PRESTON GUARDIAN 4TH AUGUST 1883
LEYLAND WATERWORKS

Yesterday afternoon, the ceremony of laying a foundation stone in connection with there waterworks took place at he pumping station, near Clayton Green. Previous to the commencement of the works now in progress a well was sunk and a tank a trail boring made on land fronting the highway in Clayton le Woods, near Clayton Green in order to test the suitability of the site for a pumping station. The trial boring passes mainly through beds of marle, shale and sandstone, and is carried down to 130 feet 6 inches from the surface into a thick bed of sandstone. The field of water has been tested at two different stages of the boring, and the supply found to be abundant. The quality has also been analysed by Doctor Campbell Brown and pronounced to be excellent water for domestic use. Following this result, the Leyland Local Board applied to the Local Government Board for sanction to borrow £8,000 in order to carry out a complete scheme of water supply for their district and in August last year Mr. Harrison, C.E., of the Local Government Board, held an enquiry at Leyland with reference to the proposed scheme. After making a searching examination of the details of the internal works, test of the field from the bore hole, geological formation of the strata through which the same pau?, and other relative matters , he expressed himself satisfied with the scheme, and hoped that the Board might successfully carry it out.

Contacts were afterwards entered into and a commencement made on the various works in February last. The sinking of the new well, 8 foot in diameter, was let to Mr. Ebenezer Timmins, of Runcorn, who was also the contractor for the boring. The new well which seems to have been well executed is sunk to the required depth 70 feet, and the driving of a heading to connect this well with the borehole is now executed. The construction of the covered service reservoir, and the erection of the engine and boiler houses, engineer man’s cottage, was let to Mr. William Crook, contractor, of Chorley. The reservoir which is constructed to hold about 300,000 gallons and is now nearly completed, is substantially built of stone rubble in hydraulic mortar, backed with clay puddle, faced internally with brick lining in cement, arched over with brick, and the floor formed of concrete. The haunches of the arched roof are filled in concrete, the top coated with a layer of asphalted and covered with soil and drained. The cottage is built, and is with local stone shoddies and lined inside with brick. The concrete foundation for the engine and boiler houses and chimney have been got in, and the buildings are now in course of erection. The engine and boiler houses will be of local stone shoddies to match the cottage building, and backed with rubble. The chimney is to be of brick and square in plan. The contact for the pumping machinery is let to Joseph Clayton, of Soho Foundry, Preston. It consist of two twelve horse power horizontal high pressure condensing engines geared to drive two sets of pumps of the bucket and plunger type. The two boilers are each 16 feet long by five feet six inches in diameter. The whole of the machinery is in duplicate, so that in case of repairs or emergency the pumping operations need not be suspended. The pumps force the water through an eight inch rising main into the reservoir, which is placed160yards to the west of the pumping station and about 50 feet above the surface of the well. The pumping machinery is nearly ready for fixing. It appears to be substantial and good, and of first class workmanship. The water will be supplied to the district from the reservoir by gravitation through an 8 inch delivery main. The reservoir being at a considerable elevation above the district, about 180 feet above the village of Leyland, and 250 feet above the lower portion of the district, a very effective pressure in the mains will be secured. The water mains are being laid by Messrs. Walmsley and Co.,of 82 Fishergate, Preston. The pipes have bored and turned joints, and are laid to a depth of 2 feet 6inches to the top of the pipes. The total length of the mains is about 8 miles a good progress is now being made with the work. The contract for supplying the pipes is being carried out by the Staveley Coal and Iron Company, of Staveley, Near Chesterfield. Messrs, Walsmsley and Co., have tested all the pipes on arrival by hydraulic pressure, and very few defects comparatively have been found. The cost of the whole scheme including the trial boring and nearly 2 acres of land is estimated at about £9.000.the whole of the works have been designed by Mr. William Wrennall, Civil Engineer, of Liverpool.

The members of the Board, accompanied by a number of guest, having viewed the station, reservoir and other objects of interest, they assembled at the station at four o, clock, the time agreed upon by the company. Amongst those present we noticed the following: - J. Stanning, Wm.Wrennall, C. Clayton, R.Veever, H. Dobson, and Chas. A.Timmins, Eqrs., the Rev. R.H. Bowers , Dr.Berry, and Messrs. Wall, J Carr, E Barber (Preston), J.Pilkington, Leece (late chief secretary with Mr. Wrennall), Hackforth, W, Swann, J.T. Timminns, Miller, A Berry, Porter, R Banester, ascot (mechanical engineer for the work), Crook, Forrester, Durham, and Dunn. Previous to the ceremony being performed, Mr. Wm. Wrennall the engineer of the works) stepped forward, and handed to Mr. Dobson (the chairman of the board). Who was about to lay the foundation stone stone, a handsome silver trowel, with beautiful carved silver blade and rich ivory handle, and a small mallet. Upon the trowel there was the following inscription:- “Presented to Henry Dobson, Esqr., Chairman of the Leyland Local Board, on laying the foundation stone,3rd August 1883, Leyland Waterworks. Engineer William Wrennall: contractors, Messrs. Ebenezer Timmins, Wm Crook, Edward Barber, Joseph Clayton, the Straveley Coal and Iron Company.”In presenting the same to him. Mr.Wrennall remarked that he had the very greatest pleasure in asking Mr. Dobson to kindly accept the presentation trowel and mallet. He was sure it would be gratifying to him to a certain extent, to find that they were appreciating his efforts to such an extent that they were very pleased indeed to make him that little token of their acknowledgement of the services he had rendered, and for the interest he had taken in these works. In conclusion, he trusted that he (Mr. Dobson) would be pleased to lay the foundation-stone, and that the Leyland Waterworks would be carried on successfully and well. (Applause.)

Mr. Dobson suitably acknowledged the gift, and said: I now declare this stone well and truly laid,- ( hear, hear )- and I hope these works will be the means of supplying he inhabitants of Leyland for a very long time to come, and when these works are completed, I hope they will give satisfaction to to all parties concerned in their erection.(Applause). He then performed the ceremony of the laying the foundation stone of the new waterworks. The stone contained the inscription:- “ This stone was laid by Henry Dobson, Esqr., chairman of the Leyland Local Board, August 3rd 1883”
Three cheers were given for Mr. Dobson, and shortly afterwards, the party drove back to the Station Hotel, kept by Mr. Carr. There a most substantial and excellent dinner was partaken of, provided by Mr. and Mrs.Carr the worthy host and hostess.
After all had been well satisfied with many good things provided, the toasting was commended. The Queen, Prince and Princess of Wales having been given, the Chairman then proposed the clergy of all denominations to which.

The Rev P.H.Bowers responded. He said he replied with feelings of regret on account of them not having present their worthy vicar.(Applause). He was sure no one regretted more than he did his inability to be present, and they knew the respect in which he was held in Leyland. (Applause.) As to himself, he thanked them for the kindly manner in which they had drunk the health of the clergy. With regard to the ministers of the other denominations in Leyland, he would remark that they had room for all. (Applause.) In conclusion, he said there was room for more, and room for all to do his duty in the great cause. (Applause.)

Mr. Stanning proposed the next toast, “The health of the Chairman of the Leyland Local Board.” In doing so he had much pleasure in bringing before their notice the fact that he was, on behalf of the Local Board of Leyland, about to present Mr. Henry Dobson, the chairman of that board, will some slight memorial, as a testimony for what he had done for them in the past. (Applause.).
Speaking to the Chairman he said he was about to present him with an address, and he would then take the pleasure of reading it to the company. The speaker then took an illuminated address, bound in a handsome gilt frame, from behind a screen, and read it aloud. The address congratulated Mr. Dobson upon his past labours on behalf of the district, and wished him prosperity in the future. The speaker, in continuing, said the words chosen for the address, he believed, were fully representative of the sentiments towards their chairman, not only his colleagues, but also the ones whose representative the board was thought so. (Applause.) Of course, comparatively speaking, he was a new comer into Leyland, and he could have wished that your older member of the Board had made the presentation; but, in defence to their wishes, he was very willing to perform the ceremony, as he felt it was their duty to do so, and everyone in Leyland were in favour of what he had already done.(Loud applause.) The address, he said, alluded to the long connection of Mr. Dobson with Leyland and its Local Board, for he believed that their worthy chairman, with a very slight exception, had been a member of that body since its commencement, and that he was well known amongst the people of Leyland, and he was so well respected by them, that he was suitably fitted to occupy the position he did. (Applause.) In relation to the work carried out, principally by their chairman, they were assembled there to celebrate impresivley the public waterworks. But before them was another important work which they took in hand, and carried to a satisfactory conclusion. He alluded to the sewage. (Applause). In strict justice, he could not but say that the sewerage scheme he believed, originated almost through Mr. Forrester, whom he was glad to see present. He had a very powerful voice in influencing its origination, for they thought it a very important work.
As to their chairman, he must say that he took the matter in hand in a most energetic manner, and greatly helped to bring the matter to a conclusion, at which it had arrived. (Applause). They carried the matter on to the end, and there was only the last portion of the affair remaining – the paying of the money. Of course, the sewerage being done and he spoke in the presence of his colleagues, he would say further, that Mr.Dobson gave the matter his individual attention. (Applause). He almost thought that was his favoured child (laughter and applause) – and he trust it would pose a very worthy offsping. Renewed laughter. He (Mr. Dobson) had done all he could; had given his ability to the engineer, and he was certain Mr. Wrennall would not be unwilling to acknowledge it, (Applause). He had spoken of those two important measures in the general business of the Board, and undoubtedly they found in their chairman an admirable leader. Some boards had chairmen who were not absolutely present at the beginning of business, but in their case he ventured to say that in nine cases out of ten their chairman was always, an hour to an hour and a half before the board meeting, to be seen slowly walking up the hill (Loud applause and laughter.) He regretted very much that Wesley was prevented from being present and condoled with his bereavement. In conclusion he was sure that their worthy chairman had done so much for them, given so much consideration to public business, that he was an acquisition to any parish on the country – (applause) – and he hoped that Mr. Dobson would be long spared to preside over them. (Applause.) But expressed an idea, upon several occasions, that he hoped shortly to be relieved from the duties of this post. He would have them to understand that he was a little shy – (laughter) – and he advised them to compare his shyness with the words of the Bishop of Manchester, who upon his appointment calculated that in ten years he would like to hand over the office to younger hands. That idea would with little persuasion , he brought to a similar climax, (Applause.) It they were to lose his conduct in the chair, he assured them the business of the Board would suffer very considerable loss.

Mr. Dobson’s health was then drunk, and accompanied with musical honours, the company rising and singing “For he’s a jolly good fellow.

Mr.Hutchinson having given, in first rate style a song entitled ,”The fine old English gentleman ,”
The Chairman rose to make his reply. He said: I thank you heartily for this address. I accept it with great pleasure, but I did not think my services would have gained such a kind expression in your opinions as I know now. I have always endeavoured to do my duty, and however long I am the chairman of the Board. I will still do the same. (Loud applause).

Mr. Wall then gave the toast of the evening, “Success to the Leyland Water Works” To that toast he would couple the name of the engineer - (applause) – M. Wrennal and he (Mr. Wrennall) would be able to tell them all about the works.. They went up to see the foundation stone laid, and he was sure it was highly satisfactory. He was sure they all know the want of the water works; they had know for some years; and they had now become an absolute necessity. By their Medical Officer of health, they had been told that the health of the district had been fairly good, but he strongly advised them that they must really have a better water supply. They had now almost got what they wanted, and would very soon be plentiful water supply for some years to come – (applause) – by which they would be more healthy, and by which the clothes of the inhabitants should be washed oftener. (Applause.) In conclusion, he was sure it would pay them in the long run – (applause) – and it would, he felt confident, be a success.(Applause.)
The toast was then drunk with great enthusiasm, and Mr., Wrennal honoured by the singing of “For he’s a jolly good fellow.” Mr. Wrennall. (the engineer) replied in most eulogistic speech. He was very much pleased for his name being connected with the toast. He might say that from the beginning, the success of the work, was his success to a certain extent. He referred in general to the works, and stated so far as they had gone, that the affair would end successfully. Mr. Wrennall finally submitted “The Contractors.” In remarking upon them respectively, he criticised the work of each with eulogium, and confidently believed that all were first – class gentle men. Several others toasts having been given, the proceedings terminated