Conisborough Inhabitant’s Grievance

The inhabitants of the pretty village of Conisborough have a grievance. The scenery around is as grandly pleasing as in the days when the first stone of its kingly castle was laid; the majestic heights which frown on either side of the Don on more charming than ever, owing to the contrast they afford to the dirty manufactured centres lying only a few miles distant; the crags of white limestone, the brightness which is relieved by grasses of the richest green gleam of the yellow primrose, possess even more attraction to the visitor than before, yet the inhabitants of Conisborough possess a grievance.

Those persons who have traversed the roads of “lordly Koningsburgh” in summer when a way has to be ploughed ankle deep in dust, and those, who after a shower, have travelled the same highway and the dust has been converted into an impalpable greasy mud, will understand the grievance of the people of Conisborough. Owing to the hilly nature of the adjacent country, the roads require the closest attention, or they soon become almost impassible.

At the vestry meeting held last week at Conisborough much indignation was expressed by several of the leading inhabitants at what was the characterised as the “disgraceful state of the roads” in that village. A difficulty, which would have been ludicrous but for the gravity of the question, arose over the appointment of Way warden to represent Conisborough at the Doncaster Highway Board, and nearly every person in the room had been nominated before Mr Balmforth decided to accept the office.

We sympathised very deeply with the inhabitants in their protest against what they consider to be great neglect on the part of the authority at Doncaster, but we are bound to express the opinion that the establishment of a local board will be the most effective means of remedying their grievances. It is almost impossible for an official living 6 miles away to superintend the roads of a district where the vehicular traffic is considerable, especially when that official has other and pressing duties.

This being the case, it is to be that the people of Conisborough will decide to have the village well lighted, its sanitary arrangements perfected, and it’s highways improved through the agency of a local board. The present plan possesses many drawbacks, one of which is that of insufficient representation. That a village possessing a population of 3000 should be only represented by one waywarden savours rather of an indignity, we do not wonder the lease at the outcry at the parish meeting in favour of the formation of a local board. The subject will doubtless be brought on for discussion at the meeting which is to be held on the gas question, when we have not the slightest doubt that those persons who believe in efficiency, coupled with economy, in matters affecting the convenience and health of the public will take the necessary steps for the establishment of a local board, which is efficiency itself as compared with the almost effete system of representation by waywardens.

The road in some part of village or in a highly dangerous condition, and one that calls for immediate remedy. It is to be hoped that Mr Montague will see the necessity for an alteration at a point where there is a very steep descent, coupled with what a coachman will describe as a “nasty corner,” and that he will grant the parish a small strip of land which, if added to the highway, would lessen the danger to travellers. It was stated at the meeting on Thursday week that three horses went down at the point in question in one day, and that in an alteration was imperatively needed.

Another question which was brought forward, that of the appointment of a second Guardian to represent Conisborough on the Doncaster Board of Guardians, well, we feel sure, be dealt with by that body in a matter favourable to the interests of the village. When it is known that six little villages in the parish of Campsall, with an aggregate population of only 2,000 persons, send no less than six members to the board, and Cadeby and Sprotborough, with only 500 inhabitants, sent two representatives, the application of the Conisborough ratepayers must out of consistency be acceded to.

Taking all things into consideration good people of Conisborough have enough material for reflection to last them for some time.