PARTS of the North-west, including areas around Bolton, could be plunged into darkness without warning as a result of industrial action by power engineers. Complete sections of the network might have to be switched off without notice. The threat of power cuts and dim-outs has set sales of candles soaring.

AFTER what to children must have seemed an endless wait, tonight is the big night. Guy Fawkes night! What memories it conjures up for the older people! Terrific fires with no difficulty in obtaining the necessary fuel, fireworks in abundance, roasted potatoes, parkin, and the ever popular treacle toffee, how parents must wish that their children could enjoy the same advantages. In contrast, indications are that this year it will be a very austere Bonfire Night, because for the most part, children have found difficulty in getting together the precious wood and other materials.

THE Medical Officer of Health has reported to the Horwich Local Board that since the last meeting of the Board he has had several communications referring to the state of Back Lee-lane. The drainage from pigstyes and shippons was allowed to flow over the road into the fields, thereby making the road impassible in wet weather. A few drains would obviate all this at very small expense. The general health of the district, as well might be expected, was reported as very much worse since the last report. Rheumatism and bronchitis are prevalent, and a few fresh cases of scarletina have made their appearance.

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