The reluctance of local capitalists to invest in Rossendale Valley Tramway shares may be gathered from the fact that up to within the last three months only about £200 had been taken up. The success, however, which might appear to attend their working - the traffic returns have undoubtedly increased - has so strengthened public confidence in these shares that £7,000 worth is now said to have been locally subscribed. It is stated positively that the construction of the new section, from Waterfoot to Bacup, will be commenced on Monday morning next.

For many years the increasing number of mills in this and other parts of the country, and the quantity of soul smoke which their ever-busy chimneys are constantly loading the air, has attracted the attention of all thoughtful men - men who have regard to the public health. Local governing authorities have struggled with the difficulty, but so far with small success… If the cottager's chimney catches fire he is promptly fined, but much greater leniency has been shown to the factory master…

Sion Baptist Chapel - Last Sunday morning and afternoon, special sermons in aid of the choir of Sion Baptist Chapel, Cloughfold, were preached in that place of worship by the resident minister, the Rev W. Collins Davies's.A. At each service, anthems were sung by the choir, and in the morning Mr J.W. Tattersall sang a solo from "The Pentecost". There were good congregations. The total collection amounted to over £8.

Fraudulent Sanding of Wool - A meeting of the Northern Wool Buyers' Association was held at the queen's Hotel, Manchester, yesterday week, in reference to the continuance and possible increase of the practice of fraudulently " sanding'" East India wools. The Mayor of Dewsbury presided, and representatives were present from Messers Mitchell Bros, Whitewall-bottom, and Mr Richard Ashworth, Waterfoot. Several resolutions condemnatory of the practice were unanimously passed, a strong opinion being expressed in favour of dealing effectually with the difficulty.

On Tuesday afternoon last the Rossendale Bicycle and Tricycle Club held a two miles' handicap on a secluded piece of road in the neighbourhood of Bury.

MAY SUNDAY - According to established custom, all the graves in the [Haslingden] parish church-yard were last Sunday decorated with flowers. It was a pretty and yet touching sight to see so many floral tributes t the memory of departed friends and relatives brought by loving hands, and as usual there were many visitors.

The football charity cup final between Rawtenstall and Rossendale ended as a draw - one each. When the next match will take place is not yet known, but a meeting of the Association will be held - Tuesday night. From what I learn, Mr Duxbury, who officiated as referee, has been somewhat inclined to waive his decision re the Rawtenstall goal and until an answer is received from him the affair, I presume, must remain as it is.

Bury 208 all out, Rawtenstall 86 for 7 at stumps.

Yesterday afternoon at the Royal Hotel, Waterfoot, Mr H.J. Robinson, coroner, held an inquest touching the death of Edward Fountain, a filter, employed at Hugh Mill, Waterfoot, who died on Wednesday night from lockjaw…he had met with an accident at his work, and had got three fingers of this right hand taken off…he was oiling the fan when he met with the accident. It was not the deceased's duty to oil it.