The Isle of Wight 150 years ago.Extracts from the Hampshire Telegraph.September 1862 |
6
September 1862
The County Magistrates had no business before them on Saturday last, with the
exception of an application from a married woman, named Charlotte Starks, for
protection of property against her husband, Mark Starks, now under sentenced for
bigamy in Winchester gaol. The Court granted the application.
BOROUGH COURT. - Charles Flux, a Mason, residing in Holyrood-street, was
indicted for suffering a most intolerable nuisance to remain in his premises, in
defiance of a notice from the Town Clerk to remove the same, and against the
bye-laws of the borough. The Inspector of Nuisances, Mr. George Grapes, said he
served the defendant with a notice to remove the nuisance complained of, but, on
visiting the premises in question again on Thursday, with the Paving Committee,
he found it as bad as ever, there being a sow and nine pigs in one stye, three
pigs in another stye, two pigs in a third stye, and two cows and a calf in a
shed. The filth both within and without was 4 inches deep, and the drainage from
the whole ran into a large open cesspool, which was full of living things and
putrid matter, occasioning very great complaints from the surrounding neighbours.
Mr. Robt. Stratton, builder, Quay-street, said his garden adjoined the
defendant’s back premises, where he kept the pigs, the stench from which on
Sunday completely drove himself and his wife and family out of their own garden,
and deprived them of all the pleasure they would otherwise have derived from it.
Defendant said he kept the place is clean as he could, and remove the manure
every day, producing a memorial from his neighbours to the effect that they felt
no inconvenience from it. The Court said there was distinct evidence of the
existence of a most intolerable nuisance, which could not be upset by the
representations of persons who say they
did not smell it. The defendant was liable to a penalty of 5s. a day for every
day that he suffered it to remain in their after due notice, but, as they did
not wish to deal harshly with him, they would only find him a one 5s. and costs;
but they should order the Inspector to visit the premises every week, and report
thereon, and if the nuisance had not been removed they would levy the full
penalty.
COWES. - We are glad to see symptoms of reviving business in our building yards.
At Mr. John White’s the workmen are busily engaged in laying down the keel of a
large steamer of eleven hundred tons. Mr. S. White has received orders to build
a schooner yacht of 260 tons for S. Naylor, Esq., and Mr. Hanson has in a state
of forwardness a fine schooner, of large size, for R. Stephenson, Esq., while
the Messrs. Ratsey are completing a fine a vessel for Liverpool, and are in
expectation of two or three large orders for yachts. Altogether there is a
winter's work for our artisans.
THE HARVEST IN THE ISLAND. - Contrary to the anticipations of the discontented
and the doubtful, the harvest throughout the island will prove, if not
superabundant, yet an average one and that, considering the wetness of the
spring, is almost more than could have been expected. The charming weather we
have had for the last two or three weeks has worked wonders, and enabled the
farmers to get in the wheat in excellent condition. The wheat harvest may said
to be finished, although here and there in the cold spots some little yet
remains to be carried. There is a considerable breadth of barley cut, and in the
course of a week, should the weather prove propitious, the whole will be in
safely. The barley and oat crops are very good, and the potatoes are suffering
less from disease than they have for the last few years. The late rains having
been very serviceable to the turnips and gardens, while it has done no injury,
on the contrary, it has benefited the corn. The harvest is such as to call forth
thankfulness, for should the country generally prove as productive as our own
little island, there is every prospect of obtaining a moderately cheap loaf
during the coming winter island.
13 September 1862
COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS. - This being also the adjourned licensing day for the
Island, several renewals were supplied where the applicant had neglected to
appear on the former date. The license of the “Star and Garter” Hotel, at
Sandown was transferred from Mrs. Wheeler to Mr. Stear. The license of the “Vectis”
Inn, at West Cowes, which was refused to the present occupant, Henry Webb, for
suffering disorderly conduct therein, was also refused to Edward Graham, on the
grounds that he had no occupation; and the license of the “Fox” Inn, at West
Cowes was held in abeyance to the landlord, who resides it at Kingstown,
Ireland, shall apply personally for its renewal.
William Newnham, charged with robbing the garden of Mr. Geo. Lowe, of Shanklin
Farm, of a number of green gage plums, was fined 10s. 2d., and in default of
payment ordered to be committed for 10 days.
20 September 1862
COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS. - Andrew Taylor, an apprentice, charged with assaulting
John Phillips, his employer, a master shoemaker at Calbourne, was fined 19s.
6d., and in default of payment committed for 3 weeks hard labour.
Charles Orchard and Frank Whittington, charged with robbing the orchard at the
Rectory at Chale, of 14 gallons of apples, were fined 14s. 6d., each, and in
default of payment to be committed to hard labour for 14 days.
Isaac Jacobs, a grocer in Haven-street, was charged by Superintendent Horan with
using 14 weights which were light. Fined £2. 2s. 6d., and the defective weights
order to be forfeited
BOROUGH COURT. – Geo. Henry Weekes was brought up on a charge of misconduct
whilst an apprentice towards his employer, Mr. William Cheverton, but on his
promising to be a better boy for the future he was discharged, the cost of the
proceedings to be stopped from his wages.
John Grant was brought up on a charge of threatening the life of his wife, Agnes
Grant, but after examining several witnesses the Bench dismissed the case.
COWES. - POLICE INTELLIGENCE. - On Monday William Simmonds, a green-grocer, on
Market-hill, was summoned before the magistrates for exposing goods on sale, and
instructing the street by putting out baskets of vegetables on the highway, to
the annoyance of the public. This being the first charge made against him a
penalty of one shilling and costs was inflicted. At the same time James Cole, a
butcher, was summoned by the Inspector of the Nuisances for keeping a number of
pigs in Temperance-place, to the annoyance of the residence and injury to the
public health. The defendant pleaded that he was not the only offender, this
unveiled him nothing, and he was ordered to remove the pigs within 48 hours
under pain of fine if you neglected to do so.
RYDE. - THE PIER AND FERRY COMPANIES. - There is a rumour current that some
negotiation is pending between the directors of the two companies. We are not
aware of the nature of the negotiation alluded to, but we hope it will tend to
advance of the attractions and prosperity of the town. We need feel no
solicitude as to the interests of the respective parties concerned. They will
take good care of themselves we may be quite certain.
James Carter, alias Harding, who was
last week remanded by the magistrates of the Westminster Police-court, charged
with obtaining several sums of money, watches, and other property, from various
ladies, advertising for situations under the pretence that he had an hotel in
the Isle of Wight, and require them as housekeepers, has been again examined and
further remanded, in order that evidence may be procured from the Island.
THE HEATHFUL ISLAND. - The inhabitants of the island are full of happy
anticipations respecting the future prosperity of that favoured spot, which the
matter-of-fact Registrar-General has proved to be the healthiest place in Great
Britain. The whole is jubilant. Ventnor, well nigh crazy with the joy, sees
“looming in the future” wealth and fame. It is, however, a gratifying fact for
all of us dwelling in the “Garden Isle” to be made acquainted with, that we are
living in a locality where our Constitutions will have fair play, in consequence
of the salubrious atmosphere we constantly inhale. There can be no doubt that
the world-wide publicity given to the sanitary advantages of the island will
tend to increase its attractiveness, both for casual visitors and permanent
residents.
27 September 1862
COAST GUARD DRILL, &c, - On Friday last, the Coast guard men belonging to the
Atherfield, Brixton and Brook Stations, under the command of J. Cutajar, Esq.,
R.N., assembled at the latter place, to go through a sword and rifle drill, with
Gunnery Instructor Harding, preparatory to target firing. The drills were
executed with great readiness and precision, and at the conclusion the Chief
Officer past of the words, “Ship on shore towards Compton, man of the rocket
apparatus!” When rifles, swords, and belts were quickly laid aside, and in the
rocket apparatus placed under weigh for the scene of the supposed disaster.
Everything was ready in a few minutes, and a 9lb rocket was fired in a direction
parallel to the beach, for the convenience of measuring distance, &c. The line
was hauled in and the second fired, which, as well as the first, carried out the
line in a most beautiful manner. The quarterly rocket practice being now over,
Mr. Horatio Dennett, the manufacturer and improver of this invaluable invention
of his late father, obtained permission to try an experiment of its own, and was
kindly and most ably assisted by Mr. Cutajar and the active and intelligent men
under his command. The first was a pair of 9lb rocket's united and fired as one,
for the purpose of extending the range when a ship happens to lay too far from
the beach to be reached by the ordinary means of a single market. The Rockets
were united by the communication formed between the vents, ready for firing in a
few seconds, the two lines being bent end to end and attached to the Rockets,
the trigger was pulled, and away they went roaring terrifically, the line at the
same time whistling shrilly from the velocity with which it was dragged through
the air, and forming a graceful curve as the Rockets descended towards the
beach, at a distance of 500 yards from the frame. The second experiment was a
similar one, to show the simplicity of the mode of junction it was perfectly
performed by Gunnery Inspector Harding with the greatest ease and readiness,
although he had never seen the apparatus until used by Mr. Dennett for the first
experiment. This was equally successful as the first, fully showing that by
these means a recommended reached as a great distance as it is possible to
rescue the crew, by means of communication, and also the greater value of this
invention by adding 200 yards range to the ordinary apparatus, at the trifling
expense of a few pairs of couplings ……… Great credit is due to both Mr. Cutajar
and the men under his command for their efficiency in the use of the rocket
apparatus in all its parts, the excellent order in which it is kept, and the
smartness and alacrity of the men in manning and conveying it to the scene of
action without any previous knowledge that the alarm of “Ship on shore” was
about to be given. [Note: The rockets
were made by Mr. Dennett at Carisbrooke.]
COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS. – John Novell, the driver of an omnibus between Sandown
and Shanklin, was charged with using a horse which was unfit for work, having a
number of running wounds, but the defendant having taken the precaution to bring
the animal itself to the door of the Court in order that the magistrates
themselves might judge of its fitness for work, the Bench adjourned to the
street for that purpose, and on their return pronounced and unanimous opinion
that the charge of cruelty was not substantiated and dismissed the case.
John Houndson, the driver of one of Peacott’s vans between Ryde and Ventnor, was
the next on the list of offenders, but as the evidence against him was not very
damaging, the Court only find him a shilling and 7s. 6d. costs.
Sarah Flows, a nurse maid in the family of Lawrence Desborough, Esq., a a
solicitor, on a visit to Ryde, was charged with stealing from her mistress a
silver thimble, a petticoat, and two pairs of muslin sleeves, which were found
in her box when searched by a policeman. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and was
committed for a month to hard labour.
David Smith and Henry White, labourers, charged by Daniel Wheeler, game-keeper
to Sir Henry Oglander, Bart., with trespassing on his estate, on the sabbath
day, in pursuit of game, were fined 17s. 6d. each.
Thomas Williams, charged with stealing a bottle of milk, the property of J. H.
Hearn, Esq., was committed for one week to hard Labour
COWES. – Messrs. Ratsey & Sons having a lengthened the cutter yacht
Tartar six feet by the bow, she was
launched on Thursday, and another yacht will succeed her to undergo overhaul and
refitment. In Messrs Hansen’s yard the R.Y.S.
Derwent is hauled up, to be fitted up
for a voyage up the Mediterranean, with many other yachts are also about to
proceed.
The
keel of the 1,100 ton yacht to be built by Mr. John White for the Emperor of
China has been laid down, and a large number of men are busily engaged in
expediting the work, and the vessel having to be completed and ready for sea
within a very brief time. H.M.S. Egmont,
having been thoroughly fitted out as a hospital ship in Mr. John White’s Dock,
was removed on Thursday morning, and we hear that the Peninsular handicap
Oriental Company’s ship Indus is to
fill the same dock, to be converted into a sailing ship.
RYDE. – BALL AT THE TOWN HALL. - On Friday some officers gave a ball at the
above room, which was attended by about 50 persons. A number of officers at
Portsmouth were prevented from being present, the last steamer from Southsea
having been taken off, it is alleged, without sufficient notice having been
afforded to the public.
The Isle of Wight 150 years ago