THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Promise to ‘keep the old Conservative flag flying’ over the Duncairn Ward

A meeting of the General Committee of the Belfast Conservative Association in the Duncairn Ward in North Belfast had been held in the North-East Unionist Club, Duncairn Gardens the previous evening reported the News Letter.

Captain McCartney presided, and those present included: Dr W J Meharry, Messrs James Miskimmin, R Howard, S Finlay, T McKinty, F A Sloss, A Lorimer, W Boal, D Lister, W Caughey, J A Parker, W McGahey, John Rosebottom, W Irwin, J Rush, J Craig, W A McWilliams, R McBride, James Harvey, John Black and W Trimble.

The principal business of the evening was the election of officer bearers and this resulted in the following: Chairman, Dr Meharry, vice chairman, Captain McCartney, and honorary secretary Mr James Miskimmin.

Dr Meharry then took the chair, and thanked the member for the honour they had done by him by appointing him once again “in the responsible position of chairman of that ward”. He said: “Some time ago I had made up my mind not to seek re-election, but at the request of the members I ultimately agreed to allow matters to take their course.”

He added: “I will endeavour during the ensuing year, with your assistance, keep the old Conservative flag flying over the Duncairn Ward, and I hope we will be able to spread our principles.”

The following were appointed members of the Executive Committee: Messrs James Harvey, W Trimble, Joseph Rush, W Irwin, T W Foster, John Rosebottom, W Caughey, Frank Kelly, W McGahey, S Findlay, J Forsyth, Jas Humphries, R Lorimer, J A Parker, J Curry, R McBride, W A McWilliams, W Boal, W McMillan and R Howard. The supplemntary list included: Messrs J Lister, D Lister, F A Sloss, J Black, T McKinty. As respresentatives to the Central Committee the following were selected: Messrs W Caughey, W Erwin and W H McGahey.

A discussion took place regarding the filling of positions under the public boards by pensioners. Mr Lorimer said that he thought, “with so much unemployment in our midst”, the vice chairman of the Board of Guardians should have accepted Dr Macintosh’s resolution. The chairman said he was sure Mr Vint took the opinion of the clerk on the matter.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman.