Penistone, Stocksbridge and Hoyland Express, etc. — 1913-03-22 (Penistone, South Yorkshire, England)

HOYLAND'S NEW ALDERMAN.  Mr. W. A. Durnford.  Review et Ws Career.  IThe elevation of Mr. W. A. Durnfonl to the position of a County Alderman has given general satisfaction throughout the district, ' and a fe wparticulars which we have been able to gather in regard to his career will no doubt be of interest to our readers. Mr. Durnford belongs to an old and well-known Hampshire family, many members of which , have rendered valuable service to the country. Ile comes of a clerical stock, his grandfather ; and hither being clergymen. and one of his uncles. Bishop of ChielleOter. On intimate friend of Mr. Gladstone. Mr. Durhford is rale of eight brothers, all of whom Well educated at Eton, and one of them is Admiral Sir John Durnford, K.C.8., D. 5.0.. a distinguished naval officer. Amongst many notable contemporaries of Mr. Durriford at Eton may he mentioned Lord Rosebery and the Right lion. A. J. Balfour, two of our late Prime Ministers. After leaving Eton. Mr. Durnford spent a short time on the Continent for educational purposes, and on his return obtained an appointment ii the offices of the Barrow Hematite Steel co., Barrow-in-Furness, with which Company he remaiued for a period of five years, gaining a considerable amount of business knowledge and experience. Mr. Durnford's first introduction to Yorkshire in a business capacity AM in the year IMO, when he was appointed us secretary to the IVharucliffe Silkstone Colliery CO.. Ltd.. Tankersley, which position lie filled until tie year 11,80, when, on the retirement of Yltt. Hartop. he was selected by Admiral ',oughts to fill the responsible position of mine, I manager of Lord Fitzwilliattes Collieries. It is generally recognised that the success oe thew, collieries during the last twenty-ac -a years, and the revived prosperity of the Elseear district, which has been so marked durtez this period, is mainly due to the energy and ability of Mr. Durnford, who revolutionised the old business methods which had previously prevailed, and brought the Eleecar coal into notoriety, both at home and abroad In spite of the strenuous calls of business, Mr. Durnford has found time to take a leading part in public affairs. Ile has been an active member of the lloyland Urban Dittrict Council since its formation, and for ten years in RUCCASOIOII acted as chairman. He is a member of the three Education Sub-committees of lloyland, Tankersley, and Worsbro', a governor of the Barnsley and Rotherham Grammar Schools, and vice-chairman of the Barnsley Girls' High School. For six years he has been an elected members of the IVest Riding County Council. Just twenty years ago Mr. Durnford was placed on the Commission of the Peace, and eminently cacupied the position of chairman of the Barnsley Bench of Magistrates.  _ Amongst many offices of a less exacting nature. be ia a truitee of the Miners' Per manent Relief Fund.  In private life, itr. Durnford is known as an enthusiastic sportsman and naturalist. In the latter capacity he published, about thirty years ago, a pamphlet on the Birds of Walney Island. Lancashire, which is still recognised as the authority on the stilleet, whilst he has also contributed numerous articles on ornithology and sport to "The Field" and other periodicals. !dr. Durnford, a few ye s ago, was presented with the Royal Human. Society's testimonial for rescuing a would-he suicide from drowning in the Elsecar licser• voir, and a public presentation was also made to him at the time. as an appreciation of his consnicuos act of bravery.