Leeds Mercury (08/Feb/1862) - Huddersfield Improvement Commissioners

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.

Huddersfield Improvement Commissioners.

The monthly meeting of this body was held on Wednesday afternoon last, William Keighley, Esq., Chairman, presiding. There was a full attendance of Commissioners.

The Clerk stated the result of the application in the Court of Queen's Bench for a mandamus against the overseers of Huddersfield to compel them to lay a separate rate on that part of the township of Huddersfield not included within the, limits of the Huddersfield Improvment Act, for, the, purpose of reimbursing themselves so of the County Police-rate as is levied within the limits of the act, which was, that the case was not met by a statute of the 14th and 15th Vict., but being a casus omissus, the overseers had not the power to'lay a rate such as that sought by the rule, which was accordingly discharged. The Commissioners, however, had gained the advantage of a locus standi should they desire to insert a clause in any future Act of Parliament, if they should seek one for the extension of the limits of the commission to those of the townships, or endeavour to obtain the incorporation of Huddersfield.

Mr. Josh. Turner said what had occurred should be a warning to them, and expressed his opinion in favour of getting the town incorporated. It would certainly cost the town more money, but he thought the advantages would be more than equivalent to the extra cost.

The Chairman rejoiced that the doubtful point which had occupied so much of their attention had been settled. All he wanted was that they should know their position. Whenever the ratepayers were ready to change the character of the government of the town he should be; but he, was in no hurry, whilst the general public were apathetic, to take any action for the incorporation of Huddersfield.

After some of some other questions had been disposed of, the Chairman said he had received a letter from the Lord Mayor of London, addressed to "The Worshipful the Mayor of Huddersfield," suggesting that that town should take part in the raising of a national monument to Prince Albert. He also mentioned the fact that £540 had been raised in Huddersfield towards the sufferers by the Hartley Colliery calamity. With respect to the first matter, it was thought best to wait and see the course taken by other provincial towns; and as to the latter, it was explained. that one-half of the sum raised in Huddersfield would be retained to see if it would be actually required; if not, the subscribers would be consulted as to whether they would receive back the surplus, or devote it to a general fund if was contemplated would be established to meet such painful emergencies in future.