The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-14 00:00:00

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

RAILWAY BILLS IN PARLIAMENT.
Yesterday the following bills were declared to have
complied with the standing orders of the house :
Hertford, Ware, and Welwyn Junction.
London and North-Western and North Staffordshire
Railway Companies (for traffic arrangements).
Caledonian Railway (Lesmahagow branches).
London and North-Western and Midland (for traffic
arrangements).
Severn Valley Railway.
The Great North of Scotland Company's Bill (for de-
viations and level crossings) was declared " not to have
complied.

. RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURN.
LONDON AND`SOUTH-EASTERN RAlLWAY.—Traffic re-
turn for the week ending Feb. 11, 1854 . £12,190 11 6
Corresponding week last year 10,827 19 11

Increase in 1854

£1,362 11 7

THE PRESTON STRIKE.

PRESTON, FEB. 13
The diminution in the number of hands chargeable
upon the Trades' Union funds has enabled the Power-
loom Weavers' Committee to advance their pay to-day
from 4s. to ss. per head. This, as may be supposed, has
diffused great satisfaction amongst the recipients. The
weavers income this week from the various districts is
2,2701., the following sums being included in this
amount :—Blackburn, 6701., Stockport 2401., Preston
1511., Ashton-under-Lyne 1401., Glossop 1301., Over
Darwen 1151., Oldham 951., Church Parish 701., Tint-
wistle 601., Great Harwood 601., Staleybridge 521. 11s.
10d., Accrington 421., Droylsden 311., Compstallbridge
301., Bolton 291., Clitheroe 251., Chorley 221., Heywood
201., Burnley 201., all the other items were under 201.
In addition to the relief contributions, the emigration
fund as been raised to 811. lla. 6d. It was reported to
day at the pay-table that the hands of three other mills
have resumed work at prices which are deemed satis-
factory, but as yet I have been unable to obtain authen-
tic information upon the subject,
An important placard, a copy of which is annexed,
has appeared this morning.
The following resolution was carried unanimously at
the most numerous meeting of power-loom overlookers
ever held in Preston :
" Resolved—That the power-loom overlookers of Preston
are opposed to all strikes ; but we are of opinion that to
secure our own personal safety, and to preserve our families
from the indignation of the public and the perpetual in-
sults of our neighbours, it is our duty, as well as our inte-
rest, to take no active part between the contending p
ncar-
t° p y all due_deferee 1
ties ; and while we are Prepared
and render all necessary obedience to our employers, we
have a strong conviction that we are
bbest serving the ul.ti-
lyrs both parties to
Y preserving a strict
mate interests of the said
beseeching .
neutrality ; at the same enip
time, o
come to a speedy and reasonable settlement of the present
dispute, so that our town may resume its former quietude
and prosPeritY•
c, By order of the power-loom overlookers of Preston.—
February 13, 1854.
There was an immense gathering of the unemployed
in the Orchard at noon to-day. Mr. Luke Wood, of
Stockport, presided. Addresses were delivered by
Messrs. E. Swinglehurst, Waddington, Wadman,
Gallaher, and Cowell, of Preston ; Grimshaw, of Great
Harwood ; Walton, of Blackburn ; and Lawless, of
Warrington. Several speakers severely censured the
conduct of certain clergymen, who, it was alleged, had
endeavoured to persuade a number of young women at-
tending their schools, or places of worship, to resume
work. Mr. Cowell contradicted a statement that a large
number of weavers had returned to their employment at
the mills of Messrs. Hovist and Miller. The speaker
remarked that it was not likely they would go to work
at that establishment, where they could only earn, on an
average, Bs. 9d. per week, whilst they were allowed ss.
for playing. It was announced that 1001. might he ex-
pected next week from Sheffield, and that some of the
delegates were about to visit Leeds and other towns in
Yorkshire. Before the close of the proceedings, Mr.
Grimshaw called for " three cheers for the 10 per cent.
and the downfall of cotton lord tyranny." This appeal
having been responded to, three cheers were given for the
factory operatives of England, after which the meeting
separated.
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