Yew Tree Chemical Works

of Collyhurst Road, Collyhurst, Manchester.

The 1891/1893 O.S. map shows the Yew Tree Chemical Works on Collyhurst Road, close to its junction with Smedley Road, and on the banks of the River Irk. The opposite bank of the river sloped up to the L&YR at Cheetham Junction and the carriage shed.

1902 'TRADING FRAUDS. CHEMICAL MAKERS TO PAY £150.
JUSTICE JELF ON "TIPS,"
At the Liverpool Assizes, Thursday, before Mr. Justice Jelf, the hearing was concluded of an action brought by Messrs. James Welsh and John Dunlop, formerly carrying on business as the Horrocks-lane Dyeing and Printing Company, Manchester, against Messrs. H. Kupferberg and Company, chemical manufacturers, of the Yew Tree Chemical Works, Collyhurst, Manchester to recover damages for fraud alleged to have been practised on them in business. The plaintiffs, whose case has been concluded, that, goods were supplied to them in less quantity than had been ordered, and that invoices were sent for the larger quantities. The fraud, it was alleged, was a systematic one, extending over a number of years.
On Thursday. Mr. Langdon called several witnesses who had been in the employ of the defendant company, and who described the methods by which orders were dealt with at the works. Clerks who had made out the invoices for plaintiffs stated they did not notice any tampering with the daily despatch sheets. Evidence was also given by the men who put together the materials ordered by the plaintiffs, and the carters who delivered the barrels of materials stated that when they arrived at the plaintiffs' works they were aiways assisted in unloading by one or other of the plaintiffs, who would be able to see if the proper quantity was delivered. His Lordship, in giving judgment, mentioned that the case had been before a jury at Manchester, but it was decided leave the case to him. Referring to the story of the witness Cannon, called on behalf of the plaintiffs, he said he had no hesitation in concluding that it was substantially true in regard to manipulating the weight of the barrels, and he need scarcely say that when a man came forward and told a story as Cannon did, it required to be strongly corroborated, and in this case he thought it had been done. The frauds had been effected with the knowledge and the consent of Dr. Kupferberg and Mr. Hilt. Had Cannon been able to make up such a story they could not but regard him as a perjurer of the first water. He had been cross-examined with the greatest skill, and his testimony was not shaken. Referring to the bribery that had been exposed, his Lordship strongly animadverted upon the custom amongst merchants of the highest position giving "tips" as presents. He could not but regard it as a dishonest practice, and the sooner it was stopped the better for the country. He had got the exact materials for a fraud, and it was not necessary to go further than to say that he gave judgment for tbe plaintiffs, with costs.
It was afterwards agreed that the damages be fixed at £150. His Lordship certified for special jury.'

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