The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-12 00:00:00

The Unemployed at Blackburn.

On Moaday and yesterday nearly 80 of the unemployed
factory operatives were put to work in the formation of new
streets, of which there are still 12 miles requiring levelling,
paving, &c., under the Public Works Act, three miles and a
half having been already completed since the adoption of the
Act. In all the corporation employ 340 factory operatives on
public works, together with upwards of 500 labourers. The
Relief Committee are also exerting themselves to provide as
much as possible for the unemployed, and in all instances
give preference to the fathers of large families, to whom they
give full employment. At their weekly meeting on Monday
night the determination of the Manchester Central Relief
Committee not to make grants to any town unless the
amount of relief distributed by the guardians average 2s.
per head, nearly double the amount given in thie "Union
last week, was alluded to, and Mr Henderson, an active
member of the committee, intimated that he had witnessed
the administration of relief by a secticn of the guardians on
Saturday last, and was pleased to report that in many cases
they had almost doubled the relief they had hitherto
given. The committee then took into consideration the
recommendation of the sub-committee to extend the basis
of relief, and after come conversation it was deemed
desirable to endeavour to make an arrangement with
the guardians by which the system last year acted upon
for the employment of the operatives should be renewed,
and the sub-committee was appointed to wait upon the
chairman of the board of guardians to arrange the matter
with him prior to the next meeting of the guardians on
Saturday next, so as to prevent any unnecessary delay in
getting the 300 or 400 operatives to work on remunerative
wages. The scheme consists of the Relief Committee and
the guardians providing as much outdoor work as possible
for not only married but single men. Should this system
be forthwith introduced the unemployed will be provided
with substantial relief, and any 'outbreak of fever from
low diet will be to a great extent prevented. The com-
mittee also rescinded the obnoxious resolution restricting
the granting of relief to operatives only who have never
received parochial aid. The passing of this resolution was,
in the first place, obnoxious, inasmuch as the committee, 13
or 14 months since, urged all their recipients to get their
relief supplemented by the guardians. In this way many
persons who would never have troubled the guardians ap-
plied for and were granted relief. With these decisions the
unemployed seem satisfied and press for immediate work,
believing that their claims will now be heard and answered,
and that every necessitous applicant will be properly relieved.
It was reported to the committee that the operative cotton-
spinner employed by Messrs Hornby and Co., Brookhouso
mills, had returned to work on Monday morning, and that
in all probability the rest of the operatives would be em-
ployed during next week. In all Messrs Hornby find work
for upwards of 1,400 operatives. It is said that one or two
other manufacturers are thinking of recommencing opera-

lions in a few days. The Relief Committee accepted the
resir-nation of Mr J. C. Fielden, their hon. secretary, and
appointed Mr James Henderson, sub inspector of factories
for the district, to the vacant secretaryship. They also
Passed a very complimentary letter to Mr Ficlden, who has
left the town to commence businesr, and added his name to
the members of the Central Committee.

PETROLEUM.—Dr. Georges has observed that the
emanations of petroleum have a 'weakening effect
on the muscular system, and cause headache, especially in
the case of nervous people and those who live in a confined
atmosphere exposed to these emanations. He states that
the latter contain a peculiar principle which may be elimi-
nated, and is found to act principally on the brain and heart,
Ether of petroleum may, he adds, be used to cool the tegu-
ments during surgical operations, because it causes no pain
oti the Weeding party.—ATM ~Paper,