Alston Herald, and East Cumberland Advertiser. — 1880-01-10 (Alston, Cumbria, England)

TIIOIJSAN'D PERSONS.  . On Monday last, at noon, dinner, consisting of roan beef and plum padding, was served hi 330 of the aged . peer of the town in the Town Hall. In the case of the infirm and bedridden poor, and in other cases where the persons were not able to attend, their dinner was sent to them at their bonnet. The poor are much indebted to W. Taylor, Esq., for this seasonable treat _(inaugurated last year at the auggastion of M Catherall)—that gentleman having, as hon. sec. and treasurer, been most active in raising the necessary funds for successfully carrying it out. It is a pleasing fact, however, that many sabscriptious have been handed over to Mr Taylor voluntarily and unsolicited, and sufficient funds were forthcomire, to induce him. not only to give a dinner of old English fare to the aged poor, but also a tea to the poor children of the. town, which latter was participated in by over aeveu hundred, including Perhaps a hundred women. The dinner was served up shortly after twelve o'clock, Mr Wm. Taylor presiding, while the other gentlemen who assisted in carving, fcc., were—Mx Isaac Baty, Jun., Mr Wm. Alexander, Jun., Mr John Lisle Mr Thos. Pearson, Jun. Mr Jos. Johnson, Mr M. Lisle, Mr J. Catherall, Jun., G. A. Shield, and. Mr , 3. Asmorer Baty (Newcastle.) The old people seemed to enjoy themselves heartily, and in addition to dinner each old woman received a packet Contgiaing two ounces of tea, while the 'old men each received an ounce of tobacco. Tea and tobacco were also sent to those, along with their dinner, who were unable to attend. At the conclusion of the dinner, Mr I. Baty called for three cheers for Mr Taylor, remarking that it was mainly through his kindness and exertions as hon. treasurer to the fund that they were indebted for the excellent dinner that had been placed before them that day.—The cheers having been given in the most hearty fashion, Mr Taylor, in returning thanks for the enthusiastic cheers they had accorded to him, expressed the pleasure it gave him to see such a ' number of smiling faces beiore him, testifying that they had enjoyed the spread. Lie was pleased to tell them that many of the donations had come in spontaneously, although he had not received any donations from the clergy or ministers of any denomination. The dinner, we must not omit is mention, was supplied by fir M. Brown, of the Turf Hotel, and was of a substantial and first-class character, his purveying giving every satisfaction. At half-past four o'clock, tea was served in the same spaeious building to over 700 women and children, about 100 of the recipients being adults. Mr Brown was again the purveyor, and both the tea and its toothsome concomitants were of excellent quality. The tables were gracefully and assiduously attended by the following ladies :—Mrs W. J. Richardson, Mrs W. liedley (Hebburn), Mrs T. Alexander, Mrs Finney (Harbottle), Miss Alexander, Mimes Medley, Miss Spragg,on, Miss Cathensll, HIM Wray, and Miss F. Lishmau. Mr Wm. Taylor, Mr Isaac Baty, Jun., Mr Wm. Alexander, Jun., Mr W. Elliott, Mr T. Pearson, Jan„ Mr Jos. Johnson, and other gentlemen were present. The sight of so way children enjoying the social cap was a most interesting one, and the number was so numerous that the tables were twice filled. -Much praise is due to Messrs Robson and Son, nurserymen, Hall Stile Bank, for kindly embellishing the tables and the hall with a number ot ornamental plants, which gave quite a very pleasing effect to the scene.  At Jarrow, on Monday, an elderly woman, named Jane Jackson, VMS sent to gaol for 14 days for committing a breach of the Vagrant Act by telling fortunes to servant girls by means of tea leaves. John Robson, mason 71. years of age, died suddenly at laorpeth on Saturday morning. On Sunday, a young woman, named Alice Clarkson, committed suicide at Yana, near Stockton, by drowning herself in the Tees. Lieutenant A. J. Bigge, Royal Artillery, has been appointed aide de-camp to Major-Geaeral Sir Evelyn Wood, K.C.8., the commandant of the Chatham district.  On Sunday morning, a dyer named William Wilson, residing in South Street, Durham, committed suicide by cutting his throat from ear to ear. Deceased had for some time been suffering from ill health. A public meeting held in the Court Rouse, Northallerton, on Tuesday, the Right Ron. the Marquis of Ripon and Lord-lieutenant of the County, presiding— approved of the establishment of the. North-Eastern County' School at Barnard Castle, by means of the joint funds of the Flounders Trust and St. John's Hospital: A number of gentlemen in the room promised subscriptions to the trust fund to the amount of £B7O. A lad, named William Bloomer, 13 years of age, living at Quarry Fields, Gateshead, was drowned in the Tyne, near Rillgate Quay, on Sunday. It seems that along with another lad he went to the river to drown a dog, but over- balancing himself while Putting the dog into the water, he fell into the riser and was drowned.