Mr. C. F Gething, Surveyors Clerk, who are absent from duties through illness.