The Haslingden Gazette. — 1905-08-26 (Haslingden, Lancashire, England)

JAS. CLAYTON. Late of the Stag Inn, Church.  I hare gworal tones veutilatorl tho opinion that mlre magatratsw are needed in tll,, Church County Itivisiou, but no actir.o has yet been taken it, thit matter. 'rho loos] was often felt Ity litisiness men whose time was wasted at 'Church Polio,. Court in waiting for the reseessary complement of n:agistrams, but since Mr. Haywood and Mr. Wilkin'On died, tie, tie-ti has lot-on,. pres•ing. Proof, if any wen, needed. rd tho absolute near.sity of adding to tho presont nurobor the great unpaid'. was afforded on Thursday, when with only throe charges and toms applications down for hearing, the court was delayed for an hour became, of the tliffiiAlt; in obtaining an arldnional magistrate. At last a telophooic message wm, der• patchod to Mr. Comp°, who had to travel from Claytonln-Moz to. Thor. WOr', five pressmen in ritteridances aml after all this tines had been wasted the cases wet.' disposesi of in a quarter of at hour. The only way to obviats, a repetition of Thurolay's oreurrenor is to submit the names f more local gentlemets to tho Chancellor for ehmtion Sc magistrates.  The action of the Gasworks Committee of the Otwaldtwistle Council in adopting the hire-purchase system with regard to gas stoves will be bailed with ph...um by local housewives. The gas stove has made great advances duLug the past few years, and besides being touch cleaner and quicker, they are wiry economical. Although summer is England, and Lancashiro *specially. is only ephemeral. we do occasionaly have some hot days. and what is more umsurtfortsble than to go home in a melting condition and find that cooking operations are in full swing and the house resembles a furnace? The most impdtant coosideration. however, with regard to tho .ammittee's otation is the int-mowed consumption of gas that will result, and raise. fluently increased revenue. If the system is ex. tea-ively supported in the townahip the committee might be able to again reduce the price ad gas, and the stoves are to ho offered on such easy torso that the acquisition of ono should present no difficulty to even those whose moans are but moderate. Next week local Imusewives will have an opportunity of judging of the utility of the gait stove for themselves, when a number of well-known firms will exhibit their wares in operation. A lady will ' also deliver lectures on the art of rookery. SO that if there aro any wives in the district who are in danger of losing their husband's affertida I should ' advise them to pay a visit to the Town Hall next ' week.  There are secrets in the Oawaldtwistle gasworks which it were tbest though: the public should have no knowledge of. At least, that is the inference to be drawn from a discussion at Monday's meeting of the Council, when Mr. J. Grimshaw wanted to know something about the V. department. It is the custom to appoint two members of the Council every month to visit the gasworks, presentably to rate that everything is working smoothly. The, visitors present their report to the (dasworks Committee, who improve it, and the minutes of the Gas Committee in their turn came up at the Counnil meeting for approval. The Gas Committee. however, de not consist of the whole of the members of the Council, and Mr. Grimshsw, not being a member. objected to being kept in the dark regarding tho visitors' report, which is not printed iI I the minutes. Mr. Hargreaves, the Gasworks Committee chairman, explained that there were more things in Oswaldtwistlo gasworks than were dreamt of in Mr. Grimshaa's philosophy, to paraphrase Shakespeare.  This is not the first time that Mr. Grimshaw has complained of tho vaguenese of the minutes which are presented to the Council every month for approval. Although the members of the Council am elected by the public to spend public money in the public interests, they seem afraid to take the ratepayers into their confidence on matters which are sometimes of groat importance. Although I do not wish to cast mpentions on the honesty of purpose and integrity of the members of the Council. secrecy in regard to the COUlleinn business is almost sure to engender suspicion ar.d distrust in the public mind, even if that secrecy is for the public good.  Last month was a prolific one in Oswaldtwistle no fax as births are concerned, itild reveals estate of affairs not compatible with the suggestion of "mos suicide." In July there was a preponder. mace of 29 births over deaths, and however truth satiafaction may bo ft-It at a birth-rate of 29.58 'there is increased satisfaction in tho fact that the death-rota was no low as 5.75. The SWUM,' months are very trying to infanta. and it is ibiring the hot weather the infantile death-rate IA uittal!y oonsiderably ass-riled, but July was remarkable be the small number of deaths smonvt infants. To preserve this immunity parents should pay stri,t regard to the advice given by the Medical Offcsr in his report. The members of the Catircl to highly gratified with the report. and Mr. I. delivered hint-:elf of that old whores of adverb-1., the town as a health retort. Such a thln7,  bo poc,ible if thmit works from which e'letrint the most offen,ier odours mold be aboli het:. It, I am afmid the air which the inhabitant, tf wahltwistlo seem to thrive upon would pie, much for people of more teithetie Mites. lilact r.s4 need not fear any serious competition Oswaldtwistht  An unfortunate accident occurred cr the '! lilarv.mod Cattle Fair on Monday. an Osiesiib, farm labourer ilxing kicked on the head I hone which knocked him clown and trainp!-• him, inflicting severe injuries. Dr. Patchett called and attended to the man, whose ;woe mauled to be very serious.  T!, annual ohoir oionic in conmetion w  United Methodist Free Church, Starthill, U Iwi•Ale. took place on Saturday, the 19th ii".. Situthpart being the pl., seketed. The gatiy left Churdli station at 1-8 by saloon, arriving at Southport at 3-0 p.m., where a vCry enjoyab:o half. day watt spent. The retunt journey war ewe rocneed at 8-55 p.m.. arriving Leek at 11 o.idoik. A. vote of thanks was given to Mr- Curdiffe, the organist, and also to dm Congregation for their itupyort.