Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
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The salary of the Town Clerk was fixed at 300 guineas per annum, for part-time service. In addition to his duties as clerk, he had to act as professional adviser to the Mayor and Corporation at Petty and Quarter Sessions, also to take Court and Parliamentary cases, being paid Parliamentary charges and travelling and out of pocket expenses.
The whole proceedings occupied only about half an hour. Lunch at the new hospital, where a bazaar was being held, followed, Earl Fitzwilliam and a number of the local gentry being present.
The elevation of six councillors to the aldermanic bench created vacancies, which were eventually filled by the election of Messrs. Geo. Neill, Joseph Wells, Abraham Taffinder, William Harrison, William Saville, and Ferdinand Wheatley.
LAYS OF THE CORPORATION
Shortly after the completion of the Council a little book dedicated to William Whitfield, made its appearance. It was published by one Thomas ye Rhymer in recognition of the energy and perseverance by which the Incorporation of the Borough had been brought about.In the preface the author states: I deem it certain that they are works which in future will prove mines of wealth to succeeding chroniclers of the history of our borough, more particularly when they come to treat of that glorious and never-to-be-forgotten event - the granting of our Charter of Incorporation!
The title of the book was Lays of the Corporation or Christmas Carols for the Borough of Rotherham.
Space will not permit me to give more than one of these rhymes, entitled Ye Lay of ye Golden Balls (writ by ' Lord Macaulay, his Ghost'“), showing how a battle arose between ye Lord of ye Golden Balls and ye Master of ye Pendulum; how they contended together in ye West Warde, and how ye latter prevailed over ye former.
YE LAY OF YE GOLDEN BALLS
The Bombardier of Rotherham
By the nine gods he swore
That the ancient House of Bibbs
Should suffer wrong no more;
By the nine gods he swore it,
And named a trysting day;
And bade his messengers go forth.
East and West, and South and North,
To summon his array,
East and West. and South and North.
The messengers run fleet;
And fast explore each hidden court,
And quickly scour each street.
Shame on the coward voters.
That linger in their homes
When Bibbs the Bold of Moorgate.
To seek supporters comes.
Committee-men and canvassers
Come pouring, in hot haste,
From Westgate and from Market Place;
(There’s little time to waste)
Swift towing pens, and ready ink.
O’er rnilk.white paper fly:
And soon on ev’r’y lofty wall
Print, Print, and 'Bibbs'are high. » next