Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Saturday 19 October 1907

Thurnscoe Sensation.
Council Official Given Notice To Resign.

At the monthly meeting of the Thurnscoe Parish Council, on Thursday, a resolution was carried that the Clerk (Mr. Harrison) should receive notice to resign his position as Clerk to the Council, as Clerk to the Burial Board, and as Assistant Overseer.

This drastic step was taken on account of the dissatisfaction felt at the way the official has performed his duties. Unpaid rates seem to be at the root of the mischief. At the previous meeting of the Council the Clerk was instructed to ascertain from the Doncaster authorities the proper mode of procedure for the recovery of unpaid rates on property found by the Rating Inquiry Committee not to have been rated at the proper time in 1902. Through some misunderstanding the Clerk failed carry out these instructions, and the Council on Thursday expressed their disappointment in pointed terms.

Mr. Clough complained that Mr. Harrison, as assistant overseer, would not work to their instructions, and had not made the supplementary list of 50 owners who were in arrears (as arranged). It was no good going through the rate books and trying to put them form, if the assistant overseer would do he liked. It appeared as though he wanted to use great partiality, and they were against partiality.

The Clerk said he was certain he did everything possibly could to carry out their instructions, and intended doing so. The statements that had been made were far-fetched altogether.

Mr. Nokes thought it was time they put the Council in order. About £l6O of back rates were gone, and they did not know which way claim them.

The Chairman asked whether the rates in question were due or legally due.

Mr. Fawcett said that was what he had asked. The Clerk’s position was to help the Council.

The Clerk: I am trying do.

Mr. Wilde: You have been asked, and refused to do so, and refusing you have brought these things on your own back.

The Clerk said he hoped they would not carry the resolution out. He would like to see things put in order, and if they thought then that he should retire, he should be pleased so.

Ultimately the resolution referred to, depriving the Clerk of all his offices, was carried.