Local Chronology, 1948-49.

Extraordinary increases in funds reported at annual meeting of Trustees of Wigan Trustee Savings Bank. - Death of Miss Ann Hodgson, of Rose-avenue, Beech Hill, at the age of 94 years.

The last of the seventy-two B.I.S.F. houses erected by Abram District Council for miners officially opened.

Death of Mr. Robert Walls, Wigan accountant, aged 62 years.

Death of Mr. Leonard West Topham, former mathematics and geography master at Hindley and Abram Grammar School, aged 64 years.

Dr. James Haworth Hilditch, Deputy Medical Officer of Health of Oldham, appointed Medical Officer of Health for Wigan, in succession to Dr. J. S. G. Burnett. - Death of Mr. T. Hall, joiner and builder, of Poolstock, aged 66 years.

Death of Mr. F. J. Gibson, surveyor and churchworker, of Parbold, aged 68 years.

Articles in "Wigan Observer" on the founding of Upholland Grammar School, and the Birchley Hall Secret Press. - Mr. C. L. Tyrer, re-elected president of the Lancashire Area of the National Union of Mineworkers by a majority of 306 votes over Mr. J. Hammond, Wigan miners' agent.

Appointments System commenced in the Out-Patient Department at Wigan Infirmary in an effort to reduce waiting time of out-patients making their first and subsequent attendances.

Wigan Town Council : Councillor H. Dowling elected an alderman. - Death of Mr. R. C. Liptrot, Newtown coal merchant, aged 63 years.

Wigan Borough Quarter Sessions : Calendar of 28 accused persons highest in the history of the Sessions according to Police records. - Death of Mr. Thomas Gaskell, director and secretary of Messrs. Clough and Gaskell Ltd., building contractors, aged 48 years.

Death of Mr. E. R. Mangnall, licensee and president of Wigan and District Licensed Victuallers' Association, aged 59 years. - Death at Southport of Miss Ethel Mary Wood, R.R.C., formerly of Wigan, who had a long association with the nursing profession.

Announcement in "Wigan Observer" of the death in Australia of Mr. William Allan Dagnall, formerly of Garswood, and Wigan Mining and Technical College Knowles gold medallist, aged 64 years.

Death of Tommy Handley, radio comedian, who had several times visited Wigan, at the age of 55 years.

Death of Mrs. Annie Warburton, former Deputy Mayoress of Wigan, aged 52 years. - Death at Nelson, New Zealand, of Mr. Benjamin Hay, formerly of Wigan, in his 97th year.

Mr D. R. Hardman, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education, addressed meeting of parents and teachers at Queen's Hall.

Report in "Wigan Observer" of the unearthing of a fossil 22 feet long and a yard wide a remarkably fine example of the giant primeval moss Lepidodendron, during open cast coal mining operations at Harvey House, Windy Arbour. - Annual dinner of Wigan Grammar School Old Boys' Association the guest of honour being Dr. Swithin P. Meadows, M.D., B.Sc., F.R.C.P., of Harley-street, London, an old boy of the school. - Holcombe Hunt meet at Dangerous Corner.

Annual dinner of Wigan and District Organists' and Choirmasters' Association.

Death of Alderman F. J. Pagett, a Freeman and former Mayor of Wigan, aged 66 years.

Death of Mr. Walter Wright, aged 68, for 56 years a well-known local newsagent.

Death of Mr. Tom Brown, of Pemberton, chief engineer to Eagle Picturedromes Ltd., and associated companies, and local cinema trade pioneer, aged 63 years.

Parbold Hall Farm sold by auction for £16,500.

Announced that Mr. A. Kirk Wilson, Liverpool surgeon, had been appointed senior surgeon at Wigan and Leigh Hospital Centre.

Two diesel rail cars built for Peruvian Railway Company by Messrs. Walker Bros., successfully completed trial run between Wigan and Golborne prior to shipment abroad.

Boar's Head Railway Station permanently closed. - Death of Mr. George W. Miles, former Wigan draper, in his 94th year.

Death of Mr. Matthew Baron, well-known Wigan Roman Catholic, aged 87 years.

Death of Mr. Wm. Eccleston, former Ambulance Brigade officer, of Hindley, aged 64 years.

Watch Committee agree to application for sixpence increase in taxi fares in the borough.

Eighty-two members of Lamberhead Green Working Men's Club pleaded guilty at Wigan Borough Magistrates' Court to unlawful gaming by playing housey-housey at the club for money. - Death of Mr. Walter Bell, former Hindley Police Inspector, aged 72 years. - Death of Mr. A. J. Bytom, Wigan, shorthand writer, in 81st year.

Final services in the old premises of Gidlow Methodist Church (known locally as "The Tin Chapel"). - Third annual "Coal Sunday" Service at St. Peter's Church, Bryn.

Death of Mr. James Coates, Divisional Education Officer for Heywood district and former Secretary for Education at Ince, at the age of 51 years. - Library-street made a one-way street for traffic from to-day.

Annual Wigan County Brewster Sessions : Report that four compensated premises had been closed. - Peter Cain, the boxer, divorced by his wife in an undefended application at Chester Assizes. - Death of Mr. Henry Fisher Lyske, of Standish Lower Ground, Methodist preacher, aged 62 years.

Death of Mr. E. E. Unsworth, of Newton-le-Willows, former Wigan cricketer, aged 62 years.

Bishop of Blackburn (Rt. Rev. W. M. Askwith) distributed prizes and certificates at Wigan Girls' High School annual speech day.

Death of Mr. Thomas Hughes, of Garswood, former Wigan Town Councillor, aged 75 years.

Death at Blackpool of Mr. Henry Haslam, formerly superintendent of Wigan Corporation Water Department, aged 83 years.

Memorial Tablet unveiled and dedicated at Wigan Grammar School in memory of sixty-three old boys of the school who gave their lives in the 1939-45 war.

Glasgow Orpheus Choir conducted by Sir Hugh S. Robertson gave concert in Queen's Hall. - Holcombe Hunt visited the Appley Bridge district.

Rector of Wigan (Rev. F. L. M. Bennett) preached at Westminster Abbey.

Wigan Education Committee : Estimated gross expenditure for 1949-50 to be £495,822, of which £143,126 would be borne by ratepayers. - Upholland District Council decided to take franchise of tenants regarding keeping of dogs on the Council's housing estates.

Miss M. Pearson appointed Probation Officer for the Wigan combined probation area.

Death of Councillor John Lloyd, of Ashton-in-Makerfield, aged 66 years.

Four local bands took part in "Daily Herald" National Brass Band Championship, held at Queen's Hall.

Death of Mr. Joseph Layland, professional musician and singing master, of Wigan, aged 82 years.

Adjourned Borough Licensing Sessions : Two houses referred to Compensation Authority.

Wigan Town Council decided to extend bus services to Sunday morning, and to allocate a plot of land in Mesnes Park to be set out as a rose garden in memory of the late Alderman F. J. Pagett. - Death of Mr. V. V. Cuttle, secretary to Platt Bridge Co-operative Society, aged 63 years.

Death of Mr. Stanley H. Baxter, senior director of Baxters Stores Ltd., Upholland, aged 65 years.

The "Cotton Show", an exhibition describing the cotton industry, opened by Wigan mill worker at Drill Hall. - Death of Mr. James Jackson, partner in Messrs. Jackson and Smith, men's outfitters and a prominent Freemason, aged 88 years.

Exhibition of notable Prayer Books opened in Wigan Reference Library by the Bishop of Liverpool in connection with the 400th anniversary of the Book of Common Prayer.

Effort by five Wigan Methodist Circuits on behalf of Methodist Overseas Missions, opened by Rector of Wigan. - Questions in House of Commons about opencast coal site at Winstanley Hall.

Sir Gordon Macdonald, sixty-third and last Governor of Newfoundland, which becomes province of Canada on 1st April, arrived in this country. - Mr. Frank Fairhurst, of Wigan, Labour M.P. for Oldham, agreed in the House of Commons to withdraw his private Bill for the Prohibition of Fox Hunting.

Disastrous fire at Queen's Hall, Wigan, damage stated to be conservatively estimated at £25,000.

Wigan Rotary Club celebrated its silver jubilee. - Complete abolition of the rationing of clothes and all textiles took effect from to-day.

By-election in Swinley Ward won by Conservative Party (Mr. Sidney Wild elected) but with a much lower majority than the November, 1947, election.

Death of Mr. James Black, former skip of Wigan and Haigh Curling Club, aged 78 years.

Mr. Alfred Robens, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fuel and Power, replied to complaints regarding opencast mining operations at Winstanly by residents at a joint conference at Billinge Council Offices. - Death of Mr. Jesse Arrowsmith, churchworker, former sub-postmaster, and printing trade employe, aged 68 years.

Hindley District Council decided to hold an annual town's religious service in Raynor Park, Hindley.

Memorial unveiled at Hindley and Abram Grammar School to the 22 old boys of the school who lost their lives in the 1939-45 war. - Ribbon building dangers stressed at Ministry of Town and Country Planning inquiry at Standish. - Wigan M.P. presents prizes at Wigan Grammar School annual speech day.

Wigan County Borough Council's annual "budget" meeting : A general rate levied of 17s., this being the same as for the year 1948-49.

Death of Fr. V. J. Reape, parish priest of St. Cuthbert's R.C. Church, Pemberton, in his 48th year.

Lancashire Area of National Union of Mineworkers chose Councillor T. Scott, a member of Ince District Council, as their nominee for Accrington at the next General Election.

Three fire brigades fight blaze at a Ministry of Supply dump at Higher Ince, about 2,500 tons of self-sealing bullet-proof rubber-covered petrol tanks being involved.

Mayor and Mayoress of Wigan (Councillor and Mrs. E. Maloney) and the Town Clerk (Mr. Allan Royle) attended reception and dinner at County Hall, Preston, in honour of two-days visit to Lancashire of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh. - Mr. R. W. Williams, M.P. for the Borough, adopted by Wigan Trades Council and Labour Party as Labour candidate at the next General Election.

Sir Gordon Macdonald's term of office as the 63rd and the last Governor of Newfoundland, concluded to-day.

Announcement of the appointment of Sir Gordon Macdonald, K.C.M.G., as Paymaster-General and his elevation to the peerage. - South-West Lancashire Association of Boy Scouts entered into possession of the 16th century Bispham Hall and Estate, Orrell.

Announced in "Wigan Observer" that the Rugby League and Wigan R.F.C. had accepted an invitation from Wigan Director of Education to co-operate in a Rugby League coaching scheme for school teachers. - Ban raised on out-door electricity advertising.

Summer Time began at 2 a.m. to-day. - Pedestrian Crossing work began in Wigan.

County Council Elections : Labour gained seat in Standish division. - Death of Miss G. M. Nutt, formerly headmistress for thirty-five years of St. Thomas's Infants' School, Caroline Street, aged 65 years. - Death of Mr. R. B. Scott, former Wigan pharmaceutical chemist.

Death of Mr. Edward Lynch, fomer Wigan licensee, aged 77 years.

Lord Macdonald, former Governor of Newfoundland, who was made a Baron on his appointment as Paymaster-General, took his seat in the House of Lords.

The baroney conferred on Sir Gordon Macdonald gazetted by the name, style and title of Baron Macdonald, of Gwaenyagor.

Announced in "Wigan Observer" that Fr. Thomas Carney had been appointed parish priest of St. Cuthbert's R.C. Church, Pemberton. - Death of Alderman Peter Winstanley, Mayor of Wigan in Corporation year, in his 68th year. - Third International Youth Week opened in Wigan and attended by twenty-one young people from eight European and foreign countries. - Bowling season opened on Corporation greens.

Death of Mr. John Ruck, president of Wigan and District Chamber of Trade, aged 71 years.

Death of Mr. Horace S. Simm, formerly a director of Wigan Athletic A.F.C., aged 57 years.

Memorial unveiled and dedicated at Ashton-in-Makerfield Grammar School to the 31 old boys who gave their lives in the 1939-45 war.

Fortescue Repertory Company began tenth season at Wigan Hippodrome.

Lord Macdonald, Paymaster General, made his maiden speech in the House of Lords.

Death of Mr. Arthur Grundy, former chairman and managing director of Pendlebury and Co., Ltd., aged 81 years.

Rev. Wm. Davies, B.A., unducted new minister of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Wigan.

Gas Nationalisation Act came into force.

Remains of Mr. William Wilkinson, of Detroit, U.S. America, and a native of Hindley, interred at Hindley Cemetery after being brought to this country on the "Britannic" for burial.

First United Open Air Service, sponsored by Hindley District Council, held in Raynor Park, Hindley. - Archbishop of Liverpool (Dr. R. Downey) dedicated stained glass windows and new alabaster pulpit at St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Wrightington.

Death of Councillor Henry Reynolds, of Ince, aged 56 years.

Wigan Town Council : Discussion on grant to three new Roman Catholic Secondary Modern Schools. - Twelve new Borough magistrates sworn in.

Wigan Municipal Elections : Contests in twelve wards, constitution of Council unchanged.

Announced in "Wigan Observer" that the Central Land Board had made compulsory purchase order regarding plot of land in Atherton-road, Hindley Green, this being the first case of its kind in the Provinces. - Lancashire miners' concessionary coal strike, which had lasted a fortnight ended to-day.

International footballers attend sportsmen's service at St. Catherine's Church.

British and Foreign Bible Society's "Is this the Way?" exhibition touring the provinces opened at Queen's Hall.

Joe Egan and Ken Gee, Wigan R.L. forwards, presented with cheques for £250, the proceeds of the effort by a committe of Wigan sportsmen in connection with the players' joint benefit.

Young men born between 1st April, 1931, and 30th June, 1931, registered under the National Service Acts. - Wigan Territorials commenced a fortnight's annual training in camp at Towyn, Merionethshire. - Death of Mr. Wm. Parkinson, believed to be the oldest resident at Ashton-in-Makerfield, aged 94 years.

Death of Captain Robert Main Johnson, of Wigan, aged 43 years.

Alderman J. E. Riley elected 702nd Mayor of the Borough. - Standish Railway Station permanently closed to-day. - References to opencast mining in Wigan district made by Mr. Tom Brown, M.P., in the House of Commons.

Rest garden adjacent to Haigh Hall opened by the Mayor.

Water main at Parbold damaged by lightning. - The 1st Orrell Scout Group celebrated its silver jubilee.

Four houses at Standish damaged by thunderstorm.

Parishioners of St. Patrick's, Wigan, presented cheque for £252 to Fr. J. P. O'Hara, for five years assistant priest in the parish, who on 10th April became first parish priest of St. Edward's, Newtown, Wigan's sixth and newest Roman Catholic parish.

One man killed and nine people injured when a motor coach, containing a Pemberton Methodist Church choir party, overturned on Prospect Hill, Standish.

Wigan Corporation defended the preservation of the view from Wigan Lane across the Douglas Valley at a public inquiry into the Corporation's refusal to allow the building of two detatched houses near Cherry Gardens Hotel. - The King's Birthday Honours : Miss Bertha Roberts, Beech Hill, headmistress, awarded the M.B.E., and Mr. Enoch Hughes, a 73-years-old Ashton colliery worker, the B.E.M. - Death at Southport of Mr. Charles Henry Byers, former well-known Wigan musician, aged 81 years.

Death at Southport of Mr. William Hurst, director of William Hurst and Sons, preserve manufacturers, aged 57 years.

The 144th annual conference of Independent Methodist Churches held in Wigan, concluding on 20th inst.

Thanksgiving service broadcast from Wigan Parish Church in connection with the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the Authorisation of the English Prayer Book. - Rev. J. F. Gerrard, Vicar of St. Thomas's, Wigan, whose rare collection of original editions of English Prayer Books have been on exhibition, preached at Liverpool Cathedral.

Whirlwind in Mesnes Park at mid-day to-day.

Road Safety Exhibition at the Drill Hall. - Announced in "Wigan Observer" that Carl Burger, a South African forward, who played for Wigan R.F.C. twenty years ago, had died in Germiston, South Africa.

Presentations to Fr. T. Greenhous to commemorate his silver jubilee as parish priest of Sacred Heart R.C. Church, Springfield.

Lord Macdonald, Paymaster-General, moved the second reading in the House of Lords, of the Housing Bill, which had passed the Commons.

County Playhouse, King-street, heavily damaged by fire.

Death of Mr. J. W. Smith, a director of Smith's Hygienic Dairies Ltd., Higher Ince, at the age of 48 years.

Death of Mr. Harry Park, founder of Messrs. Jones and Park, Ltd., children's clothing manufacturers, Wigan, aged 55 years.

Death of Mr. Joseph Foster, J.P., of Golborne, aged 67 years.

First public inquiry of its kind held by Central Land Board at Hindley Town Hall.

Announced in "Wigan Observer" that the old Manor House, art Welch Whittle, Charnock Richard, long known as Manor House Farm, and latterly residence of Welch Whittle Colliery officials, had been demolished by the National Coal Board. - New hall for Lower Ince branch of the Old Age Pensioners' Association in Alfred-Street, Ince, opened by Mr. Tom Brown, M.P.

A thunderstorm of exceptional variety broke the long drought and caused widespread flooding and damage.

A review in "Wigan Observer" of the first year's work of the National Insurance and Industrial Injuries Acts in the Wigan area. - Stone-laying ceremony of Greenough Street Independent Methodist new Sunday School. - Death of County Alderman J. Molyneux, J.P., of Orrell, aged 81 years.

Death of Mr. Ellis Lang, Parbold, butcher, aged 71 years.

Opening meeting of Wigan and District Branch of the Manchester Regiment Old Comrades' Association.

Report in the "Wigan Observer" that the Streets Committee of Wigan Corporation were proceeding with the policy of giving every street in the borough a new name plate.

Tablet unveiled and dedicated on Aspull war memorial to men from the township who gave their lives in the 1939-45 war.

Six prominent Italian journalists see the whole process of cotton spinning at Victoria Mills, Wigan. - Death at Brinsworth, Rotherham, of Mrs. Annie Lydia Isabel Smith, Deputy Mayor of Wigan in 1945-46, aged 79 years. - Treasure Trove inquest at Ormskirk on 110 Roman silver coins found in a brook at Ottershead Farm, Lathom.

Part repayment of capital decided upon at extraordinary general meeting of Wigan Coal and Iron Co., Ltd.

Half-yearly meeting of Trustees of Wigan Trustee Savings Bank reported a record increase in funds and the opening of five new branches.

Wigan Parks Superintendent commented in "Wigan Observer" on the sudden influx of starlings to Mesnes Park. - Miss Joan Crowther, domestic science teacher, of Wallasey, adopted as prospective Parliamentary Conservative candidate for the re-arranged Westhoughton Division. - Death of Mr. Wm. H. Litherland, former Wigan chemist, aged 80 years.

Wigan Town Council : Statement on finances of Transport Department.

Rose Garden opened by the Mayor in memory of the late Alderman F. J. Pagett, Chairman of the Markets and Parks Committee for 37 years and Mayor of the Borough in 1921.

Announced in "Wigan Observer" that the Minister of Town and Country Planning had dismissed the appeal, made at a public inquiry on 9th June, against the refusal of Wigan Corporation to permit the building of two houses on land adjacent to Cheery Gardens Hotel, in Wigan Lane.

Death at Levens, near Kendal, of Mr. James Joseph Rothwell, J.P., former Wigan and Golborne businessman, aged 85 years.

Twenty-four choirboys from Wigan Parish Church and St. Mary's, Lower Ince, attending the Royal School of Music camp at Heacham, near King's Lynn, took part in the singing of evensong at the Royal church of Sandringham.

Presentation to Councillor W. Shaw on retiring after being branch secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union for 21 years.

Death of Mr. A. Carruthers, former master butcher, of Pemberton, in 85th year.

Carnival at Ince in aid of Ince Parish Church new schools.

Death of Mrs. A. M. Morton, of Wigan, aged 49 years.

Ministry of Town and Country Planning enquiry at Town Hall into Wigan Corporation's refusal to permit Messrs. Smith and Co. Ltd., motor coach proprietors, to erect an advertisement 30 feet high on the elevation of their premises, in Market Street, opposite Market Square. - Death of Mr. Thomas Currie, well-known Wigan Free Churchman, aged 71 years.

The 125 feet high chimney built in 1854 at Worsley Mesnes Ironworks, felled into a field outside the works.

Report in the "Wigan Observer" of the first full year's operation of the National Health Service in Wigan.

Lancashire pit-cage winders' strike, which began two days ago, ended quietly in the club room at White Lion Hotel, Wigan.

Freak storm broke day spell.

37th annual show of Haigh, Aspull and Blackrod Agricultural Society held at Home Farm, Haigh.

Rev. E. Jones, B.A., concluded ten years' ministry at Wigan Methodist Mission (Queen's Hall) to take up appointment as superintendent minister of Headingly Circuit, Leeds. - Fire caused in Wigan Lane chemist's shop by sun's rays. - Death of Mr. Henry Hurst, managing director of Wm. Hurst and Sons Ltd., Newtown, aged 70 years.

Wigan Education Committee : Members express concern at rising cost of uniforms worn by children attending borough secondary schools. - A Vampire jet fighter plane crashed in flames at Coppull, pilot being killed.

Sudden death at Oldham of Mgr. Joseph Moss, D.D., parish priest of St. John's R.C. Church, Standishgate, aged 62 years.

The Mayor (Alderman J. E. Riley) telegraphed congratulations and good wishes to Miss Marie Ault, Wigan-born actress, who celebrated her 79th birthday.

The Mayor opened 19th annual summer show of Wigan and District Horticultural Society. - Young men born between 1st July, 1931, and 30th September, 1931, registered under National Service Acts.

Death of Mr. Ernest Ardern, former member of Ince District Council and the old Wigan Board of Guardians.

County Playhouse Cinema, King-street, Wigan, re-opened after being closed almost nine weeks after incendiary fire.

Wigan Town Council : Proposed £3,347,860 expenditure on capital schemes for the five years ending 1953-54 debated.

Death at Red Rock, of Miss Ellen Gertrude Harrison, former Wigan-lane antique dealer, aged 74 years.

Death of Mr. Alfred Ernest Potter, of Orrell, foreman of bookbinding department at "Wigan Observer" Office, where he had worked for 52 years, aged 76 years. - Death of Mrs. Mary Ellen Wilson, widow of Alderman Wm. Wilson, of Poolstock, aged 93 years.

Report in "Wigan Observer" of successful experimental television test on home-made set in Grimes' wireless shop.

Two memorial stained-glass windows dedicated at Abram Parish Church by Bishop of Warrington (Rt. Rev. C. R. Claxton).

Decision of Standish District Council to acquire the disused Quakers' Burial Ground off Preston Road, for conversion into a public garden with shelter and conveniences.

Presentation in Mayor's Reception Room to Mr. J. H. Holme, M.B.E., district officer and secretary to the Wigan and District Employment Committee and manager of Wigan Employment Exchange since 1940 in connection with his retirement on 30th September, after 37 years in the service of Ministry of Labour.

Explosion of firedamp in sealed-off district at Lyme Pit, Haydock : two rescue men examining wreckage killed by heat.

Wigan railwaymen at mass meeting resolved to "work to rule" from 19th inst., to adhere to a 44-hours week by banning overtime, and not to work on Sundays as protest against the Conciliation Board's wages decision.

Miners' Safety Exhibition opened by Mr. L. Plover, N.W. Division Labour Director to the N.C.B., at Wigan Drill Hall.

Battle of Britain Week celebrations by Wigan Royal Air Force Association, concluded with a Parade and Commemoration Service at Wigan War Memorial.

Aspull District Council decided to form a rota for members of the public to attend Council meetings. - Completed gold chain of office presented to Ince District Council for the use of future chairmen of the Authority.

Oak plaque to perpetuate the memory of the fourteen members of Wigan Old Boys' R.U.F.C., who gave their lives in the two world wars, unveiled in the club pavilion.

Wigan Young Women's Christian Association's new premises in Penson-street officially opened by Earl Peel, Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire. - Civic and industrial representatives from Wigan and Bury attended preview of the industrial sound film, "The House of Walmsley", made at the firm's Wigan and Bury engineering works, which is to be shown in U.S.A. and Canada.

Induction of Rev. Dr. John W. Campbell, D.D., D.Ph., B.A., at Parish Priest of St. John's R.C. Church, Standishgate, in succession to the late Very Rev. Mgr. Joseph Moss, D.D. - Fr. H. J. Shee celebrated his silver jubilee as parish priest of St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Caroline Street. - Death of Dr. Wm. Readman, of Pemberton, aged 68 years. - Death of Mr. J. H. Edmondson, J.P., formerly of Wigan, aged 71 years.

Red Rock Railway Station permanently closed by British Railways. - Water supply in the borough curtailed owing to the low level of the Corporation's reservoirs. - Death of Mr. John Laithwaite, B.Sc., of Upholland, in his 74th year.

Presentations to Miss M. E. Goold, headmistress of Woddfield Preparatory School, on her retirement.

Announced in "Wigan Observer" that Messrs. Pendlebury and Co. Ltd., Crawford House, Standishgate, had been acquired by Messrs. Debenhams Ltd., of London. - Mr. R. W. Williams, M.P., opened Wigan and District Chamber of Trade's second post-war Trade and Ideal Home Exhibition.

Wigan Town Council : Discussion on housing progress.

Mr. R. S. Hudson, M.P., Minister of Agriculture in the Coalition Government, addressed members of Wigan Agricultural Discussion Society.

Lancashire and Cheshire Federation of Christian Endeavour Unions held annual convention in Wigan. - The ceremony of the signing of "The Book of the Builders" in the shell of the new Gidlow Methodist Church and School Hall. - Rev. A. A. Clague instituted Rector of Golborne.

Standish District Council decided to reinstate the ancient well in Standish Market Place.

Death of Mr. C. Warburton, master painter and decorator, aged 60 years.

Wigan Town Council approved Education Committee's resolution regarding financial grants to proposed R.C. Schools at Newtown, Springfield and Whelley.

Death at Nelson, New Zealand, of Captain A. J. Armstrong (Merchant Navy) formerly of Wigan, aged 84 years.

Wigan Corporation commenced new bus services to Bottling Wood housing estate, and to Springfield via Frog Lane.

Lord Macdonald moved the second reading in the House of Lords of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Bill.

Damage by violent thunderstorm in Ingram-street, Wigan, and neighbouring thoroughfares. - S.W. Lancashire and Cheshire Women's Labour Party annual rally at Wigan.

Bonfires on Ashurst Beacon and Billinge Hill to introduce National Savings Weeks locally.

National Savings Weeks opened in Wigan and neighbouring townships. - Second meeting of Wigan Art Circle.

First annual meeting in Wigan of Wigan and Leigh Hospital Management Committee. - Death of Mr. T. Murtock, manager for 23 years of Shakespeare Hotel, Wigan, aged 68 years.

Venerable A. White (Archdeacon of Warrington) announced that he would resign the vicariate of Billinge at end of January.

Announced in "Wigan Observer" that Lancashire County Council had directed that the number of councillors for Billinge Higher End Ward on the District Council be increased from five to six. - Centenary celebrations of Golborne Parish Church.

How Wigan Works : Mr. Allan Royle (Town Clerk) delivered lecture on "The Organisation and Working of the Town Clerk's Department", this being the first of a series of addresses on Local Government by chief officials of the Corporation. - Death of Mr. J. H. Green, J.P., of Parbold, aged 85 years.

Wigan Town Council : Criticism of Civic Restaurant refuted.

Death of Mr. Thomas Cummins, manager of Makerfield Mill Ltd., Ashton, aged 55 years.

Death at Upton-in-the-Wirral of Rev. E. O. Hughes, vicar of St. Thomas's, Wigan, from 1926 to 1932.

Wigan Borough Prize Band's seventh annual brass band contest at Drill Hall. - Death of Mr. William Hurst, of Whelley, minister for 65 years at Greenough Street I.M. Church, aged 85 years. - Holcombe Hunt meet at High Moor, Parbold. - Mr. C. J. Twist, of Wigan, assistant county commissioner, presented with Medal of Merit by Lord Sefton.

Rememberence Day : Observances in Wigan district. - Memorial gifts dedicated to St. Matthew's Church, Highfield.

How Wigan Works : Mr. D. McKellen, Borough Engineer, gave an address on the working of his department.

Wigan water supply back to normal after 44 days of restrictions.

Mr. Joseph Turner, of Wigan, barrister-at-law and lecturer in law at Liverpool University, appointed to the Queen Victoria Chair of Law at the University.

Wigan Horticultural Society's 13th annual Chrysanthemum Show.

How Wigan Works : Address by Wigan Borough Treasurer (Mr. J. Butterworth) on the working of his department. - Reduction of the capital of Wigan Coal and Iron Co. Ltd., from £1,809,728 to £1,447,780, confirmed in Chancery Division.

Recruiting began for members of Wigan Division of the Civil Defence Corps.

Boer War veterans entertained. - Holcombe Hunt meet at Haigh. - Death of Professor T. P. McMurray, Liverpool orthopædic surgeon and consultant to Wigan R.F.C., aged 62 years.

Death of Mr. Samuel Turner, registrar of births, marriages and deaths, aged 64 years.

Announced in "Wigan Observer" that the Calico Printers' Association had taken over business of Messrs. J. F. and E. Caulfield Ltd., of Newton-le-Willows.

Wigan Rugby League Club commenced French tour by playing a drawn game of 9-9 at Lyons. - Death of Mr. James Johnson, for 40 years Monotype Caster attendant at "Wigan Observer", aged 60 years.

How Wigan Works : Medical Officer of Health (Dr. J. Haworth Hilditch) gave address on the organisation and working of the Corporation Health Department. - Wigan defeat Avignon 57-5 in second game of French tour. - Self-service system of business introduced at Wigan Co-operative Society's branch shop at Spring Bank, Pemberton.

Ministry of Health inquiry into application by Wigan Rural District Council for sanction to borrow £28,000 for works of sewerage at Shevington.

Prizes at Wigan Grammar School speech day presented by Mr. T. Alker, Town Clerk of Liverpool, and an old boy of the school.

Report in "Wigan Observer" of the loss and finding of fifteenth century helmet which had reposed for centuries in Standish Parish Church.

New Communion Rails at St. Thomas's Church, Ashton-in-Makerfield, dedicated to the memory of the late Mr. Arthur Rimmer, A.R.C.O., of Ashton. - Mr. Arthur Horner, national secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers, addressed Communist Party meeting at Hippodrome. - Death of Ex-Sergeant Harold Roy Edmondson, B.E.M., of Wigan, aged 31 years. - Death of Lady Scott, wife of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, designer of Wigan War Memorial.

How Wigan Works : Address by Chief Constable (Mr. Paul Foster) on the organisation and working of the Borough Police Force. - Death of Mr. William R. Bentley, Wigan licensee, aged 58 years.

Mr. R. W. Williams, M.P. for Wigan, appointed a member of the Commission to inquire into the Nigerian riots, left by air for Lagos. - Death of Mr. Peter Gaskell, M.B.E., M.I.Min.E., of Abram, in his 60th year. - Death of Mr. Henry Allen, surveyor and sanitary inspector to Abram District Council, in his 50th year.

Death of Mr. Walter Wignall, master painter and decorator, aged 70 years.

How Wigan Works : Address by Mr. J. H. Cockrell (Baths Superintendent) on the working of the Baths department. - 40th annual dinner of Wigan Young Conservative Association. - Death of Mr. George Hildyard Bankes, D.L., J.P., Squire of Winstanley, aged 82 years.

Wigan Town Council : Report on the future of Wigan's water supply.

Wigan Girls' High School Speech Day.

Kathleen Fidler, former Wigan scholar, teacher and well-known writer of children's books, visited Queen's Hall. - Announced in "Wigan Observer" that early next year wire flower baskets would be placed on 50 street lighting standards to brighten the town's centre.

How Wigan Works : Mr. J. McKnight, Manager, Wigan Corporation Transport Department, gave a talk on the administration and working of the department. - Death of Mrs. Ada Bottomley, J.P., of Standish, an alderman of Lancashire County Council, and former chairman and member from 1928 to 1946 of Standish District Council, aged 63 years.

Exhibition in the Mayor's Reception Room of pictures painted by Alderman T. Ramsden. - Death of Lieut.-Col. Percy Wild, M.C., in his 60th year.

Television transmission, which began to-day at B.B.C.s television station at Sutton Coldfield, received in Wigan.

Sir Frank Soskice, K.C., M.P., the Solicitor General, spoke at a Wigan Labour Party meeting at Wigan Hippodrome on the "Welfare State".

Christmas Tree, 27 feet high, on the lawn in front of Hindley Town Hall, illuminated nightly from to-night, until 1st January, as part of the township's Christmas celebrations.