Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevDEFEAT OF MR. CHAMBERS
In the next election. Mr. Geo. Wilton Chambers failed to obtain a seat upon the Board, his place being taken by the Rev. W. H. Carr, Vicar of Kimberworth, who headed the poll. So sanguine were the Church party of Mr. Chambers’s return they issued an appeal for more votes to be given to Mr. Ferdinand Wheatley (another of their candidates) than for Mr. Chambers. Their over-confidence brought about a disaster, greatly regretted by ratepayers of every denomination. It should be explained that the cumulative system of voting was in use, every voter having nine votes, which he could split up as he wished, or he could give the nine to one person. Another factor in Mr. Chambers’s defeat was the number cf plumpers given to the Rev. W. H. Carr.Alderman Wigfield accepted the chairmanship in 1884 with the Rev. W. H. Carr as vice and remained in office until his death in 1888, when the Rev. W. H. Carr succeeded him. Shortly after his election to the chair, the Rev. W. H. Carr resigned owing to his removal from the town, and Mr. A. P. Hirst, who had been returned at the head of the poll in 1887, was appointed chairman.
A FOOLISH BET
I am by no means a gambler, yet, I have occasionally made bets and backed my fancy at election times. I do not believe that the making of a bet is an immoral act. With betting, as with everything else in life, the vice lies only in the excess. In the School Board election of 1887, Mr. A. P. Hirst for the first time sought to be a member of the Board, During the contest, Mr. Netherwood Bentley boasted that his Cousin Percy would head the poll. On hearing this, I foolishly laid five pounds to one against such a thing happening; in fact, I doubted whether he would find a place in the first five. However, the judicious (?) use of this fiver and other wagers, amongst the thirsty souls of Westgate put a different complexion on affairs and Mr. Hirst came out an easy winner at the head of the poll. During this election the children in the streets sang out 'Percy Hirst is head of the poll, but where is Lizzy Ann' , a reference to Miss Law, who failed to obtain a seat on the Board.The sixth triennial election (1890) saw the return of Mr. J. N. Archer at the head of the poll, followed by Mr. A. P. Hirst, Alderman Neill, the Rev. W. Blazeby, the Rev. T. Nicholson, Mr. Hadyn Sanders (a trade union leader who had recently taken up residence in the town), Father Eyre, the Rev. William Law, and Mr. Richard Corker. During their reign all school fees were abolished, 2730 children being on the register at the time. The St. Ann’s Schools were also completed at a cost round about £10000.
DEATH OF THE REV. W. LAW
The Board in losing the Vicar of Rotherham suffered a greater loss than it recognised at the time. Few men had gained the love of their parishioners so quickly and surely as did the Rev. W. Law. A broad-minded man, he made the whole parish his care, visiting the sick whether worshippers of his church or not. I shall not forget this kind.hearted Christian man, who constantly visited my father during a long and severe illness, and who,when he left the town for a holiday in Cornwall, repeatedly forwarded him flowers accompanied by a few kindly words. As a cricketer he had no equal in the town, and the erection of the 'Law Memorial' Pavilion in the Clifton Lane Cricket ground is some evidence of the esteem in which he was held by his fellow sportsmen. His memory is revered to this day for his untiring efforts in promoting the moral, educational, and religious welfare of the people.The next election for the Board occurred during a long and cruel coal strike, this being in 1893, when the Rev. Thomas Nicholson headed the poll, followed by Mr. A. P. Hirst. Mr. T. W. Grundy (now Member of Parliament for the Rother Valley Division), Ald. Neill, Mr H. Corker, Mr. H. Maxfield, Mr. J. N. Archer, Father Eyre, and the Rev. F. H Stock, Vicar of Kimberworth. Those triennial elections overshadowed all others and created a great deal of interest and, at times, much excitement. next »
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