Denaby Main and the Police – Letters

March 1886

Mexborough and Swinton Times March 12, 1886

‘Denaby Main colliery Company Ltd.

Mexboro’, near Rotherham, Jan. 27.

‘Dear sir, – We find we have paid £175 18s. 11d. for services of policemen during the late strike in order to obtain protection of property, the safety of which is generally supposed to be guaranteed by the payment of rates. We must ask you to be kind enough to bring this letter before the magistrates who control charges made for police services.

We humbly submit that under the whole of the circumstances it is only reasonable that some mitigation should be made in the severity of the treatment to which we have been subjected.

‘We are, dear sir, yours truly’

‘Geo. Wilkie, Secretary for the Denaby

Denaby Main Colliery Company Ltd

‘Capt. Russell, West Riding constabulary, Wakefield. Chief Constable’s office, Wakefield, Feb 17.

‘Gentlemen.

I am directed by the Chief Constable to acquaint you that at the police committee meeting held this day he submitted your letters to him of the 8th of December and 27th of January last relative to the charges for services of police at Denaby Main colliery during the recent strike; but, after full consideration, the committee unanimously declined to re open the question.

‘I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,

‘Wm.. Smith Gill, Chief Clerk,),

Mexboro’, near Rotherham.’