and applied forthwith, May 26, along with other local subscriptions of no slight amount to the relief of the sufferers, chiefly by the distribution of provisions. Additional funds being contributed for the purpose of mitigating the distressed condition of the operatives, relief continued to be afforded to a large number of poor families till towards the latter end of the year. Early in October the same year a turnout of the operative cotton spinners at various mills in Oldham took place, in order to resist a proposed abatement in their rate of earnings. A few of the workmen accepting employment upon the terms proposed by the masters, rendered themselves obnoxious to the turnouts, and received the peculiar name of "knobsticks," a term which has ever since been associated with the numerous and painful disputes that have from time to time taken place betwixt the employers and employed. Shortly after dusk on the evening of the 7th of November, a large body of the turnout spinners forced their way into the cotton mills of Messrs. Collinge and Lancashire, and Mr. John Lees at Greenacres moor, and severely assaulted such of the new hands as were found at work; the Rev. John Holme, magistrate, accompanied by parties of constabulary and soldiers of the 32nd Foot, arrived as speedy as possible, and the riot act being read, order was ultimately restored. A number of the turnouts were apprehended, and lodged in prison, and ultimately at petit sessions held at Oldham and Hollinwood,were bound over to answer the charges at the Salford quarter sessions. On the 2nd of December, a renewal of the disturbances occurred, for a large party of the turnouts forcibly broke into the mill of Messrs. Collinge and Lancashire, and obliged the new hands to leave off work, and quit the mill; for this offence fourteen of the most active were bound over to answer the charge at the Salford sessions. On the 22nd of the same month the turnouts compelled the new hands at Mr. Daniel Neild`s mill, Heyside, to quit their work. On the 21st and 28th of the month considerable

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