The following article was published by Eddie McRorie on 11th May 2025 on the Johnstone History Facebook page and is reproduced here with his kind permission.

New Water Supply for the Burgh of Johnstone – 1869

John Weems of the High Street Perseverance Works had proposed a water supply scheme for Johnstone; however, it never proceeded due to Johnstone being included in the new water supply scheme for Paisley.

On a bright April Saturday in 1869, a grand procession of dignitaries—led by Provost McFarlane of Paisley and Provost Donald of the Burgh of Johnstone—was joined by the Paisley Water Commissioners and the Johnstone Police Commissioners.
A half-day holiday had been announced, and many inhabitants accompanied the procession from Johnstone Railway Station to the new water supply filters at Auchenlodment. The Johnstone Volunteer Band led the procession, playing inspiring tunes.

The Johnstone police, under the command of Captain Fraser, and a number of Paisley policemen, under Inspector Cockburn, were also in attendance.

Upon arrival at the filters, the company assembled in the tank house, lining the walls that skirt the four sides of the tank. Provost McFarlane recounted how the new water supply had been carried out in only three years, despite the Act of Parliament allowing for ten.

The assembly witnessed the turning on of the supply from the newly constructed reservoir at Rowbank—which holds 77 million cubic feet of water—to great applause from the gathered crowd, as the town had previously been inadequately supplied. Provost McFarlane of Paisley remarked that Paisley, of course, expected reimbursement for the work carried out in connection with the Johnstone supply, noting that, “We not only prosper together but also suffer together,” which was greeted with cries of “Hear, hear!”

Provost Donald then gave thanks on behalf of the town of Johnstone.

The assembled company proceeded to Thorn Braehead, where the pipe from Auchenlodment splits in two—one branch to Johnstone and the other to Elderslie. Both supplies were duly turned on, to hearty cheers.

The whole procession, preceded by the band, marched down to Johnstone town centre, which was bedecked with flags and bunting, to meet what seemed like every inhabitant of the town.

In the centre of the Square stood two jets d’eau, much admired as fine examples of that type of fountain. The fountains were cast at the Sun Foundry of Glasgow, which the previous year had created the “Grand Fountain” in the Fountain Gardens in Paisley for Thomas Coats.

After enjoying this spectacle, the outdoor proceedings concluded with three cheers.

Local dignitaries and guests then retired to the library room in connection with the new Town Hall and Mechanics' Institution. There were many after-dinner toasts. The first-class meal and wines were provided by Mr. Meiklejohn of the George Hotel, Paisley.