March 27 th 1885
The Denaby Main Dispute
Expected Encampment Of Ejected Families
There does not seem to be any immediate prospect of a settlement in this unfortunate dispute.
On Wednesday the whole of the datallers and other workmen occupying houses under the company received notice of the company´s intention to apply for ejectment orders against them before the magistrates at an early date, which, if successful, will bring the number of families to be ejected to over two hundred in number.
Hitherto those against whom the ejectment orders have been obtained seem to pay little regard to the same, and on Wednesday Mr. Chappell, secretary for the South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire Miners´ Association, was in the neighbour -hood trying to obtain a field in which to encamp the miners and their families, should the ejectments take place. It is said that a field has been obtained for the purpose on the Mexborough side of the colliery.
The sum collected in aid of the Denaby Main miners during the past week reached £142, which is the largest amount collected within seven days, since the struggle commenced. Rotherham, Barnsley, and outlying villages have been visited during the week by the miners in procession, headed by the `tin whistle band´, and the men expressed their gratification at the kind treatment they received everywhere.
A meeting was held yesterday, but there was no statement made respecting the termination of the struggle, and the prevailing opinion in Mexborough and Swinton is that the dispute will not be settled for many weeks to come unless some modification of the company´s terms are made.
The `strike pay´ has stopped and the men are now supplied with groceries and other provisions from the funds received from the general public. No less than £1,760 had been paid to the men during the period they have abstained f rom working. Now that the `strike pay´ has been discontinued the struggle for the unionists will commence in real earnest. As yet however, they make no signs of retreating from the position they have taken up – viz., not to accede to any reduction.
The work of extending the plant at the colliery, it is sated, is proceeding.
Arrangements have been pushed forward for the camping out of families at Denaby Main when they are ejected. The men state that they do not fear the exposure to the elements, as the warmer weather is coming on, and the first of the ejectments are not due to take place until next Saturday week.
On Monday last the Denaby Main miners visited Rotherham, headed by the `tin whistle bans´, which has now attained a degree of proficiency. They made a halt at the residence of Councillor A. Legge, who addressed the men, congratulating them on the manner in which they had conducted themselves during the struggle, and expressing a hope that they would continue to conduct themselves in an orderly manner. He kindly proffered the use of his hall to the miners free, and, as several persons in the locality have promised to give their services, this most generous offer was accepted.
Barnsley had been visited during the week, and a large amount of support has been accorded to the men, more than £142 having been collected. This sum is largely in excess of that obtained during any previous week.
Sheffield is to be visited on Monday by the men in procession.