Conisbrough Parish Council – New Fire Engine – Merryweather or Rose’s ? (pictures)

April 1895

Mexborough and Swinton Times April 19, 1895

Conisbrough Parish Council
New Fire Engine

The minutes of the Fire Brigade committee were read, recommending the purchase of a new manual fire engine by Merryweather’s, at a cost of £165, with fittings complete.

The Chairman said that it had occurred to him that the District Council Doncaster would have to purchase a fire engine for Conisbrough if application was made to them and the necessity for it was proved.

Mr Casey stated that since the Committee came to its decision he had been to see several fire engines of various makers. At Stockport he saw a manual engine which had been in use since 1892. He found that there was no fault to find with the pumping and the engine apparently did its work all right. But he never saw worse workmanship in his life. All the spokes of the wheels were loose and some of the joints so loose that you could put half a crown between them.

Mr Holmes: Who’s engine was that?

Mr Casey: it was a Merryweather’s engine.

Proceeding, he said that such fitting would not have been turned out of a colliery fitting shop or if it had then the man responsible for it would very soon have got the sack. If he had not seen it himself he would not believe that such loose and slovenly workmanship could have been turned out by a firm with a reputation of Messrs. Merryweather Mr Casey also described several other engine which yet seen and concluded by stating that he considered Messrs Roses engine in every way superior to Merryweather’s.

A long discussion followed.

Mr Norwood eventually moving that the Doncaster District Council be requested to provide a parish with a fire engine and that the Parish Council recommend a Merryweather’s engine.

Mr Booth seconded.

Mr Casey moved that an engine by Mr Rose and coal be asked for and Mr Jones seconded.

The voting on the question was exactly equal and the chairman gave his casting bought in favour of Messes Roses engine.

roses fire engine

Roses Fire Engine supplied to machester in 1897

Fire Engine

Merryweather’s Fire Engine supplied to Australia in 1895
From the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney
http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/insidethecollection/2014/05/fire-fighting-with-an-1895-steam-fire-engine/