14
June 1902
OLDHAM BOY’S VOYAGE TO CANADA
Travels Alone 3,500 Miles
A Philadelphia correspondent sends the following
by fast mail, under the date of May 30th:–
Among the passenger who landed yesterday was a little
orphan boy, William SEATON, aged seven years. Fatherless
and motherless, with brother and sisters also dead,
the child had come all the way from Oldham, England,
with nothing to guide him to his destination but
a small card tagged to his jacket, bearing the inscription:–
| WILLIAM
SEATON
Going to Uncle
WILLIAM GOODRAM
43 Magill-street,
Hamilton, Canada |
Three thousand miles of water, and then 500 by rail,
the child will have travelled without kith or kin
to attend him. On the ocean there were good people
who did all they could for him, and tried to bring
gladness to the sad face. The child never complained
of illness on the voyage. He had no luggage, and
wore a blue sailor suit. He had money to pay his
fare to Hamilton and something over.
Left alone, his uncle in Canada had offered him
a home and promised to tenderly care for him. The
boy'’ aunt in Oldham thought it best to send
him to the new world. She seemed to know that the
tag would carry him safely through.
FATAL FALL DOWN STAIRS AT
ASHTON
The Ashton police were on Friday forenoon apprised
of the death of Jane DAVIES, wife of John DAVIES,
26 Hamilton-street, Ashton, aged 56 years, which
took place at her home at 4.45 the same morning.
According to the statement of the husband, he went
to his work on Thursday leaving deceased in the
house and when he returned home at night, he looked
round the house but could not find her.
He enquired of a neighbour in whose house deceased
was said to have been at 11.30am that day. The husband
returned to the house and lit the fire and on going
downstairs to the cellar for some eatables he heard
a groan and saw his wife lying on her right side
at the bottom of the steps. She was breathing, but
did not speak. There was some blood on her left
ear and also on an earthenware vessel close by.
Dr CRAWSHAW was sent for and deceased was placed
on the sofa in an unconscious condition and remained
so until death.
ASHTON SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS
Visit to Messrs Vaughan and Son Limited, West Gorton
On Saturday last the members of the Ashton-under-Lyne
and District Society of Engineers paid a visit to
Messrs Vaughan and Son Limited, mechanical and electrical
engineers, Royal Ironworks, West Gorton, Manchester.
The party left Ashton at 1.53, arriving at the works
about three o’clock, where they were met by
Mr Frank WOOD and other members of the staff. Messrs
Vaughan and Son Limited were among the first of
crane makers in this Kingdom to recognise the possibilities
of the series machines as applied to travelling
cranes. One of the earliest three motor travellers
was designed by them for the Woolwich Arsenal.
The party first inspected the overhead electric
traveller erecting shop where two large cranes were
being erected for China. Two of the cranes attached
to this department were then set in motion, and
the way large wheels, &c, were carried about
the shop delighted the visitors. The next department
was the electric crab shop, where numerous crabs
for South Africa and other places were in course
of construction. Several were set in motion to show
the visitors how easily they were controlled. A
full explanation was given of these cranes and crabs
by Mr WOOD.
The party next visited the pulley department. This
shop is well fitted up with all modern appliances
for the quick dispatch of work. In fact it was said
that a 16in. wrought iron split pulley could be
put in hand and completed in six hours. The party
next visited the new boiler mountings department.
This shop is not quite complete, but when it is
it will compare with any of the other departments.
The party having returned to the crane shop, light
refreshments were partaken of, and afterwards Mr
James ROBINSON (secretary) called upon Mr Roger
NICHOLSON to move a vote of thanks.
Mr NICHOLSON said he was very pleased to be there
that afternoon. He was sure it was very kind on
the part of Mr WOOD and the other members of the
staff to give them such a reception as they had
given them that afternoon. They would not soon forget
the very able manner in which everything had been
explained to them. He hoped that, although it was
the first time they had visited these works, it
would not be the last; and he moved that their best
thanks be given to the firm, also to the staff,
for their kindness that afternoon. This was second
by Mr Thomas BELFIELD.
Mr Frank WOOD then said: On behalf of the firm,
I thank you most heartily for your appreciation
of what we have been able to show you. We look upon
this visit from an educational point of view. I
feel sure that if working engineers would do as
you have done, and band themselves together for
mutual improvement, I have no doubt engineers would
only be too pleased to throw their works open for
visits such as these, and place at your disposal
competent members of their staff to show and explain
the different machines and their own specialities.
In conclusion, I may say we hear a deal about foreign
competition, but I think if working men would go
on the same lines as you are doing, England may
fear no American or other competitor.
The party then adjourned to Belle Vue, where the
rest of the evening was spent, arriving in Ashton
about 10 o’clock after a very pleasant outing.
Among those present were Messrs James ROBINSON,
Roger NICHOLSON, Henry WARHURST, Joseph BEECH, James
SCHOFIELD, Ernest CAMPBELL, and others.
Mother: “The baby’s
swallowed a piece of worsted.” Father: “That’s
nothing towards the yarns she’ll have to swallow
in the Reporter every week!”
WATERLOO AND BARDSLEY
DOG NO LICENSE.– William RINGLAND pleaded
not guilty at the Ashton County Police Court on
Wednesday to having a dog without license at Waterloo
on May 21st. He said he had not kept a dog.–
Evidence was given by Constable KNOWLES of visiting
defendant’s house and seeing a full grown dog.
He had seen the dog at the house several times.–
Defendant was fined 5s 6d and costs.
A FEW WORDS OVER THE CHILDREN.– Elizabeth
HEALEY and May ROBINSON pleaded guilty at the Ashton
County Police Court on Wednesday to committing a
breach of the peace at Waterloo on May 20th, and
added that they had a few words over the children.–
The Magistrates’ Clerk: Telling one another
what they thought about them, I suppose.–(Laughter.)
Defendants were bound over in 40s to keep the peace
for six months.
GAMING.– A charge of gaming at Bardsley
was preferred against John CARDWELL at the Ashton
Police Court on Wednesday.– Defendant’s
wife appeared, and pleaded not guilty.– Evidence
was given by a constable of seeing defendant, along
with others, playing at pitch and toss on the public
footpath. He caught defendant, and the others ran
away. Defendant called out to the others to assault
witness.– The bench imposed a fine of 2s 6d
and costs.
CHARGE OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN WITHDRAWN.–
Mason Albert PILLING and his wife, Martha, were
before the Ashton county magistrates, on Wednesday,
on an adjourned charge of cruelty to children.–
Mr A LEES, who prosecuted for the RSPCC, said the
case was before the court on April 30th, to see
if the defendants would make some alteration in
the surroundings of the children and the home. Since
that time everything had gone satisfactorily, and
the inspector was perfectly satisfied. The remarks
which came from the bench on the previous occasion
did a great amount of good. Under the circumstances
he asked that the case should be withdrawn.–
The defendants agreed to pay the costs, amounting
to 10s, and the case was then dismissed.
BY TRAMWAY TO STOCKPORT
THROUGH HYDE
It is announced that the laying of the rails for
what is known as the Gee Cross tramway scheme is
to be commenced practically immediately. This scheme
will complete a continuous service of electric trams,
between Hyde and Stockport, via Bredbury. To proceed
with the scheme an agreement was required between
the Corporations of Hyde and Stockport, the Bredbury
and Romiley Urban Council, and the Oldham, Ashton-under-Lyne,
and Hyde Electric Tramways Company.
After much delay, the agreement has been signed,
and the Stockport Corporation have just extended
their tramways for a distance of about 400 yards,
to the Bredbury-Hyde boundary. It has been arranged
that the Tramways Company shall carry out the Gee
Cross scheme, which is a little over a mile in length,
and is expected to cost about £8,000.
WATERLOO MILKDEALER FINED
At the Ashton County Police Court, on Wednesday,
Joseph CHADDERTON was summoned under the Food and
Drugs Act for having in his cart a receptacle for
selling skimmed milk without label, and selling
milk to the prejudice of the public.
Mr J WILSON, solicitor, of Preston, said that the
prosecution was initiated by the Lancashire County
authorities, and the facts were that on May 8th,
Superintendent HEWITT saw the defendant’s cart
in Waterloo in charge of the defendant’s daughter.
There were two milk kits in the cart. He asked for
a pint of milk, and was supplied from one of the
kits, and on asking for a pint from the other kit,
Miss CHADDERTON said it was skimmed milk. The Superintendent
asked her where the label was, but she made no reply.
The act provided that there should be a label.
The surmise was that it was the previous night’s
milk, that the cream had been skimmed off, and there
was no guarantee but what any casual customer in
the street would be served with the milk the same
as new milk, because the same price was charged
for both.– Superintendent HEWITT deposed to
purchasing a sample of the milk, and submitting
it for analysis which showed it was deficient in
cream.
Defendant’s son, who appeared, pleaded guilty,
and said that the offence was committed in ignorance.
The can had since been labelled.– The chairman:
It is locking the stable after the horse is gone
– donkey I might say in this case. – (Laughter.)
Defendant was fined 5s 6d and costs in each case.
ATTEMPT TO BREAK INTO THE
CO-OPERATIVE STORES, HEY
John MATTHEWS was in custody at the Ashton County
Police Court, on Saturday, charged with attempting
to break into a branch of the Oldham Equitable Co-operative
Stores, St John-street, Hey. Superintendent HEWITT
said that so far as he knew there was no previous
conviction recorded against the prisoner, and to
prefer this charge would mean sending him to the
Quarter Sessions for trial. Under the circumstances,
the charge would be brought under the Vagrancy Act
of being found on enclosed premises.
In Friday night about nine o’clock prisoner
appeared to have lifted the grid of the Co-operative
Stores, where there was a window below. He descended
the aperture and placed the grid back again, so
that anyone walking along the pavement would not
notice anything. He then partly forced open the
window. In the Lees district, there were what were
called private watchers, and one of these watchmen
discovered the prisoner, who lifted up the grid
and attempted to run away. The watchman had a stick
in his hand, with which he brought the prisoner
to the ground.
James BRIERLEY, the manager of the branch, deposed
to leaving the premises secure at 9.10 the previous
night. The watchman knocked him up about 12.35 at
night, and he found the window had been forced open.–
Edward DENT, one of the Lees district private watchers,
stated that about 12.15 that morning, he was in
St John-street, and heard a noise coming from the
direction of the branch stores. He went there and
looked down the bars of the grid and noticed a suspicious
movement, and on making a further examination, he
saw a man.
Witness moved out of the way a few paces, and the
grid was lifted up and prisoner came out and ran
away. Witness ran after him and knocked him down,
and detained him and gave him into custody. He smelled
very badly of drink.– Prisoner pleaded guilty
and said he was very sorry for what he had done,
but he was drunk. He had never been up before and
he would promise never to do anything of the sort
again. He had a wife and two children.
The magistrates’ clerk: It is not a drunken
man’s action to open a window.– Asked
what his occupation was, prisoner said he formerly
worked in a cotton mill, and had been recently working
in a brickyard.– Prisoner was sentenced to
seven days’ imprisonment with hard labour.
MILK PRESERVING EXTRAORDINARY
AT WATERLOO
Effects Upon Infants
A Waterloo milk dealer, named John HULME, was charged
at the Ashton County Police Court, on Wednesday,
with an offence under the Food and Drugs Act. Mr
J WILSON appeared to prosecute on behalf of the
Lancashire authorities, and Mr J H LLOYD appeared
for the defendant. Defendant pleaded not guilty.
Mr WILSON said that on May 8th, Supt. HEWITT purchased
from the defendant’s cart a pint of milk for
purposes of analysis. This was an important case
to the public; it was a case in which preservative
was put in the milk to make it keep. This was a
practice very much depreciated by the County Authorities.
The milk was found to contain five grains of boracic
acid per pint. An ordinary child, six months old
at this time of year, would take two pints of milk
a day. The Chairman: It would be killing it? Yes.
It is extremely dangerous, and would have very serious
effects upon the child’s life. Royal Commission
had recommended that no preservatives should be
allowed in milk.
Superintendent HEWITT deposed to making the purchase
of milk from the daughter of the defendant and sending
it for analysis.– Sergeant DOVE said that when
spoken to, defendant said that he put the preservative
in the milk because the customers complained, and
he was advised to do this. He did not think it would
do any harm.
Dr SARGENT, medical officer of health for the county
of Lancaster, gave it as his opinion that the use
of borax was very objectionable, because it had
a serious effect on young children. Infants were
fed largely with milk and ten grains was a considerable
amount for a drug. It would be very likely to have
an influence on the alimentary canal and the digestive
system, and in that way cause the child to be ill
with diarrhoea or vomiting. If a medical man were
called in it was quite possible and highly likely
that boracic acid might be given unwittingly, not
knowing the character of the milk.
The Chairman (Mr Ralph BATES): What would the colouring
be for; it to give it a creamy appearance? Yes.–
By Mr LLOYD: It was desirable that the milk be without
borax.– The Chairman: Where is all this sterilised
milk; how is it going on in your district? –
Superintendent HEWITT: It is dying out practically.–
The Magistrates’ Clerk: Sterilised milk would
be a good thing, no doubt, if people would buy it,
but the mothers seem to think that they know a great
deal better than the local authorities what to do
with their children. If they used sterilised milk,
probably the lives of a good many children would
be saved.
Dr SARGENT: If milk has to be preserved, sterilisation
is the best means of preserving it. It does away
with any introduction of foreign substances.–
The Chairman: Clear the sewers out with sour milk.
– (Laughter.) – Dr SARGENT: The borax
is not put into sour milk, it is used to preserve
milk from going sour.
Mr LLOYD submitted that the use of borax to the
extent that it was used in this case was not injurious.
Defendant had only just commenced to use the preservative,
and he did it under the impression that he was doing
a benefit to his customers. His sole object was
to prevent the milk going bad.– Dr OWEN said
he had never known any ill effects from the administration
of borax in such quantities as had been stated.
The Chairman: To cure stinking fish, I believe,
it is a fine thing? – (Laughter.) – Dr
OWEN: It prevents decomposition. If milk is sour
it will not remove sourness. – Mr LLOYD said
his client would undertake not to repeat the offence.–
The decision of the Bench was that the case had
been proved, and defendant was fined 10s 6d and
costs. |
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