Skegness Magazine

The erection of an isolation hospital was being considered by the local board in 1901.
In order for the approval to go ahead, the condition was imposed that there must be a water supply.
OK! Then let’s bring in a water diviner to find a supply!

Let’s see what the councillors said:

Source: Skegness Herald 1901

The Clerk : The inspector made it conditional that there must be a water supply to the satisfaction of the Local Government Board either by well or by laying the mains.

Mr. Sills said it would cost only £120 to bore to the same depth of the present waterworks and then they would get water. It was only a question of £120. They need not confine themselves to laying down pipes.

Mr. Ferguson asked if they would be sure of getting the water if they did bore. It did not follow that they would get the water if they spent £120 in boring.

Mr. Sills : I am informed that there is no question of getting water.

Mr. Kirkby : Would it not be better if we got an expert and see if we should get the water by boring ? There was a person at Bolingbroke, a water diviner, who would come here for three guineas and report on the subject.

Mr. Sills thought the Council would have no power to pay him three guineas.

Mr. Randall considered it impossible for them to go to the expense of laying the water mains, as this together with the expense of the building and the purchase of the land would amount to £2000. The expenditure of so large a sum on a hospital for a place the size of Skegness was totally unnecessary. He thought it would be better to get a temporary building for a hospital. And if they had gone so far as to purchase the land, let them erect a temporary building on it.