Mexborough and Swinton Times, July 6.
Hospital Demonstration at Conisborough.
The annual demonstration, in aid of the Doncaster Infirmary and the Mexborough Montagu Cottage Hospital, was held at Conisborough on Sunday afternoon.
This was the 10th occasion on which advantage has been taken on Feast Sunday to make an effort to raise money for this praiseworthy object. Last year, rain fell heavily shortly after the usual processionhad reached its destination, and consequently the musical services had to be abandoned.
On Sunday, the promoters were more fortunate in this respect. About two o’clock the weather was somewhat threatening, but happily a strong, high breeze carried the storm clouds away from the district, and the event took place under the most pleasant condition.
The procession was a large one, and contained a considerable number of children, many of whom wore sashes and badges indicating that they were members of the juvenile branches of the various friendly societies.
The men of the Mexborough and Conisborough Fire Brigades, the former under Superintendent Carter and the latter under Captain Jones attended in uniform, and the Doncaster and Rotherham Brigades were represented; Doncaster by Capt. Gregory and Rotherham by Capt. Turner, who presided at the musical service, and Sgt Cundy.
The Conisborough Brass Band under the conductership of Mr A.J.Wilson and the Denaby and Cadeby Brass Band, under Mr Hague, took part in the procession, and the following friendly societies, with banners, were represented by a large number of the members:
Denaby and Conisborough Lodge of Foresters, Sick and Dividing Societies, Druids, Cadeby and Denaby branches of the Yorkshire Miners Association and others.
There was a large attendance in the fields lent for the occasion by Mr B.J.Clarkson. On the platform supporting Captain Turner were the Rev W.A.Strawbridge, the Rev D.Martin, Dr Craik, Mr J Dixon (secretary to the Montagu Cottage Hospital), Mr F. Allen (secretary to the Doncaster Infirmary), Mr Caleb Kilner, Mr W. Wilson, Captain Jones and Mr H.Fowler (hon sec to the Conisborough Demonstration Committee)
A string band and chorus of 100 performers led the singing, the conductor being Mr Ledbetter, and the organist, Mr Wilson. It was stated on the announcements that the proceeds of the gathering would be equally divided between the two institutions named above. The servicebegan with the singing of the hymn, “Praise ye the Lord,has good to raise,” after which the Reverent R.Martin led the meeting in prayer. The Conisborough Band played Mozart´s “Kyrie and Gloria”
The chairman had a cordial reception on rising to speak. His remarks were brief and to the point. He mentioned that he had some knowledge of the hospital here, as he was a life governor of the Rotherham Hospital, and a member of the Quarterly Board. He was of the opinion that better facilities should be offered to medical men in the hospitals than was generally the case. If the doctors had not the tools they could not work (hear, hear).
He wanted everybody to feel an interest in the hospital movement, and remembered that every “mickle made a muckle”. He liked to see people do good while they were alive, and not leave it until they were dead. (Applause.)
Mr Caleb Kilner was the next speaker. He referred to the prayer by Mr Martin, in which thehope was expressed that while they were doing good to others they might receive goods themselves, and asked if they ever knew anyone who tried to do good to others who did not get good himself? He was present to show that he was in sympathy with the object they had in view. He considered the Mexborough Montagu Hospital, one of the most useful buildings they had within a very great distance of that place. People who had been to the institution would tell them they had derived great benefit and been well attended to. He hoped the demonstration would be a great success. He believed there were more people present that day then there had ever been before.
The reverent W.A.Strawbridge in his remarks first spoke of the chairman whom he had known for 14 years in the parish of Masborough. He had always known Capt. Turner to be prominent in good works, attending meetings and giving of his substance to objects of that kind. (Hear, hear). After a reference to the South African War and the reported neglect in the hospital near Bloemfontein, the reverent gentleman said they could not help but see how much depended on a supply of good water and fresh air. He was rather surprised and grieved to find that at a recent meeting, which he was unable to attend, the question of a water supply for Conisborough was once more shelved. Something ought to be done quickly to get the best possible water. Mr Strawbridge concluded with a reference to the Indian famine, and said he would be pleased to help in making some public effort to raise money for the Famine Fund in Conisborough.
Dr Craik also spoke. He said the Mexborough Cottage Hospital provided for those who were injured and the infectious hospital for those who were afflicted with infectious disease, but beyond that there was a vast amount of illness in the community for which provision was made by the various friendly societies, a weekly allowance being made, and a sick visitor provided. He observed that it would be a good thing to re-establish a fund for the payment of a district nurse in Conisborough. He simply mentioned the matter as it had been mentioned before. A district nurse was one of the means by which they could alleviate suffering and distress.
The reverent R.Martin spoke the words: “who is my neighbour?” A question that was asked by Jesus Christ, in reply to which he told the parable of the Good Samaritan. Mr Martin said their neighbour was anyone to whom they would prove to be their neighbour, and that was just what our Lord desire to teach, and what they must learn.
Mr F. Allen presented a report on the work of the Doncaster infirmary, which showed that the institution had a very small permanent income. About £2400 a year was spent, and that amount, with the exception of £500, had to be raised by voluntary effort. The institution was largely used for surgical cases, and in order to provide accommodation it had been found necessary to refuse medical cases unless they were very urgent.
Last year 222 in patients and 3853 outpatients had been treated. The strictest economy was exercised but, despite this, the yearly expenditure continued to increase, and owing to their now not being able to employ probationers, but only fully qualified nurses, it was likely that the expenditure would continue to increase. The institution was urgently in need of funds. There was an overdraft at the bank, which was the cause of considerable anxiety.
Mr.J.Dixon presented the report on the Montagu Hospital, full particulars of which have already appeared in our columns.
The thanks of the gathering were recorded to the chairman on the proposition of Mr Wilson, seconded by Captain Jones.
The hymns sung included: “Here we meet again once more,” “I’ll praise my Maker”, “Help, brother, help the sick, the lame, the poor” and “All people that on Earth do dwell.”
The Conisborough band played another selection, and two selections were contributed by the Denaby band.