Mexborough and Swinton Times April 16, 1897

The Water Question at Conisborough

The Local Government Act of 1890 robbed the rustic and rural parish of Conisborough of one of its charms when it transferred the government of the parish from the occasional and unruly Parish meeting to the smaller and sometimes better disciplined Parish Council.

Conisborough at one time had more than local reputation for its parish meetings, its citizens in solemn conclave assembled, disregarding the presence of the Vicar in the chair, and indulging in scenes that would not have disgraced Donybrook fair in its palmiest days.

A Parish meeting at Conisborough was at one time the nearest approach to a riot one could witness in perfect safety, for although the parishoners used to slang one another with a true British heartiness, they had always just sufficient respect for the cloth of the Chairman to refrain from any physical demonstration of the anger their words implied.

But all that is over. The Parish Council, limited in number, and of late model less of a mind in political and other respects, has undertaken the parish business, which formally caused so much excitement and difference at the parish meeting, and it is only very occasionally a meeting of the parochial elected is summoned to consider question outside the province of the Parish’s Council.

One of these rare occasions came on Monday evening. The question which is vexed the mind of Conisborough, in more ways than one, for several years, has been that of the water supply. It has taken all of the public mind so forcibly that, as will be well remembered, it once even pulled beyond the power of George Bonnet when seconding the vote of thanks to the present member for the division, at a political meeting, to accomplish this task without dragging in the water question, and dilating upon it in a speech of greater length than lucidity.

The question was such as one that which in the old days would have provided Conisborough with all the material for a parish meeting of the most exciting variety, and yet on Monday night it was discussed at length and exhaustively with no more than a glimpse of the old-time fun.

One of the leading parish meeting actors of the old school was present, and was to some extent upon his trial. And any more scratches back there would probably have been some fun, but no one sees the opportunity, and the lion roared but very gently. Perhaps the fact that such parish notabilities has Messrs RH Sharp, J Brocklesby and H Savile were not present at the meeting, and that an equally well-known character Mr William Smith has gone to the “great beyond,” had something to do with the tameness of the proceedings, but these that the cause are not the fact remains that Monday evenings parish meeting was nothing like the gatherings of two or three years ago.

Mr Che Pag nine, Chairman of the Parish Council presided, and amongst those present were Mrs S Whitfield and WW Norwood, district councillors for the parish, Godfrey Walker J.P., Mr C Holmes vice-chairman of the Parish Council, TJ Mosby, JH Singleton, F Ogley, D Robinson, G Hirst, members of the Parish Council and Messrs.  A Barren, T Nesbitt, J Gillott, A. Crowcroft,, J Crossland, J Earnshaw, PG Dufton, J Jones, A Ridgill, T Baker, G Smith, R Clarkson, C Williams, C Hanson, T Booth, Dr Denson And R Clarkson.

The Chairman, after the minutes of the previous parish meeting had been read and confirmed said they were aware that for a number of years Conisborough have been agitating for a water scheme. He said a water scheme because they have plenty of water, and the only wanted it distributing. It had recently come to their notice that the Doncaster Rural District Council was moving in the matter but owing to a misunderstanding there have been a good deal of dissatisfaction, there was therefore decided to call a parish meeting and give the district councillors an opportunity of putting their report of the proceedings before the parishioners.

When they had heard that report he thought they would be better enlightened and more reconciled to what had been done, and they would also be convinced that their representative on the District Council had worked in the interest of the parish. (Hear, hear)

Mr S Whitfield said there had been a good deal of excitement upon this subject any thought if the Parish Council had shown the usual courtesies, and at first of all asked himself and his colleagues to give them an explanation before going a parish meeting it would have been a better course to take. He would ask the meeting not to let prejudice or anger runaway with their reasons, they had done the best they could for the parish they represented.

Himself and Mr Norwood since he had been on the Doncaster Rural District Council have been incessantly fighting to have this question brought forward. They had done everything they knew month after month, but the question was postponed and postponed until again Mr Norwood complained that last of the clerk’s negligence. It turned out it was his negligence to, but their complaints induce the Council to do something at last, and they formed a subcommittee to enquire into the question and submitted a scheme to the Council.

They first of all met the corporation of Doncaster fully expecting they would obtain a supply from Sheffield. They thought they would thus be able to carry the water to all parts of the parish by gravitation, there will be no pumping, and no reservoir required. But they were distinctly told they could not have Sheffield water at any price.

A voice: Why?

Mr Whitfield: Are, now you want to know more than I can tell you. (Laughter.) Continuing he said they had been asked to be served on the same conditions upon which they are offered to supply Denaby, which was 25% more than the terms at which the corporation supplied the borough of Doncaster. That they flatly refused. Then they asked for what them they could be supplied and they replied at 10p per 1000 gallons, Conisborough to find a meter, lay all the mains, and do all the pumping, and every gallon of it would have to be pumped.

He (Mr Whitfield) then called their attention to what the Sheffield Corporation was charging similar bodies. Sheffield agreed to supply water to Handsworth, Woodhouse, Anston, Treeton Chapeltown and Wentworth at 7p per thousand gallons and Rotherham will serving Rawmarsh at 6p per thousand.

Having pointed out these facts they then pleaded that Doncaster having taken the Conisborough water, they were naturally if not legally bound to make them some allowance in the present instance. What did they do? They simply laughed at them (shame), and then told them the water they got from Conisborough was not good. (Laughter.) Yet they wanted to charge for water which was not good 100 percent more than they themselves were to pay for Sheffield water.

He did not see because the Doncaster Corporation had difficulties to contend with through bad engineering, that Conisborough should make up their loss. Well, they had to report their failure to the Sanitary Authority, and they then put before them this present scheme, knowing that the before the Little Don scheme cropped up the Doncaster Corporation had this very water from the Cadeby bore hole analysed, and had gone so far as to arranged to put a pumping station down to supplement their own supply at Doncaster.

Dr Mitchell Wilson, the Medical officer to the Doncaster Centre Authority was then instructed to analyse the kb water, and a sample was also sent to Mr Allen, the county analyst. They went further than that; he (Mr Whitfield) went to Dr Mitchell Wilson, and asked him if there was one man in this country with a better reputation than another as an analyst, and he said Prof Wanklyn was the recognised authority of the day.

He then proposed that they had Prof Wanklyn’s analysis. They got it, and he charged 10 guineas for it, so it ought to be worth something.. (Hear, hear and laughter).

A voice: What water is this?

Mr Whitfield: The Cadeby water. Continuing, he said the samples of water were taken in the presence of Mr Norwood and himself in February 15. They were very particular in seeing the sample properly taken, and sealed up, but if any of them were not satisfied he would suggest that the Parish Council of a sample taken and analysed on their own account. (Here, here)

Mr Wanklyn had given them a very favourable report on the water. He said:

“It is a water of exquisite organic purity, and devoid of all sewage contamination. It is somewhat highly charged with mineral matter of a harmless character. The water is free from traces of lead and copper, and almost absolutely free from iron. It is a perfectly wholesome water, and is pleasant to the taste. It is a hard water of more than 20° of hardness, and on that account would not be suitable for manufacturers, but for a domestic supply that objection is of a comparative minor importance.”

Dr Mitchell Wilson said “this water is wholesome but hard,” Mr Allen, the county analyst said “These results are satisfactory, the figures show the water is fairly free from readily changeable organic matter.”

Now, continued Mr Whitfield to reconcile these expert opinion with the numerous complaints made about the water at Denaby. He then asked Mr Chambers a reason why, in the face of the splendid report from Mr Wanklyn, the water was condemned by the people Denaby, and he had replied that it resulted from some old pipes that have been put down in laying the mains. (Laughter.) He (Mr Whitfield) had told Mr Chambers that if it was his property he would pull the pipes up and lay some better. He would not supply good water through dirty pipes. Mr Chambers then said it was his intention to have the mains relayed as early as possible.

A voice: Why didn’t he do it before?

Mr Whitfield: That is more than I can tell you, I would have done so if it had been my property. This continuing, he said that notwithstanding the analyst report, and to Mr Chambers did what he had promised and until he was satisfied that the cause of complaints at Denaby was removed he should oppose this water being supplied either for Conisborough or continued at Denaby. (Applause.) They need not be alarmed. This scheme was not adopted yet. They had no idea how much attention their subcommittee received from the sanitary authority. He might tell them that Mr White was sent for once to make a report on the question, and he came and went away without opening his mouth.

The question would never yet have received any attention, but Mr Norwood asked for it to be referred to a committee to consider the scheme in its entirety, but to consider it and get it passed were two different things. Dealing with the alternative proposal which had been made Mr Whitfield said that the cost of collecting the water from all the springs in and around Conisborough would be far greater than the cost of the Cadeby water if they adopted that. He did not know where they would be able to get them together without pumping, and then they would have to pump again to distribute the supply in addition to building a a reservoir large enough to contain three month’s supply. That would become very serious burden. They could have the Cadeby water at 6p per thousand gallons pumped into any reservoir they would like to name, and if it proved of sufficient good quality he maintained it would be the best scheme they could adopt. (Here, here) If, however anybody add a better scheme, he for one, had a free hand in the matter. (Applause)

Mr Norwood said he thought in a manner of speaking Ian Mr Whitfield were on their defence. He had heard a good many assertions made in the parish recently. They had been referred to as poisoners, dealers in mock and sludge, and called a number of other nice names. He believed after this meeting they would equip them of any such charges. He would ask them to go back to 1894. At that time they were in favour of the “Serpents well” water being used for the whole of Conisborough. They had it measured by metre, and found it to be inadequate.

Since then Liam Mr Whitfield, as their representatives have been tiny all of the time they had been on the district council to get the question taken up in a businesslike manner, but it was only very recently there have been able to bring it to some thing like a climax. Last year that a scheme to sink a shafting well gate, and collect all the water from the stream surrounding the town well. The order the medical office to analyse the water, and he condemned it, and that, of course, put an end to the scheme.

They then thought it would be possible, as the Doncaster Corporation and succeeded in securing the Sheffield water at 5p per thousand gallons, to make arrangements to take the Sheffield water from them. They say flatly refuse. They then asked what the Doncaster Corporation will supply water for from any other source, and they replied 10p per thousand gallons, Conisborough to lay the mains, and other pumping from the lower part of the town. They tried to make better terms, but without success; they could get no concessions at all, and when they reminded them that for years Doncaster have been draining their ground, they laughed at them, and told them they should have looked after themselves, as Doncaster had done.

It, however, came out that interview with the Doncaster Water committee that the corporation had made arrangements to sink a shaft near the new pit, and take the very water they were now proposing to take. Since that secure the Sheffield, however, they had abandoned that scheme, but it showed that the Doncaster Corporation was satisfied with the water. This knowledge induced the subcommittee to ascertain what could be done with the supplier Cadeby. He might say was that he did not wish to have water anything like that it Denaby. (Hear, hear.) They had it analysed and they took every precaution in obtaining samples for analysis. Now here was the point. If this water was satisfactory and it was hard in face of the analysis to believe anything else, it would be a much cheaper scheme than that of taking the Doncaster water. Of course they would have to provide a reservoir and lay the mains, but the company would do the pumping. Concluding, he said that as much as he favoured the scheme, he would insist upon new pipes been laid to Denaby and the water at Denaby being proved satisfactory before he would agree to go on with the scheme. (Here, here and applause.)

The chairman invited questions

Mr Baker asked if Chapeltown, Wentworth and other places which were going to take Sheffield water had to lay the mains, and provide reservoirs?

Mr Whitfield: I cannot say. The figures I’ve quoted are taken from a parliamentary report, which gives no other details.

Mr Robinson: Has Mr White come to the conclusion that there is not sufficient supply at the Serpent’s Well?

Mr Whitfield: I believe he has.

Mr Earnshaw: Can you give us the substance of Mr White’s report on the subject?

Mr Whitfield, Mr White has never made his report yet. It has been to Doncaster several times to do so, but never opened his mouth. He could not get a hearing. There was no time for him.

Mr Senior: Did Mr Whitfield and Mr Norwood see the water drawn, when samples were taken for analysis?

Mr Richard: Yes, we saw it drawn, sealed up and sent off by train.

Mr Holmes: Have you unbounded faith in those analyses?

Mr Whitfield: I told you I don’t understand technical terms in chemistry, but I suppose these gentlemen know what they’re talking about, and would not mislead us. I suppose you Mr Holmes like the rest of us, have been off the hooks at times, and had to go to the doctor. You may not like the stuff he gave you, and you perhaps could not understand how it was going to do you much good, but you have taken it before because he told you to. (Laughter.) Well we went to those men just on the same strength. We must accept what they give us and believe in it.

Mr Franklin said the Cadeby water was not fit to drink. It had a nasty sting, and a nasty taste. Men working at kb said it was not fit to drink, and they did not use it in the colliery offices. It was all very well to say was the pipes they use it at Cadeby, where the pipes couldn’t affect it. He did not dispute what the analyst said in the paper at all, but he did not think it was right. (Loud laughter.)

Mr Holmes asked if it followed that, supposing they adopted the scheme, the town well supply would be closed.

Mr Whitfield: I think Dr Mitchell Wilson does not condemn the water altogether. He merely says it is not good. My idea is that if we do. The scheme, it would only be a supplement to supply. We shall utilise the springs as far as they will now, by gravitation.

Mr Godfrey Walker, J.P., who explained that he had arrived late, asked what was the relative price of water from Doncaster and from Cadeby

Mr Norwood: Doncaster water is 10p per thousand gallons, we have to do the pumping, make a reservoir and lay the mains. Cadeby water is 6 p per thousand out gallons, pumping included.

Mr T Booth: Who lays the mains?

Mr Norwood: We do.

Mr Walker: Have you any analysis of the Doncaster water?

Mr Norwood: We have not. I tried to get one, but was informed that it had not been recently analysed, and as it is a changeable water, and analysis taken some time ago would not be very reliable.

Mr Walker: I was under the impression they had both been very recently analysed, and the Cadeby water came out much the best.

Mr Norwood: Prof Wanklyn says the Cadeby water is of exquisite organic purity.

Mr Walker: I don’t see what more you can require than that. You have gone to the highest authority, and he gives you a report which cannot be Excel.

A ratepayer suggest that an analysis of the water, as supplied at Denaby should be taken. They would then be able to ascertain whether the contamination arose through the pipes are not.

Mr Robinson asked Mr Chambers was.

Mr Norwood said he would have been present, but he had three other meetings to attend that night.

Mr Holmes said he thought Mr Chambers ought to have been present. The meeting was evidently not convinced that the water was desirable, and an explanation from Mr Chambers as to what caused it to be contaminated before reaching Denaby, and his assurance that it would be remedied, would have gone a long way.

He thought the fault of the dissatisfaction age rested with Mr Chambers a good deal, for the length of time the company had allowed the water to be sent through improper pipes. His opinion was that the water might be made good by filtration. He had not very great faith in analysis report, for he had been reading an engineering work that their methods different so greatly, and not much reliance could be placed in their results. He deplored the apathy of a few years had allowed Doncaster to rob them of their water supply, but the mischief which that neglect and cause or to make them determine that what was done now will not injure posterity. (Here, here)

Mr Hirst said as a resident at Denaby, he could tell them something about the water there, and proceeded to describe it as altogether unfit for drinking. If they do a bucketful of it overnight, in the morning it was covered with a scum like as though oil had been poured into it.

After further discussion, it was moved by Mr Holmes, seconded by Mr Helliwell and carried:

“That we support the District Councillors in giving no support to the proposed scheme of Cadeby water supply for the whole of the parish, until the Denaby Company have properly tested the water by laying down the necessary mains , and by remedy of the grievance, if that grievance be in the pipe; also that the Rural District Council be written to asking them to approach the Sheffield Corporation as to a supply from their source direct,” the latter part of the resolution been added on the suggestion of Mr C Williams.

The meeting then closed with the usual vote of thanks to the chairman