The first suggestion for
the present local yearly Sunday collection for the hospitals appeared in
an article, written by Mr. Thos. Barber Wright, in the _Midland Counties
Herald_ in October, 1859. A collection of this kind took place on
Sunday, the 27th, of that month, and the first public meeting, when
arrangements were made for its annual continuance, was held in the Town
Hall, December 14th same year, under the presidency of Dr. Miller, who,
therefrom, has been generally accredited with being the originator of
the plan. The proceeds of the first year's collection were given to the
General Hospital, the second year to the Queen's, and the third year
divided among the other charitable institutions in the town of a like
character, and this order of rotation has been adhered to since.
The following is a list of the gross amounts collected since the
establishment of the movement:--
1859 General Hospital..........L5,200 8 10
1860 Queen's Hospital.......... 3,433 6 1
1861 Amalgamated Charities..... 2,953 14 0
1862 General Hospital.......... 8,340 4 7
1863 Queen's Hospital.......... 3,293 5 0
1864 Amalgamated Charities.
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