The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-10 00:00:00

THE PRESTON STRIKE.

PRESTON, MONDAY.—It being understood that Mr.
Hollins was to open his mill this morning at the prices
paid on the Ist of March last (before any advance took
place), the weavers' committee issued a placard, headed
"Caution," and containing the following :
" It is the intention of Mr. Hollins, of the Royal Sove•
reign Mill to open his establishment this morning, Jan.
9, we therefore beg to caution all parties to be aware
that a deputation has visited Mr. Hollins on two occa-
sions last week, when two propositions were laid before-
him. The first was, would he pay the same prices as
Messrs. Napier and Goodair, when he (Mr. Hollins)
said he could not afford to pay them. The second was
would he pay the prices that lie paid when his mill was
"losed. He again replied that the trade would not allow
him to do so. Von, the weaver of Preston, will there-
fore see that if you apply for work at the Royal Sove-
reign Mills, it will be at the sacrifice of the very object
you are struggling for—the 10 per cent. and the union.'
The bell was rung, and the factory opened this morn-
ing ; but, so far as I have been able to ascertain, not a
single hand applied for work. This fact may be taken
as evidence of the firmness and determination still exist-
ing amongst the unemployed. •
There was a large meeting in the Orchard at noon to-
day. The chairman was Mr. Chadwick, of Stockport.
In his opening remarks he appealed to the multitude
whether they were tired of their present position. The
response was a loud cry of "No ;" some one in the
crowd exclaiming, " We should be more tired if we had
to get up at six o'clock." (Laughter and cheers.)

.
Mr. Grimshaw read from the Boston Daily Common-
wealth, an article entitled " The " White Slaves of Eng-

land ; a sympathetic appeal to the friends of liberty and
human rights ;" in which the Preston struggle was dis-
cussed, and a suggestion thrown out that the people of
Boston should raise a subscription to send a cargo of
provisions to the famishing operatives of this town.
The meeting having pledged itself to persevere in
the struggle, the proceedings closed with cheers for
success.

SUSPECTED HOCUSSING AND MURDER.—For some days
tunhsne
ed
Asc
ae
pni
ape r
ne
ao:f
wa
nuh
cno
euhos
auf
daa Int ear xg
past the neighbourhood of Brookes'-market, Leather-
lane,mor owing
ssi
ein gdr
ntoaintheedh
e
mamsyasb:ryeerniAo
someeeidteffemale
met
in'amlt
ed in the locality, where she was well known by her
eccentric habits and manner. The alarm was in no
act that small degree increased by the f at atel y several
persons, both old
and
young, have suddenly and myste-
riously disappeared from their houses, being in many in-
stances forcibly abducted. The fate of the unfortunate
woman remained a mystery until last Friday evening,
when, as a party who knew her by sight was passing
through Greville-street, Hatton-garden, his attention
was attracted by a crowd, and upon going to the spot he
recognised the missing woman leaning against the area
railings, partlyunconscious, with a dreadful wound across
her forehead, and the blood being dry around the wound,
showed that it was inflicted several days previously.
With the least possible delay the poor creature was as-
sisted home and taken to her room, where she was left
by herself, the parties in the house not apprehending
danger, and as the deceased had an objection to any one
entering her apartment. As she did not make her ap-
pearance during Saturday the landlord became alarmed,
and yesterday morning sent for the police, who, on enter-
ing her room, found her lying dressed and quite insensible
upon the floor. Medical assistance was called in, but she
gradually sank, and died shortly after the surgeon's arri-
val. On examining the wound across the frontal bone, it
appeared to have been produced by a blunt instrument.
In consequence of this, the police immediately made in-
quiries, to endeavour, if possible, to discover the guilty
parties, but up to last evening their efforts were fruit-
less, although it appears that they have been informed
by several parties who witnessed it that deceased was
turned out of a cab on the spot, and in the unconscious
state in which she was found, by a man who then rapidly
drove off. There can be little doubt but that deceased
has been the victim of hocussing and brutal treatment
at the hands of some miscreants, who thought, no doubt,
that the deceased carried a large sum of money about
her, in consequence of her reported wealth and miserly
habits. Upon searching her room, the Police and coro-
ner's officer discovered a quantity of plate. money, and
other valuables, which they immediately secured. In.
formation of the deceased's death has bows. forwarded to
the coroner.