The Cotton Factory Times. — 1887-01-07 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

ANPIESL DINNER.—On Saturday evening the annual gathering of the erectors and other machinists of the Messrs. Asa Lees and Co. took place at the Old Soldier Inn, Huddersfield-road, when a splendid re.  past was supplied and well served, everyone being highly pleased with the dinner. Mr. John Clegg (foreman of the mule department) presided over the post pratulial proceedings, the vice-chair being occupied by Mr. William Taylor (of the cardroom department), and Mr. Bardsley officiating at the piano. The usual loyal toasts having been duly honoured, the Chairman said the prospect of trade was better now than it had been for some time past, although Asa Lees and Co.'s had scarcely felt any bad trade.—(Hear, hear.) He felt sure that their company would get a share of the orders for machinery, and predicted that Oldharn-made machinery would be in greater demand in the future. If they continued to improve their machinery and put down first-class tools at the same rate as formerly, nothing could hold the company back. They put the best material in their machines and worked entirely on the duplicate system, and the design and motion of their machines had not been superseded.—(Hear, hear.) After making the machines, they had to be fixed in the mills, and he felt able to pay their setters-up a well-earned compliment ior their diligence, knowledge of machinery, and skilful workmanship, for which they could not be surpassed. He also felt glad to be able to state there was as little friction between employers and employed at Asa Lees and Co.'s as in any other firm in England.—(Hear. hear.) He proposed "The town and trade of Oldham," which was drank with enthusiasm.—Mr. William Taylor, in response, said that although Oldham was not well situate for its varied manufactures, they had made the best of the position, and become the heed of the spinning trade as well as of machine ' making.—(Hear, hear.) Oldham was also noted for its steam boilers and engines, saw milla, engineering works, sewing machines, and gas meters. Oldham had also two of the largest machine-making establishments in the world, and contained twelve million spindles, besides velvet and grey cloth manufactories. The prospects of the machine trade should be good when they considered that in the United Kingdom alone there were over 47 million spindles, and if they also took into account the machinery at work abroad, they ought to have a good trade in renewals alone in the future.—(Hear, hear.)—On the proposal of the Chairman, " Success to Asa Lees and Co." was heartily drank.—Mr. Taylor, jun., in response, said the firm was not of mushroom growth, as it had been established nearly half a century, and had grown steadily to the foremost position in the textile machinery trade. The succes was due to the finish, design, and durability of their products, and with regard to Continental machiniets, many of them copied their machines. Ma Lees and Co. meant to make it most difficult for them and others to supply as good an article by keeping apace with improvements, and had no need to fear if the managers and men (especially those sent to distant parts, would only work intelligently and honourably for the good of the iirm.—cliear, hear.)—Other toasts followed.  An inquest was held on Wednesday at Fulham on the body of Joseph Williams, who cut his throat on Sunday, after attempting the life of his wife. The jury found that the deceased committed suicide whilst of unsound mind.  The lad Allen, who was attacked on the highway near Stroud on Friday, and robbed of a large sum belonging to his employer, died in the hospital on Tuesday night, having never recovered cousoiousness. Iwo men are in custody.