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'Newport
First Stop' - 100 Years of News Stories Newport
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1876
C.O. 15th January, 1876 On Wednesday night between six and seven o'clock the lights in the streets and houses contiguous to Stow Hill were suddenly extinguished. For days past men have been at work connecting the service gas pipes with the new mains. By some means or other a lump of cotton waste had been left in a pipe on Stow Hill, and the pressure of gas drove it up the service pipe and put out the lights. The gas was then passing through the main with full force, and a lighted candle was put in contact with it, when a tremendous flame burst forth. Gravel and rubbish were thrown in to extinguish the fire. A man got in a trench to repair the joint, but the escape of gas was so great, that he was well-nigh suffocated. He was taken out apparently dead, but was removed to Doctor Cheese's surgery and soon revived and is said to be not much the worse.
On Wednesday morning a cab horse, belonging to Mr. Alfred Morgan, took a particular fancy to the shop front of Mr. Villiers, photographer, and committed a little damage there. The animal which was being driven along Commercial Street suddenly refused to proceed any further and neither coaxing nor whipping had any apparent effect, except to make bad worse for the ill-tempered brute made for Mr. Villier's shop window, and after smashing a photograph case, reared and tumbled over on to the pavement, upsetting the cab in its fall. After this little hanky-panky, the animal was assisted to its feet, and it was found that the cab was slightly damaged. No doubt fruitless endeavours were subsequently made to point out to the brute the error of its ways.
George Watkins and John Francis were charged with assaulting P.C. Gamblin. From the constable's statement it appeared that on Saturday night he was on duty in Dock Street and had in custody a man named Thomas Watkins. The prisoner's brother George Watkins interfered. He was forced to knock George Watkins with his staff. He got his prisoner as far as the Masonic Hall, when he was struck on the head, cutting through the helmet, and the blood freely flowed. Francis then interfered and followed them up Dock Street. By the chapel Francis threw a stone, which struck the railings missing him. Francis was sentenced to one month's hard labour; Watkins was liberated, the Magistrates considering that he had had sufficient punishment.
We are glad to know, on the authority of Mr. R. Stratton, that Lord Tredegar has presented an excellent site for the purpose of the Tredegar Memorial Corn Exchange, viz, that known as "Nappers," originally the site of Napper's Muffin Shop adjoining the Tredegar Estate Offices.
We have been informed that it is the intention of Mr. R.J. Whitehall, Jeweller, Commercial Street, to erect an electric time ball at his establishment, thereby supplying a long felt want - correct time - a boon which will be appreciated by his customers. The ball will fall every morning at ten o'clock exactly.
The Mayor, (Mr. H.P. Bolt), Mr. John Mason and Mr. W. Watkins assessors, held a Court on Wednesday at the Town hall for the purpose of revising the burgess list. The business occupied three hours.
We are pleased to say that the inauguration of the new floor of asphalt at the Rink passed off with great éclat. The members of the Newport and County Skating Club, to the number of about 70, inaugurated the floor in the afternoon on Wednesday last, whilst the public assembled in the evening to nearly twice that number and appeared to enjoy most thoroughly the excellent "go" of the asphalt. With the addition of ferns and firs, lavatories, a well stocked buffet (of non-intoxicating beverages), and other arrangements and improvements, the rink affords to non-skaters a most pleasant lounge, whilst active patrons find every convenience for them.
This anniversary was kept up with considerable spirit in Newport on Monday
night. Bands of youths paraded the streets with lighted tar barrels while
the number of squibs and crackers exploded must have been enormous. The
day marked the anniversary also of another prominent event in English
history, the inauguration of the Revolution of 1688 by the landing of
William the Third at Torbay. In recent years an additional interest has
been attached to the date, from the victory of Inkerman over the Russians
in the Crimea, being gained on this day in 1854. Like the massacre of
the Huguenots in Paris on St. Bartholomew's Day in 1572 and the Irish
massacre in 1641, the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, standing as it were midway
at about a distant of thirty years from each of those events. It may be
interesting to add that on this day in the year 1800 the Royal title of
"King of France" was abandoned by George III after having been
borne by the Monarchs of this Country, somewhat vaingloriously in those
of later epochs, for more than four hundred years. [ Back ] |
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'Newport
First Stop' - 100 Years of News Stories Newport
Past |
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