Storeys of Old.

the cloth required for producing oilcloth. Other members of the family were taken into the business, which was very soon greatly extended; fresh enterprises were started, such as the manufacture of Anaglypta wallpaper.

When Sir Thomas began the business practically everything was done by hand, even much of the cloth being hand-woven. Long before he died practically everything was done by machinery, much of which he and his brothers invented.

But Thomas Storey did not confine his attention to Lancaster concerns. He had large interests elsewhere in connection with the Iron and Coal Trades. He acquired the Iron Works at Darwen, and later those at Mostyn, North Wales. These two were combined and turned into a private (family) Limited Company, of which he was Chairman until his death. He was also Chairman of the Bickershaw Colliery Company, and had at one time a large stake in the Furness Iron Ore Mines. His firm carried on the Barrow and Calcutta Jute Works at Barrow. He was offered a seat on the Directorate of the Barrow Haematite Company and on the Board of the London and North-Western Railway, but declined owing to the pressure of other work.

At each of these works a large number of people are employed.

For twenty-eight years Thomas Storey was a member of the Lancaster Town Council. He entered the Council in November, 1862, and retired in August, 1890. During this period he took a prominent part in all that tended for the well-being of Lancaster. In regard to the making of greater Lancaster, he had much to do with the details resulting in the extension of the town boundaries, with the additional waterworks, the purchase of the gasworks, and street improvements, etc., with which his name is indelibly associated.

In 1867-8 he became Mayor of Lancaster, an office he again filled with ability and dignity in 1873-4 and in 1886-7. During his first Mayoralty the foundation stone of the Royal Albert Asylum was laid by the Earl of Zetland, K.G.

The choice of Mr. Storey as Mayor for the first Jubilee year of the late Queen Victoria was a most popular one, and the Knighthood conferred on him in June, 1887, was bestowed, not merely because he was the Chief Magistrate of Lancaster, but as a personal tribute to his excellent qualities. The announcement of the honour to be conferred was made in the London Gazette of June 20th, and came as a complete surprise to Mr. Storey, who had no idea what was in store for him - although his friends had - he at the time not having received the formal intimation from the Prime Minister. His return home from attending the Jubilee Thanksgiving Service in Westminster Abbey was made the occasion of a demonstration. The train was met by a number of townspeople, and Sir Thomas and Lady Storey were cordially welcomed by the Town Clerk. Emerging from the station there was a great concourse of people, and the horses having been taken out of the carriage, Sir Thomas and Lady Storey were drawn round the town and to Westfield House.