196 HENRY DEACON 



Board. These, and indeed every other public 

 movementatWidnes,had his sagacious and en- 

 thusiastic support. He was particularly active 

 and anxious for the promotion of the scheme 

 of a Ship Canal from Hale Point, through 

 Dutton and over Widnes Marsh to Widnes, 

 but he was baffled by the opposition of various 

 interests. He was ever on the alert to watch 

 every point that affected the interests of the 

 Widnes traders and manufacturers, not 

 neglecting those of the inhabitants. No Bill 

 came before parliament affecting the district, 

 but Henry Deacon was foremost, either in 

 energetic support or equally energetic opposi- 

 tion. When the St. Helens Railway and 

 Canal was transferred to the London and 

 North-Western Railway Co. by the Act 

 of 1864, so eminent were his services in 

 the interests of the Widnes traders, in 

 securing the insertion of clauses in this Act 

 for the protection of the trade of the district, 

 that they made him a presentation of very 

 handsome plate. He was mainly instrumental 

 in obtaining for Widnes the exceedingly 

 favourable railway rates that it enjoys to-day, 

 and so making its prosperity assured. He 

 infused vivacity and energy into all public 

 affairs, and as a magistrate he was painstaking 

 and fair. 



