1911

   HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE 

1911

EXPLOSION AT COWEY'S

   On Friday morning January 20 Mr Cowey, headmaster of North Featherstone Lane Senior Mixed School, went into Mr Watson's classroom. Mr Watson was in the process of transferring oxygen to an acetylene generator where it would be used to provide the illumination for a lantern slide show. He was assisted by Arthur Seal age 13 of Ebenezer Cottage, North Featherstone.
   Mr Cowey, said to be an expert lanternist, decided to test the generator, and there was a large explosion which shattered all the windows and blew holes in the ceiling. John Fletcher of Stanley Street was hit in the eye by a piece of glass and was cut on the nose and cheek. Mr Cowey was knocked unconscious and could later remember nothing of the explosion or what happened immediately afterwards. There were many other children with cuts, bruises and shock, the worst being Arthur Seal who was nearest to the generator and was badly cut about the face.
   Other teachers were quickly on the scene and one ran for medical assistance. Drs Eldon and Finch were soon in attendance and they treated the wounded and decided John Fletcher and Arthur Seal should go to Clayton Hospital. The Ackton Hall Colliery ambulance was sent for and when it arrived Mr Cowey had recovered enough to go with them. Both lads were detained and John Fletcher's left eye was so badly damaged it had to be removed.
   John Fletcher claimed damages for his injury but the County Council Education Authority refused to admit liability. A public meeting was held in Featherstone in July at which it was decided to fight the case, and an appeal was made for funds to pay to take it to the assizes. Another mass meeting was held in August at the Coronation Working Men's Club. There were 300 members present and they voted to grant £10 10s to the fund and send collecting boxes out.

   Mr W E Clayton-Smith was engaged as solicitor and he served notices on West Riding County Council and Robert Cowey, citing them as co-defendants in the action. Col Shaw, the Featherstone representative on the county council, also decided to give his support, and at the next meeting the county council decided they didn't have a leg to stand on and referred the matter back to the education authority to arrange a settlement.

   They offered £150 plus costs, but Col Shaw advised the Fletcher committee to turn the offer down. An increased offer of £200 was then accepted. Col Shaw gave £20, and Sir Joseph Compton-Ricket, MP for Osgoldcross, gave a similar sum. Together with the public appeal money it was expected there would be a final total of £300. This would be invested for John Fletcher's benefit and would be spent how the permanent trustees decided. The trustees were Col Shaw, Roslyn Holiday, and two people nominated by Featherstone Council. 

 

  PRESENTATION TO MR AND MRS DARLINGTON

  A meeting was held in the Drill Hall in February by the officials and men of Featherstone Main Colliery to do honour to Peter Darlington who had completed 25 years at the colliery, the last 12 as manager. The Express said he was popular with all grades of workers and there had been less friction at Featherstone Main since he took charge than at any other local colliery. He was a past chairman of the Featherstone School Board and Featherstone Council, and was presently a governor of Pontefract and District Secondary School for Girls. Collections at the pit had realised £77 and valuable gifts were purchased. 

  Thomas Ryan presided over the gathering, and he said they met to commemorate the goodwill which existed between the workers and the manager. The testimonial fund had been voluntary and it had been very well supported. Mr Darlington in his 25 years honourable service had shown tact, patience, and an impartial mind, and he was always accessible. But he had a boss - Mrs Darlington - a lady who was ever ready to take part in any good work; and she had undoubtedly been a great help to her husband in assisting him to reach the high place which he occupied among his fellow men.

  Mr A W Archer, secretary to the South Kirkby, Featherstone and Hemsworth Collieries Ltd, said 25 years in one place was sufficiently long to test the worth of any man. It was said when a man reached 40 he arrived at the old age of youth, but at 50 he was at the youth of old age. He trusted in spite of the onward march of years, Mr and Mrs Darlington would in spirit and energy always be on the side of youth and old age. Great changes had taken place in the coal trade during the past 25 years, and in the next 25 years there would be still greater change. A successful colliery manager needed great insight and great tact. He had to hold the scales between employed and employee, and he needed a knowledge of mankind and a sympathetic spirit. Notwithstanding the conversion of the firm into a limited company, the feeling of kindly sentiment was well maintained between John Shaw and the old warriors (the miners). Both John Shaw and Col Shaw had the welfare of the men at heart. He hoped Mr and Mrs Darlington would have a long life, and the good feeling which had found expression that night would long continue.   

  Edward Jones (his position was not given but probably a union man) presented Mr Darlington with a beautiful brass ornamental clock, a diamond scarf pin with slide combination, and a Queen Ann spade guinea dated 1714. He said Mrs Darlington's only fault was she had not presented her husband with a son to whom these splendid articles might be handed down; but there was consolation in knowing they had two fine daughters. Mr Darlington's fault was his splendid temper, for after the warm time Mr Darlington cooled down and never bore malice. The gifts were not an indication the men wanted Mr Darlington to leave, but that they wanted him to stay on to the end of his working days. Then they trusted these gifts would recall pleasant memories, and unpleasant things would be forgotten.

  Mr Darlington said he would value the magnificent presents they had given him not only for there monetary worth but what was far greater to him - their value in expressing the kindly feeling existing between himself and the workers.  He said it did not seem 25 years since he left Ruston in North Wales. His father had wanted him to take up music, but his father and grandfather were both colliery managers so he supposed the blood of a colliery manager ran in his veins. He came to Featherstone in 1885 and at the end of 25 years it was very pleasing to know such good feeling existed between them. He had always tried to do his duty to master and men, and Featherstone Main Colliery would not have been the success it was but for the help of the workers. In all his dealing he had been backed by John Shaw and Col Shaw, and he had never appealed to them in vain for assistance for a worthy cause. He could give them a number of instances where they had assisted old employees. In one they had enabled a daughter living in Manchester to keep her father, an old Featherstone employee, with her. Mr Shaw for years sent the man a weekly allowance, and the old man's last words were to thank Mr Shaw. He (Mr Darlington) took the opportunity to thank John Shaw for the magnificent silver rose bowl which he had recently presented to him. He thanked the subscribers for their generosity and ended " May this day not only be my best day, but your best day also".

  Mr B Bramley presented Mrs Darlington with a diamond cluster pendant. He said she had always shown sympathy towards the workers, and anything which was for the betterment of the workers had her hearty support.

  Mrs Darlington said their kindness overwhelmed her, but she would like to thank them for thinking of her in connection with this testimonial. Whenever she looked at that lovely pendant she would always remember the kindness of the officials and workmen at Featherstone Main Colliery.    

THE SURVEYOR AND OUTSIDE LABOUR

  It was the council's policy to employ workers who were local and were past their best as colliers. When the road foreman (Mr Rawson) signed on Jack Northrop there were rumours it was a fiddle between Mr Rawson and the surveyor (Mr Chesney) to employ someone from outside the district, whereas a Mr Marshall had been promised the next job. The council voted on, but did not pass, a vote of censure by Cr Hough on Mr Chesney for not following the council's policy. Mr Chesney wrote a letter pointing out the true facts and asking for an expression of regret at the voting.

  Jack Northrop was born in Wakefield and had worked in many places before he came to Featherstone eight months ago. He got a job at Snydale Colliery and lived in Featherstone Square. He worked from 12 to 23 January for the council. The road foreman stated he did not know, and had never seen Northrop before he applied for work.

  Cr Hough said the resolution was proposed because the surveyor had set on strangers. Northrop was literally not a stranger, but had he lived in the place long enough to have preference over other men in the town? Did Mr Rawson promise to find Marshall work, and why did he go back on his promise? The chairman asked Cr Hough to deal with the collusion claim. Cr Hough said in spite of the statement, he submitted Mr Rawson knew Mr Northrop before. The surveyor took the responsibility of the road foreman's actions. The chairman pointed out Cr Hough had claimed Mr Rawson had gone to Soothill to see Mr Northrop, but Mr Northrop claimed he had never been there, and it was hardly fair to say, and cynically say, Mr Rawson went to Soothill and then this man came. Cr Hough said he could not prove his allegations, and if the vote had been carried he would willingly have withdrawn what he said.

  The chairman said the vote was very properly not passed, but that did not alter the fact imputations had been cast on the road foreman and the surveyor. There was no truth to back any connection with the man and the foreman going to Soothill. Cr Hough said he was pleased the censure was not passed, and Cr Evans, who had seconded it, said he would have now apologised if it had been passed.

  The chairman said they all desired to give old residents the preference, but there was no doubt Mr Chesney had now been quite exonerated.   

 WAS HALFPENNY LANE A ROMAN ROAD?

  Featherstone Council had used the Private Street Works Act to obtain improvements to the streets in the Girnhill Lane, Station Lane and Green Lane areas. This year they made a move for those streets from Halfpenny Lane northwards. The various owners didn't agree with the council regarding liability, sharing the cost and allowances for work already done, so in February it ended up in court.

  The previous August the council had decided to appoint Mr W H Fearnley to prepare plans and specifications for the work. Samuel Chesney for the council told the court the streets named had various thicknesses of ashes and they were in a very insanitary condition. The proposed works were absolutely necessary. Owners who had already done a flagged pavement, or done other work would get the benefit in the apportionment.

  Mr Scholefield (for the objectors who said the specification was too high) said to Mr Chesney "The bigger Mr Fearnley can make the cost of these streets the better for him: he gets 5% - is that not so?". Mr Chesney had to agree.

  The Bench eventually decided the specification was too high, and where a property owner had already done work he should receive the benefit and not have it pooled as had been done in the council's apportionment.

  The other main argument was who should pay for Halfpenny Lane. Mr Scholefield said there was no doubt it was an old Roman road, part of a Pontefract to Wakefield road. The old name - Causeway Lane - was evidence the road had been made over an existing highway. It had been a public highway for hundreds of years and should be still repairable as such.

  Mr Glen, for the council, said the inhabitants at large could only be required to maintain the lane as a bridleway or footpath. It was because houses had been built and the lane made into a carriageway by owners of such houses the council ought to make it a street; therefore the owners should be liable.

  The Bench decided Halfpenny Lane was a private street within the meaning of the Act, and all the property there abutted onto the street so they would all have to share the cost. Mr Glen then asked the Bench if the objections to Mr Fearnley as a proper person to make the specification had been dropped as if not he would fight it. The chairman said there was no need to answer the question. He took it the parties would now agree on a revised scheme. 

HALFPENNY LANE (AGAIN)

  For years Pontefract Corporation had been trying to get Featherstone Council to share the cost of making Halfpenny Lane a proper road, and last year the residents around Green Lane organised a petition in favour. In January at the council meeting Cr Maxwell said the council had decided the opening out was not necessary. If Pontefract Corporation came to Featherstone with a scheme which would benefit Featherstone as well as Pontefract, and the cost of which would not be great, he for one would consider the matter.

  Cr Hough said there had been too much bounce on the council, and the council had allowed this. Members knew the deputies had been bouncing the petition around last year, and they knew how the signatures had been obtained, and yet they came there and received the petition like a lot of mugs.

  Mr Cheney, the surveyor, said when he went to Pontefract he was kept waiting for a considerable time, and when he saw the Pontefract surveyor the interview was cut short when a man from the county council arrived. He did not gather there was any scheme, but only the Pontefract surveyor had an idea of a scheme, that was all. In the end the council agreed until Pontefract came up with proper proposals for Halfpenny Lane they would do nothing.

  However at the next council meeting a deputation was received from the North Ward led by Mr S W Mason. He said there were very good reasons why the lane should be opened out. As far as the bottom end of North Featherstone Lane and the whole of Green Lane was concerned there was no good road to Pontefract for the residents, and they were prepared to pay a shilling for a shilling's worth of convenience. The present lane was a source of danger. Persons had to cross the level crossing at all times of day and night. Further, the lane was not a nice one for women and children to pass along at nights, and they knew of instances of women having been interfered with. A good road, well lighted, would remove this complaint.

  He knew the council had a lot of work on hand, but this should not be a reason for delaying the opening out of the lane. As soon as the lane was opened out building sites would be available. They also wanted to bring the railway company to reason. At present they had a monopoly and did practically as they liked. If the lane were opened out probably trams would be run, and besides trams being a great convenience the tramway company would pay half the cost of maintaining the road. The road up to the crossing would have to be made by someone - either the council or the property owners.

  The chairman said Mr Mason had put his case very clearly, but he had to remind him the railway company were not compelled to build a bridge. That was depending on extra lines being laid from Featherstone to Pontefract, but the line might not be widened for 20 years.

 Cr Poppleton said it would be better to build houses in Featherstone for the men who were now walking every day from Pontefract than to open out the lane. Then they would benefit from the increased population.

  The chairman said the deputation had asked the council to consider the scheme fairly and to go into the question of details. If after having done so the council found the scheme unreasonable, and gave their reasons for such a decision, he supposed the deputation would accept that decision. Mr Mason answered yes. The chairman thanked them for the interest they had shown in the proposals, and Mr Mason thanked the council for the way they had been received.

  Nothing more was heard until April when the Pontefract and District Trades and Labour Council sent a deputation to Pontefract Corporation. John Taylor was the spokesman and he said a large number of men employed at the collieries in Featherstone travelled the lane daily, and in bad weather found it was most uncomfortable and altogether unsatisfactory. These men paid rates in Pontefract and felt they had a right to consideration. Objection had been raised that Featherstone would suffer though its trade coming to Pontefract. If he could not sell as cheaply at Featherstone as Pontefract tradesmen he would shut up. He did not believe people were going to come to Pontefract and carry their purchases two miles. The benefit would be mutual if the road was opened out.

  Mr Ramsden said he believed the tramway company would run trams cheaper than the trains. They would also have the advantage of not having to wait three-quarters of an hour for the trains.

  Mr Pacer pointed out the serious condition of the lane at times, the danger in dark and foggy weather, and it was not safe for respectable women and children at night. The tramway company would probably take the matter up because there were more people using this road than the Castleford road. The mayor (Featherstone's Col Shaw) said the corporation were very pleased to hear the deputation's views which would receive full consideration. In spite of the deputations at both ends, nothing further was done in this year. 

         

FARMER HOLLIDAY'S CLOCK

  John Henry Shepherd, a horse dealer of Ferrybridge, went with Mr R Warrender, a farmer, to Thomas Holliday's farm at North Featherstone to look at a horse. While they there Mr Holliday showed them eleven pigs and he (Mr Shepherd) offered £42 for them. Mr Holliday wanted £50 which he considered too much. They went into the house to have a drop of whisky and while they were there he admired an eight day grandfather clock. Ultimately a deal was struck whereby Mr Holliday would take £50 for the pigs and clock, and he would keep the pigs for another week.

  One week later Mr F Wilson, Mr Shepherd's servant, took a £50 cheque for the pigs and said he would come for the clock the next day. Mr Holliday abused him about the clock and saying he had had the clock thrown in his face ever since last week, and he wished Mr Shepherd had been in hell rather than come to his place. Mr Shepherd's son turned up for the clock but Mr Holliday refused to let him have it.

  Mr Shepherd sued for the return of the clock or £6 5s, its value and damages. In court Mr Bentley, for Mr Holliday, said there could be no claim for the return of the clock because Mr Shepherd never had it. His Honour agreed and allowed Mr Clayton-Smith to amend the claim.

  Mr Holliday said he persistently refused to sell the pigs, and it was only when Mr Shepherd was leaving an agreement was reached. He told Mr Shepherd he would have to see his wife about the clock. He had bought the clock 25 years ago for a sovereign, and when Mr Shepherd agreed to pay £50 he said give me the old clock for luck, but he didn't agree.

  His Honour decided the evidence was in favour of Mr Shepherd, and the only thing to be decided was the value of the clock. Mr Holliday said it had not gone for 20 years and was without weights and pendulum. His Honour - then it is worth nothing at all. Mr Bentley - That is exactly our case. 

  His Honour then asked Mr Holliday if he would let Mr Shepherd have the clock. Mr Holliday replied my wife says if that clock goes she goes with it, and he (Mr Shepherd) wouldn't want her, I suppose. His honour - Will you deliver up the clock or pay £2 5s. Mr Holliday - I'll pay £2 5s. So in the end Mr Holliday paid £2 5s and kept the clock and his wife.      

ALL SAINTS v ST PETER'S

  The original Featherstone round All Saints' Church seemed to have been there for ever and there was always a bit of an edge between the residents there and those south of The Green who were looked upon as newcomers. The building of St Peter's Mission Church on Green Lane seemed to make the divide wider as the following April report in the Express explained.

  "The ancient parish church of Featherstone was the scene of unprecedented proceedings on the occasion of the annual vestry meeting on Monday night. What happened was a disgrace to any religious organisation. The meeting was announced to be held in the vestry, but it was quickly evident the accommodation therein would be all too small for the attendance. We do not know who was responsible for the meeting to be held in the church itself, a place consecrated, dedicated, and set aside for divine worship. What did take place would have been from a religious point of view deplorable enough in the schoolroom, but that the sacred edifice was the scene rendered what happened the more regrettable."

  Revd Frank George Stebbing presided over about 40 parishioners who were supposedly to receive the accounts for All Saints and St Peter's and to elect churchwardens for the next year. The accounts showed the total receipts for All Saints were £62 while St Peter's had collected £117. After Mr N Langley, people's warden for the parish church, had presented the accounts Mr J Norton, a "southerner" asked if an account for the charities was to be produced. That brought a reply from the vicar that it wasn't the meeting for the charities accounts. The outcome was a long and increasingly bitter argument about the various accounts, whether or not they were accurate, and what should or should not go in them.

  Mr Norton wanted the meeting adjourned until proper accounts were produced, but the vicar refused. Mr Langley said the St Peter's party had been well coached for the occasion. He did not think it right for the wardens to work as they had done during the last year, and then be treated thus by persons whose motives were not altogether good. He accused them of coming with biased minds and the vicar agreed.

  Mr Stebbing wanted to put the accounts for approval, but the St Peter's group were in the majority and they wanted an adjournment, which the vicar refused. So it was stalemate and the church was now getting dark but Mr Stebbing made no move to put the lights on. He eventually put the motion to pass the accounts but only eight voted in favour so he did not bother to ask how many were against. He said the meeting was ended, the same churchwardens would stay in office, and they would have the power to pass the accounts without another vestry meeting.

  There were several protests at this, but Tommy Sides said if they had known what was going to happen the top end would have packed the meeting and carried the vote. The vicar said he was positive of that. After a further row the vicar declared himself ashamed of it all and he went into the vestry. The meeting then broke up. It was later announced Revd F H Jackson, the curate at St Peter's, and apparently a leader of the dissidents, had received notice from the vicar to resign his curacy.

  The Express commented further: "The scene at the Featherstone Parish Church on Monday was the culmination of a very long period of discontent. This discontent has been increasing for years, and practical interest in church matters has declined. With whom the fault lies we are not here concerned. With the advent of the Revd F H Jackson as curate-in-charge of St Peter's Mission Church there has been a gratifying revival of interest in the work of this particular part of the Featherstone parish. He has gathered round him an enthusiastic band of workers, and members of every nonconformist body in the town have expressed their admiration of his efforts to impart a healthier spirit to church life." The Express noted St Peter's had collected nearly twice as much as All Saints.    

  The people of Green Lane and district decided the only way forward was to break from All Saints and 1,100 people signed a petition to the Archbishop of York for St Peter's to be made into a conventional parish, and the curate, Mr Jackson, to be licensed to the Archdeacon of York. who was the Bishop of Beverley.

  The archbishop replied he had deputed the Bishop of Beverley to make inquiries, not only in this matter, but also other representations concerning the conduct of Featherstone church affairs. The bishop agreed to meet a deputation so Messrs J Norton, W Senior and Mrs J Taylor went to see him. They put the various points to him about St Peter's and the Featherstone charities and he promised to make his report as soon as possible.

  He pointed out St Peter's could not be made into a conventional parish unless the Vicar of Featherstone gave his consent. Even so, the deputation left with the impression St Peter's would be made as independent as possible and the payment of the stipend of the curate, whoever he may be, would be taken out of the hands of the vicar. At his next service Mr Jackson broke down during prayers and could not continue for a while. In the service he denied allegations that he had preached Socialism from the pulpit.
  In October the Charity Commissioners held an inquiry at the council offices into the charity accounts. One payment showed £6 18s 10d to Mrs Frobisher, Mrs Hodgson and Mr John Copley, the residents in the Bede Houses. They had alleged to another Featherstone ratepayer they had only received 15s between them. The inquiry was conducted in private by Mr A C Kay, a barrister, but according to those present his principle aim seemed to be to place all the charities under one body on which the council would be largely represented. The council, whose opinion was the present share out was unfair, agreed this would be an excellent reform. Regarding the allegations, Mr Kay said he had interviewed the three persons involved and they had told him the same. However, one was over 80 years old and their memories might be deficient. Mr Stebbing said the amount distributed was correct, but some of it had gone to other parishioners. Mr Kay said he had examined the books and only the three in the Bede Houses were named. Mr Norton wanted to ask Mr Stebbing who these other people were but Mr Kay would not let him saying nothing would be gained by pursuing the subject. Mr Stebbing agreed with all those present one administrative body should deal with all charities, and he undertook to sign a document in accordance with that decision within the next few days.
  The photo below of All Saints' Church is from the Featherstone Library Collection, and that of St Peter's Mission Church in Green Lane is from the Tony Lumb Collection.

    THE CORONATION OF KING GEORGE V

  A large number of people turned up to a meeting in Regent Street School to consider suggestions for the celebration of the new king's Coronation. Roslyn Holiday was chairman and he said the council had power to grant a certain sum of money towards the cost of the festivities (they eventually gave £250), but he urged public subscriptions should be the chief source of income. It was agreed the celebrations would consist of a dinner for the old folk and a tea for the children. The old folk would be the aged and poor of 60 upwards, and deserving cases under 60 would be considered. Prizes would be offered for the best displays, and circulars would be sent out asking for contributions to cover the costs. District committees were appointed for each council ward.  

  Come the day, the Express commented "In no town in Yorkshire has the Coronation been more loyally or thoroughly celebrated than in Featherstone. The 22 June 1911 will be a lifelong memory in the minds of thousands of the inhabitants".

  The only church service was the morning one at Purston Church held in conjunction with the Methodists. The Featherstone and Pontefract Companies of the Territorials attended along with the Pontefract Company's band. After the service the soldiers fired a feu-de-jois (a firing of guns in a token of joy) in the field near the church and the band played the National Anthem. Shops and hotels were elaborately decorated and the prizes were won by Mr Perry, Mrs Andrews and Mr Caley, all in Station Lane.

  The Purston and South Wards decided to combine their efforts. In the morning each scholar received a white china beaker, gilt edged with a portrait of the King and Queen. Each child also received a toy. At noon there was a dinner in the Travellers' Rest, Junction and Jubilee Hotels for all those over 60 and those incapacitated from labour. Another 20 old and needy persons who did not attend the dinner were given a grocery voucher value 2s.

  Then at 2.30 there was a procession from Regent Street School to Purston Hall headed by Featherstone Brass Band. There were more than 1,500 schoolchildren, tradesmen's decorated vehicles, and cyclists in fancy dress. In Purston Hall grounds the teachers and other helpers served tea to the children. The judging for the competitions resulted in wins for Bullock and Sons and Mr A Littlewood. The cyclists fancy dress winners were Henry Isherwood, May White and Hannah Hough.  
  After that there was a gala at Warren House Farm, but there was the problem of how to get 1,500 children there. Mr Holiday solved it by arranging for the younger children to be driven there. For the older ones he constructed a temporary "Halfpenny Lane Station" at the end of the Ackton Hall Colliery sidings, and a "Warren House Station" near the farm. The children walked to the sidings where they boarded specially decorated goods wagons and were taken down the sidings and along the Midland goods railway to the farm. The children greatly enjoyed the novelty of it.
  The North Ward children also attended school for their beakers and toy, and they also received a badge presented by Tommy Sides. There was a procession from Featherstone Station to Warren House Farm but the children also had the train ride from Halfpenny Lane Station to the farm. There they were given tea, and afterwards were entertained by Miss Robert's Infants' School maypole dancers. The old people were feted in a marquee in the field, and those unable to walk there were taken in waggonettes. The prizes for best decorated wagons were won by Ackton Hall Colliery and J T Jefferson and Sons, and Master Whitehead was the best fancy dress cyclist.
  Pupils at Loscoe and Snydale schools were also given a beaker, toy and tea, and their trip to Warren House farm was by a traction engine and wagons loaned by Ackton Hall Colliery.
  The evening entertainment at Warren House Farm was enjoyed by many thousands, and consisted of dance music by Featherstone Brass Band, music hall artists, a Punch and Judy show, fireworks and a bonfire, which was lit at 9.30. The bonfire consisted of 40 tons of wood given by Ackton Hall and Featherstone Main Collieries. It was 30 feet high and was said to be one of the largest in Yorkshire. It had been built on top of the stack and could be seen for miles around.
  At the actual Coronation, Master A G E Bell, son of Mr A G Bell, the secretary of the Featherstone Main Colliery Athletic Club, was the only boy scout from the district who had received orders to attend the Coronation. He was one of 500 scouts from England, Canada and Australia, and he was able to have a few words with General Baden Powell.
  When it was all over the coronation committee held a winding up meeting. It was decided each member should have a beaker out of the balance in hand of £4. Mr Holiday said the celebrations had been a great success and this was due to the enthusiastic way in which all the committee had worked. The occasion had served to bring the people of the district into social fellowship, and such good had been done thereby. Thanks were especially due to the ladies for the great part they had played in helping everybody to have such a bright time. The other members gave Mr Holiday a vote of thanks for his chairmanship, and especially his ideas about the transport, and as a final event they agreed to fund four prizes for each district's schools for the best essay on the Coronation festivities.
  The field where the soldiers fired their feu-de-jois is shown below. A photo from the Featherstone Library Collection.

  The Littlewood's decorated cart which won a prize. A photo from the Featherstone Library Collection.

    

THE MINERS' ALMSHOUSES

  For years the miners of Ackton Hall Colliery had gone on an annual trip paid for by levies from their wages. Because it was Coronation year the local union officials met Roslyn Holiday and asked him to approach Mr Lister with a view to him providing a free trip to all employees. Last year the levies had produced £200 and Mr Lister had provided the rest of the cost.

  Mr Holiday suggested to the deputation instead of spending the money on a single day's pleasure they should give the levies towards a fund for providing homes for aged miners. The deputation promised to seriously consider the matter.

  The Ackton Hall branch of the Yorkshire Miners' Association and the committee of the Ackton Hall Sick Fund held a joint meeting and agreed in principle. A mass meeting was held in May on the bowling green of the Featherstone Hotel with Mr Holiday acting as chairman. He laid before the men a proposal that instead of levying for a trip this year they should give the money raised by such levies to provide four or five homes for aged miners. Thus they would secure a permanent memorial of Coronation Year, and at the same time enable some aged workers to spend the evening of life in quietude and comfort. He announced Mr Lister would add £300 to the £200 the levies would produce and he would also lease free of charge a plot of land on which to build the cottages. A resolution accepting this generous offer and deciding to make four 6d levies was unanimously adopted.

  Now the men had agreed, Mr Holiday announced Mr Lister was so delighted with the committee's proposal to provide these homes, and with a view to marking his appreciation of the kindly feeling which existed between employer and employees, he had decided the workers should not be denied the pleasure of their annual outing. Therefore he would be very pleased to defray the cost of a trip. This offer was accepted with delight by the men and Arthur Cook proposed thanks to Mr Lister and Mr Holiday. He said Mr Holiday had again proved in the most practical way how keenly alive he was to the social welfare of the people of Featherstone.
  The council passed the plans in September. They had been prepared by local architect Mr J Hamilton Fearnley with a frontage on Church Lane facing Ackton Hall. The homes would be bungalow style built well above the road and bounded by a belt of sycamore trees. There would be a covered veranda in front and each house would contain a living room, bedroom, larder, coal place and toilet all under one roof. The living room and bedroom would be divided by a folding partition, so that in winter the bedroom would have the benefit of the heat from the fire in the living room. There would be an ingle-nook with an oak settle (high-backed seat) on each side of the fire, and a combination oven and grate.
  The exterior wall would be rough brick covered with stucco. The roof would be red tiles and the casement windows would have small leaded lights. The grounds would be laid out with flowers and lawns. The total cost was estimated at between £500 and £600. 

THE GUARDIANS AND A FUNERAL

   There was a row about a pauper's funeral in June carried out by Featherstone undertaker Mr Goodill after suggestions he had not taken proper care about the arrangements. The Guardians decided to make inquiries about the affair and at their next meeting the clerk reported the findings. He said he had sent a representative to see Mr Priestley of the Jubilee Hotel where the coffin was taken. Mr Priestley said he knew of nothing wrong although one man had got a slight stain on his clothes, but there had only been a short time in which to make the coffin.

  A letter was read from the vicar (Revd F G Stebbing) who said the woman (not named) had died suddenly. He had taken the funeral service and the funeral arrangements were properly carried out and with the undertaker present. The coffin was the usual quality for such coffins, and he saw no varnish run off. The funeral was conducted properly and he was pleased to testify to this fact.

  There was also a letter from the undertaker which said "The real facts are as follows. I personally attended the funeral. We had no bearers and no man touched the coffin except myself, my man and the curator. I drove in front of the hearse from the Jubilee Hotel to the Featherstone Cemetery. The varnish was perfectly dry, being spirit varnish, and no man's clothes were spoilt. The Revd Mr Stebbing can confirm my statement. I think no comments from me on the above are necessary, and I am sure Mr Earnshaw will apologise for having spoken on false information, as any gentleman would do". He also pointed out he was required to put on one coat of best oak varnish, but in the time at his disposal that varnish would not have dried, so he gave the coffin two coats of best spirit varnish, which dried in a few minutes.

  Mr Goodill had asked for an interview so he was now allowed in. He said the allegations were absolutely false. He did not walk with the hearse but he drove in front, and when part way on he went forward, so the hearse would not have to wait at the cemetery. The varnish was perfectly dry. It was abominable to make such statements. The report of these was not only in the local papers, but in half-a-dozen morning and evening papers. A man should be more particular to get information before he scandalised one in that way. 

  The chairman said it might have been the curator whose coat was spoiled. Mr Goodill said he had not seen him and if anybody had cause to grumble at that funeral it was himself. He had to wait at the hotel three-quarters of an hour, because the man in charge of the yard had gone away drinking, and in the end he had to get into the yard (probably for the hearse and horses) by using a screwdriver. He had very little time to make the coffin. The order was waiting for him when he arrived home at 11pm. He went to Featherstone the next morning to do what was necessary. Mr Goodill then left the meeting.

  James William Bentley, the chairman, said he thought the explanation was quite satisfactory. Mr Earnshaw said he complained the undertaker did not attend the coffin from the hotel to the cemetery. He was right in that if he was wrong in other things. He did not see the coffin himself, but he understood it was nothing like it should be according to the contract. The curator had told him the top of his jacket was stained with varnish, or with something that had come out of the coffin. He (Mr Earnshaw) would move the relieving officer attend all pauper's funerals in future, and see the coffin was in accordance with the contract, and the undertaker did his work properly.

  It was revealed the body lay from Tuesday until Saturday in warm weather, and Mr Addy said it was very likely what came from the coffin was decomposed matter. The chairman said he did not see they could do any other than pass the resolution that the account of the undertaker was satisfactory. It would be very unfair to contractors if unfounded reports of the kind were to be made public, and he was surprised Mr Earnshaw was not now prepared to withdraw his statement and regret he made it. He had not substantiated his case. Whatever came from the coffin was not varnish. Mr Spurr said that raised quite an important point. Should not the coffin be pitched? Mr Earnshaw said he was surprised at the chairman's remarks. He had proved the undertaker was not attending the hearse, and also something, if not varnish, came out of the coffin or off it onto a man's clothes. If something came out of the coffin that was worse, because it proved the coffin was not satisfactory. It ought to go into the contract what the coffin should be made of, and that would show it was not the Guardians' fault if anything came out of the coffin.
  The clerk said the reason for the long delay before the funeral was because the relieving officer could do nothing until he received the order for burial after the inquest. When put to the vote the motion was passed with only Mr Earnshaw voting against. 

DR BUNCLE'S 34th ANNUAL REPORT

  Dr Buncle's report for 1910 was the 34th he had prepared for the council, and as usual it was late, this one being presented in July. it showed the rates per thousand in Featherstone compared with England and Wales were:- births 36.6 and 24.8, deaths 11.5 and 13.4, and infant mortality 121 and 105 per 1,000. So about one in eight babies died, and the deaths of children under five years old was 56%.

  About this awful infant mortality the report said "A lady health visitor and assistant sanitary inspector were appointed at the end of the year. Her qualifications and experience were everything that could be desired, and she commenced work on the 9th of January, coincident with the Compulsory Notification of Births Act being in force in the district. Even now her work has been of considerable value, and carried through with much tact and discretion. Her special work is the newly born infants and their mothers, but she also assists in the diseases of children, giving instructions and leaflets to prevent their spread, and see they do not return to school or mix with others before the appointed time, at the same time notifying any sanitary defects or overcrowding. The schools are also visited where necessary, the one object being to reduce the infant mortality from all causes".

  There were no cases of smallpox or deaths from measles, but diarrhoea caused 10 deaths, and enteric fever, whooping cough and scarlet fever two each. Respiratory diseases caused 36 deaths; nobody died of the flu but the district was hardly ever free. Eight people died from tuberculosis and Dr Buncle commented "The only available shelters for present treatment are the grounds attached to the Pontefract Union Workhouse to which the patients have a sentimental objection. The question of a sanatorium has lately been fully discussed by the council, and they had practically decided to join the West Riding Sanatorium; but I see no prospect of that being built at an early date. I am still of opinion the most practical use the council could put the present, or late, smallpox hospital to would be to convert it into a sanatorium for consumptives".

  He was critical of the Joint Isolation Hospital for variously discharging patients too soon, or keeping them in too long. Some released early had suffered a relapse. The West Riding Education Authority was criticised for closing schools without either consulting or informing him or the local education sub-committee. He said he had added this to his report as he desired to know how he stood as medical officer of health, and the education sub-committee felt the same.  

  The sanitary inspector's report showed 2,200 inspections had been made during the year. WC's built totalled 29 and 12 privies were converted to WC's. There was a large number of conversions outstanding at the end of the year and the total of WC's in the district was 385.

  During the year 35 cases of overcrowding had been put right, but there were still 24 cases on the books which could not be cured because of the scarcity of houses. Fourteen cellars prone to flooding had been concreted. The total admissions to the isolation hospital was 82, of which 58 were scarlet fever, and 192 houses had been disinfected.

  The scavengers had to deal with 1,749 privies, 173 wet ashpits, 170 dry ashpits, 77 dustbins, ten butchers' bins and 13 cesspools.  

EDUCATION IN 1911

  In April it was time to re-appoint the education sub-committee and all the frustration of past years boiled over. The committee consisted of eight members of the council plus five others nominated by the council. Cr Protheroe proposed the committee should stay as it was except Cr Murphy should take his place. He thought being on this committee was a great waste of time. No notice was taken of any recommendations they made, schools were closed over their heads without their knowledge (for measles epidemics etc), and when they asked for an inquiry into anything which happened in the schools they were told it was not in the public interest they should know.

  Cr Murphy said he agreed to a certain extent they did not get the consideration they ought to have, but Cr Protheroe, as an educated man, should be on the committee, and should help them to do the very disagreeable work there was to do at times.

  Cr Poppleton agreed with Cr Protheroe, he had had 12 months of it, and he had had quite sufficient. They would spend hours discussing a matter, and would then in a sense be floored by the West Riding Authority.

  Cr Shaw (also Featherstone's county councillor) said it certainly was a fact the county council were appreciating much more the work done by the local committees, and were taking a great deal more notice of the recommendations. Things were much better this year than they had been, and he thought possibly next year would be better still.

  Cr Evans said judging from the attendance at the committee meetings many members were of the same opinion as Cr Protheroe, but Cr Shaw (apparently a notorious non-attender at committee meetings) said the educational work of the district covered much more than mere attendance at meetings. He believed they did about ten times as much as ordinary council members, and he would like them to get the credit for it.      
  Cr Protheroe was still of the opinion it was a waste of time and eventually his proposal was passed. The five added members were Mrs Buncle, Revd H S Rogers and Messrs A V Chapman, A Cuttle and A Higgins. Cr Maxwell said he thought these five members had attended as well as the council members. Cr Murphy disagreed but Cr Shaw said they had been very good members and their attendance had been very good indeed - Mr Higgins being perhaps the oldest supporter of education they had in Featherstone.
  At the July meeting of the committee the members were amused by the wording of a report on North Featherstone Lane Infants' School which said no opportunity should be lost in giving the children individual practice in story-telling. The feeling was the children needed no practice in telling stories (the untrue versions).
  After the explosion at North Featherstone Lane School the committee had recommended experiments in elementary science should only be given by a teacher qualified in science. The county council said elementary science was too wide a term to restrict who could teach it, but they agreed no experiments of a dangerous nature should be permitted. The committee agreed to ask headmaster Mr Cowey to submit a syllabus of science lessons for them to consider. It was also agreed to ask the county council to grant a certificate to scholars for proficiency in swimming.

  In October the committee had the usual request for a rise from a headteacher. This time it was Miss Tupman of Regent Street Infants. Revd Rogers said they should consider such matters in private, but the rest of the committee did not agree so it was revealed Miss Tupman was receiving a salary of £120 and her last rise was in 1908. She had the highest salary of all the local headmistresses and Mr Oakley thought she was getting enough. However, after other members had said what a good job she was doing it was agreed to recommend a £10 a year rise.  
  Miss Boulton, a teacher at North Featherstone National School, was entitled to an automatic rise providing she received a good report from her headmistress and school managers. The headmistress's report was very good and there was also one from Revd Stebbing but the clerk caused much hilarity when he said he couldn't read it. Eventually Revd Rogers managed to make it out and it apparently gave Miss Boulton a good report saying the children continued to make good progress. Mr Hough said "I wonder how he knows that. I'll guarantee he has never been in the school without he has gone to fetch something out". In spite of that the increase was recommended.
  The health of the children was the main topic of the November meeting. The actual problem wasn't stated but it would almost certainly have been head lice. There had been a medical inspection of the schools, and the county council had requested the cases should be handed over to the care of children committee if one had been formed. The clerk pointed out there was no such committee in Featherstone. Mr Maxwell said as they now had a lady health visitor the best thing would be to get her to advise the mothers in these cases. He proposed the lists be sent to Dr Buncle who would inform the health visitor.
  Mr Murphy said when a care of children committee was suggested the idea was ridiculed. Now they could see how useful such a committee would have been. Mr Maxwell said Miss Lee, the health visitor, could do all that was necessary. Mr Hough said what was wanted was not an official visit, but motherly or sisterly influence should be brought to bear on the mothers. Official visits in such cases might not be worth a curse. He would not like to think they had not sufficient and intelligent women in the district to form a care of children committee. Mr Maxwell said the health visitor went about her work in a very motherly way, and she would already be in touch with some of the homes.
  Mr Maxwell proposed the list of scholars affected should be sent to Dr Buncle with a request to the council that it should be dealt with. Mr Murphy seconded. This was carried, but Mr Hough said the mothers would do as they liked after the health visitor has been. Another proposal was passed to form a care of children committee.
  In December the meeting heard a report from the baths manager Mr Bilson. He said 80 children had received the council certificate and 40 the county council certificate, and nine boys had received the Royal Life Saving Society certificate for knowledge in rescue work. He said he would like the scholars to be sent at an earlier age than at present. The committee agreed in future the children would go to the baths at eight years old instead of waiting until they were ten, and they would be given swimming instruction for two years.   

 

ASSAULTED DOWN THE MINE

  Henry Smith, a Purston miner, was in court in August prosecuted by Ackton Hall Colliery under the rule "That no person must interfere with the working or workers underground, or damage anything provided for them so as to endanger the safety of the mine". He was also charged with assaulting Jepson Gascoigne, a fellow worker.

  Mr Bentley opened the case for the company and asked for the maximum sentence - prison without the option of a fine. Jepson Gascoigne said he was working in the Warren House Seam in place No.96 and Smith was working in the next place. He had filled three tubs and came out for some empties but Smith said he couldn't have any. He said he had a right to have one but Smith struck him and Smith's lamp went out in the struggle.

  He put a tub on the rails and then Smith hit him twice in the mouth and once in the eye. Smith followed him into his working place and took his lamp. He tried to get it back but Smith said "If i'm in the dark you shall be" and hit his lamp against the pack wall.

 Gascoigne was asked by the court what was the danger in such an act and he replied if gas had been released by knocking the lamp against the pack and the lamp glass had been broken there would certainly have been an explosion. (Note - The first is impossible and the second unlikely.)

  Jepson Gascoigne's version was backed up by Fred Hill, a fellow workman, and by Jim Vero, a deputy, who said he reported the incident, but Smith denied striking Gascoigne, and said putting the lamp out was an accident.

  Henry Smith told the court Gascoigne pushed him away from the tubs and his (Smith's) lamp went out. It did not hit the pack wall. Michael Ruddy supported Smith's version but under cross-examination admitted the lamp catched the pack wall.

  The Bench decided to convict and seriously considered prison as it was a very serious offence. They fined Henry Smith £2 for the breach of the rule and 10s for the assault.   

FEATHERSTONE MAN DROWNED AT WHITWOOD

   An inquest was held in August on John Taylor of Featherstone Lane whose body was taken from the River Calder at Whitwood. George Taylor identified the body as that of his father and said he last saw him four days earlier. His father had been run down and was depressed because of failing eyesight. He had not been to work for a month, but he had never threatened to take his life.

  Alfred Oliver, a Whitwood Mere miner, said he saw the body in the river about 300 yards from Dandy Bridge. He called the attention of a boatman, and after they had secured the body he called the police. The body was then removed to the mortuary.

  After concluding his evidence Mr Oliver asked the coroner to express an opinion as to the remuneration allowed in such cases as this. On this particular morning two or three men had passed near where the body was in the water. He did not wish to say they had seen it there, but if the remuneration was large they might take more notice, and bodies would not remain so long in the water before they were recovered. The coroner said if they did their duty men would recover the bodies, but he was unable to say anything more about it.

  Dr Steven said he had attended the deceased for about a month. The man had suffered from stomach disorder accompanied with wasting and weakness. This had inclined him to be low-spirited because he was no longer able to work. A post mortem had shown death was due to asphyxia by drowning.

  The jury returned a verdict of "Found drowned" being of the opinion there was not sufficient evidence to show how he got into the water. 

 THE SAILORS' ORPHANS' BAND

  The annual visit of the Port of Hull Society's Sailors' Orphans Homes took place in September. The lads arrived in Featherstone at 10am and first visited Featherstone Lane and North Featherstone, playing at the school. In the afternoon South Featherstone and Purston were toured and in total £5 5s was collected.

  In the evening there was a very large audience in the Drill Hall when the band presented a long programme. Capt Ingham presided and he said how dependent this country was on the Navy, the mercantile marine, and the fishermen. This being so he asked for hearty support for an object which could not be spoken of too highly - training the orphans of these men to be strong and healthy children. The fine appearance of the boys that night was excellent evidence of the good work done, and he commended the object to the people of Featherstone with every pleasure.

  Mr R B Oliver gave details of the work done by the society, and gave thanks to all who had helped to make this visit so successful, especially Mr T Hargrave whose heart and soul was in the movement. Over 3,000 boys and girls had passed through the homes.

  The Express said the orchestral items were not as good as in previous visits because the band contained 15 new performers and some boys were absent through illness. The boys were put up for the night by 13 local residents, and they went back to Hull over £26 better off.    

  The orphan boys' band in Hall Street, Purston. A photo from the original Featherstone Local History Group.

  A WIDOW SENT TO PRISON

    In September Ann Platts, a Featherstone widow, was in Castleford Court accused of deserting her children. George Wood, a relieving officer, said she was the mother of three children. He saw them running about the streets at Featherstone, and he found the mother had deserted them the previous night and had left the locality. At the house where the family had been lodging the children were turned out into the street. The grandparents took in the eldest but had no accommodation for the others. All three, two girls and a boy age 10, 7 and 3, were taken into the workhouse.

  Mr Wood said Mrs Platts had lost her husband at Ackton Hall Colliery over two years earlier and she was receiving compensation. From drink and other causes she was almost beyond redemption. She was unsteady and had lost her home and almost everything.

  Mrs Platts said her three children were 12, 6 and 4 years old, and as for drink the relieving officer was telling untruths. She had been to see a doctor who said she had pleurisy and ordered her to bed. Her husband's aunt said she would take the children while she was away ill for three days. She had not deserted her children and would be sorry to do so. She had them now at a relation's house.

  Mr Wood then confirmed the children were in the street and nobody was in charge of them when he saw them. The chairman said it was a very deplorable thing for a woman to be spending her money in drink, and she was sent to prison for one month. 

A DOG AND A STICK

  John Wheatley was summonsed by Earnest Eaton, both of Featherstone, for assault. In Pontefract Court in July he said he saw Wheatley throw a stick at his dog and when he went to speak to him he struck him across the face with the stick and knocked a tooth out. Wheatley also threw a stone which missed him but hit his wife. Eaton said he did not know the dog had seized Wheatley's trousers (produced as evidence) and he denied hitting Wheatley across the back with the stick and calling him "a ---- little monkey". He claimed his dog was quiet and wouldn't do any harm, and he denied his dog went for Wheatley. 

  Fred Blakestone and Mrs Hoyle backed up his evidence about the assault with the stick and the throwing of the stone, and Robert Scotson and Mrs Eaton also gave evidence for the complainant.

  John Wheatley said he was playing street hockey and the dog rushed for him and seized his trousers. It came at him again but he kept it off by throwing a stick at it. Eaton came out and said "I've seen you at it again", and he replied he would do it again if the dog came for him again. Eaton then seized him (Wheatley) and dragged him several yards trying to take the stick away from him. Eaton also said if he had got his boots laced he would have punched a hole through him. Eaton got the stick, hit him on the back with it, and then broke it.

  Daisy Dearlove (a girl), Mrs Blakestone and Mrs Wheatley gave evidence backing up his version of events. The Bench evidently believed them more than the others because the case was dismissed.   

A SEAMAN AT MONKROYD FARM

  In that same month of July there was a disturbance at Monkroyd Farm in Purston. In the early hours Mr Falkingham, the farm tenant, heard a noise in the yard but before he could get downstairs there was a crash of glass and he found the dining room window broken. He left someone keeping a lookout and he cycled to Purston Police Station. Sgt Taxworth and PC Cook came and found Francis Holt, described as a swarthy seaman of no fixed abode, hiding in the plantation.

  In Pontefract Court he was charged with doing wilful damage and stealing a blouse, a piece of flannelette and other clothes, the property of Albert Crossland, a byeworker who lived at Monkroyd Cottage. Mrs Crossland said the blouse had been left in an outhouse and the other clothes on a line. 

  The policemen's evidence was Holt was found lying on some of the clothes and others were found in his pocket. He also had a knife belonging to Mr Falkingham which he had taken from an outhouse, and he had used the knife to attempt to open the farmhouse door. The damage to the window was put at 7s, but Supt Aykroyd said there was no evidence he had actually got into the house.
  Francis Holt said he had called at Pontefract Barracks and had had a few drinks, and then he lay in the hedge near the farm to sleep. The man who did the damage must have thrown the clothes beside him. Supt Aykroyd said Holt had been seen by a constable on the Purston side of the farm at 10.45pm on the same night.
  Holt admitted two convictions for larceny and he was sent to prison for six months for the damage, and one month for the larceny, the terms to run concurrently.     

  This Ordnance Survey map shows Monkroyd Cottage on Pontefract Road and the track to Monkroyd Farm towards Halfpenny Lane.

 Monkroyd Cottage. A photo from the Featherstone Library Collection.

    

 THE RAIL STRIKE

  There was a national rail strike in August over union recognition and a wage claim. Negotiations between the union and railway companies broke down and an all-out national strike was called.on Friday 18. An alarmed Government arranged a meeting the next day and a deal was struck whereby a commission would be set up to consider the men's grievances. So the strike only lasted two days and this is how the Express reported its effect on Featherstone.

  "To a place like Featherstone, where coal mining is the staple industry, a long railway strike would be one of the most disastrous things that could happen. Although the present strike has been of but short duration the coal trade has felt the effects very keenly. This statement applies more particularly to Ackton Hall Colliery. As to the situation at the station, this was evident enough while it lasted, but in common with other local L & Y stations, something like normal conditions prevailed on Monday.

  "Including porters, signalmen etc there is a staff of about 20 men, exclusive of the booking and goods clerks, and on Friday morning only two of these men put in an appearance. Mr R S Bailey, the stationmaster, was away on holiday, and the station was in charge of Mr Morrell, a relief stationmaster. Friday was a happy go lucky day with the trains; no-one knew exactly when they were coming, or how many would run during the day. Notwithstanding the continued efforts of the pickets to get them to leave work, the two men remained on duty the whole of Friday, and Mr Morrell and the clerks performed many duties which did not ordinarily fall to their lot.

  "By Saturday morning one of the two men had seceded, but the other came on duty. But not a single train ran through the station on this day, and as the goods yard was also closed for the second day in succession, absolute quietness reigned. On Sunday Mr Morrell was alone in his glory, the clerk who should have assisted him being absent through sickness. The 8.52am train to Wakefield did not run, but a train came from Wakefield at about 11am. Mr Morrell, who was booking clerk and the rest, will have cause to remember his Featherstone relief. With the settlement of the dispute all the staff on duty on Monday turned in, and an excellent passenger train service was maintained. The goods yard was also opened.

  "The effects of the strike have been markedly felt at Ackton Hall Colliery, where practically all the trade is done through the ports. The goods yards at Goole, Hull, and other places being locked up there was an immediate shortage of wagons at the colliery, and although a start was made on Friday the colliery had to close down during the morning. Saturday and Monday were blank days. A fresh start was made on Tuesday, but one of the pits (seams) was stopped during the morning, and the whole colliery had to play again on Wednesday. Work was resumed yesterday (Friday) by which time a fairly large number of empties were available.

  "The state of affairs at Featherstone Main Colliery was much more satisfactory, the colliery not being closed once during the strike. Here they are still feeling the effects of the recent dock strike, but as they do a very large trade in house coal a railway strike would have to be of a longer duration than the present one to cause all the pits to be idle. Some inconvenience was felt by the cessation of Midland goods traffic, but the colliery has never been without wagons during this troublesome time." 

THE WATER SUPPLY

  The increasing population in Featherstone meant the council always needed more and more water from Wakefield Corporation. The bylaw making WC's compulsory in new houses and the conversion of privies made the situation worse, so in September council representatives met a deputation from Wakefield Corporation Waterworks Committee to consider what to do.

  At a council meeting the same evening the clerk reported the deputation had asked the council to give an assurance, subsequently to become a signed agreement, that until 1918 when the current agreement expired, they would take all their water from Wakefield and not sink wells on their own ground. The deputation said they had got this assurance from all the other authorities east of Wakefield, and as soon as they got the same from Featherstone they would ask Wakefield Corporation to sanction a scheme for larger storage reservoirs and a larger water main to serve Castleford, Featherstone etc. They hoped the scheme would be completed in a year, and it would then allow for a larger quantity of water than at present.
  They would couple up the old main as they went along, so if the scheme began at once Featherstone would get the benefit of a higher pressure and more water by next June. The clerk pointed out June, July and August were the biggest months for using water in Featherstone. 

  Cr Hough asked the other members of the sub-committee if they understood the deputation to say other authorities had agreed not to take water from elsewhere. Cr Maxwell confirmed this. Cr Hough went on that after the water meeting he had met Cr Smith of Castleford on another matter, and he had asked him if Castleford had given such an assurance and he replied not within the past two years. 

  What they had agreed was when their current contract expired in 1919 Castleford would take all their water from Wakefield. If this was so the deputation was beating about the bush and was trying to browbeat other authorities into assurances; simply playing one council against another. He did not know what Castleford's maximum and minimum quantities were, but he did know they paid 7½d per 1,000 gallons and 10d per 1,000 over the maximum. He suggested the assurance should not be given until figures had been obtained from other consumer authorities.
  The clerk said Featherstone's minimum was 75,000 gallons a day and the maximum 150,000. The price was 9d per 1,000 gallons up to the maximum and 10d per 1,000 above the maximum. He understood at the meeting other authorities had tried to obtain a higher maximum but had not succeeded. Castleford had signed an agreement which took effect in 1919 to take all their water from Wakefield. Perhaps the deputation considered that agreement as good as the assurance they sought from Featherstone.

  Cr Hough said what about the difference in prices? Cr Maxwell said they entered into an agreement with Wakefield and they have kept to it, and had nothing to do with anyone else's prices. Cr Hough agreed but said we don't want to make another agreement without knowing more about it.

  The chairman, Cr Darlington, said Featherstone had continually asked Wakefield to increase the maximum to 200,000 but they would not listen to it. If Wakefield were supplying Castleford at 7½d he considered it very unfair. Featherstone were very large consumers and had been so for a very long time.
  Cr Poppleton did not think the question of prices ought to be considered now. All Wakefield wanted was an additional agreement which would expire at the end of the present agreement. He always understood they got favourable terms. The only thing Featherstone was asked to do was to promise to take all their water from Wakefield until 1918 and this was a reasonable thing to do as they (Wakefield) would have to spend £180,000 to increase the supply.
  The clerk said Featherstone had taken as much as 340,000 gallons a day. Cr Poppleton said Featherstone were not getting sufficient water when they needed it most, and Wakefield were showing themselves willing to meet the increased demand, and the longer Featherstone delayed giving the assurance the less chance there would be of an increased supply by next June.

  Cr Hough said he did not wish to doubt the truth of the deputation's statement but it would be as well to ask the other authorities if they had given assurances. He moved no assurance be given until particulars were obtained. The chairman seconded the motion. He said the way Featherstone had been treated during the past four months was very unjust indeed. Wakefield might very easily refuse to go beyond the present maximum, and Featherstone would have no remedy under the agreement.

  Cr Poppleton proposed the assurance be given, and said no good would be done by delay. Wakefield water was very good for all purposes, and they would not obtain water on better terms from elsewhere. Now Wakefield were proposing to carry these improvements through Featherstone ought to support them.
  Cr Maxwell said they couldn't get the water from anybody else so it would be so much better to give the assurance now. What he desired was an adequate supply for the collieries by next spring, and the sooner the scheme was started the better would be the chance of this.

  Cr Hough pointed out Featherstone had no assurance the supply would be better by that time. Wakefield wold have to go through all the routine - applying to the Local Government Board etc. He saw no reason why Wakefield should get them by the nose and rush them into another agreement. Cr Poppleton said the Wakefield authority are awaiting our decision. Cr Hough said let them wait a bit. Cr Poppleton objected to a month's delay which might be very important to the scheme, and Wakefield were only waiting for Featherstone.

  The chairman thought it might be advisable to have the opinions of Crs Holiday and Protheroe (on behalf of the collieries) and as they were away at present he thought the council ought to wait until they got the information which these members could give them. Their present maximum was only 150,000 gallons and they needed much more than that every day. He agreed the domestic supply should come first, but it was also necessary the collieries should have an adequate supply, because if the collieries had to work short time on this account all the families in Featherstone would feel it. Eventually the council agreed to adjourn consideration of the matter for a fortnight.
  When the council reconvened, the clerk said he had had replies from Altofts and Normanton, no reply from Whitwood, and Castleford said they would not give details because they were negotiating with Wakefield Corporation. It was eventually agreed to give Wakefield the assurance they were seeking on condition the corporation increased the maximum supply to 250,000 gallons a day at 9d per 1000 gallons, and also undertook they would be in a position to supply Featherstone's future requirements.

  This was altered slightly at the November council meeting so that Featherstone would give the assurance to take all the water from Wakefield providing Wakefield agreed to supply up to 300,000 gallons daily, and if they were unable to supply that amount the Council would be at liberty to obtain the water elsewhere.

  Wakefield Corporation replied they could not hope to supply such a quantity next summer, so the council, not for the first time, sought a supply from Pontefract.

 THE SHOW DINNER 

  The seventh annual Featherstone and Purston Show dinner was held in the Railway Hotel in December. After the dinner Roslyn Holiday, the president, was thanked for his interest in the show. In reply he said the committee always came to him when in difficulties and it was nice to feel he had their confidence. The finances were down a little. He was sure this was due to the Coronation, and things would improve. He said the members had worked hard and he was pleased the exhibitors this year had shown considerably less produce grown by someone else. There was no honour in getting a prize for other people's produce.

  Revd H S Rogers had a good word to say for all, especially the ticket sellers. He said he was pleased in the horticultural section there had been less exhibits from Covent Garden.

  Mr A W Archer, secretary of the South Kirkby, Featherstone and Hemsworth Collieries Ltd, said Featherstone was not a health resort, although it possessed a set of miniature Alps. It had almshouses, but no workhouse, a council which was hardworking and enlightened, sometimes provocative and always self-important. It had been stated the rateable value of Featherstone was decreasing, and he pointed out the unfairness of the mine buildings and miners being in Featherstone, but if the coal was got from under another district, that district received the rates from the colliery. 

  He spoke of the death of John Shaw who had begun Featherstone Main Colliery. Mr Shaw and the late Lord Masham were the makers of the industrial town of Featherstone. The prosperity and the material happiness of that place was due almost entirely to these two men, and it would be an act of grateful recognition, and most appropriate, if a monument were erected in Featherstone in memory of these two distinguished men. 

  He said it had been a very bad year for the coal trade. New legislation meant increased costs and much form filling, and there was competition from the new pits in South Yorkshire which were opening up at an alarming rate.

  Dr Steven said during his 26 years in Featherstone the population had doubled and the police had trebled, but he must say the people were better behaved than they were when he first came there. He did not think they should grumble too much about the water supply. Before they got their present supply he had as many as 40 typhoid cases on his books in August and September. He was not satisfied with the drainage system, and the side streets ought to be improved. The council had deliberately allowed houses to be built regardless of any back or front streets being made, and this was the wrong way to meet the difficulty. 

  Sooner or later the Town Planning Act would be forced on them. Would it not be better to make the streets when the houses were built, the tenants to pay an extra 3d a week rent? It would be worth it from a health point of view. There were many houses overcrowded, and the council ought to solve this question. He could say a great deal more about sanitary matters if he wished. The health of Featherstone was very unsatisfactory. He urged working men to take an interest in these questions and band themselves together. If they didn't do this now they would have to sooner or later. He hoped they would have no strikes, as strikes did no good at all either to capitalists or men, and the men suffered most.

  He praised the allotment idea, but criticised the black sheds erected on them. There was no good reason why they should not grow their own exhibits for the show and also for their own health.

  Mr Hough said some of Dr Steven's ideas would be realised soon. The council were dong their best in sanitary matters. To Mr Archer he said many men in the trade were not getting a fair return for their labour.   

 

OLD FOLK'S TREAT

  For the third year running the Adult School Institute Committee entertained the old and needy people of Featherstone in the Drill Hall in December. There were 520 present including more than 30 from Pontefract Workhouse who belonged to Featherstone, Purston and Ackton. They were transported in charabancs. After tea the women were given four ounces of cocoa and two ounces of tea, and the men received two ounces of tobacco and a church warden ( a long clay pipe).

  Messrs Rowntree's of York sent over 200 chocolate cakes, and Messrs Freeman, Hardy and Willis donated two pairs of slippers for the oldest couple present - Mr and Mrs Thompson of North Featherstone Lane age 71 and 74. Gramophone records were played during the tea by Mr H Mee of Purston, and in the evening there was a concert comprising songs, a humorist, sketches, recitations, and Featherstone Brass Band. During the interval Mr Mee played the Poet and Peasant Overture on his gramophone.

MORE DEATHS ON THE RAILWAY

  There were two more deaths on the local railway lines at the end of the year. The first was Ralph Lynn aged 19 whose home was in Snaith but he was lodging in Featherstone. He was a signal-lighter and was going about his job in December when he was knocked down by a train. At the inquest in the Gospel Hall Peter Robinson of Wakefield said he was the fireman on the 12.28pm passenger train from Goole to Wakefield and they were passing the Snydale signal box at about 1.34. He first saw the deceased walking a few yards in front of the train between the two sets of lines with his back to the engine. He stepped onto the sleepers and the engine hit him. There was no time to sound the whistle and the train was pulled up as soon as possible.

  He told the driver they had knocked a man over and they ran back but Lynn was dead. At the time of the accident a goods train was passing the other way and it was possible this was why Lynn did not hear the passenger train. There was also a lot of smoke from the goods train.

  Garrett Frost of Wakefield who was the engine driver said he neither saw the deceased nor knew anything had happened until Robinson told him. He was at the opposite side of the engine and there was a lot of smoke and steam from the goods train.

  The coroner said there did not appear to be anyone to blame. The engine driver and fireman could not do anything in so short a time. The accident was one of those things which could not very well have been avoided. He advised the jury to return a verdict of death by misadventure, which they did and added such an accident was particularly bad at this time of the year.

  The body was conveyed from Featherstone Station to Snaith on Boxing Day where the local scout troop formed a guard of honour.

  A few days later William Bailey aged 63 of Robbins Terrace was killed at the Church Fields crossing (near the cricket field) which resulted in another inquest at the Gospel Hall. Enoch Lowe, a cousin of the deceased, gave evidence of identification, and said Bailey was in good health and had good hearing, but he had done no work for about a year apart from odd jobs.

  Albert Hodgson of Wakefield was driving the Hull to Wakefield express which passed the Church Fields crossing about 7.15pm. He sounded the whistle for a considerable time before the crossing. He neither saw nor felt anything but in the sheds at Wakefield he found bloodstains on the bogie. He did not have to sound his whistle for the crossing but he had always done so.

  Sam Rissling of the station yard said he was told to search the line and at about 9pm he found the badly mutilated body near the crossing. It was taken to the Railway Hotel.

  The coroner advised the jury to return a verdict of accidental death. There did not appear to be any reason to suppose the deceased intended to take his own life. The jury agreed and said they wished to call the attention of Featherstone Council to the great need for a public mortuary. The coroner said in a place the size of Featherstone there ought to be a proper place for the reception of dead bodies.           

THE CINEMA COMES TO TOWN

   There had been film shows in Featherstone before but there was no purpose-built building until in October the council passed plans for an electric theatre in Station Lane. Just ten weeks later it was up and running. The Express described it as follows.
  "The most popular entertainment at present is the moving picture exhibition, and almost every town in Yorkshire has been covered for Featherstone has not lagged behind, and on Saturday a fine Picture Palace erected for the Electric Theatre Syndicate in Station Lane was formally opened. The erection of the building has been the talk of the town for weeks, and never has such a large place been put up in the town in so short a time. From the foundations being dug to the opening ceremony but ten weeks elapsed. The building has a very attractive frontage and is a distinct adornment to the town. Inside there is seating accommodation for 800 persons, and excellent arrangements have been made for emptying the theatre.
  "The walls have been treated with a special asbestos paint, which is claimed to be absolutely fireproof. No sheet is used for the pictures which are displayed on a concrete wall. This is said to be an improvement on the old method. Mr J T Issott, who has considerable experience in this class of venture, is the courteous and able managing director, and he is determined to give a programme of clean and up to date pictures.

  "There was a very large audience for Saturday's opening ceremony, which was performed by Mr John Walmsley JP, who was introduced by Mr Issott. The speaker spoke of the growth of Featherstone, and said there was ample room for a picture palace. He trusted the pictures would have an educational value, and he wished the venture every success. A fine set of pictures was then shown and the audience were most appreciative.

  "Commencing with Boxing Day two performances have been held nightly. Dramatic, comic and other pictures were shown, all of them excellent in their way, and exceptionally clear and steady. Mr Issott is to be congratulated on his choice of films and as he is fully alive of the need of being absolutely up to date in this class of entertainment, the patrons of this comfortable house may confidently expect the best,"
  The admission prices were 3d, 4d and 6d. 

THE FIRST COUNCIL HOUSE SCHEME

  The building of houses to rent had ceased in Featherstone. The reasons were the continuing improvements in housing conditions required by the council. The first thing to be banned was back-to-back houses, described as jerry-built by more than one councillor. Then there had to be a decent clear space at front and back which meant fewer houses per acre. Other compulsions followed such as six inches of concrete for the foundations, a pavement at the front, paved or bricked back yards, roads made of stone instead of ashes, and no more privies. Apart from all that the rates were on a steady increase to pay for all the improvements made by the council such as street lighting, mains water and sewage.

  Thus the terrace builders of previous years decided they could no longer build houses at a rent the workers could afford which would give them a good return on their capital. But the workers kept coming in so the obvious result was overcrowding, which in turn meant more disease.

  To combat this the Government passed the Housing of the Working Classes Act which allowed local authorities to borrow money and build council houses to let at an affordable rent. Featherstone Council adopted the Act and the surveyor prepared a scheme for 54 houses south of Girnhill Lane. Mr W H Fearnley, a local architect, was asked to estimate the cost of such houses.

  In December, one year later, Cr Evans asked why nothing definite had been done about the housing scheme. Had the scheme been dropped? He understood some time ago all the council were waiting for was for the price of certain land. The chairman, Cr Holiday, replied plans had been submitted, he had undertaken to learn the price of one suggested plot, but he had been so very busy he had not been able to attend to this matter. He would now go into the question at once.

"UNSOUND SAUSAGES"

  This headline in the Express had the sub-heading "A curious Staffordshire custom". It came about when the council were the prosecutors in a case at Pontefract Court in December. They were represented by Mr Woodhead, a solicitor, on a charge against Percy Townend, a butcher of Normanton, of selling unsound sausages. Mr Woodhead said after reviewing the evidence the council felt bound to bring the charge in the interests of the Featherstone public.
  Mr J A Haigh, clerk to the council, gave details of resolutions passed by the council in relation to the charge, and produced the files of the Pontefract and Castleford Express for 1891 showing in March 14 the council had formally advertised their adoption of the Public Health Act of 1890.
  Joseph Sagar, nuisance inspector for the council, stated on the night of Saturday October 21 William Taylor brought some sausages to be examined. The smell was very offensive and the skin was sour. The sausages were quite unfit for food. He went to see Percy Townend who admitted the sausages were a bit sour. He told him the sausages would be kept until next Tuesday to allow him (Townend) to have them examined, but no application for examination was made.

  William Taylor of Crossley Street said he bought some meat off Percy Townend who made the weight up with some sausages. After he got home he was going to eat the sausages raw. Mr Woodhead asked him "Do you like raw sausage?". Mr Taylor said "Yes, I am a Staffordshire man". Continuing he said he could not eat them because they were sad. He went back to the stall and bought another half-pound of sausages and took them to Mr Sagar. These were only a bit sour and Mr Townend said he would take no harm if he got nothing worse. Cross-examined he said he was sober at the time.
  Dr Buncle, medical officer, said he had not the slightest doubt the sausages were unfit for human food. On the day they were brought the smell was most offensive. On their being cut the odour nearly brought his dinner up.
  Mr W G Schofield (occupation not given but presumably a food expert) said the sausages on October 22 were absolutely unfit for human consumption, their condition suggesting ptomaine (poisonous amino-compounds formed from putrefying animal tissue). Percy Townend said the meat from which the sausages were made was bought on October 18. The sausages were made on the 20th and the skins were made from a sheep killed on the 19th. Taylor was not sober when he came the first time, and he refused to buy meat unless he was given a bit of sausage. He did tell Taylor later the sausages were a bit sour, but they would do him no harm.  John Turner of Normanton said he helped to make the sausages at Mr Townend's Normanton shop on October 21 and there was nothing wrong with them.

  The chairman said the Bench were convinced the sausages were unfit for food. The defendant was fined 20s and £3 10s costs, and if he didn't pay he would go to prison for one month.

   

                                                       1911 NEWS ITEMS

 JANUARY  At an inquest on Harold Moss aged 10 months of Crossley Street it was said he slept between his parents and was found dead in bed one morning. Dr Finch said death was caused by convulsions consequent on lobar pneumonia and there was no evidence of neglect. The verdict was natural causes.

  The owners of property in Station Lane, George Street, Fearnley Street, Arundel Street, Short Street, Allison Street, Station Road, Maxwell Street, Aberdeen Terrace and Belle Vue Terrace were ordered by the Council to change privies to WC's within 28 days.

  George Hill of Featherstone and Walter Burnley of Pontefract, pony drivers at Ackton Hall Colliery, were each fined 20s for driving more tubs than they were allowed. Mr Clayton-Smith said it was a very dangerous practice and he asked for heavy penalties.

  Arthur Darbyshire of Purston saw Robert Cunningham outside the Junction Hotel at 11pm. Cunningham said he had nowhere to sleep so Darbyshire let him sleep on his sofa. Next morning Cunningham was gone and so were some clothes and a knife. PC Shaw arrested Cunningham in Wakefield with the articles on him. Supt Ackroyd said he had several previous convictions for theft and he was sentenced to three months with hard labour. He was then handed over to Sheffield police who also had a charge against him.

FEBRUARY  The Burial Board were trying to obtain land to extend the cemetery. The trustees of the late T Hepworth Hall refused to sell so Christ Church, Oxford, had been approached months ago and said they would send their treasurer but at present he was fully occupied. The board's current debt was only £157 so they would have no difficulty in raising the money.  

  The council agreed to increase the salary of their surveyor, Samuel Chesney, from £160 to £200 because of increased work for the Snydale sewage works changes and the proposed council house scheme. Joseph Sagar, the sanitary inspector, also received an increase from £127 to £150 because the Local Government Board had written pointing out sanitary inspectors should not be paid on the least scale possible as this tended to make them unsettled, and it was not in the best interests of the town from a sanitary point of view.

MARCH  The capacity of the Lister Hall (it was the name of the baths in the winter) was tested when 1,186 schoolchildren assembled there for a cinematograph entertainment put on by Cr and Mrs Scholes. Every child was given an orange.

  At the council meeting Cr Poppleton protested at the expensive luxuries the council were indulging in such as a bicycle for the health visitor to cost £8 8s, but he did not receive any support from the other councillors. There were many applications to the council to change privies into WC's. The Bede houses were now in a poor condition and were unoccupied. The Charity Commissioners had suggested all the local charities should be combined, and the Bede houses should be rebuilt.

Corrigan's Pitcherdrome opened in Station Lane. The first film was The Great Fox Hunt which was over 2,000 feet in length. It was advertised that a special performance at a reasonable charge could be arranged on receipt of a postcard one hour prior to the time required.

  The Council elections resulted as follows.

North Ward  Peter Darlington 621  Thomas Garritty 189

Purston Ward  James Maxwell 386  Joe Blades 203

South Ward  W H Scholes 230  S Batten 221
J J Murphy was unopposed in the Ackton and Snydale Ward. The Express commented all the councillors in this ward were Labour members.
At the first meeting of the new Council Roslyn Holiday was re-elected chairman.

APRIL  George Randall learned his football at George Street School and he became one of the best known players in Yorkshire. He played for the county before the Northern Union was formed, and at the peak of his career he was one of Hunslet's renowned "terrible six" forwards. He ended his playing days with Purston White Horse who arranged a benefit match for him. Hunslet sent their best side who were much too good for the "Osses" winning 29-12. Many tickets had been sold for the game and it was expected to realise  £15 for the benefit fund.

  The Burial Board arranged to meet in the Salvation Army Barracks but they were locked out for 15 minutes because the caretaker had forgotten about them. Then when darkness fell the gas burners refused to light, so the caretaker produced a candle and acted as torchbearer until the meeting ended.

  The 16th annual meeting of the Convalescent Fund was held in the Welsh Mission. The report regretted expenditure had exceeded income. 21 persons had benefited from the funds during the last year and the balance in hand had gone down from £74 to £64. Hotel and club collections had raised £12, and £11 had been subscribed by a club committee. Money had also been raised by house to house collections, a charity cricket match and the annual Sunday concert.

MAY  The council passed plans for a surgery in Green Lane for Dr Steven, and approved the conversion of more privies into WC's. The number of these conversions was causing a big increase in the demand for water. The Local Government Board had sanctioned loans of £6,330 for 30 years and £800 for 15 years at 3½% for improvements to Snydale sewage works which would take care of the end result, but at the inlet end the water pressure in North Featherstone was frequently too low.
  The council had asked Wakefield Corporation to turn up the pressure, but the council's clerk said the water contract was for a minimum of 75,000 gallons a day and the maximum was 150,000 gallons. The average daily consumption last year was 233,000 gallons. Mr Darlington said if Wakefield cannot supply we shall have to seek water elsewhere, but the surveyor said it wasn't the quantity that was short - it was the pressure.
 
JUNE   Beatrice Caley, the 14 years old daughter of butcher Alf Caley, had just learned to swim. She got into difficulties at the deep end of the Lister Baths and attendant Miss Bramley had to jump in fully clothed to rescue her. Beatrice was taken home and took a few days to recover from her near drowning.

   Christ Church, Oxford, had offered to sell land to the Burial Board to extend the cemetery at £200 per acre providing sycamore trees were planted at the south side. They claimed the higher price than before was because the extension would reduce the value of the rest of their land as building land. The Burial Board were not pleased at the rise of £50 an acre, or the need to plant trees, and said they would approach Hall's trustees for another piece of land which they had previously refused to sell.

   The council decided to ask Wakefield Corporation if they (the council) could connect a pump to the water main to increase the pressure to North Featherstone. The collieries and the railway would be asked to contribute to the cost. If necessary the pump would be run during the night time only.
   Cr Poppleton proposed the concrete under new houses should be reduced from six inches to three inches to encourage private builders. He said it was nonsense for the sanitary inspector to give instructions as to overcrowding. Where were these people to go if they were turned out of an overcrowded house?
  Cr Maxwell said it wasn't the concrete but the high rateable value and the cost of the street works that had stopped private building. Cr Murphy opposed the change from a health point of view. He said according to Dr Low, Featherstone was one of the blackest districts in England.

   Last August Harold Bates, a Featherstone pony driver, saw the roof over his pony was breaking, so he went to it, unhitched it and led it to safety. Immediately they were clear the roof fell in and it took several hours to clear the debris. Along with others he was invited to Lord Plymouth's London home where he was presented with the Fitzwilliam Medal given by Lady Fitzwilliam for acts of special kindness in connection with the Yorkshire Society for the encouragement of kindness to pit ponies. He also received a silver medal from Our Dumb Friends' League. Roslyn Holiday was also present. The photos below are from the BBC Antiques Roadshow website and the National Museum Wales website.

 

AUGUST   The Ackton Hall Colliery ambulance team won the Dempster Ambulance Shield for the third time in Succession. At the Harrogate Hospital Gala Featherstone Main Colliery team won the ambulance brigade competition and Ackton Hall were second. The winners received an electro-plated cruet, and the runners-up an electro-plated teapot.

   There were many more plans for privies to be converted into WC's presented to the council meeting. They were all passed. The Local Government Board refused the council's application to make Dr Buncle's appointment as medical officer a permanent one, and it would have to be renewed annually.

   Because the men at Ackton Hall Colliery had agreed to have levies for the proposed miners almshouses Mr Lister payed for a trip to the seaside. 2,000 men and their families went on four special trains to Bridlington and Scarborough. Those unable to go received 2s each.

   After the Featherstone Show it was discovered the winning rabbit had been removed from its cage and another put in its place. Eventually the stewards were given a tip off, and the winning rabbit was found at the house of a Featherstone man.

   John Randall aged 65 of Granville Street was found by a neighbour, Thomas Harvey, in the allotments with his throat cut. Drs Steven and Finch arrived and found the wound was not too serious, so Mr Randall was sent in a cab with his son to Pontefract Dispensary.

   An inquest was held on Raymond Rushworth aged seven of Dickinson Terrace. His father William said he arrived home to find Raymond sitting in a chair with a scold on his thigh the size of a florin which he had got while looking in the oven at some gravy. Mr Rushworth put linseed oil and lime water on it and didn't think much of it, but on the Saturday the boy became ill. Dr Steven was sent for and he said the scold should be poulticed. The wound turned septic and that night Dr Steven sent Raymond to Clayton Hospital where he died two hours tater. The inquest was told death was due to collapse caused by septic poisoning, and the verdict was according to the medical evidence.
 

SEPTEMBER Thomas Heslop of no fixed abode was found by PC Collier at Moor Farm in a shed with his hand in a tool bag. In court Heslop said he had gone into the farmyard to obey a call of nature and he had no intention of doing anything wrong. He had 20 previous convictions, and for this latest he was given 14 days with hard labour.

OCTOBER   The crankshaft at Ackton Hall's Haigh Moor shaft broke and 300 men were laid off until repairs were carried out. It was estimated to take ten days but it was completed in seven.

   A miners' meeting at the Lister Baths passed a resolution calling for a minimum wage of 5s a day. Mr J Murphy denounced the non-unionists who he said were worse than card sharps. He said non-union men ought not to be allowed in collieries because they took the advantages which the miners' union obtained, but shirked any responsibilities.

   There were allegations about betting in large amounts at the Featherstone v Featherstone Rovers game. Some of the club's officials denied there was any organised betting, and said nothing like hundreds of pounds changed hands, although they admitted bets had been made at the ground. One of the officials said the idea of a large amount of betting was because one noisy member of the crowd wanted to bet an even sovereign on the Rovers.

   Mary Stanley age 79 was in court accused of stealing a fowl. Mavis Wainwright of Bradley Villas said she heard something about a fowl so she gathered hers together and found a young cockerel value 2s 6d missing. She went to the house of Mary Stanley, and her son said you can't have it its dead. She saw it in the house plucked so she sent for the police.
  Mary Stanley said it came into her house and she accidentally killed it with her brush. However, another neighbour, Mary Potts said she saw her kill it by putting its neck in the door. The Bench decided the case was proved and said she would be bound over for 12 months. They had dealt with her in this way to protect her old age pension. (If they had sent her to prison she would have lost her right to the pension.)

   St Thomas's Church was reopened after two aisles had been wagon-roofed in pitch-pine and redecorated at a cost of £140. The money had already been collected. The vicar, Revd H S Rogers, said the chancel still needed painting at a price of £21 5s, and he asked if there were any takers willing to pay at a cost of 2s 6d per yard.

   The council chairman regretted the rates were so high (2s 3d) and said they had done their best to cut the estimates down. The isolation hospital and the roads were the biggest items of expenditure, and as they had no legal right to overdraw at the bank, they were trying to keep a balance of £500. They were wisely preparing for a rainy day. Cr Maxwell agreed and said he hoped they could knock a penny off next time.
   Cr Poppleton said he thought they could have managed with 2s 2d, and he could point out instances where money might have been more profitably spent. Cr Hough said he did not think it fair for Cr Poppleton to pose as the only economist on the council, and he (Cr Poppleton} had been on the committee where the expenditure was agreed.

NOVEMBER  An inquest was held on John Barn aged 41 of Lord Street who was killed by a fall of coal at Featherstone Main Colliery. The verdict was accidental death. The foreman of the jury, Mr A Coult, suggested there should be a mortuary in Featherstone. He said it was a disgrace the body should have been kept in the kitchen of a house where five or six people were living. The coroner agreed and said a public mortuary would be a great blessing in the town. He hoped the local authority would provide one.

   The Featherstone Women's Association (the Conservative Party ladies) held their annual gathering in the Drill Hall. There were about 250 for tea, and according to the Express the main persons present were Mesdames Stebbing, Patman, Holroyd, Johnson, Makin, Lee, Cuttle, Hargrave and Appleyard. There were the usual political speeches by guest speakers followed by an evening concert.

DECEMBER   Poor and aged persons and widows totalling 139 received 3s each from Bailey's Charity. This was the first distribution after the council became the main body responsible for the Featherstone Charities.

   An inquest was held on Betty Johnson aged 58 of Pretoria Street. Her husband William said he was awakened by her making a ruttling noise. He could not wake her so a neighbour went for the doctor. Dr Kidd arrived at 11.30pm and pronounced her dead. The doctor said a post mortem showed the deceased was stout and died from syncope consequent on fatty degeneration and infiltration of the heart. The verdict was natural causes.

   At the council meeting it was announced the isolation hospital had asked for cases to be sent as early in the day as possible and never after sunset. Another matter concerning the hospital was raised by the chairman, Cr Holiday. He said there were rumours about that the health visitor, Miss Lee, was visiting the hospital and going onto the wards. This was making some parents nervous about her going into their homes. He said she did visit the hospital but she never went onto the wards.

   A Pontefract resident had been taken by mistake to Ackton Hospital and Pontefract Corporation wrote to the ccouncil saying they would pay the maintenance cost. Cr Holiday said they have treated us fairly because legally they could not have been made to pay. Cr Poppleton said that's given the game away for next time. The chairman said they would have to be more careful in future.