A HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE
1912
THE MINERS' STRIKE
On 28 February the Miners' Federation called a national strike over
its demand for a minimum wage. The local miners began the strike but
were nervous about a repeat of the events of 1893 which were nothing to
do with the union or the Ackton Hall Colliery workers. The local union
representatives made
sure it was known there was no ill-feeling between Featherstone miners
and the owners of Ackton Hall and Featherstone Main Collieries. The
union advised the men to stay at home as much as possible and have
nothing to do with strangers who might come to Featherstone, as in 1893,
and invite them to law-breaking, and the Express reporter was
told Featherstone men would assist the police in dealing with any
disturbances of the peace. There was to be no repeat of the 1893
troubles.
The pit ponies were brought out, and after the first week the union
paid strike pay of 9s a week for each miner and 4s 6d for the pit lads.
There was one shilling a week for each dependent child. It was estimated
the cost of the strike pay at both collieries would be £2,000 a week.
To show the claim of no ill-feeling was mutual, the Ackton Hall
management allowed coal picking on the dirt tips. Hundreds of men, women
and children scoured the tips for coal to keep the home fires burning.
As in all these major strikes the first consideration was to ensure the
children did not starve. After the strike had lasted two weeks Cr
Murphy asked at the March meeting of the council how long it would take
to put into operation the Act for the feeding of schoolchildren? The
clerk said it was the responsibility of the local education sub-committee and they would have to ask permission from the West Riding
Education Authority.
Cr Darlington said he had authority from Mrs J R Shaw to say she was prepared,
in conjunction with Mr Holiday, to open a soup kitchen in Featherstone,
and she wished to be informed as quickly as possible of cases of
distress. The schoolteachers and the clergy were the best people to
advise on this.
Cr Murphy acknowledged the kindness of the offer, but Featherstone had a
right to take advantage of this Act, as they could then do without
charity at all. Cr Darlington said there were times at the weekend when
the Act did not apply, and the charity committee could do good work
then. He undertook to get the education sub-committee together as soon
as there was an appreciable number of cases of distress. The little ones
should not suffer a minute longer than they could help.
The education sub-committee met a few days later and decided to ask the
WRCC to put the Education (Provision of Meals) Act 1906 into effect at
once. Mr Rogers said there was already much distress in the town and
they could not expect the outside support they got in 1893. Mr Murphy
said about 25% of the children were not getting enough food. Mr Maxwell
said the problem in Purston was mainly among non-unionists (who didn't
get strike pay). Mr Murphy said unionist or non-unionist was nothing to
do with it - it was a question of feeding the children. The clerk
pointed out the Act did not cover weekends. It was agreed the teachers
and committee would form a canteen committee to give the children a
breakfast of cocoa and buns.
About 1,600 schoolchildren took advantage of the free breakfast on the first day. Infants were given one three ounce bun and all the others two each. After two days the number had risen to 1,900 and Mr Cowey was seeking subscriptions so they could feed the children at weekends. In the first few days he received promises totalling £25 a week.
Other organisations made efforts to help their members. The Featherstone Main Colliery Athletic Club put on a tea for the 900 members and gave everyone 4s. The Green Lane Club gave soup to all its members' families. Tommy Sides of the Featherstone Hotel distributed 500 two-pound loaves of bread to children whose names had been supplied to him by the headteachers, and he also gave money to the general distress fund. The North Featherstone Lane Working Men's Club put on a soup kitchen for the members' children, and the Palace Cinema gave a large currant bun to every child attending the Saturday matinee.
Mrs J R Shaw gave 60 stones of flour, 60 packs of potatoes, 60lbs of sugar, 90lbs of butter and 60lbs of tea each week to the families of Featherstone Main Colliery workers who were in distress. She also promised to subscribe £10 a week to the feed-the-children fund. Mr Holiday also gave £10 a week and the weekly amount raised had now reached £40. Mr Booker, a butcher, put on a soup kitchen for North Featherstone Lane schoolchildren, and Mrs Walker gave the school 160 scones.
After three weeks there was a mass meeting at the Palace to hear of the strikes progress. The men unanimously decided to stand firm. By the beginning of April the coal owners made an offer which was put to the men. Ackton Hall men balloted at the Railway Hotel, and the Featherstone Main men went to the Featherstone Hotel. The result of the ballots was not revealed by the local union officials, but the Express said there was a large majority of local miners against accepting it, even though distress in the town was growing.
The number of children being fed had gone up to 2,100, and it was announced the breakfasts would continue through the Easter holidays, but further subscriptions would be needed even though the weekly amount given had now reached £55 a week.
Although the local miners were against accepting the owners' offer it was agreed nationally and the union ordered the men back to work with the demand work should be found for every man and boy who was employed before the strike began. The Featherstone Main colliers held a mass meeting and agreed to go back providing everyone was allowed to sign on.
Considerable feeling was expressed against the union officials who were accused of being weak-kneed and having sold the men upon whose goodwill their continuance in office depended. After a good deal of argument a resolution was put that "they be put out of office". This was ruled out of order because changes could only be made at the annual meeting, so it was agreed to put the resolution on the books for then. One speaker said the union officials had protected themselves nicely so they could not be got at.
A deputation was appointed to see the manager and then report back to another meeting. The manager declined to sign on all previous workers and the next mass meeting told the deputation to have another attempt. The Ackton Hall workers also held a mass meeting and came to the same decision, but the Ackton Hall manager also refused to sign everybody on so it was stalemate there as well.
Peter Darlington, the Featherstone Main manager, said he had been instructed by the directors to refuse to sign all the men who were on the books when the strike began. Another mass meeting decided to inform the manager all deputies and safety workers would be drawn out of the pit and nobody would be allowed down until a satisfactory settlement was reached.
A telegram was sent to Barnsley requesting a union official should be sent to back their demands. Mr Darlington told the Express he could not sign on all the men because their working places were not ready. This did not mean they would not be allowed to sign on afterwards when they would have a place to work.
The members of the Featherstone Main Colliery Accident Society met and agreed to give 3s to each man and 1s 6d to each pit lad. There was a resolution to share out all the societies funds, about £400, but this did not receive enough support.
At Ackton Hall Colliery the miners decided to stay out until their demands were met. When the deputies and byeworkers came out of the pit they received many hints as to what would happen if they went down the next day. Roslyn Holiday told the Express he was completely at a loss to account for the rumour he had said he would not sign on any man over 45 years old. He said some of the very best and most reliable workmen were to be found among the older hands. As places were got ready the men would be allowed to sign on, young and old alike. There was no foundation whatever for the too old at 45 rumour. His only objection to signing everybody back on at once was they would be technically all in the firm's employ, and if any one of them had an accident on the firm's premises while inquiring daily if his work was available the firm would be liable for compensation, and that was a risk they were not prepared to take. When the deputies and byeworkers turned up the next day they were prevented from going into the pit by pickets. The union said only the horsekeepers would be allowed to work.
Col Shaw, managing director at Featherstone Main said he was very annoyed at the grossly inaccurate statements which had been made. The manager had been told to set on the men as their places were ready, which was exactly in accordance with the custom throughout Yorkshire. The manager could not explain how the misunderstanding had arisen.
He was ready to start up the pit in the usual way, but he had to telephone Col Shaw in Leeds to say there was a problem. Col Shaw was at a meeting with the miners' union and he arranged for Herbert Smith, the president of the miners' union, to go at once to Featherstone and investigate.
Col Shaw said Mr Darlington would sign on as many men as there were places ready for, and former workmen would have first choice of their old workplace. If former workplaces could not be reopened they would have first choice at new places as they were got ready. He had told Mr Darlington to tell the men signing them on was really a fortnight's contract, and if a heavy fall of roof occurred in the mine, or any other stoppage, it might be there were some claims for wages. Mr Smith agreed if all the men were signed on the union would give an indemnity against any claim. Both sides were then satisfied and the men held a meeting and decided to go back to work.
Col Shaw said he regretted there had been any difficulty at all, as he had always tried to get good work for the men. He thought the men ought not to have been led in this manner by a few others who were not even employed by the company. Roslyn Holiday told his men work would be found for all in less than a month, so they agreed to go back as well.
Within two days of the agreement at Featherstone Main, 1,600 of the 2,000 men on the books were back at work, and the others quickly followed as the pit got back to normal. At Ackton Hall where there were normally 3,000 workers, there was a much slower resumption because of the state of the underground roadways, but after a few days there was a large number back at work.
There were no wages for a week, and longer for those who could not go back to work straight away, so the relief work went on for a while. The Featherstone Main Colliery Athletic Club held a dinner for the members which comprised home-fed ham, beef, pork, pickles etc and two pints of beer for every man. Mrs Shaw continued to provide her generous gifts to 200 families of Featherstone Main workers assisted by Mrs Darlington who supervised the arrangements. Mrs Darlington said many cases of actual starvation had been brought to her attention including a man and his wife with nine children who had absolutely no food in the house.
The River Plate Meat Co gave out 100 tickets which could be exchanged for pie meat, and the feeding of the schoolchildren continued out of the voluntary subscriptions only (now £64 a week) because it was the school holidays. The halfpenny rate from the council had raised £125 of which £90 had been spent so far. There were now 2,200 schoolchildren being fed and it would continue as long as the canteen committee decided it was necessary.
The council money eventually ran out so the canteen committee had to rely on the voluntary subscriptions which had reduced considerably when the strike was called off, but in the end all the men went back to work and were able to feed their own children.
The Express said the work of Robert Cowey (headmaster of North Featherstone Lane Senior School) which was a great service, cheerfully rendered, should be acknowledged. Also the education sub-committee had done excellent work, along with the other headmasters and headmistresses and many teachers. Tommy Sides and John Walmsley were also praised.
Mrs Shaw received a letter signed by a large number of persons who had received her food parcels. It thanked her in warm terms for her great kindness, but for which many families would have starved, as they received nothing else except the parcel she provided for them. (They were probably families of non-union men who received no strike pay.) Mrs Shaw was wife of Col. Shaw, the managing director of the coal company. Her photo below is from the internet.
About 1,600 schoolchildren took advantage of the free breakfast on the first day. Infants were given one three ounce bun and all the others two each. After two days the number had risen to 1,900 and Mr Cowey was seeking subscriptions so they could feed the children at weekends. In the first few days he received promises totalling £25 a week.
Other organisations made efforts to help their members. The Featherstone Main Colliery Athletic Club put on a tea for the 900 members and gave everyone 4s. The Green Lane Club gave soup to all its members' families. Tommy Sides of the Featherstone Hotel distributed 500 two-pound loaves of bread to children whose names had been supplied to him by the headteachers, and he also gave money to the general distress fund. The North Featherstone Lane Working Men's Club put on a soup kitchen for the members' children, and the Palace Cinema gave a large currant bun to every child attending the Saturday matinee.
Mrs J R Shaw gave 60 stones of flour, 60 packs of potatoes, 60lbs of sugar, 90lbs of butter and 60lbs of tea each week to the families of Featherstone Main Colliery workers who were in distress. She also promised to subscribe £10 a week to the feed-the-children fund. Mr Holiday also gave £10 a week and the weekly amount raised had now reached £40. Mr Booker, a butcher, put on a soup kitchen for North Featherstone Lane schoolchildren, and Mrs Walker gave the school 160 scones.
After three weeks there was a mass meeting at the Palace to hear of the strikes progress. The men unanimously decided to stand firm. By the beginning of April the coal owners made an offer which was put to the men. Ackton Hall men balloted at the Railway Hotel, and the Featherstone Main men went to the Featherstone Hotel. The result of the ballots was not revealed by the local union officials, but the Express said there was a large majority of local miners against accepting it, even though distress in the town was growing.
The number of children being fed had gone up to 2,100, and it was announced the breakfasts would continue through the Easter holidays, but further subscriptions would be needed even though the weekly amount given had now reached £55 a week.
Although the local miners were against accepting the owners' offer it was agreed nationally and the union ordered the men back to work with the demand work should be found for every man and boy who was employed before the strike began. The Featherstone Main colliers held a mass meeting and agreed to go back providing everyone was allowed to sign on.
Considerable feeling was expressed against the union officials who were accused of being weak-kneed and having sold the men upon whose goodwill their continuance in office depended. After a good deal of argument a resolution was put that "they be put out of office". This was ruled out of order because changes could only be made at the annual meeting, so it was agreed to put the resolution on the books for then. One speaker said the union officials had protected themselves nicely so they could not be got at.
A deputation was appointed to see the manager and then report back to another meeting. The manager declined to sign on all previous workers and the next mass meeting told the deputation to have another attempt. The Ackton Hall workers also held a mass meeting and came to the same decision, but the Ackton Hall manager also refused to sign everybody on so it was stalemate there as well.
Peter Darlington, the Featherstone Main manager, said he had been instructed by the directors to refuse to sign all the men who were on the books when the strike began. Another mass meeting decided to inform the manager all deputies and safety workers would be drawn out of the pit and nobody would be allowed down until a satisfactory settlement was reached.
A telegram was sent to Barnsley requesting a union official should be sent to back their demands. Mr Darlington told the Express he could not sign on all the men because their working places were not ready. This did not mean they would not be allowed to sign on afterwards when they would have a place to work.
The members of the Featherstone Main Colliery Accident Society met and agreed to give 3s to each man and 1s 6d to each pit lad. There was a resolution to share out all the societies funds, about £400, but this did not receive enough support.
At Ackton Hall Colliery the miners decided to stay out until their demands were met. When the deputies and byeworkers came out of the pit they received many hints as to what would happen if they went down the next day. Roslyn Holiday told the Express he was completely at a loss to account for the rumour he had said he would not sign on any man over 45 years old. He said some of the very best and most reliable workmen were to be found among the older hands. As places were got ready the men would be allowed to sign on, young and old alike. There was no foundation whatever for the too old at 45 rumour. His only objection to signing everybody back on at once was they would be technically all in the firm's employ, and if any one of them had an accident on the firm's premises while inquiring daily if his work was available the firm would be liable for compensation, and that was a risk they were not prepared to take. When the deputies and byeworkers turned up the next day they were prevented from going into the pit by pickets. The union said only the horsekeepers would be allowed to work.
Col Shaw, managing director at Featherstone Main said he was very annoyed at the grossly inaccurate statements which had been made. The manager had been told to set on the men as their places were ready, which was exactly in accordance with the custom throughout Yorkshire. The manager could not explain how the misunderstanding had arisen.
He was ready to start up the pit in the usual way, but he had to telephone Col Shaw in Leeds to say there was a problem. Col Shaw was at a meeting with the miners' union and he arranged for Herbert Smith, the president of the miners' union, to go at once to Featherstone and investigate.
Col Shaw said Mr Darlington would sign on as many men as there were places ready for, and former workmen would have first choice of their old workplace. If former workplaces could not be reopened they would have first choice at new places as they were got ready. He had told Mr Darlington to tell the men signing them on was really a fortnight's contract, and if a heavy fall of roof occurred in the mine, or any other stoppage, it might be there were some claims for wages. Mr Smith agreed if all the men were signed on the union would give an indemnity against any claim. Both sides were then satisfied and the men held a meeting and decided to go back to work.
Col Shaw said he regretted there had been any difficulty at all, as he had always tried to get good work for the men. He thought the men ought not to have been led in this manner by a few others who were not even employed by the company. Roslyn Holiday told his men work would be found for all in less than a month, so they agreed to go back as well.
Within two days of the agreement at Featherstone Main, 1,600 of the 2,000 men on the books were back at work, and the others quickly followed as the pit got back to normal. At Ackton Hall where there were normally 3,000 workers, there was a much slower resumption because of the state of the underground roadways, but after a few days there was a large number back at work.
There were no wages for a week, and longer for those who could not go back to work straight away, so the relief work went on for a while. The Featherstone Main Colliery Athletic Club held a dinner for the members which comprised home-fed ham, beef, pork, pickles etc and two pints of beer for every man. Mrs Shaw continued to provide her generous gifts to 200 families of Featherstone Main workers assisted by Mrs Darlington who supervised the arrangements. Mrs Darlington said many cases of actual starvation had been brought to her attention including a man and his wife with nine children who had absolutely no food in the house.
The River Plate Meat Co gave out 100 tickets which could be exchanged for pie meat, and the feeding of the schoolchildren continued out of the voluntary subscriptions only (now £64 a week) because it was the school holidays. The halfpenny rate from the council had raised £125 of which £90 had been spent so far. There were now 2,200 schoolchildren being fed and it would continue as long as the canteen committee decided it was necessary.
The council money eventually ran out so the canteen committee had to rely on the voluntary subscriptions which had reduced considerably when the strike was called off, but in the end all the men went back to work and were able to feed their own children.
The Express said the work of Robert Cowey (headmaster of North Featherstone Lane Senior School) which was a great service, cheerfully rendered, should be acknowledged. Also the education sub-committee had done excellent work, along with the other headmasters and headmistresses and many teachers. Tommy Sides and John Walmsley were also praised.
Mrs Shaw received a letter signed by a large number of persons who had received her food parcels. It thanked her in warm terms for her great kindness, but for which many families would have starved, as they received nothing else except the parcel she provided for them. (They were probably families of non-union men who received no strike pay.) Mrs Shaw was wife of Col. Shaw, the managing director of the coal company. Her photo below is from the internet.
ANOTHER CINEMA COMES TO TOWN
Mr Issott's Palace Cinema was opened on Boxing Day in 1911 and his monopoly didn't last long.for in January the council passed plans for another electric theatre in Station Lane, this time for Fred Buxton. Then a few week's later Buxton's Picture Palace opened at the Lister Baths. Mr Buxton's entertainment also included live acts on stage. Mr Issott had to counter this opposition by including stage artists at his showings.
Mr Buxton's challenge couldn't last long because the baths were soon required for their primary purpose - swimming. So in April he had to close down, his final effort being a benefit night for George Hudson, the manager.
In September the Lister Baths were let to the Bradford Cinema Company for 13 weeks at £5 a night. Eight weeks later the Hippodrome opened and the Express anticipated it as follows.
"The
Featherstone public are to be congratulated on the placing in their
midst of such a commodious and comfortable variety theatre as the one
which will be opened on Monday next under the name stated (the New
Hippodrome). The building is most centrally situated in Station Lane - and will be an adornment to the town. It has been erected in what has been commonly known as Maxwell's ground, and when complete the front will be imposing.
"Inside there is to be accommodation for at least
900 persons. There is no gallery, but the floor is raised (sloped) so
the person in the seat furthest from the stage will have a good view of
it. The stage itself is quite commodious, and will lend itself readily to pantomime or such live productions. Mr Buxton, the sole proprietor, was the first caterer in Featherstone for moving pictures, and he will be heartily welcomed in his return to a more important undertaking. None the less welcome will be Mr Hudson, an able and courteous official,
who returns as resident manager. Particulars of the strong bill for
next week appear in the advert. It will be noted variety turns are to
play a great part in these performances, and the management intend not only to be up to date with their pictures, but to bring some really good artists to the town. Mr Buxton himself appears next week - a fact that will be hailed with much pleasure by all who have heard him."
The opening night was November 18 and the Express commented: "The New Hippodrome was crowded in every part by a highly appreciative audience. Long before the time fixed for the curtain to rise there was a dense throng outside, and the doorkeepers had a most unenviable task. Everybody appeared delighted with the house itself, and equally so with the excellent bill put on by Mr Buxton. A number of members of the Urban Council, together with their wives, were present, and perhaps the most interesting person in the assembly was Mr John Waller JP, who on the previous day completed 84 years!
"In an excellent speech, which was heartily received, Mr Buxton extended a cordial welcome to those present, and said he proposed to put on a good, sound, healthy picture and variety entertainment. The public of Featherstone had previous experience of his catering when he was at the Baths; now he was advancing very much, and had built a place with fine stage accommodation, with all the latest improvements as to lighting etc; in short, a place worthy of Featherstone.
"The speaker paid a tribute to his worthy manager Mr George Hudson, and went on to explain the building had been so erected it would be easy to convert it into a theatre; it depended on the amount of support he received whether he put on the very best things in the way of plays etc. If they rallied round him he would return them value for their money by the attractions he put on the stage. If at any time there was any really local worthy object in need of any help he hoped they would call his attention to it, and he would always be ready to extend assistance."
The programme opened with the National Anthem sung to the Featherstone Brass Band's accompaniment, and there followed a programme of stage acts and films. A matinee for the children began on the first Saturday after the opening.
Saturday afternoon for the kids. A photo from the Featherstone Library Collection.
The opening night was November 18 and the Express commented: "The New Hippodrome was crowded in every part by a highly appreciative audience. Long before the time fixed for the curtain to rise there was a dense throng outside, and the doorkeepers had a most unenviable task. Everybody appeared delighted with the house itself, and equally so with the excellent bill put on by Mr Buxton. A number of members of the Urban Council, together with their wives, were present, and perhaps the most interesting person in the assembly was Mr John Waller JP, who on the previous day completed 84 years!
"In an excellent speech, which was heartily received, Mr Buxton extended a cordial welcome to those present, and said he proposed to put on a good, sound, healthy picture and variety entertainment. The public of Featherstone had previous experience of his catering when he was at the Baths; now he was advancing very much, and had built a place with fine stage accommodation, with all the latest improvements as to lighting etc; in short, a place worthy of Featherstone.
"The speaker paid a tribute to his worthy manager Mr George Hudson, and went on to explain the building had been so erected it would be easy to convert it into a theatre; it depended on the amount of support he received whether he put on the very best things in the way of plays etc. If they rallied round him he would return them value for their money by the attractions he put on the stage. If at any time there was any really local worthy object in need of any help he hoped they would call his attention to it, and he would always be ready to extend assistance."
The programme opened with the National Anthem sung to the Featherstone Brass Band's accompaniment, and there followed a programme of stage acts and films. A matinee for the children began on the first Saturday after the opening.
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| The Hippodrome Cinema in Station Lane with the Palace Cinema in the background. A photo from the Featherstone Heritage Group. |
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| The Express advert for the opening night. |
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THE COUNCIL
JANUARY
Dr Buncle reported the measles epidemic was at an end and Purston
School would reopen after the Christmas holidays. Influenza with sore
throat was prevalent, and pulmonary tuberculosis was now noticeable. There was a letter from the Local Government Board about poliomyelitis and cerebra-spinal fever, saying steps should be taken to make these diseases notifiable under the Infectious Diseases (Notification) Act.
It was decided as a temporary measure to allow the use of clean
well-burnt ashes for filling up pools in private streets, and the use of bricks on edge, grouted with cement, for paving the ground near ashpits and middens. The clerk was told to take legal
proceedings against several persons unless the notices requiring the
conversion of privies to water closets and dry ashpits were complied
with within 14 days. The properties were in Marlbro' Terrace, Blenheim Terrace, Station Lane, Crossley Street, Pontefract Road, Duke Street and Green Lane.
In reply to the Local Government Board re the housing scheme, the
chairman, surveyor and clerk would meet the board's officers in London,
and the sanitary inspector would find out the number and families in the present houses.
The seal of the council was fixed to an agreement with Messrs Henry Briggs, Son and Co Ltd re the erection of a bridge across Commonside Lane (to start a dirt tip at the other side of the lane from Snydale Colliery). The firm would pay an acknowledgement of £1 a year and indemnify the council against claims for damages.
FEBRUARY The medical officer reported 14 cases of scarlet fever in the previous month and two of diphtheria. There were five scarlet fever cases in one house in Purston. The surveyor reported on damage to gas lamp glasses and it was agreed to prosecute James Murthwick for causing damage valued at 10s.
Wakefield Corporation wrote about the difficulties of the water supply. The clerk was instructed to write to Pontefract Corporation to see if they could supply the district with water, and if so what amount. It was also agreed a pump would be fitted in the range at Hopetown to try and improve the supply, and Featherstone Main Colliery should be asked to contribute to the cost of the pump.
Cr Maxwell said the water question had been pretty well thrashed out in committee. The collieries particularly suffered from a scarcity of water, and as the staple trade of the town the council ought to look after the coal trade. He thought a deputation ought to meet a Wakefield committee and come to a definite understanding. He would prefer Wakefield water to Pontefract water, but they must have more water from somewhere. Of course, they did not know if Pontefract were in a position to supply them.
Cr Poppleton thought Wakefield were treating Featherstone indifferently. He knew Featherstone were getting more water than the maximum at first agreed upon, but he thought Wakefield ought to do their best to meet the increased demand. If not they must try Pontefract. If this was the state of affairs in winter, what would it be in summer?
The chairman said it was also very serious from a sanitary point of view. He did not see how the council could go on insisting on water closets being put in when they could not ensure a proper water supply. Nothing was worse than WC's without water; the ordinary earth closets were to be preferred. They must have a settlement of the difficulty by some means.
The clerk explained previous deputations had met the waterworks committee who could not guarantee their proposals would meet with the approval of the corporation. The chairman and Crs Darlington, Maxwell and Hough were appointed to go to Wakefield, and Cr Darlington said they should ask "Are you going to supply us with water or not?" Featherstone could not do without water and if Wakefield did not supply it they would have to get it elsewhere. The chairman expressed the opinion if the other surrounding districts would fit a pump they would be able to get more water from the Wakefield mains.
The chairman suggested the council should apply for a seat on the executive committee of the West Riding District Councils' Association. He said he was present at a meeting the previous day when the question of tar spraying the roads was discussed. Without exception the members agreed it was a success, not only because it laid the dust, but also it saved the cost over and over again in road maintenance. He said Featherstone had decided against tar spraying because some in Featherstone had not been properly done and that was dangerous. This was the only instance quoted at the meeting where tar spraying was not a success.
Wakefield Corporation wrote about the difficulties of the water supply. The clerk was instructed to write to Pontefract Corporation to see if they could supply the district with water, and if so what amount. It was also agreed a pump would be fitted in the range at Hopetown to try and improve the supply, and Featherstone Main Colliery should be asked to contribute to the cost of the pump.
Cr Maxwell said the water question had been pretty well thrashed out in committee. The collieries particularly suffered from a scarcity of water, and as the staple trade of the town the council ought to look after the coal trade. He thought a deputation ought to meet a Wakefield committee and come to a definite understanding. He would prefer Wakefield water to Pontefract water, but they must have more water from somewhere. Of course, they did not know if Pontefract were in a position to supply them.
Cr Poppleton thought Wakefield were treating Featherstone indifferently. He knew Featherstone were getting more water than the maximum at first agreed upon, but he thought Wakefield ought to do their best to meet the increased demand. If not they must try Pontefract. If this was the state of affairs in winter, what would it be in summer?
The chairman said it was also very serious from a sanitary point of view. He did not see how the council could go on insisting on water closets being put in when they could not ensure a proper water supply. Nothing was worse than WC's without water; the ordinary earth closets were to be preferred. They must have a settlement of the difficulty by some means.
The clerk explained previous deputations had met the waterworks committee who could not guarantee their proposals would meet with the approval of the corporation. The chairman and Crs Darlington, Maxwell and Hough were appointed to go to Wakefield, and Cr Darlington said they should ask "Are you going to supply us with water or not?" Featherstone could not do without water and if Wakefield did not supply it they would have to get it elsewhere. The chairman expressed the opinion if the other surrounding districts would fit a pump they would be able to get more water from the Wakefield mains.
The chairman suggested the council should apply for a seat on the executive committee of the West Riding District Councils' Association. He said he was present at a meeting the previous day when the question of tar spraying the roads was discussed. Without exception the members agreed it was a success, not only because it laid the dust, but also it saved the cost over and over again in road maintenance. He said Featherstone had decided against tar spraying because some in Featherstone had not been properly done and that was dangerous. This was the only instance quoted at the meeting where tar spraying was not a success.
The clerk told the meeting the county council was the authority for the Featherstone district under the Shop Hours Act, unless that council agreed to delegate its powers. Cr Poppleton and others expressed themselves in favour of a compulsory closing day being put into force in Featherstone and Wednesday afternoon was suggested. Cr
Poppleton said all shopkeepers and all assistants should be made alike
in this respect. It was agreed to ask the county council if they were
willing to delegate their power under the Act to Featherstone.
It was agreed "That this council do hereby order that the Infectious Diseases (Notification) Act shall apply within the Urban District of Featherstone to the following infectious diseases, namely acute poliomyelitis and cerebro-spinal fever".
MARCH It was agreed to write to the headmaster of George Street School because children were throwing stones from the roadway into the beck. Cr Poppleton asked if the council would be in order in protesting against the county council's new byelaw under which children could not leave school until they were 14 unless they had passed Standard VII. This byelaw caused great hardship to the working classes. He understood at present it was a permissive byelaw, but it might become an Act of Parliament, and he thought now was the time to protest. He thought at 13 children should have received enough elementary education.
Cr Murphy said he understood the Board of Education had adopted it so it was no use protesting. The chairman (Cr Darlington) agreed it was no use protesting, and said they should urge the West Riding to grant every facility for Standard VII examinations so proficient children would not be kept at school after that age. He did not think the byelaw was unfair, and it might have the effect of sharpening both parents and scholars. After next July any boy under 14 would not be allowed down the pit, but 13 year olds could work on the surface.
He recommended a notice be fixed in each school pointing out scholars could ask to be examined in time to allow them to leave when 13 providing they passed. Cr Murphy pointed out they could not leave before 14 unless they had made a certain number of attendances. Cr Evans said five out of six scholars would not pass Standard VII at 13. Cr Poppleton said he was still of the opinion the byelaw was permissive, and he was surprised members who were supposed to represent the working class should allow this thing to pass without a protest.
Cr Murphy said Cr Poppleton had refused to sit on the education sub-committee and preferred to criticise their work at council meetings. When Cr Poppleton's proposal was put to the vote he won by three votes to two. The others abstained.
Cr Poppleton protested about the closure order on Mr Wilson's cottages, especially seeing there was such a shortage of houses. He had seen the cottages and they were not as bad as reported. Cr Scholes said if the owner would make the houses into good houses the council would not close them. If he would not they should make him pull them down whether there were plenty of houses or not.
The clerk read a letter from Wakefield Corporation raising no objection to a pump being fitted into the water main providing it was installed and maintained by the council. The corporation could regulate the pump and, if necessary, require it to be stopped. Mr A W Archer secretary of the South Kirkby, Featherstone and Hemsworth Collieries Ltd, wrote to agree the company would provide £75 towards the cost of the pump. The company would like a guarantee from the council the pump installation would greatly increase the water supply.
Cr Maxwell said the council were not in a position to give a guarantee because if Castleford were short of water Wakefield Corporation might stop the pump. Cr Poppleton said the pump was really being installed for the benefit of the collieries, and he thought it only right Featherstone Main should contribute. Cr Scholes was of the opinion Wakefield would not object to the pump working at night (to fill up the tank at North Featherstone) and they could then guarantee a better supply.
The chairman said if Featherstone Main were to contribute it was what any ordinary business would do to ask for something in return for the contribution. If the tank were full in the mornings there would be enough water and to spare. In the low lying districts they had plenty of water while we (Featherstone Main) have not enough to work with.
Cr Maxwell still insisted they could not give a guarantee because Wakefield could stop the pump. The chairman replied "When they do that I shall be in a hurry to go somewhere else for the water; we have had enough of these side issues".
When it was time for nominations for the council elections Colonel John Reginald Shaw decided not to put himself forward for re-election. He had only attended two meetings and decided not to bother any more. He was still the county councillor for Featherstone. The election turned out as follows:
Purston Ward Fred Ibbotson 302, Joe Blades (Labour) 289
South Ward Eddie Edwards 205, Sydney Batten 157
North Ward Roslyn Holiday unopposed
Ackton and Snydale Ward Aaron Evans (Labour) unopposed.
APRIL Cr Holiday was back in the chair. The clerk read the minutes and said Cr Poppleton's motion about school leavers was lost. Cr Poppleton said that was not correct. Others disagreed, but when Cr Darlington arrived he said Cr Poppleton was right so the minutes had to be altered. It was agreed to renew the cinematograph licences for the Featherstone Hotel and the Junction Hotel.
The medical officer reported on four cases of tuberculosis last month. The clerk was instructed to contact Pontefract Corporation as to their suggestion about forming a joint district for the provision of a hospital for consumptives.
The chairman formerly moved the rates for the next six months be 2s 3d. Cr Maxwell said the rates, including the water rates, were the highest the town had ever known. He thought members and officials should put their heads together to try and bring about a reduction in the rates. If the rates were maintained at their present figure there were hard times ahead for Featherstone. Others agreed but the rate was passed.
Cr Edwards moved "The slaughtering of pigs intended for sale must be done in a registered or licensed slaughterhouse" be deleted from the minutes of last November. He said the resolution had caused great hardship among many allotment holders. The chairman said it was done on the suggestion of the medical officer and sanitary inspector, and was in the best interests of the public. Cr Scholes pointed out where pigs were not intended for sale to the public the resolution did not apply.
Cr Poppleton said it seemed to him the resolution was passed to make Mr Sagar's (the sanitary inspector) work easier. He would not have to visit so many allotments now, and would find it much easier to go to a registered slaughterhouse. But the council ought to consider the convenience of the owners of the pigs, who by the resolution were not only put to considerable expense but also much trouble. Many allotment holders were threatening to give up their holdings because of the resolution.
Cr Darlington said the objection to pigs being slaughtered in the allotments was because the dressing (removing the innards) was done in the cottage houses. Mr Sagar said the resolution was passed to protect the public against unfit pork. A great nuisance was cause by dressing pigs in unfit houses. Most of the pigs in the allotments were reared for sale.
In the end four voted in favour and four against. The chairman gave his casting vote against saying he did it from the conscientious motive he was acting in the best interests of public health.
This was the last meeting of the 1911/12 council year and Cr Darlington proposed a vote of thanks to chairman Cr Holiday for his year's work. He said he had only missed one meeting and that was when he was in London, and he would have got back if he could possibly have done so.
Cr Holiday thanked the members for their co-operation and said the council had not given the public much room to grumble at the way public work was being done. A vote of thanks was passed to Col Shaw who had retired from the council. The chairman said Col Shaw was a man of considerable influence in the district, and the fact he had not attended regularly at the council and committee meetings was not surprising when they thought of the business responsibilities resting on his shoulders, and at the many public duties he had taken up in addition. The fact he had not been able to attend many meetings must not be taken as meaning he had no interest in the town's affairs.
APRIL The clerk took the chair for the election of the chairman. Cr Darlington proposed Cr Holiday be re-elected. He said he had the fullest confidence Cr Holiday would continue to conduct the business in the same efficient way as during the past year. Cr Maxwell seconded saying when they had got a good man in the chair it was worth while keeping him. There were no other nominations so Cr Holiday was elected.
He said he could hardly put into words his thanks for the honour they had again done him, which he believed was for the fourth time. At times they had had their differences but he had always tried to be fair, and he would continue to do so.
MAY Cr Evans, one of the council's representatives on the joint hospital committee, raised the question as to how long patients were kept in Ackton Hospital. He queried the reported view of Crs Holiday and Darlington that patients should be kept longer than some local medical men thought necessary. If this was true he would have to speak and vote otherwise at the next hospital meeting, and he did not think Featherstone's representatives on the hospital committee should be divided on the matter. He thought the public of Featherstone considered patients were kept in too long, and he would like the council to express an opinion one way or the other and instruct the representatives to vote accordingly. Six weeks was ample, and he was of the opinion some patients were detained until they were in danger of catching other diseases.
The chairman, Cr Holiday who was also on the hospital committee, said he was glad Cr Evans had brought this matter up. He (the chairman) largely agreed with Cr Evans. The medical superintendent, when appointed to Ackton Hospital, thought four weeks was long enough for scarlet fever cases. Other medical men considered six or seven weeks to be the right amount of time.
The superintendent, Dr Harley, was perfectly willing to discharge patients at the end of four weeks, and he asked the board to allow him to do this, but at that time the committee had received complaints from Featherstone that some patients had been sent out too soon and had to be sent back. So they referred it to Dr Kaye, the county medical officer, and he said patients should stay six weeks.
The general public, not knowing all the facts, might consider patients were being kept in too long. It was imperative for at least some days after discharge from hospital a patient should sleep alone. Where this was not possible patients had to be detained until all danger was passed. He (the chairman) had done his best to make the period as short as possible, but he considered the public health to be the first consideration.
Cr Evans said the public had often been misguided by medical opinion and he favoured a shorter period. Cr Murphy said if the committee did vote for a shorter period and an epidemic followed, he would not care to have voted for it. The chairman agreed with him, and said the responsibility of sending them out of the hospital lay with the medical superintendent. If the local medical officer thought patients had been discharged before they were recovered from disease he had a perfect right to send them back again as fresh cases. He was glad this problem had been brought up, but they could not take a vote on it at that meeting.
JUNE Purston Hockey Club wanted to use the old smallpox hospital up Little Lane for changing rooms but the council turned them down. The chairman said the reason for the refusal was there was a possibility of the hospital being used as a sanitarium for tuberculosis patients. The council did not wish to enter into an agreement with the club which they might have to break.
The clerk asked the council to pass the following resolution. That application be made to the Local Government Board for sanction to borrow the sum of £36,745 for the purpose of the housing scheme; plans, estimates etc of which have been recently approved by the council and submitted to the board; that the council's solicitors be instructed to prepare provisional agreements for the purchase of each of the two pieces of land forming the site upon which it is proposed to erect the dwellings.
The clerk explained the actual amount for the present scheme was £33,972 and the rest was for land not required immediately, water supply, street works and sewers which could not be charged to the scheme. The resolution was formerly adopted.
JULY Dr Buncle reported there were 10 cases of scarlet fever in the previous month, and many cases of chicken pox. The schools had been inspected but it had been decided not to recommend closing any.
The sanitary inspector reported on the uncleanliness of certain fried fish shops, and on his finding beetles in the fat in some of the frying pans. He was instructed to take the strictest measures to ensure cleanliness and better conditions. It was agreed to serve notice on Mr Collier requiring him to convert six insanitary privies serving 12 houses in Pontefract Road, Purston, into WC's.
The clerk reported Mr Kaye from the Charities Commissioners had met the trustees of Bailey's Charity and put to them a scheme so that all the local charities would be administered by one body. If a charity had an annual income of £50 (and Bailey's was just over that) then a majority of the trustees had to agree to it being a part of a combined scheme. The trustees had refused to agree, and the clerk told the council it now rested with them to decided whether or not to take the necessary powers to enable them to get a majority on the body of Bailey's trustees so they could bring it in with the others.
Cr Maxwell said he was sure the council had asked the Charity Commissioners to form a central scheme some time ago, and was not Bailey's Charity included with the rest? The clerk said such a request was made and he was certain all the other charities would in future be placed under one administrative body on which the council would be represented. Some people thought the charities were going to be run by the council but this was a mistake; The council would only have representatives on the ruling body.
The chairman explained it was only because Bailey's Charity was worth more than £50 a year the trustees of that charity had to be consulted. The council would apply for the powers of a parish council and then they would be able to have a majority of trustees for Bailey's Charity. It would then be brought into one scheme with the others.
Cr Hough said he was in favour of this being done. The public were entitled to know more about this charity. The clerk said the trustees at present were the vicars, churchwardens and overseers of the poor for Featherstone, Purston, Whitwood and Whitwood Mere. It was unanimously agreed the council should take the necessary steps to get all the charities into one scheme.
AUGUST The medical officer reported there were 13 cases of scarlet fever the previous month. One mild case of scarlet fever had been mistaken for measles, and this resulted in four cases from the same house being taken to the hospital. Probably some of the other cases had also caught it from this source.
Cr Hough was absent so Cr Murphy formally moved application be made to the Local Government Board for the powers of a parish council so Bailey's Charity could be brought in with the others. It was passed unanimously.
The clerk said the county council proposed to put in force two orders under the Shops Act which had already been advertised. In answer to Cr Poppleton the clerk said the county council could appoint inspectors to ensure the orders were carried out, or they could delegate these powers to the police.
SEPTEMBER Consideration was given to prosecuting people who had willfully exposed themselves to infection of scarlet fever. The chairman (Cr Maxwell) said they were determined to take the strictest steps against those persons whose carelessness exposed themselves and other persons to infection from scarlet fever and other infectious diseases.
OCTOBER Cr Poppleton grumbled about the high rates. He said the council seemed to be under the finger and thumb of the surveyor - spending money like he did. The magistrates had told them the making up of the private streets was far too expensive. The council should consider what should be done, not let the officials do as they liked.
Cr Maxwell said a 2s 3d rate was necessary in order to increase the balance at the bank. Cr Scholes said the auditors thought the council should have at least £2,000 in hand, and a rate of 2s 3d would do this. Cr Murphy said it was not fair for Cr Poppleton to allege the council were led by the nose by the surveyor, or he was squandering money. If this had been said at the committee meeting the surveyor would have had a chance to defend himself, but at a full council meeting he was not allowed to speak. The rate was then passed.
NOVEMBER There was a discussion about the proposed council house scheme and how any deficit would be paid. The chairman asked should it fall on those who would benefit from the scheme, or would it come out of the general rates? He considered it should pay its way year by year without a call on the rates.
Cr Poppleton said the public should decided and he was in favour of only half the number of houses being built. Cr Ibbotson thought it a shame the present generation should be saddled for 20 years with something that would benefit those who came after. Cr Maxwell said a separate account would have to be kept for the scheme, and any balance or deficit would be shown. Any deficit would have to come out of the rates, but the council could readjust the rents to meet this. In the end it was decided to ask the Local Government Board how the council should raise the money to pay for the first 20 years of the council house scheme loan.
The medical officer said there were 16 cases of scarlet fever in the previous month. He again raised the option of converting the smallpox hospital into a temporary sanatorium for tuberculosis patients, who at present had to be treated at home. It was agreed to write to the Insurance Commissioners to see if they would consider this. It was also agreed to pay 10s compensation to Mrs Wilford who had to destroy bedding after a case of acute poliomyelitis.
The district auditor's report pointed out the allotments were not self-supporting, and he suggested raising the rents by a shilling. The chairman said he felt the allotment holders did not do enough to prevent the damage to the fences. It was the repairs to the fences that caused the allotments not to pay. It was a pity to have to increase the rents, but they would have to do it.
Regarding Bailey's Charity, the Charity Commissioners said the local authorities of Featherstone and Whitwood could replace the overseers but not the churchwardens, because the ecclesiastical parishes were not the same as the civil parishes. However, they considered the changes suggested by the councils were very desirable.
DECEMBER MR W H Fearnley was appointed surveyor for the council house scheme. For preparing the bills of quantities he would receive £106, and when the work was in progress he would receive £3 3s a month.
It was decided to ask Pontefract Corporation to reimburse the council for the cost of the treatment at Ackton Hospital of Rita Callear, a Pontefract child, who visited Featherstone while she was suffering from scarlet fever. The medical officer reported there were 37 scarlet fever cases in the previous month and 33 of them had to be taken to the hospital.
The clerk reported Purston Charity Committee had agreed to give 4s to each of eleven needy people not receiving the old age pension, and 2s to 17 people who did receive the pension. Cr Murphy expressed the hope they were not penalising the old folk because they had an old age pension. The chairman said the committee considered those with a pension were a bit better off than the others.
Notice is hereby given that the County Council of the West Riding of Yorkshire, on application made to them, proposes to extent the provision of section 4 of the Shops Act 1912 to the retail trades or businesses of BUTCHERS and NEWSAGENTS within the Urban District of Featherstone, and to fix the weekly half-holiday.
The day of the weekly half-holiday for Butchers’ Shops will be MONDAY, and the day of the weekly half-holiday for Newsagents’ Shops will be WEDNESDAY.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the occupier of any shop to be affected by the Order may, on presenting himself at the Featherstone Urban District Council Offices, Wakefield Road, Featherstone, verify that his name, address, and trade are duly entered in the Register of shops.
The jury said they did not wish to hear further evidence. The foreman, Mr H V Chapman said it was a wonder Wickam was able to go to work with acute pneumonia. Dr Kidd replied it cost him his life. The foreman asked if he simply killed himself by going to work. Dr Kidd said yes. The jury then returned a verdict of natural causes.
Tom Mann, the founder of the Workers’ Union which had a branch in
Featherstone, came in August to give a talk at the Palace cinema. The
place was crowded with local workers who heard a fervid appeal to them
to organise with a view to one day controlling the industries of the
country. He was supported on the stage by Messrs J Blades, E Hough and S
W Mason.
Mr Mann set off to a quiet audience, but as he warmed to his theme he raised the enthusiasm of a large section of those present. He said he was there in the interests of the trades organisations generally. He wanted to help the working classes get rid of the horrible poverty which ruined many of them. The wages paid were far too little, and the working class had no chance of bettering their condition so long as the capitalist class was dominant. The object of the working classes should be to organise their interests so they could eventually get rid of the power of the capitalists. He said the trades unions were content to simply adjust wages a few pence once in about every 15 years; they were allowing themselves to be exploited.
When they were organised so they were in a position to bring about a general strike there would be no need for any man to be out of a job. If there was only work for 90% at a colliery the men would be in a position to say “We will reduce the working hours by 10% and make work for all”. He was not in favour of giving long notice to employers as to a strike, nor allowing Mr Asquith to step in (as in the recent miners’ strike). The dispute should be begun and finished on the industrial field.
The capitalists made the laws for the protection of themselves; they were out for a big fight with the workers, and would continue to rob them as they were doing at present. It was true the miners’ leaders had condemned his ideas, because they dare not engage in a real fight. Their present attitude gave them no chance of checking the exploitative methods of the capitalist class.
If it meant a revolution, well he was for it. He was not afraid of the military, the naval and police forces. Many of the soldiers were in the Army because they could not get a decent job. In the last strike they were fooling not fighting, and when the time came for revolution they would get control of the industries in which they were now engaged. Mr Mann sat down to loud applause.
It was agreed "That this council do hereby order that the Infectious Diseases (Notification) Act shall apply within the Urban District of Featherstone to the following infectious diseases, namely acute poliomyelitis and cerebro-spinal fever".
MARCH It was agreed to write to the headmaster of George Street School because children were throwing stones from the roadway into the beck. Cr Poppleton asked if the council would be in order in protesting against the county council's new byelaw under which children could not leave school until they were 14 unless they had passed Standard VII. This byelaw caused great hardship to the working classes. He understood at present it was a permissive byelaw, but it might become an Act of Parliament, and he thought now was the time to protest. He thought at 13 children should have received enough elementary education.
Cr Murphy said he understood the Board of Education had adopted it so it was no use protesting. The chairman (Cr Darlington) agreed it was no use protesting, and said they should urge the West Riding to grant every facility for Standard VII examinations so proficient children would not be kept at school after that age. He did not think the byelaw was unfair, and it might have the effect of sharpening both parents and scholars. After next July any boy under 14 would not be allowed down the pit, but 13 year olds could work on the surface.
He recommended a notice be fixed in each school pointing out scholars could ask to be examined in time to allow them to leave when 13 providing they passed. Cr Murphy pointed out they could not leave before 14 unless they had made a certain number of attendances. Cr Evans said five out of six scholars would not pass Standard VII at 13. Cr Poppleton said he was still of the opinion the byelaw was permissive, and he was surprised members who were supposed to represent the working class should allow this thing to pass without a protest.
Cr Murphy said Cr Poppleton had refused to sit on the education sub-committee and preferred to criticise their work at council meetings. When Cr Poppleton's proposal was put to the vote he won by three votes to two. The others abstained.
Cr Poppleton protested about the closure order on Mr Wilson's cottages, especially seeing there was such a shortage of houses. He had seen the cottages and they were not as bad as reported. Cr Scholes said if the owner would make the houses into good houses the council would not close them. If he would not they should make him pull them down whether there were plenty of houses or not.
The clerk read a letter from Wakefield Corporation raising no objection to a pump being fitted into the water main providing it was installed and maintained by the council. The corporation could regulate the pump and, if necessary, require it to be stopped. Mr A W Archer secretary of the South Kirkby, Featherstone and Hemsworth Collieries Ltd, wrote to agree the company would provide £75 towards the cost of the pump. The company would like a guarantee from the council the pump installation would greatly increase the water supply.
Cr Maxwell said the council were not in a position to give a guarantee because if Castleford were short of water Wakefield Corporation might stop the pump. Cr Poppleton said the pump was really being installed for the benefit of the collieries, and he thought it only right Featherstone Main should contribute. Cr Scholes was of the opinion Wakefield would not object to the pump working at night (to fill up the tank at North Featherstone) and they could then guarantee a better supply.
The chairman said if Featherstone Main were to contribute it was what any ordinary business would do to ask for something in return for the contribution. If the tank were full in the mornings there would be enough water and to spare. In the low lying districts they had plenty of water while we (Featherstone Main) have not enough to work with.
Cr Maxwell still insisted they could not give a guarantee because Wakefield could stop the pump. The chairman replied "When they do that I shall be in a hurry to go somewhere else for the water; we have had enough of these side issues".
When it was time for nominations for the council elections Colonel John Reginald Shaw decided not to put himself forward for re-election. He had only attended two meetings and decided not to bother any more. He was still the county councillor for Featherstone. The election turned out as follows:
Purston Ward Fred Ibbotson 302, Joe Blades (Labour) 289
South Ward Eddie Edwards 205, Sydney Batten 157
North Ward Roslyn Holiday unopposed
Ackton and Snydale Ward Aaron Evans (Labour) unopposed.
APRIL Cr Holiday was back in the chair. The clerk read the minutes and said Cr Poppleton's motion about school leavers was lost. Cr Poppleton said that was not correct. Others disagreed, but when Cr Darlington arrived he said Cr Poppleton was right so the minutes had to be altered. It was agreed to renew the cinematograph licences for the Featherstone Hotel and the Junction Hotel.
The medical officer reported on four cases of tuberculosis last month. The clerk was instructed to contact Pontefract Corporation as to their suggestion about forming a joint district for the provision of a hospital for consumptives.
The chairman formerly moved the rates for the next six months be 2s 3d. Cr Maxwell said the rates, including the water rates, were the highest the town had ever known. He thought members and officials should put their heads together to try and bring about a reduction in the rates. If the rates were maintained at their present figure there were hard times ahead for Featherstone. Others agreed but the rate was passed.
Cr Edwards moved "The slaughtering of pigs intended for sale must be done in a registered or licensed slaughterhouse" be deleted from the minutes of last November. He said the resolution had caused great hardship among many allotment holders. The chairman said it was done on the suggestion of the medical officer and sanitary inspector, and was in the best interests of the public. Cr Scholes pointed out where pigs were not intended for sale to the public the resolution did not apply.
Cr Poppleton said it seemed to him the resolution was passed to make Mr Sagar's (the sanitary inspector) work easier. He would not have to visit so many allotments now, and would find it much easier to go to a registered slaughterhouse. But the council ought to consider the convenience of the owners of the pigs, who by the resolution were not only put to considerable expense but also much trouble. Many allotment holders were threatening to give up their holdings because of the resolution.
Cr Darlington said the objection to pigs being slaughtered in the allotments was because the dressing (removing the innards) was done in the cottage houses. Mr Sagar said the resolution was passed to protect the public against unfit pork. A great nuisance was cause by dressing pigs in unfit houses. Most of the pigs in the allotments were reared for sale.
In the end four voted in favour and four against. The chairman gave his casting vote against saying he did it from the conscientious motive he was acting in the best interests of public health.
This was the last meeting of the 1911/12 council year and Cr Darlington proposed a vote of thanks to chairman Cr Holiday for his year's work. He said he had only missed one meeting and that was when he was in London, and he would have got back if he could possibly have done so.
Cr Holiday thanked the members for their co-operation and said the council had not given the public much room to grumble at the way public work was being done. A vote of thanks was passed to Col Shaw who had retired from the council. The chairman said Col Shaw was a man of considerable influence in the district, and the fact he had not attended regularly at the council and committee meetings was not surprising when they thought of the business responsibilities resting on his shoulders, and at the many public duties he had taken up in addition. The fact he had not been able to attend many meetings must not be taken as meaning he had no interest in the town's affairs.
APRIL The clerk took the chair for the election of the chairman. Cr Darlington proposed Cr Holiday be re-elected. He said he had the fullest confidence Cr Holiday would continue to conduct the business in the same efficient way as during the past year. Cr Maxwell seconded saying when they had got a good man in the chair it was worth while keeping him. There were no other nominations so Cr Holiday was elected.
He said he could hardly put into words his thanks for the honour they had again done him, which he believed was for the fourth time. At times they had had their differences but he had always tried to be fair, and he would continue to do so.
MAY Cr Evans, one of the council's representatives on the joint hospital committee, raised the question as to how long patients were kept in Ackton Hospital. He queried the reported view of Crs Holiday and Darlington that patients should be kept longer than some local medical men thought necessary. If this was true he would have to speak and vote otherwise at the next hospital meeting, and he did not think Featherstone's representatives on the hospital committee should be divided on the matter. He thought the public of Featherstone considered patients were kept in too long, and he would like the council to express an opinion one way or the other and instruct the representatives to vote accordingly. Six weeks was ample, and he was of the opinion some patients were detained until they were in danger of catching other diseases.
The chairman, Cr Holiday who was also on the hospital committee, said he was glad Cr Evans had brought this matter up. He (the chairman) largely agreed with Cr Evans. The medical superintendent, when appointed to Ackton Hospital, thought four weeks was long enough for scarlet fever cases. Other medical men considered six or seven weeks to be the right amount of time.
The superintendent, Dr Harley, was perfectly willing to discharge patients at the end of four weeks, and he asked the board to allow him to do this, but at that time the committee had received complaints from Featherstone that some patients had been sent out too soon and had to be sent back. So they referred it to Dr Kaye, the county medical officer, and he said patients should stay six weeks.
The general public, not knowing all the facts, might consider patients were being kept in too long. It was imperative for at least some days after discharge from hospital a patient should sleep alone. Where this was not possible patients had to be detained until all danger was passed. He (the chairman) had done his best to make the period as short as possible, but he considered the public health to be the first consideration.
Cr Evans said the public had often been misguided by medical opinion and he favoured a shorter period. Cr Murphy said if the committee did vote for a shorter period and an epidemic followed, he would not care to have voted for it. The chairman agreed with him, and said the responsibility of sending them out of the hospital lay with the medical superintendent. If the local medical officer thought patients had been discharged before they were recovered from disease he had a perfect right to send them back again as fresh cases. He was glad this problem had been brought up, but they could not take a vote on it at that meeting.
JUNE Purston Hockey Club wanted to use the old smallpox hospital up Little Lane for changing rooms but the council turned them down. The chairman said the reason for the refusal was there was a possibility of the hospital being used as a sanitarium for tuberculosis patients. The council did not wish to enter into an agreement with the club which they might have to break.
The clerk asked the council to pass the following resolution. That application be made to the Local Government Board for sanction to borrow the sum of £36,745 for the purpose of the housing scheme; plans, estimates etc of which have been recently approved by the council and submitted to the board; that the council's solicitors be instructed to prepare provisional agreements for the purchase of each of the two pieces of land forming the site upon which it is proposed to erect the dwellings.
The clerk explained the actual amount for the present scheme was £33,972 and the rest was for land not required immediately, water supply, street works and sewers which could not be charged to the scheme. The resolution was formerly adopted.
JULY Dr Buncle reported there were 10 cases of scarlet fever in the previous month, and many cases of chicken pox. The schools had been inspected but it had been decided not to recommend closing any.
The sanitary inspector reported on the uncleanliness of certain fried fish shops, and on his finding beetles in the fat in some of the frying pans. He was instructed to take the strictest measures to ensure cleanliness and better conditions. It was agreed to serve notice on Mr Collier requiring him to convert six insanitary privies serving 12 houses in Pontefract Road, Purston, into WC's.
The clerk reported Mr Kaye from the Charities Commissioners had met the trustees of Bailey's Charity and put to them a scheme so that all the local charities would be administered by one body. If a charity had an annual income of £50 (and Bailey's was just over that) then a majority of the trustees had to agree to it being a part of a combined scheme. The trustees had refused to agree, and the clerk told the council it now rested with them to decided whether or not to take the necessary powers to enable them to get a majority on the body of Bailey's trustees so they could bring it in with the others.
Cr Maxwell said he was sure the council had asked the Charity Commissioners to form a central scheme some time ago, and was not Bailey's Charity included with the rest? The clerk said such a request was made and he was certain all the other charities would in future be placed under one administrative body on which the council would be represented. Some people thought the charities were going to be run by the council but this was a mistake; The council would only have representatives on the ruling body.
The chairman explained it was only because Bailey's Charity was worth more than £50 a year the trustees of that charity had to be consulted. The council would apply for the powers of a parish council and then they would be able to have a majority of trustees for Bailey's Charity. It would then be brought into one scheme with the others.
Cr Hough said he was in favour of this being done. The public were entitled to know more about this charity. The clerk said the trustees at present were the vicars, churchwardens and overseers of the poor for Featherstone, Purston, Whitwood and Whitwood Mere. It was unanimously agreed the council should take the necessary steps to get all the charities into one scheme.
AUGUST The medical officer reported there were 13 cases of scarlet fever the previous month. One mild case of scarlet fever had been mistaken for measles, and this resulted in four cases from the same house being taken to the hospital. Probably some of the other cases had also caught it from this source.
Cr Hough was absent so Cr Murphy formally moved application be made to the Local Government Board for the powers of a parish council so Bailey's Charity could be brought in with the others. It was passed unanimously.
The clerk said the county council proposed to put in force two orders under the Shops Act which had already been advertised. In answer to Cr Poppleton the clerk said the county council could appoint inspectors to ensure the orders were carried out, or they could delegate these powers to the police.
SEPTEMBER Consideration was given to prosecuting people who had willfully exposed themselves to infection of scarlet fever. The chairman (Cr Maxwell) said they were determined to take the strictest steps against those persons whose carelessness exposed themselves and other persons to infection from scarlet fever and other infectious diseases.
OCTOBER Cr Poppleton grumbled about the high rates. He said the council seemed to be under the finger and thumb of the surveyor - spending money like he did. The magistrates had told them the making up of the private streets was far too expensive. The council should consider what should be done, not let the officials do as they liked.
Cr Maxwell said a 2s 3d rate was necessary in order to increase the balance at the bank. Cr Scholes said the auditors thought the council should have at least £2,000 in hand, and a rate of 2s 3d would do this. Cr Murphy said it was not fair for Cr Poppleton to allege the council were led by the nose by the surveyor, or he was squandering money. If this had been said at the committee meeting the surveyor would have had a chance to defend himself, but at a full council meeting he was not allowed to speak. The rate was then passed.
NOVEMBER There was a discussion about the proposed council house scheme and how any deficit would be paid. The chairman asked should it fall on those who would benefit from the scheme, or would it come out of the general rates? He considered it should pay its way year by year without a call on the rates.
Cr Poppleton said the public should decided and he was in favour of only half the number of houses being built. Cr Ibbotson thought it a shame the present generation should be saddled for 20 years with something that would benefit those who came after. Cr Maxwell said a separate account would have to be kept for the scheme, and any balance or deficit would be shown. Any deficit would have to come out of the rates, but the council could readjust the rents to meet this. In the end it was decided to ask the Local Government Board how the council should raise the money to pay for the first 20 years of the council house scheme loan.
The medical officer said there were 16 cases of scarlet fever in the previous month. He again raised the option of converting the smallpox hospital into a temporary sanatorium for tuberculosis patients, who at present had to be treated at home. It was agreed to write to the Insurance Commissioners to see if they would consider this. It was also agreed to pay 10s compensation to Mrs Wilford who had to destroy bedding after a case of acute poliomyelitis.
The district auditor's report pointed out the allotments were not self-supporting, and he suggested raising the rents by a shilling. The chairman said he felt the allotment holders did not do enough to prevent the damage to the fences. It was the repairs to the fences that caused the allotments not to pay. It was a pity to have to increase the rents, but they would have to do it.
Regarding Bailey's Charity, the Charity Commissioners said the local authorities of Featherstone and Whitwood could replace the overseers but not the churchwardens, because the ecclesiastical parishes were not the same as the civil parishes. However, they considered the changes suggested by the councils were very desirable.
DECEMBER MR W H Fearnley was appointed surveyor for the council house scheme. For preparing the bills of quantities he would receive £106, and when the work was in progress he would receive £3 3s a month.
It was decided to ask Pontefract Corporation to reimburse the council for the cost of the treatment at Ackton Hospital of Rita Callear, a Pontefract child, who visited Featherstone while she was suffering from scarlet fever. The medical officer reported there were 37 scarlet fever cases in the previous month and 33 of them had to be taken to the hospital.
The clerk reported Purston Charity Committee had agreed to give 4s to each of eleven needy people not receiving the old age pension, and 2s to 17 people who did receive the pension. Cr Murphy expressed the hope they were not penalising the old folk because they had an old age pension. The chairman said the committee considered those with a pension were a bit better off than the others.
EARLY CLOSING DAY
The reference to the Shops Act in August above was because the following advertisement appeared in the Express.Notice is hereby given that the County Council of the West Riding of Yorkshire, on application made to them, proposes to extent the provision of section 4 of the Shops Act 1912 to the retail trades or businesses of BUTCHERS and NEWSAGENTS within the Urban District of Featherstone, and to fix the weekly half-holiday.
The day of the weekly half-holiday for Butchers’ Shops will be MONDAY, and the day of the weekly half-holiday for Newsagents’ Shops will be WEDNESDAY.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the occupier of any shop to be affected by the Order may, on presenting himself at the Featherstone Urban District Council Offices, Wakefield Road, Featherstone, verify that his name, address, and trade are duly entered in the Register of shops.
FRANCES ALVEY DARWIN
Clerk of the County Council of the West Riding of Yorkshire
THE COUNCIL HOUSE SCHEME INQUIRY
The council had applied to the Local Government Board for a loan to build Featherstone's first council houses. In July the Board held an inquiry in the council offices into the loan application. Mr Courtenay Clifton, an inspector for the LGB took the chair.
Most councillors were present along with many prominent ratepayers.
Opposing the scheme were many local property owners including Messrs
Walmsley, Sutton and the Hon Lister (not present but represented by Mr R
W Fearnley).
Featherstone's clerk (Mr Haigh) put the case for the council. He said the population of Featherstone
had grown very quickly during the past 20 years from 7,522 to 14,374 at
the last Census. There were 2,761 houses occupied which gave an average
of about five person per house. The council were £2,300 in debt three years ago but had now turned that round to a profit on the year of £1,750.
It was proposed to build 159 houses at a weekly rent of 6s and after
allowing for a certain number to be unoccupied at any one time there
would be a profit of £8 a year on the scheme. A sum of 30s a year had been allowed for each house per year for repairs. Ackton Hall and Featherstone Main Collieries employed over 5,000 miners and there was a great scarcity of houses especially for the better working-class population,
and there had been innumerable cases of overcrowding which the council
had not been able to deal with because of the lack of houses. Private
enterprise had failed to meet the demand and the council felt it their
duty to relieve the overcrowding and the consequent great inconvenience.
The proposed site was one of the best in the district and was very
pleasantly situated, about a mile from Ackton Hall Colliery's new shaft
at Ackworth where 700 men would shortly go down each day. Ten acres
would be bought from the Hon J C Lister at £330 per acre, and 1,500
square yards from Messrs Roebuck's trustees at one shilling a square yard. The
land was freehold and all mineral rights had been reserved. No
allowances had been made for possible subsidence by the minerals being
worked; the council would take all risks.
Dr Buncle said he was in full agreement with the scheme which he
considered to be absolutely necessary. He said the proposed houses would
be better than houses at present being let at 6s rent because the new
ones would have a bath and a garden. There were many inhabited houses in
a bad condition and he did not think 159 was in excess of the demand. He
admitted his last report only gave 49 cases of overcrowding, but he and
the sanitary inspector had not reported more because the council could
not deal with them as there were no houses to be had.
Mr Chesney, the surveyor, said of the ten acres bought from the Hon
Lister, eight for the scheme were south of Girnhill Lane and two to be
used later were to the north. Messrs Roebuck's 1,500 square yards were at the western end of the site. The roads would be 36 feet wide and the houses would be seven feet from the road so there would be 50 feet between the rows. All the cottages would be similar in plan but they would be varied externally to prevent a monotonous appearance. They would be plain, sound and simple with a living room, scullery with enamelled bath, larder, storeroom under the stairs, and three bedrooms, each with a fireplace.
He thought there would be coal got in Featherstone for another 80
years, although some people said only 30 years, but he was not an expert
on this. He knew there was a scheme to build 100 houses on the Pontefract part of Halfpenny Lane but this was a long way from the Featherstone site,
and extensive building was going on in Ackworth, but miners would
prefer to live in Featherstone which was more like a town than Ackworth.
Mr Sagar the sanitary inspector, said he had recently inspected 389 houses and in 285 of these there was overcrowding. Of these
there were 68 back to back houses with only one bedroom each, and 30
single homes with only one bedroom. There were four cases where three
families were living in one house, and they would gladly have gone to a
separate home if they could have got one. In 46 cases two families were living in one house, and he came across 166 cases where families were requiring three bedrooms.
The average rent for houses with three bedrooms was 6s 9d, and he
considered the council's proposed houses would be equally as good as
these.
Mr Holiday, chairman of the council, said the council were really not concerned about the cause of the overcrowding
but they were concerned as to the remedy. They were quite satisfied
about the need for additional houses, and at first they had considered
building less houses on the same area, but the scheme could not be made
to pay then,
so the council decided to build more houses to the acre. They had
decided to add a bath because the slipper baths at the Lister Baths had
been extensively used. The council felt there had been a distinct change in the habits of the people from the time when the bath was used to store coal or potatoes.
He thought there would be sufficient miners in the district who would
pay the 6s rent, but these men would be those mostly with small
families. Men with large families had so much more expense in living they cut down expense in other directions. He was in a dual position being chairman of the council and agent to Mr Lister who paid about a quarter of the rates
in Featherstone. Mr Lister did not object to the council building
houses, but he would object to a scheme that did not pay its way.
When the coal under Featherstone was worked out the council would
receive less in rates, but even then the houses would be required
because a large amount of coal would still be wound at the Featherstone
end of Ackton Hall Colliery. He estimated the coal under Featherstone
would last for another 21 years, and coal would be wound there for
another 45 years.
Mr Darlington, manager at Featherstone Main Colliery, agreed with Mr
Holiday's estimates. He said 600 of the Featherstone Main miners lived
in Pontefract or other places and Mr Holiday had said a similar number at his colliery also lived out of the district, although many wives preferred it that way because they were handier for the Saturday
markets. He said over the year the miners worked four days a week and
earned an average of 30s a week. He agreed with Mr Holiday that some
time in the future there would be a big drop in rates from the
collieries.
Mr Poppleton, a councillor, said his personal opinion was 70 houses
would be sufficient. Featherstone was now at its best days and the
decline would soon begin. He would not place too much importance on the figures of the medical officer and the sanitary inspector; he regarded the numbers quoted as a little bit over the top.
Mr Murphy and Mr Hough, both councillors, spoke in favour of the scheme, and the inquiry ended at 9.30pm having lasted over three hours.
ALL SAINTS' v ST PETER'S (CONTINUED)
The ill feeling of last year between All Saints' Church and St Peter's Mission simmered on. The vicar, Revd Stebbing blamed it on the curate,
Revd Jackson, and wanted him to resign but he refused. Christ Church,
Oxford, resolved it by offering Revd Jackson the post of Vicar of Thornton-le-Street which he accepted.
He was due to leave in August and St Peter's was packed for his last
service. Two days later there was a gathering in North Featherstone Lane
School in Gordon Street to wish him well in his new job. Mr J Norton
presided and said they were set to show in some little way their
appreciation of Mr Jackson's good work in the parish during the past two and a half years.
The reverend gentleman had shown the people of Featherstone something
of what church life should be. Before Mr Jackson came church life had
been dead in Featherstone, in fact it had been dead for 15 years, Mr Jackson
had got the mission church into excellent condition, and so well had
the mission's work progressed they had now got a name in the Riding for
being among the best church workers in the district.
All the workers regretted Mr Jackson's departure,
but they were glad he had received preferment. It was said if a curate
did not receive preferment by the time he was 40 his chances were gone.
Well Mr Jackson had made it. The workers should keep alight the fire
which Mr Jackson had kindled among them, and not let the good name of St
Peter's Mission be dimmed in any way. Mr Norton then asked Mrs Copley
to present to Mr Jackson a solid silver afternoon tea service and a case of solid silver spoons. Over 100 persons had subscribed to the gifts.
Mr Jackson said he was grateful for the kindly thoughts which had been expressed and the handsome gifts. In
all the work he had done he had been greatly helped by the
churchwardens and the other workers. There was much work yet to be done,
the transferring of the late Salvation Army Barracks into a pleasant
recreation room and institute, the provision of an organ etc.
One thing he wished particularly to remind Featherstone people of. There could be no two opinions about right and wrong. On such things as whether drunkenness, dishonesty, gambling, betting etc should be condoned there should be no two opinions among Christian workers.
There were some folk who said persons who spoke against the evils of
drink were silly, meddling fools; but he would rather be on the side of
the one man who protested against drunkenness than on the side of the 99
who condoned it.
He had never known a place where there was so much paltering (haggling) with right and wrong, with the truth, as there was in Featherstone; so much trying to make people believe black was white. They heard a lot about working smoothly; but if it meant working smoothly was not to condemn drunkenness, dishonesty, gambling etc, he preferred things should not be so smooth.
He asked them to be loyal to their mission until the new curate came,
and help him in every way so he would be encouraged to carry on the work
he was laying down.
In November the archbishop sent his rural dean, Canon Atkinson, to chair a meeting of both churches. He read a letter from the archbishop which said the vicar was
entirely within his rights in deciding whether St Peter's should be
worked by a curate-in-charge, or in connection with the parish church by
the vicar and his assistants. However, he had written a separate letter to the vicar urging in view of the past history, and people attending St Peter's had been accustomed to a certain measure of independence,
he should make arrangements that a curate should as far as possible
give his main time and energy to the supervision of St Peter's.
As to the Mission Church Building and Organ Fund, it was for the subscribers to say how it was spent, but if they went ahead they would be responsible for the purchase money and the maintenance. The archbishop had no power to compel the vicar, but for the sake of harmony and progress he hoped he would appoint a curate for St Peter's. The vicar later appointed the Revd F W Freeman to St Peters.
THE FDAPO DINNER
The Featherstone and District Association for the Prosecution of Offenders, now in its 12th year, held its annual dinner in the Featherstone Hotel in January. Thomas Holliday presided over the proceedings and the report presented by Mr W E Clayton-Smith showed there were 179 members last year against 186 in 1910. During the year 53 cases of trespass or damage had been taken up, and out of 36 prosecutions 33 convictions were obtained, the other three were dismissed for lack of evidence. In 17 cases the offenders had paid damages to avoid legal proceedings.
A letter was read from Mrs Booth of Castlesyke, wife of the president James Booth, saying her husband was unable to attend because he was suffering from pneumonia.
He had been very seriously ill but was now recovering. The gathering
agreed to send their sympathy and hopes for a speedy recovery.
There were about 70 people for
the dinner served by Tommy Sides, and afterwards there were speeches
and music. Joseph Watson congratulated the members on the financial
soundness of the association. He said the decreasing number of
prosecutions showed the association was a success. He trusted this
decline would continue.
Thomas Holliday said the association was doing very good work but he
would like to see more members. Those present would notice from the
accounts the secretary had to take
a smaller salary than last year. Some subscriptions were not paid as
promptly as they should be and he trusted not only would there be an
improvement in that direction, but greater efforts would be made to make
the association - which was doing most useful work - more prosperous.
Mr Pettitt
referred to the work done by the local justices (Messrs Waller, Tempest
and Bentley) and said the district had some fine magistrates. The
evening ended with musical entertainment.
“KILLED HIMSELF” BY GOING TO WORK
An inquest was held in the Salvation Army Barracks in April on Joe Wickam aged 35 of Pretoria Street who
died very suddenly after returning home from Ackton Hall Colliery. The
start of the proceedings was delayed because the coroner, Major Arundel,
found out three of the jurors worked at the colliery, so he ordered
three more to be summoned. He told PC Kinder be as quick as you can.
There was then another delay because the first witness was not present
when called.
Eventually Leah Cotton of Halfpenny Lane, the deceased's sister, gave
the identification and said she last saw him alive two weeks ago and he
was in good health. Mary Ann Randall of Pretoria Street said the
deceased had lodged with her for about 14 months. He went to work at 3.0pm in good health. He returned at 9.50 and said he felt sick and there
was gas on his stomach. He drank some tea and then he was sick and said
he felt better and went to lay down. He got up to get washed but fell
down and did not speak again.
Three men put him on the sofa where he moaned three times and then died. Dr Kidd was sent for and he came at once but life
was extinct. She said Wickam was always jolly, had never complained of
being ill and had not been off work apart from the recent strike. He
went to work pleased he had got two shifts in already that week.
Because Joe Wickam had complained of gas on his stomach the coroner
had to find out if he meant gas from the pit. Law Senior, a deputy
living in Hall Street, Purston, said he visited Wickam at work at 4pm
and 8pm. On the second occasion he said he had been sick but he did not
complain about gas. The place was not in the slightest gassy. There had
never been any gas in that part of the mine and he had been in that part
for 16 years.
Dr Kidd said Wickam was dead at about 10 o'clock. In his post mortem
examination he found the right lung was very inflamed, enlarged and
gorged with blood. There was slight catarrh in the stomach. In his
opinion Wickam had died from heart failure consequent on acute lobar
pneumonia, from which he must have been suffering about 36 hours.
Neither the catarrh nor the pneumonia would be caused by inhaling gas,
and there was not the slightest trace he had inhaled gas. Death was due
purely to natural causes.The jury said they did not wish to hear further evidence. The foreman, Mr H V Chapman said it was a wonder Wickam was able to go to work with acute pneumonia. Dr Kidd replied it cost him his life. The foreman asked if he simply killed himself by going to work. Dr Kidd said yes. The jury then returned a verdict of natural causes.
THE BUTCHERS GET TOGETHER
The butchers decided to have their own organisation and their first
annual meeting was held in May at the Jubilee Hotel where a dinner was
served by George Priestley. Mr S Hargreaves took the chair and he said
he wished the gathering to note the question of universal closing of
butchers' shops on the Sabbath Day was being strongly advocated by the National Meat Traders' Association.
There must have been some ill feeling between the various religious denominations
because Mr F H Wagner asked for a kindlier feeling between them. He
said persons antagonistic to the churches were unlikely to be won over
until the churches showed real Christian feelings towards each other.
Revd
H S Rogers replied and said there were honest differences between
church and chapel but they all agreed on the great principles of
Christianity. He praised the local butchers and said there was no need
for any person living in the town to go outside for good meat.
Cr Ibbotson expressed his pleasure that the association was in a sound financial position, and he hoped there would be no falling off as there was with the now defunct tradesmen's association.
THE HEALTH OF FEATHERSTONE
Dr Buncle was late as usual with his annual report, and it was August when he presented it for 1911. It
showed the infant mortality rate was 156 per thousand (about one in six
babies died) and more than half the persons who died in 1911 were under five years old.
There had been two epidemics of measles and severe epidemics of German measles and whooping cough. There were 31 deaths from measles and 30 from diarrhea.
Influenza was very prevalent all year and two people died. "The
district has practically never been free from influenza for many years."
There were 15 deaths from phthisis (a lung disease) which was now notifiable. In 1910
the Featherstone Council decided to join with the proposed West Riding
Sanatorium which was not proceeded with because of the National
Insurance Bill which is now law. As far as Featherstone is concerned I
recommended the council should alter and add shelters to their smallpox
hospital for this purpose. At present home treatment is all that is
available.
He said all the streets mentioned for making up in his last report had not yet been started,
and pressure should be put on the owners to carry out the orders of the
magistrates. The streets were all those from Cressey's Corner to
Stanley Street, plus Leeds Terrace and Scarboro' Terrace.
He looked forward to the council house scheme to end the overcrowding, and also for
some of the present housing stock to be brought up to the requirements
of the Housing Act. He ended by saying the statistics were not all we
should like, but the council could be congratulated on excellent work done.
Miss Lee was the health visitor. Her first annual report was published at the same time. She
said she had many difficulties and prejudices to overcome but "the
people now realise I have a perfect right to tell them when I find a
dirty or neglected baby, or a dirty house, or neglect of any kind. In a
great many cases my advice is eagerly sought,
and most of the mothers are a bit offended if they think they are not
visited often enough". She regretted she had not yet been able to
establish a baby clinic which she had found a great help in her previous
employment.
Only just over one percent of the babies were bottle fed the whole
time. "I always insist on the mother nursing her infant herself, and the
only excuse I take for a mother not doing so is physical incapacity. 15% of the babies were living with their parents in lodgings.
The accommodation was most inadequate. In many instances parents were
unable to get their own house because of the scarcity. If they moved
they overcrowded elsewhere. What chance has an infant born in such surroundings?
"Many were born in back-to-back houses where there was only one bedroom. When the family had it sealed against draughts when retiring for the night the atmosphere in the morning is better imagined than described. It is difficult to educate people as to the value of fresh air during sleep".
Miss Lee said she had visited all the case of measles and German measles reported to her
by the schoolteachers. She remarked "The mothers of Featherstone have
yet to learn what a serious thing measles can be when the necessary
precautions are neglected, but, alas, some buy their experience with a
very heavy price".
THE CONVALESCENT FUND
Featherstone and Purston Convalescent Fund held their 18th Sunday
demonstration in the Featherstone Main Colliery Athletic Grounds (the cricket
field) in August. The weather was fine and a good crowd turned up.
Prior to the concert at the ground, the Pontefract Territorial Band
paraded North Featherstone, and the Featherstone Brass Band did likewise
in South Featherstone and Purston. Collections were taken by both bands
en route.
The choirs of the Featherstone, Purston and Streethouse churches and chapels occupied the grandstand, and under the direction of Clifford Brooks sang selections from The Messiah and other works. An augmented string orchestra and the brass band also played, but the territorials had to go back to the barracks to meet the local companies arriving back from camp.
Dr Steven was chairman and he said it was a pleasure for everyone to do
a bit of good for a deserving cause. Sometimes people who were
shattered in health and broken in spirit needed a change of air. But
when the exchequer, and very often the cupboard, was empty it was
difficult to meet the expenses. For that reason this fund was carried
on. There would probably be an Act of Parliament to meet cases of
sickness, but they had no Act under which they could give assistance to the
causes they were trying to help that day. He was sorry to say year by
year their little reserve was growing less, and the time might come when
they would have to close the door. They would never become bankrupt, because when the money ran out they would have to close down. He suggested every working man should give 3d a year which would allow the committee to meet most, if not all, of the claims.
Dr Buncle was not so sure about help from the collieries. He said the colliery workers had their own duties to perform, namely to support the accident victims and the sick. The Convalescent Fund was for those who were unable to help themselves, and he hoped their work would prosper.
THE SHOW
The
Featherstone and District Agricultural and Horticultural Society show,
held in August, had now reached its eighth occasion. For the first time
this was held in the Featherstone Main Colliery Athletic Grounds. Some classes
had been dropped for lack of support, bu a new innovation was a baby
show, promoted largely because of the enthusiasm of Miss Lee the health
visitor.
Miss
Lee had also collected the prize money to be given to the winners, and
there were 23 entries. The judges were Dr Buncle and Dr Moore of
Huddersfield. Prizes
were given for weight and beauty, cleanliness, clothing, and general
condition. Miss Lee had hung cards in the pavilion giving good advice to
the mothers such as "Feed baby regularly by the clock" and "Don't feed
baby simply because it cries". She also showed mothers how to make a
cradle from a banana crate. Unfortunately the Express was unable to give the names of the winning babies because Dr Buncle kept the list and took it with him on holiday.
Mr
Poppleton presided over the occasion and gave thanks to the Athletic
Society for allowing the use of the field free, and further, the society
had given £10 for the right to sell refreshments. These were far better
terms than they had for the old field (the Rovers' ground) and they had
saved £20. He thanked both collieries for the able manner in which they
had done the preparations for the show, and also for selling a large
number of tickets.
The various classes in the show were for eggs, butter, bread, horses,
dogs, poultry, pigeons and rabbits, as well as the usual classes for
fruit, vegetables and flowers. The Express said the quality of all the exhibits was very good.
The photo below of Miss Lee's baby show is from the Yorkshire Post.
The photo below of Miss Lee's baby show is from the Yorkshire Post.
TOM MANN’S FIGHTING TALK
Mr Mann set off to a quiet audience, but as he warmed to his theme he raised the enthusiasm of a large section of those present. He said he was there in the interests of the trades organisations generally. He wanted to help the working classes get rid of the horrible poverty which ruined many of them. The wages paid were far too little, and the working class had no chance of bettering their condition so long as the capitalist class was dominant. The object of the working classes should be to organise their interests so they could eventually get rid of the power of the capitalists. He said the trades unions were content to simply adjust wages a few pence once in about every 15 years; they were allowing themselves to be exploited.
When they were organised so they were in a position to bring about a general strike there would be no need for any man to be out of a job. If there was only work for 90% at a colliery the men would be in a position to say “We will reduce the working hours by 10% and make work for all”. He was not in favour of giving long notice to employers as to a strike, nor allowing Mr Asquith to step in (as in the recent miners’ strike). The dispute should be begun and finished on the industrial field.
The capitalists made the laws for the protection of themselves; they were out for a big fight with the workers, and would continue to rob them as they were doing at present. It was true the miners’ leaders had condemned his ideas, because they dare not engage in a real fight. Their present attitude gave them no chance of checking the exploitative methods of the capitalist class.
If it meant a revolution, well he was for it. He was not afraid of the military, the naval and police forces. Many of the soldiers were in the Army because they could not get a decent job. In the last strike they were fooling not fighting, and when the time came for revolution they would get control of the industries in which they were now engaged. Mr Mann sat down to loud applause.
EDUCATION
In 1911 the council agreed all children over eight years old would
receive swimming instruction at the Lister Baths. At the January meeting
of the education sub-committee the clerk said he had ascertained the total
number of pupils and it was more than anticipated. Mr Darlington told
the committee the council would do all they could to create extra
facilities.
Mr
Hough wanted to know why the West Riding Education Authority had not
replied to the committee’s letter about science teaching at North
Featherstone Lane School where the explosion took place last year. Were the
committee sure no more dangerous experiments would be conducted? Other
members agreed and the chairman (Mr Higgins) said they had a right to
know. It was agreed to send another letter requesting a reply and
suggesting Mr Cowey should cease dangerous experiments during school
hours.
The
inspector’s report for Purston School was generally good, but said the
school ideals were still too closely associated with formal teaching in
reading, writing and numbers. The mixed department was overcrowded, and
there were some unsatisfactory features in the structure of the
building.
Mr
Murphy said there was very little interest shown in the County Minor
Scholarships. Mr Darlington said it was the duty of all the headteachers
to pick out promising children and prepare them for the County Council
Scholarships. Very few Featherstone children were attending the Girls’
High School at Pontefract. Mr Murphy suggested the real reason was the
headteachers did not get any financial benefit. Mr Darlington said they
ought to consider it their duty to push on any child of extraordinary
ability.
In
February the Education Authority said extensive repairs and alterations
were necessary at Featherstone National School. The school managers
appealed to the ratepayers to help out saying if the school had to close
a new infants’ school would be built at a cost of about £3,000 which
would add up to £300 a year on to the rates.
At the March meeting it was decided to fill a teacher vacancy at George
Street by a person with a teaching qualification in gardening.
A reply from the Education Authority about dangerous practices during school hours asked
what dangerous practices the committee had in mind? The explosion was
an isolated incident and the committee’s letter could not therefore
apply to schools generally. The committee were not impressed with this
reply but decided to let the matter drop.
Mr Murphy noted with satisfaction the arrangements for the medical
examination of children did not make it necessary they should have to go
to the hospital at Pontefract, Wakefield or Leeds before they could be
told what king of treatment was necessary. He had attended a
schoolchildren’s examination and the doctor was giving advice direct to
parents. He thought parents should take every advantage of this forward
movement.
The clerk explained the Education Authority were forming examination
centres, and if it was a case, say, of defective eyesight the child was
informed what kind of glasses were most suitable, and the authority
would supply the glasses at a cheap rate.
In May it was proposed Mr Maxwell be chairman for the new year’s work.
He suggested it should be Mr Darlington who had been on the committee
longer than him, but there was no seconder so Mr Maxwell was appointed.
The committee met a deputation from Messrs Cowey and Simpson and Miss
Cockerham, all headteachers. They wanted to discuss a long-standing
complaint about inspectors’ reports on schools and teachers’ salaries
being discussed in public. They also wanted this discussion to be in
private and the committee agreed. When the public meeting was resumed no
report was made on this private meeting.
The special committee appointed under the Provision of Meals Act to feed the children during the recent miners' strike presented a statement showing the total income from subscriptions and donations was £171. The amount spent was £162 on 36,000 free breakfasts.
At the June meeting the clerk announced children could not now leave school until they were 14 or had passed Standard VII. He said there were 50 children ready to leave as soon as the certificates could be granted
The committee approved the action of the chairman in ordering two mentally defective girls to be excluded from Regent Street School. The parents had not yet agreed they should be sent to a special school.
Mr Cowey reported on the feeding of the children during the strike. He could not say the keeping of the accounts had been delightful, but the primary object was the feeding of
the children and it had been a great joy to him to do this work. On
behalf of the canteen committee he was presented with an umbrella and a
gold-mounted fountain pen.
There was a letter from Mr A Alexander, secretary of the Featherstone Teachers' Association, thanking the committee for receiving the deputation and agreeing to their requests. The clerk pointed out this was not true. What the committee had agreed was to take each case as it arose and decide whether or not it should be considered in private.
There was a report about George
Street School and Mr Maxwell asked the members if it should be made
public. He said he thought the ratepayers had a right to know how the
schools were going on, and how the money was spent. He did not see why the teachers should object to their salaries being made public. Other salaries such as those of the council officers were made public,
and it was the public who had to find the money. Mr Murphy said if the
reports were not going to be made public the committee might as well not
come here. It was then unanimously agreed the report should be read in public.
It said there had been problems because of alterations to the premises
and sickness among the teachers, which meant some classes had to double
up. There was a lot of criticism of the teaching methods.
Miss Roberts,
headmistress at North Featherstone Lane Infants asked for a rise on her
£105 salary. She said she last asked seven months ago but was turned down. The committee agreed to back her this time.
The council asked for an instruction fee of 5s per half-day for the Lister Baths in addition to the one penny per pupil. Mr Maxwell said other places paid it so the committee agreed.
There was another letter from Mr A Alexander about the reporting of
teachers' salaries and inspection reports in public. The chairman said the matter was already settled. Mr Evans said the public paid the salaries and they ought to know how the money was being spent. But it was agreed to have another meeting.
In September it was announced Miss Roberts' salary had been increased from £105 to £110. The Education Authority had refused an increase for Miss Maxwell, headmistress
at Featherstone National School. The committee considered she had the
most difficult job in the district, and she did as much work as the
other headteachers, even though she did not have as many pupils. It was agreed to put Miss Maxwell forward again for a rise pointing this out.
There was a teaching vacancy at Regent Street Girls' School and there were 25 applications. The Express reported the selection process as follows.
"The clerk stated the Education Authority had interviewed several
applications, and they had selected five for the committee's consideration. They left it with the committee however to recommend who should be appointed. Mr Murphy, who had been looking through the
list of applications, asked if Miss Annie Goldberg of London was one of
the five? The clerk said no. Mr Murphy added she appeared to have just
as good qualifications as the five named, and she had more experience than some, as she was
not straight out of college. Perhaps because she was a Jewess there was
a possibility she had been slighted. The clerk said he did not think
the Riding Authority would do that.
" Mr Murphy said I move she be recommended for the appointment. Mr Maxwell said a Jewess! I think we have enough Jews in Featherstone without bringing any more in. Cr Murphy (who is an Irishman,
as also is the chairman) said we've plenty of Irishmen in Featherstone
as far as that goes. The chairman said but not many Irishmen from the
North. Cr Murphy said nothing good comes from the North, take North Featherstone Church for instance. The chairman asked are you going to vote for a Jewess? Revd Rogers said yes, I am. I second the resolution. The motion was carried."
In
October the committee considered a rise for the cleaner at Featherstone
National School, Mrs Hunter. Mr Hough asked have we anything to do with
the cleaner's salary? The clerk replied you have everything to do with
it. Mr Hough said we seem to have something to do with everything unless
a kid gets killed, and then we have nothing to do with it. The
committee agreed to recommend an increase from £19 11s a year to £24.
The Education Authority wrote to recommend several items of furniture
should be supplied to Featherstone National School, but stated it was the manager's place to provide a fireguard, and the vicar (Mr Stebbing) had already been informed as to the manager's liability. Mr Hough commented we ought to do something to make Stebbing toe the line for what he is responsible. The clerk said that had better come from the Education Authority.
The chairman, Mr Maxwell, moved the Education Authority be asked to write to Mr Stebbing with regard to the fireguard. Mr Hough supported the resolution and said it ought to have been a warning to them, they have one child die through neglect. The resolution was passed.
Mr Murphy raised the question of insurance for the scholars, and asked who was responsible if a child was injured in
a council or church school? They had a case of a lad who had died from
the effects of an accident at Featherstone National School, and no-one
would accept responsibility. He noticed the managers at Purston Church School insured the children. Surely council school children ought to be on the same footing.
And what was the position of the National School Managers? Parents were
obliged to send their children to school, and if accidents happen
someone ought to be responsible. The clerk replied all the children
attending council schools were insured. As to non-provided schools it
was the manager's duty to insure them.
Mr Hough said it would be interesting to know if all council children were insured, why the authority had held out so long in a recent case (the explosion at North Featherstone Lane School) and had incurred a needless expense of £30 and costs.
Note: The accident referred to was that of William Toplis who lived
with his grandparents in North Featherstone. He fell from a wall at the National School and was crushed by a large stone which fell after him. He was taken to Leeds Infirmary where he died eight days later. At his funeral the North Featherstone Wesleyan Sunday School children sang the hymn Safe in the Arms of Jesus at the house, and at the graveside his schoolmates sang Nearer my God to Thee.
 |
| This photo of the Featherstone National School is from the Dr Gatecliff Collection. |
A CONSTABLE'S LIVELY TIME
PC Hudson had a rough time one Saturday night in August and brothers William and Christopher Elliott ended up in court.
The constable said at about 10.40pm he saw Christopher Elliott near the
Jubilee Hotel drunk and staggering about the road, and wanting to
fight. He asked him more than once to go away, but he refused. He then
took him with much difficulty to the police station. The prisoner said
he didn't care for a long **** like the policeman and no-one was going to lock him up.
The prisoner said the first drink he had that day was
at the Railway Hotel about 10 o'clock. At about 10.30 he went to the
Jubilee Hotel and was served with a pint of beer. Another customer tried
to knock him from a stool, and when he objected the landlord threw him
out. He said he would not go away until he got his cap, and it was while he was asking for it that the constable came.
When he got to the
police station he was put in a cell, and he asked to see the sergeant
in order Dr Finch might be fetched. He was told the sergeant was out,
and he did not see the sergeant until two hours after being arrested. Meanwhile his wife had come to the police station, and it was so he might ask her to fetch a doctor that he broke the seat of the WC and then smashed the cell door with it.
He did this to call the attention of the constable to him to ask him to
let his wife fetch a doctor. He did not know there was a bell in the
cell which he could have used to summon someone.
PS Tuxworth said the damage to the cell amounted to 15s. Supt Ackroyd
said there were 15 convictions against the prisoner including one for
assault on police. The prisoner appealed to the Bench not to send him to
prison, saying he had a house on the hire system, and if he were sent
to prison this would be broken up and he would lose his work, and God
knew what would be the consequences. He was very sorry for what he had
done; it was done in a fit of temper.
For being drunk and disorderly Christopher Elliott was fines 20s plus
5s costs, for doing the damage he was fined 2s 6d and 4s costs, and he
had to pay 15s for the damage.
Then William Elliott was put in the dock. He lived in Rotherham but had come to Featherstone on that Saturday night. He was charged with assaulting PC Hudson. The constable said while he was taking
Christopher to the police station William seized him by the cape and
said he was not going to let him lock his brother up. He tried to pull
Christopher away and kicked him (the constable) on the left leg. PC Hudson rolled up his trouser leg to show the mark alleged to have been inflicted by William Elliott who denied ever being against the constable.
The chairman said if there had been any previous convictions against the prisoner the Bench would have sent him to prison. His offence was a very serious one; civilians should assist the police, not try to prevent them doing their duty. However, William Elliott was fined 21s inclusive of costs.
LEFT BURIED IN THE PIT
An inquest was held in September in Pontefract on John Barrett aged 23 who worked at Featherstone Main Colliery and whose death down the mine went unnoticed for 14 hours.
John's father, Patrick Barrett, said
his son left for work on Saturday morning at 4am. At 6.30pm he was told
there had been an accident, but his wife told him John's workmate had
been with his wages and told her he would be home soon. He didn't come home and he made inquiries without success. His son's body was eventually brought home at 1am on Sunday morning.
George Westbury of Crossley Street said he was working with John Barrett clearing a roof fall. They began about 6.30 and at 7 o'clock he sent John for a wedge. He
did not see him alive again. Shortly after John had left another man
told him two men were buried under a fall so he went to help. While he
was there a man called Samuel Burns was got out. He (George) left at
10am to assist in carrying Burns out of the pit, and he did not return
underground.
He then drew his own wage and Barrett's (the butty system) and went to see him in the pit yard
at about 1 o'clock. Barrett did not turn up so at about 5 o'clock he
took Barrett's wages to his house. Finding Barrett had not returned home
he went back to the pit to see if he was working a double shift. The undermanager (Mr Sutcliffe) told him he had not kept Barrett back. The lampman,
Joseph Pease, was asked if he had counted the lamps and he said no. He
counted them and found three were missing. Two belonged to the men who
had been buried and the other was 94a, Barrett's lamp.
The undermanager then sent some afternoon men to search for Barrett. He
(George) went down with Mr Darlington, the manager, and as they were
walking to the fall they were met by the deputy who said Barrett's body
had been found. He then helped to get Barrett's body home.
It turned out that Charlie Smith had been buried with Samuel Burns and he was got out after George Westbury left. John Barrett was buried under the same fall while looking for a wedge, but nobody knew he was there. Burns and Smith said they did not see Barrett and so could not tell anyone he was still under the fall.
The check system should have prevented a man being missing down the pit without anyone knowing. Each miner was given a brass check with his number on it at the pit top which he handed in when he went down the mine. Before he came out of the pit he collected his check
at the pit bottom and handed it in at the pit top. They were then
counted to see if everyone was out of the pit. The jury wanted to know
how the system had failed.
George Westbury said when he got to the pit bottom helping to carry Burns, he asked a lad to get his check. This was against the rules, but he asked the lad to be sure to ask for number 94. By some mistake the clerk gave the lad 94a, Barrett's check, and he didn't notice and handed the wrong check in.
When the deputy arrived at the pit bottom he noticed number 94 was still there so thinking Westbury had forgotten his check because of carrying Burns out, he took it out of the pit. Thus when the count was made there were no checks missing and nobody suspected Barrett was still down the pit.
John Creswell of John Street was the afternoon deputy. At about 8pm he was told to take ten men and search for Barrett.
They were not sure where he could be and after searching the whole
district they set about clearing the fall. They found his body and got
him out about 11.15. He was only about six feet from where the other two men were found but he was completely buried by the fall.
The jury were still not happy about how a man could be left in the pit
without being missed, but the coroner said the mistake about the checks
fully accounted for this. The check man having got Barrett's check from
Westbury and Westbury's
check from the deputy could not have then missed Barrett. The jury then
expressed themselves satisfied. It was decided not to hear further evidence.
Mr Darlington, the manager, expressed his sympathy, and that of the directors, with Barrett's family and regretted the body had been left in the pit
for so long a time. The check system at Featherstone Main was regarded
as unique, and he had been frequently been complimented by mines
inspectors on it. In less then 10 minutes after the whole of the men had
left the pit it would be known if any check was missing, and then inquiries would be made at the lamproom. If a lamp was missing every inquiry would be made, but on this occasion, through
a mistake at the pit bottom, Barrett's check had actually been handed
in. Therefore there was no reason to count the lamps until Barrett had
not turned up at home.
The coroner, Major Arundel, supported Mr Darlington's statement and
said to his knowledge the system at Featherstone Main Colliery worked
very well indeed. The affair seemed to be a pure accident, one of those things which could not be very well provided against. He did not think anyone was to blame, but the clerk at the pit bottom had made an error in giving out the checks.
The jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and added they did not think blame could be attached to any one person.
It was not explained why the checks did not have different numbers, maybe it was the butty system, or why Burns and Smith did not see Barrett who was only six feet away. Maybe they both suffered from concussion and had lost their memory of what happened just before the roof fell in on them.
The jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and added they did not think blame could be attached to any one person.
It was not explained why the checks did not have different numbers, maybe it was the butty system, or why Burns and Smith did not see Barrett who was only six feet away. Maybe they both suffered from concussion and had lost their memory of what happened just before the roof fell in on them.
A Featherstone Main Colliery check. A photo from eBay.
WENT TO WORK DRUNK
Elijah Allen was in court in October charged with being drunk and disorderly and a breach of Ackton
Hall Colliery Rules. Charles Firth, the senior banksman on the night
shift, said Allen passed him at about 9.30 very drunk, cursing and
swearing, and saying he would go down if he
got 14 years for it. He took no notice of a warning and rushed at the
cage which was already full with ten men. He threatened Mr Mayland the
banksman and said he would knock is **** eyes out. He (Firth) managed to drag Allen away so Mayland could signal the cage away. Allen rushed at Mayland again and he was overpowered by the two banksmen and given in charge.
Firth said he had been a banksman for 12 years and this was the most
violent scene he had ever witnessed on the pit hill. If the defendant
had been a more powerful man very serious consequences could have resulted.
John Livesey, a deputy, said he warned the lampman not to give Allen a lamp because he was drunk. He advised Allen to go home, but he pulled off his coat and said he was going to kill someone. Livesey then sent for a policeman.
Elijah Allen told the court he did not know what he was doing. The chairman said it was a very serious offence indeed. It was fortunate there was someone able to control the defendant,
or the lives of the men on the cage might have been endangered.
Personally he (the chairman) was inclined to send Allen to prison, but
the Bench had decided on a fine of £2 and £1 12s costs for the breach of
the colliery rules, and 10s 6d for being drunk and disorderly.
HIT BY A TRAMCAR
An inquest was held in October on Walter Blakestone of Anderson Terrace
who died after being hit by a tramcar. The inquest was held over two
days. At the first the only evidence was from Dr Maurice Moran of Clayton
Hospital who said Blakestone was admitted at night bleeding from the
mouth and with his upper jaw broken. He died almost straight away and a
post mortem showed he had a fractured skull and hemorrhage and
laceration of the brain.
At the resumed inquest James
Blakestone of Normanton Common said Walter was his brother who was not
married and lived in lodgings in Featherstone. His eyesight and hearing
were good. He came to James's
house for his tea and left about 6 o'clock saying he was going to walk
home by way of Whitwood Hill and Four Lane Ends. He heard about the
accident but he did not think it was his brother, but when he read in the Press about
a watch-chain he realised it was.
Harry Chapman of
Castleford was on the tram and he said the night was dark but not
foggy. When between Four Lane Ends and Whitwood the tram stopped dead.
He was on the top deck and looking out he saw a man lying on the ground
at the side of the tram. The conductor unfastened the man's collar. and
he, the conductor and driver lifted him into the tram with the intention
of taking him to Dr Johnson's surgery at Normanton. He (Chapman) got off at the railway crossing just after Whitwood (the line between Whitwood and Dom Pedro Collieries).
John Robert
Facer of Pontefract said he was the conductor on tram No.36 of the West
Riding Light Railway Company. They were going from Pontefract to
Normanton at about eight miles per hour. When about 240 yards past Four
Lane Ends the tram was pulled up with a jerk. Just as they stopped he noticed
a motor car, which looked like a taxi-cab, pass them going towards
Castleford. He got off the tram and found the man lying at the side of
the tram towards the rear. He was bleeding from the ears. They got him
into the tram and took him to Dr Johnson's surgery.
John Hargreaves of Castleford was the tram driver. He said they were
going at about eight miles per hour and had passed Four Lane Ends. He
was steadying the tram with the handbrake because they were going
downhill. A taxi-cab passed them going towards Castleford
and then he saw a man standing on the tram tracks about four yards
away. The man had his hands up and did not move or speak. He put the
tram in reverse (but it would still skid forwards down the hill),
sounded his gong and shouted at the man to get out of the way. The tram
pulled up in its own length but the man was hit on the head and fell
sideways. They found he was unconscious so they put him in the tram and
took him to Dr Johnson's.
Answering questions he said if the man had crossed in front of the
taxi-cab he would have seen him. It might be the man had crossed behind
the taxi and in doing so had not noticed the approach of the tram and
was bewildered when he saw it so close to him.
The coroner,
Mr P P Maitland, said he thought it possible the deceased had had his
situation taken up by the motorcar and was crossing the road immediately
it had passed, and then found himself confronted by the tramcar. James Blakeston was then recalled and in answer to the coroner said his brother would have to cross the road at some point.
The jury deliberated in private and then returned a verdict that death
was due to having being accidentally knocked down by a tramcar, while
trying to cross the road at night, being probably confused by the lights of a passing taxi-cab. The jury also exonerated the driver of the tramcar from any blame. The photo below of a tram on its way to Normanton was taken from a postcard.
THE SHOW DINNER
The eighth annual dinner of the Featherstone and District Agricultural
and Horticultural Society was held at the Featherstone Hotel in
November. Tommy Sides provided a meal of roast beef and mutton, boiled
mutton, turkey, ham, rabbit pie, vegetables and plum pudding. Roslyn
Holiday, the president, acted as chairman.
Mr Poppleton proposed a toast to the chairman and said it was the eighth time Mr Holiday had performed this duty. The president was a very busy man but he was always willing to listen to any inquiries about the show. He was sure Mr Holiday would continue to further the show and its objectives.
Mr Holiday said he was proud to respond for the eighth time. After the first few years he had expected a cooling-off in enthusiasm for the show, but that danger was past and the show was now a regular event. He was very thankful to have been able to have done something for the show, but the most work was done by the committee. He thought they came to him once or twice when they knew he was very busy - perhaps on the principle the best way to get money out of him was when they knew he was busy. However he would always do what he could to further the interests of the show.
Mr Poppleton said they were all proud of "our show", and they all worked with one object, namely, to secure its success. Before the show opened they at Featherstone could guarantee it would be a success financially
because of the large number of tickets sold in advance. The tickets
went like ripe cherries, and he thought the venture had nothing to fear
in the future. Revd Rogers said they had heard a lot in former years about those peculiar things which came from other districts
(a reference to cheating at the show) but he didn't think this had been
the case this year. The exhibitors had been sportsmen, and some wonderful produce had been obtained.
This year the show had some very fine infants, judged by a doctor from
another district, while Dr Buncle had funked at the task. The judge of
the babies took the results away with him (this contradicted what the Express reported at the time). He (the Revd) thought he was a very wise man.
Mr R S Bailey proposed the health of Joe Poppleton, and said he was a fine, genial, generous committee chairman, and encouraged all as much as possible. He was always at the front, going to the colliery representatives for advice and assistance. They were never disappointed and got what they wanted through having their worthy chairman at their head.
Roslyn Holiday proposed "the town and trade of Featherstone". He said the trade of the town was fairly good, the principle section being the coal trade. When this was good, other trades were good. The prosperity of the town had grown faster than the town itself, and now it was necessary for the council to build houses. In this work there were many difficulties. They knew overcrowding meant insanitary conditions, and it was the duty of the authority to remedy this. Some people said the council were not moving fast enough, while others said just the opposite, and the town would become bankrupt. Those who had built their own houses had a real interest in the town, whilst many others, if they thought the rates too high, would be able to go elsewhere, and it was matters of this nature the council had to deal with. However, they were doing their best, and he asked for the consideration of the public in this matter.
The evening ended with musical entertainment.
Mr Poppleton proposed a toast to the chairman and said it was the eighth time Mr Holiday had performed this duty. The president was a very busy man but he was always willing to listen to any inquiries about the show. He was sure Mr Holiday would continue to further the show and its objectives.
Mr Holiday said he was proud to respond for the eighth time. After the first few years he had expected a cooling-off in enthusiasm for the show, but that danger was past and the show was now a regular event. He was very thankful to have been able to have done something for the show, but the most work was done by the committee. He thought they came to him once or twice when they knew he was very busy - perhaps on the principle the best way to get money out of him was when they knew he was busy. However he would always do what he could to further the interests of the show.
Mr R S Bailey proposed the health of Joe Poppleton, and said he was a fine, genial, generous committee chairman, and encouraged all as much as possible. He was always at the front, going to the colliery representatives for advice and assistance. They were never disappointed and got what they wanted through having their worthy chairman at their head.
Roslyn Holiday proposed "the town and trade of Featherstone". He said the trade of the town was fairly good, the principle section being the coal trade. When this was good, other trades were good. The prosperity of the town had grown faster than the town itself, and now it was necessary for the council to build houses. In this work there were many difficulties. They knew overcrowding meant insanitary conditions, and it was the duty of the authority to remedy this. Some people said the council were not moving fast enough, while others said just the opposite, and the town would become bankrupt. Those who had built their own houses had a real interest in the town, whilst many others, if they thought the rates too high, would be able to go elsewhere, and it was matters of this nature the council had to deal with. However, they were doing their best, and he asked for the consideration of the public in this matter.
The evening ended with musical entertainment.
1912 NEWS ITEMS
JANUARY Dr Kidd was called out to Pretoria Street to Jane Baxter aged 53. At about 1.15pm while having her dinner she suddenly fell back in her chair and moaned. She was laid on the floor but
died about ten minutes later just before the doctor arrived. A post
mortem showed death was due to a stroke and the verdict was natural
causes.
For persisting in standing on the footpath in Wilson Street to drink beer, Thomas Smith, Charles Frost and Joshua Dickenson were fined 12s 6d each.
The council agreed to buy a shield with the money left over from the
Coronation Fund. This would be competed for at the Lister Baths by
swimming teams from the elementary schools. Cr Holiday
said the money could not be better spent than by further encouraging
children to learn swimming and to persevere with it. So far the results
of the council's efforts had been very satisfactory, and he thought the proposal would meet with general approval.
The county council had asked Featherstone Council's opinion on tar-spraying on the main roads. Cr Holiday said this would only be over a small length of road, but their opinion was although it was effective as a dust-layer,
in wet weather and during great heat the road would be dangerous for
horses, cycling etc. Other authorities had proved this, and the council
thought the remedy was worse than the disease.
Tom Moore aged 68 of Dobson's lodging house was knocked down and killed
on the Halfpenny Lane railway crossing. At the inquest the driver said Mr Moore made no effort to get out of the way. It was revealed he had poor eyesight. The verdict was misadventure.
An inquest was held on Fred Hill of Andrew Street who was fatally
injured by a fall of coal at Ackton Hall Colliery. He was taken to
Clayton Hospital where he died a week later. The verdict was accidental death.
FEBRUARY Featherstone Brass Band were under new management with Mr J Moxon as bandmaster. They were making efforts to raise £89 8s, the cost of the instruments.
The Burial Board was told there was much criticism in the town about the paying of £200 an acre for the extension. The chairman, Mr J Sutherland, said £200 was the lowest price which the Christ Church authorities
could be persuaded to sell. They were very unwilling sellers, and if it
had been for any other purpose he did not think they would have sold at all.
Charles Moss of no fixed abode, a native of Staffordshire, went to Purston Police Station on a Saturday night and refused to leave. He was thrown out and then summonsed for being drunk and disorderly. He was sent to jail for 14 days.
The compensation claim for John Fletcher after last year's explosion at North Featherstone Lane School was still not settled. The education sub-committee received a letter from West Riding County Council saying the matter was sub-judice and all they could say at present was they had agreed to pay half the agreed damages and costs.
The compensation claim for John Fletcher after last year's explosion at North Featherstone Lane School was still not settled. The education sub-committee received a letter from West Riding County Council saying the matter was sub-judice and all they could say at present was they had agreed to pay half the agreed damages and costs.
MARCH The Archbishop of York preached in Featherstone and Purston churches during his tour
of inspection. He prayed God would deliver us from the effects of a
long coal strike. After taking the archbishop to Featherstone Parish
Church his chauffeur was in Green
Lane when Reg Whiteman stepped from the footpath and was knocked down.
Apart from shock he was none the worse for the accident.
A inquest was held on Harold Greenhough aged 21 of Dickinson
Terrace. He was found by his mother Hannah at the front step unable to
get up. A man came and carried him into the house where he died before
Dr Steven could arrive. A post mortem showed the body was poorly nourished, the left side of the heart was very large and the right side was small, the lungs were tuberculous, and the kidneys showed the start of Bright's disease. Death was due to syncope. The doctor answered a juror
saying cigarettes could have contributed to the death. It was revealed
the deceased had smoked three to four packets a day. The verdict was death due to syncope - natural causes.
A shaft was being sunk at Ackworth for Ackton Hall Colliery. The crank
and cylinder of the winding engine broke and work had to be suspended until repairs were carried out.
Thomas Speight and Thomas Evans were in court charged with stealing a pump from Ackworth Park.
They claimed they found it behind a hedge while looking for nettles.
The Bench didn't believe them and Speight was sent to prison for three
months and Evans for two months.
An inquest was held on William Hall of Featherstone Lane who fell back from the breakfast table and died. Joseph Hall, his brother, said William had lived with him for four weeks. Dr Anderson said death was due to syncope arising from valvular disease of the heart.
An inquest was held on a seven months old child of Herbert Wilson of Featherstone Lane which had a sudden seizure and died of asphyxia. The verdict was in accordance with the evidence.
APRIL George Clements, a builder, was in the bankruptcy court. He was formerly a bricklayer but commenced on his own account about thirteen years earlier with his own £20 and £100 borrowed from his mother, which he later paid back. He blamed his problems on poor trade and a compensation award of 11s 6d a week for one of his workmen. He was not insured and he now owed £60 on this.
Arthur Smith, a labourer of no fixed abode, was found by PC Collyer in a cowshed in Ackworth Road belonging to Thomas Cuttle. In court the constable told the Bench he had known the prisoner for 18 months and he had never known him work. Smith, who had five convictions in 1910, was sent to prison for 14 days for sleeping out.
JUNE The Local Government Board held an inquiry in the council offices into a request from the Burial Board for a loan of £1,100. John Routledge, the clerk, explained it was for two acres of land at £200 an acre, £536 for the necessary works and boundary wall, and the rest for legal expenses and laying out the new ground. The loan would be repaid over 20 years. There were no objectors.
JULY Ackton Hall Colliery installed electric lighting in the Lister Baths for their second anniversary swimming gala. There were 116 entries and the balcony was packed to see them perform.
An inquest was held on Martha Ann Whitworth aged 46 of Chapel Street. She complained of feeling ill after dinner. The doctor was sent for but she died before he arrived. A post mortem showed fatty degeneration of the heart and inflammation of the liver and kidneys. The verdict was death from natural causes.
Featherstone Football Club and Featherstone Rovers decided to amalgamate because Mr C W Umpleby had given up the licence of the Railway Hotel, the Rovers headquarters.
The council brought a case to court on behalf of John Clewlow, a scavenger in their employ, against Thomas Blakestone for assault. Clewlow was emptying ashpits at Sun Court when some water was thrown over him, but he did not see who did it. Half an hour later a bucket of "matter" was thrown over him and he saw Blakestone hurrying away. Clewlow had been off work for three months caused by muscular rheumatism because of the assault. Blakestone told the court he had fallen over a bucket of dirt left in the road by Clewlow and he spoilt a suit of clothes. He threw the water in his rage. He was fined 10s, 18s 6s costs and 10s compensation.
Alf Gates, a Featherstone miner, was arrested in Pontefract for stealing a bottle of brandy. While he was in a cell he complained of feeling ill. A doctor came and said he was shamming. In court it was said he was in Pontefract Working Men's Club when a bottle of brandy went missing. William Bottomley said he saw a bulge in Gates's pocket so he sent for the police. When arrested Gates claimed someone else had stolen it and given it to him. He said when he heard it had been pinched he put it in his pocket out of the road. He was put on probation for 12 months, he had to pay 28s 6d and the doctor's fee.
Mixed bathing was allowed for the first time at the Lister Baths. There were over 50 couples present, and Mr and Mrs Bilson saw the Council's rules were strictly observed. There would now be a mixed session every week.
A final balance sheet was published for the John Fletcher compensation claim. It showed the total amount raised for him was £327 3s 8d which included £200 from the county council. The balance remaining for the benefit of John Fletcher was £311 1s 8d.
One Saturday night John McCarthy, a maintenance man on the railway, was walking along the track from Pontefract to Hardwick when he came upon a young man lying between the rails. He pulled him clear and phoned for assistance. The man was taken to Pontefract Infirmary where he died a few hours later. It was Monday before he was identified as Thomas Nash aged 18 of Featherstone Lane.
At the inquest Supt Ackroyd said he examined the place where he was found and there were tracks down the steep grass bank as though someone had walked down. He did not think he had fallen from the bridge. Dr Poole said death was from compression of the brain set up by violence of some kind.
The coroner, Major Arundel, suggested the jury should return a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence and said there was not sufficient evidence to show how the deceased's injuries were inflicted. The jury retired to consider in private and then returned to give an open verdict.
AUGUST Eleven Featherstone men and boys (four only 16 years old) were in court for playing toss in North Featherstone Lane. One youth told PC Hudson he was sorry he was there because he had lost 8s. PC Cook said he caught the same group gaming with coins at 5.30 the same day. One defendant was fined 7s 6d, one 5s, and the others were bound over except one who said he wasn't there and his case was dismissed.
There were two inquests the same day on two Pontefract miners who worked in Featherstone. Julius Connell aged 43 was killed by a fall of roof at Featherstone Main Colliery and the verdict was death by misadventure.
William Moxon aged 16 was illegally riding on a full tub in Ackton Hall Colliery which came off the rails and trapped him at the side of the roadway. He was taken to Clayton Hospital where he died. The verdict was "Died from a fractured spine and injury to his kidneys by being thrown off a tub, on which he was riding, owing to a fishplate on the rail".
SEPTEMBER Adeline Southall aged 18 of Kimberley Street was in service in Bradford with Mrs Linda White. She was in a car with Mr and Mrs White, another man and four children. It went out of control on a hill near Ripley and hit a wall. Adeline and Mrs White died in hospital in Harrogate.
OCTOBER Water mains had just been laid in Purston and the filled in trench was still soft. A brewer's cart coming from Pontefract sank in up to the axles. It had to be unloaded before it could be pulled out.
Mr W Hamilton Fearnley had an office over the Misses Banks's shop in Station Lane. He was sat at his desk when a bullet came through the window and hit him in the shoulder but did not injure him. Police inquiries found it had been fired from the allotments down Post Office Road.
Amos Dyson aged 67, a retired blacksmith, was living with his son-in-law Arthur Gould in Station Lane. He suffered from heart disease, bronchitis and dropsy, and was practically confined to his bedroom. Arthur found him one afternoon leaning over the bath. He had cut his throat with a penknife and was dead. The inquest verdict was suicide.
George Senior, a Featherstone man, was sentenced to one month in prison for a common assault on an eleven years old girl at Castleford, plus 80s costs or another 14 days. He was a member of Purston Wesley Guild whose members wrote to the Home Secretary saying George Senior was of weak intellect and his conduct towards the girl was quite like his childish ways. He had no intention of harming her and he should be let out of prison.
NOVEMBER George Scott aged 74 of Earle Street got up at 6am and fell down the stairs. He was put to bed but died that afternoon. Dr Steven said death was due to laceration of the brain, and the inquest verdict was accidental death.
At the first annual dinner of the Featherstone Main Colliery Athletic Club cricket section, medals were presented to the team for winning the Pontefract and District League. The captain was Joe Denton.
William Ellis was in court for being drunk and disorderly. He said he had been teetotal for five months and knew he was better off without drink. PC Tuxworth confirmed this so the case was adjourned for six months providing he signed the pledge.
An inquest was held on Everard Booth aged seven of the School House, North Featherstone. He came home from school feeling ill and slept with his mother that night. The doctor was called next morning but Everard had died. Dr Steven said death was due to tubular meningitis and endocarditis. The verdict was natural causes.
An inquest was held in the Featherstone Lane Primitive Methodist Chapel on Isabella Lancaster aged four of Ivy Street. Martha Lancaster, the sister of the deceased, said she was going to bath Isabella who was sitting in a bath in front of the fire. Two brothers age six and eight were playing about in the same room and somehow a pan of boiling water on the fire grate fell on Isabella and she was badly scalded about the chest. There was no fireguard.
Dr Thomas gave evidence as to the extent of the scalds and said she was progressing favourably until the 14th day when pneumonia set in and she never recovered from it. Death was due to this cause consequent on the scolds. The verdict was misadventure.
It didn't take long for the name of the Hippodrome to be shortened. A report in the Express about the acts in one week said "Perhaps the Hipp patrons will grow in appreciation of such turns". They were The Martine Trio (acrobats), the three Rollasons (dramatic sketches), Thelma (a dainty dancer), and Katrina Marsh (a vocalist).
DECEMBER Joe Ward, steward of the Featherstone Main Colliery Athletic Club, gave a donkey and cart to the club. They decided to raffle it and it was won by Mr A D Bell who had promised to ride the donkey through the streets if he won.
An inquest was held on a seven months old child of Herbert Wilson of Featherstone Lane which had a sudden seizure and died of asphyxia. The verdict was in accordance with the evidence.
APRIL George Clements, a builder, was in the bankruptcy court. He was formerly a bricklayer but commenced on his own account about thirteen years earlier with his own £20 and £100 borrowed from his mother, which he later paid back. He blamed his problems on poor trade and a compensation award of 11s 6d a week for one of his workmen. He was not insured and he now owed £60 on this.
Arthur Smith, a labourer of no fixed abode, was found by PC Collyer in a cowshed in Ackworth Road belonging to Thomas Cuttle. In court the constable told the Bench he had known the prisoner for 18 months and he had never known him work. Smith, who had five convictions in 1910, was sent to prison for 14 days for sleeping out.
JUNE The Local Government Board held an inquiry in the council offices into a request from the Burial Board for a loan of £1,100. John Routledge, the clerk, explained it was for two acres of land at £200 an acre, £536 for the necessary works and boundary wall, and the rest for legal expenses and laying out the new ground. The loan would be repaid over 20 years. There were no objectors.
JULY Ackton Hall Colliery installed electric lighting in the Lister Baths for their second anniversary swimming gala. There were 116 entries and the balcony was packed to see them perform.
An inquest was held on Martha Ann Whitworth aged 46 of Chapel Street. She complained of feeling ill after dinner. The doctor was sent for but she died before he arrived. A post mortem showed fatty degeneration of the heart and inflammation of the liver and kidneys. The verdict was death from natural causes.
Featherstone Football Club and Featherstone Rovers decided to amalgamate because Mr C W Umpleby had given up the licence of the Railway Hotel, the Rovers headquarters.
The council brought a case to court on behalf of John Clewlow, a scavenger in their employ, against Thomas Blakestone for assault. Clewlow was emptying ashpits at Sun Court when some water was thrown over him, but he did not see who did it. Half an hour later a bucket of "matter" was thrown over him and he saw Blakestone hurrying away. Clewlow had been off work for three months caused by muscular rheumatism because of the assault. Blakestone told the court he had fallen over a bucket of dirt left in the road by Clewlow and he spoilt a suit of clothes. He threw the water in his rage. He was fined 10s, 18s 6s costs and 10s compensation.
Alf Gates, a Featherstone miner, was arrested in Pontefract for stealing a bottle of brandy. While he was in a cell he complained of feeling ill. A doctor came and said he was shamming. In court it was said he was in Pontefract Working Men's Club when a bottle of brandy went missing. William Bottomley said he saw a bulge in Gates's pocket so he sent for the police. When arrested Gates claimed someone else had stolen it and given it to him. He said when he heard it had been pinched he put it in his pocket out of the road. He was put on probation for 12 months, he had to pay 28s 6d and the doctor's fee.
Mixed bathing was allowed for the first time at the Lister Baths. There were over 50 couples present, and Mr and Mrs Bilson saw the Council's rules were strictly observed. There would now be a mixed session every week.
A final balance sheet was published for the John Fletcher compensation claim. It showed the total amount raised for him was £327 3s 8d which included £200 from the county council. The balance remaining for the benefit of John Fletcher was £311 1s 8d.
One Saturday night John McCarthy, a maintenance man on the railway, was walking along the track from Pontefract to Hardwick when he came upon a young man lying between the rails. He pulled him clear and phoned for assistance. The man was taken to Pontefract Infirmary where he died a few hours later. It was Monday before he was identified as Thomas Nash aged 18 of Featherstone Lane.
At the inquest Supt Ackroyd said he examined the place where he was found and there were tracks down the steep grass bank as though someone had walked down. He did not think he had fallen from the bridge. Dr Poole said death was from compression of the brain set up by violence of some kind.
The coroner, Major Arundel, suggested the jury should return a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence and said there was not sufficient evidence to show how the deceased's injuries were inflicted. The jury retired to consider in private and then returned to give an open verdict.
AUGUST Eleven Featherstone men and boys (four only 16 years old) were in court for playing toss in North Featherstone Lane. One youth told PC Hudson he was sorry he was there because he had lost 8s. PC Cook said he caught the same group gaming with coins at 5.30 the same day. One defendant was fined 7s 6d, one 5s, and the others were bound over except one who said he wasn't there and his case was dismissed.
There were two inquests the same day on two Pontefract miners who worked in Featherstone. Julius Connell aged 43 was killed by a fall of roof at Featherstone Main Colliery and the verdict was death by misadventure.
William Moxon aged 16 was illegally riding on a full tub in Ackton Hall Colliery which came off the rails and trapped him at the side of the roadway. He was taken to Clayton Hospital where he died. The verdict was "Died from a fractured spine and injury to his kidneys by being thrown off a tub, on which he was riding, owing to a fishplate on the rail".
SEPTEMBER Adeline Southall aged 18 of Kimberley Street was in service in Bradford with Mrs Linda White. She was in a car with Mr and Mrs White, another man and four children. It went out of control on a hill near Ripley and hit a wall. Adeline and Mrs White died in hospital in Harrogate.
OCTOBER Water mains had just been laid in Purston and the filled in trench was still soft. A brewer's cart coming from Pontefract sank in up to the axles. It had to be unloaded before it could be pulled out.
Mr W Hamilton Fearnley had an office over the Misses Banks's shop in Station Lane. He was sat at his desk when a bullet came through the window and hit him in the shoulder but did not injure him. Police inquiries found it had been fired from the allotments down Post Office Road.
Amos Dyson aged 67, a retired blacksmith, was living with his son-in-law Arthur Gould in Station Lane. He suffered from heart disease, bronchitis and dropsy, and was practically confined to his bedroom. Arthur found him one afternoon leaning over the bath. He had cut his throat with a penknife and was dead. The inquest verdict was suicide.
George Senior, a Featherstone man, was sentenced to one month in prison for a common assault on an eleven years old girl at Castleford, plus 80s costs or another 14 days. He was a member of Purston Wesley Guild whose members wrote to the Home Secretary saying George Senior was of weak intellect and his conduct towards the girl was quite like his childish ways. He had no intention of harming her and he should be let out of prison.
A field at the Halfpenny Lane railway crossing was offered for sale.
The plan below shows the seller was hoping the oft proposed Halfpenny Lane bridge and road would be a selling point.
NOVEMBER George Scott aged 74 of Earle Street got up at 6am and fell down the stairs. He was put to bed but died that afternoon. Dr Steven said death was due to laceration of the brain, and the inquest verdict was accidental death.
At the first annual dinner of the Featherstone Main Colliery Athletic Club cricket section, medals were presented to the team for winning the Pontefract and District League. The captain was Joe Denton.
William Ellis was in court for being drunk and disorderly. He said he had been teetotal for five months and knew he was better off without drink. PC Tuxworth confirmed this so the case was adjourned for six months providing he signed the pledge.
An inquest was held on Everard Booth aged seven of the School House, North Featherstone. He came home from school feeling ill and slept with his mother that night. The doctor was called next morning but Everard had died. Dr Steven said death was due to tubular meningitis and endocarditis. The verdict was natural causes.
An inquest was held in the Featherstone Lane Primitive Methodist Chapel on Isabella Lancaster aged four of Ivy Street. Martha Lancaster, the sister of the deceased, said she was going to bath Isabella who was sitting in a bath in front of the fire. Two brothers age six and eight were playing about in the same room and somehow a pan of boiling water on the fire grate fell on Isabella and she was badly scalded about the chest. There was no fireguard.
Dr Thomas gave evidence as to the extent of the scalds and said she was progressing favourably until the 14th day when pneumonia set in and she never recovered from it. Death was due to this cause consequent on the scolds. The verdict was misadventure.
It didn't take long for the name of the Hippodrome to be shortened. A report in the Express about the acts in one week said "Perhaps the Hipp patrons will grow in appreciation of such turns". They were The Martine Trio (acrobats), the three Rollasons (dramatic sketches), Thelma (a dainty dancer), and Katrina Marsh (a vocalist).
DECEMBER Joe Ward, steward of the Featherstone Main Colliery Athletic Club, gave a donkey and cart to the club. They decided to raffle it and it was won by Mr A D Bell who had promised to ride the donkey through the streets if he won.