Conisborough Parish Council

August 1907

Mexborough and Swinton Times August 17, 1907

Conisborough Parish Council.
Footpaths Inspection.
Various Recommendations Adopted.
Allotment Committee Elected.

An ordinary monthly meeting of the above was held on Monday evening in the Station Road schools, when Mr H. Baker presided. Other members present were: – Messrs A. Moody, Greathead, Kilner, Urch, brook, F. Appleyard, Smethurst, with the clerk (Mr J. Hawksworth.)

Smallholdings Question.

Mr Urch asked if the Clerk had received any applications for smallholdings? – The Clerk replied in the negative.

Mr Hirst said he had noticed an advertisement in the “Mexborough and Swinton Times” asking for 6 acres of land in Conisborough, for market gardening.

The chairman said they had nothing to do with the advertisement, they had received no official application.

The chairman asked if the council thought it desirous to obtain 6 acres of land?

Mr Hirst replied that he was of opinion that posters ought to be issued showing the provisions of the Small Holdings act. Nothing was done in the matter.

A Water Question.

The Clerk read a letter from the Doncaster Rural District Council, which stated that the council had not given anyone permission to use the Town well water at Conisborough. The medical officer had examined the water supply at the Priory, and he was unable to take exception against the sample taken.

The Chairman said it was very extraordinary that at one period the water in the Town well was passed as not fit for drinking, but when Mr Godfrey Walker takes over the water by right of his tenancy or as property owner, it had been certified fit for consumption. Mr Walker had a perfect right to use the water, but if the water was wrong for the townspeople, it was wrong for Mr Godfrey Walker. He also mentioned that the water was better than that from the borehole, as he knew, for the simple reason that he had to use it, and there was certainly something wrong with it.

Mr Greathead asked whether the council or anyone else could hinder people from using the Town well water.

The chairman answered: “certainly not”

Mr Greathead said if the water was running they ought to be allowed to use it. If he lived near the well he should use it, although he took the Town water.

The chairman pointed out that the Town well was Mr Walker’s by right of him having the Priory. And he could use it if he liked. The question was whether Mr Walker should be favoured more than the ratepayers.

Mr Smith first understood that the pump had been taken down.

Mr Brookes said some people would like to use the Town well water before the borehole water. But the pump had been removed.

Mr Moody thought it would be detrimental to the Town supply if fresh places were opened out.

Ultimately Mr Urch gave notice that he would bring forward a motion at the next meeting that a pump be erected for public use.

Time not Opportune.

The clinic submitted a letter from the Conisborough gas company stating that the charge for lighting public lamps from an extra month at the end of the season would be 6s per lamp. For any additional lamps a charge of 47s each would be made, including the extended period.

The chairman said there was a chance of spending a lot more money, but could they afford it?

In answer to Mr Smethurst, the Clerk said there would be about 170 lamps in the Conisborough Parish.

The Chairman said he was of opinion that the council were not in a position to spend the amount necessary.

Mr Moody said they should study the rates in making any improvement, and the present time was not opportune for such improvement.