SKATING IN LONDON. ICE ACCIDENTS AT CLAPHAM. TWO PERSONS DROWNED, AND SCORES IMMERSED.
A Mries alarming ice accidents occurred on Clapham Common last night, causing the utmost excitement. Each of the four large pieces water, which have been so greatly improved the London County Council, were invaded before the ice was sufficiently strung to bear, with the usual melancholy results.
The most terrible accident took place the large piece of water known the Long Pond, which is within few hundred yards of the tramway line running between the Plough and Balham High-road. The ice there was in such dangerous condition that the park officials watched it during the whole day to prevent the public from venturing upon it. They were successful in their efforts till about half-past nine, when, in spite their cautions, number of peoplemen, women, and boys began to walk upon the ice. When about a third of the way across, the ice suddenly collapsed, and all who were near the spot were immersed. A scene of the greatest excitement ensued, and the most energetic attempts were made, both by the officials and the spectators, to extricate the unfortunate people. There is great discrepancy in tire accounts to the number of persons immersed, but there must have been least a dosen involved in this first collapse. Among the victims was young woman, who was the water about quarter of hour before she could rescued. A young man was also extricated after similar delay. 'Most of the others were mote fortunate, but each case it was exceedingly difficult to got to tire land, tire ice giving way at every struggle. In spite the best efforts the officials, police, and spectators, two young men were drowned, and their bodies are now Iying in between four and five feet of water. Long before the work of rescue was complete. large crowds had been attracted to the spot, and the scene witnessed was moat painful one. attempt Iras yet been made to recover the bodies, and the task, when commenced, will doubtless difficult one, the ice being very broken and dangerous condition. . , The young man and woman who were longest in tire frozen water were unconscious when taken out. They were at once removed to a neighbouring hotel, where thev were attended bv two doctors, and were afterwards taken to their homes', and they ore still suffering from their long immersion. Altogether, including the number of people immersed during the operation rescue, at least 30 persons must have gone through tire ice this pond alone. , " , _ ,
On another piece of water, known the Cook Pond, near Clapham Library, very exciting scene was also witnessed soon after nine oclock last night. In spite of the efforts of the officials people would venture upon it, with the result that at least dozen went through the frozen surface at one time. They were all rescued, but with the greatest difficulty, from about four feet of water. During the evening the number of immersions was greatly increased, through the fool-hardiness of men and boys persisting in trying the ice. On a third piece of water, which is much used for bathing in the summer evenings, known as the Mount Pond, there was attempt to start skating in the course of yesterday, but there were so many immersions some of them serious nature that the Common officials were compelled to clear it. This they could only the aid ropes, which thev dragged around the circular piece of water, making the central island a point for the operation. must have been at least 20 immersions there during the day. all ponds the ice this morning was in a very broken and unsafe condition. , , . *
Skating was commenced the large piece water Wandsworth Common to-day, where the ice was at least three inches thick. Hundreds people availed themselves of the opportunity, and are now reaping the reward of not venturing upon it yesterday.
WHERE TO SKATE AND HOW TO GET THERE.
During the 24 hours up 8 o'clock this morning the temperature was a couple nf degrees milder than in the previous hours, the highest temperature registered being 30 degrees, and the lowest during the night 23 degrees. At 8 o'clock this morning the thermometer in Hyde Park stood degrees or 8 degrees of frost, being four degrees colder than at the corresponding hour vesterday morning. the same tame the barometer stood at 29.65, with east north-easterly winds. Following we give list the principal places where skating is taking place, with hints, where neccssarv, the way in which they may be reached Connaught Waters, Chingford.lce continues good. Great Eastern Railway from Liverjxiol-street. Crystal Palace.Excellent skating. Chatham and Dover or Brighton Railway. , . Earlsfield and Wimbledon Park.lce excellent. Rail from Waterloo. _ . . . . Grand Junction Canal, Brentford.lce fair in places. Rail from Waterloo. . . . Hampstead.Skating is confined to White- Pond. Omnibus or North London Railway. Heron Pond, Bushey Park.lce rather rough. Waterloo to Teddington. , . / Highara Park, Woodford.lce good. Rail from Fenchurch-streel Livcrpool-strcet. Paddington Recreation Ground.lce still excellent. Omnibus from Charing-cross, or Metropolitan Railway to Praed-strcet. . . . j Penn Ponds, Richmond.Skating improved. South- Westem District Railway. , Regent's Park.lce Sin. thick, with good surface. St. James's Park. Good skating. Wanstcad.lce thick. Rail from Livctpool** Welsh Harp. Hendon.Open for skating. Midland Railwav from St. Pancras. " ~ ~, . Wembley Park. Good ice. North-Western MetropoliUn Railway.
The Post Office give notice of considerable telegraphic delav to Dublin and all Irish offices north Dublin and Limerick, also to Cornish offices below Redruth. Telegrams for Penzance are being sent tram from Truro and
SNOWSTORM IN DEVON. One of the eevereefc snowstorms experienced for years past prevailed over mid-Devon this morning. A terrific gale blew from the South-Last, causing the snow to drift to such depth altogether to stop carriage traffic in many places. The storm, which set m about ten o'clock, likely to continue during the day. On Dartmoor the snow is already several feet deep.
FATAL BOILER EXPLOSION. The House of Mr. Ferguson, colliery manager, Leamington, near Newcastle, has been wrecked through the explosion of kitchen boiler, caused the frost. infant daughter of Mr. Ferguson was killed, and another child it not expected to recover.
Mr. J. H. Steward, 406, Strand, writes to nii Die minimum temperatures registered last night Loudon and suburbs was follows; S.E .^district, Z2deg. Fabr. (lOdeg. irost) j S.W. district. 25dcg. (7dcg. of frost); Strand, 26Ueg. (6deg. of frost)- This morning's readings (8 a.ra.) were 22deg.. Zodeg., ana Wasther *Forecslst Used at th. Offiea for tha twenty-four beurs ending now *
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"S
porting Life — Monday 14 January 1895
The course was across Common, down Nightingale lane on to Burntwood-lane, to the bottom. Then away over Maxwell's to Magdalene-road. and across Wandsworth Common to Broomwood. Bound Clapham Common homo, llnishing at the Parish Church. deference to the recent rule passed the r. fort first selected stood down, but the vacant seat was admirably filled slr. K. J. Fagles. the way this gentleman experienced little trouble so far as the preliminaries connected with the race were com erned, but happily all was well at last. As may readily imagined, the going proved exceedingly hard, but the Harriers scudded along merrily as a cricket on the hearth. Sound the trumpets, beat the drums in honour of Trail Layers W. O. Tarling, H. Harwood, and several members of the Harriers. Bight well and truly they scattered the scraps pjper. Nimble as kittens, but with eyes like a hawk, we:e the energetic clerk- of the course, T. H. Bradley, A. Milton, W.Uiainson, C. Wiliiamson (North Surrey 11. Laud W. J. Stephens Falcon H.). fains the race was concerned, . . . .
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LONDON SKATING RESORTS
HOW REACH THEM. The following is a list of the principal skating grounds in London and neighbourhood, with directions how they may reached : LaiTicKSEA I'akk. Railway troni Loudon iindge, Waterloo, Victoria, Kings Cross, and Ludgate-lml. Ice not sale yet. Park : Diana and Lsg-of-Mutton Ponds.-Railvv iy from Waterloo Hampton Court leddnigion. bk.itiug penuittcd. Ci.apha.m Co.M.'tu.v. Rauway Victoria, Ludgatehill, King's Cross, and London Fridge; Jim lion Irom Victoria, Waterloo, London Addison-road, Moorgate-slreei, and Ludgate-lnil, Llecmc Ranway iro ~ Ring Wuiiain sticet to Chip iain. Tramtars and omnibuses (roiu VVestuimster and lilaciciriars Fridges; omnibuses Irom i.cadaiiliall-street, lee i ll.iek.iess, out not yet sale. P.-.uk, i\.; iwo ponus. Trains from Moorgate street. CRVST.M. Pai.ack. Railway London Bridge, Victoiia, Addison-road, Moorgate-streei, Hoibcrn \ induct, King's Cross, and Ludgaie-liill. ouus not LCal Par r. Railway Kiug's-cross, Furringdou-street, Moor* gale-sited, Broad street, Lonauu Bridge, and Ludgaie-hill. Hacknky Mau.-aiks -itway Irom Broad street (North Loudon), to Victoria Park or Ho.iierton. skatm*;. IIAMPSXEAO Hii.vru : Four Ponds.Railway irotu Broad-street and Mansion House, via Addison-ioad. not general. idtuHitAXK: Ponds.Railway from King's-cross, Mourgale-street and Broad-streetto Highgate-ioad Moorgate-strect. Hyde Park; The Serpentine. Ice dangerous. Kensin. ton ; Round Pond and the Long Water. Iso skating yet Osturi.kv Park. ; Large Lake.Any District Railway station. Paddington Ground. Train from Broad- trect Kiiburn; Metropolitan Railway and tiience by oniuiaus. Capital ice, grouna iliuimnated at nigat. IvY troui Lu :g.ite Util and Victoria and trams
THE SEVERE WEAT H E R. SKATING IN LONDON TO DAY. The Irost continued last night with increased severity,tlie thermometer {ailing from 26 deg., which point it stood lust evening, to lodeg., 17 deg. t tost. Last night was, thcrelore, one ot the coldest experienced this winter, and hut lor the fact that the ice is covered by a slight fall of suow, it is certain that another inch would have been added to its thickness. The Royal Humane Society received notice last evening that that portion ot the ornamental water in Regent's Park known as the private enclosure would be thrown open to the public this morning, and consequently Mr. Horton, the superintendent, sent number ot icemen with lue saving apparatus to the park this morning the park superintendent set number ot men to sweep the enclosed part, but at 9.30 little progress had been made, and it is probable that one will be allowed till the a.ternoon. The ice is in capital condition, being entirely iree Iroin cracks. The borings showed that the ice is rather more than 2in thick. The Serpentine covered v/ith good ice to the depth ot but this piece ol w.itcr will not be thrown open until depth o, in. has been reached. Prohibitory notices were displayed and constables were on duty cither sice o! the bauk to prevent venturesome persons from going on. The ice on Long Water and the Round Pond, Kensington, is also in a good condition, ami with continuance ol the frost it expected that these waters will be declared open morrow. There was splendid skating ail day yesterday at Hackney Marshes. suriace is in grand condition and is wed swept L. C. C, men. Marshes were crowded up till ten cite>.m., when the ice was cleared. It is years since there has be :n such excellent skating the Marshes. he lorectst lor London and tne tugiaud :or twenty-four hours ending noon tomorrow : South-westerly to westerly winds, light; unsettled, some snow, becoming milder. At noon to day Messrs. Negrctti and Zambra's barometer at the office the SV. James Gazelle registered 30.23 (r.siug). Kl-:PORTS FROM THE FKOVINCES, the south east coast the Sunday night was exceptionally intense, the cold being so severe that the Granville Dock, in Dover Harbour, was uo/.en over yesterday morning. Sixteen degrees ol frost were registered at Dover Sunday mgnt. With a change wind yesterday the temperature rose, but it tell again at night. Snow leli more or less all day. Toooggann.ng attractci large numbers of people to the castle slopes. Whilst a number of persons were skating in the grounds of Hoy's Hal), VVillesborough, Kent, Sund iy alternoon, the ice broke, and a man was drowned. Several otners had narrow escapes. Sk.iliiig w.is general yesteulay ou the meadows Inc valley of the and the surrouuuiug lens. Ai i-'areet lad named Arthur VVuilwell, a ,ed ten, lell ice one ol the dykes and was drowned he.ore his companions could render luni assistance. Skating was Ircely indulged in yesterday the Lincolnshire Fens; and the ice Cowoit Wash, winch extends lor iniies, presents a r.ither reniarkaulc appearance. hen; the oest sheet o; ice known there lor many years, the sur.ace being i.k-; glass. Snow led neavtly yesterday, and in some parts o tnc U..-,lncl drilled to a considerab.c interiering vvitu velncular trallic. Last night it was ireezing hard. The irost in Yorkshire recoining keener. S.uvv lias fallen heavily over the Mortha.lcrton district, and snow ploughs .>re at work the Kastern Ka.lway. Yesterday r.ioriung the Carlton Royal Mail cart became embedded in a great cn.ion the road, lu the town ot Leicester ail tramcm — and omnibus traltic is suspended. LONDON SKATING RI'SOR from Blackfriars and Westminster Bridges. Small pond opened to the public- Regents Park. Metropolitan Railway to Portland-roaJ or Baker-street; also omnibuses from Charing-cross Station. Skating not permitted. Richmond Park : Penn Ponds. Railway from Waterloo, Proad>street, Ludgate-hill, Mansion House, and Aldgate. Trams from Hammersmith and Kew. St. James's Park ; Ornamental Waters. Ice dangerous. Victoria Park: Three Ponds.Railway from Broad-street.
Wandsworth Common. Railway to Claphara Junction iroru Waterloo, and Victoria; to Wandsworth-common from London Bridge, Victoria, and Kensington.
Harp, Hendon. Icc will ready to-morrow, Wlmcliy Park. Trams from any Metropolitan station, via Bakerstreet. Railway Welsh Harp Su Pancras. WIMIiI.EDON. Railway from Waterloo, London Hiidge, V'icloria, Ludgatehill ; tram Irom Mansion House, and Uisuict stations, VViiiitilccloa Park. Skating now allowed. SHIPPING DISASTERS. LOSS OF A STEAMER AND TWENTV-TWO LIVES. Particulars have been received in South Shields the wreck
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[Maxwell's Fields? Where? Def. Near Wandsworth Common These seem to feature in a quite a number of cross-country races. North side of Burntwood Road
CROSS-COUNTRY RUNS. NORTH SURREY HARRIERS.
Yes! Everyone will acknowledge thir. the weather on Saturday ruled biting. A term much anpreriated the disciples of Old Izaak. doubtless. Still, the nibble sleet that fell to the lot of those who went Clxph&ra Old Town way on January 5 proved most irritating. Fortunately for the North Hurray Harrier* there were no empty jerseys or missing dawg-i wanting, when huntaiuun Eaglessuch a nice man, too too tied bis horn for the peck muster at Ye ill's Head," Old Town, Clapham, And good wine needs no bush, so their emb history is too well known to require one word of commendation from us. So far aa the North Surrey are concerned, they not measure their runs a standard much more like that of the *' bolded than the " quirt eystein. Bricks and mortar get away! Crosscountry runncia bid innovation take any shape bnl that. Ciapliam country of >e oldon lime is fust being oouverted into airings of Riruscn-Tla'ic Roman cement ices. words of a Jack Jonrs comic song impersonator, where aro when trying todnditasi; was its oocirnt past ore glory. But, truce with meditations. Ie!! across old ;ithle:e the person Aiiaan, . . . in hand piloted n* to Bull. Never pos-mm did our old friend on the cir.dtu* path. true Damasi'us steHl. Avery fine and oorfunodioiia hotel Yo Bull, aid con tains Sacha glorious boudoT for ufchletos. Dargeyed and full of chaff Topalum Jimmy." Still, all alive ni klobiog. and not to marry yet. Como, k the Sand, as it were. NorthSuney, for the.o in those eyes. Evening was. make vile pun. .ting down ere that courteous and painstaking trainer, Dick turned the runners out for their scurry, spin and spanas Bob Nmhtinga'lwhrn sporting the Epsom Harrier RoreJjery colours, almost turned wheels and somersaults when sighting raveral aembus the Hill Har. iers, Take our word for it, thiscinb is coming on. And t iking another shot before the s'ert. hit" the genial faces owned H. Martinlooking none too worse for his 8.-.lham daysJ. H. Frie*tloy, and G. Willianunn. The run under notice was written down as a kind of good fellowship prior the Invitation Race Saturday next. denv cut that all those who off-ousted fastened (he line with theappMitoofaghoul the moment fc. J. Engles gave the word 'Go " The lads who were:North Surrey Hamare.H. Smith, W. Hastinsa, W. U. C. Martin, J. H. Byfield, H. "W. J. Prouling. E. Fnher. G. Uo'lins. and H. Murrslt. Herne Hill Ha riora,A. C. Davall, W. Spicer, H. Hinton. H. SI. Simpson, A. Lock, G. Goodwin, T, Herrington, and J. May.
Right joyously they slipped out from their kennels, and then across Common, throngh Nightingale-lane, to Field *, over threi'-.ju&rtei's mile plough, back on to Wandsworth Common. 'Urvmgli Broom wood, round the rood-and think this*, nowfin Mi. i tho Fansii Church. Say now, though it must not bo forgotten that they crossed the Bar. H. Smith (N. 5.11.) proved to man home, w; ion H. Feltham (N.S.il. and H.H.H.) second, and 11. SI. Simpson third. There was darkness love, still snnshino below, the lst men man trotted h kennel. It is evidently lion. sac. Eagles' mission endeavour ra'Ne the glory of his club. to bear mind that what is worth doing at Iis doing well. We shall expect sec our remarks borne out to the lei ter Jan. 12. on the occasion the invitation Race. Likewise at the musical puffer, which fixed to lake place the Gauden Hotel, adjoining Clspham-road Station, Postscript.Entries for tho Invitation Race close last nos' tonight (Monday) E. J. Eagles, hon. see..o, Nopaul-wad. ersea, S.W. Keieree, Stephen John liicbardaon, SroailNti
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An excellent and most useful innovation in the drill of our volunteers was made in London on Saturday evening. The War Department desired to test bow the metropolis could be protected by the citizen soldiers in case of emergency, and a great " turn-out " was ordered accordingly. The idea was that an invasion had taken place, and that the enemy was pushing on towards the capital from beyond Mitcham, with the result that the general in command of the Home District had determined to rendezvous his seven brigades of infantry at and around Clapham, so as to effectually block the main road to London. It was at half-past five that the order to march was issued from the Horse Guards, and within an hour and three-quarters the many thousands of volunteers, who were assembled on the Thames-embankment, in would Q 1 Hyde-park, at the Horse Guards, at various great West-end barracks, and at Camberwell, bad reached their assigned points on Clapham and Wandsworth-commons and at Claphampark and Tooting. General Lord Methuen, the Commander of the Home District, showed himself remarkably well pleased with the success of the movement ; and, although there were some points of detail which demanded friendly criticism, the whole was a decided triumph for the volunteers.
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"ORIGINS OF CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING IN HARE AND HOUNDS
CROSS-COUNTRY RUNNING-. How many years is it since cross-country running became a popular pastime amongst the youth of this country? If we were to believe all that we sometimes hear, we should imagine that it has existed as a definite branch of athletics almost from time immemorial. Within the last week, indeed, a London daily paper has spoken of it as having been popular for a century.
Those of us, however, who have not yet begun to think of our growing infirmities can remember when it first found votaries among the athletic and football clubs of the metropolis. It has not yet been a recognised form of sport for thirty years, and even in that time it has largely changed its early character
Originally it was "paper-chasing pure and simple, the pack following the trail laid by the hares, and if any one desires to know to how long a period fifteen minutes can be spun out, I can only recommend him, if an old paper-chaser, "to recall his experiences when waiting during the quarter of an hour's start given to the hares, with the pleasing consciousness that the latter were getting further and further away every moment.
In snowy weather the scent, "consisting originally of white paper, torn to fragments, was difficult to follow. So it was if the wind blew it about and I have a vivid recollection of finding myself, upon one occasion, with the other leaders of the pack, some miles from home and utterly at fault because the scent had been carried, as we afterwards ascertained, over some ground covered with white stones. In those days football clubs entered largely into the spirit of the sport a fact which is evidence alike of the some what primitive character of the arrangements and of the slender interest which was taken in football compared with that which is felt to-day.
The progress of the builder has not been without its effect in substituting for the original paper chasing, "cross-country running as we now know it. The substitution of streets for fields in the suburbs of the metropolis and of our large towns has helped to bring men together, at some suitable spot, from a wider area but Iremember, when "paper chasing" was in its infancy, starting, upon one occasion, from a field in the neighbourhood of Brixton, long since covered with houses, and running all round by Norwood, Streatham Common, Tooting Common, Wandsworth Common, and Clapham Common, and being for much the greater part of the distance on the turf.
The commencement, indeed, of the athletic revival itself in this country is not so very remote. The late H. F. Wilkinson refers to (i the testimony of an old cadet" to establish the fact that half-yearly athletic meetings were held at Sandhurst as far back as 1812, and it is certain that the first meeting at Woolwich was held in 1849. At the two Universities, however, there were no athletic sports of any description until 1852, when a meeting was held at Exeter College, Oxford. Even in 1858, athletic gatherings were described as "rural and interesting revels, " and as "a revival of good old English sports." The Crick Run" at Rugby, which may be regarded as the genesis of cross-country running, dates from 1837, and there are ac counts of the Shrewsbury School Huut since 1842. It was in the winter of 1867-8, however, that Walter Rye introduced paper-chasing" to London athletes, the original object being to supply rowing men with some method of keeping themselves in condition during the winter. The Thames Rowing Club, in fact, was the originator of cross-country running, as soon as the pastime ceased to be merely a school sport, and the result was the formation of the Thames Hare and Hounds. The idea, as I have already indicated, was quickly taken up, and Imay per haps be forgiven for suggesting that one of the causes of its rapidly acquired popularity was the belief that it offered a
chance of distinction to men who fancied they could plod on for ever, but who were too slow to win races in those days of rudimentary handicapping. the best of the long-distance runners of the day were, at first, hardly inclined to take part in the new pastime. At any rate, though I should not like to say positively that W. M. Chinnery, who was mile and four-mile champion in 1868 and 1869, never took part in a paper-chase, I am certain that he did not give any great attention to the pursuit. It is, perhaps, to the establishment of clubs expressly devoted to cross-country running, and to the consequent evolution of inter-club rivalry, that one must ascribe the participation in this form of athletics of a better class of runners. The first competition between clubs took place in 1877, when the Thames Hare and Hounds defeated the South London Harriers and the Spartan Harriers. In the winning team were P. H. Stenning and W. E. Fuller — both of whom have recently passed away — as well as C. H. Mason, who had been mile champion in 1872. The trail for this initial competition was laid from Roehampton across Wimbledon Common, and round the neighbourhood, and this district was the scene of what became an annual contest until 1884, when the rules laid down or the National Championship provided that the struggle was to he decided over varying courses. In 1878, the Thames athletes RCM beaten by the Spartans, but the former were victorious again the following year, whilst 1880 saw the first success of a non-metropolitan club. That year the Birchfield Harriers won the championship, and Birmingham also supplied the successful team for each of the four following years, victory resting with the Moseley Harriers, W. G. George, running in the colours of this club, being-first man home upon two of the occasions of his team's success. It is a matter for regret that the once strong Midland Association, to which both the Birchfield Harriers and the Moseley Harriers belonged, should be practically defunct. In 1879 an attempt was made to establish a "North of the Thames Cross-Country Union, " but it was not until 1884 that the Northern, Midland, and Southern Associations were formed, their amalgamated forces constituting the National Cross-Country Union. Skipping a few years we come to 1892, which was noticeable for the first appearance of the Essex Beagles, a club which had been formed from the old Beaumont Harriers, with the addition of several members of the Spartan Harriers. In the Southern Counties Championship, decided over a course at Ockham, near Ripley, this club was just beaten by Finchley; but, in the National Championship, the new club tied with the Birchfield, Heath, of the South London Harriers, being the first man home upon both occasions. In the following year, Heath achieved the same individual distinction, the Essex Beagles gaining the Southern Championship, and their first man, Kibblewhite, finishing third. Last year the Essex Beagles were again successful in the south, H. Watkins, of the Walthamstow Harriers, who had finished third in the National of 1893, achieving the honour of being first man home, though in the National he succumbed to G. Crossland, of the Salford Harriers. Last Saturday's struggle at Wembley Park is now added to the events of history. Once more Watkins has won the honour of being first past the judge, but the Essex Beagles had to succumb to Finchley. G
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"POCKET PICKING ON RAILWAY — WANDSWORTH COMMON STATION
he Commons and the People. Mr. J. T. Bees, Mr. Sayer, Mr. Hall, and other well-known gentlemen were very indignant (at meeting of the Bolingbroke Ratepayers' Club Tuesday night) about the County Councll's treatment the commons. On Claphamand Wandsworth Common*hurdles were put while the turf was being renewed, and the public were ?? off the gnss. Know appears that what was regarded only temporary arrangement is to permanent, end those who manage the commons desire to keep the public to the shingle paths, the order " keep off the grass" being rigidly and not over courteously enforced, Mr. Watts, secretory the club, said the complaints about Hus state of affairs were many. It was resolved to send deputation to the Park* Committee the London County Council, conveying from the club otrong protest against the public "being deprived their ancient common rights."
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MUCH MORE SERIOUS MATTER. He asked whether it was not fact that members of the board had speculated with the plot* of land at the Battersea Cemetery; whether it was not true that members purchased plots land minimum price, and sold them a maximum price? .., _ . . Mr. WMtchousd (chairman of the Burial Board): Yes: It is fact. Mr. W. F. Grejr, a former member of the board, bought private grave for 305., and it was sold again an undertaker for £25, the undertaker telling the purchaser it ought After this the board passed resolution that no further burials take place the cemetery except private grave?, and at the discretion of three members. What these three members did b* could not say., .,,, Mr. asked if a return had been made showing the number of plots land sold since the closing of the cemetery, and: No, bat this could Costigan said the sooner was done the Mr. Morris asked it was correct that the day the board bought the office furniture they finished going to the Empire, and whose expense? .. _ Mr. Wtutehonse; did to the Empire, had perfect right to. Mr. explained that the work they did for the board finished at 5 o'dock, and after that they had a right what they liked their own time. went to say that the persistence of two or three members the board had got 5 per cent, reduction off the price of the furniture. The furniture was bousfbtat Maple's. The firm would not allow discount, but they saw the manager, "chucked him a bit bogey telling him that would get lot more orders, and so they got the discount. (Laughter.) Mr. Morris What became the o per cent.? . Mr. That can seen if yon examine the books. Replying to many other questions, Mr, Whitehouse said the books were open the not been able to find out who the present solicitor of the hoardis., .., Mr. Wbitehonse said the solicitor was Jones, Wandsworth. .,,, Considerable uproar here took throngh the interchange of personalities, and Mr. asked for protection as ho was being assailed another vestryman. The chairman also had to appeal for support if the business was to be conducted. Ultimately the farther of the accounts was adjourned, Mr. Costigan and others saying there ought a searching inquiry, and members of the Burial Board retorting that they invited it.
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Notice of Sale.Wandsworth common.Eleven Plots of Freehold Building Land,on the Bramblebury Estate. MESSRS. BAKER and SONS beg to announce that they have Sold, by private contract, Lots 29 to 39 of the above Freehold Estate, which were bought in at their Auction, the Mart, on Friday, July 5.
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BALHAM and WANDSWORTH-COMMON.
Messrs. DAVIS and BARROW have all the available Houses to be Let or for Sale in these delightful neighbourhoods:
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Published: Saturday 1 June 1895
Newspaper: London Evening Standard
County: London, England
Type: Advertisement | Words: 42761 | Page: 1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10 | Tags: Classifieds
Wandsworth-common. In lots to suit all classes of buyers.Eleven Freehold Residences, Nos. 1 to 6, Bramblebury-gardens, and Nos. 22 to -road, all let and together producing per annum. Also two acres Freehold Building Land, on the Bramblebury Estate, facing the best part of the common, offering charming sites for villa residences. Vendor's Solicitors, Messrs. Uopgoods and Dowsou, 17, Whitehallplace, S.W. Particulars may be bad of the respective Solicitors, and of the Auctioneers, I], Queen Victoriastreet, E.C
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SOUTH-WEST. — Battersea Labour terse& Park-road, Plough-road: Mr. " Shall we Nationalise Ireland'" 11.30 p (near band-stand), Mr. John Burns, General Election and its Lessons, " t — 11, 1-, r.. a 7 lar Hall, Vrince of Wales's-road S.W. — Battersea Park Gates: Mrs. " Woman and the Bible, " 11-30. — Clapham Labour League Wandsworth Common (near footbridge), Mr Best [?] 6.30. [?]
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Mr. John Burns, M.P., on the Cardiff Congress.
There was a great gathering of trade unionists and Radicals the Battersea Town Hall on Monday night, when Mr. John Burns, M.P., gave address on the Cardiff Congreae. Mr. J. Verdon, secretary of the Boilding Trades Federation and member of the Battersea Vestry, occupied the chair, and in the course of his opening address spoke of the important matters the congress had had to deal with, the rigorous and decisive action which had been taken on many questions, and the prominent part Mr. Burns had played. He knew they all knew — that the actions and words of Burns had been much discussed. That night Mr. Burns would attempt to vindicate the position had taken, and he could not face an audience better qualified to appraise his conduct. The trade unionists of Battersea were men well acquainted with Labour problems, and tlmy would take a good all-round and judicial view of the action of their representative without favour, fear, or prejudice. (Cheers.) Mr. Burns rising to address the meeting was received with loud choers, mingled with some biases from the small knot of Social Democrats and members the Independent Labour party present. He said was true that he hod taken an active pact m the Cardiff Congress — a part which had not beeu altogether pleasing man|, bat object was to purge Ibo Labour movement and secure complete political, municipal, and industrial emancipation for the working classes. The Cardiff Congress marked now epoch, for Labour had there made bold stand and had renonneed the Bon-reprcsentative parasites who had too long preyed upon it. The meeting was more genuine and representative than its predecessors, and its decisions would be more farreaching and useful. After contradicting the statement which had been made tliat he had some extent inspired the president's address, Mr. Burns proceeded to deal with the history of the new standing orders in great detail, and to justifv his action in the matter. Henceforth ibo non-representative character of the congress would eliminated, and it would reflect the genuine, honest opinions of the trade anions. The very fact that he had been excluded made him fight more pluckily than if things had been the other way about. Having explained what the new standing orders were exactly, he said the true union world would be delighted with them, and would see that they served their best interests.
It was quite ridiculous find revolutionists pleading for constitutional methods. For Social Democrats and members of the Independent Labour party to crying out for ** constitutional methods ''was like the worms in Battersea cemetery crying out for cremation. (Laughter.)
Too new standing orders insisted that all delegates should elected members by vote, and not the executive, and that delegates should not elect themselves, and that was great point gained. expected to make many enemies through standing out so strongly for purification in the interests of true delegation, but that would uot deter him in the least. Some people said he desired to exclude promineut members of Independent Labour party, but it was not true, and be had advocated the same cour-e foe the last 10 years. He took the same stand in his own trade anion, and now the election of publicans, insurance and sewing machine agents, and other non-representative elements, was thing of the past. Similar men occupied positions in the friendly and building societies all oyer the country, but they must be got ri of. The anomalous busybodics in every movement, who were in it simply for what they could make out of it, must sent to the rightabout. A man could help a movement well out of it as in it; there must be no House of Lords in the Labour movement. He did uot like non-elected aldermen, and he was determined never to create Labour hierarchy of men whose only qualification for occupying representative posts was record of past services. When they accepted such position they would have congre.-s of extinct volcanoes, whereas they wanted men of mid democratic tendencies. Under the old system small unions were overrepresented and large ones were under-represent'd, the skilled workmen being practically disfranchised; but all that had been altered. Big onions would not now have thing* all their own way. and prove their generosity be reminded his hearers of the noble efforts large unions had made in defence of weaker bodies and of workers who were not organised at all. Bogus delegates were now impossible, and if men were not sent by their trade unions they did not want them. Dealing next with the attacks upon the Parliamentary Committee, Mr. Burns contended that they had uot pandered to the noisy faction, but Lad gone about their business in the most honest and straightforward manner. When Labour leaders ceased fight they began to die. They must tackle Ihrir enemies on their own ground, for generally they only advocated the unattainable because tko possible was beyond compreheneion. Ko Parliamentary Committee had worked harder than the last, and claimed that they had do everything that was possible. He had voted in divisions on Labour question* the House Commons, where they had attained the greatest legislative aebievements ever recorded. Socialism had discredited itself in being associated with the Independent Labour party. present the Labour hou £ was bettor order than had ever been, federation was growing every day, and prospects generally were most hopeful. Alter summing up the gains and lessee of the congress, Mr. Burns warned the new unions not to elect as delegates men who were simply good speaaCM; practical men and eve* nastailed unionists were their best friend*. They must col otf ike cackle rs and secure honest and sympathetic workers. Many men had been driven out the unions by the jealousy rival leaders, and others had been lost because union fought against union instead of looking Mter their mutual interests. Many were di-gusiid with the weakness and vanity of some leaders, and had left because the officers were not the ablest men that could be found. They must hav* men of reputation, above suspicion, and then they would able bring back those who had ceased be members of the unions. As a candid friend of the Independent Labour party, told them they must alter or they would utterly perish. Whether thev did so or not, the Labour movement had had the courage stand the congress, and they would on without the Independent pibour party. Politically, municipally, and industrially, Labour could not afford Lave narrow, charmed circle of elect persons who thought that all who did not agree with them were hopelessly lost. Their leaders wanted more charity, toleration, judgment, and breadth view. Democracy had won the day; but there was more be done, and all fads and sections must unite. They must not pull each other down and disintegrate the movement by petty jealousies, bat see who could the most build it up. (Load cheers.) He knew that had made enemies, but would continue to work in the future ae he had done the past. had started on purificatiou job, and be meant go until not only trade anions were purged, but also friendly and bunding societies and even Parliament itself. (Loud cheers.), Daring the course of Mr. Burns address there had been frequent expressions ot dissent and occasional disorder, but Mr. Verdon managed the meeting with admirable tact. At the conclusion of his speech, however, Mr. Burns was assailed on all sides. A Mr. Kennedy obtained hearing on the ground that represented the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants. He defended the Independent Labour party, and accused Burns of personal abuse of members that party. He declared that Burns in this matter was actuated small personal motives. From all sides Mr. Kennedy was asked, What about the Independent Labour party balance-sheetsr" They would be published, said Mr. Kennedy, bat could not say when. There was some difficulty getting together the figures relating to candidates. Mr. Burns, who had been quietly amused at Mr. Kennedy's exhibition of himself, then "went for" his assailant. He demonstrated that Mr. Kennedy was no representative of the railway servants, but Tom Mann's assistant. At this there was great uproar, and hundred hands were stretched towards Mr. Kennedy with the evident intention making his exit to Lavender Hill more speedy than dignified. Mr. Burns, however, prevented violence. "Let him go hack his governor," shouted Burns. '* have run one fox his hole. I thought Lis hands seemed too white for platelayer or signalman." Barns continued: These men accused him of being personal, when they wrote scurrilous articles about him and caricatured him picking up sovereigns from Liberal capitalists. He had attacked their independence and unstatesmanlike methods; but had never accused Keir Hardie, Tom Mann, or any other of their leaden of having merely pecuniary motives view. But this was done every day by the liars the Independent Labour party. If it were true that the Cardiff Congress was Burns's Congress — and it not — it certainly knocked (ho bottom out of the statements of the Independent Labour party and Social Democratic Federation that be was losing hit influence the Labour movement. After acme further discussion, the meeting quieted down. Mr. Sander., Mr. Oswald, and others spoke a rote of thanks Burns for his splendid address,and this rote heartily earned, in spite of some rather noisy opposition.
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