Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1897-06-25 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

TIM DEFENCE.  In defence the defendant said the Socialists did not desire to be the means of breaking the law. They wished to have a place allowed them by the authorities of Nelson, so that they could have a central place in the town for the purpose of carrying on their propaganda, and they had taken steps to get the authorities to allow them that privilege, but had been refused. To attain this object, they had endeavoured to arouse a certain amount of interest among the people. The ground which they were allowed to use had been made absolutely valueless to them for the purpose for which they intended using it. So far as causing an obstruction, he for one did not see where, in a street like the one he was speaking in the i,revions night, any obstruction was caused. He saw no one obstructed, but, if that was so, why were not the people who were so obstructed called as witnesses? In every town where defendant had gone they had been allowed to use the Marketsquare. There were other bodies in the town who were conducting meetings in the streets on the same night as they, and they had caused as much inconvenience. That particular body, however, had not been brought to book for having broken the law. Denfendant contended that he was not responsible for the crowd, and remarked that the police had always done this much for them, that every time they had interfered with their meetings they had always trebled their audiences. He called as a witness  John William Horsfall, grocer, living at 13, Commercial-road, Nelson, who took the affirmation instead of the ordinary oath, stated that he was in company with the defendant, and he did not see a milk cart stopped by the crowd. The streets were not blocked, and he did not notice anyone who was inconvenienced in passing. He did not see anybody making an effort to elbow their way through. The Chairman said they believed the case had been proved and fined defendant 30s. including costs or 14 days. Defendant: Jam not in a position to pay the fine. Ido not desire to pay it. In reply to the magistrates' clerk, he said that he was not a householder and had no property. Inspector O'Sullivan: I ask for the immediate committal of defendant in default of paying the fine.  Thia request was acceded to, and Jones was removed in cu,tody.  :dary Ann 'Thornton, after flaying been aentencea to fourteen days with Lard labour for having been drunk and disorderly, at the Salford Police Court,on Saturday, shouted, "Now we shan't be lug; only fourteen days." The Stipendiary rather spoilt her satisfaction by reviewing the sentence, and increaning the tern, to a month.  At the Barrow Magistrates' Court, on Saturday, Henry Joy was charged with attempting to commit suicide on the high-level bridge. He wax seen to throw himself in front of a tram engine, and when -got off the line by the conductor and others be flourished a knife, and twice stabbed himself. He was discharged on promisiug to go to his ship. The hay crops on most of the lowlands in Lancashire are likely to he larger than for years. The growth within the last forteight has been extraordinary. Itye grass and clover crops are good on Leavy, but rather light on other soils. Oats are grubbing on light lands, but thick and healthy on heavy lands. Stock generally is healthy, and harvest prospects good. The cutting of hay has begun. Mr. Orchardson, R.A., has accepted from the Royal Agricultural Society of Englund a commission to paint a picture of the Queen, the Prince of Widen, the Duke of York, and Prince Edward of York, the first three of wCom have held the office of president of the society. Tire picture will, when completed, be placed in the Council Chamber of the Royal Agricultural Society, in Hanover Square. In the Cliamery Division, on Saturday,Mr.Justice Rouser granted an injunction, with costs, restraining Clew-len Wakeford, of Gravesend, horn infringing the Incandescent Gas-light Company's gam menthe. His lordship ordered an enquiry as to daniagee, arid alter ordered the defendant forthwith to deliver up to the plandiffs any infringing mantles in Lis poseerriun or 210 Wet,  In our inner pages will be found a full and intensely interesting description of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in London. The weather on Jubilee day was beautifully fine, the pageant in the metropolis was magnificent, the arrangements were perfect, and the whole of the celebrations passed off without a hitch or any accident of any moment. In the provinces the unique event, generally speaking, was similarly cele. bested, excepting a few towns here and there.