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THE NORTHERN STAR. August 2$, 1845.
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MEDIC \L TREATMENT OF THE POOR IN! THENO...
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THE FACTORY BILL. Manchester, Thursday.—...
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Cfiartfet -inUUuraiue
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OLDHAM. On Sunday, last - Mr."M'Grath de...
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The late Fire is Aldermanbuby.—Extraoudh...
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Printed by DOUG AL M'GOAVAN . of 17. er8at W ,U ll ,tW ' | street, Ifaymarket, in the City of Westiiii»* tc f; ^ 1
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Office in the same Street and Parish, >;...
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Transcript
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
The Northern Star. August 2$, 1845.
THE NORTHERN STAR . August 2 $ , 1845 .
Medic \L Treatment Of The Poor In! Theno...
MEDIC \ L TREATMENT OF THE POOR IN ! THENORTH AYLESFORD UKION . Ou VVcdacsilay meet a ' brickniaker , of tlie name of John Twfc-w-Ur < licd a ^' ovthflcct . In the parish of Xorflifleet , anil it havin ? been allrgcd bythe overseers of the parish as well as tiie inhabitants , that his death was occasioned by neglect on the part of the medical and relieving officers , an inquest was held on the requisition of the overseers to 3 Ir . Carttar . Coroner for "West Kent , on Friday . The case excited great interest in the district , as it was said that many similar instances of neglect by the proper officers had occurred within the last two or three years in the pari : ! :. The inquest was held at the ^ ueeii ' s Heal public-house , In-fore ' Mr . Carttar , and a highly rcsin-ctahle jury , of which Mr . G . Martyr of Xorthfleet , was foreman .
After thejury was sworn , and had viewed the body , the Coroner proceeded to state , that he knew nothing whatever of the cirenmstances of the caso which would be brought before them further than that , as he was informed , the deceased did not come by a violent death ; and , therefore , he did not think it necessary that there should he a post mortem examination . A charge of neglect was made against the medical officer of the union , and it would be for the jury to decide whether such charge was well founded , or otherwise . Sarah Tuck well , the mother of the deceased , identified the body as that of her son , John Tuckwell , who had a few weeks before left her house In London to seek for work as a brickniakcr . He was , she added , not quite twenty-eight years of age , and was of a healthy and robust ( constitution , aud not at all addicted to drink .
Sir . Philip \ Vhiteombe , surgeon ( examined by the torouer ) , deposed that he was medical officer of the union uf North Ay lesford , which included the parish of Northfleet , having been appointed to such office iu November , 1 S 13 ; that on the forenoon of the Cth lust , lie received a note , signed hy John Iliggins , assistant overseer of ?» ortb-Heet parish , requesting him to attend a man at Mrs . Gay ' s losing-house , in Bow-street , Xurthfieet , and that at four o ' clock iu tlie afternoon of the same day he attended the deceased , whom he found in bed , and covered Willi an eruption , which he ( Mr . Whitcombe ) at onco pronounced to be small- ' **! The man told him that he had been ill on the Monday aud Tuesday , but tha t on the previous Friday lie had been at work , and that when at work he could earn five shillings a day . "I then , " continued
the witness , "told the woman , Mrs . Gay , that the man had small-pox , audtogirehiin ' arrowroot and gruel ; hut that , as he earned five shillings a day , I did not consider him a pauper , and would not attend him without an order from tho relieving officer oi the union . I sent him a powder to be administered , and that was the only " medicine I sent Mm . AYhrai leaving , I told Mrs . Gay , the woman of the house , I would not continue to attend the man unless she got an order for me to do so from Mr . Siddell , the relieving officer , who lived at Shorne . That was six miles off . I am compelled by my instructions to attend to an over . jieer ' j order only in cases of urgency , but in this case I considered that there was no urgency ; in fact , it was one that did not come under the rule . It was a case neither of urgenev nor danger , in my opinion . I stayed with the
man hut a short time , and I thought he would go through the disease well , as it appeared to be in a mild form . I left Mrs . Gay instructions to gi » e Mm arrowroot and gruel and I have since found that she followed those instructions . I did not consider Mm a proper object for such relief . I ordered bun no reliefin the way of nourishment at the expense of the parish . I told the woman to supply him with the necessary nourishment . Had he been a private patient of mine instead of a parish patient , I shou'd have thought it necessary to visit him again the following day , or the day after that , al-. though the disease exhibited itself in a mild form . I considered him in no danger . I reported his case in my report of that night to the board of guardians at Rochester , as I made a report every Wednesday night for the
board , which meets on the Thursday . In that report I entered tlie case and the nature of the disease ; but that it was not a case of urgency . I paid no further attention to the rase until the following Tuesday , when I learned , on returning home , that Mr . Higgins had called on me , to request nie to attend a man lying at a lodging-house in Xortlifleet . I obeyed Mr . Iliggins ' s order , andwentabout half-past four o ' clock in the afternoon to visit the man . I am positive that Mr . Higgins left no message to the effect that the man was dying . I found tlie man suffering from small-pox , aud thought it my duty to administer stimulants . I found , on inquiry from Mrs . Gay , that the man , in the interval of my first and second visit , had gone on as well as he could do ; but he now , in the crisis of the disease , required stimulants . I wt-ut to Mr . Kelts , the
overseer , aud asked him to give an order for some wine , but he replied that the case was taken out of his hands by the Poor Law guardians , who intimated to him that ho had no power to order anything for tho man . I then administered to him some trine mixed with water , and sent some medicine . There was then no immediate danger of the man ' s dy ing . He was in the crisis of the disease , but I could not then undertake to say whether that crisis would be favourable or otherwise . I visited him again at ten o ' clock the following morning , and thought he was going on favourably , and told the nurse so . 1 administered some brandy , still finding that stimulants were necessary for him , and directed the nurse to give him the medicine occasionally . Late in the afternoon of that day
( Wednesday ) I met Mr . Iliggins in Gravesend , and learned from him that the man was dead . I was not surprised to bear lie was dead ; hut I cannot say that I expected it . A vcrv few hours decides in that stage of the disease . I saw him at the critical time on Ihe Tuesday , that was on my second visit In the interval of six days between my first and second visit , I do not think I could give him anything to alleviate his disease . Had the case been brought under my notice through the proper channelthat is . by an order of the relieving officer—I certainly should have felt it my duty to see the man on the day following my first visit . I have no doubt whatever that the man died from the effects of the disease . I am not compelled to visit any patient more than once in a case of emergency , on the overseer ' s order .
Mr . John Iliggins , assistant-overseer of Ncrthfleet parish , deposed , that on Wednesday , theCth inst ,, he was directed by Mr . Betts , the overseer , to inquire into the condition of the deceased , for whom application had been made to him for an order for medical relief , and that if lie ( Iliggins ) found the man a fit object for such relief he should give an order for the attendance of Jlr ^ Whitcombe , the medical officer of the union . "Witness made the inquiry , and was told by Mrs . Gay , and other people in the house where the man lodged , that he was very bad and speechless , and he ( witness ) gave the order as directed by Mr . Betts . He heard no more of the matter until the following Priday , when he was told by Mr . "Wood , Toor Law guardian , and Mr . Siddell , relieving ofH--cer , that he had no right to give the order , and that he must pay the medical officer for his visit to the man . Until then he concluded that the medical officer
was in attendance on the man . On the morning of the following Tuesday Gay , the keeper of the lodging-house , called npon him , and told him the man was ann **" , upon which he went to Mr . Betts , who directed him as his order was repudiated , to call on Mr . Wood , the guardian , aud apprise him that the man was dying ; which he did , and 3 Ir- Wood toldhltn to call on Mr . Whitcombe , and send him to see the dying man . Witness caUed , ' and not seeing Mr . Whitcombe , left the message . On the following day heard that the man was dead , and , meeting Mr . Whitcombe in Gravesend in the evening , he apprised him of it . Considered the man to be a fit object for parochial relief at the time the order was given . Had himself no authority , except by the overseer ' s direction , to give an order . Felt himself bound to obey the over-Beer ' s order , partic ularl y when he was himself a witness of the urgency of the case .
John Hemmiugs , cousin and fellow-lodger of the deceased , deposed that he went on Wednesday , tlie Cth , with an order for the doctor ( Mr . Whitcombe ) , who first told him that he would not attend to it , but who subsequently , in the evening , came to see deceased . The Uoctor came no more to see him until the Tuesday followin " , although ho ( witness ) went on the Saturday and Sunday for him , and each time left word for him that tlie man was very bad , and on the last day he left word he was dying . Mr . W . Betts , overseer of Xovtfleet parish , corroborated the evidence of Mr . Higgins , and said that he did not know , until the following Friday , but that the doctor was in attendance on the man . On that day Mr . Wood and Mr . Siddell came to the Leather Bottle , and he and Mr . Iliggins meeting them there , were told that they had acted improperly in g iving an order for medical relief , and that they would be held responsible for the expenses . Mr .
AYood told him Ittr . Betts * i that he had no right to interfere as overseer , and threatened him , if he attempted to give another order , with serious consequences . Ou the following Tuesday morning was told that the man was dyin ~ went to sec him , and found him in that condition ! and directed Mr . IfisSins to call on Mr . Wood and apprise Ifun of U . Sent also for Mr . Whitcombe who did not attend to his order , but about four o clock met Mr . Whitcombe , and told him that if be did not attend to the poor man , he ( witness ) would send another medical man to see hiin . * Mr . Whitcombe subseqnently came to witness and asked him for an o rd er to get some wine for the man , intimating as much as that he was dying , but witness declined giving an order , rving , that the medical officer had the power to order temporary relief in a case of emergency , anl tint hi' -Mr . Jjrtts ' s ) order in the case had been already repudiated , both by the medical officer and the guardians .
Mrs . Gay deposed that she kept the lodging-house where deceased sickened and died ; that lie had been about six weeks in the house , and was a stranger in the parish , and was occasionally employed in the brickfield close bv . On Sunday fortniglit he was taken ill , and on Tuesday lie was insensible , in the afternoon of Wednesday , about half-past four o ' clock , the doctor ( Mr . Whitcombe ) came to see him , and on her asking him what was the matter with the man , he said it was small-pox . The doctor said be askedimn what he earned a day when at work , and he said he could earn 5 s ., upon which the doctor told her that was as much as he could earn
himself , and that he would not attend the man any more . The doctor then went away , after telling witness to send for some medicine , which was done , and when brought in the evening , given to the man . The doctor said nothing about an order from Mr . Siddell , or about what I was to give the man . He gave no reason for discontinuing his attendance except that the man could cam as much as himsct The witness went on to state that she gave the deceased arrowroot and gruel , and a little brandvfrom time to tame , which sac bought for him herself ; that on Saturday , finding him getting worse , she sent to the doctor , bat the messenger , not seeing him , left word that the man was dying . Sno did not send to Mr . Betts or 3 Ir .
Medic \L Treatment Of The Poor In! Theno...
Higgins on that day . The man was in no want of nourishment , as she got him what was wanted , lie had but 2 s . when he was taken ill , aud only worked occasional days in the week . Jane Goodman , a lodger in the house , corroborated the evidence of the last witness , and deposed that she went on Friday for the doctor , but he would not come ; that messengers were sent againon Saturday and Sunday for him with an account that the man was dying . The deceased was insensible on Friday when she went for the doctor , and he continued so except at intervals ; when he was lightheaded . Attended him night and day . By a Juror . —I attended him because I could not see a fellow-creature perish without any relief .
liichard Thomas Wood . —Is a Poor Law guardian for the parish of Korthflcet . Resided in the parish . First heard of this case on Friday week from Mr . Iliggins , the assistant-overseer , who told him that the man was very ill with small-por . flecolleets now that it might be Tuesday last that Iliggins told him of it . Directed Higgins to call on Mr . Whitcombe , and send him to attend the man . Thinks on consideration that it was last Tuesday . Coroner . —Surely , your memory cannot be so bad as that you cannot recollect an important fact occurring within a week ? Witness . —I do not consider the thing important at all . Coroner . —Recollect yourself , Mr . Wood , and reply to mc distinctly . Do you mean to swear that you first heard of this case on the Tuesday from Mr . Higgins ?
Witness ( with much hesitation ) .- —It was brought under my notice at the board on Thursday , that is yesterday week . Heard what Mr . Betts stated in evidence , and there was not a word of truth in it . ( Great sensation . ) A Juror . —Do you mean to swear that you had no conversation , or that there were no observations made at the Leather Bottle on that Friday , in respect to this man ' scase ! Witness . — -The case was certainly not officially brought under my notice . I do not recollect if the case was mentioned at all on Friday . The case ivas brought by Mr . Whitcombc ' s report before the board on that Thursday . Does not recollect that the case was mentioned at tho Leather Bottle . Knew there was no application made for an order to the relieving officer . The duty of the parties was to make application to the relieving officer , and not to the overseer .
Coroner . —Hoiv do you know that no application was made to the relieving officer 3 Such application might be made without his knowledge ? The witness swears to it because he knows there was not . By a Juror . — -Sir . Siddell , the relieving officer , received no directions from the board to inquire into the case . It was reported as a case of small-pox . I did not consider the case an urgent one . Cannot say whether the relieving officer received orders in writing from the board . George Siddell . —Is relieving officer of North Aylesford Union , in which is the parish of Northfleet . Lives at Shorno , about fire and a half miles from Northfleet . Had no book of instructions respecting his duties from the beard . There were printed orders as to the line of duty , but he had not got them then . Knew of this case about a . week this day—that is , Friday last—at the Leather
Bottle , Northfleet . Received no application for an order for relief for the man . Was at the board of guardians on the day previous to that Friday . The medical officer reported the case as one of small-pox . Had no conversation witli tho medical man on the subject on that day ; but knew that he ( witness ) gave no order for relief . Did not know what took place on Friday last at the Leather Bottls between Mr . Betts and Mr . Wood ; but knew that he ( witness ) did his duty . It was mentioned at the Leather Bottle , on Friday , that the man was iu a bad way , but he paid no particular attention to what was said . No application for relief was made to him . It is not imperative on him to go and make inquiry when the medical man reports a case . Had no right to go and investigate into the existence of any case , unless application was made to him for an order for relief .
To the Foreman . —It is a week this day since I learned that an order was made by the overseer in this caso , but I found no fault with that order . I did my own duty . Coroner . —Sir , I must insist upon you to be straightforward in your answers . This is a most important case , and I am determined to thoroughly sift it . Was there on the Friday at the Leather Bottle any conversation respecting the deceased between Mr . Wood and Mr . Betts 1 Witness —Yes , there was a good deal of talk between them , but I took it to be joke . A Juror . —A joke ! About a man dying for want of medical aid and nourishment .
Coroner . —Did you hear on that day that the man was dangerously ill ! Witness . —I did ; but I was not applied to for an order . Coroner . —Here it is clear that the relieving officer was made aware of the case and the necessity for relief ; and it cannot be doubted that it was his duty to afford that relief . It had , as he admits , come , to his knowledge on the Friday that the overseers of the parish , finding the case one of emergency , had , as they were bound to do , given an order for medical relief . Tho medical officer also , as the relieving officer admits , reported the case to the board ; and now , sir ( addressing the witness ) , you must be aware , from the nature of your instructions , that the case was neglected by you . Witness . —There was no notice given to me by the overseers that they had given an order .
The Foreman . —And here , on the day after the medical man ' s report to the board , is the relieving officer within a stone ' s throw of the dying man , whose state is actually the subject of conversation on the spot between him , Mr . Wood , a guardian , and the overseers , and the relieving officer makes no inquiry about the matter 1 The Coroner ( to Mr . Botts ) . —What did Mr . Wood say to you on the Friday respecting your order for medical relief ? Mr . Betts . —Mr . Wood and Mr . Siddell distinctly told me that I acted improperly in giving tho order , and threatened me and Mr . Higgins for our interfereuce in the case . Mr . Wood . —I deny it . ( Confusion . ) It is untrue .
The Coroner . —This quarrelling between the officers for administering the Poor Law in this union , and particularly in this parish , is disgraceful . This case is not the first instance of it that , by the death of poor people , has been brought before me . Whilst you arc quarrelling the unfortunate paupers die without relief . I repeat , these quarrels amongst the officials arc a disgrace to the place . In this instance the overseers had a clear right to give the order , and which order should have been properly attended to . It is my opinion that you will be sent to Maidstone gaol one of these days on a verdict of manslaughter . Several of the jurors expressed their full-concurrence in the observations of the coroner ; and Mr . Ashdowne , one of them , added , that when he was overseer of the parish he had to complain of similar conduct to the board of guardians and of the relieving and medical officers to himself in similar cases .
Tha room was then cleared of all but the coroner and jury ; and on its being re-opened to the public , the coroner recalled Mr . Wood for further examination . The Coroner ( to Mr . Wood ) . —You stated that when first you heard of this case it was by chance , at the Leather Bottle , on the Friday , . and you subsequently stated that the report of the medical man was made to tho board of guardians at which you attended on the day previous ? Mr . Wood . —1 think I stated everything as accurately as I recollected ; but I now think that the report was not made bythe medical man to the board until Thursday last . ' Coroner . —What , not till yesterday ? You heard the medical officer state in evidence that lie sent in a report on the day after he first visited the deceased . If the report was not sent in till yesterday the doctor must have sworn falsely . Had you any conversation with the doctor ( Mr . Whitcombe ) on the subject ?
Witness . —Yes , on Tuesday last , I think it was , ho told mc the man was dying . Coroner . —Now recollect yourself , sir . Did you see Mr . Whitcombe yesterday , that is Thursday , week ? Witness ( after a long pause ) . —Yes , I think I did , but I have no recollection of what was said . Ceroncr . —Did you tell him'that he need not go to the board of guardians that day , and that you would yourself bring the case of the deceased man before the board ? Witness . —I did not . I have no recollection whatever of saying so to him . Does not recollect having told any person that he had met Mr . Whitcombe on that day , and offered to save him the trouble of attending the board . Attached no importance whatever to the matter . The Foreman . —I am sorry to bear you say so . The question of saving the life of a fellow-creature is of importance , and this is a most important inquiry .
\\ itness . —I did not think it of any importance at all . ( Sensation . ) I do not recollect that the case was at all brought under the notice of the board on yesterday week . Coroner . —What ! no mention of it in the report from the medical man to the board ? Witness ( who appeared greatly excited ) . —I do not recollect . Coroner . —Now , sir , recollect whether you did or did not say to any person that you had met on Thurstlay ( yesterday ) week Mr . Whitcombe , at the Crown , at Shorne , on his way to attend the board of guardians at Rochester , aud that you told him you would save him the trouble of going , as you would yourself bring the case of the sick man at Northfleet before the board ? Witness . —I do not recollect . It was not at the Crown I met Mm .
Coroner . —Surely you can recollect whether you said so or not to any person ? Witness ( aftera long pause ) . —I may have said so ; but I conceive that what I said to Mr . Whitcombe has nothing to do with this inquiry . Coroner . —It has a great deal to do with it , and thejury must hear it . The room was again cleared , and , after the lapse of a few minutes , on its re-opening , The Coroner recalled Mr . Siddell and Mr . Wood , and said to them , —This inquiry has assumed a character of so much public importance that thejury concur with me in the propriety of adjourning it until Tuesday next , at half-past three o ' clock , when we shall require your attendance . You , Mr . Siddell , will be required to produce the printed orders or instructions for the relieving officer , to which you referred in your evidence ; and you , Mr . Wood , arerequired to produce the book of the board in which entries arc made of the medical officer ' s reports .
Mr . Wood . —But suppose the board do notallow * me to have it ? Coroner . —Then I shall again adjourn the inquest , and summon every number of the board of guardians before mc . I must liave the reports which Mr . Whitcombe swore to having made to the board both on yesterday
Medic \L Treatment Of The Poor In! Theno...
week and again on yesterday , respecting the case of the deceased . Mr . Wood . —I think I may undertake to say , on the part of the board , that they will be produced . Coroner . —It is essential that they should . I repeat , if they are not , I will adjourn the inquest again on Tuesday , and summon the guardians before me . The inquest was then adjourned to half-past three on Tuesday , having continued from half-past one to near six o ' clock . The most respectable inhabitants of the parish were present during the proceedings , which appeared to have excited a deep interest amongst all classes in the neighbourhood It is understood , that one of the assistant Poor Law commissioners will attend to watch the proceedings on Tuesday .
CONTINUATION AND TERMINATION OF THE INQUEST . At half-past three o'clock on Tuesday the inquest on the body of John Tuckwell , at Korthflcet , which had been adjourned on Friday last , was resumed . Long before the arrival of the coroner the village of Northfleet was thronged with gentlemen from the neighbourhood ; and the largo room in which the inquest was held was densely crowded ( he moment the coroner arrived . There were present the authorities of the surrounding parishes , and some of the union
guardians , with several medical practitioners , and all parties appeared to be intensely interested in the proceedings . It having been intimated to the coroner on the previous day , by the foreman and other members of thejury , that they had heard that the hoard of guardians of the union would not allow the documents required by the jury to be produced , or their clerk to attend the inquest , as directed by the coroner , the latter gentleman immediately " issued his summons for the clerk , with an order to produce those documents on the adjourned inquest .
Previous to the examination of the clerk of the board of guardians , The Coroner directed Mr . Wood , the Poor Law guardian of Northfleet parish , to withdraw from the room , until his presence for re-examination should be required . Tlie reports of the medical officer ( Mr . Vr'hitcomhe ) for the two weeks previous to the death of John Tuck-Well , and tho printed instruction } of the board to the relieving officer , were handed in by John Simpson Bullard , of Strood , Rochester , who deposed that lie was clerk to tho board of guardians of the North Aylesford Union ; that lie was present at the meeting of tho board on Thursday , the f th of this month , when the report of the medical officer
now produced was laid before it . In that report the last case on the list was that of John Uemmings , for small-pox . The deceased was reported by that name , but it has since appeared that his real name was John Tuckwell . Tho report indicated that lie was visited by the medical officer on the Gth , but nothing in the shape of relief was ordered for him . No minute was made of the case in the books of the board . No such case would be tho subject of a minute or a resolution of the board . The regular course of proceeding was to leave the case in the hands of the medical officer , who was left a discretionary power by the board to attend cases as long as he deemed it neces ary . ,-The medical officer had printed instructions to guide him in the performance of his duty . The document he
now produced was tho copy of those instructions , printed by order of the board on the 12 th of March , 18 i 2 . Had the doctor applied for advice to the hoard as to how he should act in this case he would have received it , but no order was made or directions given to the doctor ; therefore , lie ( witness ) inferred that it was not applied for . It was very unusual for the board to give any such orders at all . Had no recollection that the special notice of the board was directed to the case of the deceased on the Tth . There was some discussion on it , and something said about the liability of the overseers of Northfleet as to giving
the order for medical relief , as it was stated that the man was in circumstances which placed him in a position far above that of a pauper . Mr . Whitcombe was not then present . Could not undertake to say which member of the board brought the conduct of the overseers in thiscascunder its consideration . It was a subject ef discussion whether the man ought or ought not to be attended by the medical officer . Had no doubt that the case was laid before the board by the relieving officer , Mr . Siddell ; but the board , as witness supposed , left it to the discretion of the medical officer , to continue or discontinue his attendance . The medical officer is bound
to attend on the order of the overseers in cases of emergency , and continue his attendance whilst necessary . In this case the board certainly did not restrict him from attending . The medical officer has no right to decide whether a patient he is so ordered to attend is a pauper or not , or entitled to relief or not . Had no doubt that tho medical officer ought in this case to have continued the relief . It was the duty of the board to stop it if the patient was in circumstances above a pauper . Mr . Wood was certainly present at the board and at the discussion on this case on tho Tth . Does not recollect whether Mr . Wood took a particular part in it , or brought it under the notice of the board . Reference was made to Mr . Higgins giving orders for medical relief , and it was observed that in this case the man earned 5 s . a-day . Cannot recollect whether Mr . Wood was the person who mentioned it . The relieving officer b ^ ing in the
parish where the sick man was on the day after the discussion upon his case ought to have inquired into it . There were no directions given to any person by the board to inform the overseers of Northfleet that they had acted improperly in giving the order for relief in this case , and that they should pay the expenses . No individual guardian has , as guardian , a right to interfere with the medical or relieving officers or tho overseers' duties , and in this particular case there certainly was no order given by the board to any individual member of it to interfere with the overseers , or the medical or relieving officers , or to tell the overseers that they had acted improperly in giving the order for relief . Coroner . —Then you are positive that no direction was given to any person by the board to tell Mr . Betts and Mr . Higgins that they had acted improperly ? Witness . —There certainly was not , that I recollect .
Mr . "Whitcombe , the medical officer , was next called , and , after repeating what he stated in evidence on Tuesday , respecting the instructions lie , left ! the woman , Mrs . Gay , as to the treatment of the man , he further deposed that he had made the second report on the day the man died . That on tlie fall he was at Shorne , and niet Mr . Wood , to whom he mentioned the case . Mr . Wood was then going to attend the board . Said to Mr . Wood that the overseers of Northfleet had called on him ( witness ) to attend a man who was not a pauper , and whom he was not justified ^ in attending . Does not recollect what Mr . Wood said in reply . Cannot undertake to swear that Mr . Wood told him he ( Mr . AVood ) would bring the
case that day before the board , and that he would take good care to put a stop to the overseers giving orders for relief . Cannot distinctly swear that Mr . AVood did not say so . Does not perfectly recollect the conversation between him and Mr . Wood on that day , but can with certainty say it was about this case . Small-pox is undoubtedly a malignant and contagious disease , and requires close attention , but this case was one of a mild form . Discovered it to bo so again on his second visit . If he thought "it a dangerous case on the first visit would have attended on the overseer ' s order . Did not think the case one of urgency , nor the man a fit object for parish relief . Thinks that he has as medical officer a right to decide as to thc ^ ucstion of who is or is not a lit object for such relief .
Coroner . —You have no right to decide on that question . That is the duty of the board of guardians . You obeyed the overseer ' s , order to visit the man , thinking the case one of emergency * It was your duty to have continued your attendance untildirected by the board to discontinue it . The board had to decide as to the question of pauperism , and not you . Witness— I differ with you on that point . It is my duty to ascertain if the person I am ordered by the overseers to visit is a proper object for parochial relief . Coroner . —You have a discretionary power to judge as to the urgency of the case , but not as to the poverty of the patient .
Witness . —I differ altogether from you . I found in this case that the man was not destitute , and that there was neither urgency nor emergency in the case . Mr . Betts rc-cxamined . —Before directing Higgins to give the order , he ( witness ) investigated the case , and found that the man was destitute and very unwell . After giving the order , he again inquired into the man ' s condition and circumstances , and louncUhem to he as represented to him at first ; and since then he ( Mr . Betts ) found on further inquiry that the poor man had only an occasional day ' s work , and that out of the few shillings he earned in the week he sent a portion to his aged mother for her support . Witness only regretted now that he had not known in the first instance the great destitution and dangerous disease of the unfortunate young man , that he might have given an order improper medical attendance and nourishment . ( A hurst of cheering in the court . )
Mr . Whitcombe ( to Mr . Betts ) . —If the man was destitute , as you say , why did you not give an order for relief ? The order you gave " would not fill his stomach . ( Hisses . ) The Foreman ( indignantly ) . —No , it would not fill his stomach , but it ought to have procured him proper medical relief , and if you knew your duty von ought to know that you had it in your power to order the necessary nourishment , and you should have done so . ( Another burst of cheers , which , however , the coroner repressed . ) Mr . Siddell , the relicving-ofnccr , re-examined . —
Admitted that , from what he had learned since his first examination , he had not done his duty in this case ; that he was bound to inquire into it after it was brought under his notice on the 7 th ; but that he waited , as he did in all cases , for an application ; that on the 7 th lie heard of the case first at the board of guardian' Was not present at the discussion upon it . S «» Pin an outer room , and waited till called in by a ring of the bell when wanted . Mr . Smith was chairman of the board that day . Mr . Wood wa present . Tho chairman told witness to tell Mr .
Medic \L Treatment Of The Poor In! Theno...
Higgins to be careful not to give any more orders for relief ; but gave him ( witness ) no instructions to inquire into the case ; neither was lie told not to attend to it . Heard the conversation which , as stated by Mr . Betts in evidence , took place at the Leather Bottle betwten that gentleman and Mr . Wood in respect to this case . The chairman ' s message was then delivered to Mr . Higgins . Did not in his former evidence mention what passed on that day , because he thought it was all humbug between Mr . Betts and Mr . Wood . A Juror . —Pretty humbug , indeed , over an unfortunate man dying for want of medical relief and nourishment !
Mr . Betts recalled . —Mr . Wood distinctly told Mr . Higgins and him at tlie Leather Bottle on Friday , the 8 th , that they had acted improperly in giving the order for medical relief , and dared them to attempt giving another order . Mr . Wood added , that he ( Betts ) wanted to get at the top of the chimney , but he would be kept down in his attempt to climb . Mr . Wood was next called , but he did not answer to the call . - The constable was directed to find him , and , after the lapse of a quarter of an hour , the constable returned , and stated that Mr . Wood could be nowhere found .. A messenger was then despatched to Mr . Wood ' s house , and in about another quarter of an hour the messenger returned , and stated that Mr . Wood had
not gone home . After some further inquiry for him , it was stated by the constable that he was seen about an hour before going towards Swanscome-wood . The Foreman said , that the conduct of Mr . AVood was very contemptuous towards tlie court . The Coroner assured the jury , that whatever evidence Mr . AVood chose to give if now before them , it could assist them but little , if at all , in coming to a verdict . He had called on Mr . Wood for the purpose of giving that gentleman an opportunity of making an explanation , which might perhaps prevent the odium which his keeping out of the way must now heap upon him . As he did not think proper to take advantage of that opportunity , the consequences must rest with himself . If , however , the
jury thought it necessary to have Mr . AVood betore them , he would adjourn for a time . The room was then cleared of all but the coroner and jury , and , on its re-opening , Everett , the constable , was directed to again call Mr . AVood ; which ceremony having been performed , The Coroner proceeded to sum up the evidence , commenting on it with great minuteness of detail as he proceeded . It was , he said , with the deepest anxiety he addressed the observations which he found it to be his duty to make to them upon the evidence brought before them . This investigation was called for in a way different from others , —being held at the request of the properly constituted authorities of the parish , who appeared to think that the deceased had
not had the proper medical relief ordered for him , or proper nourishment . The poor man died from a virulent attack of small-pox , —1 a disease , in itself , ofa malignant character , and which required to be carefully watched from its commencement . Now , it was to be extremely regretted that the medical gentleman , notwithstanding his notion that the case was not one of danger , had not continued his attendance , knowing , as he must have known , that such complaint required careful medical attendance . Even though he were not strictly bound to continue Iiis attendance on the ordei-of the overseer , humanity ought to have induced him to do so . This was a ease which came home to the feelings of every man . The deceased was destitute and dangerously ill of a
malignant disease ; he was ordered by the proper authority the necessary relief , and the case having fatally terminated after that relief was withheld , the supposition naturally arose that if the relief had been continued the man would not have died . He ( the coroner ) regretted that any ground for a charge of neglect should have been given by the medical officer of the union , but the case was one which demanded strict investigation . It appeared in evidence that the deceased when at work earned 5 s . a-day , but that his work was only occasional ; that out of his earnings he supported his mother , and that he had no more than- two shillings in his possession when forced into the bed of sickness by a malignant disease . In this state application was
made to the overseer residing close by , who very properly directed that upon due inquiry into the condition and circumstances of the man , by the assistantoverseer , an order for medical relief should be given . That order , much to the credit of the medical officer , was attended to by him ; and he , learning that the man could earn 5 s . a-day , and finding , as he stated in evidence , that the case was not dangerous or one of emergency , discontinued his attendance , giving , however , as he further stated , instructions to the woman of the house how to treat the man . Now , he ( the coroner ) must say that he believed that such instructions were given , because it was the practice of all medical men to direct how a case should be treated . The medical officer then made a report to
the board of guardians on the very day he visited the man on the overseer ' s order , but that report was certainly imperfect , as it did not particularly draw the attention of the board to this case , as it ought to have done . Such attention was , however , directed towards it by some other party , and Mr . Siddell , the relieving-oflicer , candidly admitted to the jury that day that he had not performed his duty by inquiring , as he ought to have done , into the case . The evidence of the officers examined was altogether denied by Mr . AVood , who thought proper to absent himself , and who must take the responsibility of so doing . Mr . AVood particularly denied having met Mr . "Whitcombe on Thursday , the 7 th , hut Mr . AYhitcombe not only confirmed the liict of having met him , but stated
the conversation , in as far as he could recollect it , that passed between him and Mr . AVood in respect to this case , and there could be no doubt but that it was Mr . Wood who communicated that day to the board the circumstances of the case as mentioned to him by Mr . Whitcombe . It was really discreditable and disgraceful to the parish authorities to squabble as they did , and in their petty quarrelling to neglect , as they had done , the relief of the poor . This unfortunate man might be now living if he had been duly attended to , and had had medical relief in the early stage of his disease . It appeared that he was unattended to by the medical officer from Wednesday , the Cth , to the following Tuesday , leaving an interval of six days without auv medical or other
parish aid , and such neglect , from whatever cause it might arise , was greatly to be deplored . Such cases threw odium upon the Poor Law , the principle of which was good , but the administration of which was too often improperly conducted . ( Cries of " Hear , hear , " from all parts of the room . ) Although the medical officer in this case unadvisedly discontinued his attendance , ho ( tlie coroner ) considered the relieving officer more blameable , and Mr . AVood the most blameable of all : for it appeared , from what transpired in evidence , that he had , as local guardian , improperly interfered with the medical and relieving officers' duties , when it was clear he had no power or right to interfere at all with or exercise an ^ authority over any officer of the union in his individual
capacity as guardian . In this ease , it was evident that Mr . AVood did interfere and exercise an improper or illegal authority ( loud cries of " hear , hear" ) , and that such interference , in a case terminating fatally , as this poor man ' s did , subjected the party so interfering to a verdict of" Manslaughter . " . ( Cheers . ) The coroner concluded a long and able address to the iury , by a recommendation to them to give such a verdict in the case as would satisfy the public mind that strict justice should be done ; and expressed a hope that they would never again be called together upon an occasion so peculiarly painful . He also made some strong observations upon the necessity and propriety of printing , for the information of the parochial authorities of the union , and for the satisfaction of the payers of poor-rates therein , as well as of the poor themselves , the rules and regulations of the board .
Thejury having deliberated about half an hour , returned the following verdict at a quarter to eight o'clock ;— " Our verdict is that John Tuckwell died from natural causes , viz ., the small-pox ; and we much regret that so little attention has been paid to the patient in the early part of the disease , apparcntly in consequence of the undue interference of the local guardian with the overseers and relieving officer . " Throughout the proceedings this day the room continued to be crowded with the resident gentry of the neighbourhood , who manifested an extraordinary interest in them . It may not be irrelevant to remark , that the poor-rates collected in the parish of Northfleet amount to over £ 1 , 500 a-year , and that it is publicly reported , not " officially" reported , that £ 200 of that sum is the whole amount of annual expenditure for the relief , medical and otherwise , of the poor of the parish .
**************' //-^^^»// ///// Y^^^^ J»...
**************' // - ^^^»// ///// y ^^^^ j »^ j »« MR . GREEN'S NIGHT ASCENT AV 1 TII FIREAVOllKS FROM A AUXIlALL GARDENS . FRICUTfUL DESCENT , LOSS OF THE njtlOON ' , AND NAltROW ESCAPE OF THE AERONAUT . This intrepid aeronaut made his second ascent , with fire-works , on Wednesday evening last , from the ltoyal Gardens , A ' auxhall ; and a more brilliant pyrotechnic spectacle was perhaps never witnessed .
tar exceeding in splendour his former aerial trip from the Royal" property . " The weather ( for a novelty ) , happily , proved propitious , and the attendance of spectators , including a vast number of members of the beau monde , was immense ; in fact , there could not have been less than 0000 pcrsonsprcscnt , in addition to vast crowds which had assembled in the neighbourhood of Kcnniiigton , Vauxhall , and the other bridges , and at every point and eminence from whence a view of the ascent could be obtained .
¦ 1 he process of inflation having'becn completed , Mr . Green gave the signal for aseent at about a quarter to eleven o clock , and when the balloon , which took an easterly direction , had attained an altitude of about 100 feet , Mr . Green fired the fusee , and the ignition immediately occurred by the bursting forth of an overpowering Maze of bri ght white light . It
then changed to a radiation of crimson , producing a sudden and beautiful effect . After this another change of colour to emerald green took place , the light from which was extremely brilliant . It then mutated to a superb shower of fire ( U Nwud d ? 0 r ) , and a more beautiful effect could not possibly be produced , bright gold stars being showered in profusion . It again changed , when an enormous bouquet of coloured stars was projected a la bombardment , and continued pouring forth for a considerable time . As a finale , a simultaneous burst of myriads of variegated stars took place , which appeared to encompass tho entire horizon , and a more gorgeous display of coloured fires was never attempted ' . During Thursday the most fearful rumours prevailed
relative to the death of the daring and adventurous aeronaut , who , it was reported , had lost his life by the destruction of his balloon , occasioned , as it was stated , by a spark from the fireworks attached to the car igniting the gas . It is true that the balloon with all its apparatus is lost—that Mr . Green effected one of the most fearful descents ever recorded in the annals of aerostation—that he became entangled with the netting—that he was dragged between four and five miles in the direction of the River Medway , but his life was miraculously spared , his only injuries being a few severe bruises . The following particulars of the perilous trip have been communicated by Mr . Green * . — " At the time I left the gardens the wind was blowing west by south , consequently the balloon took a direction of almost duo cast . The
wind continued in the same quarter during the whole of my voyage . I crossed the Surrey Zoological Gardens , and then got away towards Greenwich , Charlton , and AVoolwich . The balloon then bore offacross the river to the opposite shore , in the direction of Purfleet . I could have then effected a landing several times bad the wind dropped , and had I had assistance , but I knew that if I attempted a descent with such a boisterous gale , and no help at hand , 1 should have been carried on to the river . The balloon continued its course till it arrived at
Gravesend Kcach . I kept at a very low altitude ; in tact , at times I was close'to the shore , and near to the water ' s edge . On arriving at a place , which I think is marked in my map as Osterland , I endeavoured to descend , but the balloon dragged along the land for at least three or four miles , the wind still blowing with great violence from the west ; the car at length got into a deep dyke , and I thought that I should be enabled to empty the balloon of the gas . I opened the valve , and then got out of the car ; but no sooner had I set my feet on the bank of the dyke than I became entangled in the netting . A gust of-wind suddenly drove tlie balloon out of the ditch , and I was dragged along the ground , till at length the car became secured in another and deeper dyke , I endeavouring the whole of the time to disengage
myself from the netting . I - for the first time iii my life now became alarmed for my safety . I thought of my knife , and happily found it in my pocket . I then commenced cutting away with thegrcatest vigour , but the cordage being of peculiar fabric , I experienced the greatest difficulty in liberatinguiyself . The oscillation of the balloon now bccamefrightful , but I held on it firmly , well knowing from the escape of gas , that Us ascending power was gone , and that it could only drift with the wind . Becoming exhausted , I let go , and the balloon went away , car , grapnel , barometer , and my other meteorological
instruments , apparently in the direction of Queenborough . It was very dark at the time , but 1 could distinctly discern the balloon make three or four halts before it became invisible . I then made my way along the banks of the river towards Gravesend , without meeting a soul or finding a house open , a distance from the ' spot where I left the balloon of at least eighteen or twenty miles . I arrived at Gravesend about halt-past six o ' clock , and , to prevent being annoyed by the questions of strangers , I preserved a strict incognito . I shall , however , visit Vauxhallgardens to-morrow ( Friday ) evening , to receive the congratulations of my friends . "
The Factory Bill. Manchester, Thursday.—...
THE FACTORY BILL . Manchester , Thursday . —Last night a numerous meeting of the Lancashire Central Short-time Committee was held at the Red Lion Inn , London-road , for the purpose of taking into consideration tlie best course to adopt to secure the passing of the measure next session . The proceedings commenced about eight o ' clock . The Chairman said—Gentlemen , the secretary and myself have thought it right to call you together specially this evening , to lay before you the state of the question , and to enter into serious deliberation as to the best course to be adopted in the next session of Parliament . # The great question , gentlemen , for our consideration to-night is , what shall now . be done to secure the success of our
labours next year ? Many of jus have been engaged in this grand cause for upwards of twenty years , and although our efforts have not been crowned with success , we have done much to improve the condition of the factory workers ; but there is still much more to be done . When first we undertook this good but arduous task we were looked upon as something worse than madmen : we were told that the profits of our masters depended upon the last hour ' s labour of the day , and that any reduction of the working time would ruin the manufacturers of the country . We knew better than this , and the result proves wo were right . Night work has , by our exertions and those of our friends in Parliament , been abolished ; the working hours have been reduced by act of
Parliament from fourteen and fifteen hours a-day to twelve , and some of the most extensive masters in the kingdom have gone a step further , and are now working eleven hours without any corresponding reduction of wages , and notwithstanding these reductions of time , the manufacturers were never in so prosperous a condition as at the present moment . Let these facts be but fully understood , and 1 fear not the result of the forthcoming struggle for a ten hours bill . On looking over the list of the two divisions on the 22 nd of March last , I find that nearly three-fourths of the members representing manufacturing communities voted with Lord Ashley . We shall not readily forget that day when , on two separate divisions , our friends defeated the Government . On a careful analysis of those
divisions , I find that thirty-two members representing manufacturing districts and boroughs , voted for ten hours a-day , whilst only nine representing similar places , voted against us . This is a fact which ought to be well understood by the constituencies of agricultural districts . The plan which I have now to submit for your consideration will , 1 think , if adopted , do much to secure success . Itis , of course , only suggested for the consideration of this and the district committees , and which I shall now lay before you . First , that a fund of £ 50 ' ) at least be raised by subscription ; secondl y , that convenient offices be taken in Manchester , and a permanent secretary engaged to conduct the correspondence , Ac . ; third , that meetings be held in every agricultural
borough in the kingdom , and that petitions be procured from every place where meetings are held , also a memorial to their member or members , requesting them to support the cause of the factory children , and praying them not to prevent , by their votes , the manufacturing members from improving the condition of their own constituents ; fourth , that petitions be prepared from every mill in the kingdom to be ready for presentation ; on the first night of next session ; fifth , that petitions be got up , signed by the clergy and medical profession in each town , and , in every case where practical , headed by the vicar , dean , or bishop , as the case may be ; and sixth , that petitions be obtained from as many millowncvs as possible in favour of short time . I submit this lan
p for the consideration of this committee , and hope it will receive their approval . There is another point to which I wish to call your attention , that is the propriety of soliciting a meeting of the master manufacturers , with a view of devising some scheme for abridging the hours of labour to ten hours , which would meet their approbation . It has ever been the wish and aim of this committee to maintain a good feeling between masters and men ; and I do hope that if they meet us , wc shall be able to agree upon some plan or draught of a bill to be submitted to larltaincnt which will be acceptable to both , and thereby avoid the possibility of any ill-feeling which but too frequently arises out of such contests . If they refuse to meet not to
us , we are blame ; and if they do meet us , much good may result from it . But I leave these suggestions for the committee to deal with as they think best . After some discussion the following * resolutions were unanimously adopted •' — " That the plan submitted by the chairman be submitted to a select committee appointed for that purpose , and that they be requested to report to the next committee meeting . " " That the secretary be instructed to write to Mr . Henry Ashworth of furton , near Bolton , requesting to know if ho will call a meeting of masters to meet a deputation of the central and district shore-time committees , with a view of agreeing upon the draught of a bill to be submitted to Parliament next session . "
Cfiartfet -Inuuuraiue
Cfiartfet -inUUuraiue
Oldham. On Sunday, Last - Mr."M'Grath De...
OLDHAM . On Sunday , last - Mr . "M'Grath delivered a very energetic lecture on the " Land Co-Operative Allotment System , " in the AVorking Man ' s ¦ Hall . The meeting was thinly attended , in consequence of the camp meeting at Middleton . The lecturer treated the subject in a very lucid and argumentative manner , and was listened to with great attention
BARNSLEY . At the weekly meeting of the Barnsley branch of ™ .,. Cllilvtlst Co-operative Land Association . Mr William Pearson , president , in the chair , the follownig resolution was passed - ¦ ' That it is the opinion ot this branch that it would be good policy on the part ot the directors to publish Mr . O'Connor ' s able ctter on the Land , ol the 2 Cth ot Jnlv , in a cheap form , as its circulation must have a beneficial tendency , inasmuch as it contains the whole science of the Land plan . " ¦
LONDON . City Locality . —Mr . Cooper ' s second lecture was numerously attended , last Sunday evening . Mr . T , rl ; i larn 1 e . v was called to the ' ¦ chair ; and after ihe Broad Flag of Freedom now waves in tho
Oldham. On Sunday, Last - Mr."M'Grath De...
wind" had been sung by the choir and audience , the chairman introduced the lecture by some eloquent observations on the democratic importance of such a subject as Ancient Greece . Mr . C . ' s lecture again occupied two hours and a . half . in delivery , and it will , therefore , be readily understood that our limits will not permit us to do justice to his address ,- suffice it is to say that the magnificent themes of the Athenian democracy , the struggles of Marathon , Thermopylaj , Salamis . ' and Platsua ; the elevated characters of Pericles , Demosthenes , and Socrates , and a hundred other splendid subjects connected with Greek history were dealt with in such a mode as to excite deep and heart-stirring interest . AVe anticipate great and lastimr irood as thn fruit « f the Aav . vorv nf
these instructive addresses . DwtocR . vTic MovEMEST . -At a meeting of democrats of several nations held at the Angel , AVcbbcrsrcet ^ Blackfriare-rpad , Mr . Charles Jveen in the chair , it was moved by Mr . Cooper , and seconded by Citizen Eiigels , That a public meeting of the democrate ot all nations , vesiuing in London , be called to consider the propriety of forming an Association for ! nd , TSC 0 . T " C ! lc ** , ot 1 " * a * certain times , and getting by his means a better knowledge of the movements tor the common cause going on in their respective countries ; " which resolution was carried unammously Ihe , meeting to be held at the South London Chartist Hall , ; AVcbbcr-strcet , BlackS road on Monday evening , September 1 st , at eight
MErnoroi . irAjr District CouKcn ( .-On Sunday aitcrnoon last this Council met iu the Hall Turn ' again-Jane . Mr . Perry was called to the chair The delegates having given in thcirreports , it was agreed that the general meeting of the Chartists of I , „ don should be postponed . On the motion of Messrs Mills and Simpson , it was resolved "That this Coun ' . cil recommend that no one be recognised as a Chartist lecturer unless he is . a paying member of the association . " Mr . John Arnott moved , seconded by Mr John Simpson , " That this Council hold their mcti ings monthly . " Messrs . AVheelcr , Mills , and others having expressed their opinions , it was ultimately arranged that the question be referred to the
forthcoming general meeting . It was likewise resolved " That Mr . John Frederick Linden be presented with credentials as a lecturer . " The Council then adjourned . Bkiohton Railway Tnu \ — The committee ik managing tho excursion met on AVednesday evening , lor a final settlement of tho accounts , when , all demands being discharged , it was unanimously agreed that the balance in hand should be retained for the purpose of getting up an entertainment to commemorate the event of the full establishment of the Land Society , by the electing of permanent directors , & c . Due notice will be given of the time and place . A veto of thanks was unanimousl y given to the Brighton friends for the hospitalit y evinced by them on the occasion of the trip : and the committee adjourned for a fortnight .
HUDDERSFIELD . Tub Co-oruiUTiVK Land Society now numbers fifty-nine members , holding sixty-nine shares . The committee meet every Tuesday evening , at Turner ' s Temperance Hotel , at eight o ' clock , for the purpose of receiving the subscriptions and enrolling members The members have resolved to pay one halfpennv ' with each shilling of their contributions , to uciray the local expenses of the society . The whole of the members are requested to attend on Tuesday evening , Sept . 2 nd , to elect two auditors to examine the accounts for the quarter , according to the rules of the society .
PRESTON . Mr . O'Connor ' s A ' j sit . —A glorious meeting o £ the working classes was held on AVednesday niylitin Lord Derby ' s cock-pit , which was crowded in every part to suffocation , to hear an address from Mr . O'Connor upon the Land and its capabilities ; a subjeet which he handled for more than two hours in the most masterly and convincing manner . Since the days when O'Connor used to rouse us before , we never had so spirited a meeting ; and nothing could equal the delight with which the lecture was received throughout . The cheering was deafening , when , in speaking on the Ten Hours' Bill , Mr . O'Connor recommended the electors ef Preston to wait on Mi , Gardner , the experimentalist of the practice , to solicit him to stand for Preston at the next election , when he ( Mr . O'Connor ) , regardless as to whether he
was Whig or lory , would come and struggle for him night and day , if the people could not secure the election of a Chartist . He looked upon the Ten Hours' Bill as one of the essential rudiments of Chartism . AVe understand that a deputation is to wait immediately upon Mr . Gardner to ascertain his views , to pledge him support , and to occupy the ground ibr him at once . AVe have no doubt that O'Connors indefatigable mode of rousing such a constituency as that of Preston , and Mr . Gardner ' s " good ' works , " would render opposition to him very perilous , or at least very ridiculous . A number bfnew members enrolled at the close of the lecture . Ail the Land rules were disposed of , and nearly £ 4 collected for tho Executive . Three " roaring cheers were given for Frost , AVilliams , Jones , and the People ' s Charter . Mr . O'Connor expressed himself highly delighted and with the whole proceedings .
DODAVORTH . ( The Lakd . —AVe arc getting on gloriously here . The Laud question is the all-engrossing topic . Wc increase our picmbcrs every week . Though but a small village , we have sent 46 12 s . 4 d . to the Land fund . One member , paid last meeting i 2 2 s . Vie meet every Sunday evening , between the hours of live and eight o ' clock .
The Late Fire Is Aldermanbuby.—Extraoudh...
The late Fire is Aldermanbuby . —Extraoudh-akv Investigation , and Important Poweu of the Coroner . —On Thursday at noon , a jury of the inhabitants of the ward of Cripplcgate-within were impanelled before Mr . AV . Payne , the City coroner , at the School-house , Philip-lane , Aldcrmanbury , to inquire into the cause of the late fire on the premises of Messrs . Bradbury and Co ., Manchester-warehousemen , of Aldernianbui-y . The coroner , on faking his seat , said he would take the liberty of stating , as the present was rather a novel proceeding , why to had called them together . Latterly the number of fires in London had considerably increased , ami when they took into consideration that nothiii ! : was so
fearful as fire , they would be of * opinion with him that when they had the power to inquire into the causes of such fires , nothing could be more important to the public at large than that the cause should be closely investigated . The ancient authorities showed that in olden times it was the practice ofthe coroner to iiiifiiifc into all burnings within his district , and that *¦<••• er still belonging to the coroner , although fallen into desuetude , he thought they would be of opinion ffitlt him that it was mostimportant that it should again bo brought into force . In '' Home ' s Mirror of J ttstiec " the duties of the coroner were clearly laid tlo « ' "> and among those duties the coroner was to inquire of all burnings , whether they were caused by felony
or mischance . If they were of opinion that they had been set on fire with a felonious intent , then it was their duty to inquire and ascertain who tlie party was who was guilty of that felonv . It was clear , therefore , in the olden time , that part of tho coroner ' s duty was to inquire into all burnings ; and he need not say how necessary it was to revive H at the present time . No one had the po ^ ' to inquire into the causes of a fire-not even a magistrate , unless a party was in custody charged -villi causing it . The persons living in the iiei-j ! il ) 0 « rkood ofa fire were always most anxious to k'W *' how it occurred , and he thought the public « " »* think that he had done no more than his duty «'
summoning a jury to inquire into the circiniisUiif ' of the late fire , who also might , by any siigg" 1 ! 0 " thrown out , prevent , in a great measure , firc-a bcmS so numerous . He had directed a number of p '''" ' ^ to be summoned to give evidence as to the can *? . ° the recent fire in Aldcrmanbury , so that they !* # come to a proper verdict , whether it . was caused y accident or otherwise . Asher Cousins , apac ' ; i ; 1 ' " the service of Messrs . Bradbury , Greatorex , 1111 Beall , proved discovering the fire auuut t , vc"P minutes before eight o ' clock on Monday nig 111 ' . ' the cellar under the packing-room . The smoke- *¦» coming up through an iron grating ; ami " on . « ' going into the cellar , which was used for tor 3 boxes and papers in , he saw a pile of paper « " •••*; He tried to put the lire out , but was unable . iNo ° l " was in the cellar when he went down . The »«; ness at great length explained the relative pus 111111 ;' - . — „„ . „„ v . vi , , WApMlIHiU Kill . 1 W » I" « I " . | , (
ot various gas-lights on the orcmiscs , and state" - £ it was usual to light them by means of wax ta | 11 ' ^ and not paper . Several witnesses , employed / 1 . £ firm , whose evidence went to show that the lir ( - ' , ' gmated beneath the grating in the ¦• aeUmg-i '' -- '*"' and immediately underneath a gas-light in that w- ; but no one could tell who lit that gas-light f" I evening of the lire , having been examined , Mv- «^ j wood said , having heard the evidence , he i > K , opinion that the fire originated from n light «''« , ? through the grating amongst the paper iu the <* \ Mr . Beall , one of the partners , said ho K" -f \ $ . that about half an hour before the lire occur"' ' . ; ,, , , one ofthe gas lights with a piece of paper , wli-fl ' threw wpon the tloor , and placed his loot iuk >» - ; < ¦ a most patient investigation into all the ciiciii" * -- ' -- ; ,., , of the case , the jury returned a verdict ' - " ** ' fire was can-sod by accident . "
MAltLBOltOUGII STKEET . ^ j SatuiiDAt . —Beastlv Offence . —James S 1 " *' . ' . ^ - . sixty-eight years , who is in independen t circa * 1-- ' ^ and resides at'No . 2 ( 5 , Green-street , Uayswatcr-roW ' ^ charged with indecently assaulting a child , " ' . ^ rlf Loiighurst , aged eight years . The olfenee jva » ^ ,,, -j proved , and ho was sentenced to pay a fine 0 l <' p months' 'imprisonment , 'flic prisoner not ""* ^ money in his possession was placed in the lock-t'l .
Printed By Doug Al M'Goavan . Of 17. Er8at W ,U Ll ,Tw ' | Street, Ifaymarket, In The City Of Westiiii»* Tc F; ^ 1
Printed by DOUG AL M'GOAVAN . of 17 . 8 at W , U , tW ' | street , Ifaymarket , in the City of Westiiii »* tc ^ 1
Office In The Same Street And Parish, >;...
Office in the same Street and Parish , >;» | JlS | ,, ) tiW 1 prietor , FEARGU 3 O'COKNOU , Esu ,.. aml ¦• '„( # G William Hewitt , of No . 18 , Caarles-strj - - ' . , , „ :- B street , Walwurth , in the Parish of St . * W' J- ^ V- g tor ; in the . County of Surrey , at thy Urai . w „ * M Strand , in the Parish o St . iI » rj Jc- bti «« . j City Qt ' TVestminster „ . » | " Saturday , August 33 , 15 « - |
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 23, 1845, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_23081845/page/8/
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