British Miner and General Newsman : — 1862-10-04 (London, England)

VIGHT FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP.  THE sporting papers announce that "arrangements have been completed for a fight for the championship," between two fellows whose names we will not mention. The contest is to be for X5OO and the championship, and the fight is to take place towards the end of November. Now cannot the Commissioners of Police put a stop to this ? They know that this brutal and illegal exhibition is to take place ; they know where to find the principals, and their backers, and they can lay traps easily enough in other cases? Why not in this ? Is it because so many wild young aristocrats take delight in this brutal sport? The probability is, the London police will see an immense crowd of scamps go off, early in the morning, and take not the slightest notice of the affair, while the local police will cleverly appear on the ground just as the fight is over. This is the usual result of these disgraceful contests between two human beings, who strive hard to lower themselves to the level of brutes.  MEETING OF OPERATIVES AT SHAWFORTH, NEAR ROCHDALE.—On Tuesday about 1,000 operatives assembled upon a mountainous part of the country, above Shawforth, called Land End, to deliberate on what measures should be adopted to meet the deplorable state of distress now raging in Shawforth. There are about 2,000 persons out of employment in consequence of four mills having ceased to run, and the only relief that has been received by the poor people has been a pittance from the guardians. An operative named William Southwell, was called to the chair, and in his opening remarks said he stood before them as a starving man, and fiaw no prospect of getting relief. They were only allowed is. 6d. a week by the guardians to live upon, and he found it was impossible to keep body and soul together with such a sum. (Hear, hear.) An old woman named Pickles next mounted the cart, and in a melancholy voice said : "Sisters and brothers, I thought I would say a few words, as in reality we are clamming, and very near starved to death. There's five of ins in a family, and we are only getting is. 6d. a head, and we have to buy coal, pay the rent, and pay for our' bagging,' and I don't think it is right to think a body can do it. (Hear, hear.) I think those great men for whom we've worked ought now to try to keep their warkpeople ' from starving, as they'll want us again. As to the gentlemen in the country giving, they'll weary of giving if they don't see our masters giving summat.' " Another old woman named Jane Dearden next addressed the meeting in the same strain, and was followed by two operatives, who related some heartrending cases of disress. However' no resolutions were passed, as it was intimated that the manufacturers were going to hold a meeting on Wednesday to see what they can do.  THE COAL AND IRON TRADES.—There is not much alteration to report with respect to the slate of trade in this district. Both 'branches are still active, and able and willing workmen readily find employ. All the collieries are in full work, and Cardiff can scarcely be supplied with sufficient coal to meet the great demand of the large number of ships now in the port. A slight advance in price has been realised. Newport, Swansea, and other ports are also well supplied with shipping, and large quantities of coal are daily exported. LORD HATHESTON.—Severe illness of lengthened duration has led Lord Hatherton to place his resignation of Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire in the hands of the Premier. His lordship's successor has not yet been appointed. SUICIDE BY A SOLDIER,—A corporal of the 20th Regiment of Foot, named Charles Alder, a confirmed lunatic in the Royal Infirmary, Phcenix Park, Dublin, committed suicide on Tuesday by hanging himself with a piece of tape. 

Article type: Incident