A HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE
1894
NEW LOCAL BOARD OFFICES
The Featherstone Local Board took over their new offices on April 5. The Express described the occasion as follows."The Local Board has just possessed itself of a suite of offices which are a decided ornament to the town, and which have long been required for the proper discharge of the largely increased work of the board, consequent on the rapid growth of the district from a village into a town of considerable importance. For very many years the members held their deliberations in a small upper chamber at the bottom of Station Lane, where there was nothing beyond the bare accommodation of the room itself, and the insufficiency of this has been so often manifest that the only wonder is that the members have been content to put up with this apology for a board-room so long. The new premises are in a position at once both central and accommodating. Mr Walter H Fearnley, one of the sons to the late surveyor to the Board, has been the architect, and he has succeeded in designing which is eminently adapted to the purposes required. The building is a modern classic structure and is certainly an ornament to the district. Altogether it comprises six offices and a board-room. It has a lofty handsome hall, well lighted, with half-timber hammerbeam ceiling, and in this the new district council, which the board will become next November, will have a council chamber which will be a credit to them, and such as very few, if any, of the new district councils in the shire will possess. Behind the offices there is also a well-appointed surveyor's house, stabling for five horses, and storerooms above, a shed for the board's steam roller, and a spacious yard for the storage of various materials indispensable to the board's work. The whole cost has been about £2,000."
John Waller, chairman of the Board, formally opened the offices and then entertained the members, officials and friends to luncheon. The photo of the council offices is an enlargement from an old postcard.
FEATHERSTONE URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL
At the very first meeting of the Local Board in 1877 it was agreed to divide the district into wards but nothing was done and the voting carried on each year with candidates putting up for the whole district and electors voting for three of them.
In May John Waller was re-elected chairman of the Local Board, and they agreed the change to a District Council would be a good time to divide the district into four wards and to have three councillors for each ward which would give a District Council of 12 members instead of a Local Board of nine members.
An application was sent to the West Riding County Council to change to a ward system. The WRCC decided the board would have to find out whether or not the electors wanted such a change. A public meeting was held to consider this proposal and it was carried unanimously.
In August the WRCC told the Local Board time was now too short to alter the voting system and it would have to be held as before except it would be a ballot and one man one vote. Most members of the Local Board were critical of this decision and it was proposed the election should be postponed until the changes were made. Mr Denton pointed out the Act specified the election must take place in November, but the proposal was passed hoping to stir the WRCC into some action.
It couldn't, and when nominations closed at the end of November the reason for the Local Board being worried about holding the election under the old system was apparent. There were 22 nominations for nine places, so some board members were almost certain to lose their seat. All the board members were nominated but James Booth withdrew as did Messrs Crossley, Longley and Yates.
It must have been nominations that had to be in by November because the election was held on December 15 and five polling stations were used. About 1,800 men were eligible to vote and 1,000 of them turned out. The votes were counted at the Local Board offices and the result announced to a large crowd at 11.15pm. Only four of the nine Board members were elected to the new Council. The voting was:
ELECTED
Abraham Wardman, colliery manager 538
Henry Gledhill, pawnbroker 473
Thomas Thompson, colliery manager 470
W Swain, colliery checkweighman 408
Richard Hoyle, publican 391
David Denton, grocer 351
Harry Wormald, engineer 342
John Walmsley, builder 342
James Eley, under steward 331
NOT ELECTED
Alexander Alexander, engineer 305
John Waller, publican 303
Charles Keith, brickworks manager 301
Richard Cowling, retired gentleman 296
J Walker, retired gentleman 293
Reverend F G Stebbing, vicar 237
S W Mason, checkweighman 193
Abraham Wardman, colliery manager 538
Henry Gledhill, pawnbroker 473
Thomas Thompson, colliery manager 470
W Swain, colliery checkweighman 408
Richard Hoyle, publican 391
David Denton, grocer 351
Harry Wormald, engineer 342
John Walmsley, builder 342
James Eley, under steward 331
NOT ELECTED
Alexander Alexander, engineer 305
John Waller, publican 303
Charles Keith, brickworks manager 301
Richard Cowling, retired gentleman 296
J Walker, retired gentleman 293
Reverend F G Stebbing, vicar 237
S W Mason, checkweighman 193
Mr Elstub, colliery clerk 173
William Atkinson, farmer 130
Apart from James Booth, Messrs Alexander, Cowling, Walker and Waller all lost their seat. The Express
commented "There is little doubt that Mr Waller has himself to thank in
taking up the attitude he has against the miners, who have done what
they threatened to do - turned him out. Anyway, we hear that it is not
unlikely he will be called in as chairman, and if this should be so it
would be a graceful tribute to the diligence and devotion with which he
has studied the interests of the Local Board for such a long period".William Atkinson, farmer 130
That was just wishful thinking by the Express for at the first meeting of Featherstone Urban District Council Abraham Wardman who topped the poll was elected chairman.
MORE MAINS WATER PROBLEMS
The surveyor suggested laying a water main from North to South Featherstone to join the two ranges, so that in the event of a difficulty in one main a supply could be obtained from the other. Because of the Board's financial difficulties this idea had to be left in abeyance.
The dispute over the price paid for the water by the collieries came up again in March. The managers of Snydale and Featherstone Main Collieries said if the Local Board put up the water charges they would use their own water wherever possible. That didn't prevent David Denton from proposing the collieries should pay the proper rate. Mr Alexander said they were glad of the collieries using the water when the board were struggling to use the minimum quantity, but the proposal was passed by five votes to three.
The second roof on the reservoir didn't last long. In August two girders collapsed and the surveyor was ordered to take off the rest at once. The Board discussed abandoning the reservoir but decided to have another go at stopping the leakage with pitch and tar.
In December the Local Board was changed to a District Council and their first problem with the water supply concerned Mr Wagner of Station Lane who had built two houses in the Lane before the water main was laid, and in accordance with the building regulations had sunk a well. One of the houses had a butcher's shop and slaughterhouse attached, but although mains water was now available Mr Wagner still used some water from his well. The council threatened to cut off the mains water if he did not stop using the well.
EDUCATION IN 1894
In February the Education Board decided there was too much work for a
five-man Board and an application was sent to the Education Department
for permission to have seven members. Because of the increased workload
Miss Cockerham (headmistress at the Girls' School) and Mr Cowey
(assistant-master at the Boys' School) were awarded a £5 a year rise to
bring their salaries up to £60. Miss Cockerham had asked for £10, and
she said if the board would not grant the other £5 she would have to ask
for her testimonials. The board gave way and raised her salary to £65.
The new Girls' School was opened at the end of March. The previous
building used by both infants and girls would now be for infants only.
The Express commented "The new schools are a credit to the contractor and will bear comparison with any schools for miles around".
At the end of April only about £250 had been raised for the much needed improvements at Purston National School.
Mr Kaberry, the board's clerk, asked for a rise in his salary. He said he had been the clerk for nine years and his salary was originally £25, but six years ago it was reduced to £20. The average attendance then was 241 and the expenditure £800 a year. Now it was 721 and £2,000. The board agreed to put his salary back to £25.
In July a letter was received from Mr Greaves asking for £108 12s 6d. Of this £85 14s was his 5% fee on the cost of the new school, and the rest was for extra work he had to do because of objections to the original plans by the Education Department. The Board considered the 5% included everything and replied if he would accept the £85 14s they would pay at once.
Mr Greaves declined and said because of the extra work he must insist on the full amount. He advised the board to refer the dispute to some other experienced person. The board decided they would have to pay up. They also decided their future policy would be to purchase in Featherstone any articles required for the schools providing the prices were similar to elsewhere.
In September it was time for the three-yearly voting for the School Board. The Education Department had agreed to the increase to seven members, and as Messrs Senior and Wardman did not seek re-election there would be at least four new members. The voting was:
At the end of April only about £250 had been raised for the much needed improvements at Purston National School.
Mr Kaberry, the board's clerk, asked for a rise in his salary. He said he had been the clerk for nine years and his salary was originally £25, but six years ago it was reduced to £20. The average attendance then was 241 and the expenditure £800 a year. Now it was 721 and £2,000. The board agreed to put his salary back to £25.
In July a letter was received from Mr Greaves asking for £108 12s 6d. Of this £85 14s was his 5% fee on the cost of the new school, and the rest was for extra work he had to do because of objections to the original plans by the Education Department. The Board considered the 5% included everything and replied if he would accept the £85 14s they would pay at once.
Mr Greaves declined and said because of the extra work he must insist on the full amount. He advised the board to refer the dispute to some other experienced person. The board decided they would have to pay up. They also decided their future policy would be to purchase in Featherstone any articles required for the schools providing the prices were similar to elsewhere.
In September it was time for the three-yearly voting for the School Board. The Education Department had agreed to the increase to seven members, and as Messrs Senior and Wardman did not seek re-election there would be at least four new members. The voting was:
Thomas Thompson, manager Featherstone Main 916
Henry Gledhill, pawnbroker 611
Alfred Higgins, ironmonger 602
Revd H S Rogers, Vicar of Purston 409
William Boffey, deputy 375
Revd F G Stebbing, Vicar of Featherstone 359
C Cranswick, checkweighman 279
S Mason, checkweighman 108
J Savage, miner 99
A Alexander, engineer 98
F Wood, miner 49
Alfred Higgins, ironmonger 602
Revd H S Rogers, Vicar of Purston 409
William Boffey, deputy 375
Revd F G Stebbing, Vicar of Featherstone 359
C Cranswick, checkweighman 279
S Mason, checkweighman 108
J Savage, miner 99
A Alexander, engineer 98
F Wood, miner 49
So the three retiring members, Gledhill, Higgins and Boffey, were all
re-elected and were joined by both vicars and Messrs Thompson and
Cranswick. The extra classrooms built to remove the overcrowding are
shown below. A photo from the Tony Lumb Collection.
RAPE IN HALFPENNY LANE
She said it happened on the Saturday night of July 14 when she was returning from Pontefract with Edwin Smith with whom she had been keeping company. When they were near the barracks they were approached by some men and William Smith held her while Stanley committed the offence. She lost consciousness and came to on the sofa at her home in Duke Street. Some of her clothing was missing and some was torn. She said William Smith pushed his fist into her mouth to stop her shouting but could not say if Nelems took any part in the assault. She was treated by Dr Steven for an injured arm and a badly swollen face..
Edwin Smith said when they were accosted he told the men to leave her alone, but two of them took hold of him and held him while the other took her away. When he was released he went to Featherstone for her brother.
John Beech Saunders said he was also walking home along Halfpenny Lane and he saw about 16 men and Mrs Bell but they were not doing anything wrong. After he passed he heard her scream and he turned back but he was confronted by three men, one of them being Stanley. He also saw Nelems but did not see him do anything wrong.
PC Palmer said on information received he went to Halfpenny Lane at 12.45am and found Elizabeth Bell laid on the footpath with two men standing beside her. They ran off but he caught one who turned out to be Stanley. He took him back to Elizabeth Bell and by then her brother had arrived. He took Stanley to South Featherstone and Elizabeth Bell identified him as one of her assailants, so he arrested him and later arrested William Smith. Dr Steven then gave evidence as to the injuries.
For the defence Mr Lodge said Elizabeth Bell was the worse for drink and her memory could not be that of a clear character. There was no corroboration to any act alleged to have been committed by the prisoners, and Nelems took no part whatever in anything that took place.
The Bench retired to consider the case. On their return they said the charge against Nelems was dismissed. Stanley and Smith were sent to the next assizes for trial.
At the West Riding Assizes at Leeds William Smith was found not guilty and discharged. William Stanley was found guilty of rape and was sentenced to seven years in jail.
A SHOOTING IN PURSTON
In the Magistrates' Court Sergeant Sparrow said he arrested Cadman at 3.40am the next morning and the revolver was surrendered to him. The defence suggested Cadman had merely intended to frighten off Mason and the charge should be one of common assault. The Bench decided the charge would be unlawful wounding and Cadman was committed for trial, bail being allowed.
At the Leeds Assizes in December James Cadman was found guilty and was ordered to pay £10 compensation to Mason and he was bound over to keep the peace.
THE SIDINGS CONTROVERSY
This part of the 1893 map prepared for the riot inquiry shows the sidings extended over Green Lane but not yet over Middle Lane.
At
the beginning of May the bellman was sent round Featherstone to
announce a public meeting to protest about Lord Masham erecting a locked
gate on Middle Lane with the intention of laying sidings across the
lane into the field at the other side. About 200 hundred people turned
up and it was said if Lord Masham got away with stopping carts using the
lane he would stop pedestrians as well.
It was agreed to send a deputation to the Local Board meeting that
evening, and to appoint 12 men as a vigilance committee with the task of
preserving the rights and privileges of the inhabitants respecting
common land, lanes and footpaths.
The Local Board met the
deputation and told them it was the intention of the board to have the
gate removed. After the deputation had left the board agreed to give
Lord Masham 48 hours notice failing which the surveyor would take his
men and remove the gate.
At the end of May the vigilance committee met and agreed to write to the Local Board expressing thanks at the way they had dealt with the gate, and to ask Lord Masham to remove the tracks running over Middle Lane which were a source of great danger to the many persons who crossed over them, and to compel him to get Featherstone Local Board permission before laying any more rails over public roads. (Ackton Hall Colliery already had rails over Green Lane to the brickyard.)
In July Alfred Holiday, the agent for Lord Masham, wrote to the Local Board suggesting Ackton Hall Colliery should be allowed to put a bridge over the road near the station as a way of settling the sidings dispute. The Board's clerk was instructed to write saying plans and sections should be submitted to the highways committee.
That committee considered the plans and decided they were not practicable. If the road was lowered four feet as suggested it would only be 33 inches above the main drain. The gas and water mains would have to be lowered and the roadway gradients would be too steep. Amended plans were sent showing a four feet lowering of the road and a 1 in 39 gradient. Mr Alexander proposed the plans be accepted. Mr Denton proposed permission be given if the road was only lowered three feet. Mr Denton won the vote by 5-3.The bridge is shown below. A photo from the Tony Lumb Collection.
At the end of May the vigilance committee met and agreed to write to the Local Board expressing thanks at the way they had dealt with the gate, and to ask Lord Masham to remove the tracks running over Middle Lane which were a source of great danger to the many persons who crossed over them, and to compel him to get Featherstone Local Board permission before laying any more rails over public roads. (Ackton Hall Colliery already had rails over Green Lane to the brickyard.)
In July Alfred Holiday, the agent for Lord Masham, wrote to the Local Board suggesting Ackton Hall Colliery should be allowed to put a bridge over the road near the station as a way of settling the sidings dispute. The Board's clerk was instructed to write saying plans and sections should be submitted to the highways committee.
That committee considered the plans and decided they were not practicable. If the road was lowered four feet as suggested it would only be 33 inches above the main drain. The gas and water mains would have to be lowered and the roadway gradients would be too steep. Amended plans were sent showing a four feet lowering of the road and a 1 in 39 gradient. Mr Alexander proposed the plans be accepted. Mr Denton proposed permission be given if the road was only lowered three feet. Mr Denton won the vote by 5-3.The bridge is shown below. A photo from the Tony Lumb Collection.
The
railway lines still crossed over both lanes and the board wanted
crossing gates on both Green Lane and Middle Lane but Mr Holiday said
the colliery could not see its way to do that. At the next board meeting
in October Mr Wardman said he could not understand the attitude of Lord
Masham. Mr Denton said the expense seemed to be a sore point with Lord
Masham and John Shaw.
John Shaw had entered the dispute because he
wanted access to the Yorkshire and Lancashire Railway as a bargaining
alternative to the Midland Railway which took Featherstone Main Colliery
coal out via the single track railway through Snydale. He could only do
this by going over Green Lane and so inflaming the already bitter
controversy.
The Local Board decided to seek a barrister's opinion as to their rights in the matter and were told Lord Masham was entitled to do what he had, but they were overtaken by events because in December the board was replaced by Featherstone Urban District Council.
The bridge and siding row persuaded many people to write to the Express either praising Lord Masham for bringing trade to the district or denouncing him as a capitalist. The bridge was built but it made no difference to the sidings dispute which made some people wonder if Alfred Holiday had pulled a fast one over the Local Board because the railway lines still crossed over both lanes.
The Local Board decided to seek a barrister's opinion as to their rights in the matter and were told Lord Masham was entitled to do what he had, but they were overtaken by events because in December the board was replaced by Featherstone Urban District Council.
The bridge and siding row persuaded many people to write to the Express either praising Lord Masham for bringing trade to the district or denouncing him as a capitalist. The bridge was built but it made no difference to the sidings dispute which made some people wonder if Alfred Holiday had pulled a fast one over the Local Board because the railway lines still crossed over both lanes.
1894 NEWS ITEMS
JANUARY
Some men at Ackton Hall Colliery refused to work on New Year's Day and
they were sacked. It looked like the pit was going to be on strike
again after just a few weeks back at work. However, the men concerned
agreed they had broken their contracts and promised not to do it again,
so the management reinstated them.
George Asquith, a farm labourer, charged Mr Atkinson, a Purston farmer, with not paying him the proper wages. Asquith claimed he was set on at £6 a year but Atkinson denied this saying he only offered £3 10s if satisfactory. After three weeks he decided the boy was too young and took him home. Atkinson was ordered to pay £1 10s.
Oswald Wragg and Samuel Simmonds, two Featherstone colliers, pleaded guilty to poaching at Hessle. It was Wragg's 32nd conviction.
John Sadler aged 50, a sinker of no fixed abode, was working on a
scaffold in the Silkstone shaft at Ackton Hall Colliery when the cage
was raised in error by the engineman and it tipped up the scaffold.
Sadler fell off and was killed, but the other nine men working with him
clung to the scaffolding or cage chains and were saved.
Mr Bentley applied for the ratification of the provisional licence for the Featherstone Hotel, but the magistrates said the hotel had been visited and it was not yet completed, so the application was adjourned.
FEBRUARY A meeting was held between Alfred Holiday, agent for Ackton Hall Colliery, and the Yorkshire Miners' Federation. The men objected to working the night shift but the management said this had been agreed before the recent dispute and refused to give way. Mr Holiday promised to investigate complaints about the poor quality of coal supplied to workers, to reinstate two men dismissed over a riddling of coal dispute, but he refused to reinstate Joe Deveney because of his conduct in the riot last September.
MARCH Leatham and Tew, bankers, offered £10 a year for a room in the Local Board's new offices against the £15 asked by the board. The board agreed to suggest £12 as a compromise.
About four acres of whin bushes at Ackton were destroyed by fire. It was suggested the fire had been started deliberately to drive out the rabbits.
Lord Masham received compensation from the finance committee of the West Riding County Council for the damage at Ackton Hall Colliery last year. The amount was not reported in the press.
APRIL Mr W G Vickers of the Royal Alhambra Theatre opened his large and commodious building on the open space near the Girls' School. Favourite plays were the first items on the bill and were watched by large attendances.
Joseph Gordon and Amos Atack claimed £4 4s from Lord Masham for a fortnight's notice and 15s for work done. They had been found using a shovel to fill a tub with coal instead of riddling it. The tub was taken out of the pit and found to be in order but the men were dismissed for using a shovel. They said it was the first time they had been caught and they should have been fined. Atack denied he had threatened the manager, George Senior, or that he had been ordered out of the pit because of threatening behaviour.
Elias Williams, checkweighman, gave evidence it was a good tub and did not contain small coal. The deputy, William Blackburn, said he had cautioned the men many times about not riddling the coal. George Senior said he had dismissed heaps of men because they refused to riddle. Notices were posted at the headgear and the deputies warned the men verbally.
Mr Bentley applied for the ratification of the provisional licence for the Featherstone Hotel, but the magistrates said the hotel had been visited and it was not yet completed, so the application was adjourned.
FEBRUARY A meeting was held between Alfred Holiday, agent for Ackton Hall Colliery, and the Yorkshire Miners' Federation. The men objected to working the night shift but the management said this had been agreed before the recent dispute and refused to give way. Mr Holiday promised to investigate complaints about the poor quality of coal supplied to workers, to reinstate two men dismissed over a riddling of coal dispute, but he refused to reinstate Joe Deveney because of his conduct in the riot last September.
MARCH Leatham and Tew, bankers, offered £10 a year for a room in the Local Board's new offices against the £15 asked by the board. The board agreed to suggest £12 as a compromise.
About four acres of whin bushes at Ackton were destroyed by fire. It was suggested the fire had been started deliberately to drive out the rabbits.
Lord Masham received compensation from the finance committee of the West Riding County Council for the damage at Ackton Hall Colliery last year. The amount was not reported in the press.
APRIL Mr W G Vickers of the Royal Alhambra Theatre opened his large and commodious building on the open space near the Girls' School. Favourite plays were the first items on the bill and were watched by large attendances.
Joseph Gordon and Amos Atack claimed £4 4s from Lord Masham for a fortnight's notice and 15s for work done. They had been found using a shovel to fill a tub with coal instead of riddling it. The tub was taken out of the pit and found to be in order but the men were dismissed for using a shovel. They said it was the first time they had been caught and they should have been fined. Atack denied he had threatened the manager, George Senior, or that he had been ordered out of the pit because of threatening behaviour.
Elias Williams, checkweighman, gave evidence it was a good tub and did not contain small coal. The deputy, William Blackburn, said he had cautioned the men many times about not riddling the coal. George Senior said he had dismissed heaps of men because they refused to riddle. Notices were posted at the headgear and the deputies warned the men verbally.
The magistrates divided two-two and were unable to give a verdict. The
men were told they could bring the case again or take it to the County
Court. At the County Court His Honour said he was satisfied the men were
disobeying orders repeatedly given and he gave a verdict for Lord
Masham with costs.
The Boys' School was crowded with many left outside for a performance by the Kentucky Minstrels.
MAY At the annual general meeting of the Featherstone Rugby Union Club the chairman, Mr S Jepson, said it was something remarkable the way the club had come to the front during the last two years. This had been brought about by scientific football. Out of 29 games 24 had been won and three drawn, and the club had won the Dunhill Challenge Cup. Dr Steven was appointed president. The meeting decided to support the committee in enforcing the players and late players to at once return or pay for all jerseys, boots etc.
At the Alhambra a clog dancing contest was held. The prize was a gold watch.
The Local Board was considerably overdrawn at the bank and some accounts could not be paid until rates were collected.
Joseph Taylor was killed instantly by a fall of roof at Featherstone Main Colliery. The inquest jury decided it was misadventure.
JUNE A concert was held at the Featherstone National School to raise funds for a testimonial to Revd Stebbing as a mark of esteem and thankfulness by the miners for the great interest he took in them during the recent lockout.
Dr Bruce Law, a Local Government Board inspector, held an inquiry in the Local Board offices on the application for a loan for the smallpox hospital. The Board wanted to borrow £2,000 to purchase one and a quarter acres of land adjacent to the present site and build a new hospital with all the latest improvements. The loan was approved.
The Pontefract Board of Guardians agreed to extra representation for large parishes including an extra two members for Featherstone.
About 150 miners from Snydale Colliery and 550 from Featherstone Main Colliery went to Barnsley for the annual demonstration. Both groups took their banner and were headed by a brass band. There was no mention in the report of Ackton Hall Colliery miners.
JULY A meeting was held in Purston National School to consider the desirability of establishing a People's Institute or Working Men's Club. It was said at present there was no reading room or institute of any kind.
George Senior was presented with a large marble clock and ornaments to match at a presentation in the Featherstone Hotel on him leaving the manager's position at Ackton Hall Colliery. Mrs Senior received a gold broach and a purse of gold. Mr Senior said he had been manager over eleven years and he had seen the output nearly doubled. He praised the help he had received from the officials and workmen and hoped they would do the same for Mr Durnford the new manager. The inscription on the clock read "Presented to Mr George Senior, late manager of Ackton Hall Collieries, by the officials and workmen both above and below ground, July 14th 1894".
A 14 coach train carried 755 passengers to Liverpool on the Ackton Hall Colliery annual trip.
A ratepayers' mass meeting agreed the forthcoming Featherstone Urban District Council should take immediate steps to provide allotments for which there was a great demand, and provide recreation grounds with some part set apart as a children's playground. Other criticisms of the present Local Board were the state of the footpaths and stiles, and in "preventing a poor man making a little money by the sale of chipped potatoes and fried fish in a little wooden place of his own".
AUGUST Jonathan Allen who lived in Green Lane had been providing postage stamps for some time to the ever-growing population in that area. It was decided to fix a box to his house for people to post their letters.
Richard Fosdick, a coal exporter, sued John Shaw of Featherstone Main Colliery for breach of contract. He said a contract dated March 1893 was for 15,600 tons of coal at 8s a ton, free on board at Goole, at the rate of 400 tons a week. The contract was for export only and not for sale or consumption in England.
There was a strike from August 29 to November 18 covered by a strike clause, and when work resumed John Shaw refused to supply any more coal saying Fosdick had sold part of it to the Great Eastern Railway Company at high prices.
Fosdick claimed as he had told John Shaw he was going to do it was not a breach of contract. The jury found in his favour.
Samuel Hill of West View aged 63 was deaf and almost blind. He was walking near the Junction Inn when he was knocked down by a dog cart driven by Jane Cookson. He was taken home suffering from broken ribs and head injuries and died six days later. The inquest jury decided it was accidental death, no blame being attached to Miss Cookson.
The shaft sinkers at Ackton Hall Colliery went on strike. William Foulstone, the sinking contractor, said he had paid the sinkers the 40% increase on the standard wage even though they were not in the union. After the miners' strike he wanted to reduce the wages by 10% (5d a day) but the men refused.
He met a deputation and offered a reduction of 3d a day which the deputation accepted but the men turned it down. He said even with the 10% off the sinkers would be getting 5s 10d for an eight hour day - more than the day men at local collieries. After another three weeks the strikers agreed on a 5% reduction and work resumed.
The Boys' School was crowded with many left outside for a performance by the Kentucky Minstrels.
MAY At the annual general meeting of the Featherstone Rugby Union Club the chairman, Mr S Jepson, said it was something remarkable the way the club had come to the front during the last two years. This had been brought about by scientific football. Out of 29 games 24 had been won and three drawn, and the club had won the Dunhill Challenge Cup. Dr Steven was appointed president. The meeting decided to support the committee in enforcing the players and late players to at once return or pay for all jerseys, boots etc.
At the Alhambra a clog dancing contest was held. The prize was a gold watch.
The Local Board was considerably overdrawn at the bank and some accounts could not be paid until rates were collected.
Joseph Taylor was killed instantly by a fall of roof at Featherstone Main Colliery. The inquest jury decided it was misadventure.
JUNE A concert was held at the Featherstone National School to raise funds for a testimonial to Revd Stebbing as a mark of esteem and thankfulness by the miners for the great interest he took in them during the recent lockout.
Dr Bruce Law, a Local Government Board inspector, held an inquiry in the Local Board offices on the application for a loan for the smallpox hospital. The Board wanted to borrow £2,000 to purchase one and a quarter acres of land adjacent to the present site and build a new hospital with all the latest improvements. The loan was approved.
The Pontefract Board of Guardians agreed to extra representation for large parishes including an extra two members for Featherstone.
About 150 miners from Snydale Colliery and 550 from Featherstone Main Colliery went to Barnsley for the annual demonstration. Both groups took their banner and were headed by a brass band. There was no mention in the report of Ackton Hall Colliery miners.
JULY A meeting was held in Purston National School to consider the desirability of establishing a People's Institute or Working Men's Club. It was said at present there was no reading room or institute of any kind.
George Senior was presented with a large marble clock and ornaments to match at a presentation in the Featherstone Hotel on him leaving the manager's position at Ackton Hall Colliery. Mrs Senior received a gold broach and a purse of gold. Mr Senior said he had been manager over eleven years and he had seen the output nearly doubled. He praised the help he had received from the officials and workmen and hoped they would do the same for Mr Durnford the new manager. The inscription on the clock read "Presented to Mr George Senior, late manager of Ackton Hall Collieries, by the officials and workmen both above and below ground, July 14th 1894".
A 14 coach train carried 755 passengers to Liverpool on the Ackton Hall Colliery annual trip.
A ratepayers' mass meeting agreed the forthcoming Featherstone Urban District Council should take immediate steps to provide allotments for which there was a great demand, and provide recreation grounds with some part set apart as a children's playground. Other criticisms of the present Local Board were the state of the footpaths and stiles, and in "preventing a poor man making a little money by the sale of chipped potatoes and fried fish in a little wooden place of his own".
AUGUST Jonathan Allen who lived in Green Lane had been providing postage stamps for some time to the ever-growing population in that area. It was decided to fix a box to his house for people to post their letters.
Richard Fosdick, a coal exporter, sued John Shaw of Featherstone Main Colliery for breach of contract. He said a contract dated March 1893 was for 15,600 tons of coal at 8s a ton, free on board at Goole, at the rate of 400 tons a week. The contract was for export only and not for sale or consumption in England.
There was a strike from August 29 to November 18 covered by a strike clause, and when work resumed John Shaw refused to supply any more coal saying Fosdick had sold part of it to the Great Eastern Railway Company at high prices.
Fosdick claimed as he had told John Shaw he was going to do it was not a breach of contract. The jury found in his favour.
Samuel Hill of West View aged 63 was deaf and almost blind. He was walking near the Junction Inn when he was knocked down by a dog cart driven by Jane Cookson. He was taken home suffering from broken ribs and head injuries and died six days later. The inquest jury decided it was accidental death, no blame being attached to Miss Cookson.
The shaft sinkers at Ackton Hall Colliery went on strike. William Foulstone, the sinking contractor, said he had paid the sinkers the 40% increase on the standard wage even though they were not in the union. After the miners' strike he wanted to reduce the wages by 10% (5d a day) but the men refused.
He met a deputation and offered a reduction of 3d a day which the deputation accepted but the men turned it down. He said even with the 10% off the sinkers would be getting 5s 10d for an eight hour day - more than the day men at local collieries. After another three weeks the strikers agreed on a 5% reduction and work resumed.
The Haigh Moor miners at Ackton Hall Colliery were only working 2½ days
a week because of poor trade. They held a pit gate meeting to protest
at a proposed change from wooden props to iron props. They had been told
they would have to pay 15s for each prop they lost.
SEPTEMBER Alf Higgins, an ironmonger in Station Lane, had supplied 20 new gas lamps with white opal reflectors to the Local Board for street lighting. They were a big improvement on the old lamps, but there were many complaints because the lights were only on one side of Station Lane.
Herbert Ripley was charged at Barnsley with deserting his wife and child and neglecting to support them. He said he had asked her to go with him but she preferred to stay with her parents in Featherstone where she was born. He was ordered to pay 8s a week.
Prizes were given out at Purston Continuation (night) School for boys and young men. It began in 1891 with 31 pupils and there were now 63. Mr Gray, the teacher, regretted the low standard at which children left the day school. He said at Pontefract, Castleford and Hemsworth the fifth standard was required but at Featherstone only the fourth. The Featherstone children only got half an education. This was why so few were fitted for higher work. He urged the boys to put forward their best efforts, and instanced many distinguished men who had risen from obscurity by perseverance and hard work.
At the Local Board meeting it was reported the new lamps were already being broken by vandals. It was decided to put up warning notices. A rate of 2s in the £1 was fixed for the half-year, the highest yet.
Captain W M Wood, late of the East Lancs Regiment, took over residence in Purston Hall.
OCTOBER One of the main steam pipes at Ackton Hall Colliery burst at 6am waking up many of the residents who hurried to the pit yard thinking there had been an explosion.
SEPTEMBER Alf Higgins, an ironmonger in Station Lane, had supplied 20 new gas lamps with white opal reflectors to the Local Board for street lighting. They were a big improvement on the old lamps, but there were many complaints because the lights were only on one side of Station Lane.
Herbert Ripley was charged at Barnsley with deserting his wife and child and neglecting to support them. He said he had asked her to go with him but she preferred to stay with her parents in Featherstone where she was born. He was ordered to pay 8s a week.
Prizes were given out at Purston Continuation (night) School for boys and young men. It began in 1891 with 31 pupils and there were now 63. Mr Gray, the teacher, regretted the low standard at which children left the day school. He said at Pontefract, Castleford and Hemsworth the fifth standard was required but at Featherstone only the fourth. The Featherstone children only got half an education. This was why so few were fitted for higher work. He urged the boys to put forward their best efforts, and instanced many distinguished men who had risen from obscurity by perseverance and hard work.
At the Local Board meeting it was reported the new lamps were already being broken by vandals. It was decided to put up warning notices. A rate of 2s in the £1 was fixed for the half-year, the highest yet.
Captain W M Wood, late of the East Lancs Regiment, took over residence in Purston Hall.
OCTOBER One of the main steam pipes at Ackton Hall Colliery burst at 6am waking up many of the residents who hurried to the pit yard thinking there had been an explosion.
Lord Masham had built 130 houses in Masham Square of which 115 had been
approved by the Local Board. The last 15 had been built to the same
plans but had not been submitted to the Local Board for approval. The
Local Board decided to approve the plans but advised Lord Masham not to
erect houses in future without the sanction of the board.
The photo below show some of Lord Masham's houses. These are Nostell
View. This is an edited version of a photo from the Featherstone
Heritage Group.
Mr Cowling was given notice to take down the Salvation Army Barracks so
the land could be purchased by the board to make improvements to
Station Lane.
An Ackton Hall Colliery labourer, Mr McDermott, was said to have been met by a gentleman from Ireland, supposed to be a lawyer, who told him he was the possessor of a large fortune (rumoured to be up to £27,000). Mr McDermott drew his wages, treated his friends and left.
John Flynn was charged with stealing £24, the property of the Yorkshire Miners' Union. He collected the union dues at Ackton Hall Colliery with John Hennesay for which he received 2s 9d a week. The money was given to Flynn to hand to a union representative but he did not do so. A warrant was issued for his arrest and he was found in Sheffield. He pleaded guilty and was fined the maximum £20 or two months with hard labour.
NOVEMBER Harry Elvin of Pontefract, a sinker at Ackton Hall Colliery, was stripped to the waist holding a drill rod which two men were striking to drill a shot hole. A small piece of steel broke off and pierced his heart, and he died a few minutes later.
A newsroom was opened in the Wakefield Industrial Society's building. A small committee was formed to manage it.
A meeting was held in North Featherstone National School to consider forming an association to buy a piece of land and build houses on it. It was thought by paying £25 to £30 per house for the land and 5s 6d a week rent, in 12 to 13 years the house would then be owned by the tenant. It was agreed to form a society to be called the Featherstone Working Men's Society.
The Featherstone Main Accident Society decided to discontinue payment to those out of work six weeks. A sum of £67 10s had been paid out in the last six months and it was considered the society was being imposed on by some members. It was decided to increase the minimum balance in hand to £300 and to hold a special levy when it fell below £300.
DECEMBER Pontefract Corporation were considering putting a tramway to Featherstone, partly because the railway timetable was not considered satisfactory. About 500 Pontefract people worked in Featherstone and it was considered it would be a paying proposition.
An Ackton Hall Colliery labourer, Mr McDermott, was said to have been met by a gentleman from Ireland, supposed to be a lawyer, who told him he was the possessor of a large fortune (rumoured to be up to £27,000). Mr McDermott drew his wages, treated his friends and left.
John Flynn was charged with stealing £24, the property of the Yorkshire Miners' Union. He collected the union dues at Ackton Hall Colliery with John Hennesay for which he received 2s 9d a week. The money was given to Flynn to hand to a union representative but he did not do so. A warrant was issued for his arrest and he was found in Sheffield. He pleaded guilty and was fined the maximum £20 or two months with hard labour.
NOVEMBER Harry Elvin of Pontefract, a sinker at Ackton Hall Colliery, was stripped to the waist holding a drill rod which two men were striking to drill a shot hole. A small piece of steel broke off and pierced his heart, and he died a few minutes later.
A newsroom was opened in the Wakefield Industrial Society's building. A small committee was formed to manage it.
A meeting was held in North Featherstone National School to consider forming an association to buy a piece of land and build houses on it. It was thought by paying £25 to £30 per house for the land and 5s 6d a week rent, in 12 to 13 years the house would then be owned by the tenant. It was agreed to form a society to be called the Featherstone Working Men's Society.
The Featherstone Main Accident Society decided to discontinue payment to those out of work six weeks. A sum of £67 10s had been paid out in the last six months and it was considered the society was being imposed on by some members. It was decided to increase the minimum balance in hand to £300 and to hold a special levy when it fell below £300.
DECEMBER Pontefract Corporation were considering putting a tramway to Featherstone, partly because the railway timetable was not considered satisfactory. About 500 Pontefract people worked in Featherstone and it was considered it would be a paying proposition.
The new shaft at Ackton Hall Colliery was now down 712 yards to the Silkstone Seam. Four men were being wound up the shaft and the cage overwound into the headgear. The rope detached leaving the cage hanging in the headgear and the men badly shaken but with no serious injuries. Ladders had to be used to rescue them.
Gales completely wrecked houses being built in North Featherstone Lane and took the roof off two houses in Earle Street. Throughout the town windows were blown in, walls, trees and wooden buildings blown down, and many people could not keep their feet. PC Harris was blown against the gates at the railway station and had to have nine stitches in a head wound.
There was a burglary at Blakeley's, a drapers in Station Lane. The thieves got in through the cellar and stole about £12 worth of goods and 3½d left in the till. Some items were later found at North Featherstone.