1845.
Speculation and wild schemes, such as England had not seen since the hey-day of South Sea projects, signalised the earlier part of the year. The railway mania, indeed, continued till November; and then came a sudden collapse, of which it is only to be wondered that its effects were not more serious and lasting. In Parliament, the most important measures were the re-imposition of the Income Tax, with an amended tariff, and the increase of the Maynooth Grant from £9,000 to £26,360 per annum, henceforth to be paid out of the Consolidated Fund, instead of being an annual Parliamentary grant. A large number of petitions were presented against the measure, but the second reading was carried by 323 to 176. Consols, which stood at 100⅝ in January, sunk in December to 94⅝; wheat averaged 50s. 10d.
April 19—In the division on the second reading of the Maynooth Grant Bill, when ministers had a majority in favour of the Bill of 147 in a House of 503, Mr. Barneby, Mr. Godson, Mr. J. S. Pakington, Sir Thomas Wilde, and Sir Thomas Winnington, voted with the majority; and Mr. F. W. Knight and Mr. J. A. Taylor with the minority. General Lygon, Lord Marcus Hill, Mr. Borthwick, and Mr. Benbow were absent.
May 24—Festivities at Hewell, continuing during several days, to celebrate the attainment of Mr. Robert Clive’s majority. Several dinners in the tennis court, dancing parties among the labourers, treats to the school children, &c.
July 3—Mr. Pierpoint brought forward a motion, at the meeting of the Worcester Turnpike Trustees, for an amalgamation of the different districts, so as to enable the poorer roads to get out of debt. This was opposed by the gentlemen who lived in the more lightly taxed districts, and lost on a division by 18 to 10.
August 11—The first Worcester regatta.
August 30—A fearful collision occurred at the Defford station; first in a luggage train dashing against another that was being moved to a siding, and then in the down train dashing into the wreck of the luggage train, and becoming itself a mass of confusion. Three passengers lost their lives, and several others were injured; one engine was smashed, and several carriages were set on fire. The coroner’s jury laid a deodand of £1,500 upon the engine, because there appeared to have been much negligence on the part of the officials.
November 7—A brick maker, named Humphrey Willis, having become intoxicated, wandered on to the railway at Stoke Prior, and was killed by the night mail train.
December 25—Abberley Hall, the residence of Mrs. Moilliett, destroyed by fire.
Local Acts—The Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway Act. To enable the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway Company to make a branch at Stoke Prior, and for other purposes. To make and maintain a road from Stanford bridge to Ham bridge, Clifton-on-Teme.