South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 23 April 1949

To Retiring Mexboro’ Councillor

Tribute to the work done by Coun J Walton during his 19 years as a member of the Council was paid at Wednesday’s meeting of Mexborough Urban Council.

Coun. J. Kelly (chairman) said Coun. Walton’s activities in the past reflected in the good local administration of to-day. His trade union activities on behalf of the men he represented were invaluable, and when he entered local government he entered with a zest for trying to get the best out of local administration. His work while finance chairman had benefited the ratepayers.

The present finance chairman. Coun. G. M. Hanson, said the citizens of Mexborough were losing a very able administrator. Coun. Hanson said Coun. Walton was responsible for the Council’s rate stabilisation policy and the pay as you go scheme. As a result no fresh loan had been asked for in the past ten years.

” As a councillor we are forced to acknowledge that he stood out, said Coun. J. H. White.   A better man there never was. What he has done for Mexborough will never be forgotten.”

Other members also paid tribute to his work, and the Council unanimously decided to place on record their appreciation of his services.

Replying. Coun. Walton said his resignation was due to indifferent health which prevented him carrying out his duties as energetically as in the past, Coun. Walton said the achievements attributed to him were the work of the council as whole, not of one man.