Huddersfield Chronicle (31/Oct/1868) - To Readers and Correspondents
To Readers and Correspondents.
To our Readers.
The Foundation Stone Laying at Meltham Mills.
In another column will be found a full account of the proceedings connected with the laying of the foundation stone of the Convalescent Home at Meltham Mills. We regret, however, being unable to put on permanent record any account of what afterwards took place at the festive board, where it is natural to suppose the noble-hearted gentleman, whose liberality had brought such a vast assemblage of people together, would receive the hearty congratulations of all present, and where the various public bodies of Huddersfield, who were represented on the occasion, would likewise receive their meed of praise. The truth is the press had not extended to it the usual courtesy of an invitation ; neither had any accommodation been provided for them. Representatives were present from Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, and Huddersfield, all of whom returned home immediately the ceremony of laying the stone was completed. We have not the most remote idea upon whom it devolved to see that the absent public were represented on the occasion by the press, though a long and intimate knowledge of Mr. Brook warrants us in saying that he was in no way privy to it. The presence of reporters at public meetings is not to gratify personal vanity, but to represent those who are unable to be present, and to give to the world at large information which could not otherwise be obtained. In the present instance it was especially due to Mr. Brook (who had so nobly stood aside and let others discharge honours which he might justly have considered devolved upon himself) that the report of so eventful a day should be as full and accurate as the stenographic art could possibly make it. Such acts of benevolence are not of every day occurrence, neither has Huddersfield hitherto afforded much scope for laudation in the erection of buildings intended for public purposes. The present, therefore, was a great event in every sense ; and the future historian of Huddersfield will not thank those of the present generation who, by their active opposition to, and wilful neglect of, "the fourth estate," have robbed him of much useful information relative to an institution which will remain throughout all time a monument of princely liberality and a blessing to the town and neighbourhood.