Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevof the days when beacon fires were lighted to give notice of approaching danger. The buzzer, in addition to summoning the firemen, called people who were not wanted to the fire station, where they impeded the efforts of the firemen, who were to be seen racing to their duties and clothing themselves on the way.
Horses to draw the engine had to be brought from Mr. John Moorhouse’s stables in Ship Hill, often arriving 13 minutes after the buzzer had ceased and with the harness in such a tangle as to render it impossible to hitch up, thus causing further delay.
The buzzer had a disquieting effect on those who would fain have pursued their slumber. I have on more than one occasion journeyed from Maltby (where I resided for nearly three years) fearing the fire might be at my own works. It made noise enough to waken the dead and yet it often took from three-quarters to an hour for the brigade to reach the fire, accompanied by its 'ice-cream stall' like engine. This was particularly noticeable when the fire at the Great Central wagon works took place.
For several years Councillor Wilfrid Hirst, with the best intentions, tried to persuade his colleagues to adopt a scheme which included fire-stations in several parts of the town, hut, happily, this arrangement did not appeal to the Council.
After many attempts to improve the primitive methods in vogue, including the appointment of Sergeant Turner as captain of the Brigade, the solution came when the responsibility of dealing with the danger was put into the hands of the police and the present fire-station, with the cottages adjoining, were acquired for housing a few of the men.
Some day the town will build an up-to-date station with housing accommodation for all the brigade on the spot. The site on which the present gas offices stand is looked upon as a good position for this purpose, especially as the offices will be removed when the Chantry Bridge is an accomplished fact.
INTERESTING ELECTIONS
A considerable amount of time elapsed before the policy pursued by the supporters of AId. Kelsey was altered. During the November elections in the following year (1884). the conduct of the Licensing Bench became the chief topic for discussion, and candidates were mainly chosen and supported according to their views on this question.In the East Ward, Mr. Edward Cottam (then a young man in the employment of Messrs. Wm. Oxley and Co., of Parkgate) came under the influence of AId. Kelsey and announced himself as a candidate, appealing to the Liberals for support. Mr. Albert Leggoe, a diminutive man of youthful appearance (although probably thirty years of age), landlord of the Howard Hotel, also sought the votes of the burgesses as a Conservative. A third candidate in the person of Mr. John Kitchen put in an appearance, announcing himself as a teetotaler, who would undertake not to carry his principles into Corporation work. He was a strong Liberal who had for years taken a prominent part in advancing the cause of his party.
There is no doubt that Mr. Kitchen’s appearance on the scene was a ruse to split the Liberal vote, and ensure the return of Mr. Leggoe, who for some reason was not openly supported by Mr. Neill’s friends. Mr. Leggoes’s first meeting was to have been held in the Drill Hall - nothing smaller would do for Albert - but the terrors of the new Municipal Corrupt Practices Act, frightened his committee, the hall being occasionally licensed for the sale of intoxicants. At the last moment recourse to College Square became necessary. A large crowd had assembled anticipating a good deal of fun and probably some lively proceedings.
Upon the chairman rising and saying, 'Gentlemen', he was met with the remark, The bantam cock will now appear. When the 'bantam cock' came forward the applause was mingled with cries of Put him on a tub - we can’t see him; Stick him on the lamp, and God bless Kelsey. Struggling hard with his notes, the candidate was next »
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