Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1898-04-22 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

KAY.SHUTTLE. WORTH, with most of their family, have "Tent the Easter recem at Gswtborpe. Sir I catnitti paired for Monday and Tuesday, returning on Wednesday to London to resume his Parliamentary duties.  THE jury who tried the prisoner THISTLEIIWAITE, at the Manchester Assizes yesterday, reduced the charge of wilful murder to one of manslaughter, it'd the judge sentenced the prisoner to five years' penal eervitude, the prisoner having thus been most mercifully dealt with. He has undoubted/y taken human life, and the sentence is not a long one. Opinions may and will differ, but those who think it is a comparatively light sentence, must remember that it is one of five years' imprisonment, plus, the horrible anxiety for a time regarding his own jeopardized life, plus, his own upbraiding conscience about depriving hie victim of life, and innocent wife and children of husband, and father, and breadwinner. The crime is one of those that can be forgotten, and however much the prisoner may be relieved by his narrow escape from the gallows, it will be a lemon to him for life.  CHRISTIANS of all denominations, Freediurchmen as much as Episcopalians, will ii oOS over the gratifying circumstance t log the dispute at St. John's Church, Gram Marsden, between the vicar and memo( the I. ading church officials has been amicably settled, and we hope to hear no more about it. Rev. O. A. FRY has acted as we exrted be would act—like a Christian and a gentleman—and consequently • calm has succeeded the storm of last week. Mutual explanations have been entered into, and the icm has unreservedly withdrawn his , objectionable references to his officials, and ' jut. ited them to stand again. The fact that they have allowed themselves to be re-elected &hews that they have accepted their vicar's explanation, and all parties have agreed to bury the hatchet. The protest and outburst of Mr. FRY may therefore now be regarded as a regettable but closed incident. We ebticipated that the parishioners would give the public their side of the question at the adjr trned vestry meeting. but they restrained tht ir natural feelings on that occasion, and chewed admirable patience and fortitude under very tr)ing circumstances. We admire them. and the public will admire them too. They have nothing to regret: on the other hand, the spirit they have 'hewn reveals the high purpose which has throughout dominated their church life and actions. The position they have taken up is full of diguity and strength, and the church will be all the better for such faithful if unpleasant eervioe in a trying hour.  Tits Nelson cricket club .pened the season in senentioasl manner i•t, Saturday, being dismissed by Soli, 'tl for e tnAiguificant total of 20, as agai:.-t 12" Retina by the opposing team. T 1,.. veNott captain was not present, and that may account in part for the defeat, but no less than four of Nelson's most reliable players were dismissed without scoring, two added I each, similar number added 2 each, and Robinson was the highest scorer with b. Though the best side won, there should a thorough investigation into the complete rout of the Nelson men before the second match has a chance of being turned into anything approaching such another disaster.  TUE Brierfield Crbsti Council are evidently in the predicament in which public bodies (and also private persons) often find themselves at the end of a financial year. They have been working with too little money, and find that the debtor and reditor sides of their books do not agree, and they recommend that the rates shall be increased. The amount of the increase has not publicly transpired, but it is hinted privately amongst the councillors that the Council will need another Bd. rate on the year.