A HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE
1899
EDUCATION IN 1899
In
February the School Board agreed a new salary scale for pupil
(articled) teachers. This was £55 plus £5 a year to £70 for men, and £50
plus £2 10s a year to £60 for women.There was a squabble over interim payments for the new school north of the railway at the June meeting. Mr Fearnley, the architect, had sent a certificate for £1,000 payment to the builder to the board for certification. There were only three members present and they decided to pay only £750. Mr Fearnley wrote "This, I consider, is an act wanting of courtesy between a board and anyone professionally engaged by them. Architects certificates are not mere scraps of paper, to be interfered with or altered by anyone as they may think. Before issuing a certificate I always take the utmost care to see that I am well within the bounds of the contract agreement. This you will see I have fully done. I cannot allow anyone to take my work into their own hands, unless they also take the responsibility". The next meeting agreed to pay the outstanding amount.
The
extensions at George Street School were completed in June and were
inspected and found in order by the board who decided to go out to
tender for the furnishings. The new rooms would be opened in August.
The new school opened on September 2. There were 280 in the mixed school under Mr Cowey and 230 infants under Miss Roberts late of Leeds. So the schools were overcrowded the day they opened. Because of the lack of room it was agreed children north of Featherstone Green would not be allowed to be taught there. Mr Kaberry resigned as clerk to the board just after the opening and it was agreed to advertise the position at £15 a year.
The formal opening was on September 18 by Alf Higgins, the chairman of the School Board. He was presented with a gold key by Mr Fearnley on behalf of himself and the builder. Mr Higgins said he had visited many schools and never found better buildings than those they were now opening. He was pleased that education was advancing because when he was a boy he had to pick it up as best he could. The opening was followed by a tea and concert and dancing.
Charles Lowden of Pontefract was appointed the new clerk. He was on honeymoon in Ireland but was expected back in a few days. Some North Featherstone parents were said to be upset at the rule barring their children from the new school. Mr Cowey said he was insufficiently staffed and various teachers had to be temporarily sent from the other schools. The board decided not to appoint any more teachers at present and see how things settled down.
In October the board decided all children from the station to Lord, John and Duke Streets should attend Regent Street and George Street Schools. This would allow North Featherstone children to go to North Featherstone Lane School.
Mr H Cleaver of Carlton Street asked if his son could be off school every Friday to help in his grocer's shop. Permission was refused and it was pointed out if he took the boy away he was liable to be fined.
A
photo from the original Featherstone Local History Group showing the
first school building for North Featherstone Lane Board School.
The
new school, to be called North Featherstone Lane Board School, was
nearly ready in July and Robert Cowey was appointed headmaster. Some board members complained the playgrounds were not in a fit state and it
was agreed to consult the architect to see if the builder had carried
out his contract on them.
Messrs
Higgins and Boffy were deputised to organise the opening. They said
they would guarantee £5 or £6 for prizes, sweets and scrambling etc for
the children (throwing a handful of coins on the ground and the children
having a free for all to grab what they could - a popular practice).
Before
the new school year started James Fearnley wrote resigning his position
as attendance officer after 13 years because of failing health. There
were 27 applications for the post and Mr F Wood was appointed.The new school opened on September 2. There were 280 in the mixed school under Mr Cowey and 230 infants under Miss Roberts late of Leeds. So the schools were overcrowded the day they opened. Because of the lack of room it was agreed children north of Featherstone Green would not be allowed to be taught there. Mr Kaberry resigned as clerk to the board just after the opening and it was agreed to advertise the position at £15 a year.
The formal opening was on September 18 by Alf Higgins, the chairman of the School Board. He was presented with a gold key by Mr Fearnley on behalf of himself and the builder. Mr Higgins said he had visited many schools and never found better buildings than those they were now opening. He was pleased that education was advancing because when he was a boy he had to pick it up as best he could. The opening was followed by a tea and concert and dancing.
Charles Lowden of Pontefract was appointed the new clerk. He was on honeymoon in Ireland but was expected back in a few days. Some North Featherstone parents were said to be upset at the rule barring their children from the new school. Mr Cowey said he was insufficiently staffed and various teachers had to be temporarily sent from the other schools. The board decided not to appoint any more teachers at present and see how things settled down.
In October the board decided all children from the station to Lord, John and Duke Streets should attend Regent Street and George Street Schools. This would allow North Featherstone children to go to North Featherstone Lane School.
Mr H Cleaver of Carlton Street asked if his son could be off school every Friday to help in his grocer's shop. Permission was refused and it was pointed out if he took the boy away he was liable to be fined.
SEWAGE PROBLEMS
There was now a West Riding Rivers Board and they complained about effluent getting into the river. The council replied it was because of lack of care by the caretaker.
One land owner had offered to sell his land for £150 per acre, but a Mr Wilson considered that was not enough for his land. Cr Keith said if necessary they must resort to compulsory purchase because the scheme would have to be got on with. Cr Gledhill said much could be done with the present sewage works, but Cr Denton said they were too old and the Local Government Board would not accept that as a solution. Featherstone had grown to such an extent that if it had been known at the time the original scheme would not have passed.
The Rivers Board had asked for a scheme to be prepared so a loan could be applied for in three months time, and agreed not to take legal proceedings against the council providing the council submitted a sewage scheme to the Local Government Board not later than August 11. To show willing the council appointed Mr Hudson, who had finally brought the North Featherstone scheme to a successful conclusion after a lot of delays, to appraise the South Featherstone scheme.
The August deadline passed without any progress because the council had hit another snag. The present sewage works were on land owned by Lord St Oswald and the lease had another nine years to run. His Lordship objected to a renewal of the lease and the council didn't fancy building a new works and then having to find a new site when the lease ran out. The council eventually decided to ask Lord St Oswald to sell the land to them.
In October the Rivers Board informed the council if they did not take compulsory purchase of the land they required they would be prosecuted. The council then had to put forward a Bill in Parliament for the necessary powers.
A NEW RESERVOIR?
The next move was to ask the Local Government Board for a loan to cover the cost of the tank and pipe ranges. At the October meeting it was explained the tank would be 30 feet high and 30 feet wide and would weigh 37 tons. It was estimated to cost £2,019 and was designed to hold 363,612 gallons which would weigh 37 tons. The cost of the water mains was £2,629. When the tank was full it would provide sufficient pressure to the highest point in the neighbourhood.
THE COUNCIL AND THE STREETS
The Private Street Works Act of 1892 gave the council the remedy. They could enforce a street to be made up to a certain standard after which the council would take it over and maintain it out of the rates. If the owner refused to do the work the council could do it and sue if necessary for the money.
The council did not decide to adopt the Act until July, but the clerk, Harold Kaberry, forgot to put the date of the adoption on the papers and the Local Government Board refused to accept them. Two months later the new clerk, Charles Lowden, saw it through and this time the date of November 1 was fixed.
1899 NEWS ITEMS
An inquest was held on Jarvis Housley aged 30, a lodger in Aberdeen
Terrace, who was killed by a fall of roof at Ackton Hall Colliery. The
jury decided it was accidental death.
The council meeting was concerned about the health of the district. The drains in Allison Street were considered unsatisfactory and there was typhoid in one house. There were now 5,000 loads of night soil a year across the district and the council would soon have difficulty in finding a place to dispose of it.
Cr Denton said according to the West Riding County Council medical officer of health Featherstone was the worst in the area with regard to disease. Many streets were nothing but sludge holes. Cr Durnford said unless they got the private streets in order regarding drainage they would always have typhoid. Dr Steven said there were seven cases of typhoid reported the previous night.
William Dyas was summonsed for deserting his wife and leaving her chargeable to the workhouse. He said he had gone to South Wales to work in the mines but they were on strike. The court was told the Pontefract Union had given his wife 2s 6d a week. He was sent to prison for one month with hard labour.
Henry Wardman applied for a full grocer's off-licence for his shop in Station Lane. On behalf of Samuel Banks (who was the previous shopkeeper and refused to give up the licence) it was said two-thirds of the inhabitants had signed a petition against the transfer, but the Bench said they could not get involved in private quarrels and the transfer was granted.
Mr Durnford, manager at Ackton Hall Colliery, had sacked four night deputies for wasting their time in the pit bottom. One of them, Samuel Rushton, took him to court for lost wages but the Bench dismissed his claim.
The Featherstone and Purston Convalescent Fund had collecting boxes in the hotels and working men's clubs. The total for the past year was £14 12s 6d and seven patients had been sent to convalescent homes.
A concert was held in North Featherstone National School to raise funds to provide a district nurse.
Ratepayers in Gas House Lane held a meeting to persuade the council to make a causeway and to continue the path into Ackworth Lane and install a gas lamp. It was said the residents had to go through the fields because the lane was in such a shocking condition.
FEBRUARY The council agreed to lay causeways in Girnhill (Gas House) Lane and Post Office Road. Once again there was a discussion about the state of the streets. Typical comments were "Over the boot tops in sludge" and "The streets were a disgrace to civilisation". It was agreed to let the highways committee look into the matter.
MARCH The gas company reduced the price of gas last July and as a result sales and profits had gone up. The gas holder would not now hold a day's supply in mid-winter and it was proposed to have another. Mr Maxwell was in favour of a further reduction to the price so every householder could afford gas. The chairman raised the problem of collecting the dues and the installation of penny-in-the-slot meters was again discussed but no decision was taken.
The election results for the council were:
Purston - Peter Darlington, colliery manager, 209, Richard Cowling, shopkeeper, 178.
South - Henry Gledhill, shopkeeper, 213, Joseph Watson, postmaster, 36.
North - F Stebbing unopposed.
Snydale- James Eley, colliery manager, 194, John Walker, shopkeeper, 193, David Denton, innkeeper, 143.
David Denton had left Streethouse to be an innkeeper which was probably the reason for him not being re-elected.
Mr Hudson reported to the council to say the North Featherstone drainage scheme was finished at last and he recommended paying the accounts. The Council agreed and said the total cost of the scheme was £7,891 9s 6d, just £178 14s over the original estimate.
APRIL The council meeting re-elected Cr Walmsley as chairman by five votes to three. A vote of thanks was passed to David Denton for his 20 years on the Local Board and District Council. Cr Booth said the whole of the inhabitants would ever be indebted to him for his hard fight almost single-handed to obtain a good supply of water for the district.
George Hames, a fruitier from a cart, was charged with having weights from half a pound to four pounds which were under weight. He pleaded guilty and was fined 20s.
MAY The Burial Board allowed Mr Bolton, the curator at the cemetery, one shilling a week so he could keep a fire in his sitting room which was used by clergy and undertakers at each funeral.
Mr H Wardell wrote from Leeds to the Express thanking all the officials and workmen who had contributed to his testimonial on giving up his management post at Featherstone Main Colliery.
The council gave final approval for Mr Dobson's lodging house in Phipps Street providing he did away with the shops.
Sarah Jane Smithyman age 17 of Monkroyd Farm was in service in Bradford. She had visited her home and was returning to Bradford by train. After others had got out of the carriage she was left alone with Colin Machan of Wakefield. She accused him at Leeds Assizes of assaulting her. His defence was she was a consenting party and only afterwards threatened to report him. The jury found him not guilty.
William and Thomas Wakefield were summonsed for failing to contribute to the maintenance of their father who was receiving relief from the Guardians. An order had already been made on each of them to pay one shilling a week. Only William appeared in court. He said he was married with three sons and had paid what he could. The chairman told him he and his brother would have to pay the shilling a week.
Lightning struck Featherstone Main Colliery and damaged a chimney, office and telephone apparatus.
An inquest was held on Ernest Jordan aged eleven weeks who was found dead in bed. Dr Steven said a post mortem showed inflammation of the lungs and the verdict was natural causes.
JUNE Featherstone Main Accident Society had written to Pontefract Dispensary asking for a bed to be always available. The Dispensary replied if the hospital was full a telegram would be sent to Dr Steven so patients could be taken elsewhere.
Ben Horsfall and George Atkinson, pit lads, were in court charged with damaging a field of oats to the value of one shilling. Atkinson's mother said they were searching for his three year old sister who had not returned home after a Sunday School anniversary. On Supt Whincup saying this was true the Bench only ordered them to pay 6d each damages and 5s each costs.
The council agreed to the use of their roller and water cart (without horse) to repair private streets. The cricket club could borrow the horse roller without charge apart from 2s 6d if the council had to fetch it back.
A very large meeting was held on Maxwell's ground in Station Lane (the fair ground) to consider replacing John Austin, MP for Osgoldcross, by Charles Roberts. Austin had voted against certain Bills in the Commons which, as a Liberal, he should have supported. Roberts addressed the meeting and showed a handbill put out by Austin which alluded to Austin's gifts to Featherstone's miners. Roberts said it was a huge blunder by Austin to appeal for the miners' votes on the grounds of charity and generosity. A resolution in favour of Roberts was carried.
There then followed a meeting for Austin. It should have commenced at 7pm but he had nor arrived so it started at 7.30pm without him. He eventually turned up and said he voted against the Local Veto Bill because it would close the public houses. After a stormy meeting a resolution in favour of Austin was passed.
The Featherstone Maypole Dancers and the Assembly Rooms Theatre string band were the main attractions at a garden party at Featherstone vicarage,
A free entertainment in the North Featherstone National School to advertise the Convalescent Fund had to be abandoned because of lack of interest. The Convalescent Fund officials were hoping to raise enough funds for a trained nurse as well as sending people away to convalesce.
JULY John Austin decided to settle the issue over his right to be the local MP by resigning his seat and putting up again. He received 6,818 votes and Charles Roberts only managed 2,892. John Austin toured the whole area including Featherstone after the poll was declared. He had been the MP since 1886.
The council agreed to give £2 to Ephraim Dixon whose beds had been burnt after an outbreak of typhoid fever. They also agreed to buy three public seats for each ward to be placed in suitable positions at a cost of 38s 6d each.
James Bryan was in court for having in his possession four rabbits and an unmuzzled dog. He had been found by the police walking along Pontefract Road. He was dirty and they suspected he had been poaching so they searched him and found the rabbits.
He claimed he had been to Pontefract the night before where he had bought the rabbits off a woman called Ann France. He then went to a public house and afterwards set off for Featherstone somewhat intoxicated. He sat down for a rest and fell asleep and did not wake up until the next morning. Then he met the police.
Ann France told the court she had sold the rabbits so he was found not guilty on that charge but he was fined 6s 6d for the dog not being muzzled. (Dogs had to be muzzled because there were 672 cases of rabies in Great Britain in 1895, but only one so far this year.)
The council appointed Mr W Roberts of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, as surveyor. Mr Matthews, the ex-caretaker of the smallpox hospital, was appointed road foreman.
Charles Cox of Purston sued Thomas Waller of the Junction Hotel for wrongful dismissal. He said he was employed by Mr Waller at £2 a week on a year's contract as a brewer and a traveller obtaining orders. One day the drayman did not complete his deliveries and Mr Waller told Charles Cox to take the dray out. He refused and was dismissed.
The defence was he had frequently gone out to deliver beer, such tasks being within the agreement. Mr Huddock, the solicitor who drew up the agreement, said the duties were too numerous to be put separately and were only described in general terms. The jury gave a verdict for Charles Cox and awarded him £75.
AUGUST Purston Wesleyan Chapel had been getting funds together for some time to build a new chapel at the bottom of Station Lane, and the land had already been bought. Because it would be a long time before they could start building, it was decided to close the Purston Chapel in Hall Street for three weeks and completely refurbish it. During that time the services would be held in the field opposite.
Harold Kaberry, the clerk to the council, failed to turn up for the meeting and sent a letter saying he had a very pressing engagement. Cr Booth gave notice for the next meeting that the clerk be asked to resign. He said he had come miles and miles for nothing and the clerk was paid £80 for doing less. They had asked him and begged of him to attend better. Wasn't that the most important work he had as a solicitor?
John William Stead of Station Lane was an ex-constable from Leeds. One day he was going back to Leeds to visit the house where he had lodged when he was accosted by a young man who made an indecent proposal to him. He gave the young man a good hiding and then pointed him out to a policeman.
Because of the actual words Stead used to describe the incident the constable charged him with using obscene language and in court he was fined 10s or seven days in jail. John Stead claimed the case was only brought because of the enmity of a Leeds policeman towards him.
Hubert St John Durnford was manager of Ackton Hall Colliery and he and his wife were important members of the congregation at All Saints' Church, North Featherstone. They lived at Ackton Lodge and in August they held a garden party in the grounds to raise funds for the purchase and fixing of a large clock in the church tower as a memorial to the late Revd B Hinde and his father who was vicar before him. About £30 was raised and the £7 left over from the Jubilee Fund was added to it. Other functions were arranged to raise the outstanding amount.
Police Sergeant Sparrow resigned after 22 years in the West Riding Police.
SEPTEMBER The council decided to sack Mr Kaberry and advertise for a new clerk at £90 a year. Charles Lowden of Pontefract was appointed.
Leatham and Tew announced their bank in Station Lane would open on September 11. The banking hours would be 1.15pm to 3.45pm on Mondays and 10.30am to 1pm on Fridays.
The council meeting was concerned about the health of the district. The drains in Allison Street were considered unsatisfactory and there was typhoid in one house. There were now 5,000 loads of night soil a year across the district and the council would soon have difficulty in finding a place to dispose of it.
Cr Denton said according to the West Riding County Council medical officer of health Featherstone was the worst in the area with regard to disease. Many streets were nothing but sludge holes. Cr Durnford said unless they got the private streets in order regarding drainage they would always have typhoid. Dr Steven said there were seven cases of typhoid reported the previous night.
William Dyas was summonsed for deserting his wife and leaving her chargeable to the workhouse. He said he had gone to South Wales to work in the mines but they were on strike. The court was told the Pontefract Union had given his wife 2s 6d a week. He was sent to prison for one month with hard labour.
Henry Wardman applied for a full grocer's off-licence for his shop in Station Lane. On behalf of Samuel Banks (who was the previous shopkeeper and refused to give up the licence) it was said two-thirds of the inhabitants had signed a petition against the transfer, but the Bench said they could not get involved in private quarrels and the transfer was granted.
Mr Durnford, manager at Ackton Hall Colliery, had sacked four night deputies for wasting their time in the pit bottom. One of them, Samuel Rushton, took him to court for lost wages but the Bench dismissed his claim.
The Featherstone and Purston Convalescent Fund had collecting boxes in the hotels and working men's clubs. The total for the past year was £14 12s 6d and seven patients had been sent to convalescent homes.
A concert was held in North Featherstone National School to raise funds to provide a district nurse.
Ratepayers in Gas House Lane held a meeting to persuade the council to make a causeway and to continue the path into Ackworth Lane and install a gas lamp. It was said the residents had to go through the fields because the lane was in such a shocking condition.
FEBRUARY The council agreed to lay causeways in Girnhill (Gas House) Lane and Post Office Road. Once again there was a discussion about the state of the streets. Typical comments were "Over the boot tops in sludge" and "The streets were a disgrace to civilisation". It was agreed to let the highways committee look into the matter.
MARCH The gas company reduced the price of gas last July and as a result sales and profits had gone up. The gas holder would not now hold a day's supply in mid-winter and it was proposed to have another. Mr Maxwell was in favour of a further reduction to the price so every householder could afford gas. The chairman raised the problem of collecting the dues and the installation of penny-in-the-slot meters was again discussed but no decision was taken.
The election results for the council were:
Purston - Peter Darlington, colliery manager, 209, Richard Cowling, shopkeeper, 178.
South - Henry Gledhill, shopkeeper, 213, Joseph Watson, postmaster, 36.
North - F Stebbing unopposed.
Snydale- James Eley, colliery manager, 194, John Walker, shopkeeper, 193, David Denton, innkeeper, 143.
David Denton had left Streethouse to be an innkeeper which was probably the reason for him not being re-elected.
Mr Hudson reported to the council to say the North Featherstone drainage scheme was finished at last and he recommended paying the accounts. The Council agreed and said the total cost of the scheme was £7,891 9s 6d, just £178 14s over the original estimate.
APRIL The council meeting re-elected Cr Walmsley as chairman by five votes to three. A vote of thanks was passed to David Denton for his 20 years on the Local Board and District Council. Cr Booth said the whole of the inhabitants would ever be indebted to him for his hard fight almost single-handed to obtain a good supply of water for the district.
George Hames, a fruitier from a cart, was charged with having weights from half a pound to four pounds which were under weight. He pleaded guilty and was fined 20s.
MAY The Burial Board allowed Mr Bolton, the curator at the cemetery, one shilling a week so he could keep a fire in his sitting room which was used by clergy and undertakers at each funeral.
Mr H Wardell wrote from Leeds to the Express thanking all the officials and workmen who had contributed to his testimonial on giving up his management post at Featherstone Main Colliery.
The council gave final approval for Mr Dobson's lodging house in Phipps Street providing he did away with the shops.
Sarah Jane Smithyman age 17 of Monkroyd Farm was in service in Bradford. She had visited her home and was returning to Bradford by train. After others had got out of the carriage she was left alone with Colin Machan of Wakefield. She accused him at Leeds Assizes of assaulting her. His defence was she was a consenting party and only afterwards threatened to report him. The jury found him not guilty.
William and Thomas Wakefield were summonsed for failing to contribute to the maintenance of their father who was receiving relief from the Guardians. An order had already been made on each of them to pay one shilling a week. Only William appeared in court. He said he was married with three sons and had paid what he could. The chairman told him he and his brother would have to pay the shilling a week.
Lightning struck Featherstone Main Colliery and damaged a chimney, office and telephone apparatus.
An inquest was held on Ernest Jordan aged eleven weeks who was found dead in bed. Dr Steven said a post mortem showed inflammation of the lungs and the verdict was natural causes.
JUNE Featherstone Main Accident Society had written to Pontefract Dispensary asking for a bed to be always available. The Dispensary replied if the hospital was full a telegram would be sent to Dr Steven so patients could be taken elsewhere.
Ben Horsfall and George Atkinson, pit lads, were in court charged with damaging a field of oats to the value of one shilling. Atkinson's mother said they were searching for his three year old sister who had not returned home after a Sunday School anniversary. On Supt Whincup saying this was true the Bench only ordered them to pay 6d each damages and 5s each costs.
The council agreed to the use of their roller and water cart (without horse) to repair private streets. The cricket club could borrow the horse roller without charge apart from 2s 6d if the council had to fetch it back.
A very large meeting was held on Maxwell's ground in Station Lane (the fair ground) to consider replacing John Austin, MP for Osgoldcross, by Charles Roberts. Austin had voted against certain Bills in the Commons which, as a Liberal, he should have supported. Roberts addressed the meeting and showed a handbill put out by Austin which alluded to Austin's gifts to Featherstone's miners. Roberts said it was a huge blunder by Austin to appeal for the miners' votes on the grounds of charity and generosity. A resolution in favour of Roberts was carried.
There then followed a meeting for Austin. It should have commenced at 7pm but he had nor arrived so it started at 7.30pm without him. He eventually turned up and said he voted against the Local Veto Bill because it would close the public houses. After a stormy meeting a resolution in favour of Austin was passed.
The Featherstone Maypole Dancers and the Assembly Rooms Theatre string band were the main attractions at a garden party at Featherstone vicarage,
A free entertainment in the North Featherstone National School to advertise the Convalescent Fund had to be abandoned because of lack of interest. The Convalescent Fund officials were hoping to raise enough funds for a trained nurse as well as sending people away to convalesce.
JULY John Austin decided to settle the issue over his right to be the local MP by resigning his seat and putting up again. He received 6,818 votes and Charles Roberts only managed 2,892. John Austin toured the whole area including Featherstone after the poll was declared. He had been the MP since 1886.
The council agreed to give £2 to Ephraim Dixon whose beds had been burnt after an outbreak of typhoid fever. They also agreed to buy three public seats for each ward to be placed in suitable positions at a cost of 38s 6d each.
James Bryan was in court for having in his possession four rabbits and an unmuzzled dog. He had been found by the police walking along Pontefract Road. He was dirty and they suspected he had been poaching so they searched him and found the rabbits.
He claimed he had been to Pontefract the night before where he had bought the rabbits off a woman called Ann France. He then went to a public house and afterwards set off for Featherstone somewhat intoxicated. He sat down for a rest and fell asleep and did not wake up until the next morning. Then he met the police.
Ann France told the court she had sold the rabbits so he was found not guilty on that charge but he was fined 6s 6d for the dog not being muzzled. (Dogs had to be muzzled because there were 672 cases of rabies in Great Britain in 1895, but only one so far this year.)
The council appointed Mr W Roberts of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, as surveyor. Mr Matthews, the ex-caretaker of the smallpox hospital, was appointed road foreman.
Charles Cox of Purston sued Thomas Waller of the Junction Hotel for wrongful dismissal. He said he was employed by Mr Waller at £2 a week on a year's contract as a brewer and a traveller obtaining orders. One day the drayman did not complete his deliveries and Mr Waller told Charles Cox to take the dray out. He refused and was dismissed.
The defence was he had frequently gone out to deliver beer, such tasks being within the agreement. Mr Huddock, the solicitor who drew up the agreement, said the duties were too numerous to be put separately and were only described in general terms. The jury gave a verdict for Charles Cox and awarded him £75.
AUGUST Purston Wesleyan Chapel had been getting funds together for some time to build a new chapel at the bottom of Station Lane, and the land had already been bought. Because it would be a long time before they could start building, it was decided to close the Purston Chapel in Hall Street for three weeks and completely refurbish it. During that time the services would be held in the field opposite.
Harold Kaberry, the clerk to the council, failed to turn up for the meeting and sent a letter saying he had a very pressing engagement. Cr Booth gave notice for the next meeting that the clerk be asked to resign. He said he had come miles and miles for nothing and the clerk was paid £80 for doing less. They had asked him and begged of him to attend better. Wasn't that the most important work he had as a solicitor?
John William Stead of Station Lane was an ex-constable from Leeds. One day he was going back to Leeds to visit the house where he had lodged when he was accosted by a young man who made an indecent proposal to him. He gave the young man a good hiding and then pointed him out to a policeman.
Because of the actual words Stead used to describe the incident the constable charged him with using obscene language and in court he was fined 10s or seven days in jail. John Stead claimed the case was only brought because of the enmity of a Leeds policeman towards him.
Hubert St John Durnford was manager of Ackton Hall Colliery and he and his wife were important members of the congregation at All Saints' Church, North Featherstone. They lived at Ackton Lodge and in August they held a garden party in the grounds to raise funds for the purchase and fixing of a large clock in the church tower as a memorial to the late Revd B Hinde and his father who was vicar before him. About £30 was raised and the £7 left over from the Jubilee Fund was added to it. Other functions were arranged to raise the outstanding amount.
Police Sergeant Sparrow resigned after 22 years in the West Riding Police.
SEPTEMBER The council decided to sack Mr Kaberry and advertise for a new clerk at £90 a year. Charles Lowden of Pontefract was appointed.
Leatham and Tew announced their bank in Station Lane would open on September 11. The banking hours would be 1.15pm to 3.45pm on Mondays and 10.30am to 1pm on Fridays.
 |
| Leatham and Tews bank in Station Lane. A photo from Barclays Bank archives. |
The
gas company finally agreed to have another gas holder. Mr Maxwell again
asked for gas to be supplied to the terraced houses and to drop the
price to 3s per 1,000 cubic feet. The meeting decided it was not
practicable. During the past half-year the company had made 7,475,000
cubic feet of gas, an increase of 759,000.
OCTOBER
Thirteen miners were sued for damages by Ackton Hall Colliery for
being absent from work. It was said the absence of two of them meant a
pack was not built and the roof fell in. It cost £10 to clear the fall.
The company wanted 10s from those two and 5s from the rest.
One defendant was so drunk the court refused to hear his testimony. Many excuses were given, but for the company it was said absenteeism had become so common they were bound to take action. Two cases were withdrawn and judgment was given against all the others.
James Hall of South Featherstone was sent to prison for 14 days for exposing himself to two girls going home from school.
John Edward Clare aged 49, a lodger in Clark's Buildings, was killed by a fall of roof at Ackton Hall Colliery. His wife came from Durham to identify the body. She had not seen him for six years.
One defendant was so drunk the court refused to hear his testimony. Many excuses were given, but for the company it was said absenteeism had become so common they were bound to take action. Two cases were withdrawn and judgment was given against all the others.
James Hall of South Featherstone was sent to prison for 14 days for exposing himself to two girls going home from school.
John Edward Clare aged 49, a lodger in Clark's Buildings, was killed by a fall of roof at Ackton Hall Colliery. His wife came from Durham to identify the body. She had not seen him for six years.
The
Tradesmen's Association decided to ask the council for a regular
collection of shopkeepers' rubbish, and to ask the gas company for a
reduction in the price of gas.
The council agreed to adopt the Public Libraries Act and to arrange to collect traders' refuse.
NOVEMBER Harry Wormald left his position as engineer at Ackton Hall Colliery because of ill health. The officials and employees collected £47 7s 6d. At a dinner at the Railway Hotel he was presented with a gold watch and Mrs Wormald with a gold bangle. The balance of £20 was handed over in a handsome purse together with a photograph of the pit's fire brigade of which he was the captain.
The Pontefract Garrison held an "Assault at arms" in Purston School in aid of the fund for families of Reservists sent to South Africa for the Boer War.
The council agreed to adopt the Public Libraries Act and to arrange to collect traders' refuse.
NOVEMBER Harry Wormald left his position as engineer at Ackton Hall Colliery because of ill health. The officials and employees collected £47 7s 6d. At a dinner at the Railway Hotel he was presented with a gold watch and Mrs Wormald with a gold bangle. The balance of £20 was handed over in a handsome purse together with a photograph of the pit's fire brigade of which he was the captain.
The Pontefract Garrison held an "Assault at arms" in Purston School in aid of the fund for families of Reservists sent to South Africa for the Boer War.
DECEMBER
Fred Lumb of Albert Street, a byworker at Ackton Hall Colliery, had
been told of the explosive power of detonators and he was experimenting
with one in his kitchen when it exploded. He received serious facial
injuries and the loss of a finger and thumb.
The whole district was without water for 24 hours when the large water main at Stanley burst.
Charles Walter Hill age 18 of Earle Street went with about 50 others to Ackton Hall Colliery's reservoir which was frozen over. He went on alone to see if the ice was thick enough to carry his weight, but after 20 yards it broke. His friend Harry Stringer tried to reach him but the ice broke again. The body was recovered about three hours later. The inquest verdict was accidental death.