The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1845-10-07 00:00:00

A VISIT TO CREWE

On Thursday morning last, a number of the share-
holders of the Grand Junction Railway, (to whom tickets
of invitation had been sent by the Directors,) proceeded
in a special train of thirteen first-class carriages to the
beautiful, new, and rapidly-extending village of Crewe,
to view the extensive works and buildings of the Company
there, and afterwards to partake of a sumptuous colla-
tion provided for the occasion. The train from Liver-
pool arrived at the village shortly before 11 o'clock, the
journey, (of 43 miles) having been performed in about an
hour-and-three-quarters. Other parties from various
localities arrived about the same time. The village dis-
played flags, and a band paraded the streets.
The company, which included a number of ladies,
alighted opposite the Works, the many la ge rooms of
which they immediately proceeded to view, successively,
admirable arrangments being made for that purpose.
The workmen, to the number of about 500 and 600, were
all busily engaged in their several departments in which,
by a judicious division of labour, locomotive engines,
railway carriages, waggons, wheels, &c., are constructed,
from the comparatively rude materials, to the highest
possible finish and adaptation. The noise of the heavier
operations of forging. chisseling, rivetting, &c., together
with the din of machinery in several of the rooms, was
at first somewhat astounding to those who had not before
visited them, but this soon wore off, and the whole were
viewed with much interest and curiosity, especially the
iron-cutting, planing, slotting, punching, and shaving
machines, which are of the finest discription, and did
their work with little or no manual aid, and with wonder-
ful power and precision. The officers of the Company
politely explained every machine and its operation.
the engine-room we observed several new locomotives,
with separate expansive gearing, on a new and improved
principle ; and it may be stated that no new and feasible
improvement, in the construction of engines or carriages,
for their better working, and safety of passe- gers, is sug-
gested or discovered, but it is here immediately carried
out, at whatever expense, and fully tested. The works
and machinery, (the latter driven by a fine engine of 25-
horse power,) are in fine the most complete and extensive
and concentrated, of any similar establishment in the
world. We cannot within our present space enter into
details, and most reluctantly postpone a full description
until another occasion—after we have had the advantage
of a less cursory inspection. Suffice it here to say that
the buildings and yards, have been Icon'iderably en-
larged since our previous visit in Dec. 1643, (where a
Grand Fete, which e reported, was given to the work-
men and their families,) and further enlargements are

in contemplation as the traffic by rail increases.
After lingering at the works for some time, the com-
pany walked up the village, and viewed the new Church
and Schools, built and endowed by the Company. The
Church is a remarkably neat and well-fitted edifice, in the
Norman style, with a handsome tower. 11 will accom-
modate about 650 persons. The Schools are also com-
modious, and about 250 boys end girls are taught.
There is a separate building adjacent, containing a News-
room, Lecture and Music-room, &c., for the working-
men which is well attended. The " new town" is laid
nut in wide streets, and is chiefly composed of handsome
double cottages, many of them detached and having
gardens.
At half-past one o'clock, the company. to the number
of about 200. (including many ladies.) sat down to a
sumptuous cold collation and w'n .s in one of the wag-
gon rooms, a fine well-lighted aoartment, n,aclr 100
feet long. and which was beautifully decorated with fes-
toons of drapery, numerous flags, devices, appr.'priate
paintings, &c. CHARLES LAWRENCE, Esq., Chairman
of the Directors, presi,led, and amongst those present
were several of our distinguished townsmen.
After the loyal toasts, the CHAIRMAN, in proposing
prosperity to the Company, said that those present would,
he trusted, be satisfied, from what they had that day seen
in the works, that the money had been well and prefitahly
expended, and that on their return to Liverpool they
could state that all was going on to their satisfaction. A.
number of other brief addresses were made by the Chair-
man, and others, complimentary to the engineers, mana-
ger, and other officers of the works and the Company, to
which eloquent replies were made by Mr. Trevithick end
Mr. Norris, engineers, Captain Hoist], manager, Mr.
Wordsell, and others, all of whom paid high compliments
to the workmen under them for their industry and atten-
tion in carrying out the views of those over them, as well
as for their good general conduct in the village. " The
health and prosperity of the workpeople and their fami-
lies" was drunk with great enthusiasm, and feelingly re-
plied to by a gentleman on their behalf. In fine, the
whole proceedings evinced the existence of a most kindly
feeling between masters and men, and a desire by both to
promote mutual interests, which was truly delightful to
philanthropic minds, and was equally honourab'e to the
employers and the employed. There was a good volun-
teer band, composed of the workmen of the establish-
ment, in the adjoining room, and they played at intervals
choice airs. Towards the close of the repast the children
of the schools were marshalled on each side of the room,
and, neat and clean in their appearance, presented en in-
teresting sight. The gills sang a piece written for the oc-
casion, also hymns, &c., in a proficient and affecting
manner. The health of the lady visitors, &c. was drunk
with great enthusiasm, and the party broke up about three
o'clock, and returned to Liverpool by a train provided for
them half an hour afterwards, all highly delighted with
the doings of the day. The children and others were af-
terwards served with pies in the banquetting room, and
the workmen having a half-holiday given to them, a ball
took place in the same room in the evening. The work-
men and their families, living under the company, num-
ber about 1,200, and a happier or more contented com-
munity, in so quiet a rural locality, we have never beheld.
The village is yet scarcely five years old, and the site was
before a comparative wilderness.

LIVERPOOL AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION

The 15th anniversary of this society was celebrated at
Liverpool, on Tuesday last. Owing to the unfavourable
state of the weather, the attendance was not so numerous
as usual. The shuw of pigs an bulls was excellent ; that
of sheep limited. The oxen were huo, and displayed
the finest points ; the horses were in great numbers, and
exhibited the best breeding and highest qualities fur their
respective uses. There were many very us.lul imple-
ments upon the ground, w hich attracted general ad-
miration. The turnips, mangel-wurzel, grasses, seeds,
and fruit were of average merit.

The Report of the Inspectors of Farms and Crops
spoke in laudatory terms of the great improvements in
agricultural sc'ence which were perceptible in the neigh-
bourhood ; draining having progressed to a great extent,
and a judicious rotation of crops having become almost
universal, Old fences had been levelled, old ditches
filled up, and much land that before was waste and
barren had latterly been brought into profitable cultiva-
tion. Flay grass was stated to have been unusually
abundant, but the second crop of clover light. Wheat
was considered to be under au average crop. The straw
is reported to be abundant, but the yield worse than was
ever known. The crops of barley and oats have generally
been good, with an average yield, although much laid ;
and the cultivation of beans is said to be on the increase;
the crop good, but not yet gathered, owing to the wet.
Potatoes had sbewn well for a good crop ; but the result
is yet doubtful, as the rot is again prevailing.
At the dinner, Lord Stanley presided, and was sup-
ported by Lord Lilford, J. Ireland Blackburne, Esq.,
M.P., Samuel Taylor, Esq.. J. Foster, Juu., Esq.,
Foster, Esq., Richard Earle, Esq., Robert Neilson,
Esq., J. S. Leigh, Esq., J. N. Shaw, Esq., Bartholomew
Bretherton, Esq.
In proposing prosperity to the Liverpool Agricultural
Society, the Chairman recommended an union between
that and the Manchester Agricultural Association, con-
sidering that such an amalgamation would be beneficial
to both, and tend to extend more widely the benefits de-
rived from each. He4ongratutated the members on the
excellent show of the day, and the improveme-t which
was distinctly visible, and recommended persevering in-
dustry, study and activity in still farther developing the
capabilities of the soil. Much had been done, but much
more still remained to be effected by skill and exertion.
The farmers were to remember that every year produced
300,000 additional mouths to feed, beyond the population
of the preceding year; and it depended on the efforts of
the agriculturists whether these should be fed with the
food produced at home. lie believed himself, not that
the capacities of the soil were infinite, but that they were
infinitely larger than most people imagined ; and that this
country was not only capable of providing for the existing
population, but, with the application of science of pro-
viding for a much larger and increasing population.
Mr. WILSON PATTEN, M.P. in returning thanks
after his health had hem drunk spoke of the great
improvements which these societies bad been the
means of promoting in the county of Lancaster. He
alluded particularly to the Leyland society, in which
district there had been an improvement not sur-.
passed if it were equalled, in the limits even of the
Liverpool Agricultural Association. He agreed with his
noble friend, that it was very desirable to have a large
association in the county, as affording benefits which the
noble lord had described; but, at the same time, those
benefits were conveyed into smaller districts more by the
establishment of small associations than if the larger
bodies were left to spread those benefits, (Hear.)

ZatOt

inDtes.

First A 1 British-built Ship after the Lancashire Witch

For KINGSTON, JAMAICA,
A. The well known Liverpool built A 1 Barque
ALICE,
M. J. AYSIIFOIID, Commander ;
(Well known in the trade;)
Burthen 302 tons; sails remarkably fast, and newly
coppered : will be found-most desirable conveyance for
fine goods and cabin passengers.— Apply to Messrs.
BARTON, IRLAM & HIGGINSON, Or to
IMRIE & TONIUNSON.