Conisborough Water – A Public Scandal

December 1901

Mexborough and Swinton Times, December 3.

Conisborough Water – A Public Scandal

The water question at Conisborough is no more nor less than a public scandal, and a disgrace to the authorities and all concerned. Water here, water there, but none available for Conisborough.

No wonder that tenants lookout for houses with water facilities and leave those that have none.

It is sad to reflect that although the want has been apparent 20 years the township are little nearer their wants being supplied.

Denaby Colliery Company offer a supply at 8d per thousand gallons – yet this is rejected. Sheffield can be had at 10d, but even this is despised, and the inhabitants wearily battle with the famine and pay 1s per 100 gallons, and pay gladly.

About a score of barrels may be seen perambulating the street hawking water, such a primitive fashion being considered by some to be satisfactory. What is going to be done is asked on all sides, yet no one can tell.

True an enquiry was held, but, owing to the division no results are yet to hand. The scheme for the present may be said to be scotched, and the bulk of the inhabitants starving from one of the most necessaries of life.

20th century forsooth! Sure the clock has been put back – it cannot be that we live in 19 01! It is alas! But too true. The death rate in Conisborough, although not alarming, is not as low as it should be, and the authorities are not to blame for this. Hundreds exist daily with a supply from the rainwater tub. Others are like the correspondent who last week stated his woes.

The town’s well is dry, and has been on strike for a month; therefore, the only source now is from the Holywell pipe in Brocklesby’s Square. Of course, some few have wells of their own, while others have tap and service; even some have the Denaby supply, but the bulk of the inhabitants are without, and it is for these who are so unfortunate I now appeal. Surely it is time the full facts were laid before the Local government Board. The next enquiry will be to look into the cause of a plague or epidemic, or to enquire into the point at issue as to why the inhabitants of Conisborough, have not a proper and sufficient supply of water.

Water is so scarce at Conisborough that a correspondant informs me that pumps are actually watched by fixed sentries, who sometimes remain on duty as late as 10 p.m. at night