Snakes and Monkeys!

1870 was a good year for stories about escaped exotic animals!

In May, the Huddersfield Chronicle took great delight in reporting the police’s attempts to capture a snake in the town centre:1

Capture of a Runaway Snake.

On Sunday morning two boys called at the Borough Police Station, and informed Inspector Townend that they had seen a snake crawling down Cross Queen Street — a narrow thoroughfare at the rear of the Gymnasium Hall and the Theatre Royal, and extending, from Bull and Mouth Street, near the Police Station, to Queen Street. Inspector Townend, upon the “information received,” sallied from the office, and, near the Fire Brigade Station, in the narrow street alluded to already, espied the reptile, which would be about one yard long. The Inspector, not knowing whether it was of a venemous or docile order, felt somewhat perplexed, and contemplated the “apprehension” of the monster with bated breath. While the Inspector occupied himself with devising means for the successful capture of the stranger, who was now in jeopardy of being “brought up” under the Vagrant Act, for “wandering abroad without any visible means of subsistence, and not giving a good account of himself,” the snake kept crawling onwards, to the evident amusement and gratification of the bystanders, and the Inspector was loathe to lay hands upon it, or take it into his custody. Mr. C.P. Hobkirk, however, happened to be passing, and went to the assistance of the Inspector, who, with unusual willingness, resigned his charge into other hands. Mr. Hobkirk took possession of the snake, and preserved it in the ordinary way. On Tuesday morning Mr. Withers, head constable, received a note from Mr. W.E. Thomas, stating that, in autumn last, a snake escaped from its box at the Naturalist Society’s exhibition, held in the Gymnasium Hall, and it was never found. If the snake captured on Sunday morning is that which escaped in autumn, it would be difficult to trace the ground over which, with its slow locomotion it has traversed ; and naturalists will be curious to know the kind of food upon which it has subsisted in the meantime.

In October, the Chronicle reported on an escaped monkey in Dungeon Wood, Lockwood:2

Escape and Capture of a Monkey.

On Wednesday morning, as a gentleman from Lockwood was enjoying a stroll through Dungeon Wood, he was somewhat startled by a strange sound and rustling of the bushes. A retriever dog, with which he was accompanied, soon unearthed the cause of the alarm, which proved to be an untamed monkey. Perceiving its enemy (the dog), the monkey began to chatter most energetically, at the same time bounding and climbing from one wall to another, and anon secreting itself among the brushwood. The canine tormentor did not allow it to remain long in its hiding place, and, had it not been for the timely interference of the gentleman, no doubt the monkey would have been severely treated by its pursuer. At length the monkey was captured, and claimed by Mr. Davis, lithographer, whose brother, a seaman, had recently brought it from abroad. The monkey had for the night been fastened under the cellar steps, but had contrived to escape.

illustration from "Hunting and Trapping Stories: A Book for Boys" (1903)
illustration from “Hunting and Trapping Stories: A Book for Boys” (1903)

Accidents, injuries and deaths on the Meltham Branch Line: 1890 onwards

Following on the previous blog posts, this is a list of the other accidents and deaths on the Meltham Branch Line from 1890 onwards that I found whilst researching through old newspapers.

Once again, this is primarily based on researching the Huddersfield Chronicle archives.

20/Aug/1892: Vandeleur Earnshaw

The Chronicle reported that a gardener named Vandeleur Earnshaw had attempted to board the 5:50am train at Meltham Station when it was already in motion. Whilst jogging alongside the train, he had managed to open a compartment door and was attempting to get in when he ran off the end of the platform. He tumbled down, fell partly onto the track and the train “passed over the leg just below the ankle”. He was rushed to Huddersfield Infirmary where it was necessary to amputate the limb.1

Vandeleur Earnshaw2 was born around 1857 in Meltham, the son of wood cutter Abraham and Martha Earnshaw. He married Sarah Hannah Duckitt on 23 March 1878 at Meltham Mills and they raised a family in Meltham, where he worked as a domestic gardener.

It seems the accident meant that Vandeleur could no longer work as a gardener and the 1901 Census lists him as a 44-year-old “silk boiler” (most likely working for Jonas Brook & Bros. Ltd.) living with his wife and seven children at 18 Shady Row, Meltham. He died in 1916, aged 60, and was buried on 15 November at Meltham Mills.

Their son, Serjeant Hilton Earnshaw was killed in action on 31 August 1916 and is buried at the St. Amand British Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France. He was serving with the 9th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment).

08/Mar/1894: Eastwood

From the Huddersfield Chronicle (10/Mar/1894):

NARROW ESCAPE

On Thursday afternoon, as the 3:40 train from Huddersfield to Meltham was entering the Meltham Station, the porter, Eastwood, a youth about 16 years of age, was seen to run alongside the train and attempt to catch hold of the carriage handle. He succeeded in getting hold, but lost his footing, the train dragged him a short distance on the platform, when he left his hold, and the train turned him over, and but for the timely assistance of Wright Smith, the head porter, he would in all probability have been killed. His eyes are badly knocked and swollen, and his knees bruised. It is expected that he will be all right again in a few days.

The Huddersfield Daily Examiner (05/Feb/1915) reported on the celebrations for Wright and Ellen Smith’s golden wedding anniversary. The couple, who married on 4 February 1865, were then living at 4 Beaumont Street in Netherton.

After spending fifty years together, the couple continue to live happily in their cottage at Netherton, and although he has passed the allotted span of three score years and ten Mr. Smith may frequently be found working on the land with neighbouring farmers. For over thirty years he was employed by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Co., first at the Huddersfield goods warehouse, and afterwards at Meltham, where he held the position of foreman porter prior to his retirement about five years ago.

Wright was born around 1840 in Almondbury and most likely died in 1927, aged 87. His wife was Ellen Dunn, also born around 1840, who likely died in 1922, aged 82. They had no children.

06/Mar/1895: Landslip and Derailment

The Huddersfield Daily Chronicle reported extensively on a landslip which occurred around 7pm on Wednesday 6 March 1895 — mostly due to the fact that one of their reporters was greatly inconvenienced by it!3

Following the completion of a district council meeting in Meltham, a number of people waited for the 8:28pm departure to Huddersfield but there was no sign at all of the train and the station staff seemed unsure as to what exactly had happened, other than a rumour of a derailment and an assurance that there would likely be no more trains that evening. The reporter set off walking down the line and arrived at Healey House station around 9pm, where he found the station master in “blissful ignorance of the accident, but wondering much what had become of the missing train”.

Now joined by as gas works employee who had been waiting for the train to Huddersfield at Healey House, the pair set off into the darkness, lighting matches to aid them through Netherton Tunnel and then Butternab Tunnel. Exiting the latter, they found the cause — a landslip had “encumbered the line for some distance” and the train heading towards Huddersfield had ploughed into the debris, causing a slight derailment.

The driver, named Mallinson, was praised by the reporter for keeping a cool head and assisting some dozen passengers — none of whom had sustained any injuries in the accident — to walk down the line to Lockwood station.

A team of workmen had already arrived on a train from Mirfield to the other end of the landslip and the reporter was offered the opportunity to ride on the footplate back to Lockwood. From there, he had to walk in the heavy rain back to Huddersfield, having missed the last tram of the day.

The article ended with a report on the rumours which “prevailed at the various stations on the line as to what had really happened”:

Some would be satisfied with nothing less than a holocaust of the whole of the passengers, and others added the horrors of a fire to the appalling catastrophe which their imagination pictured. The reality fell far short of this.

14/Dec/1895: Thomas Edward Taylor

Meltham wine merchant Thomas Edward Taylor (of Messrs. Taylor Bros.) was lucky not to have been injured when he tried to board the 7:25am train from Meltham Station which was already in motion.4 According to the newspaper report, he pushed a signalman to one side, grabbed hold of the second-class carriage and was dragged down the platform — one foot on the carriage and one still the platform. The train was quickly stopped and a guard took down the merchant’s details.

The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (L&YR) company prosecuted Thomas Edward under a railway by-law which penalised anyone attempting to enter or leave a train in motion. In court in mid-January 1896, he pleaded guilty and was fined £1 with a further £1 0s. 6d. costs.5

This was almost certainly the Thomas Edward Taylor born around 1858 in Meltham, the son of woollen weaver Uriah Taylor and his wife Martha (née Sedgwick or Walshaw). The various records name him as a “mineral water manufacturer”, rather than a “wine merchant” and he married an American woman named Bertha (who was born around 1870) sometime around 1893. Court records show that he was found guilty of “working a horse which was in an unfit condition” in July 1899 and fined 5s. and 7s. 6d. expenses.

In August 1900, he was named as one of “Messrs. Taylor Bros.” of Meltham who was attempting to obtain a beer licence for a grocer’s shop on Brow Road, Paddock. However, as Taylor didn’t reside there, it was not granted.

The 1901 Census lists the couple with a 3-year-old daughter, Eva Irene Taylor, and living with his older brother, jeweller Henry Taylor, on Market Place, Meltham. They then spent some time in the United States, where a son named Henry was born around 1907. By the time of the 1911 Census, they were back in Meltham and living at Law Cottage.

04/Mar/1896: John Allen Woodhouse

It was somewhere along the stretch of line between the Netherton and Butternab Tunnels that local man Vincent Senior made a gruesome discovery on the morning of Thursday 5 March 1896.6

Vincent was born around 1862 in Dewsbury and moved to Huddersfield where he married local woman Ellen Hirst in 1890. He lived for a while with his in-laws in Almondbury before moving to Netherton and he worked as a “platelayer“, which meant his job was to inspect the railway line for wear and tear and obstacles. He is recorded as joining the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants union in 1896.

On that March morning, he set off early at around 5:30am from Netherton to walk the line to Lockwood and found the body of a man by the side of the line at Butternab Bank. As no trains had run yet that day, it was assumed the man had been hit by a train the night before and had suffered extensive injuries to the neck and head. Vincent ran to fetch help, finding local Police Constable Ruddick, who ordered the body moved to a nearby log cabin. A Mrs. Crowther also assisted in laying out the body.

The Chronicle (06/Mar/1896) gave the following description of the deceased:7

Height, 5ft. 6in. ; dark brown hair, ginger moustache, and blue eyes ; dressed in blue cloth jacket and vest, fustian trousers greasy on front of legs, black overcoat and cap ; black, white and red check shirt, blue and white scarf, grey stockings and light laced boots. The only articles in the pockets were two clay pipes and two tobacco boxes.

By the following day, the Yorkshire Evening Post reported that the deceased had been identified as 33-year-old John Allen Woodhouse, an unmarried mill hand who lived on Plover Lane in Lindley.8 He had visited his aunt in Netherton on the day of his death and was least seen leaving her house that evening.

John Allen Woodhouse was born 24 November 1863, the son of local weaver James Woodhouse and his wife Mary, and was baptised at All Hallows parish church in Kirkburton on 2 November 1865. By the time of the 1891 Census, aged 28, he was living with his older sister Matilda and two younger brothers at the family home on Plover Road. It appears that their parents were both dead and Matilda was now the head of the family. At the time, John Allen was working as a “cotton piecer”, which meant his role was to mend broken threads.

An inquest was held on Friday 6 March at the Commercial Inn, Netherton, with district coroner Mr. W. Barstow presiding.9 It was reported that John Allen’s body had been identified by his aunt Ann Woodhouse, and that he’d visited her house in Netherton at around 5pm that Wednesday where he ate tea. Ann told the inquest that her nephew had been in low spirits:

He took a long time over his tea, and sighed several times while he was having it. He had not been well for some time and had been under the doctor, and he made a remark to her to the effect that he thought it was nearly all over for him. She told him that she thought he would look up again, and he replied that he did not think he would. He talked very little, but answered her when she spoke to him.

Ann went on to state that John Allen’s father had been twice in an asylum and had died in Wadsley Asylum (Sheffield) about three weeks before. John Allen’s brother then told the inquest that the deceased had not worked for nearly a month due to ill-health and seemed “run down” — presumably he had been deeply affected by his father’s illness and death.

Ann stated that John Allen had left her house at around 7pm and that she supposed he intended to head home to Lindley (about a 4 mile walk northwards of Netherton). Instead, it seems he wandered down either Nether Moor Road or Butternab Road and then onto the railway line where he waited for it to get dark. Given the nature of the injuries, he likely laid with his head on the line and was struck by one of the last trains of the day — none of the drivers had reported seeing anything on the line that night, so the body laid undiscovered until the following morning. The jury returned a verdict that he had probably committed suicide but it was impossible to know the exact state of his mind at the time.

John Allen Woodhouse was laid to rest at Holy Trinity parish church, South Crossland, on 3 July 1896. If I can find his gravestone, I’ll add a photograph to this blog post.

27/Sep/1900: Joe Morehouse

On 9 September at around 8:30am, 24-year-old brass finisher Joe Morehouse was collecting blackberries by the railway side near Beaumont Park with a friend named William Brown. He slipped and fell a short distance — presumably onto the railway line — and claimed he’d hurt himself. It was reported that his health deteriorated and he eventually died at 3:50pm on 27 September. At an inquest, his doctor reported that Morehouse had been in poor health recently and a verdict of “accidental death” was returned.10


My access to the Chronicle‘s archives ends in 1900, but I did find a few later reports in other sources…

21/Sep/1905: Christopher Mallinson

Reported in the Railway Accidents 1876: Return of Accidents and Casualties (July-September 1905) that goods guard Christopher Mallinson had been in charged of the 4:35pm goods train from Meltham to Lockwood. Seven waggons were uncoupled at Lockwood and “allowed to run into the shoot road” at the station. Maillnson claimed he couldn’t then stop the waggons using his brake and “consequently used two sprags, one of which rebounded and struck him, breaking his leg”.

The waggons were then stopped by William R. Bond, who did so purely with the brake, which led to the verdict that “there was no need for Mallinson to use a sprag to stop the waggons, and I attribute the accident to his own want of caution.”

20/Aug/1914

The Huddersfield Daily Examiner (20/Aug/1914) reported on an apparent suicide:

LOCKWOOD RAIL TRAGEDY

A weaver named Sam Gill (55), widower, who lived at 13, Batley Street, Moldgreen, with his two daughters, was found lying dead on the railway near Beaumont Park this afternoon shortly after the train which had left Meltham at 1:38 had passed. His head was completely severed from his body.

Samuel Gill was born around 1859 in Fulstone, New Mill. The 1911 Census lists him as a 52-year-old widower and living with him were his nephew, Ernest (aged 26), and two daughters, Alice (aged 24) and Jane Gill (aged 12). His wife, Janet, had died in 1909, aged 50.

The inquiry into his death heard that “the deceased had been somewhat peculiar of late” and that a witness had seem him climb over a wall near Beaumont Park and lay his head on the railway line as the train approached. A verdict of “suicide whilst of unsound mind” was recorded.

19/May/1921: Headless Body

From the Yorkshire Post (20/May/1921):

Yesterday afternoon the headless body of a man was found on the Meltham branch line of the railway near Beaumont Park, Huddersfield. The man was apparently about 45 years of age.

I could find no further articles about this apparent suicide, but 1921 was a year in which headless bodies were found on railway lines near Buckhurst Hill (March), Euxton (July), Etchingham Station (August), Bath (August), Newton St. Loe (September), Cambridge (December) and Hull (December). In the last case, the inquest heard that Robert Turner was in the habit of removing his shoes and sleeping wherever he was — his boots were stood neatly beside his decapitated body, so it was assumed he had decided to sleep on the railway line!

14/Feb/1952: Wyndham Bradley

The following accident was reported in the Yorkshire Evening Post11 and it occurred nearly 3 years after the last passenger train in May 1949:

MAN HURT AT STATION

Wyndan Bradley (60), Midland Street, Huddersfield, a foreman platelayer, fell from the platform at Netherton railway station, near Huddersfield, today and injured his back. He was detained in the Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Likely the Post got the name wrong, and this was Wyndham Bradley, born in the village of Leintwardine, Herefordshire, circa 1891.

By the time of the 1911 Census, 21-year-old Wyndham was living with his married sister, Mary Priestley, at Bottoms Wood in Slaithwaite and working as a dyer’s labourer for a woollen manufacturer. A couple of years later, he married local woman Gertrude Moore in Slaithwaite on 11 October 1913.

Gertrude was born in 1890, the daughter of Fred Moore and his wife Emma (née Bamforth). It seems Gertrude’s father died before she was born, aged only 23, and the 1891 Census finds Emma and daughter living with Emma’s parents, labourer Joseph Bamforth and his wife Charlotte, in Upper Holme, Slaithwaite. At that point, 25-year-old Emma was working as “cotton card room hand” — before cotton could be spun into a thread, it had to be carded to align the fibres and Emma would have operated a carding machine, and this was a low-status job in the cotton factory. Emma’s siblings also mostly worked in the local cotton factories, as “cotton spinners”, “cotton piercers” and “cotton twiners”.

Gertrude continued to live with her grandparents until her marriage. By the time of the 1911 Census, she too was working in the cotton mills as a weaver and perhaps she worked in the same mill as Wyndham?

Wyndham died in 1958, aged 67. There are two likely death registry entries for Gertrude in the Huddersfield area:

  • Gertrude Bradley: born 09/Feb/1890, died 1969
  • Gertrude Bradley: born 03/Aug/1890, died 1982

23/Jun/1958: Runaway Carriages

A set of four empty carriages that had been left in a siding on the branch line rolled down towards Lockwood, likely released by vandals.12 A quick-thinking signalman (presumably at Meltham Junction) routed them off into the good yards but they ploughed through the buffers and went over Swan Lane, crashing into the booking office of the station.

Amazingly no-one was injured, although the stationmaster and a booking clerk were trapped in the rubble and had to climb out.

1958.06.23 crash 2

1958.06.23 crash 1

Martin Bairstow’s The Huddersfield & Sheffield Junction Railway: The Penistone Line contains a couple of photographs taken by Peter Sunderland showing the aftermath of the crash. The one reproduced below shows the damage after the carriages had been removed.

© Peter Sunderland
© Peter Sunderland

The booking office was later demolished, as can be seen on this Google Street View of the crash site:

This wasn’t the first time an accident like this had happened — 16 empty wagons had rolled free from a siding on the evening of 9 September 1953 and crashed a wooden fence, leaving one blocking Swan Lane and two others teetering above the road.

Prior to that, in October 1913, a train had been shunting trucks of coal when a few of them broke free, demolishing the buffers and wrecking part of the signal box. The Manchester Guardian (29/Oct/1913) reported that two trucks full of coal fell 40 feet onto the road below and five more were left hanging down the embankment. The signalman (W.G. Brackenbury of Newsome) had jumped to safety through the window of his signal box, sustaining only minor injuries.


Coda

With the closure of the line to passenger services in 1949, it was used purely for transporting goods.

Despite opposition from businesses in Meltham, particular David Brown’s, the branch line officially closed on 5 April 1965 and, following one last train carrying dangerous chemicals which ran to Meltham in January 1966, the line was dismantled in the autumn of 1966. After 100 years, the Meltham Branch Line was consigned to the history books.

Having said that, the next time you find yourself walking along the stretch of Meltham Road between Big Valley and Lockwood, take a moment to look down into the valley towards Woodfield Park Sports and Social Club. A little bit of the Meltham Branch Line still seemingly survives in the hundreds of wooden railway sleepers used to edge the grounds of the club…

…and a little further along, you’ll find some more which were used to fence off the access road down to the sports club:

150 Years Ago: Huddersfield Chronicle (10/Jun/1865)

A selection of articles and news from the Huddersfield Chronicle from 150 years ago today.


Adverts

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Poetry, Original and Selected

A BIRD’S NEST.

What architect, with well-matured plans,
Could vie with this attractive symmetry,
And raise so light a structure and so sure,
On slender beams that sway with every breeze ?
So snng and smooth is it within, that one
Inspires from it a deeper love of home,
And longs to share in all its perfectness.
Scarce one insinuating drop of rain
Can scare the simple life that breathes within ;
For overhead a canopy of leaves,
So carelessly disposed, yet each soft blade
Overlapping other, that a compact roof
Of velvet green secures from nature’s frown :
But not from ruthless hand of cruelty.
That with one grasp makes vain the work of days,
Creates a song of woe where bright-eyed joy
Was budding into summer ecstacy.
Learn life’s economy, ye thriftless, here !
No sprig too sightless for an honoured place,
Or woolly fragment for the cushioned bed.
Art thou discouraged oft by adverse fate ?
Through what inclement days the parent bird
Piles up with care the units of its home !
Wilt thou less strong appear, when rest
Eternal interests in Stern Duty’s scale ?
Speckled, or white, or blue as southern skies,
Each egg brings newer grace to all within ;
So even holy thought thou utterest may
Within thy home lure tenderest hearts to bring
Such fresh’ning charms a world cannot supply.

— Henry Williamson, Huddersfield.1

Selections of Wit and Humour

He that is taught to live upon little, owes more to his father’s wisdom that he that has a great deal left him does to his father’s care.

Foreign Miscellany and Gossip

The American papers record the death of Old Hannibal, a travelling show elephant. He was 11ft. 8in. high, weighed 15,000lb, and was 66 years old. He consumed 300lb of hay, three bushels of oats, and 46 gallon of water daily. For 36 years he travelled 3,000 miles every year.

Sales by Private Contract

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Public Notices

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Local News

We understand the Enderby Hall Estate, situate about five miles from Leicester, was on Wednesday last offered for sale by auction, and purchased for the sum of £67,000 by Charles Brook, Jun., Esq., of Meltham Hall. The estate, which is situated in one of the loveliest parts of Leicestershire, comprises about 730 acres, and 45 acres of woods and plantations. The purchase also includes the lordship of the major, with the advowson. Mr. Henry Tinker, of Holmfirth made the purchase on Mr. Brook’s behalf.

Magistrates in Petty Sessions

A DRUNKEN FREAK. Alfred Whiteley, otherwise known by the sobriquet of “Sixes” was brought up on a charge of drunkenness. On Saturday afternoon the defendant was hired to take to a field a horse belonging to Mr. Henry Stocks, brewer, Spring Mill, but, instead of doing so, he mounted the animal, and rode too and fro until five o’clock, when he proceeded to the stable of F.R. Jones, jun., Esq., with a view of obtaining a saddle, to enhance the pleasures of the afternoon. In the stable, however, he found a horse already saddled, and with the coolest impudence he seated himself upon it, and drove away with the two animals up Crosland Hill. He was pursued by a man on horseback in the employ of Mr. Jones, and overtaken at the bar on Crosland Moor. This witness went to Milnsbridge and gave information to the police, and the defendant was eventually escorted to bridewell. — Mr. Laycock : He pleads guilty to being drunk. — Defendant, who urged that he was “partly” intoxicated, admitted that he took the horse from the stable, so that he could have a ride, but argued that there was a “chief p(o)int” about the case. — The court, however, failed to observe the force of the argument, and apparently believed that the “chief pint” (of ale) was that which impelled the defendant to commit the foolish act with which he was charged. — Mr. Superintendent Heaton informed the Bench that “Sixes” had several times received the special attention of the magistrates.— Defendant asserted that he would “sign teetotal,” and promised never to place himself in a similar predicament again if he were discharged. — The Chairman said they could not believe him, and he would be fined 10s. and expenses ; altogether 10s. — Defendant: Or in default ? — The Chairman : One month to Wakefield. (Laughter)

General District Intelligence

CUMBERWORTH — Accident to a Child.

On Tuesday last an accident occurred to a little girl while walking in procession with the school children in Cumberworth. A wedding party was passing along at the same time, when one of the vehicles knocked the child down, the wheel passing over her. She was immediately picked up, and the marriage party were very solicitious as to her injuries which fortunately proved but slight. One of the gentlemen considerately and handsomely gave the child a sovereign to compensate her for the fright sustained.

FARNLEY TYAS — The Feast.

Wednesday last was a pleasant day at Farnley, it being the annual feast. The day was remarkably fine, which caused an immense influx of visitors, and the village presented quite a lively appearance. The usual quantity of nut, gingerbread, and other stalls filled up the principal attractions till the evening, when a grand gala, got up by Lady Dartmouth’s brass band was held in a field belonging Mr. Robert Kaye, where the usual sports were indulged in till dark.

Cricket

Lockwood v. Manchester.

This match was played at Lockwood, on Whit-Monday, and resulted in favour of the former by 10 runs on the first innings. The game throughout was very closely contested, and the batting, bowling, and fielding were excellent.

Marriages

On the 5th inst., at the Independent Chapel, Honley, by the Rev. Henry Hustwick, Mr. William Waring, sculptor, of Liverpool, to Ann, youngest daughter of Mr. Thomas Heaton, of Honley. This being the first marriage celebrated in the above chapel since its re-opening, a handsome family Bible was presented to the bride by a few of her friends worshipping there.

150 Years Ago: Huddersfield Chronicle (03/Jun/1865)

A selection of articles and news from the Huddersfield Chronicle from 150 years ago today.


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Wit and Humour

A gentleman a few days ago said to a young lady who had just returned from the sea-side, “I’m delighted to see you’re back — or rather, your face — again.”

To Be Let

WESTFIELD TERRANCE. MRS. FARRAND, having been induced to take a good House at the above address, would be glad to LET SITTING and BEDROOMS to one or two Gentlemen.

Fashions

MISSES SHAW, Milliners, Dress and Mantle Makers, are NOW SHOWING some of the Choicest NOVELTIES, suitable for the present season. An Inspection is respectfully solicited. 15, Ramsden Street.

Turnpike Roads

TOLLS TO BE LET.
LOCKWOOD AND MELTHAM TURNPIKE ROAD.

Notice is hereby given, that the TOLLS arising at the several Tollgates, Bars, and Chains upon the Turnpike Road from Lockwood to Meltham, and a Branch of Road to Meltham Mills, all in the parish of Almondbury, in the West Riding of the County of York, called by the several names of the Dungeon Gate, Netherton Gate, and Chain and Harewood Bridge Gate and Chain, WILL BE LET, either BY AUCTION OR TICKET, to the best bidder, for the term of one or more year or years, as may be agreed on at the time of letting (and subject to such conditions as will be then and there produced), at the house of Mr. Samuel Bradley, the Imperial Hotel, in Huddersfield, on Thursday, the 8th day of June next, between the hours of Three and Five o’clock in the afternoon, in the manner directed by the General Turnpike Act, or Acts of Parliament, which Tolls are now in the hands of the Trustees of the said Road, and produced in the year last past the sum of £1,043 9s. 1d., and will be put up at that sum.

Whoever happens to be the highest bidder must at the same time pay one month’s rent in advance (if required) of the rent at which such Tolls may be let, and give security with sufficient sureties, to the satisfaction of the Trustees of the said Turnpike Road, for the payment of the remainder of the money monthly, or in such other proportions as shall be directed by the said Trustees.

A deposit of £30 will be required from each person intending to become a bidder, previously to any bidding by such person being accepted.

By Order,
EDGAR FENTON, Clerk to the Trustees of the said Turnpike Road.
Huddersfield, 3rd May, 1865.

Public Notices

GRAND CRICKET MATCH OF THE SEASON.
MANCHESTER v. LOCKWOOD

THE above Grand MATCH will be played on the Lockwood Ground on Whit Monday, June 5th. Wickets pitched at Eleven a.m. Admission 6d. No dogs admitted.

Magistrates in Petty Sessions

DAMAGE BY HENS. Daniel Fisher, of Kirkheaton, was charged with doing damage to a field of grass the property of Ephraim Sykes, of the same place. The damage was laid at 6s. Mr. Dransfield defended. The defendant keeps a number of hens, which continually trespass in complainant’s field, and have scratched up his hay grass. He cautioned defendant six weeks since to keep them out, but without effect. The complainant did not press for a penalty, only this his property should not be destroyed. At the recommendation of the Bench he withdrew summons on the expenses being paid.

District Intelligence

CLAYTON WEST — Dastardly Outrage.

During Friday and Saturday nights last, some rascal entered the small plantation belonging to John Kaye, Esq., of Clayton, known as “Plumpton Park,” and cut down and destroyed a number of young valuable trees. A reward of £20 has been offered by Mr. Kaye for the discovery of the perpetrators of the outrage.

MELTHAM — Freak of Nature.

A singluar freak of nature has occurred at Thickhollins, the particulars being as follows. Mr. Benjamin Wilson, spindle maker, of Thickhollins, sat an ordinary English duck on the usual number of eggs to form a brood. On Thursday evening week the duck hatched her progeny, when among the brood was one most extraordinary formed, it having three legs and four feet. The usual two legs — one on each side — are properly formed, but a third one is attached to the body behind, and is perfect down to the centre joint, from which place a fourth foot branches out, so that the little waddler has four perfectly formed feet — the two hind ones being webbed together — and three legs.

NETHERTON — A Long-Needed Improvement.

Netherton for many years past has been much behind many villages in public improvements, but the formation of the railway and other causes appear to have given a good impetus to it, and, of late, considerable improvements have been made. Among the greatest of these is the laying down at present of a substantial and much-needed flagged causeway, together with the erection of a handsome pillar lamp, at the cross, which, when completed, will be an ornament to the village.

LINDLEY — A Centenarian.

On Monday last, a hearty old lady of Lindley, named Sarah Firth, widow of the late Thomas Firth, of that place, accomplished her 100th birthday. The old lady continues in the enjoyment of all her faculties, with the exception of hearing, in which at times she had found herself rather deficient of late years. She walks nimbly about, and goes about her usual household work with alacrity. Her eldest child — a daughter — is still living, and is 79 years of age. This centenarian has forty grandchildren now living, several of whom having emigrated to Australia, no information can be obtained as to the total number of great grandchildren, but there are between forty and fifty of them living in England at the present time. Her eldest grandchild is upwards of fifty years old.1


Does anyone know if the “handsome pillar lamp” in Netherton is the one stood on Moor Lane? If so, it’s celebrating its 150th birthday this month!

nethertonlamp

“Lockwood Viaduct” by Brian Fawcett

A painting of Lockwood Viaduct by artist Brian Fawcett, circa 1900.

Lockwood Viaduct
Lockwood Viaduct

Out of frame to the lower left is Meltham Junction, where the Meltham Branch Line separated from the Penistone Line. The train in the foreground appears to be making its way towards Meltham.

Presumably Fawcett set up his easel on Hanson Lane, as I wasn’t standing too far away from where he painted it when I took this photo 115 years later:

railway2

The Beaumont Park Committee

Mr. Henry F. Beaumont (1833–1913), of the Whitley Beaumont estate and Crosland Hall, South Crosland, had initially offered in May 1879 an area of land around 30 acres in the Crosland Moor area for conversion into Huddersfield’s first public park.1

25, John William Street, Huddersfield, May 17th, 1879.

To Joseph Batley, Esq., Town Clerk.

Dear Sir.

I am directed by Henry Fredk. Beaumont, Esq. of Whitley Beaumont, to ask you whether or not the Corporation of Huddersfield are willing to accept from him the gift of a portion of Crosland Moor, containing an area of not less than 30 acres, for the purpose of a public park and recreation ground. Mr. Beaumont would offer the land in its present state, without contributing anything towards laying it out as a park, and would probably ask the Corporation to surround such park with a public road, where such public road does not now exist. If such a gift is acceptable to the Corporation, I will, on receiving your intimation to that effect, make you a more definite offer, and Mr. Beaumont will meet the Mayor and such committee or deputation as may be desirable upon the ground. Before receiving your reply it does not appear necessary to enter into details, and I shall, therefore, be glad to hear from you as soon as possible, whether or not Mr. Beaumont’s offer is entertained by the Corporation.

I am, dear sir, yours, respectfully,
W.J. DUNDERDALE.

The Huddersfield Chronicle provided much coverage of the offer and stated that, “May we not confidently assert that Huddersfield, for the first time since Doomsday, has had the gift of thirty acres of land?”

Although the Huddersfield Corporation were keen to take up the offer, and indeed toured the proposed site in early June, it was felt the location was too remote and inaccessible.2 The area of Dungeon Wood, a steep-sided wood which ran along the western side of Meltham Road towards Big Valley, had previously been mooted as a possible location for a park as early as 1866. By mid-July, the Corporation had persuaded Beaumont to donate that instead.3

At a meeting held on 8 August 1879, the mayor proposed that Beaumont’s offer be accepted:

MR. BEAUMONT’S OFFER OF A PARK FOR HUDDERSFIELD.

ACCEPTANCE BY THE CORPORATION.

A committee of the whole Council was held last evening, under the presidency of the Mayor, when the offer of H.F. Beaumont, Esq., J.P., of Whitley Beaumont, of a Park at Dungeon Wood, Lockwood, was brought forward, on the report of the special sub-committee appointed to consider the offer. Upon the motion of the Mayor, seconded by the ex-Mayor, It was almost unanimously resolved to accept Mr. Beaumont’s offer. The land which will be thus acquired by the Corporation covers 25½ acres, of which five will be required for roads. The whole of Dungeon Wood will be taken in from the commencement of Starling End to the end of Butter Nab. It is proposed to bound the upper side of the new Park with a road ten yards wide, which will extend from Starling End to Butternab. Butternab Lane will be widened from six to ten yards, from its junction with Woodside Road to its termination at Batternab. Other roads will be constructed upon the property effecting junctions with Dryclough Lane and Moorend Road. A portion of the site is in the township of South Crosland and the rest is in Lockwood. With the exception of four fields the whole of the site is woodland, and from the terrace overlooking the Meltham branch line of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway a magnificent view may be obtained. The entire coat to the Corporation of making the roads. &c., stipulated for will be £4,153, which it is estimated will be covered by an annual rate of one-sixth of a penny in the pound, spread over the whole co the borough.

We cordially congratulate the inhabitants of Huddersfield upon the acquisition of a Park, and doubt not that they will duly appreciate the generosity of the donor, as well as approve of the stops taken by their municipal representatives.

Huddersfield Chronicle (09/Aug/1879)

By November that year, a Deed of Conveyance had been signed and a ceremonial handover took place on Saturday 29 May 1880 in which Mrs. Beaumont cut the first sod of earth. A council meeting which occurred previously on Wednesday 19 May 1880 had confirmed that the park would be named the “Beaumont Park” and a rather flowery opinion piece in the Chronicle (21/May/1880) lamented that apparent delays between Beaumont’s offer and the handover, although the newspaper’s claim that the park could have been ready and opened for the summer of 1880 was certainly naïve!4

As soon as Beaumont made his initial offer, the Town Council had appointed a subcommittee to liaise with him and to progress the project. With the handover ceremony complete, the Beaumont Park Committee was formed (by a resolution passed by the council on 16 June) to oversee the planning and development of Dungeon Wood.

A meeting of the committee took place on 22 June 1880 and the minutes recorded that the members were “the Mayor, Aldermen Woodhead, Brigg, Denham, Crossland, J. Vickerman, J. Haigh, W. Hirst, Marriott, Sykes, and Schofield (S)”, with the Mayor presiding. It was reported that Mr. Beaumont’s estate agent, Mr. Dunderdale, had a recent large-scale survey of Dungeon Wood in his possession and the committee resolved to obtain a copy so that they could begin planning roads, paths and fences.

As the work progressed over the following months and years, concerns began to increase over the total cost of the park to the town and this became a contentious issue between some of the councillors at the Town Council meetings. Councillor Chrispin, in particular, was an outspoken critic of what he regarded as the excesses of the Beaumont Park Committee and their inability to reign in the costs of developing the park. However, the Chronicle did later note that the expenditure to date on Greenhead Park had exceeded £32,000.5

The Huddersfield Chronicle regularly summarised the meetings and the following gives an overview of the issues and progress, along with other notable events. The date shown is that of the meeting or event.

26/Sep/1880

The area that had been previously cleared and laid out for the sod cutting ceremony was used again on the morning of Sunday 26 September 1880 for the commencement of the annual Honley Feast.6 The temporary stand housed around 250 vocalists and 50 musicians, and it was estimated some 5,000 people attended the event. The event began at 7:15am with the singing of the hymn “Come Let Us Join Our Cheerful Songs” and was followed by a selection of choruses from Handel’s “Messiah”. Afterwards, the choir and musicians were given refreshments in Lockwood Town Hall.7

18/Mar/1881

Plans were considered for how existing roads would be affected by the park, particularly Hanson Lane and Moor End Road.

05/Jul/1881

The Districts, Highways and Improvements Committee accepted a proposal to name the road which was to be built at the top of the park, “Beaumont Park Road”.

11/Aug/1881

Plans for an entrance at Dryclough were abandoned and a new site was chosen for the main entrance gate and lodge house.8 The committee visited Butternab Road to view progress. It was agreed that they would advertise for “competitive designs” for the layout of the park.

13/Dec/1881

The Borough Surveyor reported that the building of Beaumont Park Road was nearing completion and that the project to widen Butternab Road was progressing well.

10/Jan/1882

The Borough Surveyor reported that he felt all the roads for the park would be completed by June.

07/Feb/1882

It was reported workmen had begun fixing the balustrade along the Butternab Road frontage. The Borough Surveyor stated that he was nearly ready to submit his layout for the park.

23/Feb/1882

A deputation from the Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society attended and applied for “some part of the Park to be reserved for the society as a section for the culture of aquatic and other plants”. This was agreed and suitable spaces were marked on the map.

A small group, including the Mayor and Borough Surveyor, were deputised to visit a park in Rotherham which was reported to be “composed to a certain extent of rocks”.

Finally, it was agreed to approach the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company to see if the land above the northern entrance to Butternab Tunnel could be used as part of the Park.

13/Apr/1882

It was resolved that “the fence forming the boundary the boundary of the park along the lower or deferred line of road from Butternab to the tunnel be a dry stone wall with lined tops instead of palisading.”

09/May/1882

The Borough Surveyor reported that good progress had been made on laying out the park and that 36 men were currently employed on the work.

05/Jul/1882

The Executive Subcommittee paid a visit to the park and inspected work on the new entrance lodge before walking over to the Butternab end of the park where they found that work laying out the artificial lake was progressing well. The Borough Surveyor submitted a plan for the proposed band pavilion and it was approved.

11/Jul/1882

The Borough Accountant submitted a statement of expenditure which showed the amount spent to date was £9,418 11s. 1d. An article in the Chronicle (29/Jul/1882) raised concerns that so much had been spent yet very little of the appeared to have been in layout of the various paths and areas for the public.

08/Aug/1882

The Borough Surveyor reported good progress and that the roof was currently being added to the entrance lodge. The number of men employed was now 40.

11/Sep/1882

Having been granted space in the park, the Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society met at Victoria Hall to discuss how they should proceed with the proposed botanic garden.

29/Sep/1882

The committee met at the park where they were pleased with the progress at the Butternab entrance. It was reported that Messrs. R. Whiteley and Nephew had tendered for the construction of the band stand at a cost of £139.9

10/Oct/1882

The District Surveyor reported that he had purchased 250 rhododendron trees at cost of just over 82 shillings from Mr. Lister Kershaw.10 It was also reported that the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company had agreed to lease the land above Butternab Tunnel to the Huddersfield Corporate at a cost of £1 per year.

95 men were now employed to work on the park.

The Tramway

A new tramway from Huddersfield to Lockwood was opened on 11 January 1883. Rather than terminate at Lockwood Bar, the line ran a further half mile along Meltham Road to a terminus at Dungeon Cottages, where a route up to a lower park entrance was planned. Although this proved popular and meant that a Meltham Branch Line station in Dungeon Wood was superfluous, a decision was taken in 1901 to dismantle the extension and site the terminus back in Lockwood.

10/Jul/1883

It was resolved to purchase 20 extras seats for the park, along with iron vases.

122 men where now employed in the park.

13/Oct/1883: The Official Opening

The official opening ceremony for Beaumont Park was conducted by the youngest son of Queen Victoria, HRH Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, and his wife Princess Helene, Duchess of Albany.11

A formal procession of around 4,000 people, which stretched for a mile and half, travelled from Huddersfield to the park, although the combination of cars, elaborate floats, horses, marching bands and people walking meant that parts of the parade moved at different speeds. Soon the carefully planned procession had descended into chaos, much to the delight of the thousands of spectators lining the route.

The most detailed newspaper description of the event was printed in the Huddersfield Chronicle (15/Oct/1883).

07/Dec/1883

The release of the Borough Fund Accounts gives the Chronicle the opportunity to show the annual breakdown of costs for Beaumont Park.

16/Jan/1884

At the monthly meeting of the Town Council, Councillor Crispin raised concerns at the amount of money thus far spent on Beaumont Park — £22,495 8s. 6d. — and the negative publicity this was generating, given that only two-thirds of the work was complete. After much debating, it was finally agreed that a sum of £2,500 would be made available to finish the work.

It also was noted that the spend equated to over £1,000 per acre of park. In today’s terms, that equates to over £100,000 per acre with a total cost in excess of £2,000,000.

12/Feb/1884

It was reported that Mr. Gilbert D. Winter had made a gift of two swans for the lake in the park, and that they had been received since the last meeting and were doing well.12

21/Feb/1884

It was resolved that the balustrade “which had been constructed near the lake, and overlooking the railway tunnel” be extended to prevent accidents.

The Borough Surveyor was instructed to procure 20,000 primroses and 5,000 daffodils for planting in the park and to erect signs prohibiting dogs from entering the park unless they were under control.

45 men were working on the site.

09/Apr/1884

It was agreed to purchase a roller and lawn mower for the park and a resolution banning the sale of refreshments in the park on Sundays was passed.

In a separate Town Council meeting, letters of condolence to Queen Victoria and to the Duchess of Albany on the event of the death of HRH Prince Leopold, who had opened the park only a few months before, were drafted and approved.

13/Jun/1884

69 men were now employed at the park and their average weekly wages amounted to £71.

It was resolved to obtain tenders for 50 more seats and benches for the park and a letter from the Huddersfield Temperance Brass Band offering to play in the park during the summer evenings was considered.

24/Jul/1884

The committee met at the Town Hall and proceeded by special tram car to the stop at Dungeon Wood. From there, they walked up the path to entrance next to the Meltham Branch Line bridge. They found considerable progress had been made and the work was of a satisfactory nature.

They than considered a proposal to build a refreshment room in the park and it was proposed the Borough Surveyor draw up a plan for their approval.

Concerns were raised at the number of “rabbits and other ground game” in the park and the damage they were doing. It was proposed that a “gun be purchased and a licence procured for the purpose of killing the ground game”.

The committee also agreed to the purchase of music stands for the band stand and that glasshouses be erected for the propagating of plants.

15/Aug/1884

Initial plans for the refreshment rooms were approved and the Borough Surveyor was asked to complete them and estimate the costs.

10/Oct/1884

57 men were now working in the park.

The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company had consented to greenhouses being built on a strip of their land, at a cost of 5 shillings a year. However, the company had also complained that water was flowing from the park onto their railway line and the Borough Surveyor was asked to investigate.

16/Oct/1884

The site for the refreshment rooms was agreed and it was resolved that they should cost no more than £800.

12/Jun/1885

Six tenders had been submitted for the concrete work required to “complete the roof and floors” of the refreshment rooms. They were considered and John Cooke of Folly Hall was awarded the job.13

A discussion took place around the issue of asking the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company to consider building a station “at a place convenient to the park”.14

16/Dec/1885

Once again the issue of the cost of Beaumont Park was raised at a Town Council meeting. Previously, it had been agreed that a limit of £2,500 was to be placed on completing the park and later the sum of £800 had been approved for the refreshment rooms. However, it was reported that a further £4,234 had been spent to date, although this figure was later contested.

Councillor Chrispin was particularly critical of what he saw as being the excesses of the Beaumont Park Committee and the heated debate appears to have tried the patience of the Mayor.

12/Mar/1886

It was agreed that park gardener be allowed the sum of £4 a year to purchase seeds.

26/May/1886

Tenders were accepted for various jobs required to finish the refreshment rooms.

11/Jun/1886

Arrangements were made for live music in the park every Thursday evening and a request for a pay rise from the park superintendent, Andrew Paterson, was turned down.

29/Jul/1886

The refreshment rooms — now dubbed “The Castle” — inspected and found satisfactory, although it was proposed that a lightning conductor should be fitted to the building.

It was noted that members of the public had been damaging plants and flowers in the park and that notices should be posted to discourage such behaviour.

04/Mar/1887

A gift of two swans from the Central Wards Committee were accepted with thanks.

07/Apr/1887

A tender from Mr. F. Maffin for the erection of a propagating house and potting shed (“not including heating apparatus”) was accepted.15

08/Jul/1887

The park superintendent, Andrew Paterson, had again applied for a pay rise and this time it was accepted. His salary was increased from 25 to 30 shillings a week and he was allowed to continue to live rent-free at the park’s entrance lodge.

03/Aug/1888

The tender of Mr. C.H. Carney “for the supply and fixing of the iron gates for the entrance to the park near Meltham Road” was accepted.

These are presumably the gates which still exist at the park’s lower entrance:

beaumont2

06/Sep/1888

It was recommended that the Town Clerk write to the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company to inform them that water was dripping from the railway bridge onto the path near the Meltham Road park entrance. It was also suggested that the company may wish to plant flowers on the railway embankment to make it more attractive to park visitors.

A tender from Messrs. H. Cross and Son for the painting the iron palisading gates in the park was approved

Finally, it was resolved that a fence should be placed around the tree planted by the Duchess of Albany at the park’s opening ceremony and a “brass plate or painted board” be fixed to indicate the importance of said tree.

07/Dec/1888

Purchase of six iron plates detailing the bye-laws for the park were approved, to be fixed in suitable locations.

08/Feb/1889

It was agreed that the Town Clerk should write to Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company and to Mr. H.F. Beaumont “as to the desirability of planting with trees the railway embankment abutting Meltham Road, and the land on each side of the roadway leading from Meltham Road to the park entrance”.

This was seemingly agreed by the parties involved, as the route is indeed lined by trees:

beaumont3

03/Apr/1890

The estimate for the annual cost of running the park, submitted by the Borough Accountant, was agreed and the Finance Committee was requested to include the sum of £550 in their budget for the next financial year.

06/Jun/1890

The tender of Mr. H.B. Kendall for “painting and varnishing seats” in the park was approved.16

07/Aug/1890

The committee approved a plan to lay a pipe to provide a drinking water fountain near the children’s playground.

18/Jun/1891

The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company was once again approached regarding the planting of trees near the Meltham Road entrance and a previous decision to plant the railway embankment with shrubs was changed to the planting of seeds instead.

The park superintendent, Andrew Paterson, received a pay increase from 30 to 35 shillings a week.

Decisions were also made to approach the railway company with the suggestion of building a station at the western end of the park and to engage bands to play one evening a week during the summer months. The Payments Committee later agreed to that, on the proviso that not more than £30 should be spent per annum on live music in each park.

It was later reported that the railway company replied on 15 July to say that they were considering the suggestion.

16/Dec/1891

At a Town Council meeting, it was apparently decided that the Beaumont Park Committee should be combined with the Greenhead Park Committee to form a general committee responsible for the town’s parks and this appears to be the last reference in the Chronicle to the Beaumont Park Committee.

In one final swan song (apologies for the pun!), it was noted at the same meeting that two swans from Greenhead Park were to be transferred to Beaumont Park and that one of the swans from the latter should be sold.


Andrew Paterson, who is mentioned above, was born around 1836 in Scotland. His wife, Margaret, was born in Durham and they married sometime around 1869. She died between the 1901 and 1911 Censuses.

Andrew’s name was recorded by local newspapers as both “Patterson” and “Pattison” and the 1871 Census names him as “Abraham Patterson” — at that time, he was a domestic gardener at Dog Kennels (this is a house situated on Dog Kennel Bank Lane, Almondbury, where it is believed the hunting dogs of Longley Hall were looked after).

They had one daughter, Mary Ellen Paterson, who was born around 1871 in Kirkheaton and was living with her father as a spinster in the lodge at the park when then the 1911 Census was taken. Mary Ellen worked as a dressmaker. It is currently unknown what happened to Mary Ellen after her father’s death.


Sources and Further Reading:

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.

Huddersfield Daily Chronicle (31/May/1880) – Cutting of the First Sod of the Beaumont Park

This article is also reproduced in a blog post about the event, which marked the formal handover of land for Beaumont Park.

A small number of errors in the original article have been corrected and speeches reformatted in italics. An image of the article is included at the foot of the page.


CUTTING OF THE FIRST SOD OF THE BEAUMONT PARK.

On Saturday afternoon, in weather which was so irreproachable that it might have been especially selected (or the occasion, the first sod of the New Park site, which Mr. H.F. Beaumont has so generously placed at the disposal of the people of Huddersfield, was out by Mrs. Beaumont, in the presence of a large number of people who had assembled to take part in the auspicious ceremony.

Dungeon Wood, which all who know the locality will remember, is most picturesquely situated to the right of the Meltham line at its junction near the Lockwood Viaducts, has for more than a decade of years been looked at with a loving eye by those who coveted a public park. So far back as October, 1866, Mr. John Ashton, then a member of the now defunct Lookwood Local Board, proposed and Mr. Bush worth seconded a resolution by which a committee was empowered to see Mr. Dunderdale. Mr. Beaumont’s agent, with a view to obtaining a knowledge of the terms at which it would be disposed of for a public park. That committee was instructed to report to the next meeting; but they failed to do so for various reasons, and on March 11th, 1867, the Board having become frightened at finding itself in debt to the tune of £4,500, passed a resolution by a majority of five to two, forbidding the committee to take any further steps in the matter. The scheme thus became in abeyance, and when the Local Board became swallowed up in the Huddersfield Corporation, the project of a public park at Dungeon Wood was at least publicly forgotten. It slept in peace for over twelve years, until in May, 1879, Mr. W.J. Dunderdale offered to the Huddersfield Corporation, on behalf of Mr. Beaumont, about 30 acres of land at Crosland Moor. The Corporation, at their meeting on the 21st of the same month, agreed to accept the gift, providing that the conditions, on further information, were such as they felt able to undertake, and a committee of Aldermen was appointed to consult with Mr. Beaumont on the matter. As will be seen from the Mayor’s speech hereafter, the first site was hardly considered sufficiently accessible, and Mr. Beaumont then very generously offered to give Dungeon Wood. Of this offer the committee reported in favourable terms, and at a committee meeting of the whole Council, held on August 8th, upon the motion of the Mayor, seconded by the ex-Mayor, it was almost unanimously resolved to close with Mr. Beaumont’s proposal.

The land thus acquired by the Corporation covers 25½ acres, of which five will be required for roads. The whole of Dungeon Wood will be taken in from the commencement of Starling End to the end of Butternab. It is proposed to bound the upper side of the new Park with a road ten yards wide, which will extend from Starling End to Butternab. Butternab Lane will be widened from six to ten yards, from its junction with Woodside Road to its termination at Butternab. Other roads will be constructed upon the property effecting junctions with Dryclough Lane and Moorend Road. A portion of the site is in the township of South Crosland and the rest is in Lockwood. With the exception of four fields the whole of the site is woodland, and from nearly all sides of it a most magnificent view can be obtained. The weather on Saturday was all that was needed to show the beauties of the prospect in their utmost splendour. Looking from the terrace which overlies the Meltham line, the glorious sunshine and clear atmosphere showed a picture which pen cannot paint. Down the valley of the Holme, to whose dirty water distance lent its usual enchantment, the eye wandered with loving pleasure. To the right and left lay the background of the picture — the trees of the wood with their varying shades of green sloping down sharply to the valley. To the right front lay Honley Moor like a patchwork quilt; in the direct front, Armitage Bridge Church and the beautiful wooded crescents by Colonel Brooke’s house; to the left, towering crest above crest stood Castle Hill, and the eye followed on the grand range of bills, patched with grass, corn fields, and wood, until the horizon line became merged in that of the dark majestic range which marks the confines of the county. Half a dozen steps in an opposite direction revealed another picture quite as imposing if not quite so rural. To the right lay Huddersfield, or a good part of it, and most conspicuous of all, the new public assembly room, the scene partially topped with the fringe of trees which comprise the avenue at Whitley Upper; whilst to the left lay Crosland Moor, and standing sharply above it, and hiding the valley in which lies Edgerton and Birkby, was the splendid slope of Woodland extending down from Fixby to Grimscar. The scenery could by no possibility have been visible under more favourable conditions than on Saturday. It may be added here that the entire cost to the Corporation of making the roads, &c., stipulated for in connection with the new park will be £4,153, which it is estimated will be covered by an annual rate of one-sixth of a penny in the pound, spread over the whole of the borough.

Such an auspicious event as the cutting of the first sod of the new park was necessarily attended with considerable ceremony. Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont did not arrive on Saturday until the 3 7 p.m. train from London. They were met at the George Hotel by the Mayor and Mrs. Walker, and just before four were escorted from the hotel to the Corporation Offices. Here, or rather in Buxton Road, the volunteers had assembled, and in the vicinity were a great number of carriages waiting to take part in the procession which was to be organised. Shortly after four Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont arrived, and the procession, which had been marshalled by Mr. Withers (in the absence of our own Chief Constable), started in something like the following order :—

  • The C Troop of the 2nd West Yorkshire Yeomanry Cavalry, commanded by Captain A.C. Armitage.
  • The 6th Corps, 5th W.Y.R.V., headed by the pioneers and band of the corps, and under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Day and Major Freeman.
  • A small body of the Borough Policemen, and the Police Fire Brigade.
  • The Linthwaite Brass Band, in uniform.
  • Superintendent Townend with the mace.
  • A carriage containing A. Walker, Esq., the Mayor, and Mrs. H.F Beaumont; also H.F. Beaumont, Esq., and Mrs. A. Walker, the Mayoress.
  • A waggonette, drawn by four horses with outriders, conveying Magistrates, Aldermen and Councillors of the borough.
  • Two conveyances containing other Town Councillors.
  • Several private carriages containing various borough magistrates, aldermen, and town councillors.
  • A conveyance carrying a number of Officials of the Corporation, beads of departments.
  • A long string of the general public in carriages, cabs, &c.
  • The Huddersfield Fire Brigades’ Band.
  • A small body of Borough Policemen.
  • The public on foot, a very miscellaneous crowd, led off by a small contingent of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes.
  • The 32nd or Holmfirth Corps of the West Riding of Yorkshire Volunteers, commanded by Captain Thos. Beardsell; and the 41st or Mirfield Corps of the West Riding of Yorkshire Volunteers, commanded by Captain Williamson, preceded by their band.

The route taken was along Buxton Road, down Chapel Hill, to Lookwood Old Bar, up Swan Lane to the Yews, thence up Moor End Road to the park at Crosland Moor end. The route was crowded with sightseers, and occasionally a flag or banner was displayed in honour of the event. The scene at the stone laying was scarcely in keeping with the ceremony which had hitherto accompanied the proceedings. One of the small fields to the left of the road leading op to the rifle range was selected for the crowning ceremonial of the day. At the edge of the wood a grand stand had been erected for the accommodation of ladies, and in front of this was a railed-in space. To the right of the stand a small tent had been erected, from the entrance of which a crimson carpet was laid to the centre of the enclosure, where had been placed four tiny flags, indicating the sod which had been prepared for Mrs. Beaumont’s spade. Around this central object members of the town council and other privileged people placed themselves. The volunteers and cavalry were drawn up somewhere close to the road, and the general public thronged between them and the enclosure railings with a great deal of density. Indeed, the Linthwaite Band found great difficulty in getting itself into its proper quarter near the grand stand, and the big drummer’s drumstick waved more than once over the heads of the public before he and his instrument found a resting-place. When the Mayor led Mrs. Beaumont out of the tent there was considerable cheering, upon the subsidence of which His Worship essayed to commence the proceedings; but the music of the last band in the procession rendered his words inaudible, and he had to wait until the tune was played to the end. The troubles, however, had only began, for scarcely had the sod been lifted when the fence gave way, and the sanctity of the inner space was invaded by the general crowd. The Corporation lost its cohesiveness, and dirty children issued from their hiding-place under the grand stand, and mixed with the municipal throng, gazing with eager eyes on the Mayor’s gold chain, and jeered at those common councillors who had left their Sunday chimney pots at home, and ornamented their heads with their everyday “Jim Crows.” Then, as soon as Mr. Beaumont had got out the preliminary “Mr. Mayor” to handing over the conveyance, the band began the National Anthem, and the air was taken up by one or two of those in the distance. Mr Beaumont’s little speech finished, it became necessary for him to make his longer one. But he could not speak to advantage from the middle of a crowd, and so he looked hopefully at the grand stand. The crowd however, had blocked up both entrances to it, and so Mr. Beaumont and the Mayor, and Mrs. Beaumont and the Mayoress, had to undergo a little gymnastic exercise by struggling up the three or four feet of boarding in front of the grand stand. This accomplished, things went on smoothly. The speeches were made in comfort, and at the end of them the band played and the people sang a verse or two of “Auld lang syne.” Most of the carriages then returned to town. A large number of persons, however took advantage of the opportunity to wander through the wood; and the romantic surroundings were heightened by the playing of some of the bands. The volunteers marched into another field, and had tea before they returned home ; and a good number of the general public, we suspect, would have been glad if they could have enjoyed a cup without the bother of going home for it.

The spade presented to Mrs. Beaumont was of silver, and was beautifully chased and engraved. It was enclosed in a pollard oak case, lined with maroon velvet. The inscription was as follows:—

Presented by
The Mayor. Aldermen, and Burgesses of
the Borough of Huddersfield

to

Mrs. H.F. Beaumont, of Whitley Beaumont,
on the occasion and for the purpose of her
Cutting the First Sod

of

“The Beaumont Park,”
the munificent gift of her Husband,
Henry Frederick Beaumont, Esq,
to the borough as a Public Park,
29 May, 1880.

Upon the emergence of the party from the tent, the Mayor presented Mrs. Beaumont with the spade. In doing so he said :— Mrs. Beaumont, it is my pleasing duty to present you on this occasion with this spade, as a memento of this important occasion, in consideration of your kindness in promising to be present and gracing this assembly, and also in taking part in this important undertaking. I have very great pleasure in name of the Huddersfield Corporation and of the burgesses generally, in presenting this spade to you, to perform this interesting ceremony, and I trust you will always hold this as a memento of this day’s proceedings. I am very glad to see that your son and others of your family accompany you, and I trust that they will remember this event as long as they live. I trust that whenever you think of this occasion it will be with pleasant recollections, because it is so important an occasion affecting the welfare of the people of the district. I have very great pleasure in presenting you now with this spade. (Loud cheers.)

Mrs. Beaumont said:— I thank you Mr. Mayor. She then proceeded to out the sod, and handed it to her husband, amidst general hurrahing.

The band then played the National Anthem, the large assembly being uncovered.

Mr. Beaumont, who bad placed the sod upon the parchment deed conveying the land to the town, then addressed the Mayor as follows:— Mr. Mayor, by this deed I grant, and with this one sod in the name of the whole, I deliver possession to you Mr. Mayor, and to the aldermen and burgesses of the borough of Huddersfield, all the lands described in the deed, for the purpose of a public park for the inhabitants of Huddersfield for ever. (Loud cheers.)

The party then mounted the grand stand, from whence Mr. Beaumont again addressed the assembly. He said:— Mr. Mayor, ladies and gentlemen, I may say that the first part of this interesting ceremony has been ably performed. It would ill become me to bestow any praise upon my wife for the way in which she has performed it; except that she has done it, I may say, ably. (Cheers.) It is now my duty to perform my part of the ceremony, and to say a few words upon an occasion which I believe to be a most auspicious one. I have long seen that your town has needed a park — (hear, hear) — and I only wished that others who owned land more central, indeed more suited in my opinion for this purpose, would have come forward to give it, but in default of this loan only say that it gives me great pleasure to be able to place at your disposal the very best site at my command. (Cheers.) I hold that public parks and open spaces are almost necessities to large and populous towns. (Hear, hear.) I hold that they tend to increase the happiness of all, young and old, rich and poor, one with another; that they tend to develop the frame and constitution in the young ; that they promote the general health of the people. Indeed, I might almost say that they tend to increase the length of life of the people. (Hear, hear.) If you look at the youth in towns where they have no parks, where they live in alleys and narrow streets ; if you look at what are somewhat irreverently termed gutter children in large towns where there are no public parks or open spaces, you see them squalid, pallid, and unhealthy; if, again, you look on the other side, at those who live in outside villages where they have the power of breathing the fresh air of heaven, where they have plenty of space, where they are not cramped for room, you see a totally different thing. There, as a rule, they are clean, ruddy, and robust, and I am inclined to think that if you give to the people bodily health, a healthy state of mind is pretty sure ; is at least most likely to follow. Now, sir, if we try to rear young stock, whether young cart-horses or young thoroughbreds, or sheep, or cattle, do we not look out for a healthy situation, and above all a good stray and space to enable them to exercise their freedom. If young stock are cramped up in too small places, they degenerate; at any rate if they don’t they never come to any great size, as they may do if they have plenty of space for freedom. And so I hold it is with the human race. The great Duke of Wellington told us years ago that the battle of Waterloo was won in the playing-fields of Eton, and so I present to you for your town this piece of ground, the further part of which will make an excellent playing field for the youth of Huddersfield, and I trust will be a lasting advantage to all dwellers, present and future, in this district. Look at London, the great metropolis. Considering its size and population, and somewhat necessary crowding of inhabitants, it is really a healthy town. Why is it healthy? One great reason, I hold, is that there are so many parks, so many open spaces, and so many recreation grounds for the people. We have several in London, Hyde Park among them. I have been told that it is a park for the aristocracy and not for the poor. But I believe it is as much for one as the other. When I was in Parliament some time ago as a representative of this part of the division of Yorkshire — (applause) — I used between seven and eight in the morning, after an arduous night’s work for you, to go into Hyde Park and ride there to gain my health. I met very few riding, but there were hundreds walking, many of them youths going to bathe in the Serpentine. Later in the day, about the middle of it, the aristocracy and plutocracy — (a laugh) — took possession of it, but it was at a time when the poorer classes never required it. Later in the evening, between seven and nine, on my way home to dinner, they were gone; and thousands of the working classes were enjoying themselves among the trees and walks. Then there is St. James’s Park and Green Park — essentially a people’s park — Battersea Park, Victoria Park, Regents Park, and others which I might name. And I believe that these parks in London — I speak subject to correction — are kept up at the expense of the nation. I can’t see why London should be the only favoured city; and I can’t see why you should not have a grant from the Consolidated Fund to keep up this your park, now you have got it. If anybody has any doubt as to whether such parks are appreciated, I would ask them to take the first train for London the day before a bank holiday, and take the trouble to walk in the parks I have mentioned. If they walk through them either in the morning, afternoon, or evening they will find thousands and thousands enjoying the fresh air. Only last Sunday I walked through one of them — Regents Park, and from one end to the other it appeared to be crowded with people. There were, I should think, between 4,000 and 5,000 artisans, dressed in their Sunday best, going about enjoying the air; and there were some there also who looked to me as if they hadn’t the wherewithal to buy Sunday clothes with. This is not the time to talk politics; but let me hope that there is a good time coming when all may be well clothed. (Hear, hear.) I hold also that these parks and open spaces, if properly managed, tend very much to elevate the minds of the people. Everything that is beautiful has an elevating tendency. We can see from the other side of this platform a most magnificent landscape — a most beautiful view. The situation is lovely, and I hold that it has capabilities by which you can make it one of the most beautiful things of its sort in England. (Applause.) I can imagine this ground might be laid out in terraces from the top road down to the railway. On these terraces might be grown flowers, shrubs, and ferns, in their proper seasons — a most beautiful and elevating picture for the minds of thoughtful people. In this place you have the capability — and I believe you will make use of it — to make one of the most beautiful things of the sort in England. You may have romantic secluded places, where an enormous number at least may come and rest after the toil and labour of the day, to enjoy rest, study, or meditation. I might go farther and say a great many more things upon this subject, but time is pressing, and there are others to speak after me. I have, moreover, had somewhat a hard day in coming from London for this occasion, so I will conclude by thanking you for the very handsome present you have given to my wife, and also for the reception you have given me. I also thank Captain Armitage and his yeomanry, and Colonel Day and Major Freeman and the volunteers for the honour they have done me in being present on this occasion. (Applause.)

The Mayor said he was happy, on behalf of the Huddersfield Corporation, to accept the deed, and the sod as an emblem of the land described in the deed, and he promised on behalf of the Corporation and their successors for ever to maintain and protect their interests therein for the benefit of the public at large. (Cheers.) He held in his hand, now, the best guarantee that Huddersfield was to have a public park. The deed was already signed, and it, along with the sod, he had now great pleasure in handing to the Town Clerk on behalf of the Corporation and burgesses of the district. Mr. Batley having accepted his charge, the Mayor went on to say — It had fallen to his lot to represent the burgesses of Huddersfield in the acceptation of Mr. Beaumont’s gift. In some respects he was very glad that it had, for he felt very proud at that moment of being Mayor of the borough of Huddersfield through the kindness of those who elected him to fill that post; not so much for the honour of filling it as for being able to take so important a part on that occasion. In the history of the borough that was the first time they had been able to congratulate themselves upon having a public park fur the people for ever. He held and maintained that it was the duty of public bodies, when they had the means at their disposal, to provide proper recreation grounds for the people. (Hear, hear.) There was one thing in connection with the park which to his mind showed very particularly the characteristics of the donor, and that was the manner in which the communication was made to the Town Council by Mr. Beaumont. There was no solicitation on the part of the Corporation, they had no claim upon Mr. Beaumont ; but he spontaneously came forward and offered them 30 acres of land if they would accept it. The land thus referred to he would, for the sake of distinction, call the rifle ground site. A deputation was formed to meet Mr. Beaumont on the ground, and when he heard from the deputation that the site was scarcely suitable for the people in consequence of its being so inaccessible, either by road or rail, be (the Mayor) could see that Mr. Beaumont was slightly disappointed. But he was equal to the occasion, and he said, “Well, gentlemen, if this site is not suitable, is there any other which you know of that will do for the people of Huddersfield? — (cheers) — for if there is one thing more than another I intend to do, it is to provide a public park for the people of this district.” (Applause.) Seeing that Mr. Beaumont bad voluntarily made them that offer, the representatives of the burgesses were not slow to take advantage of it. They gave him a hint that Dungeon Wood, now happily and appropriately named the Beaumont Park, would be a very suitable site, and more accessible to the public. Mr. Beaumont at first shook his head. He said, “There is a difficulty in the way, I am afraid, which I cannot easily surmount ; but,” be added, “if I can surmount this difficulty, nothing shall be wanting on my part to do so.” (Cheers.) They were witness that day that Mr. Beaumont had overcome the difficulty, and he (the Mayor) was glad to say that they had come in their thousands to recognise the generosity and munificence with which Mr. Beaumont had that day given a park to the people of Huddersfield. (Cheers.) So far as the park itself was concerned, he had heard it graphically described ; but he was not a landscape gardener, neither could he indulge in the language of a Buskin, but he thought if they went to that part of it known as the Dungeon Rocks, they would see one of the finest views in the district — they could see np the valley of the Holme for a distance of eight miles, with a horizon-line including Cook’s study on the one hand, and Tinker’s monument on the other. The valley was most beautiful, and the view was one of the most beautiful to be seen in the county of York. Then, again, there was another advantage in connection with it. Nature had done so much that it only remained for the Corporation to provide the necessary walks and seats, and to secure the dangerous parts in it, in order to make it one of the most beautiful parks in the riding. (Hear, hear.) Then he hoped that the company which was not usually very energetic in the public interests — he meant the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company — (laughter) — would not neglect the park, but would provide them with a station in the midst of it, so that people could start from Huddersfield, Lockwood, or the adjacent stations, be conveyed to the park at a cheap rate, and enjoy on a summer’s day one of the greatest blessings nature could give them. (Hear, hear.) There were many who could afford to go away to the sea side, or to foreign climes, but there were thousands who could not do either. The next best plan for the latter, therefore, was to do as Sir Francis Crossley did at Halifax, when, it he could not take the men to the mountain, he brought the mountain to the men. (Cheers.) Mr. Beaumont had done this for Huddersfield. (Renewed cheers.) They had only to wait a short time, and then any one of them, walking through the park, could say, in the words of Alexander Selkirk —

I am monarch of all I survey,
    Of my right there is none to dispute.

(Applause.) He had heard it said that the new park was out of the way. Well, he hoped that the result would be that the poor man, coming from his work in the evening, would be able to enjoy it, would refresh his body by eating his food there, and his lungs by inhaling the pure air which the park would be always ready to afford. Of one thing he was quite sure — that they would never regret the ceremony of that day ; on the other hand, he was sure that as they enjoyed its benefits they would be grateful to Mr. Beaumont, and that his name would be honoured, not only in his lifetime, but in that of his successors. (Cheers.) Then again, the rich would walk through the park, and be hoped they would have soon an impression of the liberality of Mr. Beaumont that they would be encouraged to go and do likewise — (hear, hear) — in other parts of the borough. He was quite sure that they could not have too many parks. Such pleasure grounds would not always be so palatable if their cost had to come out Of the rates — (near, hear) — but if they could find a number of gentlemen who in the north, south, and east would emulate Mr. Beaumont in the generous gift they had that day received at his hands, he was quite sure that Huddersfield, healthy as it was, would be still more so if the people could enjoy these recreation grounds without let or hindrance. He hoped that when the park was opened the ceremony would be graced by the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont and their family. He was glad that Mr. Beaumont had brought his own own there that day. He thought the young gentleman would remember the ceremony of that day as long as he lived, and would think with pride of the generosity which moved his father to present to the people of Huddersfield that which they could not under the circumstances provide for themselves. He thanked his audience on behalf of the Corporation for supporting them on that occasion, and he was sure that Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont would be pleased to see that their efforts were so well appreciated by that multitude. (Cheers.)

Alderman Woodhead — in response to loud calls — congratulated the Mayor upon the position he occupied that day, at having been made the recipient, on behalf of the Corporation of Huddersfield, of that magnificent gift of a public park. And if it were true what was once said by one who knew what was in the heart of man — “It is more blessed to give than to receive” — he might congratulated even more than that large assembly his friend Mr. Beaumont, who had that day had the privilege of bestowing a park upon the town. For it was a privilege to be able to confer a blessing of the vast importance of this park upon a people, and with the Mayor he rejoiced that Mr. Beaumont’s name would be associated with his gift throughout all generations. Allusion bad been made by Mr. Beaumont in his admirable speech to the benefits which would accrue to the people of this district, so far as their health was concerned ; and there was no doubt that by bringing men into contact with those schools of natural beauty much would be done, not only to promote their bodily health, but to promote their mental health also. The benefits which would be received by men and women would not be confined to the time they were there, but they would carry with them to their homes some of the sunshine which they had imbibed. Their health would be improved, and they would make all the more amiable husbands and fathers, and wives and mothers would in time to come bless Mr. Beaumont’s name for having brought sunshine and blessing into their homes through the instrumentality of his park. Mr. Beaumont and the Mayor had said all that needed to be said with reference to the park, and he could only warmly and strongly emphasise the sentiments uttered by them. The people of Huddersfield rejoiced in this park, and they hoped that it was the beginning of better days so far as parks were concerned in Huddersfield. (Hear, hear.) He daren’t have said that if the way had not already been marked out by the Mayor — (a laugh) — he was under his worship’s protection. The Mayor had given the hint — Mr. Beaumont had given it very legitimately, and being under the wing of those gentlemen he was perfectly safe. There could be no doubt that if they could bring to people simple, innocent, elevating pleasures, snob as those which they would enjoy on visiting that park, they would be conferring one of the greatest blessings that a community could enjoy. Englishmen had not so fixed a climate as their friends on the continent, and the Yorkshire climate was what the Americans would call a good deal more mixed, and the mixture had a good deal of liquid in it. Still, they had many glorious days, snob as that one; he hoped that they would often come there, and their brows would be often fanned by the breeze which should come over that hill, and that as they enjoyed the sunshine they would remember the incidents of that day, and hoped that soon they might be renewed in other quarters of the borough. He trusted that those hopes and aspirations would receive their fulfilment at no distant day; and as the poet said of John Gilpin —

And when he next doth ride abroad,
    May I be there to see —

so when next there was the cutting of a sod for a new park, might they be all present to witness it. (Applause.)

In the evening the Mayor entertained a select party at dinner, which was served in the dining-room at the Corporation Offices. The repast, which was supplied by Mrs. Bolting, of the George Hotel, was of a most elegant and recherché description.


Cutting of the First Sod of the Beaumont Park (Huddersfield Chronicle)

Huddersfield Chronicle (23/Dec/1871) – Correspondence: Where Are the Police?

WHERE ARE THE POLICE?

To the editor of the Huddersfield Daily Chronicle.

Sir,

Being one of those individuals located on the outskirts of the Corporation boundary on Crosland Moor, I sometimes wonder how it is we are so good to find, when the money is wanted for Corporation and other expenses, as the police don’t know there is such a locality, or if they do, they don’t think it their duty to visit it. No doubt the policeman’s duty and beats are properly defined, and perhaps rigidly carried out in the more thickly populated portion of the borough. But the west part of Crosland Moor is greatly neglected by the officials, as will be seen from the following.

On Sunday last the road at Dungeon Wood end was thronged from eleven o’clock in the morning until dusk at night, with a class of men — young and old — who are a disgrace to the age in which we live. There was dog racing, men racing, and gambling, well-seasoned with the most disgusting language, ultimately closing the day with one of the most brutalising “up and down” fights, beating and kicking each other in the most savage manner. The combatants went into one of Messrs. Bentleys’ fields alone, and as one struck or kicked the other he was loudly cheered by the lookers on, who remained on the highway to enjoy the scene. During the whole day no police put in an appearance, and the roughs held quiet possession. We, who reside in the locality, are anxious to know if we are under the protection of the law? If so, who are our protectors?

This road is much frequented by teachers and scholars on Sunday afternoons, at the close of the services, and ought to be as well protected as any other portion of the corporate borough, and if not better attended to by the police must be reported in higher quarters.

Trusting for the insertion of this in your next paper, I remain,

ONE OF THE ANNOYED.
Crosland Moor, 21st December, 1871.

[ Our correspondent is a most respectable gentleman, whose complaint, we are sorry to say, from a personal acquaintance with the district, is not overdrawn. We have no knowledge of the special “up and down” scene he refers to, which appears to have been diversified with dog-racing, gambling, &c. ; but this particular locality has long been the resort of a rough class of society, who find enjoyment in the most brutalising pursuits. To this class of men the Saturday half-holiday is a curse rather than a blessing. — Ed. H.D.C. ]

Huddersfield Chronicle (02/Sep/1871) – Removal of the Dungeon Wood Tollgate

LOCAL NEWS.

Removal of the Dungeon Wood Tollgate.

On Tuesday, workmen were engaged in removing the Dungeon Wood toll-bar to a new position, beyond the limits of the borough of Huddersfield. The new position is at the bottom of the Big Valley, near the junction of the roads from Netherton to Huddersfield, and from the former place to Armitage Bridge. The removal of the bar is one of the results of the recently obtained Improvement Bill by the Huddersfield Corporation. During the progress of the removal many persons expressed a desire to know when a similar fate would befall the Lockwood bar, and also hoped the Corporation would not be partial in its action, but would compel the removal of every toll-gate to beyond the limits of the borough.