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Shaping Fairfield: The Aldermen of Fairfield and Cabra-Vale Council, 1889-1948

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Alderman M.H.Baker, Municipality of Cabramatta-Canley Vale 1923

Photograph Information

Date1923DescriptionThis sepia toned photograph is an official portrait of Alderman M.H.Baker. It is mounted on beige coloured cardboard with a beveled frame. Printed on paper and stuck to the back is 'The Council & Staff of the Municipality of Cabramatta & Canley Vale 1923-24-25. Alderman M.H.Baker. Chas Lemaire Studios, 606 George Street, Sydney.' Printed in black on the bottom front frame is 'ald.M.H.BakerPhotographerChas. lemaire StudieosNotesThe following is information from the book "Shaping fairfield"

Michael Henry (Harry) Baker was a builder who lived at 76 Humphries Road, St Johns Park. He had lived at St Johns Park since 1919, having moved from Victoria, sometime after 1912. Because he lived outside New South Wales, there is no record of his marriage. There are also no details of his parents in his death notice. His wife, who outlived him by about ten years, was Laura Emily and they had nine children: Catherine, Ernest, Minnie, Ormond, Reginald, Alfred, Malcolm, Leonard and Gladys.

He was elected to Cabra-Vale Council in December 1922 and served two terms on the council. He appears to have been quite active in meetings, being concerned with the condition of roads, the railway service and the need for the Cabramatta to Mulgoa railway. He served on the works committee for at least three years.

In May 1923 he drew the attention of council to the verdict recorded at the Parramatta Quarter sessions against Eric Gordon of Fairfield who was the holder of a Motor Bus License issued by the council, allowing him to drive a motorbus within the municipality. He said that it was well known that recently Eric Gordon and his brother Cecil had committed a murderous assault on Stanley Clarke at Canley Vale, with the result that Clarke would not be permitted to drive a motorbus again. He considered that it was the duty of council to take some action in the matter, with a view to protecting other drivers from similar attacks from these young men who had proved themselves unfit to hold a licence. The council agreed and the licence was withdrawn. However in August the council received a deputation from St Johns Park on the matter, asking the council to withdraw the cancellation of the licenses and all prosecutions and permit the two Gordon brothers to continue the service without further action or molestation.

It was pointed out that the residents had decided at a public meeting to support the Gordon Bros with the necessary money to carry the case to the Supreme Court and to endeavour to show the council that it was wrong in the stand it was taking in relation to the matter. The mayor considered that the speakers had issued a threat and pointed out that council had made up its mind on this matter and would ‘go right on’, and proceed against all persons caught driving public vehicles in the municipality, without the proper licenses and no exception would be made. The speakers were very persistent in pressing their view of the matter and a Mr Bamber accused the council of persecution, rather than prosecution, and stated that the council should be guided by the wishes of the meeting held at St Johns Park. Alderman Baker then rose to take exception to the remarks of Mr Bamber and his repeated use of the word ‘persecution’. He expressed regret that the speakers had taken up a position behind him. where he could not see their faces, and would ask the mayor to excuse his back while he turned to face the gentleman who had made such a serious accusation against his honesty as an alderman of the council.
The members of the deputation were then invited to take up a position behind the mayor’s chair. They did this and Alderman Baker expressed his satisfaction that he was able to look the speakers in the face and to tell them that he had ‘gone straight’ since he had taken his seat at the council table and he would continue to take the same stand on the bus matter, as he considered that it was right and consistent with his duty as an alderman. After members of the deputation made further speeches the leader Mr Secombe thanked council for its reception and the matter was closed. Presumably the licence was not reinstated.85Michael Baker did not stand for council at the 1928 elections. However, he did stand for election in 1941 for Canley Vale Ward, but was not elected. His son, Ernest was elected for St Johns Ward.

He died at his home on 29 April 1948 at the age of 66. The funeral, which was largely attended, moved from his home to the Church of England section of Liverpool Cemetery on Saturday morning 1 May. When his will was probated he was described as a timber and hardware merchant of St Johns Park.

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Details

Image ColourSepiaImage Size140 mm x 193 mm (without frame) ; in cardboard frameFile SizeTIFF : 2.78 MB TypePrintOriginalYesAccessAppointment required to view original photographCopyrightOut of copyrightRightsFairfield City Council

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CollectionHistorical PhotographsMayors and Councillors Photographic CollectionMayors and CouncillorsRelated ItemsShaping Fairfield: The Aldermen of Fairfield and Cabra-Vale Council, 1889-1948

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Alderman M.H.Baker, Municipality of Cabramatta-Canley Vale 1923