Huddersfield Chronicle (27/Apr/1850) - page 7

The following is an uncorrected OCR conversion of a newspaper page and will contain numerous errors. The text is in the Public Domain.

The Local Chronicle

HUDDERSFIELD, APRIL 27, 1860.

The Gas Question: Why Should Not the Works Belong to the Public?

THE GAS QUESTION, WHY SHOULD NOT THE WORKS BELONG TO, THE PUBLIC? 4 the subject of Gas is to be introduced to the attention § c Improvement Commissioners, at their General Meeton Friday next, by Mr. Commissioner Moore, with a to a consideration of the expediency of the Commis\ers availing themselves of the powers ef their Act, and ting gas-works of their own, or of purchasing the existworks, it seems to us to be an appropriate theme for a general remarks, in aid of the important purpose of Moore's motion. he question of gas-supply has heen long felt te be one cannot remain as it is — im the hands of prixate specus, the exact their own terms, and who put into their pockets what is Bew generally held to be a legitimate ee of public income. The inquiries and scientific reies of the last few years have shern the manifold fts and ultimate pecuniary saying whieh will result from nlightened and compreheasive system of gapitary imement: but the jist cost of such a scheme is also found heavy ; and the public, therefore, are justified in unking the supply of those particular articles of general mption which can not be supplied without a constant srence With the public property in the streets, and from » lange revenues are derived. By these means the cities and towns of the kingdom can be materially »ved, and the public health promoted and almost as. without additional public charge; and, in many ces, at a less charge than is now borne. c two main articles of general consumption which the cc are thus justified in undertaking the supply, are of water and gas, Neither of theze ean be brought c dwellings of the consumes without the streets of a being materially and almost daily interfered with. jed, the mains and pipes for the supply of both have to me as ramified as the reads, squares, streets, courts, allevs themselves, or the supply is inadequate and parNone of our gas companies or water eempanies have 1ased the right so to use the sireeis — so to occupy the d with what they claim to be their own property ; nave they, in any one instance, bound themselves by ative enactment to give the public an equivalent of the profits arising from this beneficial occupation cetz end land. They have contented themselves with ning from the legislature the power to open the streets ir own will and pleasure, and te lay down their mains certain easy yestrictions, — the most inoperative of is, that they shall forthwith restore the streets to as state as they found them : for, as experience shows, an impossibility. And from this cause, a large anxpenditure is entailed upon the rate-payers of most large towns, while the private parties who are thus constant occupation and use of public property are riating to themselves the ehole of the benefit. supply of these two essentials to the health and of towns, is not subject to the usual laws which supply and demand. If gas were like sugar, re-

AKES'S commodity with those of Mr. Stokes's, by ns leave the supply in the hands of those private parr by them it would be best and most cheaply afforded. tition would in such a case be the consumer's pro; and he would need no other. But it is notorious c supply of neither water nor gas is in this category. cannot, — reference being had to the public requirebe rolled along our pavements in hogsheads, and d out by pints and quarts. The proper supply of a rith either water or gas involves a large outlay of — invelves works, and mains, and pipes, ramified as stated: and where the fixed capital bears a very proportion to what is called reproductive or circucapital, no effeetual competition can take place. : the exorbitant charges provoke, or the exorbitant cempt, some other party to contend with the origihe for the occupation of the whole or part of a field, pinay 2s complete, limited only by the willingness public to consume at the prices charged. If another p! is invested, for a time competition is sharp; but F long the two rival companies find it their interest piesce, and to charge the public for a supply produced e application of two fixed capitals, where one would Fuficed fur the work : and thus the public are made yas high a price, on the same principle, and subject t» the same limitations, as those which affected the ps of the original capital. S reasoning mainly applies to these towns where pri'arties, who have obtained legislative power to supply "vo necessaries of town life and convenience, gas azd "have acquired "vested interests," and where such 'parties, before the supply could be undertaken by te for their own benefit, would have to be compenIt can have little application to those cases where Nested rights" exist; wheye the occupation of the S of a town has only been permissive ; where no legal w lay mains or pipes has been conferred, and where ey by private parties is not clothed in all the im"ality of law, as in a coat of mail. In this latter " clear that the public can much more easily under"at is so manifestiy at once both a duty and a benefit. oS the town of Huddersfield is in this latter con"lar as the supply of gas is concerned. Indeed it F Feation to the supply of water as well: for in the a that first ssential to cleanliness and well-being, _RO "vested interests" — no private rights — the me af the Water-works Acts being public benefit, and iNts gain. The application of that principle by bStisy none Commissioners is not now at all called . 'iiad therefore we have at present nothing to wi tenn further than to ask from any quarter is. "HY the supply of gas should be placed 'g ftom that of water ? — why the one '| by private parties, paying nothing for tore dee no kind of an equivalent — making the si "carly for their own public consumption tusiy RG ed have paid in towns even where

Fos

"erent fogsiy

US Saplic Zibours Merests " he a the righ me bern acquired — and pocketing the li a wubtie par and why the other should be their due « Pied of authority, answerable to the Ne progte ee peal exercise of power conferred, Waterreuts a WP the public in thre shape of diminhen the othe the possession of the whole of the OM ing eral capital, borrowed at a fixed rate cason, froas paid off With again asking ae Gountially diffe. 'quartet, why thess two op2 ond our seas deata" principles for the supply of Pinch de of shouid obtain or longer continue, or "water gfe® SUPDIY should not be assimilated to PO th ai: Tits, we, for the present, leave this

"4, a8 fur as the water supply is con-

r we Gee of, . 5 : oo "leragte wo the town of Huddersfield has no "-fortifigg «> off; no legal rights to contend and hey Position to assail. The way is clear tking 'mote adjstment of the question, by other plane Siting Works and property in Toe. Workg p Mt, ata fair valuation 3 and then, by dca jp 1" hat the rofite arixing therefrom shail bublic impr vements, and in aid of the to buy

Ty rates of the town accomplish a great public good. If the motion of Mr. Commisstoneer MOORE on Friday next result 'n such an adjustment as this that gentleman and the Commissioners generally will prove themselves to be real. public benefactors. . 4 The supplying of gas by public bodies of autherity, and the application of the large profits ariding therefrom in effecting public improvements and in aid of the local rates of a district, is no new principle, nor uo " untried theory," as the following evidence given im 1843, by Thomas Wroe, Esq., Manager of the Manchester Gas Works, before 'the Commissioners of Inquiry inte the state of large towns and populous districts," abundantly proves : — Manchester is supplied with gas by the public authorities? Yes, it is. What is the capital sunk in the gas works by the town? £198,000. At what comparative rates are the inhaidtants so supplied ? We now supply the inhabitants at from 5s to 6s per 1,000 cubic feet. In Liverpool, which is sapplied by two joint stock companies, it is 7s; and in other towns, where the supply is by joint stock companies, it is usually on the average of 8a. Have you any means of comparing the quality of the gas supplied in Manchester with the quality supplied to other towns? Mr. Headly, a gas engineer, who is engaged in the erection of gas-works, has examined the qualities of the gas supplied in other towns, and states that the Manchester gas is second only to that produced by the Liverpool new works, which he himself erected. We believe that it is of che first quality that can be made. Are there any mill-owners or other persons who have discontinued making theirown gas? Yes, sevcraL None of the new mills have ereeted any new opparatus, How long has this aystem of supply been in operation? The gas-works were established by a contribution from the rates without authority of Parliament in 1817 ; but an Act giving authority to carry them on was obtained in 1624. What is the proportion of the loss from leakage of gas in Manchester ? Five per cent. What has been the net profit to the town from the establishment of these works? It is £370,000, Has it been applied to the improvement of the town ? Yes, to the improvement aad widening streets of the town. What extent of the streets have teen improved from the funds so obtained ? About 80 streets, squares, roads, lanes, and other places have been iproxed by these funds. In economy of management, may the management by the town compete in economy with the management by joint stock companies? Quite as cheap, even where the same joint stock company supplies the whole town; but much cheaper where there are two companies competing in the same town, where there are two sects cf officers and cotebiisiwments to he paid for. For now 33 years, therefore, has this principle been in operation in the important town of Manchester ; and at the time Mr. WROE gave the evidence above detailed (1843), no less a sum than £370,000 NET PROFIT had been applied to public improvements! Since that period the price of gas has been reduced to the consumer from 5s. to 6s. per 1000 cubic feet to from 4s. to 5s. per 1000 cubic feet ; and the increased consumption has more than made up the former ageregate of profits ; nay, has so materially augmented the NET PROFITS, thattheGas Committee of the Town Council have now between £30,000 and £40,000 every year to hand over to the Improvement Committee for the improvement of the city! We have now befure us the account of the reccipts and disbursements of the said Gas Committee for the year ending June 24, 1849; and from it we learn that the income for the year has keen £99,065 8s. 34d. ; and that after £12,353 15s. 11d. has been paid for redemption of debt, metres, and mains and service pipes ; and after coal bills, and salaries, and wages, and all other expenses have been paid, no less a sum than £36,245 9s. 113d. has been paid over to the several committees of the council for public improvements, and for the purchase of land for the extension of the works! and leaving after all a balance in hand of £3,918 5s. 10d.

The supply of gas by a public body of authority is therefore proved by practice to be highly beneficial, both ina pecuniary and sanitary point of view, for the district so favoured.

Huddersfield, on the plan contemplated by Mr. ComsisSIONER Moore. would receive a proportionate amount of henetit, according to the quantity of gas consumed, and the economy evinced in its production, Great complaints have been made, and justly, respecting the quality of the gas supplied in Huddersfield. This arises partly, we believe, from the company using an inferior coal in its distillation ; and in part from insufficient care in its after-purification. In Manchester we observe that the kind of coal used is exclusively cannel, for which during the year ending Junc 24, 1849, £22,413 were paid. The quality of the gas produced from this description of coal is described above by Mr. Wro0e; and is known also to all who have had occasion to visit Manchester and observe the nature of their lights, One thing we would wish also to impress on the public mind. For six years the works were in operation in Manchester without Act of Parliament: and yet the public could get gas, and could pay for it, just as in Huddersfield it has now been for thirty years. There is no difficulty, therefore, in the Improvement Commissioners either erecting gas-works of their own, or in purchasing the existing ones at a fair valuation: for they have express power in the Improvement Act to enable them to doso. .

We trust, therefore, that the appeal shortly to be mad by Mr. Commissioner Moone to the public spirit and public duty of the Improvement Commissioners will be euccessful in securing for the inhabitants of Huddersfield a source of income that will in time alzost render Improvement Rates unnecessary; and we trust also that on this question, as on all others, each individual Commissioner will act with a single mind to public advantage, as far as such advantage is compatible with strict justice to the private partics interested in the settlement of this gas question. It is well known that there are at the Commissioners' Board those who are somewhat mixcd up with the existing gas company: but we are sure that these gentlemen will give the public no cause to believe that they have preferred private interest to public good. To the Commissioners generally is the question therefore commended ; and we feel assured that it is in safe hands. We feel every confidence that the opportunity afforded by Mr. Moore's motion of ovineing a sincere desire to relieve the public of rates, by providing other and legitimate sources of income, will not be neglected, or have the go-by given to it. Those who have hitherto maintained the proud distinction of being " faithful stewards," will not now forfeit it, when a question, the greatest of all ever submitted to them, has to be considered and decided. On that consideration and on that decision much, very much, will depend. The real question is, whetner the Improvement Act is to be an expensive income it opens up are to be made of full and immediate avail: whether, in fact, the rates are to be paid grudgingly, gas.

measure to the town, or whether the legitimate soufces:of 4

or paid with alacrity and pleasure in the consumption of ing


District News

DISTRICT NEWS.

Lockwood

Laying the Foundation Stone of the New Baptist Chapel

LOCKWOOD. LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE

OF THE NEW BAPTIST CHAPEL.

The interesting ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the above new chapel, took piace on Monday evening; last, at half-past six, the ings being deferred until! that hour, in order that the working people connected with that place of worship might join in the proceedings. The new erection is to be raised on the site of the former chapel, mear Lockweod Toll-bar, ander the superintendence of Mr. John Kirk, of Huddersfield. The building will be en the Doric style of architecture, and will accommodate at least 700 persons. The estimated cost is about £1,200, of which sum £1,000 is already subscribed, and it is hoped ak werd the building is completed it will be entirely free The children and teachers attending the Sabbath heels connected with this place of worship, assembled at the school room soon after six o'cloek, where the scholars there formed in procession, under the rintendence of their respective teachers ; and headed by the pastor of the chapel, the Rev. John Barker, the Rev. Mr. Thomas, of Meltham, and Mr. T. Beaumont, were conducted to the' spot selected for the erection of the new edifice. They were received by a large concourse of spectators, who completel accupied the vacant space, among whom #e obMr. William Shaw, of Bottom Hall ; Mr. Godfrey Berry, Mr. Alfred Crowther, Mr. Josiah Berry, Mr. Henry Crowther, of Lockwood ; Mr. Walker, Mr. George Walker, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Steele Brook, and Mr. Charles Brook, of Longwood ; Mr. Mark Bottomley, Paddock, &c., &e. The proceedings were commenced by the assembl singing the 102nd Psalm, and prayer having beenoffered up, The Rev. JOHN Barker, the pastor of the Chapel, preseeded to remark, that about three years ago a few friends eonpected with their eongregation met together to devise means by which their then chapel might be made more inviting and less repulsive ia its character. Several plans were struck out, some of which failed, but they ultimately succeeded in erecting a new school room free from debt, and were now about to commence the erection of a new lace of worship, cn the former site, more convenient and inyiting than the former one. They did not aspire to the erection of a splendid, or even fine, building, but one, neat and elegant, as they believed, and becoming in the sight of God, so that the poor persons who attended this place of worship might in all respects be as well cared for here as elsewhere. The reverend gentleman then proceeded to observe that fitty-eigh t years the old chapel was built, at the expense of one individual who had given it to the Baptist denomination, in trust, so that they and their fathors had thereby largely partaken of that gentleman's benevolence. Having enjoyed the bearing aed teaching of the word of God in the oki edifice for the long period of fifty-eight years it became those now worshipping therein to show their gratitude by the erection of another edifice more inviting, more accommodating, and more comfortable. They trusted to be able, through the blessing of God, to raise that edifice, without at its completion owing man anythirig. In the erection of the schools, the rev. gentleman observed, they had studied the temporal and _ spiritual wants of the children, and he therefore called on those parents around him to show those children a d example by attending the services connected with this new house of God. In doing this he did not ask those who differed from them to surrender their private judgment. They admitted that men had a right to think for themselves ; neither had they any desire to interfere with the worship of others, being content to preach the truth, as it is in Jesus, independent of the interpretations of the priests of this world. In conclusion, the rev. gentleman remarked that they were not about to make the foundation stone more holy, — they attached no peculiar sanctity to these proceedings, no more than to pray to God to bless their work, and also as containing a simple memorial of the dates when the first and second chapel were built and rebuilt, and of the names of the parties connected officially with that place of worship. The plate, which at this stage of the procesdings was deposited beneath the stone, bore the following inscription : —

Particular Baptist Chapel built by Benjamin Ingham, Esq.. A.D. 1792; re-built by the members and friends of the church meeting here, A.D. 1850.

Dreth a proiee Jouyw Fapeen, Pastor. 5 Tat rethren, Ric -rowther, dfres Berry, hn Tate, Thomas Beaumont, Joseph Sharp, Simeon Haigh, Denbenre. _ April 22nd, 1850.

Mr. Gopdfrey BERRY then proceeded to lay the stone, after which he delivered a short and appropriate speech, taking occasion to "point the people then present to that stone of which God had said, "Behold, I lay in Zion a foundation stone, elect, precious, and he that believeth on Him shall not make haste." After showing the people the importance of resting their hopes of eternal life upon Jesus as the foundation which G

had laid, he expressed his gratitude and ure in thinking that God had by his providence made him in any way instrumental in promoting the work which they had just commenced.

The Rev. T. Thomas, of Meltham, said he had nota doubt that there were some few persons present — three to his certain knowledge — who had h the first gospel sermon preached in the old place of worship, and who had also heard the last sermon therein by the humble individual then addressing them. In the interval which had elapsed many had been laid low, — many had passed through the Jordan of death, and entered into the eternal world. He felt a little proud upon that occasion, when he reflected that not a single fraction of Government money would be required to erect this house of God ; as he hoped it would be overy farthing paid for by the voluntary offerings of the people of God, anxious to promote his glory by the dissemination of his gospel. Those walls, he rejoiced to say, would not be propped up, then by Government gold, but built on the voluntary .principle, In one sense, and that only, were they dissenters. They were dissenters from the established religion of the country, and they conscientiously differed in sentiment -both with the Bishop of Exeter, in hia baptismal. regeneration, and also with the Rev. Mr. Gorham. Consequently, in a certain sense they were separatists from the religion which in this country was established by law. But there was a sense, and it was the highest sense, in which they were not dissenters, inasmuch as they believed that they approached nearer to the word of God, as preached by the Primitive: Churches and by our Lord's apostles, who were under the direct influence of the Eternal Spirit; and being an independent body, untramelled by government influence, it was their motive, desire, and aim, to carry out the principles as inculcated in the New Testament of Jesug Christ. Therefore, this house, which was intended to be erected for God, is, and would be, in ong sense, a dissenting chapel, and in another one in which the Church of Christ in future would assemble for the worship of Almighty God. In making these remarks the rev. gentleman disclaimed all intention to cast a reflection on any individual or creed ; as, while they conceded to their fellow-men full liberty of conscience, they claimed the same privilege, and would maintain it for themselves, and by the grace of 'God would go on preaching and making known the truth of the Gospel. As Protestant Baptists they were desirous, to the utmost extent, to meet the wants and requirements of the present day, equal to any other section of the Christian Church, and although in some quarters their denomination had been called 'the land of narrow souls," he yet thought that the teachers. who gave their instruction and their substance to the rising eration in those schools would contradict the truth of the appellation. He thanked God that he lived in a locality where there were eight Baptist churches within a few miles, every one of which had 4 sabbath school, wherein were trained the rising generation, and in conclusion expressed a hope that the work in which they were that day engaged would lead to even a further extension of their edifice at some future period.

Mr. T. Beaumont next addressed the meeting in a brief but energetic manner, and the assembled multitude having been engaged in singing and prayer, departed to their respective homes about eight p.m.

Kirkheaton

Kirkheaton Mental Improvement Society

This village, which has so long been behind the surrounding hamlets, promises to advance with the times, and to " vo-a Head'" as respects the education of the rising race, and the inteliectual improvement of young people. -A short time azo a Mental Improvement Society was estal lis 1ed in connection with the Independent Chapel.' There is ahcaly rin active operation a day school, taught by Me. W. Lilsy, from the Congregational Normal School, London, consistof about 100 scholars; evening classes consisting of about 90 young persons of both sexes, in which arg taught reading, writing; arithmetic, and grammar. 'There is also a. reading-room open: to 'the inhabitants generally, which is well supplied with "local" and "daily. popers and periodicals. There are likewise levtutes delivered monthly, on different scientific and philosophic subjects. The last lecture was delivered on Monday evening week, by Mr. Moody, of Huddersfield, ." on the different applications of the term asleep and awake." The attendance was good, the lecture excellent, and the" audience highly delighted, and at the conclusion passed: a vote $f .thanks :tothe locturer: for the able and masterly mznner in Which he discussed the subject.

has been appointed at the Junction Inn, and Mr. Michael

] Inn, dissatisfaction was exp shovdd 'be held on Moaday last, the 15th, at seven o'clock Y in the evening, for the purpose of making a more regular

The New Post Office

The New Post-Office. — Many of the inhabitants of this village have long been dissatisfied with the old postal arrangements. Some time since the Postmaster General was memorialised for the establishment of a receiving House in the centre of the village and a "free delivery." e€ requests of the memorialists have been so far complied with as respects a central receiving House and a partial free delivery, which has already been found of great advantage to many of the inhabitants; though some yet complain; and justly, that thev have to pay for their letters, although they are not very far from the office. The receiving House France is the new postmaster. As a proof that the alteration was needed, we may state that a marked increase has since taken place is the correspondence of this locality.

Dalton

Nomination of the Churchwardens

NOMINATION OF CHURCHWARDENS. — On Friday the Sth instant, a mecting was held as per private arrangement made by the old churchwardens, at the Grove Inn, Dalton, for tke purpose of nominating two fit and proper persons to fill the office of churchwardens for the ensuing year; President, Mr. George Kitson, of Houses Hill, in the township of Kirkheaton, who adjourned the meeting to the Beaumont's Arms, in Kirkheaton, for the. same evening. After Mr. Kitson's arrival there, 2 number of the old churchwardens of the parish of Kirkheaton, with a few of their friends, nominated Joseph Greenwood, and A'brahama Clayton, churebwardens for the current year, as fit and proper persens to contimuc in the office; : ingly the list for the township of Dalton was handed in to the rector, @n Monday, the ow instant, there being a town's nmaecting of the rate-payers for other purposes at the Grove s ss to the irregular and illegal nomination of tke previous Friday, and it was resolved that a meeting, properly notified and published, nomination. A short time before the hour above mentioned the friends of the old churchwardens attended, and shortly after the clock struck, Mr. Thomas Cochill was called to the chair, and the oid churchwardens were again nominated, to the great disappointment of a considerable number of the rate-payers, who arrived a few ntinutes afterwanis, A resolution was then carried, that the churchwardens should produce to the meeting their books of account, in reply to which the churchwardens said they had no books and could not account ; but that, whilst the churchwardens of Lepten had only handed over towards the general expenses of the church less than £2 for the last year, and' the churchwardens of Whiteley nothing, they (the churchwardens of Dalton) had paid to the treasurer powered of £12, including collections from Huddersfield to the amount of 30s. The rate-payers then cautioned the churchwardens nominated not to pay, in future, more than their proportionate share of the church expenditure.

Slaithwaite

Confirmation

Confirmation. — Yesterday fortnight the Lord Bishop of Ripon administered the rite of confirmation, in Slaithwaite Church, to 340 persons, including a few agod individuals, from the chapelries of Slaithwaite, Meltham, Meltham Mills, Marsden, Golcar, Linthwaite, and Dean Head. After the administration of this ancient rite of the-church, his lordship expressed himself much gratified-by the very excellent arrangements made by the res minister and churchwardens, by which everything was done " decently and in order," the candidates conducting themselves in a becoming manner befitting the occasion. His lordship also expressed himself much pleased with the improvements , which have lately been made in the ekurch, hich we may add does great credit to the individuals through whose exertions this neat edifice has bees much renovated.

Berry Brow

A Brace of Dog Fighters

A Brace of Dog-Fighters. — At the Guildhall, Huddersfield, on Tuesday last, before J. Armitage and J. Brook, Esqrs., Joseph Whiteley, a shoetiaker, from Honley, and Joseph Littlewood, of the same place, mason, were charge: by Matthew Riley, one of the Almondbury constables, with fighting two dogs, on Sunday morning, the 14th inst. Freon Kiley's statement it appeared that on the morning in question the two defendants took their dogs towards Fearnley Brow, near Park, where they slipped the animals at each other, but on seging the canstable the defendants parted the dogs and made off. The answer to the chatge was asteut denial on the part of Whiteley that he cither had a dog or was near the place alluded to on the morning in question — an assertion in which his companion coincided. However Riley assured the bench that he was not mistaken in his men, having tknewn them both fur some time. Mr. Brook (addressing Whiteley). — What trade are you? Whiteley. — A shoemaker, yer worship. Mr. Brook. — Aye, I thought so; all you shoemakers are fond of dog-fighting. (Laughter.) Mr. Armitage said he considered the case proven, and inasmuch as they were determined to put a stop to this practice, — which was even more aggravated in this tase in consequence of its being on the sabbath, — the decision of the bench was that cach of the defendants should pay £1. and expenses,

Alleged Rescue of a Prisoner from the Constable

Alleged Rescue of a Prisoner from the Constable. — At the Huddersfield Guildhall, en Tuesday last, before J. Armitage and J. Brook, Esqrs., two men named William Bradley and Job Jessop, from the neighbourhood of Berry Brow, were charged with assaulting Matthew Riley, the constable, under somewhat aggravated circumstances. Mr. Dransfield defended the case. It appeared from the statement of Riley and his witnesses that, on Saturday, . the 13th inst., he apprehended under warrant a young man named Samuel Jessop, brother to one of #4 present defendants, and was about to convey him to the Huddersfield Lock-up, but the prisoner refused to walk the distance, either to please her Majesty or her most obedient servant ' Matthew Riley. In this dilemma Riley took his prisoner for safe custody to the Black Bull Inn, at Berry Brow, and sent for a cart in which to convey him to durance vile. The prisoner requested that Riley would in the meantime send to another public House near at hand fora shilling there owing, and, having a disposition to accommodate, Riley's assistant, George Itishworth, was dispatched ea that errand, While he was away the tart arrived, and Riley took out his prisoner handcuffed among a crowd of bystanders. By some means or other, — but, as Riley alleged, in consequence of his being struck and held back by the two defendants, the prisoner made his escape with the handcuffs on, and had not been heard of since. Several witnesses were called in support of Riley's version of the affair, but they only spoke to the two defendants putting their hands on Riley's shoulder, but not to any blow being struck. Mr. Dranstield, in answer to the charge, submitted that the facts of the case were simply these — that Samuel Jessop having been taken into custody, and being about to be conveyed to prison, his brother did put his hand on Riley's shoulder, remarking "Come, Matthew, don't take him ; let's reason with you." Then a crowd of persons who had assembled to hear what was going on rushed round them, and by forcing their way between Riley and the prisoner, the latter sueceeded, without any connivance on the part of the two defendants, in making his escape. This view of the case was borne out by Rachel Meore, William Horsfall, and Mr. Brook, of Armitage Bridge, formerly a constable, who all asserted that they were standipy near at the time, but that no blows were struck by the defendants, or any attempt at rescue made by them. — The magistrates said that as the weight of testimony seemed to be in favour of defendants, they must dismiss the case, an announcement which seemed to give great satisfaction to a 'erowd of spectators from Berry Brow, where, constable-like, Riley does not appear tv 'be very popular among the working classes.

Lindley

Neglect of Wife and Family

Neglect of Wife and Family. — On Saturday last, a man named Joseph Priestley, was charged at the Guildhall, Huddersfield, before J. Brook and J. Armitage, Esqrs., with neglecting to support his wife and family, whereby they had become chargeable to the parish of Lindley. It appears that Priestley is much addicted to drinkjng, and spends all he earns at the public House ; and when he goes hpme "in his cups," shamefully abuses his wife, The defendant's wife had only received 9s. from the overseer, which Priestley said he would return, if allowed to go piped, he having heard the " merrie town" of Wakefield named as his destination in case he did not comply. Upon defendant's proposition, he was discharged, after being reprimanded by the Bench. On leaving the hall, Priestley said to the 1nagistrates, — " If you sce or hear tell of me getting drunk for twelve months to come, I'll suffer death."

Riotous Conduct

Riotous Conduct. — On Saturday last, at the Guildhall, Huddersfield, seven or eight parties were summoned for having taken part ifi 4 fighting. transaction, on the 10th inst. The offence was acknowledged and they were ordered to pay the expenses and 2s, td. to the poor-box. In connection with the above, t'6-persons named Thomas Sykes and John Garside, stood betore the Bench in rather more '"bold relief" Yhgn the rest of their companions, in consequence of their having tested their capabilitics in the " manly" art of self-deferce on the night in question, and much unsatisfactory evidence was giver, as is generally the-custom in such cases. It merely went to show that 4 riotous fight had taken place ; and that the complainant and. defendant: wore the priticip: aggressors. Howeyrgr, as it appeared that Garside was in the habit of annowiit ae quietude of her Majesty's liege subjects, by his blackouard prpbonaitics, the ranted eee upon him the sum af

-, or be committed to kegeld House of ( rection for a month; the Wakeseld House vf Cor-

Linthwaite

Charge of Felony Against an Engineer and his Man

Charge of Felony Against an Engineer and his Man. — On Saturday last, at the Guildhall, Huddersfield, before J. Brook and J. Armitage, Esqrs., a rcspectahle engineer, named Robert Kirkpatrick, and Wm. Beven. ).%4 man, were charged with having stolen a quaniity of cory. >

iping, taps, valves, &c., the property of Mr. Robert Dison Winterbottom, of Milnes Bridge, Linthwaite. It appeared that. Mr. Kirkpatrick had been engaged to repair a boiler belonging to Mr. Winterbottom, an agreement. having been entered into by the parties as to the cost and ayment for the work. Mr. Kirkpatrick, whe carries on Easiness at Manchester, brought Wm. Beven with him from that town about three weeks ago, and the repairs were proceeded with in a satisfactory manner. In making theso repairs, several pipes and other articles were replaced by new ones, the eld metal being taken charge of by Beven, accerding to his master's instructions, From information received, an engime-driver in Mr. Winterbottom's employ-

4 ment, anda police officer went to the railway station at Longwood on the 18th inst., and there found a box directed to '"Mr. Kirkpatrick, engineer, Manchester," which, on being broken open, was found to contain, among other things, the articles which were alleged to have been stolen from Mr. Winterbettom's premises ; and Mr. Kirkpatrick and his man were accerdingly taken into 'custedy on the charge. Mr. Helliwell, solicitor, who appeared for the defence, contended that the intention of stealing could not be made out, and argued that it was the common practice of persons employed in such work, to take away the old metal; further stating, that it was part of the contract entered into between the two parties, that Mr. Kirkpatrick sheuld have the articles. Sv far as Beven was concerned, he enly aeted under the instructions of his master, and therefore, naust at once be set at liberty ; then, as to Mr. Kirkpatrick, was it reasonable to seppose that he would defame his hitherto irreproachable character, by stealing a small quantity ef eld metal, which had only been valued at 7s. He (Mr. Helliwell) trusted the Magistrates would treat the charge as it deserved, and at once dismiss it. At this stage of the proceedings, a conference tock place hetwixt Mr. Helliwell and Mr. Clough, (the prosecutor's solicitor) the result of which was, that an amicable arrangement was thought desirable ; and it was ultimately agreed, that Mr. Kirkpatrick should return the piping, taps, &e., and finish the contract with Mr. Winterbottom. The Magistrates expressed thomselves pleased with the arrangement ; but not more so than the two interested parties.

Charge of Assault Against a Constable

Charge of Assault Against a Constable. — On Saturday last, at the Guildhall, Huddersfield, Nathan Whiteley, a constable, was summoned for having assaulte:! a person named James Bailey. From the statements cf the parties pro and con. it appeared that on the previcus Saturday evening, a great number of parties were in the New Inn, discussing the subject of 'dog fighting :" and angry words ensued, as to the merits of the different animals. So high did the "edifying" subject run, that the landlord thought it prudent and wise to call in the aid of "amen fauthonts," to quell the riotous conduct of the parties. The defeadant's services were accordingly summoned, and in his endeavours to restore order among the lot of " fraternisers," he was grossly insulted; and in order to protect himself as well as the public peace, he gave the complainant (a bad character) :a "gentle knock" on the head. Witnesses were called on both sides; but it was evident that the constable had only done his duty, and the Magistrates accordingly dismissed the charge.


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