Doncaster Rural Council – Conisbrough’s Water Troubles.

March 1915

Mexborough and Swinton Times March 6, 1915

Doncaster Rural Council
Conisbrough’s Water Troubles.

The Conisbrough water supply was again the main topic at their ordinary meeting of the Doncaster’s Rural District Council, held at the union offices on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr. Rufus Coward presided over a good attendance of members.

At a meeting of the sanitary committee it was recommended that the tender of Mr Geo L Firth of new cottages, Don view, Conisbrough, for the removal of night soil refuse, etc in the parish ofDenaby for one year, from first of April for the sum of £350 be accepted

The clerk reported that the Conisbrough subcommittee had considered the tenders received in connection with the proposed additions and alterations to the Conisbrough sewage outfall works and they recommended that that submitted by Mr J.Rogers of Station Road Conisbrough for £4,513 12s 3d be accepted. It was the lowest tender.
It was also agreed that Mr. F.Shand should be the clerk of works and that he should reside at Conisbrough

The Water
Mr. Stevenson said in bringing up the question of the Conisbrough water supply he should like to know if anything more could be done to remedy matters. This supply at present was very unsatisfactory. Very often during the day, but especially during the morning the supply was very poor. Sometimes it took them 10 minutes to get sufficient water for breakfast and for washing purposes. Something had to be done at once to remedy what was a very serious matter for the inhabitants. It was not on account of how much water there was in the reservoir five for it did not matter whether there was seven or 20 feet there the results were the same. He thought there was something wrong with the mains.

Mr Baker said he was not going to fall out with their new member from Conisbrough for he wished them all to work amicably together. Last Saturday, Mr Stevenson told him all about the trouble and he suggested that the surveyor should be consulted before the matter was brought before the council. He (Mr. Baker) did see Mr. Crabtree and he was informed he had the matter in hand.
Mr. Stevens them said he thought the council was a proper place to raise the question especially seeing he was not on any of the committees.

Replying to the Clerk (Mr. H. M. Marshall) he said the district more particularly affected was Gardon Lane, Ivanhoe Road and the roads practically on the same level as the reservoir.
The clerk said there was only one one-way of remedying the matter. And that was by putting in another main from those reservoir to this particular property and that would cost something like £200. If Conisbrough was prepared to pay that then this difficulty would be removed.

Mr. Stevenson: but we are already paying for a water supply like anyone else and we are not getting it.

Mr. Appleyard said he thought the remedy was to always have the reservoir full. If it was not full there was no pressure. He was opposed to spending another £200 until they had tried what the new machinery being established by the Denaby and Cadeby colliery was going to do. If the reservoir was kept full there would be end ample supply for all parts of Conisbrough
The clerk said until certain machinery was received they could not keep the reservoir full. It was only fair to the Denaby and Cadeby Company to say that they were already supplying more water than they were under contract to supply.

Mr Harrison, chairman of the sanitary committee, said he was aware there were difficulties to contend with at Conisbrough and the sanitary committee were anxious to deal with them in the best possible manner. The war had placed certain difficulties in the way of the delivery of materials. He did not think there was one member of the Council who was anxious to deprive Conisbrough of any facility regarding a proper water supply but he was afraid that under the circumstances they would have to hear that the conditions for a little while. They would do all they possibly could and he hoped that the difficulties would not be used for party purposes – Mr F. Kellet moved that the matter be referred to the subcommittee with power to act and that Mr Stevenson be added to the committee.

Reverent T. F. Ralife seconded, and it was carried.