DEATH OF DR. A. M. NIVEN

[Stanley]

DEATH OF DR. A. M. NIVEN
Practised 35 years in Earby
His many friends in Earby will learn with regret of the death on Sunday of Dr. A. M. Niven, aged; 77, for over 35 years a medical practitioner in the district until his retirement in September, 1955. ' He died at his home, Nibthwaite Road, Harrow, Middlesex.
During his long period of work in Earby, Dr. Niven won for himself a place in the hearts of many people. He became a family doctor in the old tradition, more of a friend than medical consultant. He also took a great interest in many voluntary and charitable organisations in the town, especially those concerned with hospitals or hospital work.
Born in, Fyvie, Aberdeenshire, Dr. Niven trained at Aberdeen University before taking up his first, post as surgeon at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where he stayed for 12 months. The next two years he spent at the Royal Cornwall Infirmary, Truro, and then went into partnership at Bath, where he stayed for four years 'until the First World War broke out. He joined the Royal Medical Corps then, rose to the rank of captain, and saw much of his services in the Middle East. After the war, an advertise-ment concerning a practice at Earby caught his eye, while he was on holiday and "at a loose end" to quote his own words. He answered it, came to Earby to fill in time until he found something else and, of course, stayed until ho retired.
WORK FOR HOSPITALS.
Dr. Niven was chairman of the old Earby Voluntary Hospital Committee for over 20 years, a body which did good work in raising money for hospitals. It was, under his chairmanship that Earby became one of the first places to introduce the system of mill contributions, under which a sum was deducted from a person's wage and put towards the upkeep of the hospitals. The Hospital Committee raised money for the first motor ambulance.
On his retirement, he paid tribute to the work of St. John Ambulance personnel, whose volunteer crews operated the hand ambulances in the early days of Dr. Niven's time in Earby. He was always interested in the work of the St. John Ambulance Association. He was a lecturer, examiner, and official surgeon to the local Association. Until its abolition with the introduction of the Health Service. Dr. Niven was chairman of Earby District Nursing Associa-tion, and Poor Law Medical Officer until 1948.
When he retired, Dr. Niven was presented with a pocket watch and cheque on behalf of his patients, who at one time numbered over 1,600, and with a dressing gown and other gifts by the St. John Ambulance Brigade.
Transcribed from The Craven Herald 9 June 1958. Copy kindly provided by Mrs. Ada Hannam
457