The Cotton Factory Times. — 1901-08-30 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

THBRIL—A good story comes from Tipperary. A man was found gouty of murdering another by hitting him on the bead with a blackthorn. Asked by the judge if be had anything to say why sentence of death should not be passed upon him, answered, .• Well, my lord, all I can say Is, a man with snob a thin skull as that had no bosun at Tipperary nit."  _ An Octogenarian libnplows Celebration at Bury,  . Last week we bad to record the celebration of Colonel Mellor's completion of his fiftieth year commercial life in the cotton trade. This week thte Bury district supplies us with another fine eranapie of a veteran employe'. who has entertained hie workpeople in celebration of the completing of te. eightieth anniversary of his birthday, Mr. sate; Knowles, J.P., of Claremont House, Green tl..ientl near Bury, who has been associated, we with the firm of Messrs. Samuel Knowles and C calico printers, Totttngton and Kirkleee Tottington, for between GO and 70 years, held IN we should consider to be . a unique gathet. jog a his workpeople on Tuesday night. itt tee invitation of Mr. Knowles, nearly 500 workpeophr gathered in the Green Mount Schools, Tottingk on Tuesday evening, to partake of his hospitality' Great care had been taken over the decoration of the lar.m schoolroom, which presented a cheeyfei and attractive appearance, and when the number of workpeople sat down to the excellent which was was laid before them, the scene was me, animated and stirring, remembering the onnseinar Following the tea there was are interesting gather: ine, over which the host of the evening preeiew Amon,/ those present were Mr. Joshua gno4e. and Mr. Robert Knowles, partners in the (which, by the way, has recently been taken nr„, by the Calico Printers' Association) and their sir; Mr. J. Penberthy ; Mr. Forbes, manager of firm's Manchoster branch; Mr. Barker, sal: man; Mr. W. Brown, cashier; Mr. R. Kay and Mr. C. Birtwistle, who have bet, with the firm for over 50 years; tf.t John Rooney, for 47 years; Mrs. Barrows, 47 Ye. ars Mr. S. Kenyon, 45 years; and Mr. James gutt;er. worth, 44 years. A handsome memento of the occasion, which was presented to each of the vett. people present, took the form of a printed foldieg ! card, bearing a photograph of Mr. Samuel Knowles, a reproduction of his residence, and some poetry entitled "Over the Bar," written by Mr. Knowles I himself. In the course of the gathering three pre. sentations were made, two to the oldest workpeopie employed by the firm, by Mr. Knowles, apd one from the employes to the host of the evening. Ti presentation to Mr. R. H. Kay and Mr. Charles Birtwistle consisted of handsomely framed phoh. graphic portraits of the donor, inscribed as follow: —" I hereby certify and acknowledge the long and faithful services of Mr. Robert H. Kay. oho hie been employed at Tottington chiefly as colour mixer during the last 50 years. August 27th, 1901." h the second case the inscription was varied by the name and employment of the recipient. The pre, sentation to Mr. Knowles, which WS3 made re behalf of the workpeople by Mr. R. H. Kay, me. suited of a beautiful silver salver, upon which ws! an inscription in the following terms :—" Presented to Samuel Knowles, Esq., J.P., by the employee at Tottington and Kirklees Mills, on his 80th bin. day, with best wishes."