Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevpublic money has already been lost on THE FARMER, so that his backers will be cautious how they invest this time.
Latest Betting- 2 to 1 on THE CONFECTIONER; 1000 to 7 against THE SCOTCH- MAN; PORK CHOPS and THE LAWYER, even betting; 6 to 4 on THE OVERSEER; 100 to 3 against THE FARMER. THE GROCER was scratched at 10.30 on the 24th.
To those unacquainted with the characters I had better explain that by:
“Scotchman” is meant Mr. Geo. Neill at that time a Scotch draper, who was frequently taunted by being asked, 'has yer mither luft tha shullin'
“Watchmaker,” Mr. Abraham Taffinder, a jeweller.
Confectioner,” Mr, Chas. Kenyon, who kept a sweet shop.
“Egg-Merchant,” Mr. John Bottom, provision merchant.
“Temperate Draper,” Ald. Kelsey, a draper.
“Pawnbroker,” Mr.Boardman, a pawn broker.
“Plummer,” Mr. John Gibbons, a plumber.
“Filer,” Mr. Thomas Tyler, employed at Habershons
“The Dyer,” Mr. Josp. Wells, a dyer ín Wellgate
“Blacking Pot,” Mr. Isaac Walker blacking mills
“The Grocer,” Mr. William Leggoe.
“Pork Chops,” Mr. Thos.Woodhouse
“P.M.,” Primitive Methodists.
“The Lawyer,” Mr. P. W. Badger. solicitor
“The Overseer,” Mr. Geo. Sykes, by “Rag” (Geo. Wragg).
“Farmer,” Mr. Ferdinand Wheatley.
The “colours “ they rode in represent their political views, blue being Conservative and yellow and orange Liberal.
SERVICES AS MAYOR
Nine of the original members elected in 1871 have at various times held office as Chief Magistrate. There have been thirty different Mayors during the fifty-five years of incorporation, and several have served more than the usual period of one year. Alderman Neill holds the record in this respect, having held the position five times, viz., 1881, 1884, 1890, 1896, and 1897. In 1910 Mr. P. Bancroft Coward, although not then a member of the Council. received an invitation to become Chief Magistrate. Accepting, he remained in office as Mayor from 1910 to 1915, five years in succession. This, however, was during the war, when few changes were made in public offices. Sir Charles J. Stoddart, Rotherham’s Jubilee Mayor and only knight, held office in 1886-7 and again in 1904-7 - four years in all. I had the honour of being elected Mayor in 1899. and served two years during the South African War, and was again elected in 1918 as Victory Mayor.Aldermen J. M. Habershon, B. E. Chambers, Henry Wigfield, W. Harrison. Robert Marsh. Edwin Kelsey, W. H. Gummer, Geo. Wragg, Dan Mullins, Joe Heminsley, Kendrick Fieldsend, and A. P. Aizlewood have each served as Mayor for two years.
It will be noticed that in every case Aldermen are alone mentioned. In only two instances have ex-Mayors failed to be elected as aldermen when vacancies have arisen.