Huddersfield Chronicle (20/Apr/1867) - Bradley: The Incorporation Movement
BRADLEY
The Incorporation Movement.
Ratepayer's Meeting.
An adjourned meeting of the ratepayers of Bradley was held at the house of Mr. John Howgate, the White Cross Inn, Bradley, on Monday evening, to receive the report of the deputation appointed at a previous meeting to wait upon the Huddersfield Improvement Commissioners, on Wednesday week, with respect to an application to the Queen in Council for a charter of incorporation for Huddersfield. The meeting was well attended, S. W. Haigh, Esq., J.P., occupying the chair. Mr. John Hoyle was unanimously appointed secretary. Mr. T. H. Bradbury reported the interview of the deputation with the Commissioners, and informed the meeting of the discussion that took place between the Commissioners and the various deputations as to the advantages to the out-districts in being included with Huddersfield. He pointed out to the meeting the irrelevant and erroneous statements of Mr. Clough, with regard to the mortality of Bradley, and the injudiciousness of that district, which was agricultural, being joined to Huddersfield.
The Chairman stated that Mr. Clough could not have been "read up" on the mortality returns, or he would have found, from the Registrar General's report up to Christmas last, Bradley was one of the healthiest places in England. The chairman also commented upon the statement of Mr. Commissioner Brook, and denied Bradley being dependent upon Huddersfield.
Mr. Hoyle thought the Huddersfield Commissioners seemed determined to include Bradley, no matter how or by what means.
Mr. Bradbury was convinced of this from a conversation he had had with Mr. Batley, the clerk to the Commissioners, since the meeting.
Mr. Hoyle suggested the meeting should make up its mind what course to pursue, either to join Huddersfield or oppose it thoroughly. He believed if it was stoutly opposed Bradley would not be included. He had, since the previous meeting, been in communication with the Local Government office and Mr. Secretary Walpole, as to the steps requisite to adopt in opposing the Huddersfield Commissioners, and read to the meeting the replies he had received. He then explained the mode of opposition to be adopted by the inhabitants, viz., by petition, &c., to the Queen in Council, which would be considered at the time when the application for the charter was made.
After remarks from Mr. John Cookson, and other ratepayers, the following resolution was unanimously adopted, on the motion of Mr. John Hoyle, seconded by Mr. James Scholes:— "That in the opinion of this meeting it is injudicious for the owners and rate-payers of this district to join the Huddersfield Improvement Commissioners in their intended pplication to the Queen in Council for a charter of incorporation; and that this meeting pledges itself to use all the legitimate means in its power in opposing Bradley being included in such intended charter of incorporation."
The next resolution adopted by the meeting was as follows:— "That this meeting solicit the Local Board of this district to take legal proceedings for opposing the said intended charter of incorporation, so far as concerns the district of Bradley, when the proper time arrives, and that the Local Board pay all monies requisite for such opposition out of the highway rates; and this meeting hereby ledges itself to indemnify the members of the Local Board against any opposition which may be used before the Government auditor, so far as regards the said legal expenses, at the passing of the accounts."
The former deputation, to which the chairman was added, was re-appointed to wait on the Huddersfield Improvement Commissioners at their next meeting on this subject.
A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.