Mexborough and Swinton Times March 20, 1936
Joint Hospital Board
Conisborough Proposal
Revision of Basis of Contribution
Submitting his monthly report at a meeting of the Doncaster and Mexborough joint Hospital board, at the isolation Hospital, Conisborough, on Wednesday, Mr L. S. Howden (Kelloe) presiding, the medical superintendent (Dr W. J. McClure) said that at the beginning of February there were 134 patients in hospital, 93 suffering from scarlet fever, 40 from diphtheria, and one from cerebrospinal fever,
63 patients were admitted during the month, 45 having scarlet fever, diphtheria, and three spinal fever, but 94 patients (66 scarlet fever, diphtheria, and one spinal fever) were discharged, there had been one death – from cerebral spinal fever – and on February 29 the number of patients in hospital was 102. Of which 72 were scarlet fever patients, 28 diphtheria and two spinal fever
Replying to a question, Dr McClure stated that the influx of patients during the month was rather less than that during the two previous months.
The meeting decided that the joint conference of constituent authorities to consider the important proposal from Conisborough Urban Council that the basis of contributions by the local authorities to the board’s income should be on rateable value and not, as at present, and population, should be held at Netherhall, Doncaster, on March 30th
The Clerk (Mr Roy Bowers) reported the receipt of a letter from the suppliers of coal requesting the Board to pay a retrospective increase in the price of coal supplied on contract. An assurance was given that the extra money would be required for the payment of wage increases.
Mr J. Walton (Mexborough) said that the increases had not been made to by-product workers in certain areas, while in other areas increases had been granted but had not been made retrospective. The suppliers ought not to expect authorities to meet retrospective increases if the wages increases had not been treated in the same way.
Mr David Sheldon (Conisborough) refer to the threatened strike of by-product workers for increased wages, and said that if nothing was done in the matter the whole of the Yorkshire coalfield would shortly be involved in a strike in sympathy with those employees.
It was decided not to make any retrospective payment unless the workmen actually received the same treatment.