Well we have got Christmas Day over, and deaths from indigestion and excessive joy do not strike us as being specially numerous. It takes a lot of happiness to kill the average Englishman, and this year the article in question does not appear to have flooded into the valley of Rossendale with sufficient violence to leave much destruction its wake. We have enjoyed ourselves alright - some quietly and others boisterously - but not so much so but what we all hope to recover from it an d breed a fresh desire to preheat the offence before another Christmas rolls round.

New County Magistrates - There have just been placed on the Commission of the Peace for Lancashire the names amongst other, of Lieutenant Colonel James Henry Hardman, Rawtenstall, and Mr James Edward old, Crawshawbooth.

At last - and certainly not too soon - the Rawtenstall Local Board have employed their surveyor, Mr J E Swindlehurst, "to take such steps as he may consider necessary to remove the danger at present existing" from the rocks in The Thrutch. If this work is properly done it will cost something, and put a practical stop to the traffic during its progress, because to remove all danger means to remove every ton of rock that would fall into the road in case of being loosened by frost or vibration.

Promenade Concert - A promenade concert was held in the Co-operative Hall onChristmas Eve, and was well attended. Dancing was kept up from about eleven PM on Tuesday until six o'clock on Wednesday morning to the strains of an efficient quadrille band.

Liberal Club - On Tuesday evening the final rounds of the Christmas handicap were played off; the following are the winners: - 1st, a goose, Mr Jas Entwistle; 2nd, a duck and rabbit, Mr Carey Hargreaves, 3rd, a cock chicken, Jos spencer; 4th 19 cigars, Wm Spencer. There was a goodly number of people present when the final rounds were played off, and the winner was accorded hearty applause.

Ringing - On Christmas morning, as soon as the clock struck twelve, ringing commenced at St Nicholas' church, Newchurch, and continued until 1.15, ringing 168 changes of Grandsire triples several times, under the conductorship of Mr T.B. Taylor. The members of St James' church, Waterfoot, also rand on Christmas morning, ringing several times 168 changes of Grandsire triples until one 0'clock.

A PERTINENT INQUIRY. To: the editor of the Rossendale Free Press. Sir, Canyon or any one of your many readers give any information concerning the money left by the late Mrs Strong of Newchurch? What are the conditions of the bequest; who are the trustees; and how is it administered? I ask these questions for the information of the public, as I have heard it said that this money is being used not for the relief of the poor of the parish of Newchurch but to get attendants (nominal) at the Parish Church, as no relief is given till the recipients have stated that they attend church. In the past, charitable bequests have been so ofter diverted from what the giver intended, and have been so frequently used for selfish and sectarian purposes that we cannot be too watchful in seeing that the conditions of the bequest are faithfully carried out. Yours &c, Inquirer.

Rossendale 8 Rawtenstall 2.
"The match was very roughly contested throughout, and it was well for both clubs that a more stringent referee than Mr Wilmore (Nelson) was not engaged."

And also:

A right Hearty and Merry Christmas to you all! Certainly it doesn't promise to be a very reasonable one in the matter of weather - no good old-fashioned ice and snow or hoar frost - but, bless us all, what does that signify! joyous hearts laugh at murky skies and muddy streets, and one can't get measured for Christmas weather as one does for an overcoat.

But though we are within 'shouting distance' of Christmas Day, we are bound to confess that there is so far little in our general surroundings to suggest it. True, the butchers, grocers, confectioners and tradesmen generally have begun to bestir themselves, and the sops and streets re beginning to grow bright with decorations, but a lot must be done before Tuesday night if Rossendale is this year to maintain its record for Christmas-keeping.

Letters intended for delivery on Christmas morning must be posted at Rawtenstall, Haslingden and Waterfoot not later than 5-30 p.m. the previous evening and at Crawshawbooth not later than 4-45 p.m.. Parcels from either place should be posted before 3-30.

Unrequited Hospitality - At Bacup on Wednesday Agnes Cunliffe, 17, weaver, Cloughfold, was charged with stealing a purse containing 18s from the dwelling-house of George Crowden, Hemp-street, Bacup, on the 12th inst. Prisoner, who is the daughter of respectable parents, induced Mrs Crowden to allow her to sleep on the soma all night. The next morning she went away, taking a purse from the mantelpiece, containing 18s. Prisoner pleaded guilty and was remanded in order that her parents might be present. She was again brought up on Thursday when she was ordered to come up of sentence when called upon.

A FREE NEWSROOM FOR NEWCHURCH. The opening of a free newsroom, which event will take place in Newchurch to-day, proves that public enterprise does not entirely slumber in this ancient historic village. The object of which this institution will make provision was first suggested in the interests of the young men of the working-classes who seemed greatly to stand in need of some institution where their leisure hours could be spend in suitable relaxation, where current literature could be had, and where they might spend an evening in innocent recreation in the village, near their own homes. This design has been brought to a practical issue under the leadership of MR James Ruston, JP, by a committee meeting at his residence, Forest house, Newchurch, consisting of the following ministers of religion - Revs SJ Bestowe (Church of England), JV Shrewsbury (Wesleyan), WR Shanks (Unitarian), in addition to the Rev RW hEy, headmaster of the Grammar School.,Mr Joseph Lunt, who has kindly acted as secretary, and Mr Rushton, who occupied the chair at most of the meetings. Captain Patrrick also joined the committee at a later stage. Numerous letters were received from gentlemen in the neighbourhood , for the most part approving of he movement or promising help. Premises have been secured near the centre of the village, next door to the post-office. These, by the willing services of the committee, have been appropriately furnished and made ready for use. The front room which is light and convenient has been stocked with a judicious selection of newspapers and weeklies, and he room behind furnished and provided with requisites for playing chess, draughts etc. It is also hoped that in the course of time anything which may be judged further conducive to the completeness and utility of the institution may be duly provided. The rooms are now open to the public free of charge and the promoters are desirous that he inhabitants of Newchuch will take every advantage of them. It has been deemed undesirable to make the use of the room dependent upon the payment of any fixed subscription, but those who frequent the room may contribute to its support and a public appeal will also be made. The undertaking could not have developed without help, and when the time arrives for calling upon the inhabitants of Newchuch for funds, it is hoped assistance will be abundantly forthcoming.

[Rossendale's home match with Fleetwood Rangers was postponed due to mist]

LOST, a Cur Bitch, black with mottled front legs - Finder to take it to Joseph Barnes, farmer, Constablee. Reward.

St Michael's Church, Lumb. Church Improvement and Vicarage Building Debt. A Large Sale of work and Christmas Tree will be held in the church School on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, December 19th, 20th and 21st, 1889 under the distinguished patronage of The Rt Hon the Marquis of Hartington, MpP, The Rt Rev the Lord Bishop of Manchester and the Clergy and Gentry of the district. the sale of work will be Opened on Thursday at 2pm by Captain Patrick, Cloughfold.

Entertainment - The concert in the Co-operative Hall last Saturday evening but he Aeolian choir was a miserable failure in point of attendance, but from a musical standpoint it was excellent. the choir sang splendidly, and the performances of "the boy violinist" are particularly well executed. It is regrettable that the choir should have been so ill supported on their first visit to Rawtenstall.

Rossendale, unfortunately, contributed its full quota of victims in the railway accident which occurred late on Saturday night between Manchester and Bury, when three trains collided. Amongst the slightly injured were Mr Arthur Kenyon, Brynbella; Mr Harold Hardman, Cliffe Tower; Mr Hibbert, solicitor, Bacup and Mr Robert Taylor, the post office, Rawtenstall. The stoker of the train, Mr Abraham Riley, Bacup, who leaves a widow and one child, was found lying dead in the debris. the others are all said to be doing well.

We are still in the dark as to the incorporation of the Rawtenstall Local Board district. It will be remembered that at the last meeting of Her Majesty's Privy Council the consideration of the appeal was adjourned until their next meeting. That event occurred on Thursday last, but up to a late hour last night we were unable to ascertain whether or not the Privy Council had considered the application and ordered the grant to be gazetted. We did not anticipate that an affair of this importance would be felt with in haste, but we were certainly unprepared for this long and anxious delay in arriving at a decision.

Bury 5 Rossendale 0

Rossendale Liberal Unionist Association: A Meeting will be held in the Co-operative Hall, Bacup, on Saturday afternoon, Dec 14th 1889, when the Right Hon theMarquis of Hartington, M.P., will address his supporters; and W.S Caine, Esq, M.P., John Albert Bright Esq. M.P. and others are expected to speak.

TO Let, the Confectioners' Shop, with Beer, Wines and Spirit Licences attached, opposite the Cloughfold Railway Station. Apply to ALFRED LEES, on the premises, or to JOHN KENYON, Rossendale Brewery, Cloughfold.

On Wednesday, the stokers employed at the Rossendale Union Gas company's works, Cloughfold, accepted an offered advance equal to 15 per cent, in their wages. Their original demand is stated by Mr Riley, the manager, to have been at the rate of about 65 per cent. The labourers' wages have also been increased from 21s to 22s per week. This amicable settlement of a grievance which appears to be general in this branch of the labour market will command itself to everyone.

A Freak of Nature - Yesterday Mr James Tattersall of Hill-street, Longholme, exhibited to us a peculiar curiosity, in the shape of two young pigeons which came from a single egg laid by a long-faced Antwerp. They were perfectly and fully formed, although not properly hatched, the parent bird having forsaken its nest on the removal of another pigeon it had hatched, but which had died.

Waterfoot conservative Club - The building of the new club is nearly completed. The slaters are actively engaged, and the building will shortly be ready for furnishing.

The Measles Epidemic in the District. Mr I Luty (school attendance officer), inches monthly report, stated that unfortunately measles were still prevalent in the Lumb Valley. On visiting the Board School at Whitewell-bottom he found only 29 children present out of 74 names on the books in the infants department, and that was about the average for the week. Several children were absent from Edgeside Holme National school in consequence of scarlet fever. Over 100 were also away from Rawtenstall Wesleyan school owing to measles. forty-five labour certificates had been signed during the month. In reply to the Chairman, My Lucy said about 20 were absent in the mixed department at Whitewall-bottom Board School. Those who were away were not all sick, but they had sickness in their homes.

Rossendale 0 Blackpool 3