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'Newport
First Stop' - 100 Years of News Stories Newport
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1889
Star of Gwent. 5th January, 1889 James Gatehouse was summoned on Wednesday morning with causing a mule to be cruelly treated. On the 11th inst. P.C. Williams saw the animal attached to a cart, in charge of a lad named Charles Scard, in Commercial Road. It was very lame and unable to pull, the cart. The constable ordered the mule to be taken home, and on the way he had to assist the lad to push the cart along. Williams later saw Gatehouse but he said there was nothing wrong with the mule, it was only laziness. Mr. Greenwell of the R.S.P.C.A. inspected the mule and confirmed it was very lame, He obtained expert opinion which stated that the mule was suffering from rheumatics in the legs. Gatehouse promised to destroy the animal and a fine of five shillings was imposed.
Monday night proved as thoroughly enjoyable as any of its predecessors. Nothing could have exceeded the generosity of His Lordship in providing for the wants of the friends and acquaintances of his domestics, for the bounteous spread was fully equal to that which would have been provided for guests moving in his own circle of society. The timely sorrow for the death in the family on Monday night was completely lost in the giddy dance, and the time flew far too rapidly for those who had accepted invitations. It was a delightful reunion, and yet modern radicals would reform such noble-hearted landlords and employers as Lord Tredegar out of existence.
A movement has been set on foot for providing, during the winter, a free breakfast on Sunday morning, for a number of poor children of the town. The first of the series will be given tomorrow at the Old Albert Hall, Ebenezer Terrace. Lord Tredegar, the Mayor, and other gentlemen have subscribed to the fund being raised for the purpose.
During the year 1888, 15766 seamen were engaged at Newport, and of these, 490 did not join their ships. Six steamers and three sailing vessels were delayed in port in consequence of the desertions. The vessels inwards numbered 778, and the sailors engaged being 13075. Of the latter 202 deserted. At Newport during the year there were 55 convictions.
On Thursday afternoon Mr. Cashmore; landlord of the Talbot Inn, St. Mary Street, Baneswell, was just returning home from recording his vote, when going up West Street, he was seized with a fit. He was immediately conveyed home but shortly afterwards expired. Death was apparently due to heart disease.
In Central Ward No.7 and 8 divisions, the candidates were Mr. J. Saunders
(C) and Mr. D.A. Vaughan (L). As nearly the whole of the Roman Catholic
votes are centred in this division, the return of Mr. Vaughan was looked
upon as an absolute certainty. At the same time his opponent has fought
the contest throughout in the most plucky manner. The polling station
for No.7 was at the Roman Catholic Schools, High Street, Pillgwenlly,
and the No.8 at the Cattle Market. Voting started slowly with more briskness
later on, especially at the Catholic Schools station. The Roman Catholics
were very diligent on behalf of Mr. Vaughan, whilst the supporters of
Mr. Saunders were by no means idle, they continued to work with vigour,
and it was anticipated Mr. Saunders would make a good show when the poll
was declared. When the figures were announced they were as follows: D.A.
Vaughan (L) 378, J. Saunders (C) 205, majority 174.
At the Talbot Hotel on Monday, the Coroner held an inquest upon the body of Eliza Carnell. The deceased, a young married woman, was killed at Barnardstown a few weeks ago. She was carrying her husband's supper to the Brattice Works, when she fell over a cart belonging to Mr. Samuel Small, contractor, and sustained injuries from which she died.
The remains of Mr. Edward Taylor of Friars Road were interred at the New Cemetery. Up to the time of the death of Mr. Octavius Morgan, Taylor was in his employ as a coachman, a post he had filled for almost forty years. Prior to his coming to Newport he was in the service of Lady Rodney, a member of the Tredegar family.
At Saturday's meeting of the Newport Board of Guardians the clerk reported the receipt of a letter from Mr. Michael O'Shaughnessy, a married inmate of the House. The clerk read the letter which was written by O'Shaughnessy on behalf of himself and three other married inmates, asking for married quarters to be provided. O'Shaughnessy was the only person able to sign his name, the other signatures were attested by crosses. In answer to Mr. Brown, the Master stated O'Shaughnessy had been several times before the Magistrates. The last time he was on leave he came home drunk, with a black eye, and he should on that occasion have been locked up. The letter was referred to the Visiting Committee.
The first meeting of creditors in the bankruptcy of Isaac Marks, Pawnbroker, of 163 Commercial Road, Newport was held at the office of the Official Receiver on Friday. Proceedings were of a formal nature. The gross liabilities are £519.l9.11. Assets are £85, leaving a deficiency of £434. Marks' failure is set down to losses and bad trade.
Joseph Fitzgerald who made his 56th appearance, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Market Street on Saturday night. P.C. Christopher Thomas proved the case. Defendant asked for another chance, promising to give up drink. The Chairman said they would give defendant a chance of starting by having 28 days in prison. The defendant said "you couldn't have given me more if you tried."
William Hyatt of Goldcliff was charged with being drunk in charge of a horse and furiously driving over Newport Bridge on Saturday night. Fined ten shillings or seven days.
We wash our hands of the School Board doings of the Rev. W.T. Wrenford. Three years ago when his first vote at the School Board meeting was given against a brother clergyman, so that he might secure his own election as Chairman, we accused him of having sacrificed the interests of the Church to his own personal vanity. We accused him of having sold himself to the Non-Conformists, and his actions ever since have borne eloquent tribute to the absolute truth of our charges. We set ourselves a mission to perform, and that was to prevent the re-election of the reverend gentleman. We have completely succeeded. He has not dared again to face a public vote. Had he done so, his position upon the Board would have been precisely similar to that of Mr. Heybyrne. Mr Wrenford recognised this, and withdrew, placing a nominee in the field, who should, if possible occupy his seat. The Rev. Wrenford has disappeared so has his nominee, and not a solitary Ratepayer will experience the slightest loss.
It is irritating to observe, day after day, the studied attempts of the Cardiff Press to injure the trade of Newport. No opportunity is ever lost, and if one is not easily forthcoming, it is manufactured to order. Monday last Messrs Houlder Bros' steamers brought to Newport 3000 carcasses of sheep which are to be disposed of throughout South Wales, to the purveyors of frozen mutton. Having arrived, they were unloaded, packed in trucks, and forwarded to Cardiff, where a company has erected cold-air rooms. Had accommodation of this kind been forthcoming at Newport, and we trust it shortly may be, if this trade is to continue, the carcasses would not have been sent to Cardiff at all, in as much as Newport had been specially selected as the port of landing. Yet in the account of this consignment, published in the Cardiff newspapers, not the slightest mention was made of the Newport connection with it, and the public is induced to believe that the carcasses were forwarded direct to Cardiff. This and a hundred similar matters show the intense jealousy with which Cardiff regards the trade of Newport.
An unusual scene, having in it a romantic element, took place on Thursday at St. Mary's Church. An old man named Dix, about 74 years of age, had, it appeared succumbed to the attractions of a girl of 18 named Fitz, and they resolved to become united. The advice of friends went unheeded and the banns were duly published. It was hoped, up to a day or two since, that better counsels had prevailed, and that the girl had abandoned the match; but on Thursday the couple presented themselves at the Church to be wed, accompanied by a large number of interested spectators. Having failed to give notice of their intended visit that morning, they found no clergyman present. The mother of the bride, however, was there, and vigorously protested against the ceremony being performed. She was informed by the Verger there was no clergyman there, and that therefore there could be no ceremony, and the parties eventually left the church, the mother meanwhile declaring that she would not allow the marriage, and making known in pretty plain terms her opinion of the transaction.
The third encounter of the season between Newport and Cardiff on Saturday attracted the usual big gate. A large contingent of the spectators coming from the Welsh Metropolis. The match had been the all-absorbing topic in football circles for days past, and the result was almost precisely what had been anticipated, by those who took a reasonable view of the state of affairs, although it was hoped there might be a surprise in store. The game was contested in a spirited but friendly manner, from the time the ball was set rolling, to the time the referee's whistle sounded "no side". The play was fast and furious, Newport from the start looked as if they were going to make a good show. Jordan should certainly have scored on one occasion; Cardiff however exhibited their superiority, and the line was crossed on three successive occasions. Fothergill was forced to retire with an injury to his leg. Hannen had then succeeded in getting the leather on the right side of the goal line, but Webb made a miserable attempt to convert. Williams, just before the call of time managed to notch the last points and Cardiff were enabled to return home with flying colours.
The crowd which assembled at this theatre on Monday evening to greet Miss Kate Vaughan, one of the leading actresses of the day, was by no means doomed to disappointment. Miss Vaughan, supported by a splendid company, was not seen at her best, as she was unfortunately suffering from a severe attack of neuralgia, and for any slight defects in her acting, her manager apologised during the course of the evening. Only very slight defects however were perceptible.
There was a crowded house at the "Vic" on Monday evening when this capital exhibition called the "Diorama" entered upon its second weeks stay. The variety company is a capital one, the daring feats of Alvantee holding the audience spell-bound. The tricks of Martini's Troupe are cleverly executed, and Herr Blitz continues to give some clever exhibitions as a charmer. Lucy Santley warbles some pretty songs and Mr. Frank Freeman shows to much advantage as a humourist. The entertainment all round is thoroughly deserving of that success which is attending it.
A correspondent who forwards his name and address as a guarantee of good faith, writes that on Saturday he witnessed an incident which might have terminated in a river mystery. After partaking of supper he took a stroll over Newport Bridge, the time being quarter past eleven. At Bangor Wharf he observed a burly man dressed in black, pick up a woman and partly carry her down the embankment to the water's edge. His suspicions were aroused and he saw the arrival of two young men who came from an opposite direction. The man then dropped his burden and was interrogated as to his intentions with respect to the woman. He replied that she was his wife, and that they lived on the east side of the river. One of the young men said he was treating his wife in an extraordinary manner, and that it was his intention to see that no harm befell her. The brute, for such he proved to be, told the young man to mind his own business. The woman now spoke up and denied she was his wife. He got into a great rage, and informed his questioner that he had already beaten a local prize-fighter, and would have a go with him. The young man remained cool and said if he was not careful the only place he would go would be to the Police Station. The man behaved like a wild bull, his eyes glared and his arms wildly gesticulated - he breathed and threatened slaughter. At this moment a working man appeared upon the scene, and being informed of what had taken place administered to the bully one of the soundest lectures on moral philosophy that could possibly be imagined, while the group, including the woman, left him to ponder on the aches and pains of life.
At the New Theatre on Monday evening, a Company under the management of Mr. Charles Hermann, appeared in Uncle Tom's Cabin, founded upon a book written by Mrs. Bechers Stowe as popular and as widely read as Robinson Crusoe.
The scene in the Court on Wednesday, when the young woman Cantwell was brought up on a charge which gravely imperils her life, was a solemn one. The habitues of the Court are exceeding prone to resort to levity as though the Court was simply a place for amusement. On Wednesday, however, they fully recognised the gravity of the position in which the prisoner found herself, and their conduct was befitting to the occasion. A simple glance at the accused sufficed to show that she is now fully alive to the terrific crime of which she is charged. The frequent clasping of hands, the restless eyes, which follow the evidence of the various witnesses, the twitching of ears as they drew in the remarks of the advocate for the defence, and the laboured and spasmodic breathings, told but too well the feelings of the prisoner during so painful an ordeal. The wail which issued from her lips when she was committed for trial on the charge of wilful murder, was one of despair, and the entire scene was, fortunately, one which has only been rarely experienced at Newport.
On Saturday night a horse ridden by Mr. Attwell of Alteryn was severely injured in a collision with a hansom cab on Chepstow Road, the shaft of the vehicle penetrated the animal's side to the depth of nearly a foot, veterinary aid had to be sought before the shaft could he extracted. Mr. Attwell also sustained several bruises. After the accident the horse was taken to an adjacent stable where its injuries were attended to.
At Newport Police Court, Johanna Cashman, of Potters Parade, was summoned for assaulting her sister-in-law Caroline Cashman, of Portland Street. The women, it appeared, were married to two brothers, but there was ill feeling existing between them. A few days ago complainant was invited to her husband's aunt's house, from which her funeral took place, to assist in providing tea. Shortly after the cortege left for the Cemetery defendant called her abusive names, threw a cup of tea at her and scratched her face and pulled her hair. A fight ensued between the women and both appeared in Court bearing unmistakable marks of fingernails. The Chairman said that it was disgraceful, that in the face of death, defendant should have behaved so badly. She would be fined ten shillings and sixpence and bound over to keep the peace for six months.
The Newport cab-men's dinner on Tuesday evening was attended by Lord Tredegar. His Lordship spoke at length of the useful work the "cabbies" did in the town, and what an asset it was to have such a fine body of men at the service of the public.
Tuesday's celebration in Newport was somewhat more extensive than in recent years, doubtless due to the fine weather which prevails. Fireworks were to be seen in every direction, and during the evening tar barrels and burning boats were driven through the streets. The crowds were fairly orderly, and it was only in a very few instances that the police found it necessary to interfere. Members of the fire brigade were on duty, at their station, in readiness for an outbreak of fire, but fortunately their services were not required.
The sudden death of a child six months old, throws a lurid light upon that system of infantile insurance which, during the past years, has made such gigantic strides. It is irritating enough for a man or woman to walk through the streets, knowing that his or her life may have been insured by persons who are perfect strangers. But with regard to infants, the flood gates are opened which actually tempt heartless parents to destroy their own offspring.
At Newport Police Court on Wednesday, Denis McCarthy, who made his 14th appearance, was charged with assaulting Hannah Wood. The prisoner only came out of prison on 17th inst. after having served 12 months for stabbing another man. Since his return, Cross Street has been in an uproar. On Monday he accosted Wood and asked her for a penny; she declined to accede to his request, and with his crutch he knocked her insensible. Her face bled freely, and was now in a fearful state. The defendant, who was described as the terror of the neighbourhood, said complainant had asked him for money many times and for smokes out of his pipe. He denied the assault and said she fell down. The Bench considered the case a serious one and sent the prisoner to gaol for six months. Star of Gwent. 15th November, 1889 As is well known to our readers, the first Monday of each month, or Mabon's Day, as it is now known by, is given as a holiday to those inmates of the Newport Workhouse who care to leave the institutions for a few hours for the purpose of visiting friends and relatives. Unfortunately the day very rarely arrives without witnessing the return of many of these inmates in a state of intoxication. It is therefore, a frequent sight to see them reeling back to the Workhouse intoxicated. For this they are of course reprimanded and punished by being deprived of the holiday for a certain period of time. It will thus be seen, that it is mistaken kindness to ply those unfortunates with drink.
It gives us much pleasure to record that after many years of being the occasion of some humiliation to persons of artistic leaning, this fine building has been denuded of its whitewash, and literally clothed and furnished in colours both harmonious and desirable. The lower part of the hall is treated with due regard to permanence. Enterprise of this nature seldom fails to be appreciated, and to command success, and we confidently express our opinion that this re-embellishment of the building, taken in conjunction with the fine new entrance, now being constructed, out of Commercial Street, will certainly render the premises as a place suitable for public entertainment.
A large portion of the male public of Newport seems to be in ignorance of the fact that they are to a certain extent volunteer policemen. If an officer has in charge a disorderly prisoner, whom he finds it impossible to convey to the station, he has a perfect right to call to his assistance any number of male passers-by, whom he may think it necessary to complete the work. A refusal on this part renders them liable to immediate prosecution and heavy punishment. [ Back ] |
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'Newport
First Stop' - 100 Years of News Stories Newport
Past |
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