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'Newport
First Stop' - 100 Years of News Stories Newport
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1853
Merlin. 22nd April, 1853 On Monday evening Mr. Gingell the celebrated pyrotechnist gave the most brilliant display of fireworks ever witnessed in Newport. Three balloons also ascended beyond "earthly ken", during the evening. The Newport band performed very creditably throughout the performances. At the close Mr. Gingell announced that next time he would give a still better display at a price which would be cheerfully paid, we should think, by thousands of those who can appreciate the wonders of the pyrotechnic art. Mr. Gingell made another display of his art at the Cattle Market on Wednesday evening, but as the crowds of spectators assembled outside and not within the confines of the premises, the extent of the pyrotechnic wonders was curtailed. The "house" was unremunerative.
Although the state of this gentleman's health for a considerable time scarcely warranted a hope of his recovery - the unexpected announcement of his death (which was sudden) by means of the electric telegraph on Monday last, caused considerable sensation in the town and neighbourhood with the political and commercial associations with which he has been influentially connected for so great a number of years. The shipping in the dock immediately hoisted their colours half-mast high. The corpse was brought from London on Thursday (yesterday), and will be interred at Malpas on Saturday next. We regret to learn that the state of Mrs. Prothero's health is such as to cause some uneasiness among her family and friends.
7 Victoria Place, Gentlemen, I deem it right to inform you that some time last night (Sunday) numerous panes of glass were smashed in my house and stable; many large stones were found on the lawn, and about the area; and one which was thrown through the nursery window was so large it must have seriously, if not fatally, injured any unfortunate head that it might have met. This is the third outrage of the same character to which my house has been subjected within the last eighteen months and I certainly think, considering the heavy rates we have to pay that a more efficient police surveillance should be established in this part of the town. It often occurs that the doors of the houses during the night get chalked over with obscene words; and no policeman has ever been found here to interfere with or prevent such nuisances. I have generally to complain of the absence of any policeman in this neighbourhood; and to the want of this watchfulness, I, in a great measure, ascribe the cause of these annoyances. I therefore feel it my duty, as well as from regard to the comfort of my own, family as also for the safety and interests of the public, to call the attention of the council to the above occurrences, with a view to their adopting steps for the amelioration of matters in the future. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Charles Lyne.
These works are now in full and vigorous operation. Fully 80 tons of nails are now manufactured weekly and sent to all parts of the world.
This musical association promenaded the streets on Tuesday evening, discoursing excellent music, to the entertainment especially of a large number of their lieges who followed them. A Committee is forming for the purpose of raising subscriptions to enable the band to get several new instruments.
Mr. Townsend said "Mr. Mayor, I wish to call the attention of the Board and the Surveyor to a nuisance. I happened to go down by Cross Street the other day and my nose was offended by the most dreadful stench, the like of which I have never experienced. On enquiry, I found that a person there, was in the habit of gathering or buying bones and bringing them to the premises in Cross Street, when after cleansing them with lime etc. they lay exposed to the air until they were properly dried, I presume from that the smell arises. But I can assure you, it is a dangerous nuisance. I never smelt such a stench in my life." The Superintendent said, "It does not now exist - it was removed the same day."
Sir, I have frequently travelled on the Western Valley Railway and I cannot but observe how differently things are managed compared with other lines. I would draw your attention to the injustice to passengers on the Western Valleys, by cramming into the carriages a greater number than they can conveniently accommodate. On my last journey to Newport there were in the carriage no less than 13 adults and 2 children, and among them one or two who were not perfectly sober. The attention of the guard was called to the fact but he only replied by shutting the door in our faces and of course, left us no alternative but to endure the inconvenience and the unhealthy atmosphere in which we were placed. Suffering Passenger.
The new suit of clothes sits very awkwardly on our policemen. Is it not a pity that such fine formed fellows should be transformed into, if not hunchbacks at least hunch shoulders and bandy legs for want of a tailor's scissors? Last year the fault of the clothes was, as the Superintendent at the Board of Health a few weeks ago said, that "it shrunk" - this year there is a similar fault. Already some of the men's trousers are up to their ankles.
Sir, The Metropolis Bill, thanks to Lord Palmerston, having become the law of the land, allows me to direct your serious attention to its efficiency, in order to assist the community of this large and increasing town to have its benefits immediately adopted by the proper authorities. I would refresh your memory of the Report of the Public Health Inspector in 1849 on the condition of the burial grounds of this town, which showed there was an imperative necessity for several of the burial grounds being closed. If the necessity existed then, what must it be now? The Report showed that in the old burial ground of St. Woolos alone, the average number of interments annually exceed 300! Multiply that number by the four years since the Report was published gives an addition to this "overcrowded burial ground" of 1200!! This crying evil must be remedied without delay. Apprehension of the visitation of that dreadful scourge the cholera is again before us; this ought to arouse the inhabitants to do all in their power to improve the sanitary condition of the town. Yours faithfully, Philanthropist
At a meeting of the Parishioners of St. Woolos, held at
the Vestry Room on Tuesday, 13th September, 1853, the Rev. Edward Hawkins
in the Chair; the following Resolution was moved by Sir Thomas Philips
K.T. and seconded by Thomas Powell Esq. "That a thorough repair of
the roof, tower, windows, and general repairs to the exterior of St. Woolos
is absolutely required; and that if sufficient funds can be raised, it
is most desirable to complete all necessary improvements in the interior
of the Church." The Resolution was passed unanimously. [ Back ] |
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'Newport
First Stop' - 100 Years of News Stories Newport
Past |
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