12.^ 



amount less than is found in other towns. The fear of the 

 opponents is with respect to the operations for improving the 

 channel navigation, and as to the uncertainty of the limit of 

 expenditure in connection with them. There is a distauce of 16 

 miles to be dealt with from the dock to the bar, and the effect of 

 deepening the channel on the training walls, which are only con- 

 structed part of that distance, is according to the opposition a 

 risky element in the scheme. A brief perusal of the large plan 

 of the docks, &c., brought the visit to a termination, and the 

 party passed up Fishergate to see the Cross Street Museum. 



The curator of the Museum is the Eev. J. Shortt, Vicar of 

 Hoghton, and the members were by him courteously shown over 

 the building. The main object of the visit was to see the rehcs 

 which had been taken out of the Kibble works. These consisted 

 of a splendid collection of the skulls and antlers of the red deer ; 

 the skull and horns of the wild ox ; an implement which much 

 resembled an ancient battle-axe, and a canoe measuring about 9 

 feet by 3. These remains, which were invariably found at a 

 depth of from 12 to 14 feet, were examined with deep interest. 

 The Harris Institute next came in for attention ; and from the 

 custodian of the Institute the members heard a brief outline of 

 the work carried on in that splendid educational institution. A 

 vote of thanks was accorded to the authorities of the Institute 

 and Museum for the privilege of inspecting them, the motion 

 being made by Alderman Greenwood and seconded by Councillor 

 Leach, of Manchester. Mr. Horn and Councillor J. S. Sutcliffe 

 joined in tendering the obligations of the party to the Eev. J. 

 Shortt, curator of the Museum, and the Archdeacon, who pre- 

 sided. 



Tea was provided at the Park Hotel, the palatial and pictur- 

 esque structure overlooking the renowned parks. After tea, the 

 kindness of the Mayor of Preston was recognised by a vote of 

 thanks, proposed by Archdeacon Anson, seconded by Councillor 

 Leach. Mr. Ward placed the motion before the gathering, and 

 it was carried with acclamation. Mr. Ward expressed the appre- 

 ciation of the visitors of the pleasure and instruction which the 

 afternoon had ministered to them, by the kind interest of the 

 Mayor. His Worship, Mr. Ward facetiously observed, had given 

 them the privilege of standing in the dock, though not under such 

 unfortunate conditionsas experienced by many who at times stood 

 before him. The Mayor responded, adding that he would be 

 pleased to receive another visit from the members of the societies 

 when the works had got more advanced. An interesting speech 

 was made by Mr. Sykes, the engineer of the scheme. He con- 

 sidered that £1,250,000 would be sufficient to complete the works, 

 so that they could admit vessels of 3,000 tons, dravnng 24 feet 

 of water. They had 6 to 7 millions of yards to deal with in 



