150 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (20th - 26th JULY 1870)
This week's stories include the Church Street dentist's that was also a confectioners, Lord and Lady Derby's fawning reception at Knowsley, the three-month-long Pilkington glass strike, the almost unbearable hot weather in St Helens and the Parr woman who'd been "moistening her clay".
Earlier in the month in London, Lord Derby had married Mary Catherine, the Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury. The Earl had only acceded to the title upon his father's death at the end of last year and so he and his bride were both unknown quantities in Lancashire. On the 20th the couple arrived at Knowsley Hall from London and what a fuss was made of them! The St Helens Newspaper described the fawning reception the pair received:
"The tenantry of the estate turned out to a man, and the public of the neighbourhood, for miles round, assembled in thousands to do honour to the new earl and his charming bride, and were determined to give to both a right hearty Lancashire Welcome. The people were jubilant and respectful, and we understand that it was the wish of the noble Earl that all comers should be treated with liberal hospitality, and a grateful and generous response given to those who came to wish happiness to him and his bride, and to do them honour on the occasion of their first arrival after their marriage at the ancestral hall of the Stanleys.
"There was no lack of feeling, no stinginess, no stint of loud, yet respectful, enthusiasm in the vast crowd who thronged the avenues in their best attire, and rent the air with loud “Huzzas,” and “Welcomes,” and “God bless you both.” The people and the tenantry were there in countless crowds, and they had spared neither trouble nor expense to decorate the route to the park. Carriages and conveyances were there by the hundred. All outside the park was the spontaneous work of the people, and was in keeping with gay and joyous holiday making."
The Liverpool Daily Post on the 22nd described a report by the Commissioners of Lunacy on their most recent inspection of Rainhill County Asylum. There were a total of 673 patients (313 male and 360 female) at that time. Since the Commissioners previous visit eleven months earlier, 52 patients had died, the majority from what was described as "general paralysis". Other patients had died from epilepsy and "other disorders of the brain" and in just four cases inquests were held. Of these two had died from suffocation during epileptic fits and two from what was described as exhaustion and brain disease.
Overall the asylum got a good report from the Commissioners, which was much improved on their previous inspection. They wrote: "We cannot hesitate to connect the marked improvement now noticeable in the least favourable wards with a kindlier mode of treatment, as well as a more continuous and zealous care, on the part of the attendants and nurses."
Most patients worked, with 170 of the men employed on the land or in shops or offices. A larger number of women undertook needlework and knitting or worked in the kitchen and laundry. And the laundry was going hi-tech! A steam engine had been ordered to power some machinery that would wash the clothes.
In the St Helens Petty Sessions on the 25th, Thomas Davies was charged with stealing apples from a garden belonging to Richard Pennington in Rainford. A witness had seen him put a little boy over the hedge and the lad then threw apples back at him! The magistrates decided to be lenient and dismissed the charge upon payment of costs.
Richard Pennington was a wealthy cotton manufacturer who four years earlier had built Muncaster Hall. Pennington had first moved to Rainford in 1857 to set up home with a mill girl called Elizabeth Cash. His mother disapproved and the couple had to wait four years until her death before they got married.
Our old friend Isaac Newton was back in court, this time for laying manure down in the street. He should have known from his famous namesake that gravity would stop it from floating away! Ike pleaded guilty and was fined 1 shilling.
"Ladies Quarrels" was a regular headline to court reports in the Newspaper. Once again the trouble had been at Parr with Mary Brady complaining that Ann Flood had threatened to assault her. Mrs Brady said Mrs Flood had attacked her with her tongue (which does not sound particularly threatening!) and called her abusive names. A neighbour gave evidence that Mrs Flood had been "moistening her clay" when using the words.
That expression appears to mean that the woman was getting all worked up but it wasn't very serious. The folly of bringing such a summons was again underlined by the magistrates' decision that both parties were just as bad as each other and subsequently binding both women over to keep the peace.
I've never thought of Widnes as a shipbuilding port but there was an advertisement in the St Helens Newspaper on the 26th for such a yard that would shortly be auctioned. "The yard is provided with every convenience suitable for carrying on an extensive shipbuilding and ship repairing business", went the ad.
Confectionery and dentists do in some ways go hand in hand, with the sugar in the former leading to treatment by the latter. But you don’t expect to find them both in the same place! However another ad went: "TEETH! TEETH!! TEETH!!! In consequence of numerous applications at the principal Establishment, one from the firm of Eskell Surgeon Dentist, 2 Peter's Square, Manchester, will attend every Tuesday from 10 till 5, at Mr. Scrymgeour's Confectioner, 96, Church-street, St. Helens."
In reality it was probably a back room that was being hired, rather than a dentist being behind the counter serving you chocolates and fixing your teeth at the same time! We had previously come across Helen Scrymgeour's confectioner's shop in May as her premises opposite the Raven Hotel was then being used to teach a "New Invention for Rapid Writing" course. In the 1871 census she had 15 people living there!
The Pilkington strike that had begun on April 18th was still on-going. In the Newspaper this letter from the Glassmakers Committee was published: "Sir – Some time ago our employers gave notice that a reduction would take place in the prices [wages] which we had been receiving. The reduction averaged amongst the glassmakers 27 per cent. We were then having 15 per cent less than our fellow workmen in every other part of England.
"Trade was very good, and, so far as we know, there was no reason why our wages should be so greatly, or at all, reduced. At the reduced prices we could not have sustained ourselves and families. We had no funds, no union, nor any known or reliable source to depend upon. We appealed to the public, and for more than three months have been generously assisted. Grateful for that aid, we will, with your kind permission, tender our best thanks to those who supported us.
"Our employers do not show any disposition to withdraw the unreasonable and uncalled for terms offered; we cannot accept those terms, and must, therefore, remain dependant on the support of the public. About 223 men are in forced and unwilling idleness, and two-thirds at least have families. We shall be glad to give any information corroborative of the foregoing."
As for Pilkingtons they were saying very little but had previously stated that the need to slash wages was because of competition from French and Belgian glass firms. The company had said they needed to make glass more economically in order to compete and had decided that cutting wages was the best way.
The Newspaper also wrote about a hot spell in St Helens: "The weather during the past few days has been of the most tropical character, and on every hand complaints are heard as to the great heat. Saturday last was perhaps the hottest day of the season, the glass standing as high as 130 in the sun, and from 80 to 90 in the shade. During Sunday a slight breeze prevailed, which tended to temper the almost unbearable heat.
"The weather on Monday was sultry, and there was every indication of a thunderstorm, but only a few heavy drops of rain fell in this locality. To-day (Tuesday), we have been favoured with an agreeable change of temperature. The weather is cloudy, but an invigorating cool breeze prevails, which is very refreshing after the great heat. Reports from various parts of the country state that several deaths have occurred from sun-stroke."
Next week's stories will include the naked road races in Eccleston, the privy nuisances in Pocket Nook and Parr Street, the child beggar of Croppers Hill and the Irish woman who would rather be in poverty in St Helens than in Ireland.
Earlier in the month in London, Lord Derby had married Mary Catherine, the Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury. The Earl had only acceded to the title upon his father's death at the end of last year and so he and his bride were both unknown quantities in Lancashire. On the 20th the couple arrived at Knowsley Hall from London and what a fuss was made of them! The St Helens Newspaper described the fawning reception the pair received:
"There was no lack of feeling, no stinginess, no stint of loud, yet respectful, enthusiasm in the vast crowd who thronged the avenues in their best attire, and rent the air with loud “Huzzas,” and “Welcomes,” and “God bless you both.” The people and the tenantry were there in countless crowds, and they had spared neither trouble nor expense to decorate the route to the park. Carriages and conveyances were there by the hundred. All outside the park was the spontaneous work of the people, and was in keeping with gay and joyous holiday making."
The Liverpool Daily Post on the 22nd described a report by the Commissioners of Lunacy on their most recent inspection of Rainhill County Asylum. There were a total of 673 patients (313 male and 360 female) at that time. Since the Commissioners previous visit eleven months earlier, 52 patients had died, the majority from what was described as "general paralysis". Other patients had died from epilepsy and "other disorders of the brain" and in just four cases inquests were held. Of these two had died from suffocation during epileptic fits and two from what was described as exhaustion and brain disease.
Overall the asylum got a good report from the Commissioners, which was much improved on their previous inspection. They wrote: "We cannot hesitate to connect the marked improvement now noticeable in the least favourable wards with a kindlier mode of treatment, as well as a more continuous and zealous care, on the part of the attendants and nurses."
Most patients worked, with 170 of the men employed on the land or in shops or offices. A larger number of women undertook needlework and knitting or worked in the kitchen and laundry. And the laundry was going hi-tech! A steam engine had been ordered to power some machinery that would wash the clothes.
In the St Helens Petty Sessions on the 25th, Thomas Davies was charged with stealing apples from a garden belonging to Richard Pennington in Rainford. A witness had seen him put a little boy over the hedge and the lad then threw apples back at him! The magistrates decided to be lenient and dismissed the charge upon payment of costs.
Richard Pennington was a wealthy cotton manufacturer who four years earlier had built Muncaster Hall. Pennington had first moved to Rainford in 1857 to set up home with a mill girl called Elizabeth Cash. His mother disapproved and the couple had to wait four years until her death before they got married.
Our old friend Isaac Newton was back in court, this time for laying manure down in the street. He should have known from his famous namesake that gravity would stop it from floating away! Ike pleaded guilty and was fined 1 shilling.
"Ladies Quarrels" was a regular headline to court reports in the Newspaper. Once again the trouble had been at Parr with Mary Brady complaining that Ann Flood had threatened to assault her. Mrs Brady said Mrs Flood had attacked her with her tongue (which does not sound particularly threatening!) and called her abusive names. A neighbour gave evidence that Mrs Flood had been "moistening her clay" when using the words.
That expression appears to mean that the woman was getting all worked up but it wasn't very serious. The folly of bringing such a summons was again underlined by the magistrates' decision that both parties were just as bad as each other and subsequently binding both women over to keep the peace.
I've never thought of Widnes as a shipbuilding port but there was an advertisement in the St Helens Newspaper on the 26th for such a yard that would shortly be auctioned. "The yard is provided with every convenience suitable for carrying on an extensive shipbuilding and ship repairing business", went the ad.
Confectionery and dentists do in some ways go hand in hand, with the sugar in the former leading to treatment by the latter. But you don’t expect to find them both in the same place! However another ad went: "TEETH! TEETH!! TEETH!!! In consequence of numerous applications at the principal Establishment, one from the firm of Eskell Surgeon Dentist, 2 Peter's Square, Manchester, will attend every Tuesday from 10 till 5, at Mr. Scrymgeour's Confectioner, 96, Church-street, St. Helens."
In reality it was probably a back room that was being hired, rather than a dentist being behind the counter serving you chocolates and fixing your teeth at the same time! We had previously come across Helen Scrymgeour's confectioner's shop in May as her premises opposite the Raven Hotel was then being used to teach a "New Invention for Rapid Writing" course. In the 1871 census she had 15 people living there!
The Pilkington strike that had begun on April 18th was still on-going. In the Newspaper this letter from the Glassmakers Committee was published: "Sir – Some time ago our employers gave notice that a reduction would take place in the prices [wages] which we had been receiving. The reduction averaged amongst the glassmakers 27 per cent. We were then having 15 per cent less than our fellow workmen in every other part of England.
"Trade was very good, and, so far as we know, there was no reason why our wages should be so greatly, or at all, reduced. At the reduced prices we could not have sustained ourselves and families. We had no funds, no union, nor any known or reliable source to depend upon. We appealed to the public, and for more than three months have been generously assisted. Grateful for that aid, we will, with your kind permission, tender our best thanks to those who supported us.
"Our employers do not show any disposition to withdraw the unreasonable and uncalled for terms offered; we cannot accept those terms, and must, therefore, remain dependant on the support of the public. About 223 men are in forced and unwilling idleness, and two-thirds at least have families. We shall be glad to give any information corroborative of the foregoing."
As for Pilkingtons they were saying very little but had previously stated that the need to slash wages was because of competition from French and Belgian glass firms. The company had said they needed to make glass more economically in order to compete and had decided that cutting wages was the best way.
The Newspaper also wrote about a hot spell in St Helens: "The weather during the past few days has been of the most tropical character, and on every hand complaints are heard as to the great heat. Saturday last was perhaps the hottest day of the season, the glass standing as high as 130 in the sun, and from 80 to 90 in the shade. During Sunday a slight breeze prevailed, which tended to temper the almost unbearable heat.
"The weather on Monday was sultry, and there was every indication of a thunderstorm, but only a few heavy drops of rain fell in this locality. To-day (Tuesday), we have been favoured with an agreeable change of temperature. The weather is cloudy, but an invigorating cool breeze prevails, which is very refreshing after the great heat. Reports from various parts of the country state that several deaths have occurred from sun-stroke."
Next week's stories will include the naked road races in Eccleston, the privy nuisances in Pocket Nook and Parr Street, the child beggar of Croppers Hill and the Irish woman who would rather be in poverty in St Helens than in Ireland.
This week's stories include the Church Street dentist's that was also a confectioners, Lord and Lady Derby's fawning reception at Knowsley, the three-month-long Pilkington glass strike, the almost unbearable hot weather in St Helens and the Parr woman who'd been "moistening her clay".
Earlier in the month in London, Lord Derby had married Mary Catherine, the Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury.
The Earl had only acceded to the title upon his father's death at the end of last year and so he and his bride were both unknown quantities in Lancashire.
On the 20th the couple arrived at Knowsley Hall from London and what a fuss was made of them! The St Helens Newspaper described the fawning reception the pair received:
"The tenantry of the estate turned out to a man, and the public of the neighbourhood, for miles round, assembled in thousands to do honour to the new earl and his charming bride, and were determined to give to both a right hearty Lancashire Welcome.
"The people were jubilant and respectful, and we understand that it was the wish of the noble Earl that all comers should be treated with liberal hospitality, and a grateful and generous response given to those who came to wish happiness to him and his bride, and to do them honour on the occasion of their first arrival after their marriage at the ancestral hall of the Stanleys.
"There was no lack of feeling, no stinginess, no stint of loud, yet respectful, enthusiasm in the vast crowd who thronged the avenues in their best attire, and rent the air with loud “Huzzas,” and “Welcomes,” and “God bless you both.”
"The people and the tenantry were there in countless crowds, and they had spared neither trouble nor expense to decorate the route to the park. Carriages and conveyances were there by the hundred. All outside the park was the spontaneous work of the people, and was in keeping with gay and joyous holiday making."
The Liverpool Daily Post on the 22nd described a report by the Commissioners of Lunacy on their most recent inspection of Rainhill County Asylum.
There were a total of 673 patients (313 male and 360 female) at that time.
Since the Commissioners previous visit eleven months earlier, 52 patients had died, the majority from what was described as "general paralysis".
Other patients had died from epilepsy and "other disorders of the brain" and in just four cases inquests were held.
Of these two had died from suffocation during epileptic fits and two from what was described as exhaustion and brain disease.
Overall the asylum got a good report from the Commissioners, which was much improved on their previous inspection. They wrote:
"We cannot hesitate to connect the marked improvement now noticeable in the least favourable wards with a kindlier mode of treatment, as well as a more continuous and zealous care, on the part of the attendants and nurses."
Most patients worked, with 170 of the men employed on the land or in shops or offices.
A larger number of women undertook needlework and knitting or worked in the kitchen and laundry.
And the laundry was going hi-tech! A steam engine had been ordered to power some machinery that would wash the clothes.
In the St Helens Petty Sessions on the 25th, Thomas Davies was charged with stealing apples from a garden belonging to Richard Pennington in Rainford.
A witness had seen him put a little boy over the hedge and the lad then threw apples back at him!
The magistrates decided to be lenient and dismissed the charge upon payment of costs.
Richard Pennington was a wealthy cotton manufacturer who four years earlier had built Muncaster Hall.
Pennington had first moved to Rainford in 1857 to set up home with a mill girl called Elizabeth Cash.
His mother disapproved and the couple had to wait four years until her death before they got married.
Our old friend Isaac Newton was back in court, this time for laying manure down in the street.
He should have known from his famous namesake that gravity would stop it from floating away! Ike pleaded guilty and was fined 1 shilling.
"Ladies Quarrels" was a regular headline to court reports in the Newspaper.
Once again the trouble had been at Parr with Mary Brady complaining that Ann Flood had threatened to assault her.
Mrs Brady said Mrs Flood had attacked her with her tongue (which does not sound particularly threatening!) and called her abusive names.
A neighbour gave evidence that Mrs Flood had been "moistening her clay" when using the words.
That expression appears to mean that the woman was getting all worked up but it wasn't very serious.
The folly of bringing such a summons was again underlined by the magistrates' decision that both parties were just as bad as each other and subsequently binding both women over to keep the peace.
I've never thought of Widnes as a shipbuilding port but there was an advertisement in the St Helens Newspaper on the 26th for such a yard that would shortly be auctioned.
"The yard is provided with every convenience suitable for carrying on an extensive shipbuilding and ship repairing business", went the ad.
Confectionery and dentists do in some ways go hand in hand, with the sugar in the former leading to treatment by the latter.
But you don’t expect to find them both in the same place! However another ad went:
"TEETH! TEETH!! TEETH!!! In consequence of numerous applications at the principal Establishment, one from the firm of Eskell Surgeon Dentist, 2 Peter's Square, Manchester, will attend every Tuesday from 10 till 5, at Mr. Scrymgeour's Confectioner, 96, Church-street, St. Helens."
In reality it was probably a back room that was being hired, rather than a dentist being behind the counter serving you chocolates and fixing your teeth at the same time!
We had previously come across Helen Scrymgeour's confectioner's shop in May as her premises opposite the Raven Hotel was then being used to teach a "New Invention for Rapid Writing" course.
In the 1871 census she had fifteen people living there!
The Pilkington strike that had begun on April 18th was still on-going.
In the Newspaper this letter from the Glassmakers Committee was published:
"Sir – Some time ago our employers gave notice that a reduction would take place in the prices [wages] which we had been receiving. The reduction averaged amongst the glassmakers 27 per cent. We were then having 15 per cent less than our fellow workmen in every other part of England.
"Trade was very good, and, so far as we know, there was no reason why our wages should be so greatly, or at all, reduced. At the reduced prices we could not have sustained ourselves and families. We had no funds, no union, nor any known or reliable source to depend upon.
"We appealed to the public, and for more than three months have been generously assisted. Grateful for that aid, we will, with your kind permission, tender our best thanks to those who supported us.
"Our employers do not show any disposition to withdraw the unreasonable and uncalled for terms offered; we cannot accept those terms, and must, therefore, remain dependant on the support of the public. About 223 men are in forced and unwilling idleness, and two-thirds at least have families. We shall be glad to give any information corroborative of the foregoing."
As for Pilkingtons they were saying very little but had previously stated that the need to slash wages was because of competition from French and Belgian glass firms.
The company had said they needed to make glass more economically in order to compete and had decided that cutting wages was the best way.
The Newspaper also wrote about a hot spell in St Helens: "The weather during the past few days has been of the most tropical character, and on every hand complaints are heard as to the great heat.
"Saturday last was perhaps the hottest day of the season, the glass standing as high as 130 in the sun, and from 80 to 90 in the shade. During Sunday a slight breeze prevailed, which tended to temper the almost unbearable heat.
"The weather on Monday was sultry, and there was every indication of a thunderstorm, but only a few heavy drops of rain fell in this locality. To-day (Tuesday), we have been favoured with an agreeable change of temperature.
"The weather is cloudy, but an invigorating cool breeze prevails, which is very refreshing after the great heat. Reports from various parts of the country state that several deaths have occurred from sun-stroke."
Next week's stories will include the naked road races in Eccleston, the privy nuisances in Pocket Nook and Parr Street, the child beggar of Croppers Hill and the Irish woman who would rather be in poverty in St Helens than in Ireland.
Earlier in the month in London, Lord Derby had married Mary Catherine, the Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury.
The Earl had only acceded to the title upon his father's death at the end of last year and so he and his bride were both unknown quantities in Lancashire.
On the 20th the couple arrived at Knowsley Hall from London and what a fuss was made of them! The St Helens Newspaper described the fawning reception the pair received:
"The people were jubilant and respectful, and we understand that it was the wish of the noble Earl that all comers should be treated with liberal hospitality, and a grateful and generous response given to those who came to wish happiness to him and his bride, and to do them honour on the occasion of their first arrival after their marriage at the ancestral hall of the Stanleys.
"There was no lack of feeling, no stinginess, no stint of loud, yet respectful, enthusiasm in the vast crowd who thronged the avenues in their best attire, and rent the air with loud “Huzzas,” and “Welcomes,” and “God bless you both.”
"The people and the tenantry were there in countless crowds, and they had spared neither trouble nor expense to decorate the route to the park. Carriages and conveyances were there by the hundred. All outside the park was the spontaneous work of the people, and was in keeping with gay and joyous holiday making."
The Liverpool Daily Post on the 22nd described a report by the Commissioners of Lunacy on their most recent inspection of Rainhill County Asylum.
There were a total of 673 patients (313 male and 360 female) at that time.
Since the Commissioners previous visit eleven months earlier, 52 patients had died, the majority from what was described as "general paralysis".
Other patients had died from epilepsy and "other disorders of the brain" and in just four cases inquests were held.
Of these two had died from suffocation during epileptic fits and two from what was described as exhaustion and brain disease.
Overall the asylum got a good report from the Commissioners, which was much improved on their previous inspection. They wrote:
"We cannot hesitate to connect the marked improvement now noticeable in the least favourable wards with a kindlier mode of treatment, as well as a more continuous and zealous care, on the part of the attendants and nurses."
Most patients worked, with 170 of the men employed on the land or in shops or offices.
A larger number of women undertook needlework and knitting or worked in the kitchen and laundry.
And the laundry was going hi-tech! A steam engine had been ordered to power some machinery that would wash the clothes.
In the St Helens Petty Sessions on the 25th, Thomas Davies was charged with stealing apples from a garden belonging to Richard Pennington in Rainford.
A witness had seen him put a little boy over the hedge and the lad then threw apples back at him!
The magistrates decided to be lenient and dismissed the charge upon payment of costs.
Richard Pennington was a wealthy cotton manufacturer who four years earlier had built Muncaster Hall.
Pennington had first moved to Rainford in 1857 to set up home with a mill girl called Elizabeth Cash.
His mother disapproved and the couple had to wait four years until her death before they got married.
Our old friend Isaac Newton was back in court, this time for laying manure down in the street.
He should have known from his famous namesake that gravity would stop it from floating away! Ike pleaded guilty and was fined 1 shilling.
"Ladies Quarrels" was a regular headline to court reports in the Newspaper.
Once again the trouble had been at Parr with Mary Brady complaining that Ann Flood had threatened to assault her.
Mrs Brady said Mrs Flood had attacked her with her tongue (which does not sound particularly threatening!) and called her abusive names.
A neighbour gave evidence that Mrs Flood had been "moistening her clay" when using the words.
That expression appears to mean that the woman was getting all worked up but it wasn't very serious.
The folly of bringing such a summons was again underlined by the magistrates' decision that both parties were just as bad as each other and subsequently binding both women over to keep the peace.
I've never thought of Widnes as a shipbuilding port but there was an advertisement in the St Helens Newspaper on the 26th for such a yard that would shortly be auctioned.
"The yard is provided with every convenience suitable for carrying on an extensive shipbuilding and ship repairing business", went the ad.
Confectionery and dentists do in some ways go hand in hand, with the sugar in the former leading to treatment by the latter.
But you don’t expect to find them both in the same place! However another ad went:
"TEETH! TEETH!! TEETH!!! In consequence of numerous applications at the principal Establishment, one from the firm of Eskell Surgeon Dentist, 2 Peter's Square, Manchester, will attend every Tuesday from 10 till 5, at Mr. Scrymgeour's Confectioner, 96, Church-street, St. Helens."
In reality it was probably a back room that was being hired, rather than a dentist being behind the counter serving you chocolates and fixing your teeth at the same time!
We had previously come across Helen Scrymgeour's confectioner's shop in May as her premises opposite the Raven Hotel was then being used to teach a "New Invention for Rapid Writing" course.
In the 1871 census she had fifteen people living there!
The Pilkington strike that had begun on April 18th was still on-going.
In the Newspaper this letter from the Glassmakers Committee was published:
"Sir – Some time ago our employers gave notice that a reduction would take place in the prices [wages] which we had been receiving. The reduction averaged amongst the glassmakers 27 per cent. We were then having 15 per cent less than our fellow workmen in every other part of England.
"Trade was very good, and, so far as we know, there was no reason why our wages should be so greatly, or at all, reduced. At the reduced prices we could not have sustained ourselves and families. We had no funds, no union, nor any known or reliable source to depend upon.
"We appealed to the public, and for more than three months have been generously assisted. Grateful for that aid, we will, with your kind permission, tender our best thanks to those who supported us.
"Our employers do not show any disposition to withdraw the unreasonable and uncalled for terms offered; we cannot accept those terms, and must, therefore, remain dependant on the support of the public. About 223 men are in forced and unwilling idleness, and two-thirds at least have families. We shall be glad to give any information corroborative of the foregoing."
As for Pilkingtons they were saying very little but had previously stated that the need to slash wages was because of competition from French and Belgian glass firms.
The company had said they needed to make glass more economically in order to compete and had decided that cutting wages was the best way.
The Newspaper also wrote about a hot spell in St Helens: "The weather during the past few days has been of the most tropical character, and on every hand complaints are heard as to the great heat.
"Saturday last was perhaps the hottest day of the season, the glass standing as high as 130 in the sun, and from 80 to 90 in the shade. During Sunday a slight breeze prevailed, which tended to temper the almost unbearable heat.
"The weather on Monday was sultry, and there was every indication of a thunderstorm, but only a few heavy drops of rain fell in this locality. To-day (Tuesday), we have been favoured with an agreeable change of temperature.
"The weather is cloudy, but an invigorating cool breeze prevails, which is very refreshing after the great heat. Reports from various parts of the country state that several deaths have occurred from sun-stroke."
Next week's stories will include the naked road races in Eccleston, the privy nuisances in Pocket Nook and Parr Street, the child beggar of Croppers Hill and the Irish woman who would rather be in poverty in St Helens than in Ireland.