Page:Engines and men- the history of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen. A survey of organisation of railways and railway locomotive men (IA enginesmenhistor00rayniala).pdf/141

 This was supported by Plymouth, Openshaw, Sandhills, and Mr. Sunter reminded the delegates of the additional expense involved. Leeds had proposed as an amendment that the rule remain as at present, and for this 18 voted against 46 for the Wigan proposition, which was declared carried. The districts were then fixed, and a sub-committee elected as follows:-Mr. Bliss, London; Mr. Church, South Wales; Mr. Ullyott, Yorkshire; Mr. Gough, Lancashire; Mr. Evans, West of England. It was decided that the Executive Committee should consist of nine members, including the Trustees, who were elected by the Leeds branch. Rule 3 of the 1895 copy of the Rules set out the new basis of election, and it should be added that all the speakers paid high tribute to the efficiency of the work done by the Leeds Executive.

The North London men were keen to see what the Paddington branch looked like, and the Bow branch was opened with King's Cross as No. 3. The rapid development in London was largely influenced by a law case, concerning a fireman named David Newberry. The Inner Circle had just been completed, and some competent G.W. men were wanted as drivers. Newberry was one of those transferred, but the District Railway discovered they did not want these extra men, and booked Newberry for firing. This he refused to take, as it meant a drop from 7s. to 4s. 6d. a day, and he reported to Mr. Parfitt, Secretary of Paddington branch. The case was taken to County Court, and a claim for a month's wages in lieu of notice was successful.

Kentish Town followed King's Cross, and in February of 1887 Battersea was opened, becoming the mother branch to Nine Elms, Twickenham, and many others. Next Parfitt was transferred to Plymouth (1887), where the men gave a day's pay in support of the Midland strikers, and to Aberdare (1889). It is a very interesting sidelight on the G.W. agitations for better pay and conditions that when deputations attended before the Board the expenses of the visit were met by subscriptions of drivers and firemen out of their own pockets. Drivers contributed 2s. 6d. each and firemen 1s. 6d. I have before me a statement of such a levy, showing subscriptions