Huddersfield and Holmfirth Examiner (01/May/1852) - Meltham: The Rival "Buses"

The following is a transcription of a historic newspaper article and may contain occasional errors. If the article was published prior to 1 June 1957, then the text is likely in the Public Domain.

DISTRICT INTELLIGENCE.

MELTHAM.

The Rival "Buses."

A strong feeling of disapprobation is being manifested by the inhabitants of Meltham relative to the frequent racing and reckless driving of the two "busses" which run between Meltham and Huddersfield, which has taken place since a second "bus" was placed upon the road. A few words will suffice to state the origin of the dangerous course which is now pursued by the drivers of these vehicles, and by which the lives and limbs of their passengers are almost daily endangered. Some time ago, a Meltham man placed a "bus" on the road to accommodate his neighbours in their journeys to and from Huddersfield. In addition to this, he sent in a contract for, and obtained the conveyance of the mail-bags to and from the same place, and was well supported in his laudable endeavours to serve the public. His place of starting from, and returning to Meltham was the Swan Inn. Seeing that the man was getting fairly loaded on the road, another person of "bussing" celebrity in Huddersfield has placed another on the road, with, it is said, the intention of driving the other off ; hence the furious driving so much complained of. On Tuesday evening last, the passengers were in the greatest danger of being thrown over as they were driving up to Meltham. The people of Meltham strongly disapprove of such dangerous competition for any such purpose ; and the Meltham man may rest assured that if he drives carefully, pays proper attention to his passengers, be punctual in delivering the mail, and thus pursue "the even tenor of his way," he will receive that support from the public to which such efforts will entitle him.


The following response was printed in the edition of 22 May:

The Rival Buses.
To the Editor of the Huddersfield and Holmfirth Examiner.
Sir,
Reading your paper of last Saturday, I saw a letter respecting the Meltham buses. Now, I assert that many of the statements therein are utterly false, and the writer knew them to be such at the time he penned them. The whole affair is a tissue of falsehood, and as I know who the writer is, I beg to assure him that his character for truthfulness (?) is such as to render anything beyond the mention of his name (where he is known) sufficient to render doubtful anything he may publish.
James Garlick.