Reminiscences of Rotherham
by G. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevCo-operative Stores premises (formerly Myers and Kay) been set back by agreement when built by Mr. Richard Chrimes. Then there is the College Yard improvement, which includes the demolition of St. George’ Hall and the old County buildings. These schemes, together with the completion of Bridgegate widening, the removal of Barclay’s Bank, Feoffees’ Buildings and White Hart, to form an open space for train centre, etc., and the construction of the new Chantry Bridge, will give the town a status it has long required.
G.P.O.
I remember, when a boy, the General Post Office being in High street in some small premises near the entrance to the Three Cranes Yard. Afterwards, larger premises were acquired at the top of Westgate on the site now occupied by the grocery department of the Co-operative Society.As far back as I can recollect. Mr. Owen was in charge of the Post Office until his death in the early seventies, when he was succeeded by his widow as post mistress. Mrs. Owen was assisted by an old lady named Jackson, of not too prepossessing appearance. When another removal became necessary owing to increasing business, the Midland Railway Company having vacated their passenger station in Westgate for the wooden structure years ago christened the 'rabbit hutch' , the G.P.O. proposed to utilise the premises. This suggestion caused much dissension in the town. Meetings were held to discuss this question, and High street, College street, and other places were named as mere central.
Council meetings were summoned to deal with the proposal, and in describing these the Press said they resembled street brawls rather than an assembly of men charged with the management of the affairs of an important town.
Unrestrained petulance and anger, unbecoming and mischievous and calculated to degrade the Corporation, were indulged in. In spite of these protests the G.P.O. took the premises on a lease and altered them to suit their purpose. In 1886, Mrs. Owen resigned, after a service of 52 years, the appoint ment having been in the family for 150 years. It was generally thought she would be succeeded by Mr. Tom Jennings, son of Mr. Dan Jennings, and brother of the Borough Surveyor, who had long service to his credit and who had been in charge during her illness, However, Mr. Paget, a most capable man, secured the post.
In March, 1907, the new Post office in Main street was officially opened by Sir Chas. J. Stoddart, V.D., J.P., when I had the pleasure of despatching the first paid telegram from the new premises.
Many people condemn the postal department for its slackness, and rave about its inefficiency. They never make any allowance for the difficulties it has to contend with, owing lo the stupidity of the general public. Some years ago, when sixpenny telegrams were in use, I instructed a youth to take a telegram to the Rotherham G.P.O. and also to deliver a letter addressed Messrs. Dean and Co., New York, a local firm carrying on business at the Burton Weir Brass Works, New York, Masbro’. The sixpence I gave him for the telegram he used for purchasing stamps for the letter, which he posted at the G.P.O. As for the telegram, I never heard of it again. Some six months later, the letter was returned from New York (U.S.A., the numerous remarks such as 'try Mr. - ' ; and 'not to be found' ; proving that no trouble or effort had been spared to find the firm to which it was addressed. A smart piece of work on the part of the G.P.O. was the delivery at the Effingham Brass Works of a postcard from London, addressed as follows: 'Messrs. G. and W. G. Gummer, Eff.' . Evidently the writer’s attention had been distracted before he had finished addressing the postcard.