South Yorkshire Times September 7, 1946

Judgement for Doctor
In Denaby House Possession Case

judgement in favour of a well-known Denaby medical practitioner, Dr John MacArthur, until recently Medical Officer of Health for Conisbrough, was given by George A. C. Caporn at Doncaster County Court on Wednesday when he disallowed a claim, made by Amalgamated Denaby Collieries, Ltd., for the possession of Red House, Denaby, occupied on lease by Dr MacArthur.

Red House, it was stated at the hearing on August 7th, was needed for an essential official of the colliery Company who was living in love them, and his wife was in Buxton and furniture in Newcastle.

Another house had been offered to Dr MacArthur as alternative accommodation, but he objected to it on the ground that the house was continually damp and that it was detrimental to the health of his wife.

He had lived in this house from 1911 to 1929, when he had moved out because his wife’s health broke down. She had suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatism.

It had been contended by Col. Morris, M. P, barrister, who appeared for Dr MacArthur, that it was unreasonable to expect him to go back to the house he previously lived in. If the house was considered fit for the doctor then it was fit for the colliery official.

Disallowing the colliery companies claim, Judge Caporn said he had inspected the alternative accommodation offered and could not say it was suitable.

The doctor’s main problem was that he was contemplating retirement and making satisfactory arrangements for his practice to be carried on by one or other of his sons.

The practice was centred on the house, and he was endeavouring to make the best arrangements he could for it to be carried on. It was a difficult problem, particularly in view of the uncertainty of the future possession of members of the medical profession, the judge added.