Mass Meeting at Denaby

Resolve to Build Separate Accident Hospital

Scheme Unanimously Approved

On the same evening that the subscribers to the proposed Montagu Hospital were engaged in serious deliberations as to future plans, a big mass meeting of workpeople was held in the Rosington Street School, Denaby, to discuss a proposal to build and support a hospital for the convenient treatment of accidents which might happen in or about the mines or neighbouring works.

Amongst those present were Mr. W. H. Chambers, managing director of the Denaby and Cadeby Main Collieries Co., Ltd.; the Revs. Brooks and Riggs, Doctors Craik and Twigg, Messrs. Parratt, Whitty, Bury, Gibbons, and Leebetter (sec. pro tem.).

Mr. Gibbons was elected to the chair, and he explained that the object, first and foremost, of the meeting was to decide whether the workpeople of the Denaby and Cadeby Collieries should have a hospital of their own, or continue to support the Mexboro’ Hospital. It would be left entirely to them as workers to say which they would do. The need of a hospital was evidenced by the last annual report of the Mexboro’ Cottage Hospital, which stated that 37 per cent. of the injured admitted to that institution came from Denaby and Cadeby.

The advantages of having a hospital near the scene of accidents were obvious, and though a good many people said the time was inopportune for the erection of an institution at Denaby, in his opinion now was the best time. Of course, there were various things to be considered, such as site and how to support the hospital, but he hoped his hearers would have the commonsense to accept the scheme in its entirety.

Several gentlemen present would speak on the question, and Mr. W. H. Chambers, representing the Colliery Company, would have a few words to say. What, however, he (the speaker) wished to impress on them was that right was that they were the people who had the power, and it was for them to use it, for on them would depend whether the movement would become a living fact or not.

He then called on Dr. Twigg, who expressed himself as willing to help in anything that conduced to the welfare of the workpeople, but thought he had been called a little too early, and would prefer to speak when the feeling of the meeting had been made clear.

The Chairman: I will ask the secretary then to read the first resolution.

Mr. W. Leebetter read the following, which had been framed as a suggestion:—

“That the time has now arrived when steps should be taken to build a cottage hospital for Denaby and Cadeby workpeople, upon the most convenient site obtainable, as near the centre of Denaby as possible, and that it shall be constructed to meet the requirements that may arise from time to time; to be governed by the workmen, and to be supported by gentlemen of the district.”

The Chairman: That resolution is now open for discussion.

A voice: Mr. Chairman, is that the minutes of the last meeting? Have you had a meeting before?

Mr. Leebetter: Yes, a preliminary meeting last Monday night, preparatory to calling this mass meeting. At that meeting it was moved and seconded that we have a cottage hospital for Denaby Main. I think that will answer your question.

A man in the hall rose and said their friends across the water, or rather the bridge (Denaby Bridge), were rather jealous of their proposal, but he thought it would be better for humanity’s sake to take the injured to a hospital close at hand.

Eventually the proposition to build a hospital, as mentioned above, was moved by Mr. Kinnison, seconded by Mr. Murray.

The Chairman: Has any gentleman in this room any question to ask, or any reason to give why this resolution should not be passed? You can propose an amendment if you like.

There being no reply, the Chairman put the resolution to the meeting, and it was carried with only one dissentient.

The Chairman: Shall we take all the resolutions before we hear the speakers? I think the gentlemen ought to speak, but I can take the second resolution if you like. The second resolution, or rather suggestion, affects the maintenance of the hospital as now proposed.

A voice: It would be better to hear some of the speakers, and we should then know how to go on.

The Chairman: Will Mr. Chambers please address the meeting?

Mr. Chambers complied, and received a hearty round of applause from the big meeting. He said he came that night by invitation to hear what was said, and to gain information, not to impart such. He understood there was a movement amongst the working men in favour of having a hospital at Denaby. That was not a new departure, for some present might remember that in 1897 there was a similar resolution carried, and there was even now a few pounds in hand as the outcome of that first movement, which failed to materialise.

Since that time the subject had remained in abeyance, and he believed the project of building a much larger hospital in Mexboro’ had been the means of causing the Denaby and Cadeby people to consider their benefits in regard to that largely increased hospital, particularly as they would be called upon to contribute more towards the increased cost.

The question to be considered was whether the money they would be called upon to contribute to the Mexboro’ institution could not be spent to better advantage in their own midst. A few days previous a deputation from the Mexboro’ Hospital had waited upon him, and he was informed that the cost of establishing the proposed hospital at Mexboro’ would be about £8,000, and towards this sum about £6,000 had been given or promised.

The management of that institution had tapped every source available to raise the necessary funds, with the exception of the collieries, which they had left until last. It was from those collieries that they expected to obtain the balance. They asked him what the company, whom he represented, would be disposed to give towards their proposed larger institution, and he asked the deputation how much they would expect. They replied they only had the collieries within a radius of six miles to go to, and, of course, the Denaby and Cadeby collieries employed a much larger number of workmen than the others.

He then suggested £500 as about the sum expected, and said if his colliery company had that amount to spare for the purpose of building a hospital, it would have to be considered whether they could not spend the money to better advantage for the workmen in another way.

He told the deputation that the matter had been in his mind a long time, for he had long thought the time would possibly arrive when it would become absolutely necessary to have a hospital erected close to the works. Nobody, he told them, could deny the disadvantages of having to convey the injured and suffering a long way before they could receive the attention found in a hospital.

The proposal emanating from Denaby came of no hostility to the Mexboro’ institution, but rather to meet a very real need. Now there were about 10,000 people in Denaby Main, of which over 4,000 workmen were employed at the two collieries.

[continued faithfully…]

He argued that Denaby could manage its own hospital, that doctors locally were as capable as elsewhere, and that reliance on distant institutions was both inconvenient and unnecessary in many cases. He favoured a modest, practical hospital—primarily for accidents—capable of later expansion, rather than an expensive large central institution.

Dr. Twigg followed, supporting the need for a hospital at Denaby and emphasising that the argument for local treatment was as strong as that previously used in favour of Mexboro’. He stressed that quick access to care was vital in serious injury cases.

Further speakers reinforced the point that Denaby and Cadeby workers had long supported Mexboro’, but now wished to provide for themselves. It was suggested that contributions should continue to Mexboro’ in some measure, but that local provision was both justified and necessary.

The Chairman later proposed that contributions towards maintenance might be raised by weekly payments from workers and boys employed at the pits, suggesting that even small weekly sums would provide sufficient funding.

After discussion, it was resolved that the men and boys employed at the pits contribute weekly payments as suggested.

A standing committee was then elected, consisting of representatives from Denaby and Cadeby, with Mr. Leebetter as secretary.

Mr. Chambers proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman for conducting the meeting, which was carried with acclamation. The Chairman briefly acknowledged the vote.

Before the meeting broke up, attention was drawn to the election for a rural district councillor for Conisboro’, and those present were encouraged to consider the candidates.

With a vote of thanks to Mr. Chambers and the other speakers, the meeting concluded.