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'Newport
First Stop' - 100 Years of News Stories Newport
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1868
Merlin. 9th January, 1868 Sir, Will you allow me a small space to complain of the continual annoyance caused by children ringing on door bells. It is a source of much additional labour to the servant who has to leave her work ever and anon to answer these wanton ringings, especially where there is a flight of steps to mount, or when from the top room she has to come down; and then there is the unpleasantness of having the door constantly opened unnecessarily and in the bargain the bell wire snapped or damaged by this hurried ringing. I should be glad if those lines should merit the eye of our Chief Superintendent and I feel sure he will, with his efficient force, put a stop to the nuisance. I am Sir,
Just before the close of the rapidly expiring year, a melancholy sudden death occurred at Cwmbran. The deceased was Miss Eliza A'Court who formerly resided as barmaid with Mr. W. Watkins of the Ship and Pilot in Newport. She was on a visit from Somerset to pass her Christmas holiday with Mr. Watkins. While there, on New Year's Eve, and immediately after partaking of a hearty supper, she died with appalling suddenness from the effects of a rupture of an arterial vessel. Miss A'Court had been suffering from a pulmonary complaint. Her age was 22 years; she had resided for some time in this town and had secured the esteem of a large circle of friends, by whom her death is much lamented.
On Wednesday evening a fire occurred in the shop of Messrs Jones and Thomas, woollen drapers, of Commercial Street, during the absence of the inmates; but fortunately it was discovered almost immediately by Mr. Pearce, a neighbour, who succeeded in extinguishing the flames before much property was destroyed. A hose and reel were taken to the premises by the police, but they were not required.
The Mayor, together with the committee, who have undertaken the arrangements in connection with the Anniversary of the opening of the Victoria Hall, have engaged Mr. and Mrs. Howard Paul the world famous impersonators, who will give their new entertainment. When last those talented delineators and accomplished musicians appeared at the Town Hall, hundreds of persons were unable to gain admission; and it is anticipated that even the spacious proportions of the Assembly Rooms, will be none too great, for the audience by whom they will be welcomed on their re-appearance at Newport.
This took place at the Westgate Hotel on Wednesday evening. W. R. Stretton Esq. and L. A. Homfray Esq. occupied the Vice Chair. Lord Tredegar and about 25 gentlemen were present.
The annual meeting of the supporters of the Industrial Home for Fallen Women was held at the Borough Court on Thursday evening, the Mayor presiding. The Mayor said the Institution on whose behalf they had met had extensive claims on their benevolence. It had been in operation several years with satisfactory results. Its object being the restoration of women who had fallen from their high estate of virtue. The Rev. J. T. Wrenford read the following report. "The Committee of the Industrial Home in presenting their fourth annual report are thankful to be able to say that their work in reclaiming the fallen has been continued during the last year; not without some measure of success. They are thankful to be in a position to report that of those under their care in the past year, ten cases may well be regarded as having been reclaimed."
A disturbing fatality occurred on the river on Thursday night. The sloop 'Victoria' was lying at the yard of Messrs. Powell without anyone in charge, when two sailors named Every and Tripp went aboard and lit a fire. They appeared to have been the worse for drink and fell asleep. About half past four Every was awoke by pain, when he found the vessel on fire, he himself severely burned and his companion lifeless being burnt to death. An alarm was raised and Captain Drake of the 'Dove' extinguished the flames. The body of Tripp was taken to Devonshire House and Every was conveyed to the Union Hospital.
Some of our readers need to be reminded that the nonpayment of Inhabited House Duty, due on 5th April last, on or before 20th July, will disqualify all defaulters from voting at the ensuing elections.
At the Borough Police Court yesterday before the Mayor and E. J. Phillips Esq., William Morgan was charged on remand with assaulting and wounding Mr. T. Colbourne solicitor. It appeared that on Tuesday morning Mr. Colbourne had left his office on Stow Hill and when he had gone but a few steps he received a succession of blows about the head and face which, though not rendering him insensible, considerably stunned him. He turned round and saw the prisoner and said "What have I done to you?" The prisoner then charged Mr. Colbourne with keeping a machine in his office to annoy him. The result of the attack was a severance of an artery on the temple, a gash on the right cheek and a severe blow to the nose. A formidable pocket knife was found in the prisoner's possession. The prisoner who is evidently of unsound mind made a statement to the effect that English people kept electrifying machines in their houses to annoy people. They kept the description of the machine a secret - but it caused him much pain, and he could not stand it much longer. The Chief Superintendent stated that several times the prisoner had complained to him of the "machine" and wanted to know what remedy he could have for the annoyance. The Bench having consulted, agreed the prisoner was of unsound mind, and remanded him for medical tests.
About six miles from Newport, the mountain known as Mynydd Maen, continues to burn. Columns of smoke can be observed from great distances. The mountain between Risca and Machen is also on fire. The destruction of birds has been considerable, and in some instances, sheep have strayed either to be lost or burned. As the drought continues and a strong wind prevails, further devastation is expected. It is thought that nothing but a heavy fall of rain can check the progress of the fire.
The struggle, which for some months has been waged by contending parties for the honour of representing Monmouthshire in Parliament, and which has kept the county from end to end in unabated excitement, has been at last brought to a close. The result has brought no surprise. It has, in fact, fulfilled confident expectations; the Radical Party have doubtless achieved a painful source of discomfort. Conservatism has obtained a complete victory, and we offer hearty congratulations to all who have aided in securing it. The party in this county, whose avowed aim is to overthrow a fundamental principle of the Constitution, have received a check from which they will not speedily recover. Proof has been given that Radicalism is a foreign plant which in Monmouthshire finds an uncongenial soil.
Tuesday, the 24th November in the year of Grace 1868 was the testing day and it will be long remembered for the wanton outrages in which the lower order of Radicals indulged. In the Newport Division there were few noteworthy incidents calling for
record. Among the earlier voters at the Victoria Hall we observed Mr.
John Frost, whose name is prominently associated with the history of this
county. On the scene was a zealous Radical addressing a knot of Conservatives,
and jeeringly reminded them that in a few hours, they would require a
fresh supply of sackcloth with a sprinkling of penitential ashes. We commiserate
with our friend on the failure of his prophecy and trust he found himself
ready furnished with the signs of mourning when the occasion arose in
the evening. [ Back ] |
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'Newport
First Stop' - 100 Years of News Stories Newport
Past |
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