THE

But Brutus makes mine greater than they are."

HE next branch shop to be opened was the one at Tyldesley, and in view of the fact that another society has been established there in recent years, and that our society's right, from a co-operative point of view, to be at Tyldesley has been questioned by those who are not acquainted with the history of the matter, it will be well to enter somewhat fully into the matter. The first co-operative society in Tyldesley was started in April, 1850, for we find the following advertisement in the Leigh Chronicle of April 9th, 1850" Tyldesley Commercial Co-operative Society, High Street, Tyldesley-The Committee have pleasure in announcing that the store of provisions and groceries will be opened on the 16th inst."

The society's name was afterwards changed to "Tyldesley Co-operative Industrial Society," and its rules were registered in this name under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act in 1859. The place of business being still in High-street.

The rules are signed by John Daniel, secretary, and Messrs. Edward Sandford, John Cross and David Croft, members.

In January, 1861, the society purchased a shop and three cottages in Shuttle-street, part of which property is now occupied by the Leigh Society's grocery and boot and shoe shops.

On August 17th, 1864, the following letter was addressed to the committee of the Leigh Society ::

"I am requested on the part of a General Meeting of our Society to solicit some information, as to the terms on which we could connect our Society with yours--supposing you have the least idea of such a connection.

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From want of good management, ours is on the point of breaking up. The members seem to have lost all confidence. We have 200 members, and at a General Meeting held on the 12th the desire was to go on, and not break up.

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'I really cannot see how we must carry on except the Receipts are more than £40 per week, and the notices for withdrawals are not to be paid.

"The Management centred at Leigh would restore confidence, as your Society is in such a prosperous condition, and you going ahead. Then we should take flour from your Corn Mill and thereby helping your Mill to a greater success.

"It has been entirely our last shopman's fault that we have not made purchases of your flour.

"I cannot see why we should not take £100 per week at Tyldesley. If this cannot be tided over I am of opinion it will be a great blow to the spread of cooperation in this neighbourhood. The members have it all in their own hands, that is to make all their purchases at the store. They do not like the idea of giving up. I am sure confidence would be restored, could we join in with you on terms suitable to you. If you should have any idea of such a thing and can offer any suggestions you will oblige

"Yours truly

"John Hardman

Secretary."

A deputation from our society, consisting of the president, manager and two members of the committee, had an interview with the Tyldesley committee about a week later, and as the result of the interview the secretary was instructed to ask the Tyldesley Society "to inform them what sum they require, for their shop cottages and fixtures."

The negotiations, however, at this time fell through, for on September 14th the Tyldesley Society sent the following letter :—

"At a Special General Meeting of the members held at the Store yesterday, it was resolved that the Society should not be dissolved; and having obtained the means to continue it on a proper footing, we hope to surmount our present difficulties. We beg to thank you for your offer and for the trouble you have taken and remain yours &c the Committee.

"John Hardman, Sec."

The Tyldesley Society then apparently struggled on for another twelve months, and on October 9th, 1865, the following letter was received :

"The Chairman of the Leigh Co-operative Society "Sir,-This Society having determined to wind up voluntarily and it having been intimated to us that you might feel inclined to purchase the whole of our stock and property for the purpose of carrying it on as a Branch of your store. We beg to inform you that we are empowered to treat with you for them and shall be glad to entertain any proposition you may please to make with a view to taking the whole concern off our hands. We will meet your Committee, at Leigh, or here, if you will fix a time. We will take no further steps in the way of selling the property and fixed stock till we hear from you. A many of our members would join you here.

No steps seem to have been taken for a few months, but on February 26th, 1866, the following resolution appears on the minutes of the Leigh Society :-

That Mr. Welch be informed that his offer of the property of the Tyldesley Society has been favourably received by the Committee and that as soon as the requisition in course of preparation, asking the Committee to open a Branch at Tyldesley has been received and approved of they will lose no time in coming to a final decision on the matter."

And a fortnight later the following appears :

"That the report of the deputation to Tyldesley respecting the Tyldesley Store be approved of by this Committee and in the event of 60 persons paying the entrance fee and signing the declaration, this Committee recommend the purchase of the Tyldesley shops to the General Meeting."

More than the stipulated number of persons joined the Leigh Society as members, and the general meeting confirming the committee's recommendation, the property and fixtures were bought from the liquidators. The rules of the old Tyldesley Society, with the Registrar's signed certificate attached, and also copies of the winding-up resolutions passed by the members, are still in the possession of the Leigh Society.

After this evidence of the fact that the Leigh Society became established in Tyldesley at the special invitation of the Tyldesley people, and bought up their premises and fixtures and stock after they had failed. in their efforts to carry on co-operation, and that in addition to this, the Leigh Society have property there to the value of nearly £2,000-it will not again be contended that they are not fully entitled to be at Tyldesley.

It was very unfortunate that when the Leigh Society were struggling against tremendous difficulties, owing to the calamity in connection with the weaving depart

ment, and just when they were in need of all the help that co-operators could give to them, that this was the time chosen to start an opposition society at Tyldesley.

As it is over twenty years since these events happened, a new generation of co-operators has arisen, most of whom would have no knowledge of what is now recorded.

The Leigh Society commenced business in May, 1866, in Shuttle-street, Tyldesley, in the premises bought from the defunct society. Mr. James Dickinson, who had been in charge of the Lowton Branch since 1860, was sent to take charge of the new shop, at the wages of 20s. per week. Robert Watson taking his place at Lowton. Mr. Dickinson occupied the cottage adjoining the shop at a rental of 2s. 6d. per week.

Mr. Dickinson, however, only remained in charge of the shop for about eighteen months, when his services were summarily dispensed with, for reasons which are not stated-whatever was the cause of his dismissal, he seemed to have had the sympathy of the members at Tyldesley, for a requisition was sent to the committee asking for a special meeting of the members. The committee, however, declined to entertain the request, and referred the requisitionists to the rule which empowered the committee to deal with matters relating to_management.

The matter was, however, brought up at the next members' meeting, and a resolution was passed “that the Committee have discharged their duty in a proper manner in the case of James Dickinson the Tyldesley shopman."

Evidently anticipating a larger attendance of members than usual, the committee had engaged the Drill Hall for the general meeting.

Mr. Wm. Johnson succeeded Mr. Dickinson in the management of the shop.

In 1899 the society purchased two adjoining cottages, and two others in the rear of same. The two front cottages have been converted into drapery and butcher's shops, and the cottage first bought with the shop, into a boot and shoe shop. Notwithstanding the difficulties