Mexborough and Swinton Times April 29, 1927
Thurnscoe Urban Council
Mr Mark Noakes Returns to the Chair
Labour Rule: Mr Cards Protest
The annual meeting of the Thurnscoe Urban District Council, held on Tuesday, was marked by considerable liveliness.
Mr Mark L Noakes, JP, who has already served the council as chairman for 15 years, was again unanimously elected chairman, on the proposition of Mr J Barker, who said he at sat under the chairmanship of Mr Noakes for several years, and from his experience of that he was certain that they could trust themselves in his hands. He was certain Mr Noakes would guide the Council in the right direction.
Mr Hardwick moves that Mr J Stone be vice chairman, and mentioned that Mr Stone had done a great deal of useful public work.
Mr Parker seconded, and the resolution was carried unanimously.
The members of the various committees were then appointed.
“Farce” For Independents
The Rev H Card first crushed shards with the Labour members during the election of members of the Education Subcommittee, for which he was nominated. In withdrawing his name he said: “The business is all cut and dried. I have no hesitation in saying that and I withdraw my name. It is all a farce for independent members to sit round the table.”
The Chairman: There is no call for that.
Mr Card: There may not be from your point of view, Mr Chairman.
The Chairman; Even if it is so, it is only a repetition of what happened when I was ill in bed. I was thrown of the committee after I been a member for 20 years.
Mr Card again pursued the matter of the election of a Governor for the Mexborough Secondary School which came up for consideration. He asked, “May I resign my position on the governing body of the Wath Secondary school, and then you can proceed to elect two representatives, one for Mexborough and one for Wath.”
The Chairman, pointed out that Mr Card had still a year to run as the Council’s representative on that Board, asked him to withdraw his resignation, but Mr Card said he preferred to resign.
Mr Card: No, thank you.
Swing of the Pendulum
The Chairman was expressing his regret at Mr Card decision when Mr Card said:
“Don’t you try to cover up the sins of the local Labour Party, Mr Chairman. They have the power now and they are using it. Good luck to them; but probably there will come a day when there will be a swing of the pendulum, although I don’t suppose I shall be one of you then, as I do not intend to stand again. 12 months ago you decided that in order of seniority certain member should move up in this Council. Carry out the strict letter of that rule, Mr Bramhan should have a nominated vice-chairman of the Council, but we have come here tonight and find a Labour nominee elected.
Mr Parker: I should like Mr Card to explain.
Mr Card: it was pointed out that the chairman was the senior member, and we tried to honour that arrangement that the chairmanship should go around the table. It was generally understood that Mr Bramham should follow, but I find a Labour nominee is placed in that position. I am not blaming the Labour Party for using their power, but it is a direct breach of an arrangement entered into a year ago.
Mr Parker: That arrangement was brought into being four years ago, not one year ago, and I do not know what difference there is between Mr Bramham and Mr Stone: they both have three years service on this Council, and Mr Stone has had several years service as a guardian for the district. If you’re going to say that because of the fact that Mr Stone was off the council for 12 months he is not entitled to the position of vice-chairman, you ought to have applied the same procedure with regard to the election of our last chairman.
Mr Card: We understand that Mr Starkey had occupied the chair while that agreement was on, and it was understood that we should follow on in order. We have moved along these lines since the arrangement was made, we carried on until tonight. Another thing I want to make clear is that Mr Bramham, who has occupied the Sanitary Committee chairs, has had a good training – if it is necessary to have any training for that chair – than Mr Stone as I know. I am not belittling Mr Stone at all.
Another Not to seek Re-election
Mr Bramham: I don’t see why I should be dragged into this job. I am seeking no trouble. I am the same as a good many more; when I’ve served three years I have finished. Seeing that this matter has been raised, may I say you cannot find another Council where a member was elected chairman of the off the council for more than 12 months, when he breaks his service – but I am not seeking honours or favours. I am independent, and I can do with the Council or without it. If I want a holiday I can pay for it.
The disagreement continued …
Labour Propaganda
The Chairman: It is the first time in all these years I have known two parties – if there are two parties – to clash.
Mr Parker: well, let us hope we shall progress by it. We want it. Let us note that by what we have done tonight we may progress in 1927. Hitherto we have been lacking.
And continued…
The Colliery Accident
Mr Parker then moved that the Council expresses deep sympathy with the relatives of the victim of the accident at Hickleton Main that day, and added, “I hope Mr Card will second it.”
Mr Card: With the greatest of pleasure, and respect.
Mr Parker: With pleasure?
Mr Cathcart: I do not need any correction on my English by a person to whom I can teach it.
The Chairman: If there is a mistake or not we are all the same opinion on this sad matter, gentlemen.
The resolution was passed, the members standing in silence.