Local Chronology, 1897-98.
1897. |
| Dec. 19. | - |
Opening of the New High Altar at St. John's Church, Wigan. |
| Dec. 20. | - |
Alarming fire at Taylor's Mill. - Funeral of the late Mr. Councillor J. Woods, J.P. - First of a series of performances by the Wigan and District Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society. |
| Dec. 26. | - |
Completion of the Rev. W. J. Dickson's ministry at St. Paul's, Wigan. |
| Dec. 30. | - |
Local Government Board Inquiry in Wigan, as to application of the Town Council for approval to borrow £1,500 for the purpose of extending the Police premises. |
| 1898. |
| Jan. 1. | - |
Mr. W. A. McClure, accountant at the Wigan Branch of the Manchester and Liverpool District Banking Company, appointed manager of the Hanley Branch of the same company. |
| Jan. 4. | - |
Sanitary and Sewerage Committee of the Corporation ordered that the elementary schools remain closed till the 17th January, in consequence of the prevalence of measles. |
| Jan. 5. | - |
Old Folks' Treats at Hindley and Golborne. - Bell-ringer's supper and presentation at St. James's. - Protracted meeting of the Wigan County Borough Council; Mr. Fyans complained of some remarks of Mr. Alderman Gee. - Wigan Borough Quarter Sessions. |
| Jan. 8. | - |
Old Folks' Treats at Abram. - The Engineering Dispute. Expiration of the notices given by Wigan firms. 400 or 500 men affected. |
| Jan. 11. | - |
Lord Balcarres delivers a political address at Crooke. - Action in the County Court against a local Friendly Society. - Lowton and District Ploughing Society's match at Golborne. |
| Jan. 12. | - |
Special meeting of the Wigan County Borough Council. Confirmation of the resolution passed on the 1st December, to promote a Bill in Parliament called "The Wigan Corporation Bill." |
| Jan. 13. | - |
Makerfield Ploughing Society match at Ashton Cross. |
| Jan. 14. | - |
Geological Society meeting in Wigan. - Election in St. Thomas Ward to fill the vacancy on the Wigan County Borough Council, caused by the death of Mr. John Woods, J.P. Result: Henry Hurst (L), 369; Wm. Livesey (C), 340. |
| Jan. 15. | - |
Meeting of Colliery Managers in Wigan. Reference to the Workmen's Compensation Act. |
| Jan. 19. | - |
Letter published in the Observer from a Wiganer, describing the taking of Dargai Hill in the Indian frontier war. - Licensed Victuallers' Ball. |
| Jan. 20. | - |
Death of Mr. Matthew Benson, J.P. |
| Jan. 21. | - |
At a meeting in Wigan, the proposal to raise a memorial to the late Lady Lathom was approved. |
| Jan. 22. | - |
Co-operative Festival in the Drill Hall. Speech by the Ven. Archdeacon Madden. - Notices posted at the Moss Side Iron Works, Ince, belonging to the Pearson and Knowles Coal and Iron Co., that the works would be closed on February 5th. - Dastardly outrage at Crompton and Shawcross's Colliery. - Opening of a new building at Golborne. |
| Jan. 24. | - |
Annual Meeting of the Wigan Charity Organisation Society. |
| Jan. 25. | - |
Celebration of the 139th Anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, by the Wigan Burns Club. |
| Jan. 26. | - |
Opening of a new Methodist Free Church at Goose Green. - Unveiling a portrait of the late Mr. Mitchell at Golborne Reform Club. |
| Jan. 27. | - |
Presentation by officers of the 1st V.B.M.R. to Col. ffarington, on his retirement from the regiment. - Old Folks' Treat at Ashton. |
| Jan. 28. | - |
Infirmary Ball in the Wigan Public Hall. |
| Jan. 29. | - |
Hindley Green and District Fanciers' Society's first show. - Presentation to Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Hewlett. |
| Feb. 1. | - |
Debate between Mr. T. Aspinwall and Mr. W. Wogan at St. Andrew's School, on the Workmen's Compensation Act. |
| Feb. 2. | - |
Public Meeting at Aspull. Decision to build a Weaving Shed in Aspull. - Meeting of the Wigan County Borough Council. The Electric Light question. |
| Feb. 8. | - |
Annual Dinner of the Wigan and District Pawnbroker's Association. |
| Feb. 9. | - |
Conservative Ball in the Public Hall. - Opening of the Gilchrist Lectures at Hindley. |
| Feb. 10. | - |
Suicide of Jno. Hill, grocer, Marsh Green, Pemberton. |
| Feb. 14. | - |
Committee formed in Wigan to relieve distress in the West of Ireland. - Shocking Trap Accident at Orrell; Miss Hartley killed. - First of six Operatic Performances given in the Royal Court Theatre by local amateurs. |
| Feb. 15. | - |
Announcement by his Honour Judge Jones at the Wigan County Court that barristers would attend the court unbriefed. |
| Feb. 16. | - |
Wigan Reform Club Ball in the Drill Hall. - Old Folks' Treat at Orrell. |
| Feb. 19. | - |
Annual Dinner of the Sergeants of the 1st V.B.M.R., held in Wigan. |
| Feb. 22. | - |
Sunday School Union Eisteddfod in the Public Hall. |
| Feb. 25. | - |
Death of Mrs. E. Lymn, Lady Guardian for Hindley. |
| Feb. 28. | - |
Commencement of the sale of the late Mr. J. H. Johnson's Library. |
| Mar. 1. | - |
Burgess Auditors' Election; the retiring Auditors re-elected. |
| Mar. 2. | - |
Announcement of the death of Mr. John Rylands, of Warrington. |
| Mar. 3. | - |
County Council Elections. |
| Mar. 6. | - |
Death of Mr. W. R. Roger, Wigan, aged 21 years. |
| Mar. 8. | - |
First attendance of unbriefed barristers at the Wigan County Court. |
| Mar. 9. | - |
Suicide of Thomas Morris, brewer, at Poolstock. |
| Mar. 12. | - |
Orange Conference in Wigan. - Simon Peter Heaton and James Ward, railway men, killed on the Lancashire and Yorkshire line, at Kirkby. |
| Mar. 13. | - |
Concert at the Royal Court Theatre in aid of distress in the West of Ireland. |
| Mar. 17. | - |
Nomination of Guardians, District and Parish Councillors. |
| Mar. 24. | - |
Owing to Epidemic of Measles, Whelley Schools ordered to be closed a fortnight. - Ince Township Meeting. Appointment of Overseers; Nonconformists claim representation. |
| Mar. 26. | - |
25th Annual Meeting of the Lancashire and Cheshire Miners' Permanent Relief Society. |
| Mar. 28. | - |
Authority given by the Court of Chancery to reduce the capital of Messrs. Thomas Taylor and Bro., Limited, Wigan. |
| Mar. 29. | - |
The dead body of Mr. Wm. Rigby, mining engineer, Wigan, found in the canal at Gathurst - verdict, found drowned. |
| Mar. 30. | - |
Annual Meeting of the Wigan and District Sunday School Union. |
| April 4. | - |
Election of Guardians and District Councillors. |
| April 8. | - |
Death of Mr. E. Holme Woodcock, Clerk to the Wigan County Justices. |
| April 19. | - |
Annual Meeting of the Wigan and District Women's Liberal Association. |
| April 22. | - |
Suicide of Mr. James Hill, clerk to the Ashton Council. |
| April 23. | - |
Opening of the New Ground of the Wigan Cricket Club at Bull Hey. - Meeting of the Lancashire Association of Sunday School Unions in Wigan. |
| April 27. | - |
Sad death of Captain Bell's son. |
| May 2. | - |
Appointment of Mr. Henry Brierley registrar if the Wigan County Court, in succession to Mr. E. H. Woodcock, deceased. |
| May 4. | - |
Opening of Hope Church New Sunday Schools. |
| May 12. | - |
Mr. T. R. Taylor, solicitor, appointed Clerk to the Wigan County Magistrates, in the place of the late Mr. E. H. Woodcock. - Death of Mr. James Pickering, Harvey House, Gathurst, aged 70 years. |
| May 17. | - |
Visit of the Prince of Wales to Garswood Hall. |
| May 18. | - |
Review of Lord Gerard's Yeomanry Regiment at Southport by the Prince of Wales. His Royal Highness afterwards visited Wigan, and was presented with an address by the Mayor and Corporation. |
| May 19. | - |
Death of Father John Turner, S.J., of St. John's, Wigan. - Widespread regret in Wigan and the district at the death of Mr. W. E. Gladstone. |
| May 28. | - |
Funeral of Mr. Gladstone. Memorial Service at Hope Chapel. |
| May 29. | - |
The Volunteers go to South Shore for a week's encampment. |
| May 31. | - |
Right Rev. Bishop Juan B. Cabrers, first Bishop of the Spanish Reformed Church, visited St. Thomas's Church. |
| June 1. | - |
Meeting of the Wigan County Borough Council. - The late Mr. Gladstone. Vote of condolence. - Presentation to Father Freyne. |
| June 3. | - |
Death of Mr. Charles White, chief engineer of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. |
| June 4. | - |
Presentation to Mr. W. A. McClure. |
| June 5. | - |
Opening of a short Mission in Wigan by Mr. George Clarke. |
| June 10. | - |
Presentation to Mr. L. Barry, late Superintendent of the Wigan Police Force, on his appointment as Chief Constable of Rochdale. |
| June 11. | - |
Special Meeting of the Lancashire and Cheshire Miners' Permanent Relief Society as to the position of the Society under the Workmen's Compensation Act. |
| June 11. | - |
Laying the foundation stone of a new Church at Hindley Green. - Park Lane Co-operative Society: Coming of age festivities. |
| June 12. | - |
General Booth conducted Evangelical Services in the Drill Hall. |
| June 15. | - |
Catholic Conference in the Public Hall. - General Holiday. - Local Government Inquiry at Appley Bridge as to the application of the Wigan Rural Sanitary Authority to borrow £750 for works of water supply. |
| June 24. | - |
John Thomas Alker killed by an electric shock at the Park Collieries, Garswood. - Presentation to Mr. Henry Hill at the Observer Office. |
| June 28. | - |
Lancashire and Cheshire Branch of the British Medical Association: Annual Meeting in Wigan. |
| July 2. | - |
Foundation stones of the new Reform Club at Goose Green laid. |
| July 3. | - |
The Rev. D. C. Tincker commenced his pastorate at St. Paul's Church, Wigan. - Dedication of memorial windows at Golborne Parish Church. |
| July 19. | - |
Sad death of Miss E. C. Fair at Haigh. |
| July 22. | - |
Selection of a site at Orrell for a new Workhouse by the Wigan Board of Guardians. |
| July 24. | - |
Irish Demonstration in the Public Hall. |
| July 25. | - |
The Wigan Corporation Bill received the Royal Assent. |
| Aug. 1. | - |
Postal Clerks' Conference in Wigan. - Church Lads' Brigade Camp at South Shore. |
| Aug. 3. | - |
Ratepayers' Meeting in Wigan: Protest against the Orrell site for new Workhouse. |
| Aug. 5. | - |
Death of Mr. Walter Wren, Liberal candidate for Wigan in 1882. |
| Aug. 13. | - |
Annual Show of the Parbold and District Horticultural Society. - Opening of the Jubilee Drinking Fountain at Parbold. |
| Aug. 20. | - |
Opening of the Kendal Street Independent Methodist Church. |
| Aug. 21. | - |
Death of Mr. Christopher Fisher Clark, Park Lane. |
| Aug. 26. | - |
Visit of the Library Association to Wigan and Haigh Hall. |
| Sept. 3. | - |
Death of Mr. Josiah Gaskell, J.P., Burgrave Lodge, Ashton. - Lifeboat Saturday Demonstration in Wigan. |
| Sept. 7. | - |
Upholland Agricultural Show. |
| Sept. 11. | - |
Death of Mrs. W. Mayhew, at Duxbury Park, Chorley. |
| Sept. 16. | - |
The Royal Hotel, Wigan, offered for sale. |
| Sept. 24. | - |
Conference of Orangemen at the Ship Hotel. |
| Sept. 28. | - |
Performance of Mendelssohn's "Hymn of Praise" in the Drill Hall by the Sunday School Union Choir. |
| Sept. 30. | - |
Death of Mr. Councillor John Heaton. |
| Oct. 2. | - |
Wigan Trades and Labour Council: Lecture on "Tram Municipalisation," in the Public Hall. |
| Oct. 3. | - |
Mr. John Kensit, the "New Reformation Leader," at the Public Hall. |
| Oct. 5. | - |
Wigan County Borough Council and the municipalisation of tramways. |
| Oct. 5 and 6. | - |
Visit of Barnum and Bailey's Show to Wigan; grounds at Ince Hall. |
| Oct. 8. | - |
Strike of Moulders in Wigan. |
| Oct. 10. | - |
Opening of a drinking fountain at Standish. |
| Oct. 11. | - |
Death of Mr. Robert Stuart, solicitor. |
| Oct. 13. | - |
Wigan Quarter Sessions: Important point raised as to prisoners being witnesses under the New Criminal Evidence Act. |
| Oct. 14. | - |
The Mayoralty: Meeting of the General Purposes Committee: The offer by the Liberals, that each party should nominate a mayor in turn, rejected by the Conservatives. |
| Oct. 15. | - |
Wigan and District Pupil Teachers' Centre: Distribution of Prizes. |
| Oct. 16. | - |
Death of Mr. John Shaw Darlington, solicitor. |
| Oct. 17. | - |
Mining School: Distribution of Prizes. - Operatic performances by the Wigan Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society. |
| Oct. 19. | - |
Band of Hope Festival in the Public Hall. |
| Oct. 20. | - |
Conclusion of the Moulder's strike. |
| Oct. 22. | - |
Death of Mrs. Eleanor Ryley, widow of the late Mr. Thos. Cropper Ryley. |
| Oct. 26. | - |
Opening of Trades Exhibition in the Drill Hall. |
| Oct. 29. | - |
Presentation of the Bolton and District Cricket Association Senior Cup to Haigh Cricket Club, who won it for the first time this year. |
| Nov. 1. | - |
Municipal Elections: contests in all wards. The Liberals gain a seat. |
| Nov. 3. | - |
Death of the Rev. Canon St. George, Vicar of Billinge. |
| Nov. 9. | - |
Annual meeting of the Wigan County Borough Council. The Liberals give a negative vote in the election of Mayor. Mr. Councillor J. T. Gee appointed to the office. |
| Nov. 15. | - |
The new Compensation Act. First case in the Wigan County Court. |
| Nov. 16. | - |
Dedication of a new Organ at Upholland Church. |
| Nov. 17. | - |
Appointment of the Rev. F. B. A. Miller, M.A., vicar of Billinge in succession to the Rev. Canon Howard St. George, deceased. - Sale of Digmoor Estate, Upholland, for £2,840. - Sudden death of Mrs. James Hurst, Wigan. |
| Nov. 19. | - |
Death of the Earl of Lathom. |
| Nov. 21. | - |
Election in Lindsay Ward to fill vacancy caused by Mr. Millington being elected an alderman. The Liberals win the seat by a majority of seven. |
| Nov. 24. | - |
Annual Meeting of the Wigan and District Free Church Council. |
| Dec. 1. | - |
Shocking suicide of Mr. P. Peters, formerly station master on the L. and N.W. Railway at Wigan. |
| Dec. 2. | - |
Announcement of important find of Cannel at Abram. |
| Dec. 4. | - |
Death of Mr. John Pendlebury, J.P., 62 years of age. - Opening of Temperance Mission in the Public Hall, conducted by the Rev. L. M. Isitt, the New Zealand orator. |
| Dec. 5. | - |
Presentation to Mr. H. N. Bryan, president of the Hindley Conservative Club, for his services in connection with the building of the new clubhouse. |
| Dec. 6. | - |
Prize distribution at Ashton Grammar School. |
| Dec. 7. | - |
Close of the Trades, Commercial, and Art Exhibition in the Drill Hall. - The Wigan County Borough Council adopt the resolution of the Electric Light Committee that an installation be put down to supply the town with electric light. |
| Dec. 8. | - |
Resignation of the Chief-Constable, Captain Bell. |
| Dec. 12. | - |
Matthew Logden Warren (54), farmer, Ashton, sentenced at the Liverpool Assizes to 12 months' imprisonment, for assaulting an Irish labourer named James Quinn, on the 15th July, 1898. |
| Dec. 13. | - |
Jno. Garlic (39), joiner, formerly in business at Ashton, sentenced at the Liverpool Assizes to five years' penal servitude for obtaining goods by false pretences from various firms in the country. |
| Dec. 14. | - |
Performance of "Elijah" in the Drill Hall by the Wigan and District Sunday School Union Choir. |
| Dec. 15. | - |
Death at Lyme Park of Lord Newton, in his 70th year, first Baron of Newton-le-Willows. |
| Dec. 16. | - |
Public Meeting called by the Mayor, at the request of representatives of Churchmen, Roman Catholics, and Nonconformists, held in the Old Council Chamber, decided that a memorial to the late Mr. Jno. Pendlebury should be provided. |
| Dec. 17. | - |
Opening of a new Reform Club at Goose Green. |
| Dec. 19. | - |
Lord James of Hereford accepts chairmanship of the Coal Conciliation Board. |
