The Cost of Beaumont Park (December 1883)

beaumont4

After the formalities of handing over Dungeon Wood for the creation of Beaumont Park in May 1880, work began in earnest on planning and layout out the park, making safe the more dangerous parts of the wood, and constructing the various buildings and facilities.

beaumont4

Initially, a figure of around £5,000 was mooted as the total cost for opening the park. However, as work progressed, the costs kept on rising.

By July 1882, the Borough Accountant had submitted a statement of expenditure stating the sum spent to date was £9,418 11s. 1d.

By January 1884, it was reported at a Town Council meeting that the total costs were now £22,495 8s. 6d., and some Councillors voiced concerns that this was now in excess of £1,000 per acre of land.1

In December 1883, the Huddersfield Chronicle published a breakdown of the cost for the year ending 31 August 1883, as reported in the Borough Fund Account:2

£s.d.
W.J. Dunderdale, Charges, re Plan of Park12125
Tenants’ Compensation0146
Advertising and Cab Hire356
ROADS
Coventry Art Metal Co., Palisading (balance)32336
Manual Labour and Teamwork705115
Stone and Dross84159
Coal, Oil, and Sundries1497
LODGE
Manual Labour and Teamwork355
Stone and Bricks3102
Timber and Joiners’ Work123185
Plumbers’ Work3884
Plasterers’ Work7370
Spoating, £10 15s. 6d. ; Iron Fixtures, &c., £11 3s. 3d.2192
LAYING OUT
Manual Labour and Teamwork5,257102
Timber, Iron, Tools, &c.3231611
Joiners’ and Plumbers’ Work, &c.19123
Stone, Lime, Cement, &c.28802
Pot Pipes, £198 19s. ; Iron Pipes, &c., £17 8s. 7d.21677
Coal, Tar and Oil291710
Plants, £216 2s. 2d. ; Seats, £63 2s.27942
R.L. Lowe, Concreting Lakes (on account)16000
W. Goodwin and Sons, Slaters’ Work at Band Stand (on account)2800
T. Longbottom and Sons, Concreting at Band Stand (on account)7190
£8,197183

In modern terms, this reported annual cost was around £1,000,000.

A separate Chronicle opinion piece gave the total cost of Beaumont Park by 31 August 1883 as £18,328 18s. 11d. They then bemoaned the fact that the land value of Dungeon Wood was likely only £1,500.

Whilst this was indeed a sizable amount of money, they noted that the total expenditure on Greenhead Park so far was £37,338 16s. 6d.

From 1884 onwards, the Beaumont Park Committee came under increasing pressure from the Town Council — particularly Councillor Chrispin — to ensure the park was completed as prudently as possible.

Huddersfield Chronicle (20/Oct/1883) – The Royal Visit to Huddersfield

The following are a selection of articles which appeared in the Saturday edition of the Chronicle, following the royal visit the previous Saturday which was reported in full in the 15 October edition of the newspaper.

The edition also carried details of the masonic meeting which preceeded the royal couple’s departure from Huddersfield.

See also:


The Royal Visit to Huddersfield.

Having been instructed by the Corporation to re-print in pamphlet form the full report of the Royal visit, which had appeared in the Daily Chronicle, we have been urged to print an additional number of copies, which may be obtained at the office, and at the booksellers and newsagents, on and after Tuesday next. The pamphlet makes 60 pages, Is neatly stitched, and will be published at l½d.


THE ROYAL VISIT TO HUDDERSFIELD.

The Mayor of Huddersfield (Alderman J.F. Brigg) has received a further communication, dated the 13th inst., from Mr. R.H. Collins, C.B., Comptroller of the Duke’s Household, of which the following is an extract :—

I am happy to inform you that the Duke and Duchess of Albany are not a bit the worse for their visit to Huddersfield. Indeed, I should rather say that such a healthy and vigorous display of friendliness as you all treated them to cannot fail to have braced them up. The gathering in the Town Hall on Monday morning, and the sight in the town afterwards on the way to the station, were both worth seeing. One feels that one did not half take it all in at the time. The Duke and Duchess are glad to hear that Mr. Norton’s poor man is getting better.

The Mayor wrote a letter to Captain Martin, adjutant for the Yeomanry, thanking him for the excellent and efficient services rendered by the Yeomanry on the occasion of the Royal visit. In reply to this letter Colonel Sir Henry Edwards has written to the Mayor promising to publish the letter in the regimental orders in order that ail the members of the regiment may peruse it. Sir Henry adds :—

Individually, as your visitor, I am immensely gratified with the brilliant result attending the efforts of all parties interested in all the proceedings of those memorable days in which the Freemasons of the Province of West Yorkshire had the good fortune to take no inconsiderable share. Monday was indeed a red letter day in the annals of Yorkshire Freemasonry, never to be forgotten by you, Mr. Mayor, and those, who, like yourself, had the opportunity of taking part in its most interesting ceremonies. And I feel it an exquisite pleasure and privilege to be able to tender my warmest thanks and congratulations on behalf of myself, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Brother Tew, and 3,000 loyal and true masons under my charge in this province to you, dear sir, and the committee for bringing the glorious proceedings of the Royal visit to a successful issue, and, moreover, without a single contretemps. Believe me my dear Mr. Mayor, yours very truly and fraternally,

Henry Edwards.


TO THE EDITOR OF THE HUDDERSFIELD DAILY CHRONICLE.

Town Hall, Huddersfield, 15th October, 1883

Sir,

I beg to hand you for publication a letter which I have just received from the Secretary of His Royal Highness the Duke of Albany, expressing the satisfaction of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess with the reception which they received from the inhabitants of Huddersfield on Saturday last.

The letter was written this morning before their Royal Highnesses had experienced the warm and hearty renewal of that reception which was accorded to them in conjunction with the Ancient and Honourable Order of Freemasons, whose address of welcome was presented to His Royal Highness the Duke in the Town Hail, and who accompanied them to the station on their departure, or I am sure their Royal Highnesses would have added their acknowledgements for a reception as cordial and as loyal as the one of Saturday.

Permit me to add, through your columns, my own cordial and grateful thanks to my fellow-townsmen for the hearty and generous manner with which, one and all, they have responded to my appeal to them as Mayor, to assist and support me in giving a suitable welcome to the Royal visitors ; a welcome which has conferred honour and dignity upon our town, and which will not soon be forgotten.

I am, yours very truly,
John F. Brigg, Esq.,
Mayor of Huddersfield

Whitley Beaumont, Huddersfield, October 15th, 1883.

Dear Mr. Mayor,

The Duke and Duchess of Albany are anxious to join no time in conveying to the people of Huddersfield their hearty thanks for the enthusiastic welcome which they received last Saturday.

Their Royal Highnesses were greatly touched by so genuine and hearty a display of loyalty, and they would be glad if you would take an early opportunity of communicating this expression of their feelings to your fellow townsmen.

The Duke and Duchess wish also to renew their thanks to you and to the Corporation for the pains which you and they took to ensure a successful issue to Saturday’s proceedings.

I remain, dear Mr. Mayor,
Very sincerely yours,
R.H. Collins.


The town of Huddersfield has done much, and is doing much, to earn for itself a high position for enterprise, skill, and industry among the towns of Yorkshire, and this year with the visit of the Social Science Association, with its Technical School and its interesting and striking Exhibition, it has done a great deal to justify the position it is assuming among the industrial centres of the West Riding. But till now it has not been so distinguished for the trouble it has taken to provide the poor with means of recreation as it has been distinguished for its exertions to provide then with the means of intellectual or technical improvement. Today, however, Huddersfield possesses, with its Technical School, a public park which, when completely laid out, will hardly be surpassed in the West Riding, except in the case of Leeds, and Prince Leopold could hardly have closed his visit to Yorkshire more pleasantly or characteristically then in assisting, as he did, with the Princess, in opening a park which will form a fresh and striking ornament to a town which, even without a park, enjoys an almost unique reputation tor the beauty of its situation, its enterprise, its culture, and its picturesque surroundings and associations.
— Yorkshire Post.


Mr. Vincent Hatch had the honour of photographing His Royal Highness the Duke of Albany on Monday morning at Whitley Hall ; also the Duke and Duchess, with other distinguished visitors, in a group. By the kindness of the Mayor he was likewise permitted to photograph the proceedings at the Park on Saturday, also the banquet in the Town Hall, and other ceremonial specialities.


GREAT MASONIC DEMONSTRATION

H.R.H. THE DUKE OF ALBANY AT PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE.

In connection with the visit of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Albany to Yorkshire, the Freemasons of Huddersfield were not wanting In loyalty and enthusiasm to arrange for a meeting of the fraternity in oar town during the sojourn here of the Royal pair, and to induce His Royal Highness the Duke to attend that meeting and receive an address of welcome from the brethren of the town and province. The occasion has proved a happy and popular one. To give the utmost space available for so large an assemblage as was expected, by the kindness of the Mayor and Corporation, the large room In the Town Hall had been improvised as a lodge room, the furniture necessary being supplied by the several lodges of the town. A preliminary lodge was opened at 10 a.m. by brethren from each lodge, the respective offices having been assigned to the happy occupants by arrangements mutually agreed on, viz. :— Brother Rev. P.F.J. Pearce, Harmony, 275, as W.M. ; Brother W.B. Wall, Huddersfield, 290, as B.W. ; Brother W.H. Jessop, Truth, 521, as J.W. ; Brother B. Hutchinson, for Brother Allen Haigh, Thornhill, 1,514, as S.D. ; Brother William Fitton, Albert Edward, 1,783, as J.D. ; Brother William Harrop, P.M., Huddersfield, 290, as I.G.

Upwards of 1,000 brethren availed themselves of the invitation of the Reception Committee, and assembled to do honour to the Queen’s youngest son as such, and also as the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Oxfordshire, which position he ably occupies.

At 10:30 a.m. this preliminary lodge was transformed into a special provincial grand lodge, promptly and loyally summoned by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Henry Edwards, Bart., Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire, and which was attended by a large gathering of provincial and past provincial officers, including Brother T.W. Tew, J.P., Deputy Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire ; Brother J.F. Brigg, Mayor of Huddersfield ; Brother Joshua Marshall, Past Provincial Grand Organist, who ably presided at the organ.

After the customary salutations to the Provincial Grand Master and the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Sir Henry Edwards briefly acknowledged the compliment. He said, though suffering acutely from severe cold, he could not resist this opportunity of thanking his brethren of West Yorkshire for the magnificent gathering of that day, counted not by tens or hundreds, but even into the thousands. Never did he witness such a grand spectacle in his life — (applause) — except once, at the installation of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales in London. Most heartily did he thank the brethren for their welcome and for their assembling in all loyalty to do honour to Prince Leopold on soon an auspicious occasion. (Applause.)

Brother Tew, Deputy Provincial Grand Mister of West Yorkshire, added his thanks to the brethren, and also the masters and brethren of the Huddersfield lodges for their splendid and well-managed gathering. (Applause.)

A deputation, consisting of the Mayor of Huddersfield, the Town Clerk, and the Worshipful Masters of the five Huddersfield lodges, then proceeded to the entrance of the Town Hall, where they met His Royal Highness the Duke of Albany, Provincial Grand Master of Oxfordshire, whom they escorted to the lodge room, and who was graciously received within the portals of the Grand Lodge, by Brother Tew, D.P.G.M., and conducted to the Throne, the brethren joining heartily in singing the National Anthem.

Upon His Royal Highness ascending the throne the P.G.D.C. banded the Duke a beautiful programme, enclosed by folding doors, containing the National Anthem and the Masonic hymn “Hail, Masonry Sublime,” printed in blue, on white satin. The other parts were an arrangement of electric blue looped silk fringe, cream and white satin, crimson plush, white silk tassel, with Masonic emblems embossed in gold. The Duke was much pleased with this elegant article, and afterwards stated that he would give it to the Duchess as a souvenir of his visit. This souvenir was made by Mr. W.H. Cook, stationer, John William Street.

The director of ceremonies, Brother Allen Haigh, then announced that His Royal Highness had graciously consented to receive an address from the Provincial Grand Lodge, and celled upon the brethren to salute His Royal Highness with the grand and Royal honours nine times, which was heartily responded to by every brother present.

Brother Sir H. Edwards, Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire, then read the following address of welcome, and afterwards handed it to His Royal Highness, whose acceptance of the same was the signal for tremendous applause.

To His Royal Highness Prince Leopold George Duncan Albert, Duke of Albany, E.G., K.T., and Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Muter of Oxfordshire of Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons, whom may the Great Architect of the Universe long preserve.

May it please your Royal Highness, we, the Officers past and present of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire, and the Masters, Past Masters, Wardens, Officers, and Brethren of the Lodges of Harmony, No. 275 ; of Huddersfield, No. 290 ; of Truth, No. 521 ; of Thornhill, No. 1,514 ; and of Albert Edward, No. 1,783, of Ancient, Free, and Accepted Masons, beg to express their great delight that you have permitted us to welcome the presence of your Royal Highness this day, and that of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Albany on the 13th Inst., to this seat of manufacturing Industry In the province of West Yorkshire.

We, the Freemasons of the town of Huddersfield, do moat cordially thank your Royal Highnesses for graciously according us this opportunity of offering our respectful homage of loyalty and affection on this, the first occasion in the history of our town, that a member of the Royal Family of England has graciously honoured this town with a visit.

We embrace this opportunity of assuring your Royal Highness of our warm attachment to Her Gracious Majesty the Queen, to yourself, and to Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Albany, and of our steadfast loyalty to the Throne and Constitution of these realms.

We desire to express our unfeigned gratification at your acceptance of office as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the province of Oxfordshire. We have also learned with the highest satisfaction that the 86th festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys in June, 1884, will be under your presidency — a Prince whose talents and abilities are universally recognised and fervently appreciated, and whose services to the craft of which you are such an Illustrious member are so many and varied. We, therefore, acknowledge with pride and gratitude our fraternal attachment to your person, as well as our loyal obedience to you and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, our Most Worshipful Grand Master of Freemasons of England, as recognised heads of our ancient and honourable Institution.

We devoutly pray that your Royal Highness may be long spared to adorn the craft, and that the principles of Brotherly Love, Belief, and Truth may take deep root, not only In the hearts of all Masons, but in the hearts of all men.

Commending your Royal Highness to the protection of the Great Architect of the Universe, we are, in the names of the officers past and present of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire, and of the brethren of the five Masonic Lodges at Huddersfield, your Royal Highness’ most devoted and faithful servants,

Henry Edwards, Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire.
Thomas W. Taw, Deputy Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire, and Senior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of England,
Percy F.J. Pearce, W.M. Harmony, No. 275.
Wm. B. Wall, W.M., Huddersfield, No. 290 ;
Wm. H. Jessop, W.M., Truth, No. 521 ;
Allan Haigh. W.M., Thornhill, No. 1,514 ;
Wm. Fitton, W.M., Albert Edward, No. 1,783.

Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire, Town Hall, Huddersfield, October 15th, A.L. 1883.

His Royal Highness, on rising to reply, was vociferously cheered, and on its subsidence said :—

Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of West York-shire, Worshipful Deputy-Provincial Grand Master, Provincial and Past Provincial Grand Officers, and Worshipful Masters and Brethren of the five Huddersfield lodges, I thank you most heartily for the fraternal greeting and generous words of welcome from so important a body of Masons as those of West Yorkshire, which cannot bat be gratifying to me. I beg most heartily to reciprocate the kindly feeling both on my own behalf and on behalf of the province over which I have the honour to preside. (Cheers.) It will be long before the Duchess of Albany and I forget the enthusiastic welcome which the people of Huddersfield gave as on Saturday. (Applause.) This spontaneous outcome of the Masons of West Yorkshire tells of your vitality and loyalty. I thank you for your expressions of loyalty to the Queen, the Throne, and to the Constitution. (Applause.) With Masons loyalty is a cherished rule — (hear, hear) — nor are the bonds of that rule likely to be weakened under the guide of our Most Worshipful Grand Master. (Load cheers.) Right Worshipful sir, I again thank you from the bottom of my heart for your right loyal welcome. (Loud cheers.)

At the close of the applause, Sir Henry Edwards rose and said :—

May it please your Royal Highness, in the name of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Yorkshire, over which I have the honour to preside, I have no hesitation in thanking you from the bottom of my heart for having so graciously accepted our address this day. (Hear, hear.) I assure your Royal Highness there are no more loyal set of people in the whole earth than the Masonic body of West Yorkshire. (Load applause.) Proverbially they have been so for generations, and for generations I have no doubt they will long continue to be. (Cheers.) One word to the brethren. I am sure they will excuse me speaking at length today, having pledged His Royal Highness that nothing should take place to prevent his starting homeward at his agreed time. All will therefore wrist me in carrying out the arrangements to the very letter. (Applause.)

As His Royal Highness retired from the Lodge room the brethren joined in singing a Masonic hymn, alter which the brethren left the room and formed in procession in Ramsden Street, and to full Masonic costume escorted the Duke and Duchess (the latter having arrived at the Town Hall daring the Masonic proceedings, and awaited the Duke in the Mayor’s parlour) to the Railway Station, where they were met by Mr. G.J. Armytage, director, and Mr. Normington, district superintendent of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company, who accompanied the Royal pair.

The brethren then returned to the Town Hall, and on resuming his position, Sir Henry Edwards congratulated the brethren on the success of the day’s proceedings. It had done credit to the craft and the country, and has passed off without the slightest hitch of any kind. At no meeting could greater enthusiasm have been shown, and he was sure they would be proud to hear the name of “Yorkshireman” after the day’s festivities.

Brother Tew thanked all again for their hearty and sympathetic support and assistance, and, though not an easy matter to arrange all the detail of such a day, yet nothing had arisen to mar the proceedings in the slightest degree. Brother Tew concluded by thanking the Mayor and Corporation and chief of police, Brother Ward, in the name of the Provincial Grand Lodge, for their assistance. (Applause)

Brother J. F. Brigg, Mayor of Huddersfield, briefly expressed his acknowledgments on behalf of the Corporation. No time, effort, or expense had been spared to make the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Albany worthy of the town, and he thought the splendid gathering of West Yorkshire Masons of that day at the conclusion of their visit had crowned the occasion with much glory. (Cheers.) He assured the Provincial Grand Lodge that it he had any influence with the Corporation at any other time they might require the Town Hall he would endeavour to obtain it for them. (Applause.)

After votes of thanks to the W.M.’s of the five Huddersfield lodges the proceedings closed.

Sir Henry Edwards, Provincial Grand Master, entertained their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Albany, the Hon. Mrs. Bourke, Mr. H.F. Beaumont and Mrs. H.F. Beaumont, Captain Percival, the Mayor (Alderman Brigg), and Mr. Tew, D.P.G.M., at luncheon in the committee room adjoining the Mayor’s Parlour.

The weather was glorious indeed, the sun shining with much warmth and brilliancy, and the enthusiasm of the crowds who lined the streets was great and general, every window and space along the route being crowded.


The demonstration on Monday even surpassed that of Saturday, not only in the magnificent sight presented by the Masonic procession, but also in the hearty and enthusiastic reception accorded to our Royal visitors. On the route from Whitley Beaumont to the Town Hall large crowds gathered and cheered His Royal Highness. About mid-day the Duchess arrived, and received a loyal welcome. The procession from the Town Hall to the station was very effective. The appearance of the Freemasons in their regalia was exceedingly fine, and the whole Masonic demonstration was a great success. The streets were crowded with people, who now recognised their Royal Highnesses, and vociferously applauded them along the entire route. At the railway station Miss E. Barber, daughter of Mr. E. Barber, of Holmebridge, near Holmfirth, presented the Duchess with a bouquet of white flowers. It appears that Miss Barber was formerly at school at Waldeck-Pyrmont, and while there the Duke and Duchess paid a visit to the school. Although admission to the station was by ticket, large numbers of people had managed to secure admittance, and the task of keeping a clear space was sufficiently difficult to tax all the powers of the police on duty there. The crowd was a good humoured one, but would not be denied the chance of showing their loyally to so distinguished a Prince. They pressed forward, and after the Duke and his suite had taken their seats, they broke through the line of police, and crowded right up to the carriage door. Numbers of people had gathered on the metals, and some of them stood even on the buffers between the carriages, so anxious were they to obtain a view of Royalty. Loud, long, and hearty was the cheering as the train steamed out of the station, and everyone appeared to be pleased that they had succeeded in doing their part towards making the reception such as few towns can equal and none surpass. From the time their Royal Highnesses first came to the moment of their departure the enthusiasm of the people appeared to grow, until it culminated in the imposing demonstration of Monday. The train, which was a special to Sheffield, consisted of engine and tender, four coupled carriages, and a saloon. It was in charge of Mr. G.J. Armytage, Clifton, director of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company ; Mr. Thomas Normington, district superintendent, Wakefield ; and Mr. Wright, locomotive superintendent of the same company.

His Worship the Mayor (Brother J.F. Brigg) afterwards entertained Brother Sir Henry Edwards, Bart., P.G.M. ; the Deputy Provincial Grand Master (Brother Tew), Brother Wright Mellor, J.P., P.M. ; Brother Booth, P.P.G.W. ; Brother the Mayor of Pontefract, Brother J. Bailey, Town Clerk, P.G.W. ; Brother Lieutenant-Colonel Day, P.G.W. ; Brother J Bottomley, P.P.G., Registrar ; Brother Allen Haigh, G.D.C., to luncheon in his reception room.

It is estimated that 1,200 Masons were present at the presentation of the address, comprising representatives of Masonry from all parts of the kingdom.

We understand that the Duke and Duchess expressed their greatest pleasure at the reception which had been accorded them, and their delight at their charming visit to Huddersfield.

The Times (15/Oct/1883) – Royal Visit To Huddersfield

The following account of the opening of Beaumont Park was OCR’d from the original Times article and may contain small errors (please leave a comment if you spot any!)

See also:


ROYAL VISIT TO HUDDERSFIELD.

On Saturday, their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Albany arrived at Huddersfield from Otley, for the purpose of paying a visit to the Huddersfield Fine Art and Industrial Exhibition, and opening Beaumont Park. Preparations were made to give their Royal Highnesses a loyal and hearty welcome. The Corporation granted £1,000 out of the corporate funds for decorations, and the inhabitants generally joined in the effort to make the visit an event worthy of the town. At the end of Boston Road an effectively arranged Norman arch, with tower and keep, was erected, and the public buildings, warehouses, and offices along the line of route taken by the Duke and Duchess were gaily decorated ; in fact, there was evidently a desire, on the occasion of this first visit of any of the members of the Royal family to Huddersfield, to show that the town was thoroughly loyal. Fortunately, the weather was fine in the early part of the day, and thousands of persons wended their way into the town, and with the inhabitants of the borough, crowded the streets through which their Royal Highnesses would pass. The first part of the proceedings consisted of the assembly of the guard of honour, consisting of Colonel Freeman, Captain Batley, two lieutenants, five sergeants, and 100 rank and file of the M Battalion West Riding (Huddersfield) Regiment of Volunteers ; and about the same time a procession of the members of the Borough Council was formed and proceeded to the Huddersfield Railway Station where Mr. Henry Frederick Beaumont, D.L., J.P., of Whitley Beaumont, and the visitors who are staying at Whitley Beaumont had already assembled

At 10:36 precisely, the special Midland train with the Duke and Duchess and their suite, consisting of the Hon. Mrs. Bourke, Captain Perceval, and Mr. R.H. Collins, C.B., drew up alongside the platform, and the volunteer band played the National Anthem.

On the Duke and Duchess alighting from the train, they were received by the Mayor of Huddersfield (Alderman Brigg), and Mrs. Brigg presented a bouquet to the Duchess. Proceeding to the first-class refreshment room, their Royal Highnesses took up a position on a dais, which had been provided for the purpose. The Mayor of Huddersfield then expressed the gratification of the Corporation and the whole community at being honoured with a visit from their Royal Highnesses, and the Council in order to place on permanent record the expression of their loyalty and goodwill to the Royal house on this occasion had adopted an address of welcome which he hoped they would be pleased to accept.

Mr. J. Batley, the Town Clerk, presented an illuminated address on vellum, in the course of which, having warmly welcomed the Duke and Duchess, the Corporation said they desired to give expression to their grateful recognition of the warm interest which was taken by Her Majesty and the Royal family in the prosperity and welfare of the great industries of the country, in the first rank of which is the woollen doth manufacture, of which Huddersfield is the centre and chief seat.

The Duke of Albany read the following reply:—

Mr. Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the Borough of Huddersfield, on the Duchess of Albany’s and on my own behalf I beg to thank both you and the inhabitants of Huddersfield for the kind terms of your address. I thank you also for your expressions of loyally to the Queen, and I can assure you that such tokens of attachment on the part of Her Majesty’s subjects are highly valued by her. (Cheers.) Both the Duchess and I have looked forward with interest to visiting your town, for we are aware that it has won for itself a high reputation among the many important manufacturing centres in this part of England. (Cheers.) It will afford us great pleasure to visit the Technical School and the Industrial and Fine Arts Exhibition. (Cheers.) Such undertakings as these furnish sufficient proof of the vitality of the industries of Huddersfield, and of the determination of her leading citizens to neglect no legitimate means of raising the standard of taste and knowledge among all classes of their fellow-townsmen. (Cheers.) With no less gratification shall we assist at the ceremony of opening the park, the site of which has been so generously presented to you by Mr. Henry Beaumont. (Cheers.) The Duchess of Albany joins with me in the hope that the town of Huddersfield may continue to enjoy in the future that prosperity which has attended it for so many years. (Cheers.)

Shortly afterwards the Duke and Duchess, and the Mayor and Mayoress took their seats in the Mayor’s carriage, preceded and followed by a field officer’s escort of the Yeomanry Cavalry, under the command of Sir Henry Edwards. As soon as the carriage emerged from the covered way in front of the station and their Royal Highnesses were recognized the cheering became enthusiastic. The procession moved from St. George’s Square along John William Street, New Street, King Street, and Queen Street, which were all strongly barricaded and the traffic stopped during the Royal progress. Large crowds filled the spaces behind the barricades, and gave the Duke and Duchess a cordial greeting. At the building of the Fine Art and Industrial Exhibition a halt was made, and at the main entrance the Royal party was received by Colonel Brook, the president of the Huddersfield Technical School and Mechanics’ Institute, who said that though it was not the opening of the exhibition it was the opening of what he hoped would be a great work of education. The late Prince Consort had been so much interested in the report of the proceedings of the Mechanics’ Institute that he made them a handsome contribution. It was on that account that he felt the particular suitability of his Royal Highness being present on that occasion to visit the exhibition in connexion with that institution.

The Mayors of several towns, Mr. Horton (chairman the Clothworkers’ Company), Sir Charles W. Sykes (the hon. treasurer of the Mechanics’ Institute), the chairmen of the different departmental committees, the Bishop of Huron, Mr. E. A. Leatham, M.P., Sir George Armitage, of Kirklees, and others, were presented to the Duke. Then commenced the tour of inspection through the buildings, and the Duke’s attention was drawn to the collection of Huddersfield goods, Ruskin’s agates, the water-colour drawings, the collection of oil paintings, and the machinery, with which he seemed particularly pleased. On the way from the exhibition a halt was again made in Ramsden Street, where a children’s choir, conducted by Mr. D.W. Evans, sang a number of selections of pieces, including “The Minstrel Boy” and the National Anthem. The Royal party then proceeded to the Town Hall, where they alighted, and were conducted to the Mayor’s Room preparatory to the luncheon. This took place in the large hall, and was given by the Mayor in honour of his distinguished visitors. The hall had been appropriately decorated, and a special band and chorus occupied the orchestra. The Mayor of Huddersfield occupied the chair, having on his right the Duke of Albany and on his left the Duchess, and the other guests at the principal table included the Earl and Countess of Wharncliffe, Sir G. Wombwell, Mr. H.F. Beaumont. D.L., who was formerly one of the members for the southern division of the West Riding, Sir J.P. Lester Haye, Lady Radcliffe, Sir H. Edwards, Hon. Mrs. Milnes, Captain Perceval, the Hon. Mrs. Bourke, Hon. R. Milnes, Lady Julia Wombwell, Sir J.P.P. Radcliffe, Lady Lester Have, Mr. E.A. Leatham. M.P., Major-General Cameron, and others. The balcony and gallery were fully occupied by spectators admitted by special ticket. The decorations in the hall were exceedingly effective.

The Mayor proposed the “Health of the Queen,” and said he need not assure their Royal Highnesses of the loyalty of the people of Huddersfield, for they had had that day ample evidence that the hearts of the people were in the right place, and that they loved the Royal Family.

The National Anthem was then sung by the special chorus, with organ accompaniment, the company taking part in the performance.

The Mayor proposed “The Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Albany, and the rest of the Royal Family,” and it was enthusiastically honoured, the audience and chorus singing “God Bless the Prince of Wales.”.

The Duke of Albany, on rising, was greeted with loud and long-continued cheering. He said :—

Mr. Mayor, my lords, ladies, and gentlemen, I beg to return you my most sincere thanks for the kind terms in which, you, Mr. Mayor, have proposed the health of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the other members of the Royal Family, and I thank the company present for the warm reception that they have given to the toast. If I may be allowed to speak on behalf of my brothers as well as myself, I would simply say that we are alike animated by a desire to promote the best interests of our country (cheers), and we are always ready to join, as often as it is possible for us to do so, in any enterprise which has this object in view. (Cheers.) I can assure you, too, that such a welcome as the Duchess of Albany and I have received this morning at the hands of the people of Huddersfield forms a reward, the value of which it is impossible to overestimate. (Loud cheers.) For the kind allusions, Mr. Mayor, you have made to mo personally I can but feel very grateful. Upon this, too, I may congratulate myself, that the Duchess and I have been enabled now to accept your twice-repeated invitation. (Cheers.) While I thus personally express, both to you, Mr. Mayor, and also to those who so kindly joined with you in inviting me here, the great regret which I feel at being unable to be present at the opening of the Fine Art and Industrial Exhibition, the enthusiasm attending that ceremony — which was so ably performed by the Duke of Somerset, and the remembrance of which, I feel sure, will linger in the memories of the inhabitants of Huddersfield — fairly demonstrates the importance of the occasion (Cheers.) It must not, however, be supposed by those who may be unacquainted with the high position Huddersfield occupies in connexion with the great woollen Industries that she is now for the first time awakened to a sense of the importance of affording high-class instruction to her labourers and artisans. I have been deeply interested to learn that so long ago as the year 1855 my father’s attention was drawn to the existence here of a mechanics’ institute, and that he was so struck by its merits that he voluntarily sent a contribution in aid of its funds. The new technical school may be described as a development of this institution (hear, hear), and the continued success of the one is a sufficient guarantee that the people of Huddersfield will not be slow to avail themselves of further improvements in the machinery of education. (Cheers.) It has been well said that if we must succeed we must struggle, nor is it any longer doubtful, as each succeeding year rolls by, that the area is increasing in which the struggle for success in industrial arts is carried on. As a consequence also, this widening of the area of competition, the conditions of the conflict have become entirely changed, and weapons once formerly used have become useless, and have fallen out of date. No sooner was this fact recognized in this country than a widespread demand arose, for technical education, and of such character as might enable the British workman to compete successfully with his foreign rivals. (Loud cheers.) This call was worthily responded to, and individuals whose scientific studies and whose natural gifts of intellect fitted them for being the organizers of, and teachers in the new technical schools came forward to offer their valuable services, while, too, many of the ancient guilds and city companies throughout the land — as, for example, the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers (cheers) — have hastened to acknowledge that for such purposes as this a most legitimate demand might be made upon the large funds at their disposal. (Cheers.) We may say this, that owing to such enterprises as the Huddersfield Mechanics’ Institution and the new technical school, we need no longer fear being told that though the English can produce manufactures for the masses it is only on the Continent that the more delicate and decorative of work can be produced. (Cheers.) Before leaving this subject I should like to congratulate those who have originated and brought to a successful issue the scheme of a Fine Arts and Industrial Exhibition. The Duchess and I have been greatly interested by our visit to the exhibition this morning, and I am convinced that such displays cannot but be beneficial to all such as prepare them. I strongly advise all who are interested in the trade and in the prosperity of Huddersfield, and who have not already visited the exhibition, to go there at once, and make a careful examination of what they will find (Cheers.) There is no doubt much pleasure and profit to be derived from the technical study of the arts and sciences, and it would not be easy to overrate the advantages, particularly to men whose minds have been to a certain extent instructed in those matters, of seeing with their own eyes the practical development of the principles and theories which may have been taught in the lecture-room. I understand that the hope has been expressed in influential quarters that the space now occupied by the machinery shed of the exhibition may be made here after, available as a permanent Natural History and Industrial Museum. It is impossible not to sympathize with such an object, and one cannot but honour those who are ready with their material help to farther this scheme. But of course it is one which will require the serious and careful consideration of those who will be hereafter responsible for the maintenance of the museum in a manner not unworthy of this town. (Hear, hear.) Ladies and gentlemen, before I sit down I wish to acquit myself of a duty which has been entrusted to me, and which I need not say I have accepted with the greatest pleasure — it is to propose the health of the Mayor and Corporation of the Borough of Huddersfield. I shall not attempt in the Mayor’s presence to give utterance to all those flattering references which I heard made to him, but I should be ungrateful indeed if I did not express on the Duchess’s behalf, and on my own, a warm appreciation of all the pains he has been at to enhance the pleasure and comfort of our visit here today. Indeed I can conceive of few positions which, a man may be more justly proud than that which Alderman Brigg now occupies. A Huddersfield man born and bred (cheers) he has, by his own honourable exertions, placed himself in such a position that he has been able, to stand godfather, I might almost say, to all the public and philanthropic enterprises in this noble town and he has so endeared himself to his fellow citizens that he has been called upon three times to hold the responsible office which he now so worthily fills. (Cheers.) Ladies and gentlemen, I give you “The Health of the Mayor and Corporation of the Borough of Huddersfield.” (Loud cheers).

The toast having been duly honoured, The Mayor of Huddersfield briefly replied and said he hoped they had not failed in their endeavours to make Huddersfield worthy of a visit by Royalty.

Colonel Brooke proposed “The Houses of Parliament,” and said that those Houses, while they ruled us, at the same time served us and performed for us services for which we could never be sufficiently grateful.

The Earl of Wharncliffe, in reply, said the House of Lords was not to blame for all the delay with which the Legislative body as a whole was changed, because it was not that House which decided when measures should be brought up.

Mr. E.A. Leatham, M.P., also responded, and said he believed that the House of Commons, in spite of the efforts of some mal-contents within its walls, still enjoyed the entire confidence of the people, not perhaps less because of late it had had to represent not only the constituencies, but, in the presence Of hidden danger, some of their British pluck as well. With regard to the event of the day, he said they sometimes heard of one political party claiming for itself the possession of a peculiar loyalty, but he fought he might, speaking from a long experience, say, that Huddersfield at all events, in loyalty to the throne of England, and devotion to the Royal Family, knew no party and feared no foe. (Cheers.)

Without proposing a formal toast the Mayor referred to the spontaneity with which Mr. H.F. Beaumont had given to Huddersfield a site for a public park, which she town had now partially formed, and in reply, Mr. Beaumont said he had long been of opinion that property had its duties as well as its privileges, but the question had been with him, what were the duties? Of this he was certain, that it was not the duty of a landlord to live for himself alone, but to the best of his ability to promote the interests of those around him. (Cheers.) That had been the desire which had animated him in giving to the town the site of a park, where the people might have the opportunity of breathing a pure atmosphere, and of enjoying the pleasures which the natural beauty of the situation afforded.

The proceedings at the luncheon then terminated.

While luncheon was in progress, a procession was being formed of the trades societies, ancient orders, temperance societies, and trade exhibits, together with members of the Town Council and the various public bodies and the general public, and about 3 o’clock it moved off from the Town Hall, along Buxton Road, Chapel Hill, and the suburbs to Beaumont Park, the site of which Mr. Beaumont has given. The site is 21 acres in extent, and under the care of Mr. R.S. Dugdale, C.E., the borough engineer, it has been admirably laid out with a large lake, a smaller lake, grottoes, and ornamental walks. The works so far have cost the sum of £20,000, but as the park is only about half completed a considerable sum will yet have to be spent upon it. On arriving at the principal entrance gate the Duke of Albany was presented with a gold key, manufactured by Messrs. Barnett and Scott, of Hull, and the Royal party were conducted by the Mayor to the other end of the park, near which a tent had been erected. The decorations here, it may be remarked, were very effective.

The Duke of Albany then spoke as follows :—

Ladies, and gentlemen, in the cordial address of welcome which awaited us on our arrival at Huddersfield this morning the Mayor called attention to the fact that one — and I may almost say the principal — object of our visit here was to open and formally hand over to the people of Huddersfield the park m which we are now assembled. I rejoice to find that I shall perform this pleasing duty in the presence of so many thousands of the inhabitants of this populous town (cheers), and that Huddersfield testifies to-day in a most unmistakeable manner both to her appreciation of the gift which is about to be bestowed upon her and to her gratitude towards the generous donor. (Hear, hear.) I will venture to say, ladies and gentlemen, that there is scarcely a person among this vast assemblage who does not at this moment envy the feelings which must arise in the mind of Mr. Beaumont. For to him has been given not only a generous inclination to devise schemes for adding to the sum of human happiness, coupled with the power of giving a practical effect to such philanthropic desires, but he has also been granted the supreme pleasure of witnessing with his own eyes the realization of his projects. (Loud cheers.) There are many ways which those who have the means at their disposal may select for the purpose of improving and brightening the lot of their fellow-creatures ; and Englishmen can point with just pride to a long list of names which will be inseparably bound up with the monuments, more durable than brass, of a wise and patriotic generosity. Conspicuous among those names will always be that of one whom Yorkshiremen will not readily forget that of my friend the late Mr. Mark Firth. (Cheers.) I well remember, after performing the ceremony of opening the college which he founded, driving with him through the park which had been presented by him to the town of Sheffield, and I could readily enter into the high and complete pleasure with which he regarded the scene around him. Such pleasures as this are in store for Mr. Beaumont and his successors. (Cheers.) I need not attempt to describe them to him or to you, for in the accounts I have been reading of the ceremony which took place here three years ago, when Mr. Beaumont cut the first sod of the future park, Mr. Beaumont most graphically contrasted the lot of those for whom there was no escape from the crowded town with that of those more fortunate beings to whom the pure pleasures of fresh air and natural scenery, boons so priceless to the inhabitants of manufacturing towns, were not denied. (Hear, hear.) In a recent speech of my brother-in-law, the Governor-General of Canada, on the occasion of a visit to those distant parts of the Dominion which are now becoming so rapidly populated, he strongly recommended the fencing off of large open spaces to serve as recreation grounds as a preliminary step on the formation of new townships. In this manner not only is that spot appropriated which is marked out for the purpose by its natural advantages, but its position is secured near the centre of a town where it will do easily accessible to these for whose use it is intended. (Cheers.) It is needless to say that the time has long gone by when such spots can be obtained in the large towns in this country. But the slight disadvantages arising from a park being a little distance from the town, as Beaumont Park is, for example, can easily be minimized, or in some cases even turned to good account. They can be minimized by the neighbouring railway companies running lines to the park and planting stations in its vicinity, and this, I sincerely hope, will soon be done here — a mutual benefit both to the railway companies and to those who will use the railway. (Hear, hear) Or, on the other band, where there is available building land in the vicinity of the park, improved workmen’s dwellings can be erected on it. This latter plan has been adopted with great benefit to the working classes, and has been stamped with the approval of Lord Shaftesbury, one group of buildings having been erected at the park which bears his honoured name. Before formally declaring the park open, I would ask leave to congratulate Mr. Dugdale on the taste and skill with which he has adapted the natural beauties of the situation to the purposes to which the ground is henceforth to be devoted ; and, finally, I will call upon all here present to join with me in wishing Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont many years of life and health that they may be enabled to witness, in the increased health and prosperity of the town of Huddersfield, the fruits of their good deed. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Mayor, I now beg to declare this park open to the people of Huddersfield. (Loud cheering.)

Mr. H.F. Beaumont, the donor of the park, at the request of the Mayor, gave an address, and was heartily received. He expressed his regret that the park was not in the centre of the town, and that he had not 1,000 acres from which he might have given the people 50 instead of a paltry 21. However, such as he had he gave to them, and he hoped that those who entered the park in the future would never have cause to regret it or think otherwise than pleasantly of its donor.

Mr. Alderman Walker, who was Mayor when the first sod was turned by Mrs. Beaumont, and Mr. Alderman R. Hurst, the chairman of the Park Committee, gave congratulatory addresses.

The Royal visitors and party then proceeded to another portion of the park, where the Mayor presented a silver spade to the Duchess, who performed the interesting ceremony of planting a sycamore tree.

The Mayor having thanked her Royal Highness, the proceedings terminated. The carriages were re-entered, the procession re-formed, and returned by another route to Huddersfield. From the square the Royal party, with Mr. Beaumont and family and guests, and escorted by the Yeomanry Cavalry, drove to Whitley Beaumont, where a dinner party was given, and a reception held in the evening.

Some of the public buildings, the triumphal arch, and several private establishments in the town were brilliantly illuminated in the evening.

Yesterday morning, the Duke of Albany, accompanied by his suite and the members of the family of Mr. Beaumont at Whitley Beaumont, and the visitors at the house, attended Divine service at Kirkheaton Church, one of the oldest churches in the district, and occupied the Beaumont chapel. The church was filled, but not inconveniently so, and outside a large crowd had collected to view the arrival and departure of the Prince. The vicar, the Rev. R.S. Maddox, preached. Sunday though it was, the crowd outside the church heartily cheered his Royal Highness on his departure.


The Times (15.Oct.1883) - Royal Visit To Huddersfield

Huddersfield Chronicle (15/Oct/1883) – The Royal Visit to Huddersfield

The following account of the opening of Beaumont Park was OCR’d from the original Huddersfield Chronicle article and may contain small errors (please leave a comment if you spot any!)

This article is notable for the level of detail given to descriptions of the decorations and of the procession, as well as reporting the various speeches which took place during the day.

The Chronicle‘s coverage of the event was also reproduced as a 60-page pamphlet, “neatly stitched” and cost 1½ old pennies.1

See also:


That Saturday was a red-letter day in the history of Huddersfield will be admitted by all who witnessed the proceedings in connection with the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Albany. Not only were the elements propitious, but everything combined to render the events of the day as successful as possible. The programme drawn up for the occasion was carefully adhered to, and from first to last the Royal visit was attended with the most satisfactory results. Considering the fact that members of the Royal Family are not in the habit of frequently appearing in this part of Yorkshire, and that their visits, like those of the angels, are few and far between, it was naturally to be expected that a large concourse of people would flock to the town for the purpose of gratifying their eyes with a sight of the Prince who has so endeared himself to the hearts of the nation by reason of his excellent qualities and genuine abilities. But the many thousands who thronged the streets far exceeded the expectations of many who had scarcely looked forward to so general a display of enthusiasm. That the Duke and Duchess of Albany cannot fail to have been struck with the hearty reception they experienced is a matter of certainty Nor could they have been less impressed with the appearance of the town itself. From every building along the main route floated in the breeze a countless array of variously designed flags, while ingeniously arranged mottoes and emblems met their gaze at almost every step Triumphal arches, profusely bedecked, added to the general appearance, while the dense crowds which lined the roadways were as well ordered and respectful as any English assembly could possibly be. The people of Huddersfield are very justly proud of their Exhibition, and they also look upon the new Park with a certain amount of pleasurable anticipation. Although it is almost too late in the season for the inhabitants to be expected to patronise the Park in any great numbers, and only the usually hardy will shortly be found making their way to the high ground which commands so extensive a view, still when the winter has passed and the approach of springtime invites the lovers of the beautiful to resort to the prettily laid out grounds situate at so easy a distance from the town, and the heat of summer induces the inhabitants to seek the pleasant breezes which blow over the Park, they will more fully appreciate the advantages which has been placed at their disposal. Nor is the new Park likely to lose in the point of attraction by the fact that it has been formerly opened by a Prince. As a man of refined culture, and with intellectual qualities far above the average, the Duke of Albany fulfilled a congenial duty when he performed the task of declaring the Park open to the public. He is able fully to appreciate the growing demand for breathing spaces in and around our manufacturing towns, and he is as thoroughly aware of the importance of throwing open such spots as Beaumont Park in the interests of health. Scientists of every class are continually seeking to impress upon the people the great importance which attaches to a rigid regard for sanitary observances, and above all the imperative necessity existing for a proper supply of pure and wholesome air. But if the working classes are crowded up in confined workshops, or are condemned all the week to breathe a poisonous atmosphere, it becomes more than ever a necessity that places should be provided for their use and enjoyment within a reasonable distance of their homes to which they may resort in their hours of leisure, and where they may revel in the enjoyment of those natural beauties which are so necessary to wearied spirits and jaded bodies. Such a place is the Park which was opened on Saturday by the Duke and Duchess of Albany amid 30 general a display of public rejoicing. The event which has just taken place has been looked forward to for a considerable period. The work of necessary ornamentation and arrangement has appeared to have progressed but slowly to those who were anxious to witness the completion of the undertaking, but now that the opening of the new Park is an accomplished fact, it will well repay the trouble of a visit, while it reflects high credit upon those who have been entrusted with the work of beautification. The tree planted by Her Royal Highness will also be justly treasured as a souvenir of the occasion, and its gradual growth will form a subject of deep interest to many of the inhabitants who were fortunate enough to witness the interesting ceremony. It is scarcely likely that Prince Leopold will take his leave of Huddersfield without being impressed to a considerable extent with the general characteristics of the town and neighbourhood. As one of the chief commercial and manufacturing centres of the United Kingdom, Huddersfield has experienced a rapid growth and an unusual amount of prosperity. A mere glance at the surrounding mills and warehouses will have assured the Prince that the town is one of no common character. The palatial buildings which met his eye upon every side when he emerged from the railway station into St. George’s Square cannot but have given him cause for admiration, while the abundant tokens of welcome which greeted him at every step cannot but have reminded him of Metropolitan welcomes, which, although perhaps upon a somewhat larger scale, were in no whit more hearty or enthusiastic. Their Royal Highnesses will, therefore, carry away with them to-day pleasant memories of a town which is rapidly increasing in size and importance, and which has evinced its unmistakable loyalty of feeling and individual expression of respect for one of the moat intellectual and popular of Princes. The Royal visit will serve in more respects than one to raise Huddersfield in the social scale and increase its reputation. The events of the present year have brought the town into unusual prominence, and the Exhibition, the Social Science Congress, and last, but far from least, the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Albany have caused it to rank still higher with other largo manufacturing centres, and placed it with greater prominence than ever before the notice of the world. Although Huddersfield is now about to enjoy a season of rest, it is to be hoped that local energy will prove too strong to allow the town to sink into a normal condition. It would be a matter of the greatest regret were the inhabitants of Huddersfield to allow the advantage which has been gained to be lost in the future. There will yet be plenty of opportunities for the town to assert its life and energy, and it will undoubtedly be its own fault if another Royal visit is not one of the principal features of the not very distant future.


THE HUDDERSFIELD FINE ART AND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

On Saturday 4,259 persons paid a visit to the Exhibition, of whom 3,709 paid the admission fee, and 550 were the holders of season-tickets. This makess the total number of visitors during the time the Exhibition has been open, 195,884. Of these 149,850 have paid the entrance money, and the remainder, 40,534 have been visits made by season-ticket holders.


THE ROYAL VISIT TO HUDDERSFIELD.

INSPECTION OF THE FINE ART AND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

OPENING OF BEAUMONT PARK.

The long-expected and eagerly-looked-for visit from Royalty has almost, so far as the general public are concerned, come to a close. The proceedings of Saturday were from first to last, taken as a whole and without reference to small drawbacks, great successes. On Friday, in addition to the anxiety about the weather, there was a general feeling of hopefulness that though Her Royal Highness had not that day visited Leeds, owing to a slight indisposition, the Huddersfield engagement would be kept. From early morning there was considerable stir in the town. In many instances there had been all-night work at the decorations, and it must be admitted that this work had its effect upon their appearance on Saturday. Early visitors and early shopkeeping kept up the bustle and excitement. Extensive barricades has been erected in St. George’s Square, New Street, John William Street, King Street, Queen Street, Ramsden Street, and Buxton Road, and they served their purpose right well. In the morning the people walked outside or inside the barricades indiscriminately, but as the time wore on policeman were told off to keep the space within the barricades clear, and things began to wear a general look of expectancy. At the Station there was a good deal of excitement, but the people were not kept long in waiting, for the tram bringing the Royal party arrived punctually. The proceedings at the station were quickly over, and the Royal party set out for the Exhibition. The Duchess wore a dress of electric blue, with salmon brocade. She had a bonnet to correspond, and this was trimmed with flowers. At this time there was a great crash upon the barricades, for thousands were eager to obtain a sight of Royalty. At the Technical School their Royal Highnesses appeared greatly interested in all they saw. Great efforts had been put forth to make the place look as bright and cheerful as possible, and success had attended these endeavours. In several instances stalls and articles underwent a thorough overhauling on the previous night, with the result that all looked well. There was some enthusiastic cheering as the Royal party drove from the Exhibition to the Town Hall. At the luncheon the loyal toasts were received in the most enthusiastic manner, the demonstration being a hearty and loyal one. From the Town Hall to the Park the whole route was lined with people, while the decorations were most general. The reception accorded to the Duke and Duchess was a most hearty one. The proceedings at the Park were delayed for some time owing to the non-arrival of the processionists. At night the town was illuminated, and the streets were crowded with people, most of whom appeared to greatly admire the decorations. Several thousands of visitors were brought into the town by the railway companies, and at night there was considerable difficulty in getting them all safely away, but with patience the work was at last accomplished, and the whole of the day was got over without serious accident.

THE DECORATIONS.

The decoration of the town was very zealously taken up by those concerned, and to their credit be it said, that a moat effective and profuse display was made for several days before the eventful visit. Preparations were actively being carried on in the streets, and crowds of people have daily come into town from the outskirts in order to see the progress which was being made. In the principal streets high Venetian masts were placed in all directions, and for this purpose some of the seats in the streets had to be temporarily removed. Local tradesman in the decorating line of business have had their windows filled with decorative articles, and the hoardings in the district have been liberally posted with the addresses of the various competitors for public support. Of course the most effective display was made on the route of the procession, on which were crowded streamers, flags, banners, garlands, and numerous other articles for a like purpose, but still the streets which were not favoured by the presence of the Royal visitors put on a festive garb, and all throughout the district it was evident that some important event was on foot from the abundant display of bunting, &c. In St. George’s Square the buildings were most effectively decorated. Outside the station a wooden cover had been erected, under which the carriages were drawn up. It was beautifully festooned with roses and evergreens, whilst a number of banners, flags, and shields, with trophies of flags were placed at intervals. The outer part of the Railway Station was prettily garlanded with strings of paper roses, and the ledges were draped with red cloth with a gold border; a number of shields surmounted with flags were also placed on the front portion of the building. The cornices and bottoms of the windows at the George Hotel were covered with blue and red cloth with gilt border, and over the door was a handsome design of the Royal Arms. A large number of banners and flags were flying from poles on the top of the building. The excellent block of buildings opposite, occupied as warehouses — the Britannia Buildings — were effectively decorated much in the same style as the Hotel named, a large number of shields and trophies of flags being placed along the front at judiciously chosen intervals. Messrs. J. W. and H. Shaw’s warehouse was also draped in the prominent places with red and blue cloth with gold borders, whilst shields and large flags were displayed in profusion, and the Royal Arms stood prominently out. On the front of the Estate Buildings there were a large number of beautiful flags banners, and bannerettes, and a canopy over the entrance door produced a very nice effect. The warehouses opposite, in Railway Street, had a number of shields, flags, &c., and were very prettily decorated. From the square to the top of Chapel Hill — all along John William Street, New Street, and Buxton Road — there was a continuous display of streamers, which were strung from the tops of Venetian masts, half-way down which shields were placed. The flagstaff at the Lion Arcade was flying the Royal Standard, and several large flags were also displayed. Round the whole of the building the ledge over the first storey was draped with blue cloth, the whole being enhanced by shields and trophies of flags which were placed at judicious intervals. A very nice effort was produced by the decorations in John William Street, which became more profuse as the Market Place corner was reached. Opposite Messrs. Knight and Jackson’s shop a decorated motto was thrown across the street with the words “Welcome to our illustrious visitors,” whilst on one side of this towards the bottom was “God save the Queen,” and on the other side “And all the Royal Family.” The buildings on each side were nicely decked, the premises of Mr. George Hall being rather effective. A motto was placed on the front of the shop, “Welcome to the Duke and Duchess,” over the door being a shield bearing the arms of the borough. Mr. Thomas Armitage’s shop was nicely garlanded with roses ; cloth draperies, shields, and flags being artistically arranged, with the Royal arms over the doorway. At the corner of the Market Place there was a very effective display. The four Venetian masts were higher than the rest and the streamers were arranged crossways with an executed design, with streamers and flags in the centre. Messrs. Jackson and Fitton’s shop looked very well indeed. The ledge around it was nicely draped, and garlands of roses, shields, flags, &c., made the whole effect a pleasing one. The Halifax Joint Stock Building Company’s premises were nicely embellished in the same style, the windows, &c., being draped with cloth with gilt fringe, and on the cornices over the windows a number of plants had a very effective appearance. A similar style of decoration bad also been adopted at the Criterion Hotel. The fine block of buildings occupied by the Halifax and Huddersfield Union Banking Company and the Mutual Fire Insurance Company were nicely decorated. Over the entrance door to the premises of the former there was a beautiful design of the Royal Arms, behind which was placed a number of flags. The Royal Standard was floating proudly in the breeze, whilst the appearance of the block was very much enhanced by the addition of a number of shields, &c. A nice display was made in front of the Borough Club, whilst a number of the buildings in the vicinity were nicely decorated. In Market Street a large amount of bunting, &c., was displayed, as there was also in the old Market Place. The West Riding Union Bank had a motto, almost at the top, “Hail, Leopold Albany, Helena Walbeck-Pyrmont.” At the Huddersfield Bazaar the motto was “Welcome Prince and Princess,” and the rest of the decorations were very nicely carried out. The premises of the Yorkshire Bank, and also of Mr. Henry Tinker, had been prettily decorated with flags, &c. A very effective display was made by Mr. Joseph Berry, of the Boot and Shoe Inn, the lower part of whose premises had been draped with red cloth. There were a number of shields and trophies of flags, and the windows were draped with maroon cloth and gold fringe. On a blue ground, in gold letters, was the appropriate motto, “Welcome Duke and Duchess.” The fine new building occupied by the Huddersfield Banking Company, with its beautiful carving, &c., needed no embellishment, but additional attractions were effected in its appearance by the addition of some red cloth draperies, shields, flags, &c., whilst from the flagstaff the Union Jack, surmounted by the Royal Standard, were floating. The decorations by the Old Post Office buildings were very pleasing, as were those which had been effected on almost every shop in the street. Messrs. George Whitehead and Sons’ premises were beautifully garlanded with imitation roses, and Messrs. Wood and Marshall’s premises attracted much attention. The decorations consisted of garlands of roses, evergreens, &c. and amongst their mottoes were the following very appropriate ones : “God save our Queen,” ” God bless the Prince of Wales,” “Welcome to the Duke of Albany,” “Welcome to the Duchess of Albany.” Councillor G. W. Hellewell’s shop had the motto “Welcome,” in white letters on a coloured ground, surrounded by a number of coloured balls. One of the most effective displays made in the town was the design at the junction of New Street, Buxton Road, High Street, and Ramsden Street. High archways bad been erected of wood facing each of these streets, with smaller archways for the foot passengers. These were beautifully decorated with ivy and artificial flowers, whilst their appearance was enhanced by the addition of a number of shields, flags, &c. There was a motto on each side, that in Ramsden Street “Loyal hearts greet you,” being surmounted by the Royal Arms. The motto facing Buxton Road was “Leopold and Helena,” that into Hitch Street “Success to our town and trade,” and that into New Street Long life and happiness.” A very pleasing effect was produced at night by the illumination of the design from the centre with the electric light. In front of the Woolpack Inn there was also an illuminated design, shields bearing the portraits of the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh, and a number of flags were effectively grouped. The premises occupied by Messrs. Learoyd and Company, and Messrs. Carver and Company were nicely draped with blue cloth with gilt border. Shields had trophies flags were nicely placed at intervals, one of the shields containing the words “Welcome to our Princess.” Just beyond this a small bannerette was noticeable, containing the appropriate motto “Merit rather than favour.” From the top of Ramsden Street a most profuse and effective display was made, until a large triumphal arch was reached, almost opposite the Victoria Hall, which was very effectively decorated, as were the premises of Messrs. John Brooke and Sons, of Armitage Bridge. The arch above mentioned was built of wood, and bad been excellently painted to represent the architecture of an ancient castle of the northern period, with a tower on one side and a keep on the other, from both of which flagstaffs had been raised, and large flags were flying. Two smaller arches had been made for the footpaths, whilst on each side real ivy was most realistically placed on it. Beautiful garlands of roses, &c., were strung up with a pleasing effect, and a number of shields — one of which bore the arms of the Duke of Albany, and another the Royal arms — were very effectively grouped with a number of flags. Looking towards the town was the motto in gold letters “God bless the Royal pair,” and on the reverse side were the words “Loyal hearts greet you.” The whole effects was a very pleasing one, and the arch attracted very much attention from the visitors, especially at night when it was illuminated by a large number of gas jets. Perhaps the thickest display of bunting was made in King Street, where an extraordinary large number of flags were displayed. Down the street as far as Queen Street, and then along the latter to Ramsden Street, the same arrangement as to Venetian masts was carried out, and streamers were strung up each side of the streets for the whole of the distance. Outside Mr. Alfred Kaye’s shop was a motto with the words “Long life and happiness” on it, and some very pretty decorations. From end to end of the Market Walk streamers, &c., were hung in great profusion, and at night a nice effect was produced by the lighting of a large number of small coloured lamps. At the end of the Market Walk in King Street, a semi-Roman arch had been erected, and the words around it were “The Market Walk tradesmen’s welcome to the Royal pair.” The premises over the Pack Horse Yard entrance in King Street were nicely garlanded with roses, and shields and roses were placed so as to give a very pretty effect. The front of the Market Hall was very creditably decorated, shields, flags, draperies, &c., being very effectively grouped, and over the entrance being a beautiful design of the Royal arms. At night there were five illuminated designs, which were very pretty, and all along the front of the building there was a row of gas lights. Messrs. Elliott and Co., tobacco and cigar merchants and manufacturers, of King Street, had a motto out very appropriate considering their line of business, viz., “May all our troubles end in smoke.” At the corner where the streamers turned out of King Street into Queen Street, they were crossed, and in the centre a basket of flowers hung down. The large banner of the Huddersfield Working Men’s Conservative Association was placed out of their secretary’s office, and across the street was stretched a nice scroll with the words on one side “God save the Queen,” and on the other “God bless our town,” in gold letters. There were several flags and other displays of bunting in the street, and outside the County Court was an appropriate motto in large letters, “God bless our Royal visitors,” under the Royal arms. There were no decorations of any moment beyond Ramsden Street, but the fine building belonging to the Guardians was very nicely decorated with shields and trophies of flags, and garlanded with artificial roses. The Royal Standard was floating from the flagstaff on the top. In Ramsden Street the public baths were nicely decorated, and in front of Mr. J.H. Stuttard’s shop were the mottos “God save the Queen,” and “Welcome to the Duke and Duchess.” The front of the Borough Offices was beautifully decorated. There was a canopy to the edge of the road, and over the entrance to this in large letters was the word “Welcome.” A number of shields and flags were judiciously placed at intervals, whilst over the entrance door were the Royal arms. Over the Huddersfield arms, which are carved in stone on the top of the building, was a trophy of flags. The windows were draped with blue cloth and gold fringe, the whole being very pretty, with the Royal Standard floating from the flagstaff. There were some beautifully illuminated designs both here and in front of the Town Hall, which attracted much attention. The Borough Club had the Royal Arms over the door, with a bust of his Royal Highness the Duke of Albany on the cornice. Shields and trophies of flags were judiciously placed at intervals, and a very pretty effect was produced. Cross Church Street and Kirkgate made a liberal display of bunting, and the same was the case in the lower part of King Street. All along the route to Whitley Beaumont there were flags and streamers strung across the streets, and several flags, &c., put out in honour of the great event. In close proximity to the triumphal arch were a number of cords crossing each other from one side of the street to the other, and filled with bannerettes and smaller representations of flags. Hanging from the cords and in the centre of the streets was a crown trimmed with paper, &c. The buildings on each side of the road were profusely decorated, and there were quite a host of flags and bannerettes of various sizes and colours. In front of the Albion Hotel there was a large amount of bunting. On the opposite side of the road and a little lower down the Alexandra’s Coffee Tavern had placed a number of banners out at the windows, and over the door were the words “Welcome.” Mr. J.T. Smiles’ premises looked neat, and on the front wall were the words “Welcome to our town.” Buxton Road Chapel was also decorated, and in front of it were large banners and streamers. The Model Lodging House was well decorated. On the side of the building, facing the top of Chapel Hill, were two mottos, “Welcome,” and a fine display of bunting. In front of the house, and extending the length of the building, was a broad piece of white cloth with a blue border, and bearing the words “Welcome to Huddersfield.” The other contrivances were “We heartily greet you” and “Long life and happiness.” Wreathes of paper roses were also fixed on the wall. From the Model to Grayson’s shop on the opposite side of the hill was a long stream of bannerettes. Some more bunting in red and white was freely displayed, and Mr. Grayson put out a large flag from the window over the shop, and fixed on the wall red linen with white letters forming the words “Peach and goodwill.” Mr. Lockwood likewise showed his loyalty and decorated his premises. At the Clarence Hotel the window-sills were covered with coloured cloth, and accompanying a large flag were a number of smaller ones. “Welcome to Huddersfield” was lettered over the second storey, and below that was another motto, “Leopold and Helena.” The Grand United Order of Oddfellows’ (Bolton Unity) large banner was used to decorate the Grey Horse. Mr. S. Coates, plumber, had over his door a large block of wood painted blue and the following words cut out in a fancy way, “Long life to the Duke and Duchess of Albany.” He also had his premises ornamented with our decorations. On the opposite side of the road Mr. W. Dodson, butcher, had a device containing the same words, and adjoining his shop is the entrance gates to Messrs. Tomlinson’s machine works, over which was constructed an arch, decorated with green leaves and holly, and in the centre stood a pole bearing a flag. The Poet’s Corner Inn was very nearly ornamented with paper roses and representations of other flowers. Decorated with holly were the words, “Welcome to our town.” Mr. Brook (pawnbroker) and Mr. William Wright (saddler) had suspended from their windows a number of bannerettes, and the latter had over his door, worked in white wool, “Welcome.” Opposite here the front of a private house was very tastefully decorated. Red cloth with yellow borders was hanging from the windows. Over the door were exhibited three pieces of ornamented boards and paper trimmings twisted around them. In the centre there was “Welcome to the Duke and Duchess.” Above this was another neat design, and “L” and “H.” was placed in large type on each side. Travelling a little further on, there was the “Black Bull” with a display of bunting, and Messrs. Eastwood’s mill was well decorated. Several flags were flying out at the mill windows, and cords trimmed with paper and evergreens were hanging from the walls. The Royal Oak Hotel was likewise decorated. At the mills belonging to Messrs. Shaw and Messrs. Lumb banners were hung out. There was a display of bunting at the entrance to Messrs. Calvert and Company’s Foundry, and also the houses adjoining, where there was another of the devices, “Welcome to our Town.” Further along the road Messrs. T. Senior and E. Thrope showed a little taste in the way of decorations. A large banner was seen floating on the top of each end of Messrs. Schofield and Kirk’s Machine Works. The cottage houses on each side of the road presented a lively appearance, the decorations of which consisted of small banners and coloured cloth. The decorations were continued along Lockwood Road, and were none the less attractive as one proceeded nearer to the Park. Across from Mr. Pogson’s pianoforte warehouse to the No. 2 Branch of the Huddersfield Industrial Society was a stream of bannerettes suspended from a cord, and out of almost every window there were flags hanging in addition to bunting, which was indulged in to a very great extent. Some of the houses looked exceedingly pretty, the ladies having coloured curtains placed outside the bedroom windows. Another streamer was thrown across from the Conservative Club to the “Crescent” Hotel, and over the centre of the road and fastened to the same cord was the motto in blue letters “Welcome to our Guests.” The Conservative Clubroom exhibited the device, “God save the Queen,” creditably trimmed with paper roses, &c. A little beyond here Mr. Whiteley’s house was reached and the front of it was very attractive. A shield was placed over the door with bunting, and on each side in circular shape was the motto, “Loyal subjects greet you,” worked on a blue foundation. Over this was the device “Royal guests,” done in gold letters. A number of small banners were suspended from the windows, and on the top of Messrs. Brearley’s and Messrs. Lodge’s Mills. The Alma Terrace, a row of new houses, were also decorated. On account of the road side being almost minus buildings the decorations were not very extensive until the “Bath Hotel” was reached, where there were the devices “Welcome to the Royal Visitors,” “Hearty welcome to the Duke and Duchess,” and “Honour to Beaumont.” On the opposite side of the road to the Bath Hotel and a little farther on the houses were creditably ornamented with evergreens and paper trimmings, and the occupiers must have pat themselves to a great deal of trouble. An arch was erected over an entrance to a private house, and decorated with holly were the mottoes “The Altar and the Throne ; also the Cottage,” “Welcome.” Three poles of gas piping were erected in front of Mr. Shaw’s house and eight boiler gauges were fixed on the centre one in circular form. Then the walls of the house were hung with trimmed cords and were twisted in various shapes. At the bottom of Swan Lane a profuse and imposing sight was seen. A quantity of bannerettes were hanging from the windows in addition to other decorations. Streamers crossing each other extended across the road from the Lookwood and Salford Liberal Club to Mr. Jepson’s boot warehouse and the British Oak. The Red Lion was painted for the occasion, arid on a broad piece of cloth over the door in large letters was “Welcome Royal pair to Lockwood.” The house was also profusely ornamented with holly and paper roses. In the road at the turning point were erected eight flagstaffs covered with coloured cloth and bearing banners and streamers extending from one end to the other. Banners were also flying on the house tops. About a hundred yards further up the lane the decorations were very pretty. A cord was fastened to a tree in Mr. W. Hirst’s garden to Mr. Blamire’s house across the road, and from it was hanging a splendid motto with red foundation and gold letters. It was “Victoria’s youngest son, Waldeck’s fair daughter, welcome.” Mr. Blamire’s house showed that much time had been spent in beautifying it, and the motto was “Royal hearts, welcome.” The proprietor of the Swan Hotel threw an arch over the entrance to his house. The people of Lockwood were amongst the foremost in their decorations, which were very attractive. A little above the Swan Hotel the clothes posts belonging to the cottage houses on the embankment were decorated for the occasion. Another motto, “Welcome,” hung over the road near Mr. Webster’s shop, and evergreens were used to beautify the houses. Carpets, with fringe attached, were thrown over the walls, and no sooner was the eye drawn from one pleasant sight than another presented itself. The railway bridge looked very nice. Four large poplar poles, with large flags attached, were placed erect on the railway embankment. Then, on each side of the road, and about 20 yards from the bridge, were lesser poles trimmed with cloth, and cords filled with miniature bannerettes were fastened from them to the railway arch. Flags projected from the bridge, and in the corners were a quantity of evergreens. On the other side of the arch there were several more large banners, and the windows of the machine works of Messrs. Whitley, and a number of houses higher up, were decorated with bannerettes, in addition to streamers being thrown across the road at intervals. No great amount of decoration was done for some distance up the hill side until Book Field House, situate in the new road leading to the Park, was reached. From here to the Park gates, a distance of about 500 yards, poplar poles, covered with red cloth, were erected on each side of the road, about 20 yards apart. In the centre of each pole a shield, adorned with bannerettes, was fastened, a decorated cord was fastened to the top of the poles, and extended from one end to the other. The Park gates were also ornamented with evergreens, &c., and the motto, “A loyal greeting,” was borne by two poles. The return journey was by Crosland Moor, and all along Thewlis Lane were decorated flagstaffs and bannerettes. On arriving at the more thickly populated part of Barton Road a triumphal arch was erected, which bore the motto “Welcome to Crosland Moor.” Here poles were again erected on each side of the road, about 20 yards apart, and extended as far as Thornton Road. Cords filled with paper roses were hanging from the poles all the way down the hill. Over the Workhouse gates was the motto in circular shape “God bless the Duke and Duchess of Albany.” The gates were also decorated with evergreens, and on the top side there were the boys and girls, and on the low side the adult inmates, standing patiently waiting until the Royal party came by, in order to have a glance at them. A little below the United Methodist Free Church, where two large banners were floating, another triumphal arch was erected near Mr. Harry Sykes’ butcher’s shop. It was covered with evergreens, sheep’s wool washed as white as possible, and on each side slaughtered sheep with their wool on were suspended from the cross pole. Further down was another triumphal arch, bearing the words “Health and happiness to the Duke and Duchess of Albany.” There was a display of bunting at the Griffin Inn at the bottom of Thornton Road, and near Stead’s shoeing forge there was the devise of a horse shoe, which was lit up at dusk. Entering Manchester Road and going through Longroyd Bridge, neat decorations were again seen, and on the walls of a long row of houses were a number of mottoes, such as “Welcome,” “Our warmest greetings await you.” All along the road until the triumphal arch in Chapel Hill was reached were displayed a large number of bannerettes, &c.

ON THE WAY TO HUDDERSFIELD.

It was a beautiful bright morning at Otley when the Royal party left Farnley Hall, where they have been staying for the last three days. They drove from the hall to Otley Railway Station, at which a large crowd had assembled, and the reception was a most enthusiastic one. The train from Otley to Leeds was in charge of Mr. Loveday, chief passenger superintendent at Derby, and Superintendent Carr, of the Midland Railway Police. It consisted of one engine and tender, two saloon carriages, and brake. The train had an excellent run to Leeds Junction, just outside Leeds Station, where the Midland engine was taken off and a London and North-Western engine attached. Mr. G.E. Mawby, London and North-Western passenger superintendent London Road Station, Manchester, then took charge of the train, which ran from Leeds Junction to Huddersfield without stopping. At numerous points on the route — and especially at Batley, Dewsbury, and Mirfield Railway Stations — large crowds had gathered and there was great applause as the train containing the Royal party passed by.

THE ARRIVAL.

Considerable preparations bad been made at Huddersfield Railway Station to give a fitting welcome to the first Royal visitors who have honoured the town with their presence. The large refreshment room was fitted up for the presentation of the address, and leading out of this was a small retiring-room suitably furnished by Messrs. Alfred Taylor and Son, for the accommodation of the Duke and Duchess. The sombre platform was relieved with a multitude of bright flags, whilst a canopy extended from the end of the platform to the refreshment room, and crimson cloth was laid down for the visitors to walk on. One hundred picked men from the headquarter companies of the Second Volunteer Battalion of the West Riding Regiment were drawn up two-deep on the platform, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Freeman — Major Liddell, Major and Adjutant Robbins, Captain Batley, and Lieutenants Brook and Taylor also being present — whilst a large number of police, under Superintendent Townend, assisted to keep the crowd back. No one was admitted to the platform except by ticket, but in spite of this a very large number of people had found their way there, and it was with very great difficulty that the space in front of the refreshment-room could be kept clear. The train arrived punctually at 10:35, and immediately it came in sight there was a great commotion amongst the crowd, who broke through the ranks of the policemen, and went forward very nearly to the door of the refreshment-room. Notwithstanding the fact that other trains were continually passing, numbers of people crowded on to the metals, and when the train containing the Royal party came very nearly to a standstill numbers of the public got on to the buffers between the carriages. In the first instance the train overshot the mark, but it was eventually backed into the proper position without any accident. The volunteers came smartly up to the “present,” and the band played the National Anthem. Immediately on alighting the Duke and Duchess were introduced to the Mayor and Mayoress, and to Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont. The Mayoress presented to the Duchess of Albany a beautiful bouquet containing four varieties of orchids, gardenias, tuber roses, stephanotis, and maiden hair ferns, which had been supplied by Messrs. W. Armitage and Son, New Street. The Royal party, consisting of the Duke and Duchess, the lady-in-waiting (Mrs. Bourke), Captain Perceval, Mr. R.H. Collins, C.B., then went into the refreshment-room. Here a large number of ladies and gentlemen, including the visitors at Whitley Beaumont, Major-General Cameron, Major Churchill, Sir Henry Edwards, Bart., the Lord Mayor of York, the majority of the members of the Town Council, &c., had assembled. The Duke and Duchess took their place on a raised platform.

The Mayor then said :—

May it please your Royal Highness, permit me, as chief magistrate of this important and wide-spreading borough, to express the gratification of the Corporation and the whole community at being honoured with this visit of your Royal Highness. (Applause.) This Council, in order to place on permanent record the expression of their loyalty and good will to your Royal House on this auspicious occasion, have adopted an address of welcome, which I have been commissioned to present, and I trust that your Royal Highness will be pleased to graciously accept it. I will now call upon the Town Clerk to read it. (Applause.)

Mr. Joseph Batley, the town clerk, read the address which is appended :—

To their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Albany.

May it please Your Royal Highnesses.

We, the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses, of the Borough of Huddersfield, desire on behalf of all classes of the inhabitants to approach your Royal Highnesses, on the occasion of your honouring the Borough with a visit, with assurances of a most cordial and loyal welcome.

In welcoming your Royal Highnesses we not only desire to express our loyalty and attachment to Her Majesty the Queen and her Illustrious House, but also to give expression, however inadequately, to our grateful recognition of the warm interest which ls taken by Her Majesty and the Royal Family in the prosperity and welfare of the great industries of the country, in the first rank of which is the woollen cloth manufacture, of which Huddersfield is the centre and chief seat.

The presence of your Royal Highnesses in our town today is associated with two public objects of great interest and importance to the inhabitants. One is the establishment, in connection with the Mechanics’ Institute, of a Technical School, to aid in developing and perfecting, by means of technical instruction to the young, the taste and skill of all those engaged la the various processes and forms of the local woollen industry.

In connection with this institution an Industrial and Fine Art Exhibition was established, and as your Royal Highnesses were unable to confer upon the town and district the honour of your presence on the occasion of the opening and inauguration of this Exhibition in July last, we now respectfully ask that your Royal Highnesses will be pleased to honour the Exhibition with a visit of inspection, in token of your approval of its objects and associations.

The other object of the visit of your Royal Highnesses is the opening, for public use, of a new park, called “The Beaumont Park,” the site of which has been generously presented to the town by Henry Frederick Beaumont, Esquire, of Whitley Beaumont. The Beaumont Park not only presents great elements of beauty in its conformation, and the extensive views which it commands, but will afford space for physical recreation in the fresh, pure air, so necessary and so grateful to those whose daily hours are spent in arduous toil, often in confined or crowded spaces, and in a vitiated atmosphere.

We respectfully ask that your Royal Highnesses will open this Park, and that Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Albany will be graciously pleased to plant a tree within the Park in commemoration of this auspicious occasion.

Given under the Corporate Common Seal of the Borough, this 13th day of October, A.D. 1883. John F. Brigg, Mayor

Joseph Batley, Town Clerk.

Mr. Alfred Jubb had been entrusted with the execution of the address, which was illuminated on a double sheet of vellum, enclosed in a beautiful Royal blue Levant Morocco cover, which has a beautiful ornamental gilt bordering, with the arms of the Borough of Huddersfield in the centre. The sides are covered with padding, which has a pretty effect in setting off the gilt embellishments. The inside of the cover is lined with gold coloured watered silk, which forms a very effective contrast to the outside. The illumination of the address has been remarkably well executed in brilliant colourings. On the first page there is a very massive border with scroll work, and in the centre are the Royal arms, and below these the monogram of the Duke and Duchess en suite. On the upper part of the border are the borough arms, and at the foot of the address is the Corporation seal in gilt. The address is provided with a case lettered “Huddersfield, 1885.”

The Town Clerk then handed the address to the Mayor, who presented it to His Royal Highness.

The Duke, who spoke in a distinct and firm tone of voice, made the following reply :—

Mr. Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the borough of Huddersfield. On the Duchess of Albany’s and on my own behalf I beg to thank both you and the inhabitants of Huddersfield for the kind terms of your address. I thank you also for your expressions of loyalty to the Queen, and I can assure you that such tokens of attachment on the part of Her Majesty’s subjects are highly valued by her. (Applause.) Both the Duchess and I have looked forward with interest to visiting your town, for we are aware that it has won for itself a high reputation among the many important manufacturing centres in this part of England. (Applause.) It will afford as great pleasure to visit the Technical School and the Industrial and Fine Arts Exhibition. (Applause.) Such undertakings as these furnish sufficient proof of the vitality of the industries of Huddersfield, and of the determination of her leading citizens to neglect no legitimate means of raising the standard of taste and knowledge among all classes of their fellow-townsmen. (Applause.) With no less gratification shall we assist at the ceremony of opening the Park, the site of which has been so generously presented to you by Mr. Henry Beaumont. (Applause.) The Duchess of Albany joins with me in the hope that the town of Huddersfield may continue to enjoy in the future that prosperity which has attended it for so many years.

Whilst the procession from the Station was being formed the Duke and Duchess passed into the retiring-room.

FROM THE STATION TO THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

Quite early in the morning a number of people had taken up their positions in St. George’s Square, in the hope that they might be able to get a good view of Royalty. As the hours wore on these numbers increased, and it was well that the Square had been strongly barricaded, or the crowd would have thoroughly disorganised any attempt at a procession. The 2nd West York Yeomanry Cavalry under the command of Colonel Sir Henry Edwards, Bart., were in waiting outside the Station to escort their Royal Highnesses to the Exhibition. Upon the appearance of the first of those who were to join the procession a slight cheer went np. There was a marked absence of cheering at the proper time, but this was partly accounted for by the fact that the good-natured and orderly crowd were several times at fault in knowing who the chief personages were, but as to the hearty welcome which those who had gathered in such large numbers were wishful to accord to Royalty there could be no doubt. No sooner was the statement made, with any show of authority, to the effect that a certain carriage contained our Royal visitors, than Yorkshire cheers rang out with a cordiality that showed there could be no mistake ae to their meaning. The whole length of the route from the Station to the Technical School was lined with sightseers. Every coign of vantage was eagerly seized by the numerous spectators, and, taken as a whole, the reception of the visitors was a cordial and hearty one.

THE PROCEEDINGS AT THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

Here tor a day or two all had been harry and bustle. The Exhibition, which has always looked well, was improved upon by the addition of a large number of flowers which added freshness and beauty to what was already very attractive. It was gaily bedecked with flags outside, and a canopy had been erected from the principal entrance to the street. The visitors were received by Colonel Brooke, and the majority of the members of the committee. They were at once conducted to room No. 18, which has been beautifully furnished by Mr. E. F. Armitage, of Altrincham. The Duke and Duchess being seated, Colonel Brooke said :—

Your Royal Highnesses. In common with the burgesses of this town we have bad the honour, through our leading representatives, of joining in the loyal welcome to you on your arrival at the railway station, but I do feel that in this building we ought to give you a further and a special welcome to show how highly we appreciate your visit here. We do convey to you our most graceful thanks for the honour you have done as in visiting our Exhibition. It is true that this is not exactly either the occasion of the opening of the Technical School or of the Exhibition with which the Technical School has been inaugurated. But we regard this Exhibition as one of the great parts of our educational work which we hope to carry on for many years to come within these walls. We shall ever look back to this day as the one on which you honoured as by visiting our Exhibition. We feel more especially that our respectful thanks are due to you when we remember that the Institution which you visit this morning is the successor, or rather the development of one which has received in a very marked manner the distinguished patronage of one whose name is dear to every Englishman — your late illustrious father. Some years ago, when reading the “Journal of the Society of Arts,” that illustrious Prince was so struck with the account that be there read of the proceedings at the Huddersfield Mechanics’ Institute that be unsolicited, to our great surprise, and to our great delight, sent a substantial donation in aid of our funds. To that Institution has succeeded this Technical School, and there seems a special appropriateness in the fact that you have condescended to visit today the successor of that institute in which your late illustrious father took such an interest. But I will withdraw that word condescension, because we know that in coming here you believe yon are advancing the public good. We have learnt of your movements from time to time, end I have taken a special interest in the work which you have done. We know how glad you are to help the inhabitants of this or any other district within Her Most Gracious Majesty’s dominions. Not the lest do we thank you for coming amongst us today. In this short visit we wish to show your Royal Highness that our work is strictly an educational one. We have here a school of art and a school of science, and we call it a Technical School, which, I believe, means simply that we teach the application of science and art to the work which we carry on in this great industrial centre. But we do not by any means neglect that higher English and other literature which may, to a certain extent, enable us to take a place as a secondary school in this great district. Time would fail me and it would be impertinent were I to dwell on the work which we do here. We believe that our Exhibition is one of the ways in which we can carry on our educational work, and we trust that your Royal Highnesses will look back upon this visit with great pleasure, believing that in what we do we are animated with a desire for the public good. May I just say in reference to this that I took an active part in this neighbourhood in preparing for the great Exhibition of 1851. I was present at the opening of it, when your late illustrious father performed that ceremony. I was also present at the opening of the great Exhibition of Art Treasures in Manchester, when the late Prince Consort again performed that duty. And in reference to the Exhibition here, I can only say that I hope and believe you will find here specimens of industrial art which 32 years ago could not be seen in any Exhibition in the world. You will also find here many specimens of art and manufacture that would not have disgraced either of the Exhibitions to which I have alluded. I have now the honour of asking that you will accompany us through the building. We have fixed upon a route which we believe will be the least fatiguing, but which will also show you the prominent objects of interest in the Exhibition. We propose in the first instance to go to the room which contains specimens of local manufactures. Before we go I crave permission to introduce to you the chairmen of our departmental committees, who have assisted greatly in organising this Exhibition, and with your permission they will accompany us round the building so as to answer any questions your Royal Highnesses or any of the distinguished visitors may be pleased to ask as regards their respective departments.

Colonel Brooke then intruded to their Royal Highnesses Mr. Orton, Master of the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers, London; Mr. Owen Roberts, M.A., Clerk of the Company; the Lord Mayor of York, the Mayor of Sheffield (Alderman Michael Hunter, jun.), the Mayor and Mayoress of Bradford (Alderman J.F. and Mrs. Priestman), the Mayor of Keighley, Sir Charles William Sikes, hon. treasurer to the Technical School ; Mr. William Marriott, president of the Scientific Department; Mr. E. Armitage, J.P., chairman of the General Purposes and Finance Committee; Councillor B. Schofield (S), president of the Machinery Department; Mr. George Thomson, vice-chairman of the Art Department; Mr. G.W. Tomlinson, chairman of the Printing and Advertising Committee (who presented the Duke and Duchess with beautifully bound copies of the catalogue); the Bishop of Huron, Mr. E.A. Leatham, M.P., and Sir George Armytage, of Kirklees.

The visit of inspection was then commenced. The first room visited was that devoted to Huddersfield manufactures. Here the case exhibited by Messrs. Norton Brothers and Co., Limited, of Nortonthorpe and Cuttlehurst Mills, were much admired. The case was opened and the shawls and rugs admired. Colonel Brooke introduced Mr. Walter Norton as the representative of the firm, and informed Her Royal Highness that one of the Oriental shawls had been specially manufactured for her. It was hoped she would accept the gift as a specimen of Huddersfield manufacture and as a souvenir of that day’s visit to the Exhibition. Her Royal Highness graciously accepted the gift which was forwarded to the Town Hall. Their Royal Highnesses, who appeared to be greatly interested in the contents of the case, asked several questions as to the manufacture of the different articles, all of which were promptly answered by Mr. Walter Norton. They then went through the south corridor into the picture gallery, and afterwards into the natural history room. Mr. Ruskin’s agates and precious stones were inspected ; the main hall was crossed and the telegraph department and the water-colour drawings received their full share of attention. From this room the Royal party went down the north corridor to inspect a case of Macclesfield embroidery work, the Prince having expressed a wish to see this work. Going down the staircase the machinery sheds were next visited. The machinery of Messrs. Platts Brothers, Oldham; John Sykes and Son, and that shown by other firms, were viewed, and some interest was taken in the Crompton loom, which is sent from Worcester Mass. The second machinery shed was gone through, after which their Royal Highnesses walked round the annexe. Flags were hung from several of the stalls, carpet was laid down in many places, flowers and shrubs were standing in corners, and the clean and neat appearance of everything had a most pleasing effect. After this round their Royal Highnesses retired to a small reception-room, near the principal entrance. The room was furnished by Messrs. Alfred Taylor and Son, of Huddersfield. Some refreshments were provided in the room which the Royal party first visited, but it was decided not to return, and shortly afterwards the visitors took their departure to the Town Hall. The first carriage contained the Duke and Duchess and the Mayor and Mayoress. As this carriage drove off the cheers were again and again renewed, and taken up heartily all along the route. A pleasing feature in the arrangements was the singing of a number of the children attending the elementary schools in the borough, under the conductorship of Mr. D.W. Evans, the singing instructor for the Huddersfield School Board. As the Royal party drove up the children sang the National Anthem, accompanied by the Linthwaite Brass Band, and the singing was heartily joined in by a large number of the bystanders. A number of other selections were sung by the children as the rest of the carriages drove by. The best known local men were heartily cheered as they passed.

THE LUNCHEON.

The Duke and Duchess and a large number of guests were entertained at luncheon by the Mayor. The large room at the Town Hall bad been decorated with a considerable number of foliage and other plants. The principal table was raised several feet above the level of the floor. The windows were draped with curtains, and on the front of the gallery was the word “Welcome,” and the Royal arms. There were a number of shields with trophies of flags placed around the room, which had a very pleasing effect. The balcony was quite crowded with ladies, and there were a number of spectators in the gallery. The scene was a very brilliant one. The tables were well arranged, and the presence of such a large gathering made the room look almost better than it has done before. The orchestra was partly filled by a considerable number of the members of the Huddersfield Choral Society, and some members of the other musical societies of the town. Mr. Joshua Marshall, the borough organist, presided at the organ, and during the luncheon the choir sang a glee. A band, stationed in an anti-room in the balcony, played several selections of music, and added considerably to the enjoyment of the numerous guests. The toasts were extremely well received, that of the Royal Family being honoured in an almost exceptional manner, the entire audience rising heartily in response to the invitation, and standing whilst the chorus sang the National Anthem, and joining heartily in it. Similar enthusiasm was displayed when the toast of the “Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Albany, and the rest of the Royal Family” was given. The luncheon was provided by Mr. A. Wood, confectioner, of Commercial Street, Leeds, and was well served. The Mayor of Huddersfield (Alderman John F. Brigg) occupied the chair. On his right hand were the Duke of Albany, the Mayoress, the Earl of Wharncliffe, Mrs. H.F. Beaumont, Sir G. Wombwell, the Countess of Wharncliffe, Sir J.P. Lister-Kaye, Lady Radoliffe, Sir H. Edwards, Hon. Mrs. Milnes, Captain Percival, Miss Beaumont, Mr. H.B. Beaumont and Mr. B.H. Collins. On the Mayor’s left were the Duchess of Albany, Mr. H.F. Beaumont, Hon. Mrs. Bourke, the Hon. B. Milnes, Lady Julia Wombwell, Sir J.P.P. Radcliffe, Lady Lister-Kaye, Mr. E.A. Leatham, Miss D. Beaumont, Major-General Cameron, Mr. A.L. Savile, Mr. W.C.B. Beaumont, and Bishop Hellmuth. The following is a list of those invited in addition to those at the principal table :— Alderman Barrowclough, Miss Barrowclough, Alderman and Mrs. Eccles, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Walker, Alderman and Mrs. Glendinning, Mr. and Mrs. G.H. Crowther, Mr. and Mrs. J. Marsden, Councillor E.B. Woodhead, Professor Harley, Mr. W. Marriott, Councillor Porritt, Mr. J.G. Barry, Mr. C.W. Keighley, Councillor G.H. Hanson. Mr. Edwards Watkinson (borough treasurer), Mr. J.B. Robinson, Dr W. Scott, Councillor Hellawell, Mr. D. Johnston, Councillor E.H. Walker, Mr. John Ward (Chief Constable), Mr. and Mrs. S.T. Learoyd, Lieutenant-Colonel Day, Alderman and Mrs. Varley, Mr. and Mrs. A Haigh, Mr. W. Harrop, Alderman Byram, Mr. and Mrs. F. Greenwood, Mr. J. Kilburn, Councillor J. Sugden, Mr. James Drake, Councillor Heppanstall, Captain Beardsell, Mr. F.H. Walker, Councillor Clark, Mr. G. Brookster, Mr. H Lister, Councillor L. Hopkinson, Mr. Joah Lodge, Mr. Charles Hirst, jun, Councillor Littlewood, Mr. B. Soott (Chief Constable of Halifax), Mr. and Mrs. William Brooke, Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Haigh, Alderman Jordan, Mr. G.W. Morrison (Town Clerk of Leeds), Mrs. Woodhead, Mr. E. Woodhead, Mr. R.S. Dugdale, Councillor J. Brooke, Mrs. Scott, Dr. Scott, Councillor Scholes, Mr. H.S. Brook, Mr. J. Watkinson, Councillor Broughton, Mr. W. Owen, Councillor Cowgill, Mr. G. Jarmain, Councillor Wade, Mr. Orton, Mr. Owen Roberts, Mr. G.W. Tomlinson, Mr. S.B. Platt, Alderman and Mrs. Crosland, Alderman B. Hirst, Rev. Canon Hulbert, M.A., Dr. Rollitt. Mr. S.C. Potts, Borough Accountant; Councillor J. Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Whitwam, Mr. T. Brook, Mr. H. Barber, Mr. J. Taylor, Councillor Horsfall, Mr. John Sagden, Councillor B. Schofield, Chief Constable of Bradford, Lord Mayor of York and Lady Mayoress, Mr. C.H. Jones, Colonel Freer, Mr. James Priestley, Mayor and Mayoress of Bradford, Alderman Denham, the Mayor and Mayoress of Keighley, Mr. and Mrs. C.I. Armitage, Mr. and Mrs. W. Blakeley, Mr. and Mrs. D. Midgley, Mr. J.P. Brigg, Mr. H.P. Brookbank, Mr. T. Norton, Mr. J.T. Taylor, J.P., Mr. F.B. Jones, Mr. J Hall, Councillor Jno. Hirst, Colonel Brooke and Mrs. Brooke, Mr. and Mrs. J, Crosland, Alderman Walker and Mrs. Walker, Sir C.W. Sikes, Bart., Mr. and Mrs. T.W. Brooke, Mr. E Armitage, Captain Bassell, Mr. and Mrs. W. Laycook, Colonel J.B. Bottomley and Mrs. Bottomley, Mr. J. Bottomley, Mr. James Taylor, Miss Brlgg, Mr. H.G. Brigg, Miss Marsden, Mr. P. Day, Mr. W. Norton, Mr. B Norton, Councillor E. Mellor, Mr. G. Gaunt, Mr. T Ruddock, Colonel Freeman, Miss Moxon, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. B. Skilbeck, Mr. and Mrs. J. Lowenthal, Mr. John Kaye, Captain Armitage, Major and Mrs. Graham, Mr. and Mrs. G. Dyson, Mr. William Wrigley, Mr. J.A. Wrigley, Dr. Cameron and Mrs. Cameron, Councillor Murphy, Councillor G. Sykes, Mr. W.J. Kaye, Mr. B Allen, Councillor W. Hirst, Mr. J Burgees, Mayor of Sheffield, Alderman and Mrs. Wright Mellor, Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Brooke, Mr. J.N. Sykes, Mr. and Mrs. E. Huth, Councillor and Mrs. B. Schofield, Major Edwards, Mr. J.A. Armitage, J.P., Captain Martin, Mr. and Mrs. J. Batley, Town Clerk of Bradford, Mr. John Sykes, Councillor J. Hirst, Mr. H.B. Dransfield, Councillor Huddlestone, Mr. G. Londrum, Mr. F. Brooke, Councillor Jessop, Councillor Chrispin, Dr. and Mrs. Clarke, Mr. T.J. Hirst, Mr. E. Mallinson, Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Learoyd. Major Bobbins, Mr. and Mrs. B. Nelson, Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Dunderdale, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Bobson, Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Willans, Councillor A. Haigh, Mr. S. Fisher, Mr. J.T. Kilner, Councillor W.M. Jackson, Mr. Joshua Lockwood, Mr. J. Armitage, Councillor G. Brook, Mr. J. Bate, Councillor Oxley, Mr. J. Stanway, Mr. G. Thomson, Mr. G.L. Batley, Mr. T.G. Sharp, Mr. T.P. Crosland, Mr. and Mrs. C. Mills, Mr. and Mrs. J. Barnicot, Mr. and Mrs. G. Harper, Dr. Bruce and Mrs. Bruce, Councillor W. Schofield, Councillor G. Walker, Mr. and Mrs. F. Eastwood, Councillor Wimpenny, Mr. J.J. Grist, Mr. E Hughes, Councillor Dickinson, Mr. Joshua Marshall, Mr. B Stocks, Councillor Burley, Mr. A Keen, and Councillor Carter.

The following was the menu :—

POTAGE.
Tortue Claire.

GROSSES PIECES.
Téte de Sanglier à la Grand Monarque.
Roulade de Boeuf.
Galantine de dindon aux Truffles.
Lingues de Boeaf à l’Ecarlate.
Jambons de York.
Galantine de Vean.
Cotelettes à la Moscovette.
Poulards à la Béchamel.
Poulets Rôtis aux Creasons.
Pâtés de Gibier à la Strasbourg.
Chaud froid de Cailles.
Faisans. Perdreaux.
Saumon à la Cardinale.
Filets de Sole à la Hollandaise.
Salade d’Homard.
Salade à l’Italienne
Galantine de Coupler.

ENTREMETS SUCRES
Gelée à la Macédolne.
Gelée au Marasquin.
Geléa Noyan.
Chartreuse de Fraises.
Crème au Chocolaten Supress.
Meringue à la Suisse.
Charlotte à la Victoria.
Gateau à la Chantllly.
Baba à la Polonaise.
Nougats à la Crème.

Grace was said both before and after meat by Bishop Hellmuth.

The Mayor, on rising to propose the first toast, was received with general applause. He said :—

All over the wide world, wherever Englishmen meet on festive occasions like the present, the first toast which is uppermost in the minds of all is that of the Queen. (Loud applause.) I have been in many lands, and when I have dined at festivals of this kind the first compliment of Englishmen has been the toast of the Queen. (Hear, hear.) I think I need not assure their Royal Highnesses of the loyalty of the people of Huddersfield. (Loud applause.) I think that they have today had evidence enough that the hearts of the people of Huddersfield are in the right place, and that they love the Royal Family. (Applause.) I will say no more, but ask you to drink right loyally to the Queen. (Loud applause.)

The Mayor:—

The next toast that I have the honour to propose is “The health of the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Albany — (loud and long-continued applause) — and the rest of the Royal Family.” (Applause.) We are singularly blessed in this country that we have such noble princes and princesses — and the Prince and Princess of Wales who are to succeed Her Majesty — although we hope that the day may indeed be far distant. We know of the great things which the Prince and Princess of Wales have done in aid of public institutions — they are indeed moat ready, and we find almost every day in the newspapers their names appearing in connection with the opening of this town hall, this park, or this bazaar, and if not the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Connaught tor those purposes, and I will not say last or least we have the Duke and Duchess of Albany ever ready to go to any part of the country where they may be of service to the people. We ought, as Englishmen, to be deeply grateful that we have such members of the Royal Family. (Hear, hear.) We have no fear about succession in this country. (Applause and laughter.) We are prepared with any number of successors and I hope they may never die out. I beg again to propose the toast “The Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Albany, and the rest of the Royal Family,” God bless them, and may they long live. (Loud Applause.)

The Duke, who on rising to reply met with a most enthusiastic reception, said:

Mr. Mayor, my lords, ladies, and gentlemen, — I beg to return you my most sincere thanks for the kind terms in which you, Mr. Mayor, have proposed the health of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the other members of the Royal Family, and I thank the company present for the warm reception that they have given to the toast. If I may be allowed to speak on behalf of my brothers as well as myself, I would simply say that we are alike animated by a desire to promote the best interests of our country — (applause) — and wo are always ready to join, as often as it is possible for as to do so, in any enterprise which has this object in view. (Applause.) I can assure you, too, that such a welcome as the Duchess of Albany and I have received this morning at the hands of the people of Huddersfield forms a reward, the value of which it is impossible to overestimate. (Load applause.) For the kind allusions, Mr. Mayor, you have made to me personally I can but feel very grateful. Upon this too, I may congratulate myself, that the Duchess and I have been enabled now to accept your twice-repeated invitation. (Applause.) While I thus personally express, both to you, Mr. Mayor, and also to those whose kindly joined with you in inviting me here, the great regret which I felt at being unable to be present at the opening of the Fine Art and Industrial Exhibition, the enthusiasm attending that ceremony — which was so ably performed by the Duke of Somerset, and the remembrance of which I feel sure will linger in the memories of the inhabitants of Huddersfield — clearly demonstrates the importance of the inauguration. It must not, however, be supposed by those who may be unacquainted with the high position Huddersfield occupies in connection with the great woollen industries that she is now for the first time awakened to a sense of the importance of affording high-class instruction to her labourers and artisans, (Applause.) I have been deeply interested to learn that so long ago as the year 1855 my father’s attention — (applause) — was drawn to the existence here of a Mechanics’ Institute, and that he was so struck by its merits that he voluntarily sent a contribution in aid of its funds. (Applause.) The new Technical School may be described as a development of this Mechanics’ Institute — (hear, hear) — and the continued success of the one is a sufficient guarantee that the people of Huddersfield will not be slow to avail themselves of further improvements in the machinery of education. (Applause.) It has been well said that if we would succeed we must struggle, nor is it any longer doubtful, as each succeeding year rolls by, that the area is increasing in which the struggle for success in industrial acts is carried on. As a consequence also, this widening of the area of competition, the conditions of the conflict have become entirely changed, and weapons once formidable have become useless, and have fallen out of date. No sooner was this fact recognised in this country than a wide-spread demand arose for technical education, and of such a character as might enable the British workman to compete successfully with his foreign rivals. (Load applause.) This call was worthily responded to, and individuals whose scientific studies and whose natural gifts of intellect fitted them for being the organisers of and teachers in the new technical schools have come forward and offered their valuable services, while, too, many of the ancient guilds and city companies throughout the land — (applause) — as, for example, the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers — (loud applause) — have hastened to acknowledge that for such purposes as those almost legitimate demands might be made upon the large funds at their disposal. (Applause.) We may say this, that owing to such enterprises as the Huddersfield Mechanics’ Institute and new Technical School, we need no longer fear being told that though the English can produce manufactures for the masses, it is only on the Continent that the more delicate and decorative of work can be produced. (Applause.) Before leaving this subject I should like to congratulate those who have originated and brought to a sucssesful issue the scheme of a Fine Arts and Industrial Exhibition. (Applause.) The Duchess and I have been greatly interested by our visit to the Exhibition this morning, and I am convinced that such displays cannot but be beneficial to all such as avail themselves of them. I strongly advise all who are interested in the trade and in the prosperity of Huddersfield, and who have not already visited the Exhibition, to go there at once, and make a careful inspection of what you will find there. (Applause.) There is no doubt much pleasure and profit to be derived from a theoretical study of the arts and sciences, and it would not be easy to over-rate the advantages, particularly to men whose minds have been to a certain extent instructed in those matters, of seeing with their own eyes the practical development of the principles and theories which may have been taught in the lecture-room. I understand that the hope has been expressed in influential quarters that the space now occupied by the machinery shed of the Exhibition may be made hereafter available aa a permanent Natural History and Industrial Museum. It is impossible not to sympathise with such an object, and one cannot but honour those who are ready with material help to further this scheme. But of course it is one which will require the serious and careful consideration of those who will be hereafter responsible for the maintenance of the museum in a manner not unworthy of this town. (Hear, hear.) Ladies and gentlemen, before I sit down I wish to acquit myself of a duty which had been entrusted to me, and which I need not say I have accepted with the greatest pleasure — it is to propose “The health of the Mayor and Corporation of the Borough of Huddersfield.” (Applause.) I shall not attempt in the Mayor’s presence to give utterance to all those flattering references which I heard made to him, but I should be ungrateful indeed if I did not express on the Duchess’s behalf, and on my own, our warm appreciation of all the pains he has been at to enhance the pleasure and comfort of our visit here today. (Applause.) Indeed I can conceive of few positions of which a man may be more justly proud than that which Mr. Alderman Brigg now occupies. (Applause.) A Huddersfield man born and bred — (applause) — he has, by his own honourable exertions, placed himself in such a position that he has been able to stand godfather — I might almost say — to all the public and philanthropic enterprises in this his native town, and he has so endeared himself to his fellow citizens that he has been called upon already three times to bold the responsible office which he now so worthily fills. (Applause.) Ladies and gentlemen, I give you “The health of the Mayor and Corporation of the Borough of Huddersfield.” (Load applause.)

The Mayor:—

On behalf of myself and the Corporation of Huddersfield, I thank you most sincerely for the too flattering references you have made to us. We have ever striven to make our town worthy of a visit from a member of the Royal Family, and I think I may say we have not failed in our endeavour. The time at our disposal is so exceedingly short, and we have so many things to do today, that I am extremely sorry that we have had to pass over many toasts which are usual on occasions like these — such as the “Bishop and Clergy of the Diocese and Ministers of all other Religious Denominations,” the “Army, Navy, and Reserve Forces,” but there is one toast which we cannot overlook, and that is the “Houses of Parliament,” and I am glad that we have here today so distinguished a visitor as the Right Hon. the Earl of Wharncliffe and our borough member. I have now pleasure in calling on Colonel Brooke to propose the “Houses of Parliament.”

Colonel Brooke, who was loudly cheered on rising, said:—

Mr. Mayor, your Royal Highnesses, ladies and gentlemen, I rise at once to obey the commands of the Mayor. I need not command to this distinguished assemblage the acceptance of the toast which the Mayor has indicated. He has already expressed his gratitude that he is honoured by the presence of two members of both Houses of the Legislature. We, as citizens of Huddersfield, join him in that gratitude, and in the pleasure with which we recognise their presence among as, and I have therefore to propose at once that this assembly drink, with all the honour that is due to them, the health of the House of Lords and House of Commons, two bodies which, while they rule as, at the same time serve us, and who perform for as services for which we can never be sufficiently grateful. Occasions like the present do afford us means of expressing our gratitude, and I call upon everyone here to join with me in the expression of gratitude by drinking the health of those distinguished bodies, and with them I couple, as regards the House of Lords, the name of the Earl of Wharncliffe, a very good Yorkshireman, and with the House of Commons, the name of our beloved member, Mr. Edward Aldam Leatham. (Loud applause.)

The Earl of Wharncliffe:—

Mr. Mayor, Your Royal Highnesses, and Gentlemen, Colonel Brooke is a very old friend of mine, and I think he might have spared me upon this occasion, but, seeing that he only obeyed the command of the Mayor, perhaps I did not ought to find fault with him, but with the Mayor of Huddersfield. I have now been several times in Huddersfield, and have addressed public meetings of its citizens. These have generally been meetings of a controversial kind, when I have given utterance to words which have pleased those who have heard me, but which I suppose have disappointed those who have been outside. Now on this occasion subjects are limited simply to the most ordinary topics of the day, and the ordinary topic of the day, in Huddersfield at least, is the presence here today of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Albany. In mentioning the name of the Duke of Albany I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the House of Lords receives a great addition to its membership every time one of the Royal Princes come of age, and we have never received a better Prince amongst our ranks than Prince Leopold, who is here today. (Load applause.) I may say that few young Princes have achieved through their own merits, and not owing to their own social standing, such a position as Prince Leopold has done. (Applause.) He is well known in the House of Lords. We are glad to have him amongst us, and the noble way in which he assists forward every good movement, having for its object the welfare of his native country, has our warm and hearty appreciation. With regard to legislation we of the House of Lords do not legislate in a great harry. We have not lately had much to do, but that has been through no fault of the House of Lords, because we are not allowed to say what shall be the enactments to be placed before us. I can only say for the House of Lords, which I unworthily represent on this occasion, that on both sides of the House there is a firm adherence to the Throne and a loyal attachment to the Constitution of this country. (Loud applause.)

Mr. E. A. Leatham:—

Mr. Mayor, your Royal Highnesses, ladies and gentlemen, I thank you most heartily for the cordiality with which you have drank the health of the House of Commons, and especially that part of it which I may venture to accept as personal to myself. I believe that the House of Commons, in spite of the efforts of some malcontents within its walls, still enjoys the entire confidence of the country; not, perhaps, leas because of late it has had to represent not only the opinions of the constituencies, but in the presence of unseen dangers some of their British pluck as well. May I say one word with regard to the event of today. We sometimes hear of one political party or another claiming for itself the possession of a peculiar loyalty. This is only natural, because we are naturally better acquainted with our own sentiments than with those of others, and what we most prize we, of course, are ready to assume we most righty possess; but I think I may, speaking from a long experience of the opinions, not only of those who surround their Royal Highnesses in this hall, and still more, perhaps, the thousands upon thousands who have today made the streets ring, and every heart thrill with their enthusiastic and magnificent welcome — that I think I may venture to say that Huddersfield, at all events, in loyalty to the throne of England, and devotion to the Royal Family, knows no party and fears no foe. (Load applause.)

The Mayor:—

Before we take our departure I think it would be very unbecoming if soma allusion was not made to the donor of Beaumont Park, because it is owing to his gift that Huddersfield will have a public park opened today. Mr. Beaumont first offered the Corporation a piece of land which they were not then in a position to accept. He then said in effect to us, “Is there no other spot on my estate which you prefer.” Then we pointed out a spot both romantic and charming — as your Royal Highnesses will find when you visit Beaumont Park today — and he gave it to us. The Corporation of Huddersfield are grateful to him for the gift. Personally, and on behalf of the Corporation, I am deeply grateful to Mr. Beaumont for what he has done. It shows that his heart is in the right place, and that, in making such a gift, he is anxious to assist a community on in the cause of progress. I think it only right to make these allusions to Beaumont Park.

Mr. H. F. Beaumont:—

I think I might well be excused from saying anything on this occasion, as I shall have something to say later on in the day, but I cannot do less than give expression to a very few words after what the Mayor has stated. I will not detain you for a moment. I have always thought, and I speak now as a property owner, that property had its duties as well as its rights. Generally speaking we can understand the rights of property much better than its duties. Alter considerable thought on the subject, I came to the conclusion that a property owner had no right to turn his entire estate into game preserves for his own amusement, I thought that a property owner had other duties to perform, and that he had to look at the interests of his fellow-citizens. After considering the subject carefully I gave the land which will be known in future as Beaumont Park, and in the magnificent demonstration of today I am amply rewarded for the little that I have done. (Applause.)

The guests then left the hall.

THE AFTERNOON PROCESSION.

The afternoon procession should have started from the Ramsden Street entrance to the Town Hall at 1:30. Long before that hour, however, the streets leading to Chapel Hill were crowded. There were no barricades at the top of Ramsden Street and New Street, and as the hour tor the procession approached, the police found the greatest difficulty in keeping the people back. At two o’clock the crush was so great that the aid of several mounted constables had to be procured. They, too, found the greatest difficulty in keeping the surging crowd back. A cordon of police then attempted the task, whilst more mounted policemen were obtained. Force had ultimately to be used, and the unlucky front bystanders received somewhat severe treatment. Then, after some hooting at one or two zealous mounted constables, comparative quiet reigned. The chief cause of the hubbub seemed to emanate from allowing carriages to pick their way through the crowd along New Street. Shortly after two o’clock the procession appeared in view. It was headed by the Holme Mills Brass Band, preceded by four mounted policemen. Then came the Ancient Order of Oddfellows (Bolton Unity), with their splendid banner. On the waggon carrying the banner were the mottoes “A Forester’s welcome,” and “Success to our juveniles.” The members of the order appeared in full force, and their regalia was looked at with much curiosity. Following them a pair of well-decorated horses appeared with a waggon, the top of which had been cleverly transformed into a small park, with its walks, grassplots, gardens, and rustic scenery. It was intended as a representation of Beaumont Park. The workmen of James E. Kaye, stone merchant, Crosland Hill, were full occupied in giving the rough touches with the pickaxe to the stone when taken fresh from the quarry, and close behind them were a number of mason of a lorry styling themselves Beaumont Park masons, throng with the hammer and chisel. Mr John Hudson, No. 1 Market Hall, had entered with spirit and enthusiasm into the day’s proceedings. Great pains had been taken in the decoration of his wagon. His livestock consisted of a splendid white ox and fat cleanly-looking sheep. Eight splendid horses came gaily along, splendid sample of a horizontal engine, manufactured by Messrs. Scholefield, Raynor, and Taylor, the well-known engineers. Immediately behind came Mr. T. Helm, joiner and builder, with a complete representation of sawing machinery and other building trades in operation. This exhibit was similar to the one he had in the procession on the occasion of the opening of the Fine Arts Exhibition. An enterprising gardener from Milnsbridge gave a view of his pleasure grounds in miniature, with a boat from his lake. The village blacksmith, in the shape of sizers, shoeing forge, was looked upon with intereat, as the sturdy workmen carefully and scientifically wrought the pieces of crude iron into good-looking shoest. Mr. Henry Brook showed samples, as an ironfounder, of sanitary grates ; and Mr. Robert Metcalfe had his workmen employed rivetting a small pan. Here filed in the Bolton Unity of Oddfellows, with banner and members fully rigged out with regalia ; and behind them the Moldgreen United Brass Band. More friendly societies followed, via, the National Independent Order of Oddfellows (Huddersfield district), preceded by their banner. Messrs. Kenworthy, Royston, and Crossley were represented in their branch of business with a novel loom, in operation. Some fine samples of worsted carders were sent from the works of Messrs. John Haigh and Son, and attracted a great share of attention. They were really finished off in beautiful style. The Yorkshire Stationery and Paper Bag Company had a lad busy printing circulars, whilst two girls were employed making paper bags. Messrs. Wood and Marshall, pianoforte manufacturers, made an effective display. Their music van was gaily decorated, and on one side appeared the following verse :—

Let no social discord
Our pleasure alloy;
Piano with grumbling,
But forte with joy.

Drawn by two horses, the same firm had a waggon on which they exhibited the manufacture of piano cases, backs, &c. ; also samples of iron bridges. Then followed another waggon with a number of pianos in the tuner’s hands, and others undergoing the polishing and finishing process. Another friendly society, the Order of Buffaloes, here was formed in the ranks, closely followed with a waggon carrying a rich banner belonging to the All Saints’ District of United Free Gardeners. The waggon itself was nicely festooned with evergreens. The first three members of the order carried with them a spade, hoe, and rake respectively, as symbols of their trade. The Catholic Brass Band headed the order of Druids, who were preceded with their emblematical banner. Mr. T. Johnson, of 6, Buxton Road, had a van in the ranks. Loud roars of laughter greeted the next trade exhibits. Washing machines of all types and makes from the house of Mr. T. Gledhill, the cause of their amusement being in Mr. Gledhill himself, who with clean apron on was dexterously engaged in washing pinafores and other articles of wearing apparel. Suspended from railings were a number of household brushes. With almost equal interest the sightseers gazed upon Messrs. J. Grayson and Sons’ fine samples of good old English leather. Amongst the mottoes on the pieces of leather were “Success to the leather trade,” and

There’s nothing like leather,
When its well put together.

A fall display of mineral water machinery was exhibited by Messrs. Tinker and Littlewood, as well as sample bottles of their products, bottle caaes. &c. Mr. Benjamin Shaw and Mr. J.H. Sykes made similar shows of the drinks which are supposed “to cheer and not make drunk.” The packages on the next team denoted that their contents were “glass with care,” and were from the shop of Mr. W.H. Neaverson, Queen Street, Huddersfield. His samples consisted of glass dishes, flower stands, and monstre Chinese-looking tea pots. The brewer’s art was fully exemplified in Messrs. Aspinall and Co’s, cases of bottled ale and porter. Messrs. B.J. Elliott and Co. were not found to be behind, as besides having lots of tobacco leaves to show to the multitude they had also a monstre cigar on view, and a large quantity of cigar boxes. Ornamental garden vases and chimney pots were also to be seen in the vast representation of trades from the manufactory of Woodman Sanitary Pipe and Brick Company. Stead and Kaye sent further contributions of masonry in the shape of sawn stone. Messrs. Joseph Lodge and Sons had a great assortment of furniture, bedsteads, and mattresses, and had also several pieces of furniture in the process of completion, one man being attentively engaged in polishing off a cradle. Mr. William Challand furnished a full complement of different kinds of bread, and he was followed by Mr. Charles Hallas, with soma fine speoimens of the porcine tribe. Messrs. Beardow and Marsland furnished a number of polished barrels, the hoops of which were also blackleaded, of ale. On the top of the barrels were placed sacks of hops, &c. Five horses drew large pieces of rough stone, and several masons were busy chiselling a window sill. From the card it was seen that they belonged to Mr. Ben Graham, contractor. Messrs. Edward Brooke and Sons, of the fieldhouse Fire Clay Works, sent a waggon, drawn by two horses, with the produce of their manufactures, amongst which were to be found some fine samples of plain and fancy tiles and coloured bricks. Sculpture was represented by Mr. L. Fisher, Jun., of Northumberland Street, his exhibit being a carefully carved large white lion. Plasterers’ requirements were well represented by Mr. Joseph Jowett ; whilst Mr. B. Walker had a full equipment of saddlery. Harness making throughout its branches was actively carried on by his workmen. A contingent of workmen from Messrs. Moody Brothers, Buxton Road, were also noticed to be actively engaged in patting springs into coaches preparatory to their being covered with hair, and others were rapidly reseating cane chairs. A large display of home-made hearthrugs was made by Mr. John Beevers, of Alfred Street. Many of the rugs bore appropriate mottoes, such as “Keep your heads cool and your feet warm,” and “Wisdom is happiness.” Sacks of flour also appeared from Messrs. Sugden Brothers, Brighouse. Much merriment was evoked by the chimney sweeping in operation by Mr. John R. Clarke, his representation of a cottage house, and the occasional popping of the brush out of the chimney, being very good indeed. Stocks of dyewares were exhibited by Mr. John Smith, Aspley, and Woodhead Sugden, Slaithwaite. Messrs. William Matthewman and Son’s dyers were actively employed in dyeing pieces of cloth, and wood carving in all its branches was to be found among the contributions of Mr. G.W. Crowther, wood carver. Splendid samples of rugs were shewn by Mr. A. Sykes. Mr. Thomas Halstead was well represented in the procession. Weaving in operation was the special feature of Messrs. Godfrey Sykes and Son’s show. The retail drapery trade was represented by Mr. J.T. Bradley. A load of cotton bales belonging to Messrs. Broughton Bros, joined the ranks of trade representations. Following this was a trap piled with “Scourine” by Nicholl, and one of the persons in charge was engaged in washing clothes. A blue banner with yellow fringe denoted that the precisionists behind it belonged to the Huddersfield Division of the Sons of Temperance. Between them and more Good Templars was placed the Honley Brass Band. Then came another blue banner, bearing the words “Huddersfield Band of Hope Union,” in gold letters, and a drum and fife band followed. After them walked the members of the various Bands of Hope connected with the union. The next van belonged to Messrs. Jackson and Fox, and they showed samplea of their coffees and teas. On the top of the van sat a person attired in the dress of a Chinaman. James E. Lord, of Fartown sent specimens of his ales in one or two huge barrels. Near one barrel was a jug of the “frothy beverage,” and many were the good humoured remarks of the crowd passed upon it. Singer and Co. sent one or two of their sewing machines ; and this was followed by a furniture van belonging to Mr. Lodge. A waggon of oats, hay, and straw passed forward, and another lot of stonemasons in full work, after which was a cargo of “Saponine,” by Messrs. Rothery and Co. Four splendid horses from Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company’s stables next conveyed a waggon, on which were packed a number of chests of tea belonging to Mr. Wallace, tea merchant. W. Jepson, bootmaker, Lookwood, had his cobblers fully at work mending, stitching, or making new ones. He also exhibited fine bespoke boots and shoes. Mr. W.H. Neaverson had a lorry containing bottle washing apparatus and several other machines of a similar character. Mr. J.C. Pearson had a nearly decorated waggon and a splendid assortment of confectionery. Here slipped in Mr. Butterworth’s piano van. Messrs. Pohlmann and Son, Halifax, exhibited pianofortes in various stages of manufacture, also a number of iron double frames. A small donkey and cart, with cinder, showed that the owner was a vendor of that desirable kitchen requisite. The next trap belonged to Mr. J. Thompson. Mr. A. Boothroyd announced himself to be a coal seller. A good cargo of oil was sent into the procession from the oil works of Messrs. Charles Stanley and Son, of the South Yorkshire Oil Works. A little confusion now ensued, the procession having got out of order, and some time were unable to regain their proper positions. The rest of the procession, however, walked in the following order :— Linthwaite Brass Band, Corporation and Exhibition officials in carriages ; Mr. Stanway, Mr. Burgess, Inspector Kirk, Inspector Wray ; Mr. Gaunt, Mr. Austin Keen, Mr. Owen ; Mr E. Watkinson, Dr. Cameron, Mr. Potts, Mr. Dugdale ; Mr. Batley (Town Clerk) and family. The Town Council : Councillors J. Brooke, J. Wilson ; Councillors A. Haigh, H. Horsfall, B. Schofield (S.), George Brook ; Councillors B. Hanson, G. Walker, G.H. Hanson ; Councillor John Hirst and family ; Councillors William Hirst, B. Schofield (W.), F. Carter, W.M. Jackson ; Councillors Jessop, Chrispin, W. Schofield, B. Wafe ; Councillor T Littlewood and family ; Councillors Murphy, Josh. Hirst, G. Sykes, E.H. Walker, Councillors B. Oxley, J. Wimpenny ; Councillors E.B. Woodhead, John Haigh, G.W. Hellawell, J. Clark ; Councillors Heppenstall, Dickinson, Huddlestone, Porritt ; Councillors Burley, E. Mellor, Cowgill ; Alderman Byram, Councillor L. Hopkinson, Mr. Wheawill, Mr. Westerby ; Alderman Mellor, Mrs. Mellor, Alderman James Crosland, Mrs. Crosland, Alderman Woodhead and family ; Alderman Denham, Mr. C.H. Jones ; Alderman Varley, Mrs. Varley, Councillor Scholes, Mrs. Scholes ; Aldermen B. Hirst, Jordan ; Councillors Sugden, Broughton ; Alderman Walker, Mrs. Walker, Alderman Glendinning, Mrs. Glendinning ; Alderman Barrowclough, Miss. Barrowclough, Alderman Eccles, Mrs. Eccles. Then followed distinguished guests, amongst whom were Mr. Owen Roberts, Mr. William Ortgon (Clothworkers’ Guild) ; Town Clerks of Leeds and Bradford ; Mayor and Mayoress of Bradford, Mayor and Mayoress of Keighley ; Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of York, Mayor of Sheffield ; Sir J. Lister Kaye, Lady Kaye ; Sir Percival and Lady Radcliffe, Mr E.A. Leatham, M.P., Mr S.R. Platt ; Earl of Dartmouth, Earl and Countess of Wharncliffe. Cheers arose as the member for the borough was recognised. Their carriages walked in the following order :— Mr. J.W. Pennyman and younger Misses and Masters Beaumont ; Mr W.C.B. Beaumont, Miss Beaumont ; Mr. Augustus L. Savile, Hon. Mrs. Bourke, Captain C. Percival, Mr. R.H. Collins, C.B. ; Hon. R. Milnes, Mrs. Milnes, Sir George Wombwell, Lady Julia Wombwell ; Mr. H.F. Beaumont, Mrs. Beaumont, Mr. H.R. Beaumont, Miss D. Beaumont. Whilst these carriages were passing the cavalry occupied the far side of Ramsden Street, and as soon as the Royal party emerged from the Town Hall they saluted, whilst the crowd cheered lustily. The horses drawing the Royal carriage pranced up Ramsden Street, and the Duke and Duchess constantly acknowledge the cheers of the assembled multitude. The Mayor and Mayoress, who were with their Royal Highnesses, were also received with hearty cheers. Detectives closely followed the Royal pair, but happily their services were not required. The cavalry remaining behind wheeled into fouts and followed in the rear. A number of carriages followed along with one containing General Cameron and other officers, then the magistrates for the county and borough, with their wives and friends, joined the long procession. Then the Boardhurst Brass Band, committee of the Mechanic’ Institute and Technical School, members of the Huddersfield School Board, Lockwood Mechanics’ Institute, the Board of Guardians, Kirkburton Local Board, Huddersfield and Saddleworth Church Day Schools’ Association, Salford Conservative Association, and a number of private carriages. Then came the Lindley Brass Band, Messrs. Jonas Brook and Bros., Meltham Mills Fire Brigade, Messrs. Armitage Bros., John Brooke and Sons, Armitage Bridge, Elm-Ing Mills, and B. Vickerman and Sons, Taylor Hill Mills.

THE CEREMONY AT THE PARK.

On the arrival of the Royal party at the Park gates the Mayor presented the Duke with a gold key, and His Royal Highness unlocked the gate amid load cheers. The crowd outside the Park gates was very dense, and they had a good view of the visitors as they walked along the path towards the place where the ceremony of the formal opening was to take place. Here there was a long period of waiting, but at length the proceedings commenced.

The Mayor :—

I have the distinguished honour of introducing to this vast assemblage his Royal Highness the Duke of Albany, and to ask him to do us the favour of declaring this Park open. I don’t know that it becomes me to say any more on the present occasion, only to introduce to you his Royal Highness, which I now do.

The Duke who was loudly applauded, said :—

People of Huddersfield, — In the warm address of welcome which awaited us on our arrival this morning at Huddersfield, the Mayor alluded to the fact that one — and I may almost say the chief object of our visit here to-day was to open and to formally hand over to you the park in which we are now assembled. I greatly rejoice to find that I shall perform this pleasing duty in the presence of many thousands of the inhabitants of this populous town, and that Huddersfield has testified in so unmistakable a manner, both to her appreciation of the gift which is about to be bestowed upon her, and to her gratitude towards the generous donor. I will venture to say that there is scarcely a person amongst this vast assemblage who does not, at this moment, envy the feelings which must arise in the mind of Mr. Beaumont. For to him has been given, not only a generous inclination to devise schemes for adding to the sum of human happiness, coupled with the power of giving a practical effect to such philanthropic desire, but he has also been granted the supreme pleasure of witnessing with his own eyes the realisation of his projects. There are many ways which those who have the means at their disposal may select for the purpose of improving and brightening the lot of their fellow creatures, and Englishmen can point with just pride to a long list of names which will be inseparably bound up with the monuments — more durable than brass — of a wise and patriotic generosity. Conspicuous among these names will always be that of one whom Yorkshiremen will not readily forget — I mean that of my friend the late Mr. Mark Firth. I well remember, after performing the ceremony of opening the College which he founded, driving with him through the Park which had been presented by him to the town of Sheffield, and I could readily enter into the high and complete pleasure with which he regarded the scene around him. Such pleasures as these are in store for Mr. Beaumont, and for his successors. I need not attempt to describe them to him or to you, for in the accounts I have been reading of the ceremony which took place here three years ago when Mrs. Beaumont cut the first sod of the future Park. Mr. Beaumont most graphically contrasted the lot of those for whom there was no escape from the crowded town with that of those more fortunate beings to whom the pure pleasures of fresh air and of natural scenery — boons so priceless to the inhabitants of manufacturing towns — were not denied. In a resent speech of my brother-in-law, the Governor-General of Canada, on the occasion of a visit to those distant districts of the dominion which are now becoming so rapidly populated, he strongly recommended the fencing off of large open spaces to serve as recreation grounds, as a preliminary step in the formation of new townships. In this manner, not old, is that spot appropriated which is marked out for the purpose and its natural advantages, but Its position is secured near the centre of a town, where it will be easily accessible to those for whose use it is intended. It is needless to say that the time has long gone by when such spots can be obtained in the large towns in this country. But the slight disadvantages arising from a park being tome little distance from the town, as Beaumont Park is for example, can easily be minimised, and in some cases even turned to good account. They can be minimised by the neighbouring railway companies running line, to the park and planting stations in its vicinity, and this I sincerely hope will soon be done here with mutual benefit both to the railway companies and to those who will use the railways, and on the other hand, where there is available building land in the vicinity of the Park, new and improved workmen’s dwellings can be erected there. This latter plan has been adopted with great benefit to the working classes, and the Artizans, Labourers, and General Dwellings Company, which has been stamped with the approval of Lord Shaftesbury, one group of buildings having been erected at the Park which bears his honoured name. Before formally declaring the Park open I would ask leave to congratulate Mr. Dugdale on the taste and skill with which he has adapted the natural beauties of the situation to the purposes to which the ground is hereafter to be devoted ; and finally, I will call upon all here present to join with me in wishing Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont many years of life and health, that they may be enabled to witness in the increased health and prosperity of the town of Huddersfield the fruits of their good deeds. Mr. Mayor, I now beg to declare this Park open to the people of Huddersifeld. (Loud applause.)

Mr. Beaumont :—

Brother Yorkshiremen, surely we are highly favoured here today, and I thank Providence that He has bestowed such a day for such a purpose. We are highly favoured and highly honoured here today by the presence of a son and daughter-in-law of our most gracious Queen. There are those who think that one party in the State entirely support Royalty, and the other does not. Belonging as I do to that other party in politics I give place to on one in my loyalty to the Queen. Our Royal Prince has had a long day of it, he has had a long week of it, and as his day in not yet finished I therefore propose to limit my remarks to very few words. You will all believe me when I tell you that I am sorry that this Park is not in the centre of the town. I wish I had got a thousand acres in the middle of Huddersfield — (laughter) — from which I might have given you 50 acres instead of a paltry 120. Now I can quite understand that this Park is not of so much use to the people of Dalton as it is to the people of Lockwood, but such as I had I gave to you, and I gave it to you willingly. (Hear, hear.) There is an old adage which says that you should not look a gift horse in the mouth. Well, this is a gift horse, and you must remember that my object was to bring health and happiness to those whom I could benefit and to as many as I could. Well, now, it has been said, and I think truly, that this Park will be an advantage to my estate. I say I believe that to be true, but that it will ever be in my time I fear — I am sure not. I have lived for 50 years, aye, and more, though not much more, and I have mistaken the Yorkshire character if they grudge to my successors what may accrue from what His Royal Highness has been pleased to call the generous gift of the donor. Now the laying out of this park has exceeded my utmost expectations. I anticipated when I gave it that this part of the Park would have been laid out in small walks with bushes, heather, &c. I never imagined such a beautiful Park as the one in which we are now assembled. It shows the great attention which has been paid to the matter by the Parks Committee and the Chairman, Alderman Rueben Hirst. The plans have been designed and carried out by Mr. Dugdale, the Borough Surveyor. I can only say that if he continues to carry out the other half of the Park with the same taste and skill with which he has carried out this part you will have one of the moot beautiful parks in the whole of England. I wish I may live to see it carried out as well and as prettily as this. (The Mayor : I think you will, sir.) I hope and trust in entering this Park for the future you will never have cause for regret or think otherwise than pleasantly of its donor.

Alderman R. Hirst (chairman of the Beaumont Park Committee) :—

I have been requested to say a few words, but I am suffering from such a severe cold which has such an effect upon my chest that if I attempted to speak I could not. Yesterday morning I waited upon Mr. Alderman Walker, and asked him to say a few words in my place. But before I retire I should like to say that all the credit for the laying out of this Park is due to the Borough Surveyor, and none whatever to the chairman of the Park Committee beyond presiding at the meetings where the money has been voted. (Laughter.) The planning and the carrying out of the work has been entirely the work of the Borough Surveyor and no one else, and I am sure very great credit is due to him for the splendid way in which he has laid it out thus far. And I am sure we all share the feeling of gratitude to our generous friend and neighbour, Mr. Beaumont, for giving us this Park. It is not yet two years ago since the music of the hounds and the horn of the huntsmen were heard amongst these trees. Why Mr. Beaumont, who is such a thorough English sportsman, should deprive his friends of that music I don’t know, except that he takes a greater pleasure in the health and welfare of the inhabitants of Huddersfield than he does in keeping such grounds as this up for the pleasures of the few who can get other pleasures.

Alderman Walker :—

I think I have beard a saying that a Mayor cannot err, but if I was to consult my own feelings today I should say that the Mayor had erred greatly in asking me to take any part in the proceedings of this afternoon. I suppose the reason why I am asked to join in the congratulations of this day is because in the year 1880 I occupied the position which our worthy Mayor occupies to-day, and I was entrusted on that occasion by my fellow-townsmen to present to Mrs. Beaumont, on behalf of the inhabitants of Huddersfield, a spade, wherewith to out the first sod of Beaumont Park, in which we are now assembled. I will not on the present occasion enter into the history of the work. Suffice it to say that Mr. Beaumont, unsolicited by anyone in this borough, offered the ground to the people of Huddersfield for ever. I think on an occasion like the present it is only right that I do justice, and say that a respected relative of mine, recently deceased, offered to buy this ground for the purpose of a Park, but Mr. Beaumont declined then to sell it, and I have no doubt that he had it in his mind to offer the ground to us for a Park, which he subsequently did. When Mr. Beaumont offered the ground the people of Huddersfield, at a very short notice, assembled in their thousands to do honour to him and his wife, and I believe that I indulged the hope that when this Park was opened, Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont and their children might be present. I am happy to say that they are here to-day to receive the congratulations and heartfelt sympathy of every one who appreciates the beauties of nature in this Park, and the spontaneity of the gift. It is a singular coincidence that now, tor the first time in the history of this great centre of industry, a public park has been declared open to the people. And what an auspicious occasion is this ? That we have the son and the daughter-in-law of our most illustrious lady Queen Victoria to second the efforts of a liberal gift, a Royal gift. I trust Mr. Beaumont may live for many years to see the fruits of his good work, and I trust also that his gift may be an incentive to others who have property in this district to do likewise. Now I don’t like to trespass upon good nature, but I believe that Mr. Beaumont referred to a certain portion of the borough called Dalton. If I mistake not he is a large property owner in that district, and I should not be much surprised if some day or other he makes us a gift of a Park in that direction. At any rate, whether he does do or not, this is a proud moment for us to be here to acknowledge the gift which Mr. Beaumont has presented to the town of Huddersfield. I dare say you will remember, during the meetings of the Social Science Congress, Sir Richard Temple told us that one of the most important works which a public community had to do was to provide a public park. I wish Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont long life and happiness. I will not trespass further upon your time. This is the first time we have been honoured by a Royal visit to our town, but throughout the country the Royal Family are well known for the good works that they do. (Applause.)

The Duchess then planted a tree in the ground to the south of the large lake, a silver spade being presented to her by the Mayor for that purpose.

At the conclusion of this ceremony there was considerable crushing, and great difficulty was experienced in getting out of the Park. The return journey to the town was soon accomplished, and the Royal party drove over to Whitley Beaumont.

In the evening there was a dinner party, and subsequently a reception.


THE DUKE AT CHURCH.

The neighbourhood of Kirkheaton Church was yesterday morning alive long before the bells rang for Divine Service with people anxious to get a sight of their Royal Highnesses, who, it was expected, would attend the church, being the guest of Mr. Henry F. Beaumont. So far as His Royal Highness the Duke of Albany was concerned this proved to be correct but much disappointment was felt that Her Royal Highness the Duchess did not accompany her Royal husband. The church was quite fall soon after 10 o’clock, with the regular worshippers and their friends, who were first admitted, and comparatively few strangers could be accommodated. The Royal visitor, Mr. Beaumont, and his family and friends were met by the churchwardens and conducted by them down the aisle of the sacred building to the Beaumont’s Chapel, and the service at once commenced. The Rev. R.H. Maddon, B.A., the rector, took the whole of the service himself. The sermon, from the text “Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom,” was suitable to rich and poor alike, and was most attentively listened to. The singing, too, of the regular choir, was exceedingly good, and was heartily joined in by the congregation, and it is simply true to say that the whole service was most enjoyable and devotional.

The services of Superintendent Goodall and his officers preserved order in the churchyard most efficiently, and hundreds of people watched the departure of His Royal Highness for Whitley Beaumont. A collection at the close of the service amounted to £11 9s. 7d.

It was generally rumoured throughout the town that their Royal Highnesses would attend divine service at the Parish Church yesterday evening as Bishop Hellmuth was preaching, and in anticipation of this large crowds gathered in its vicinity both before and after the service. The rumour proved not to have any foundation, and the large number of people quietly dispersed, evidently much disappointed at not being able to catch another glimpse of their Royal Highnesses.

The Observer (14/Oct/1883) – Royal Visit to Huddersfield

The following account of the opening of Beaumont Park was OCR’d from the original Observer article and may contain small errors (please leave a comment if you spot any!)

See also:


ROYAL VISIT TO HUDDERSFIELD

(FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.)

Huddersfield, Saturday Night.

The Duke and Duchess of Albany visited Huddersfield today for the double purpose of inspecting the Fine Art Exhibition and opening Beaumont Park. The Royal party arrived from Farnley Hall, Otley, at Huddersfield Railway Station at half-past ten o’clock, and they were received by the Mayor and Town Council, who presented them with the following address, which was read by the Town Clerk :—

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Albany. May it please your Royal Highnesses. We, the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the Borough of Huddersfield desire on behalf of all classes of the inhabitants to approach your Highnesses, on the occasion of your honouring the borough with a visit, with assurances of a most cordial and loyal welcome. In welcoming your Royal Highnesses, we not only desire to express our loyalty and attachment to Her Majesty the Queen and her illustrious House, but also to give expression, however inadequately, to our grateful recognition of the warm interest which is taken by Her Majesty and the Royal Family in the prosperity and welfare of the industries of the country, in the first rank of which is the woollen-cloth manufacture, of which Huddersfield is the centre and chief seat. The presence of your Royal Highnesses in our town today is associated with two public objects of great interest and importance to the inhabitants. One is the establishment in connection with the Mechanics’ Institute of a technical school to aid in developing and perfecting, by means of technical instruction to the young, the taste and skill of all those engaged in the various processes and forms of local woollen industry. The other object of the visit of your Royal Highnesses is the opening for public use of a new park, called the Beaumont Park, the site of which has been generously presented to the town by Mr. Henry Frederick Beaumont, of Whitley Beaumont. The Beaumont Park not only presents great elements of beauty in its conformation, and the extensive view which it commands, but will afford space for physical recreation in the fresh pure air so necessary and so grateful to those whose daily hours are spent in arduous toil, often in confined or crowded space and in a vitiated atmosphere. We respectfully ask that your Royal Highnesses will open this park, and that her Royal Highness the Duchess of Albany will be graciously pleased to plant a tree within the park in commemoration of this auspicious occasion. Given under the corporate common seal of the borough this 13th day of October, a.d. 1883. John Fligg Brigg, Mayor ; Joseph Batley, Town Clerk.

His Royal Highness in reply said :—

Mr. Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the Borough of Huddersfield. On the Duchess of Albany’s and on my own behalf I beg to thank both you and the inhabitants of Huddersfield for the kind terms of your address. I thank you also for your expression of loyalty to the Queen ; and I can assure you that such tokens of attachment on the part of Her Majesty’s subjects are highly valued by her [applause]. Both the Duchess and I have looked forward with interest to visiting your town, for we are aware that it has won for itself a high reputation amongst many important manufacturing centres in this port of England [cheers]. It will afford us great pleasure to visit the technical school, and the Industrial and Fine Art Exhibition [cheers]. Such undertakings as these furnish sufficient proof of the vitality of the industries of Huddersfield, and of the determination of her leading citizens to neglect no legitimate means of raising the standard of taste and knowledge among all classes of their fellow townsmen [applause]. With no less gratification shall we assist at the ceremony of opening the park, the site of which has been so generously presented to you by Mr. Henry Beaumont [cheers]. The Duchess of Albany joins with me in the hope that the town of Huddersfield may continue to enjoy in the future that prosperity which has attended it for so many past years.

A procession was then formed, and their Royal Highnesses, escorted by a regiment of West Yorkshire Yeomanry and accompanied by a large number of the principal residents and officials, proceeded to the Fine Art Exhibition, where they were received by Colonel Brooke, the president, and the committee, and were shown over the building. The Duchess accepted a magnificent Oriental shawl, manufactured by Messrs. Norton Brothers and Co., as a specimen of local manufacture and souvenir of the visit. Both their Royal Highnesses were deeply interested in the machinery and other departments, and asked several questions about various exhibits. Subsequently they proceeded to the Town Hall, where they were entertained at luncheon by the Mayor. A large number of guests had been invited.

The Mayor proposed the loyal toasts, and the Duke of Albany in responding asked to be allowed to state, on behalf of himself and his brothers, that they were all animated by a desire to promote the best interests of the country. After assuring them that they heartily wished success to such enterprises as Huddersfield had embarked in, his Royal Highness expressed regret at not being able to visit that town before, and acknowledged the enthusiastic welcome which he and the Duchess had received. To those who did not know the position which Huddersfield occupied in connection with the woollen industry he would say that this was not the first time the town had awakened to a sense of the importance of affording high class instruction to her artisans. He had been deeply interested in learning that so long ago as 1855 his father’s attention was drawn to the existence at Huddersfield of the Mechanics’ Institute, and was so struck with the merits of the work that he voluntarily sent a contribution to its funds. The technical school at Huddersfield might be described as a development of its Mechanics’ Institute, and the continued success of the one was sufficient guarantee that the people of Huddersfield would not be slow to avail themselves of further improvement in the machinery of education. It had been well said that if we would succeed we must struggle. England had now to face foreign competition, but with her workmen better educated they need not fear to stand the test. Scientific education had made greater advances of late years, and had been considerably helped by the ancient guilds of London — such as, for example, the Worshipful Company of Cloth workers, who had hastened to acknowledge that for such purposes almost legitimate demands might be made upon the funds at their disposal. While Huddersfield and other towns were making such advances in education it could no longer be said that delicate and decorative work could not be produced in England. He congratulated the town upon the success of the Exhibition, and referred in terms of approval to the movement for making part of the present Exhibition into a permanent museum.

Lord Wharncliffe, in reply to the toast of the House of Lords, spoke in terms of high appreciation of the efforts of the Duke of Albany on behalf of the public welfare.

Mr. E.A. Leatham, M.P., responded for the House of Commons.

A large procession of friendly societies, trades, &c., accompanied the Duke and Duchess to Beaumont. There were several triumphal arches, and very extensive decorations on the line of route. The Mayor presented the Duck with a gold key and his Royal Highness formally declared the park open. He dwelt upon the importance of parks to large communities, and referred to the fact that the land was a gift to the town. There were many ways in which those who had means at their disposal might select for brightening and improving the lot of their fellow country-men, and England could point with just pride to the long list of names which would be inseparably bound up with improvements — monuments, more durable than brass, of wise and patriotic generosity.

The Duchess of Albany then planted a tree, and the Royal party afterwards drove to Beaumont, where a number of guests had been asked to meet them at dinner.

The town is illuminated tonight, and rejoicings at the first visit of Royalty are prevalent. On Monday the Duke will be presented with an address by the Freemasons, and will afterwards be entertained by them at luncheon.


1883.10.14 ROYAL VISIT TO HUDDERSFIELD - Observer