The Express.
London, England, 1862-11-25 00:00:00

THE DISTRESS IN LANCASHIRE.

were receiving outdoor relief in these unions. I re-
ceived returns from the honorary secretaries of 55 local
committees formed in the cetera manufacturing dietncts
for the distribution of charitable aid, and I am now enabled
to state that the 55 local committees adverted to were, on
the 15th instant, relieving 1e2,911 persons who were not
also receiving parochial relief from the guardians, and that
these P6I lacer committees expende 1Z1954 ls. fid. in
charity during the week ended the Idsth instant. I have
received no returns from ten honorary secretaries of local
relief committees, and therefore my report is so far ineom-
pieta. -I am, my lords and gentlemen, your obedient servant,
"li. B. FARNALL, Special Commissioner."
After a conversation, Mr. Commissioner FARMALL mid-
i here is a question which is frequently asked, and it is, I
think, very naturally asked, which is this, • What is the
amount in the pound on the netrateable value of the most
distressed unions and townships in the cotton manufacturing
district, which is being at present spent there in the relief
of the poor!" It seems to me that this question should be
clearly and fairly answered, and I will, therefore, now en-
deavour to do so. The union which stands first in my
tabular report is that of Ashton-under-Lyne, and I may
perhaps answer the question adverted to by defining the
position of the ratepayers and of the poor in that
union, and also the position of the ratepayers
and the poor in the township of Ashton-under-
Lyne, which is within the union named. The union of
Ashton-under-Lyne contains 13 townships within an
area of 38,657 acres, its population numbers 131,761 per-
sons, and its net rateable value was 285,357/. in 1856. The
present weekly expenditure of this union in out-door relief
2,1691., and the weekly cost of in-maintenance, at the
rated '3s per heed per week, is 791., making a total weekly
expenditure in relief alone of 2,2481., which is at the rate
of 116,8961. per annum. The expenditure of this union,
out of the poor-rates, for all other purposes than relief, for
the year ended Lady-day, 1861, was 10,712/. ; this sum,
therefore, added to the 116,8961. spent in relief alone, makes
a total annual expenditure of 127,6061. The net rateable
value of the property In this union wain 1856, as I have
already stated, 285,3571. ; the total present expenditure,
therefore, is Dowel the rated Se. llid.in the pound on that
value ; but it is necessary to make a deduction of 25 per
cent. from the net rates • value of 285,3571. for irrecover-
able rates, empty property, Su., and therefore the net rate-
able value is reduced to 214,0171. ; so that the present ex-
penditure is at the rate of Ils. 11d. in the pound on that
value. 1 may mention that there are now 32,881 persons
receiving parochial relief iu this union, and that in the cor-
responding week of last year 1,962 were so relieved ; and,
farther, that the weekly coat of out-relief is now 2,168/.
lls. 8,1. . • while in the corresponding week of last year it
was 731. Se. 2d. The present percentage of pauperism on
the population in this union is 24.4 ,• in the corresponding
week of last year it was 1.5. I will now pass on to the
township of Ashton-under-Lyne. This township contains a
population of 66,806 persons, and its present net rateable
value ia 156,0541. ; the owners and occupiers of mills paying
one-third of the poor-rates. This township is now spending
weekly in relief alone 1,189!., being an expenditure in
relief alone at the rate of 61,8'284 per annum. The
expenditure of this township, out of the poor rates, for all
other purposes than relief, for the year ended Lady-day,
1861, was 5,6204 ; this sum, therefore, added to 61,82144
spent in relief alone, makes a total annual expendi-
ture of 67,4481. The present net rateable value of this
township is 156,0541., the total present expenditure therefore
is now at the rate of Bs. 71(1. in the pound on that value ;
but it is necessary to make a deduction of 26 per cent from
the net rateable value of 156,0541., for irrecoverable rates,
empty t
, die., and therefore the net rateable value is
red to 114,7001., so that the present expenditure is at
the rate of Da 9d. in the pound on that value. I may add
that there are now 18,760 persons receiving parochial relief
in this township, and that the per tentage of pauperism on
its population is 25.1. It is also necessary to state that,
independently of the 16,760 persons now receiving parochial
relief, the resident local committee of charity of the town-
ship of Aabtomunder-Lyne relieved last week 2,626 persons,
who are not relieved ont of the poor rates, so that the per
dotage of persons sided by the poor rates and by charity
on the population of this township is at present 23.9 per
sent ; and I am obliged to add that the po-
verty of the township is still increasing. Since
Lady-day last, two poor rates, each at Is. tieL
in the pound, have been allowed and collected in this
township ; these two rates should have produced 21,7271.,
Is. 4d.; bat the distress in the township lessened this pro-
duct by 3,4201. se. 88., and consequently the treasurer's
amount is overdrawn, and it has now become necessary to
ask for another rate of 4s. 6d. in the pound, which should
produce 32,712/. 3s. 6d., but which, it is believed, will
produce only 24,0001., a sum which it is hoped will meet
the expenditure of the township to Lady-day next. I
Lave to state that the Rate in'Aid Act was brought into
operation in this union by the board of guardians at
Michaelmas last, and that five townships within it
were then enabled to avail themselves of the provi-
sions of section 1 of the set adverted to, by transferring
the extras of their expenditure of 9d. in the pound, "in
and about relief," on their net rateable value to the common
fund of the whole union, but that the township of Ashton-
under-Lyre is not one of the five townships referred to.
I know that this union spent during the week ended on
Saturday last 2,3464 in relief alone. Now, presuming that
this rate of expenditure shall have been reached iu each
week of the current quarter, it is dear that the expenditure
in (relief alone will be, during the quarter, 30,4981., or
2s. lid, in the pound on the net rateable value of the whole
union. Under these circumstances it is equally clear that the
valuable provisions of the Rate in Aid Act will oome into
play with great effect in this union at Christmas next,
for the board of guardians of the union will be then enabled,
under those provisions, either to borrow any sum which
shall have been expended dunes the quarter " in and about
relief" in exec.'s of 9d. in the pound on the net rateable
value of the union, or, if they shall think fit, they may then
avail themselves of the provisions of the 4th section of the
Rate in Aid Act, which enables them to apply to the Poor-
law Board to issue an order apportioning ray excess of ex-
penditure, in and about relief, duriog the quarter, above
ls. 3d. in the pound, on the net rateable value ofithe union
over those unions of the county whose poor-rate expenditure
is not in • similar position. I dose this statement by saying
that the Nitration of Ashton-under-Lyle illustrates that of
such places as Preston, Blackburn, Stockport, and other
similar localities. And perhaps I may be permitted, even in
this official communication, to assure those benevolent per-
sons in England and the colonies who me now charitably
aiding the Lancashire workpeople, that their subscriptions
are saving thousands of mentorious operatives and their
children, whose spirits are yet unbroken, from the necessity
of applying for parochial relief, and are, at the same time,
attaching to themselves a class of people whose present
conduct is a guarantee of their sterling goodness.
The following grants were made.-Note. (District No. 1.)
The schedule d application from the undenneutioaed relief
districts is to be sent to the hon. secretary one week before
Dec. 1,1862 :-Blackburn, 1,500/. for three weeks ; Burnley,
5001. for two weeks ; Harwood (near Bolton). 501. ; Livesey,
25/. for one week; Great Marsden, 40/. for one week;
Piellham, 501, for one week ; Preston, 1,0001. for one week.
Note. (District No. 2.) The schedule of application from
r. FARNALL explained that in the most the underruentioned relief districts is to be sent to the Lou.
distressed towns the Small Tete:mints Act had not been yet secretary ono week before Dec. 8, 1862 ; Bacup, 4501. for
introduced. three weeks ; Cheeky, 223/. for three weeks ; Crompton,
A deputation from Bradford, consisting of Mr. IV. E. ro, for one week ; Feilewortb, 501. foe one week; Mosley,
Forster, AL P., Messrs. J. Rand, J. Priestman, and Charles 1001. for one week ; Millbeook, 601 for one week; Newton
Lemon, also had an iuterview with the oomruittes. Moor, 1001. for two weeks ; Norden, 401. and 100/. for
Mr. FoanTER said the Bradford committee had some clothing, total 1401, for two week. • Rochdale, 5004 for
doubt whether the standard of relief was high enough, but one week ; Roydon, 3001. for four weeks ; Shawforth, 1501.
they had been satisfied on that point now. A short time for four weeks ; Whittle-le-Woods, 100/. ; Whitworth, 150/.
ago they sent a resolution to the executive committee on for four weeks. Note. (District No. 3.) The schedule of
the subject. The feeling in Yorkshire was, not to restrict application from the undermentioned relief dialects is to be
the committee to auy particular sum, but to ask them to iu sent to the hon. secretary one week before Dee. 15, 1862 :-
crease the amount to as high &point as possible. He could Bolton-le-Moors, 5004 ; Heywood, 1,2004 for four weeks;
assure the committee that loch a course would rather in- llaselgrove, 404 for one week ; Bury, 200/. for one week ;
crease the liberality of Yorkshire than check it. Whet Hashemite, 1004 for two weeks; Lowton, 201. for one
they doubted in Yorkshire was, whether the money sub- week ; Remsbotten, 401. for one week ; Rawtenstall, 2001.
emibel for the relief of the distressed did not, to some ex- for two weeks ; Stockport, 1,0004 for one week. (The relief
tent, go to the relief of property, and not entirely to the at Stockport to be brought up to the rate per head of which
relief tf the poor. A bill was passed last session to meet assume= was given in the last report to this committee.)
the case where property wanted aid, and it ahould Stackateads, 1301. for two weeks ; Shuttleworth, 501. for
be taken advantage of to support the rates. All the four weeks; Tongue (Lower hind), 901. for four weeks;
Yorkshire people wanted to be satisfied upon now was, that Tottington, 151. for one week ; Tottington (Higher End),7sl.
zone of the subscribed money went to the relief w
a_property, for cos week ; Wigan, 1,0001. for two weeks.-Note. (Die-
Commissioner Farteett, said that the case of igen was tract No. 4.) The schedule of application from the under
one in point. In that distressed union the proportion of mentioned relief district* is to be sent to the hoe. secretary
erapers was from sto 5-10tlis in every 100 persons, and one week before Dec. 22, 1862:-Blaraley, 504 fur four
the local subscriptions there amounted to 19,0004-a sum weeks ; Eolliugton, 1001. for four weeks ; Chsrlesworth,
raised for the purpose of keeping the poor people off the 2i/Of. for four weeks; CrumpsalL 201. (coals); Glossop, 500/.
rates. for two weeks ; Gorton, 601. for two weeks ; Hayfield, 50/. ;
Yr. F0R.31111 said they did not join in the cry that Lan. Meath° Money, ft"' for four we'll"; Maanheater; 3•13001.
ambit= had not done her duty. (" Hear, beer, from Lord for three weeks ; Moorside, 60/. for three weeks ; Pantile-
Derby.) They believed she hal not only done her duty but bury, 150/. for three weeks ; New Mills, 1504-Note. (11=
kad done better. perhaps than any other county would ' schedule of application from the undermeetioned relief dis-
kave done under the cireum'stances. What ought to be done I tztetecto be sent to the boa. secretary one week before
was relief by rates, and to supplement that relief with pri- . Dec.v. *29, 1862):-Bounberbridge, 501. for two weeks ; Barrow-
rate charity. feed Booth, 1504 for two weeks ; Coln*, WM. for two
Lord Deaer-A portion of our funds is for those who weeks ; Farrington, 65/. for two weeks ; Higham, 50/. for
keep off the ratee I two weeks ; Osweldtwistle, 504 for two weeks; Penile
Sir James SHUTTLZWORTiI said be hail written to the Forest, :v. for one week ; Rilicheater, 111. for two weeks ;
Poor-law Board asking them to endeavour to induce the Witthn• "I. for le" wee" ; Manchester and Salford
Da-
lauds of guardians to give 30,0004 worth of clothing to the , tributioo Committee, 1,500. ifor clothes).
distresed. The VICK•CHAIRMA
Nreported that the sub-committee
In reply to a question, (treasurer, hon. secretary, and himself) had made the fol.
The ex-Mayor of BLACKIII•RN said that the rumour that lowing grant. from the New South Wales fund, for the en-
three blankets had only been distributed in that town, when "ill tam months 781• ; St. Catherine's and
the town hall was full of them, was not true. At the first Se vewald'a, Manchester, 401. • Bury, 1 • Drawee, 161.
they had only one blanket for every 230 persons, and now 100. • knell Springs, Bacup, 3W 04 .
; 704 ; Outdo-
they would not, by the end of this week, have any clothing 6.18,
1101. ; Moseley, 10/ ; St. Jude's, Manchester, 351.
in band. Roystoe, 61/. 14s. • Burnley, 404 • schoul-penee,9l/.
The following report was read : 12s. ; Ashton, :ki6l -Total, 92W. Ss. These grants were
"To the Central Executive Relief Committee.-Man- made for day schools for youth and adult men, for sewing
skeeter, Nov. 24, 1862.-My lords awl gentlemen,-A ra. classes, and the payment of three months' school-penes of
toren= to niv tabular report for the week ended the 15th children of persons in receipt of relief.
indent, on 27 unions in the cotton manufacturing district, Sir James K. SHVITLEVORTH also announced a further
will show you that there is an increase in the number of remittance from Tamworth, in Now South Wales, and also
persons receiving parochial relief, as compared with the that Australians now in London were uniting to make doea-
=ember so relieved in the previous week, of 11,021 . tions to the relief fund. He bad received from Sir D.
There were on the 15th instant 248,764 persons recei,ing Cooper the first instalment (of 1004) of a drastic. of 3001.
parochal relief in the unions adverted to : in the corre-
sponding week of lest year 51,413 persons were so relieved ; 1 The total amount received during yesterday by
there is, therefore, an increase of 197,351 persons in the the Lord Mayor in aid of the distressed operatives in the
receipt of parochial relief, or 381.9 per cent. The total cotton districts was about 6,700/. Amongst the amounts
weekly coot of out-door relief on the 15th inst. was 16,646/. received were 2,2971. 15e. led. from Quebec ;1,9794 1 Is. 4d.
Os. 7d. ; in the corresponding week of last year it was from the Punjab, being a oostribution by his Highness the
2,5054 12s. sd. ; there is, therefore, an lacrosse Maharajah of Patted*, R.S.I. and the Rajahs of Teem&
ef 14,1404 Ps. 2d., or 564.2 per cent. The average and Nabha, the three leading chiefs of the Cis-Satlej States
per °seta& of pauperism on the poralatioe al these of the Punjab ; two end a half days' pay from the officer,
waves., on the 15th last, was 12.5 • in the cone- and enploy4s of the Northern Railway, Canada, Toronto,
apassiner week of last as was 2.6. The' average amount 2051. 7d. • Masao°, Canada West, 2001. ; Messrs. J.
Ifs! outdoor eil e relief per heed per week, in these anions, on Allan and do., 1004 ; Sampson, Mitchell, and Co., 1001. •
theinstant, was Is. sd. • the lowest was le. 00.. and Tonbridge Wells, 1631.; Moraine' Company, 3164 ; Ambient,
the highest is le. Ifeld., at Glossop. On the 15th instant, Kent, 3rd subscription, 1001. ; collectedat All &intik Shore-
-12,540 perilous were reoeiviag in-door relief, and 236,224 ditch, 1514 Is.; Mrs. Day, 001. ;dL. P. Baow, 1581.

CENTRAL RELIEF COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Central Relief Committee was
laid at Manchester yesterday. The Earl of DICILBY pro-
vided, and than were eeent—Sir J. K. Stinttleworth,
Colonel Patten, Major Egerton Leigh, the Mayor of Man-
cheater. &..e.

ISterWas read from Mr. W. Agnew, Exchange-street,
enclosing a resolution of the Water Colour Painters of the
metropolis, passed on the 3rd inst., to the effect that each
member of the profession should be solicited to paint a
sketch in water colours, in plain lead frame, with mount,
sad that the whole collection be exhibited in London. Man-
chester. and Liverpool, and afterwards allotted to sub-
scribers as prizes. The subscriptions to be a guinea, in- I
eluding admission.
A vote of thanks was passed to the New Society of
Punters in Water Colours.
A letter was read from Lord Egerton of Tattoo, stating ,
that illness prevented his attndacca at the meeting, and
enclosing an order on Messrs. o.4ing and Sharpe, bankers,
from the treasurer's office Inner Temple, London, dated
Ns. 20, for MW. per week, commencing on the 17th No- !
Timber to the tith January, 183 coach incisive), being •
the sub,eriptiou of the lion. Society of the loner Temple.
Mr. HorWOOD HUTCHINSON announced that he bad
withdrawn his name as patron of the Lancashire Relief
Bans, on the ground that it bad been turned into a lottery.
A deputation from Leda, consisting of Mewls. E. Baines,
M.P., the Mayor, and the Rev. E. Jackson, waited upon the
ssentive committee, and had an interview with them. On
being introduced
The Mayor of LEEDS said he had great pleasure in banding
to the committee a cheque for 3,0001. as the first instalment
from Leeds. In all they had collected 16,0001. in that
horough, which sum would be devoted to the relief of the
refiring operatives in the cotton manufacturing districts.
The deputation were anxious to have several questions
answered. .

Mr. E. BATNIS, M.P., said that a very liberal and lively
feeling was expressed in Leeds for the sulfating operatives
by all classes working men as well as the wealthy.
Weir, bear.) They had established an organisation for the
weekly and monthly collection of moneys in the mills and
works of Leeds, which they hoped would continue to work
successfully. In Leeds there was the most entire confidence
reposed in the Central Executive Committee; and although
the committee which the deputation represented bad not
determined to send all aid through the Central Executive
Committee exclusively, still, as a rule, they had determined
to send through it their funds. They wished, however, to
ask several questions, the first of which was, is the amount
of relief such as will support the unemployed operatives in
health, and prevent them from sinking into debility and
sickness?
Lord DERBT said that the best answer the committee
could give to the question just asked was, that the com-
mittee from the relief fund was giving a larger weekly
amount per head than the boards of guardians. And,
in addition, he might say that the executive committee had
constantly been representing to the board of guardians the
Lurgent necessity there was for their increasing their weekly
bwance to the poor
Mr. Bsisms—We are very glad to bear that, I am sure.
Mr. Commissioner FARNALL remarked that he might
state, in addition to what Lord Derby had just said, that
the average rate of relief by the board of guardians had been
Menased from Is. 2d. per head to le. rid, and that the
Liter sum would soon be increased too. (Hear, bear.)
Lerd DERBY—From the first we have constantly been
pressing the board of guardians to increase their rate of
raid. We have also greatly increased our grants. This
committee feels deeply indebted to the ladies of Leeds, I
am sure, for sending us the clothing they have collected.
Wear, hear.)
Sir JANIS Sgurttrworra said the amount given by the
Ideal relief committees was 2s. per week r bead and
Toady for coals. The grant they made for clothing gave
as amine of 3e. per head. The average amount of relief
given by boards of guardians did not amount to more than
shout Is. 9d. per head.
Colonel WILSON Parrot, M.P., said that the executive

committee had to regulate its grants and payments in ac-
cordance with the amount of money they had in hand.
They had generally granted motley for a month, and had
kept a two months' fund in hand. As their funds were in-
creased. so they increased their grants.
Mr. E. Bnxits—The second question we have to salt is.
can the committee state what is the average amount of
relief per head from all sources?
Colonel WILSON PATTEN said that probably Ashton-
under Lyne might be taken as a fair illustration, and there
the relief received from all sources was at the rate of 2s. 2d.
per bead.
hir J. K. Serrniwosvm said that amount would be
about the same per head in East Lancashire.
MT. BAINUS —Our third question, Does the Lancashire
Central Executive Relief Committee expect from the locali-
ties which it aids that they should raise a fair and consider-
able proportion of their funds from parochial rates, so as to
give anauviiime to benevolent donors that their charity will
sot be used to save the owners of property from doing their
dimity?
Mr. M. Boss said that in the town of Oldham there were
5,000 ratepayers, and in consequence of the poverty and
increased rate one-third of them bad been relieved front
payment and_ the probability was, that if the rate were
wan increased one-third more would have to be relieved.
Mr. BUNTS said they sought the information they asked
sot so much for themselves as for others.
. . . .

Lord Deane said that because it might happen that the
sides could not be increased or could not be paid, they (the
executive committee) could not therefore let the people
starve. The committee required to be very fully answered
as to the relief that was being dispensed in each town, and
the sources from which it was derived. If ever the execu-
tive committee thought any place was not locally subscribiog
according to its moans, they always called its attention to
the fact when they made a grant of money. That was all
they could do.
Mr. B.USES—We are satisfied that you are doing all you
con to see that a fair amount of charity is dispensed. The
mat questioe is, Do the committee consider all districts
where distress exists from Liss failure of the cotton supply,
Including those in the county of York, to be equally within
the reach of the grants?
Lord DElST—Certainly. Todmorden ham already had a
pant.
Mr. BADMS—I was sure your answer would be a satis-
factory one. The other day we had a large contribution
refused to us on the ground that you would not give aid to
the distressed towns in Yorkshire, such as Todmorden,
Our fifth question is—The Leeds committee having nearly
2101)!. in hand, to be applied to the redemption of clothes out
of pawn, they with to know if the Central Relief Committee
concur with them that sacha method of relief is highly
desirable.
Lord DERBY said that a special fund had been opened
for the purpose of redeeming pawned clothing and for the
purpose of furnishing parties with uew clothiug. The com-
mittee proposed to mark the new clothes, so as to make
them nominally their property, and to prevent their being
Pledged-
Mr. Commi.-'