SUDDEN DEATH AT ASHTON MOSS COLLIERY
At Navigation Hotel, Hyde, on Friday week, an inquest was held by Mr F NEWTON into the circumstances attending the sudden death of a collier named David HOLLAND, 21 years of age, of 18 Reed-street, Hyde.

Daniel HOLLAND, a collier, said the deceased was his son, and was a wagoner. Deceased went to his work about 12.30 on Tuesday afternoon at the New Moss Colliery, Ashton, when he appeared to be in good health. Witness was informed of his death about 20 minutes past ten the same night. Deceased had had no ailment.

Dr T F DANIELS said he made a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased the previous day. There was a slight bruise over the left temple, and the face, forehead, and chest were intensely congested. There was no other sign of external violence. Internally he found the right side of the heart, the large veins leading to it, and the lungs congested and coloured. The cause of death was, in his opinion, asphyxia, coupled with syncope. He was satisfied that the deceased’s death was not due to receiving any accident whilst following his employment.

George BENNETT, 2 Hanover-street, Audenshaw, a collier employed at the New Moss Colliery, said he was working there on Tuesday afternoon. About seven o’clock the deceased assisted him to fill two wagons, and he then went to the bottom of the brow and hooked two empty tubs at the bottom, and witness then hooked two full tubs at the top, and they were gigged down the brow one at a time.

When the ninth tub reached the bottom of the brow witness saw the deceased unhook the chain. Deceased was about 20 yards away from witness at the time. Shortly afterwards he heard a man named FOX shout for assistance. Witness and another man named MASSEY immediately ran down to the bottom of the brow and saw HOLLAND in a kneeling position, with his hands under his chin. Deceased groaned, but never spoke or took any notice. Deceased expired in a few minutes. He never complained to witness during the afternoon, and seemed to be quite well.

A verdict was recorded in accordance with the medical evidence, viz, that deceased had died from natural causes.

THE PETITION FOR A GORTON CONVICT
The Secretary of State Declines to Remit the Sentence
In answer to the petition by over 5,000 people, including magistrates, councillors, &c, praying for the release of Francis BIRCH, who was sentenced at the Liverpool Assizes in February 1900 to seven years penal servitude, for shooting with intent to do grievous bodily harm, Mr E F G HATCH, MP for the Gorton Division, has received a reply from the Home Office, stating that the Secretary of State, after having considered carefully all the circumstances of the case, regrets he does not feel justified in advising any remission of the sentence.

Mr HATCH forwarded the reply to the chairman of the Gorton District Council (Councillor W T SHOWELL, JP), and this was read at the monthly meeting of the District Council on Wednesday evening.

The Chairman said they had done their best, and they had the assurance of Mr HATCH that he had done all he could, and he (the chairman) thought there was nothing more only to let it drop. Councillor JUDGE: I think we ought not to let the matter drop.

The Chairman thought they might wait a little and consider what ought to be done. – (Hear, hear.) Councillor TAYLOR had acted as secretary in the matter, and he was sure he had done his very best to bring about, if possible, some satisfactory result. – (Hear, hear.) The matter was then dropped.

SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A DUKINFIELD MAN
Kicking Affray at Oldham
A man named William PATE, of Dukinfield, was brought up at the Oldham Police Court on Saturday, charged with inflicting bodily harm on Hammond BRIERLEY. The Chief Constable stated that on the 17th inst, the prisoner entered the Roebuck Hotel, King-street, and struck the prosecutor, knocking him off his stool, and afterwards kicking him in the chest. The injured man was now in a critical condition, and it might be necessary to take his depositions before the day was out, pneumonia having supervened. He asked that the prisoner be remanded for a week.

The prisoner asked for bail. The Chief Constable said he had no objection when the man was out of danger. He understood the prisoner had worked for the prosecutor, and that there had been some dispute between them. The Bench agreed to accept bail, the prisoner in £20 and two sureties of £10 each.

WEST GORTON TRAGEDY
At the Manchester City Police Court on Monday, Samuel Ellor TAYLOR, mechanic, of Norbury-street, West Gorton, was again brought up on a charge of causing the death of his wife, Alexandra Mary, by hitting her with his fists. At the previous hearing the evidence for the prosecution was not quite completed.

It was to the effect that TAYLOR quarreled with his wife and knocked her head against the scullery door. After hitting her in the eye, and making her nose bleed, he knocked her down. Deceased, in return, had struck prisoner with a toasting fork, and tried to hit him with a poker. Afterwards prisoner asked his wife’s forgiveness, but she refused to forgive him, and, going to a friend’s house, died the following morning.

Deceased’s nose was broken, and her face bruised. – Prisoner, asked what he had to say, replied: “I am not guilty of causing her death.” – Mr BRIERLEY committed prisoner for trial at the Assizes, releasing him on his own recognisances. – In consequence of the inquest having been commenced by the late Mr Sidney SMALL, it will be necessary to exhume the body in order that Mr AITKEN (deputy coroner) may view it before commencing the enquiry.

”THE CHAMPION DOG STEALER” AT DUKINFIELD
John LEWIS, well known in the Manchester district as a dog fancier, was in custody at Dukinfield Police Court, on Thursday, charged with stealing a Yorkshire terrier belonging to Mr George POTTS, canal carrier, of Springside.

The prosecutor said on September 25th last he was the owner of a Yorkshire terrier, bitch, which disappeared on that date. He valued it at £3. Mary POTTS, wife of the last witness, said she saw the prisoner a few yards away from her house on the canal bank. The dog was running about loose. Shortly afterwards the prisoner disappeared she missed the dog. She identified the prisoner amongst a number of other men. – Other witnesses were called to the same effect.

Constable KENNY said he received prisoner in custody on Wednesday from the Manchester police. He made no reply to the charge. KENNY further stated that when conveying LEWIS to Dukinfield he told him that if he got the case tried that morning he would do KENNY some good, and tell him where he could find the dog. – Prisoner: That is not so. I told him if anyone could find the dog, I could do so.

Superintendent CROGHAN said the prisoner was known in Manchester as “The champion dog stealer” of the district, and had been before the magistrates of that city on such a charge. No fewer than 50 stolen dogs from Longsight Station to London, Leeds, Nottingham and other towns, and he had not the slightest doubt but that LEWIS. – Prisoner said he had not been convicted for dog stealing.

The Chairman (Alderman C H BOOTH) said the magistrates were satisfied that he took the terrier belonging to Ms POTTS. They were only going by the evidence before them, and were dealing with him as a first offender. Then again from prisoner’s observations, they were led to believe he knew something regarding the lost dog. He would be fined £10, or on default of payment one month’s imprisonment.

CHILD NEGLECT AT GORTON
A Shocking Case
At the Manchester County Stipendiary’s Court last week end, details of a shocking case of neglect of children at Gorton were related. The prosecution was the sequel to a visit paid by Sergeant DAVIES of Gorton, to a house occupied by a woman named Mary ROBINSON, who lives in Rosebery-street, Gorton.

He entered the house at midnight, and a shocking sight was presented. Upon going into the kitchen he saw the woman sitting in front of the fire, and she was under the influence of drink. Well-knowing that the woman had four children, he asked her where they were, and she replied in the workhouse. Not being satisfied he made a further search about the premises, and he found three children, two boys and a girl, in an outhouse in the backyard, and they were in a very dirty state.

All the windows of the house were broken, and upstairs there was a little boy lying on a dirty mattress. The only food in the house was a dry crust of bread, and the children, when it was given to them, ate it ravenously. The mother was sent to prison for three months.

William MOORES, described as a labourer, and the man who had been cohabiting with the prisoner in the above case, was also charged with neglecting the children. The facts of the case were given, when Mary ROBINSON, with whom the prisoner had been cohabiting for between nine and ten years.

Sergeant DAVIES related the case against the man. He added that the children were now in the workhouse at Withington. Prisoner was said to be of very intemperate habits. – Mr J M YATES (the County Stipendiary) and Mr Joshua SMITH, the magistrates, sent prisoner to gaol for one month with hard labour.

HURST
HE MET A FRIEND. – John BRACEGIRDLE pleaded guilty at the Ashton County Police Court, on Wednesday, to being drunk and disorderly on licensed premises at Hurst, on March 7th, and said he met a friend who treated him. – Fined 10s.

THE BEGGING NUISANCE. – A rough-looking man was in the dock at the Ashton County Police Court, on Monday, charged with begging at Hurst on Sunday. – Prisoner pleaded guilty. – Constable ALFORD said that at 10 minutes to 11 on Sunday night prisoner was begging from the foot passengers in King-street. He was taken to the Police Station and locked up. – Superintendent HEWITT said there had been a great many complaints of beggars, who, when refused, used abusive language. – Prisoner was sentenced to seven days’ hard labour.

BROKE THROUGH A HOARDING. – John BATES was in custody on Monday, charged with being drunk at Hurst, on Saturday. – Prisoner pleaded guilty. – Sergeant SHEE stated that at 11.55 prisoner was drunk and incapable in Union-road. Witness received information that prisoner had got through an opening in the hoarding round the new police station. On going through the opening he found prisoner in the enclosure. What he was going to do witness did not know, or whether it was the effect of the drink. – Prisoner: I was drunk, and I did not know what I was doing. – A fine of 2s 6d, and costs, or seven days’ imprisonment, was imposed.

PRESENTATION TO AN INNKEEPER. – At the fortnightly meeting of the No 5 Lodge of the Miners’ Union, held at the Oddfellows’ Arms, Hurst, on Friday of last week, an interesting presentation was to made to Mr J T ELIFFE, for eight years licensee of the Oddfellows’ Arms, who has gone to keep the Grapes Hotel, Stockport, and who, whilst at Hurst, was treasurer for the No 5 Lodge of the Miners’ Union. The presentation, consisting of a gold medal suitably inscribed, was made by the chairman (Mr H M CHADDERTON) in suitable terms, and Mr ELIFFE tendered his acknowledgements.

PEACE-BREAKERS. – John HUDSON and Albert ASHWORTH were before the Ashton County Justices, on Wednesday, charged with committing a breach of the peace at Hurst, on March 9th. – HUDSON pleaded guilty and ASHWORTH not guilty. – A Constable stated that at five minutes past eleven on Monday night he saw the two defendants fighting together and creating a great disturbance. – ASHWORTH said he was going home quietly with the supper beer, when HUDSON commenced shouting at him. He followed him home, and struck him, and knocked his hat into the road. – HUDSON said ASHWORTH had made an accusation against him, and he asked him about it, whereupon he ran away. – The Bench dismissed the case against ASHWORTH, and bound HUDSON over in 40s to keep the peace for three months.

THE MURDEROUS ASSAULT UPON A WIFE AT DUKINFIELD
At the Police Court, on Thursday, William Henry BARDSLEY, greengrocer, was brought up on remand charged with unlawfully wounding his wife on the 19th instant under the following circumstances: -

Alice Ann BARDSLEY said: I am the wife of the prisoner, and live with him at 18 Birch-lane, Dukinfield. I remember last Thursday my husband came home about 11 o’clock in the forenoon. He remained in the house all the afternoon drinking whiskey. At half-past five o’clock in the afternoon he struck me on the head with the hammer produced. He said “take that,” and I ran out.

I had a quarrel with him at dinner time, but I thought it had quietened down. I was standing at the back kitchen door at the time he struck me. After the second blow, I fell into a cart, and he struck me the third blow whilst I was there. I got away into a neighbour’s house. I have suffered very much since. I want a separation, your worships.

By the Prisoner: I did not pull a bed down and send for a donkey and cart to remove it, and tell you to clear out. My daughter did not strike you.

Bertha BARDSLEY said: I am the daughter of the prisoner and the last witness, and live with them. I was at the back door at 5.30 on Thursday last, and saw my father strike my mother three times on the head, saying “take that.” She cried “oh,” and ran down the entry. I saw afterwards that my mother was bleeding from wounds in the head. Dr BOOTH was sent for, and also the police.

MY mother told me to frighten him, that we had been looking for a little house, and were going to leave him. He has been drinking. – Prisoner: For six days. She smacked me in the face. – Witness denied this. She never touched him. – Mr WOOD: Perhaps you would have liked if you could? Yes, because his language is so bad. – Prisoner: If I ever get over this, I will not take any more drink.

James CHADWICK, baker, 143 Leech-street, proved seeing Mrs BARDSLEY running down the entry bleeding from wounds in the head. She would have fallen if he had not held her. He assisted her into a neighbour’s house.

Dr BOOTH spoke to the seriousness of the injuries inflicted upon the woman. The prisoner was committed for trial at the Knutsford Sessions, bail being allowed.

SINGULAR DEATH AT HURST
Neglecting to Send for a Doctor
An inquest was held at the Church Inn, Higher King-street, Hurst, on Thursday morning, by Mr J F PRICE, district coroner, on the body of Alice YOUNG, aged seven months, daughter of George and Mary YOUNG, of Lees Tollbar, Lees-road, who died about 9 o’clock on Tuesday morning.

Mary YOUNG, mother of the deceased, said the child had good health up to Friday night, when she commenced breathing very heavily. She was not flushed in any way, but she became very heated and sleepy. Witness placed a linseed poultice on her chest, and she slept very well until Saturday morning, when she seemed a bit worse, the breathing being heavier. Witness applied another poultice and continued this form of treatment up to Monday morning, when she gave the child some linseed tea, and a tablespoonful of brandy and water.

The Coroner: What! A tablespoonful of brandy and water for a child seven months old? Yes. – Continuing, witness said she kept the child in a cradle downstairs. She did not take any food. On Tuesday morning, about six o’clock, the child was taken worse, and became sleepy and drowsy. Witness had been up with the child all night. The child was still hot and feverish, and about 8.30 on Tuesday morning witness deemed it advisable to send for Doctor BRADLEY, of Ashton, who came at 9.30, the child having died in the meantime.

The doctor did not say anything as to why she did not send for him before. Witness had buried other children, one of them having died from burns, and an inquest was held. The reason she did not send for a doctor earlier was because she thought the child was getting better. The child was insured in a penny club, but witness would only draw about 30s.

The Coroner: There is a great neglect on your part in not sending for a doctor earlier, and trying to doctor the child yourself. You had plenty of time, even if you could not afford it, to get the parish doctor. You are evidently one of those people who leave the matter to the last minute, and then report it to the doctor expecting to get a certificate.

George YOUNG, father of the child, said he noticed the child was ill on Saturday morning. The mother sat up with the child every night. On the Monday morning he thought the child was on the improve, but the same morning he suggested sending for the doctor as the child appeared worse. He did not think it necessary to call a doctor because others of his children had been ill on and off and had got right again.

The Coroner cautioned both the father and mother that if ever they had such another case as this one he should order a post-mortem, and if it turned out that the doctor could have saved the child’s life, they would run a risk of being tried for manslaughter. If ever a child of theirs was ill again, he said, they must not wait, as they had done in the present case, but send for the doctor at once. Had they called a doctor in, no doubt the child would have been saved. It was very neglectful of the parents.

The jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes, probably bronchitis or inflammation of the lungs, accelerated by want of medical attention.

ASSAULT UPON A DUKINFIELD INNKEEPER
George Crossland in Trouble
At the Dukinfield Police Court, on Thursday, the well-known pedestrian, George CROSSLAND, was summoned for being drunk and disorderly and refusing to quit the licensed premises of Liston’s Hotel, on the 19th, also with assaulting the landlord, Mr Jonas Edward MALLALIEN, on the same date. Defendant pleaded not guilty.

Mr J W SIMISTER, solicitor, appeared on behalf of the complainant, and stated that on Thursday afternoon Mr MALLALIEN was in the house alone when the defendant entered, apparently from what transpired, with the deliberate intention of creating a disturbance.

Mr MALLALIEN was having his tea, and defendant asked him to have a drink, and he naturally refused. Defendant became abusive, used violent and disgusting language, and threatened to inflict bodily injuries. He asked the defendant to leave the house. He refused to do so. Mr MALLALIEN was compelled to eject him by the side door. He, however, got into the bar, and was again ejected.

He then went to the front door and entered the vault. He picked up a plant pot and flung it at complainant, at the same time running out, and threatening to smash the windows. Shortly afterwards he entered again with the large stone produced, and flung it at the complainant’s head, fortunately missing him. At the same time he said, “I intend to murder you.”

Mr MALLALIEN, in self-defence, was compelled to close with the defendant, and they got into the street in front of the house. He forcibly held him down for fear of getting further injuries. During the struggle the defendant left the imprint of his teeth on his right arm.

Mr MALLALIEN sent for the police, but unfortunately no constable was about, They got separated, and then defendant actually challenged the complainant, and suggested they should go into an adjoining field for that purpose. Mr MALLALIEN thinking defendant had quietened down went into the house. The defendant, and asked for a drink, and was again refused. The complainant was called, and gave evidence bearing out Mr SIMISTER’s statement.

Defendant said he went into the house and called for a drink. He was served, and then he introduced the question of a picnic club and some money. Mr MALLALIEN said, “If you want anything you can soon have it.” He pulled the table on one side, and struck him in the face five or six times and kicked him. He did not remember throwing the stone, but he remembered getting a good hiding. He was knocked unconscious.

The Chairman said the bench considered they were not at all severe when they fined defendant 5s 6d and costs or 14 days for being drunk and disorderly and refusing to quit, and 10s 6d and costs or 14 days for the assault. Defendant asked to be allowed time for payment. Mr SIMISTER did not object.