THOMAS HOYLE & SONS

 

Mayfield Print Works

 

1782    Mayfield, Manchester. This place was begun by Thomas Hoyle in 1782. He came from Ardwick Bridge Iron Works, took his son Thomas in as partner, had one machine, carried on business principally as dyers under the firm of Thomas Hoyle and Son up to about 1828 with good success. Have a large bleach and dye works at Sandywater, Dukinfield.[1] 

1788    Thomas Hoyle, who similarly created one of the biggest dyeing and calico-printing works in Manchester, at Mayfield, Ardwick, also acquired his first knowledge of the new bleaching process from Thomas Henry [2] in 1788. After experimenting unsuccessfully with Henry's liquor, he began to make his own, absorbing the gas in a caustic potash solution, contained in a series of vessels, apparently similar to Woulfe's apparatus. (He had, he said, made some study of chemistry for use in his business). By June 1789 he was able to announce that, having 'for some time past … bleached Cotton Goods, by a new, safe, and expeditious Method, and dyed them fancy Colours', he was now intending 'to carry on that Branch in a more extensive Manner' [3].  

1790s   Lancashire's rise to industrial prominence 'came when two lines of evolution (spinning and printing) were united under the direction of some of the great textile entrepreneurs of the eighteenth century'. Furthermore, firms integrated dyeing activities with printing. For example, Thomas Hoyle set up a large integrated dyeing and printing works at Mayfield, Ardwick, near Manchester,[4] amongst the largest of their type in the world.[5] 

            Ashton's single colour styles were all based on an iron mordant and madder dye; iron alone resulted in purple … Iron mordants were hard to control, and some printers made their reputations by doing so, most notably Thomas Hoyle (founder of a large dye- and printworks at Mayfield in the 1790s), who was an early pioneer of chlorine bleaching. Hoyle's name through much of the nineteenth century was synonymous with reliable purples. [6] 

1791    Thomas Hoyle junior elected an ordinary member of Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society. [7] 

1797    Hoyle's interests in both theoretical and applied chemistry, including extensive knowledge of the works of French chemists, is also evident from a paper which he read to the Manchester Literary & Philosophical Society on 10 November 1797 [8]. That such interests were becoming increasingly widespread among Manchester manufacturers is also illustrated by the attendances at the chemical lectures given by Thomas and William Henry, Adam Walker, John Warltire, Thomas Garnett and others, and by the sale of the works of French chemists such as Lavoisier and Hellot, Macquer, and d'Apligny.[9] 

Although John Dalton occasionally did consulting work for bleachers and performed water and gas analyses, and despite his close friendship with Thomas Hoyle, the calico-printer, he was, as Archie Clow maintains, not directly involved in industry.[10] 

So far as friendship with [John] Dalton is concerned, to those already mentioned might be added … Thomas Hoyle, the calico printer, famed for Hoyle's purples.[11] 

1811    The works of Thomas Hoyle and Son were where they are today, the warehouse being in Watling Street, and Mr Thomas Hoyle's residence at Ardwick.[12] 

1815    During the first half of the nineteenth century, [Manchester] saw the emergence of several large firms in the chemical and finishing trades. Thomas Hoyle operated the biggest dye works in Manchester in 1815 and also ran a large print warehouse,[13] rated at £340.[14] 

Iron mordants were hard to control, and some printers made their reputations by doing so, most notably Thomas Hoyle (founder of a large dye- and printworks at Mayfield in the 1790s), who was an early pioneer of chlorine bleaching. Hoyle's name through much of the nineteenth century was synonymous with reliable purples.

Some firms prospered by remaining faithful to small milled patterns produced in a single or two closely-ranged colours; Hoyle's improved purple, patented in 1831, accounted for the bulk of their production and was described some twenty years later as 'superior in brilliancy, fastness, and utility for domestic wear [and] may be said to have superseded the old navy blue print, in English wear'.[15]  

 

1817    David Whitehead [16] … set up in cotton on the strength of his inheritance, aided by loans from a relative, Thomas Hoyle, a wealthy Manchester calico printer.[17] Whitehead's "Bird's-eye" became as famous as Tommy Hoyle and Sons "lilacs", and there was scarcely a village dame in the kingdom who did not feel proud of her "bird's-eye" print gown.[18] 

1825    The county member of parliament for Lancashire, G.R.Phillips, requested that the Board of Directors of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce might consider meeting a delegation of three operative spinners wishing to discuss with the Board 'the proposed bill for regulating the hours in factories'. The Board, consisting of six warehouse men and five factory men (Greg, Ewart, Houldsworth, Kennedy and Sterling) agreed to meet the delegation. In addition to the factory and warehousemen, also in attendance was the President of the Chamber, H.H.Birley (cotton spinner and also partner in the warehouse firm of Hornby and Birley); Thomas Hoyle (in the printing, dyeing and finishing trade); and two others whose business interests have not been clearly identified, Birch and Matthews.[19] 

c.1828 Thomas Hoyle junior made over the business to William Neild, Joseph Compton and Alfred Binyon [his sons-in-law] who increased the business. [20]  

The firm became known as Thomas Hoyle & Sons. William Neild seems to have been the senior partner.[21] 

1830s   Fifty years ago the warehouse was in Friday Street, next door to Fletcher, Burd and Wood's, and Mr Hoyle's house at Mayfield, near the works, which one may easily imagine was a more airy and a pleasanter situation than at present.[22] 

1831    The prospect of the continuance of the tax [on printed calicoes] induced extreme despondency among some leading Manchester printers. Thomas Hoyle wrote: 'it is my opinion that except the print duty be immediately repealed, the Trade will have received a blow it will not easily recover … [were it to go on] the sooner we can wind up a Trade burdened with such an injurious impost the better, as I quite believe it can never answer our purpose to continue it'. [23] 

There was a progressive improvement in calico printing from 1831. One house of high standing who introduced a colour superior in brilliancy, fastness, and utility for domestic wear - the madder purple of Messrs Thomas Hoyle and Sons - superseded the old navy blue print. Hoyles maintained their superiority for a number of years - numerous modifications of the same colour enter largely into the production of all English printers.[24] 

Some firms prospered by remaining faithful to small milled patterns produced in a single or two closely-ranged colours; Hoyle's improved purple, patented in 1831, accounted for the bulk of their production and was described some twenty years later as 'superior in brilliancy, fastness, and utility for domestic wear [and] may be said to have superseded the old navy blue print, in English wear'. [25] 

1833    took in William Pattinson of London as a partner about 1833. [26] 

1837    On the recommendation of the late Charles Macintosh FRS [27], John Graham early obtained an appointment as chemist in the well-known print works of Thomas Hoyle & Sons, Mayfield, Manchester, in which he afterwards became a partner. Dr Dalton was on intimate terms with members of this household, dining regularly every Sunday with Alderman William Neild, head of the establishment. Graham was elected a member of the Manchester Literary & Philosophical Society 11 August 1837 [28]. Later in life [c.1852] Graham erected a new print works in conjunction with Mr John Kennedy at Heyrod near Stalybridge.[29] 

1839    John Butterworth [who married in turn two granddaughters of Thomas Hoyle, Susannah Hawley and Sarah Compton] and John Graham taken in as partners. [30] 

1840    Hoyles had 9 machines, 186 tables and 693 employees in 1840.[31] 

1840s   The largest regional concentration of manufacturing members [of the Chemical Society] was in the north-west. The calico printing industry had had an efflorescence of interest in chemistry during the 1840s. … At the Mayfield works in Manchester, not only the proprietor William Neild joined, so did his two sons and two employees - James Graham and John Thom, both pupils of James's brother, Thomas Graham. [32] 

1843    Dinner at Mayfield given by Messrs Thomas Hoyle & Sons to their workpeople and a number of the near relations of the partners, on the event of Mr Alfred Neild [son of William Neild] attaining his majority - Oct 19^th 1843.[33] 

1844    Two foreigners visited the town in 1844. The King of Saxony had in his suite Dr Carus, his physician, who left his impression of the town… Hoyle's calico printing works proved equally surprising… (Ref: King of Saxony, visit of (Impression of Dr Carus). Translation by Davidson and City News Nov 10 1894). Charles Greville, clerk to the Council, visited his brother-in-law Lord Ellesmere, at Worsley in November 1845 and made several local surveys… Hoyle's calico printing works where the highest wages were two guineas a week, employed 800 men. Copper cylinders used in this process represented a capital value of £100,000. (Ref: Greville, Chas. Memoirs. Vol.V, p.239-240). [34] 

1844    William Pattinson who died in 1844 was replaced by Richard Shillingfor. [35] 

1845    [Lyon] Playfair's colleague in the [Manchester] Lit. & Phil. [Society], John Graham, a partner in the Hoyle and Sons print works, reported on their experiences in filtering water.[36] [37] 

1846        Ibrahim Pacha, Viceroy of Egypt, and second son of the renowned Mehemet Ali, arrived in Manchester for the purpose of visiting the chief manufacturing establishments of the town. His Highness and suite, accompanied by the mayor and other Manchester gentlemen, were conducted through … the Mayfield Print Works … [38] 

1847    VISIT OF THE GRAND DUKE CONSTANTINE OF RUSSIA TO MANCHESTER.

Passing along Chapel Street … London Road was gained, and by way of Buxton Street, Mayfield Print Works, the extensive and celebrated works of Messrs Thomas Hoyle and Son, were reached. Here the Grand Duke was received by the representative of the firm of Alderman Neild. He was taken first into the cylinder roller room, a long room filled with little else than copper rollers engraved for printing, arranged in racks, and numbered. Some idea of the extent of the place, and the value of its contents, may be gathered from the fact that there were not fewer than 5,000 cylinders arranged in it, and the average value of each roller was £10, or £50,000 in the whole. On a table placed near a door way leading to the actial printing rooms were placed a number of prints, of various patterns, finished with all the superiority of style which has rendered this firm so famous, that even in the metropolis the drapers find it advantageous to placard their cotton dress goods, as "Hoyle's prints", and to assure their lady customers that "it's a good washing print, mam, in fact it's one of Hoyle's". In an upstairs room, a magnificent expanse, a model room in fact for the purpose, of 100 yards long by 12 broad, the process of printing from rollers was exhibited in numerous instances, and on divers patterns; one side of the room was nearly covered with frames, at which men were engaged in printing with mordaunts, in three colour patterns of most exquisite forms. Mr Ald. Neild, of course, explained the process to the party with great clearness. One object in the centre of the room attracted attention, the covering for a large fly wheel, working in connection with a new application of the principle of the locomotive engine to stationary machine purposes. The machinery appeared to be worked by two engines on the locomotive principle, and the whole was controlled by a curious swing governor, combining the principle of the pendulum and of the centrifugal force. This was a most interesting object to many; it is patented by a Mr Leman, who we are told is a German clock maker. On one side there were the printing machines, and on the other were a number of rollers for drying the prints; above was the steam chest, or the room for drying the prints after the application of the mordaunt to prevent it from spreading. The printing room may be considered as a model room for printing purposes, having been erected especially for that department on the very best construction. The party were then conducted into the drying room, where the mordaunts were being fixed, some prints exhibited being in the dyed state, and others after they were cleared and finished, but the necessarily wet and otherwise disagreeable state of the room rendered the illustrious visit but of short duration in this place. Attention was directed to a large wheel drying the prints by the application of centrifugal force, the wheel making about 700 revolutions in a minute, and being about five feet diameter. This concluded the inspection which time would permit his Imperial Highness to make of the most celebrated print works in the kingdom. [39]

 

Hoyles printed calico [40]

 

1849    Selected patterns for dress: calico printed by Thomas Hoyle and Sons. This graceful design, with its tiny red dots, is a slight departure from the ordinary style of the Mayfield works. We are apt to associate the Hoyle purple with the humbler class of wearers, but the present pattern is such a successful union of quiet grace and liveliness, that it might, we think, be worn by all or any who are not too grand to use a calico print. A ribbon of bright light blue, amber, or cherry colour, at the wearer's neck, would be an harmonious combination. [41]  

            By Messrs Hoyle and Sons we have eighty-one patterns, of which we find twenty simple and pleasing, and about as many more novel and very passable in design.[42] 

            Review of patterns: Thomas Hoyle and Co. 15 cottons: All of excellent workmanship, but of designs in which the struggle is hard indeed for variety. They are very spasms after novelty except in two cases. 3 mousselines de laine: All indifferent. 6 muslins: One with running branches, seemingly intended for the spurge. White on a pink ground is the best.[43] 

            Review of patterns: Thomas Hoyle and Sons, Manchester. 3 calicoes: Two of these are good representatives of this house, the other is, however, totally unworthy of its reputation. This latter is of a "stippled" style, and is indefinite in character and badly drawn. The two former are geometric in arrangement and beautifully clear in execution. We knew well that these patterns do not represent, as they ought to do, the productions of Mayfield, but it is Messrs Thomas Hoyle and Sons' own fault, which they will learn to remedy in time.[44] 

            Review of patterns: Thomas Hoyle and Sons, Manchester. 27 calicoes, 4 mousselines de laine: Of the latter there is but one really good specimen, and that is by no means a novelty, the other three are vulgar in colouring and form, though excellent in printing and in the quality of each individual colour. Of the 27 calicoes, 25 are the well-known style of this house, and of these 10 are really very excellent alike in design and execution; nor are the remaining 15 to be lightly criticised, for amongst them there are some really good and effective things, and only on common-place article. The generality of these patterns are larger in figure than we have been latterly used to see from this house; most of them, however, possess all the neatness of general effect and clearness of appearance, and there is a lively sparkle about the darker examples which gives them a very pleasing and even elegant appearance. They are mostly on padded grounds with an eccentric cover, the acid and the black being clear, sharp and distinct in outline; and generally well drawn in form, and suitable in arrangement.[45] 

            Review of patterns: Thomas Hoyle and Sons, Manchester. 1 mousseline de laine, 5 calicoes. The first-named is an excellent specimen of printing suitable for children's dresses. The red is very brilliant, and its value is enhanced by the small leaf with its touch of green, the white trail stem putting life into the ensemble. Of the cottons, two are essentially Hoyle-like in effect, and are decidedly very excellent - quite equal, indeed, to the example we insert as a 'selected pattern' , except that there is less positive design in them. Two of the others are rather clumsy in drawing, though effective in the result; and the other is "de-laine"-like, and sparkling in its effect.[46] 

            EXAMPLE TO EMPLOYERS - WORKMEN'S NEWS AND READING ROOMS -

Messrs T Hoyle and Sons, says the Manchester Spectator, have converted one of their own spacious dwellings into decorated and commodious reading-rooms for the work people at their print works at Mayfield. The principal room is furnished with a selection of newspapers and periodicals, and adorned with great maps on Mercator's projection, &c. A smoking-room has been provided and chess and draught boards, &c., supplied. By an attendant appointed by the people themselves, hot coffee, tobacco, and cooling beverages, at cost price, are supplied before work hours in the morning, as well as throughout the day. One evening in the week the principal apartment is devoted to musical and other innocent or rational entertainments.[47] 

1852    Prize medals to the following: Hoyle, Thomas, and Sons, 58 Mosley Street, Manchester, for machine-printed calicos, comprising printed cambrics, suitable for children, and large patterns for dresses. Printed muslins. Checked and plain jaconets. Printed mousseline-de-laines and llamas, both mixed fabrics.[48]  

The only firm to register more designs [than James Thomson, 1779-1850, Primrose Works, Clitheroe] were Thomas Hoyle & Co. who based their whole output on endless variations of minute machine grounds evidently trying to maintain their corner of this sector of the market.[49] 

1864        At the time of his death, [William Neild] had been senior partner [in the firm of Thomas Hoyle and Sons] for about thirty years. His children … are Mr Alfred Neild, who was a partner with his father in the Mayfield Printworks, London Road, which employs 500 hands, and in the works at Sandy Vale, near Dukinfield, which employs 250 hands …[50]

A special train … conveyed between 1,100 and 1,200 persons, including the employees of Messrs T. Hoyle and Sons, at the warehouse in Mosley Street and at the Mayfield Print Works …[51] 

The Mayfield Print Works have had for many years the advantages of its singular business qualifications; and for 30 years Mr. Neild has been at the head of the concern. The name of the firm has never been changed, and the fame of Hoyle's prints has spread over the world, with that extension of commerce for the removal of the restrictions upon which Mr. Neild was ever a consistent and earnest advocate. While, however, his death will cause a sincere sorrow among the work-people to whom he was a considerate master, it is chiefly as a public benefactor that we have to regard him. [52] 

1865    An agreement made the 25th day of March 1865 between Joseph Compton the elder of Brighton in the county of Sussex and John Butterworth Joseph Compton the younger and Alfred Neild all of the City of Manchester calico printers hereinafter referred to as "the vendors" of the first part and the several other persons whose names and seals are hereunto subscribed and affixed being promoters of an intended company to be called Thomas Hoyle & Sons Limited hereinafter referred to as "the promoters" of the second part.  Whereas the vendors and their predecessors in business have for many years last past carried on the business of calico printers under the style or firm of Thomas Hoyle and Sons upon certain freehold printworks lands and hereditaments situate in the said city of Manchester and known as the Mayfield Printworks and also upon certain works lands and hereditaments situate in Dukinfield in the county of Chester and known as the Sandy Vale works all which works and hereditaments are the property of the devisees in trust of the late William Neild the said Joseph Compton the elder and the devisees in trust of the late Alfred Binyon and upon some lands and buildings of small extent adjacent to and occupied with the said works at Mayfield the property of other persons and at certain warehouses and offices occupied by the vendors in Mosley Street in Manchester and the Old Jewry in London

        The board of directors shall consist of not more than seven members and the said John Butterworth Joseph Compton the younger and Alfred Neild shall be three of such directors and shall be the managing directors for the term of five years if they shall respectively so long live but terminable as hereinafter mentioned.

Each of them the said John Butterworth Josepth Compton the younger and Alfred Neild shall subscribe for take up and have allotted to him at least 200 of such shares as aforesaid and shall so long as he shall continue to be a managing director of the said company hold and retain so many of such shares the paid up capital on which for the time being shall amount to at least ten thousand pounds.

The company  called Thomas Hoyle & Sons Limited is incorporated under the Companies Act 1862 this first day of April 1865.

        To the registrar of joint stock companies the company called Thomas Hoyle & Sons Limited  hereby give you notice in accordance with the Companies Act 1862 that the registered office of the company is situated at the Mayfield Print Works in the city of Manchester in the county of Lancaster.

Alfred Neild

Director

Dated this third day of April 1865. [53]

 

1868    On 25 January 1868 The Economist  had argued for … : a system of primary education, science schools and colleges and teacher training in science to complement apprenticeship. Two weeks later the calico printer Alfred Neild [son of William Neild, who had died in 1864] on behalf of the Owens College [Manchester] appeal published a letter in The Economist entitled 'Technical Education'. He argued that attention should be given to the education of the 'chiefs of industry'. Their training should be in the new science colleges such as the one Owens was trying to expand into.[54] 

1870    This court doth order that the special resolution passed at an extraordinary general meeting of the said company [Thomas Hoyle & Sons Limited] held on the 14^th day of April 1870 and confirmed at an extraordinary general meeting of the said company held on the 9^th day of May 1870 which resolution was in the words and figures following that is to say "that in lieu of the capital of the company being £200,000 divided into 2,000 shares of £100 each the capital of the company shall henceforth until otherwise determined by the company in accordance with law be reduced to £150,000 divided into 2,000 shares of £75 each".

            Registered 6th May 1871. [55]  

1874    The whole business was converted into a limited company under the management of Messrs Alfred Neild and Joseph Compton, junior.[56] 

1882    Hoyle, Thomas & Sons. Alfred Neild, managing director; bleach works Sandy Vale, Dukinfield.[57] 

1896    On the 20th February 1896 the directors of the company in a printed circular issued to the shareholders of the company and signed by the said Alfred Neild in his capacity as  chairman reported inter alia

The directors are glad to be able to report that the improvement so marked in the first half of the year 1895 has been more than maintained during the half year ending December 31^st when compared with the corresponding period of 1894 and although the accounts show a small loss the amount is trifling compared with the heavy losses sustained in the December half years for many years past.  A small profit would have been shown had not an increased expenditure charged against profit and loss been incurred in respect of repairs designs and engraving … The question of the reconstruction of the company has engaged the serious consideration of your Board with the view that dividends may be paid out of future profits it is essential that the lost capital should be cancelled and the Directors recommend that the present company should be voluntarily liquidated and a new company formed with a reduced capital to take over the whole property and business.  In order to carry this into effect it will be absolutely necessary for each shareholder to take shares in the new company pro rata and the shares will probably be of a lower denomination and therefore ultimately more easily marketable.  Before the half yearly meeting and the special meetings which will be necessary in order to pass the resolutions dealing with this matter the directors intend to place details in the hands of the shareholders.

On the 21^st September 1896 in a circular issued to the shareholders signed by the said Alfred Neild as chairman of the company the directors report inter alia.

The directors have to report that although there has been a large increase in the output of the last half year the accounts show a serious loss.

This most disappointing and unexpected result has made it impossible for the directors to continue the business without making a further call on the shareholders .  As they are unwilling to take this course the only alternative is for the company to go into voluntary liquidation and with a view to carrying this into effect an Extraordinary General Meeting will be held at the conclusion of the Ordinary General Meeting summoned for the 30^th instant at which the requisite resolutions will be submitted. 

At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the members of the said Company [Thomas Hoyle & Sons Limited duly convened and held at Mayfield Print Works Manchester in the County of Lancaster on the 30^th day of September 1896 the following Special Resolutions were duly passed; and at a subsequent Extraordinary General Meeting of the members of the said Company also duly convened and held at the same place on the 15^th day of October 1896 the following Special Resolutions were duly confirmed:

            That the Company be wound up voluntarily.

That Messrs Robert John Wood and William Morell Neild, both of Manchester, be and are hereby appointed Liquidators of the Company.

RJD Colley

Secretary

Registered 20 Oct 1896.

On the 8^th December 1896 the liquidators issued a circular marked "private" for creditors and shareholders only in the following terms:

Herewith we send you the statement of affairs as at 15 October last the date of the commencement of the liquidation proceedings as prepared by Messrs Ashworth Mosley and Co.

It has been arranged to offer the Sandy Vale Works as a going concern for sale by auction on the 2^nd February next and the land and buildings at Mayfield on the 16^th February next.  The valuable printing and other machinery at Mayfield will be offered for sale at an early date.  It is intended to cease working both at Mayfield and at Sandy Vale as early as possible in the course of the month of January next.

Arrangements are being made in respect of the uncalled share capital for calling this in by  such instalments and at such times as may be found requisite, an instalment of £5 per share to be made payable 1^st February 1897.

The statement of affairs upon the said circular shows a normal surplus (according to the book values of £61,222.13.1 of assets over liabilities, of which sum £310,427.13.3 is contingent upon assets realising the prices at which they stood in the books of the company and the remainder £30,795 is uncalled capital and arrears of calls.  On the 15^th December 1896 the said liquidators issued a circular to the shareholders in the following terms.

Your petitioners are of the opinion that there is a valuable goodwill in connection with the said Mayfield Print Works, namely in the name and connection of the firm of Thomas Hoyle and Sons, which firm has been established upwards of a century and is well known in England and abroad... Your petitioners are of the opinion that the proper course is first to offer the Mayfield Works and Sandy Vale Works as a whole or separately, as going concerns, including the good wills, and failing this to offer the machinery, land, works and good will separately.

Petition of H. Kopferberg of the Yew Tree chemical works, Collyhurst Road, Manchester, manufacturing chemist, Abraham Lloyd and James Lloyd of Little Peter Street, Manchester, manufacturing chemist, carrying on business as Higgin Lloyd and Co. and Jacob Grossman of the Harpurley Chemical Works, Manchester, manufacturing chemist, which was on the 23^rd day of December 1896 presented to this court has been duly advertised in the London Gazette of the 25^th day of December 1896 and Manchester Guardian newspaper of the 26^th day of December 1896 and the Manchester Courier newspaper of the 26^th day of December 1896 and the prescribed affidavit verifying the statements in the said petition. [58] 

1897    A meeting of the creditors of the said company was held at the Chartered Accountants Society's Rooms, 65 King Street, Manchester on 7^th January 1897.

There were present or represented at the said meeting fifty-two creditors whose claims amount in the aggregate to £20, 357.13.0

Mr. George Gray was chairman of the said meeting. 

Let all parties concerned attend at the Chambers of the Registrar, situate in Duchy Chambers, 2 Clarence Street, Manchester, in the county of Lancaster on Friday the twenty ninth day of January 1897 at three of the clock in the afternoon or so soon after as this application can be heard, in the hearing of an application on the part of the above named Thomas Hoyle and Sons Ltd. and liquidators thereof that the conditional contract dated the 27^th day of January 1897 made between Robert Jonathan Wood and William Morell Neild of the first part, Thomas Hoyle and Sons Ltd. in liquidation of the second part, the said Robert Jonathan Wood and William Morell Neild of the third part, George Gray and others of the fourth part, and Charles Sumner Hoare of the city of Manchester of the fifth part for the sale to the said Charles Sumner Hoare of the good will and other assets of the said Thomas Hoyle and Sons Ltd. therein described or referred to may be carried into effect and that for the purposes aforesaid all proper directions may be given or that such further or other order may be made in the premises as the justice of the case may require.

Dated 27^th day of January 1897

William Ashworth, solicitor, states that he thinks the terms of the conditional agreement are fair.  He includes in the fourth part with George Gray, John Boddon, James Lloyd, Hugo Kupfenberg and Jacob Grossman.

Dated 28^th January 1897

I, William Morell Neild of Beechfield, Bowdon, calico printer.

I was for eight years director and for about two years managing director.  I and Robert Jonathan Wood of 25 Portland Street, Manchester, Esquire, J.P. are the duly appointed liquidators.

The parties of the fourth part were on 7^th January 1897 appointed at a general meeting of the unsecured creditors.

I believe the said sale will be beneficial to the creditors and shareholders.

The sale of part of the assets at the price specified was agreed by the court on 2^nd February 1897.

On 5^th February 1897 Hoyles Prints Limited was formed. [59] 

Hoyle Thomas & Sons Ltd - in liquidation - calico printers. Mayfield Print Works, Buxton St, London Road, and at Dukinfield. Manchester warehouse 31 Portland St.[60] 

            Thomas Hoyle & Sons was taken over by Hoyle's Prints Ltd in 1897. The Mayfield Print Works were not taken over by the Calico Printers Association when it was formed in 1899 and Hoyle's Prints Ltd at that time were described in the Prospectus as Merchants. It would appear therefore that the works at that time had gone out of existence or at any rate that Hoyle's Prints Ltd did not own them.[61] 

1898    To the registrar of joint stock companies the liquidators of Thomas Hoyle & Sons Limited  hereby give you notice in accordance with the Companies Act 1862 that the registered office of the company is now situated at 45 Spring Gardens Manchester

Aston Harwood and Somers
            2 Cooper Street 
            Manchester

Solicitors for the liquidators

Dated the twenty second day of August 1898. [62]

 

1899    Return of the final winding up meeting of Thomas Hoyle and Sons Limited to the registrar of joint stock companies. I have to inform you that a meeting of the members of the above named company was duly held on the fourth day of October 1899 for the purpose of having an account laid before them showing the manner in which the winding-up of the company has been conducted and the property of the company disposed of and that the same was done accordingly.

                W.M. Neild for self and co Liquidator

Dated  the fourth day of October 1899. [63]

 

1900    Hoyles Prints Limited was voluntarily wound up on 20^th March 1900. [64] 

early

1900s   A few years ago the [Mayfield] works were dismantled… Now the abandoned buildings have disappeared, and very shortly a railway station will occupy the site.[65]  

1906    Obituary of Mr Alfred Neild. In his business affairs Mr Neild did not meet with all the success which might have been anticipated from the long standing and high reputation of the firm of which he came to be the head. Probably the cautious and conservative tendency which marked all his thoughts made it difficult for him to keep abreast of the time, and his later years were not free from anxieties.[66]