A HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE
1902
THE HEALTH REPORT ON FEATHERSTONE
The county council's medical officer of health produced a report on that part of the authority's region called the Pontefract Union. His comments on Featherstone were as follows.
The water supply was obtained from Wakefield Corporation and stored in
two reservoirs, Mill Hill and North Featherstone. Each held over 300,000
gallons, but Mill Hill was troubled by subsidence and had always
leaked. It now only served a population of 1,400 (Streethouse and
Snydale). The water consumption per head per day in 1901 was 7.7 gallons
for the first six months and 6.4 gallons for the second six months.
There were two recreation grounds provided with gymnastic apparatus,
seats and bandstand. There was just one field of allotments.
A large portion of the 1,700 houses were erected after 1878. The pattern followed was a through ventilated house with two rooms each 14 feet square, a backyard 20 feet by 15 feet, often a scullery, sometimes attics. A pantry was in many cases provided under the staircase. The average rent was about 5s 6d a week including rates.
The windows varied, some swung on pivots, but the majority were sash and opened top and bottom. Sliding frames were seen in the new houses; but in the old buildings those in the living room were generally fixed either by paint or decay. Eaves spouts were not always provided and sometimes were defective, in both cases leading to dampness of the walls.
A large portion of the 1,700 houses were erected after 1878. The pattern followed was a through ventilated house with two rooms each 14 feet square, a backyard 20 feet by 15 feet, often a scullery, sometimes attics. A pantry was in many cases provided under the staircase. The average rent was about 5s 6d a week including rates.
The windows varied, some swung on pivots, but the majority were sash and opened top and bottom. Sliding frames were seen in the new houses; but in the old buildings those in the living room were generally fixed either by paint or decay. Eaves spouts were not always provided and sometimes were defective, in both cases leading to dampness of the walls.
At Manor House Farm in Purston the walls were dilapidated and damp, the
spouting was defective and the drainage was in bad condition. Drains on
Henrietta Street and Arundel Street were choked. In Albert Street there
were several houses without drains. Defective sink pipes were numerous.
Subsidence of the ground over coal workings had interfered with some
houses, seriously affecting the drainage, especially in the
neighbourhood of Wakefield Road. Several recently constructed houses
were noticed unoccupied because of their dangerous condition.
So many streets were unmade, rough, and uneven that it was needless to
cite examples. Gas was being introduced into the side streets, and this
had further disturbed the surface. The backyards were in a sorry mess in
wet weather, no paving or levelling so as to facilitate drainage was
attempted, and their condition was aggravated by their wholesale
occupation with fowl runs, ducks, pigeon cotes and wooden sheds.
In one small yard in Abbey Street there were 18 ducklings. In Purston
Terrace there were eight piggeries in a deplorable condition after
rainfall. Pigs were kept within 34 feet of houses in Wakefield Road in
badly drained sites; also in Crossley Street. The yards were littered
with ashes and tea leaves etc; Duke Street was a very unsavoury
locality.
Scavenging was well attended to, but neglected in Maxwell Street etc
and information was given that "only a little was taken out last time".
Reference must also be made to the horrible leaky metal tubs in
Butterfield Square, though notice has been served to remedy this.
There were a number of monster privy middens; two of them measured 12
feet by 15 feet, and 24 feet by 3 feet respectively. About a score of
open privy middens still existed.
There were only 135 houses in North Featherstone grouped in a
triangular form, the original village. The new houses were brick but the
older dwellings were of stone. Several were dilapidated beyond
occupation. There were some back to back houses and sinks were not
always provided. At New Row the slops were deposited in gullies. The
main problem round Ackton was the smell from the manholes in Sewer
Bridge Lane. The features said to be common to most places were unpaved
streets, defective sink pipes and unsanitary privy middens.
This was North Featherstone's New Row. A photo from the original Featherstone Local History Group.
This was North Featherstone's New Row. A photo from the original Featherstone Local History Group.
EDUCATION IN 1902
In January the School Board received a letter from Dr Steven saying Miss
Tupman's eyes had been examined by a specialist and were so bad she had
to stop work at once. It was agreed to allow the Salvation Army to use
George Street School. Several teachers had asked for a rise so it was
decided the male scale should be £65 to £75. Mr Cowey again asked for
another increase in his salary. Two members voted for £5, two for £10
and three for nothing so it stayed as it was.
The
May meeting was told the Yorkshire Penny Bank had paid the 30s rent for
collecting at the schools which they had failed to do in the past. Mr W
H Fearnley estimated the extensions to George Street School would cost
£1,400 and at North Featherstone Lane £1,800. These estimates did not
include the price of land, furniture, fees etc.
Arrangements were being made locally to celebrate the Coronation of King Edward VII. It was to be a public holiday and the board thought it would be a hardship to ask the teachers to attend
to the children on their day off. The problem was solved by deciding to
close the schools for the whole of the week, but the teachers would be
expected to look after the children on Coronation Day.
The board hit a snag with the school extensions when the Board of Education
refused to pass the plans. It was agreed to make alterations and submit
them again, but once again they were turned down. The plans were
finally agreed at the end of July and the board advertised for tenders.
There were 25 tenders for the work at North Featherstone Lane. George Clements of Featherstone was successful with a bid of £1,818 17s 5d. The board also accepted a tender of £1,325 for new classrooms at George Street. So the board obtained a loan of £4,216 from the Public Works Loan Board to cover the cost of both schools.
There were 25 tenders for the work at North Featherstone Lane. George Clements of Featherstone was successful with a bid of £1,818 17s 5d. The board also accepted a tender of £1,325 for new classrooms at George Street. So the board obtained a loan of £4,216 from the Public Works Loan Board to cover the cost of both schools.
In December the board agreed to buy 810 copies of the Bible and 80 of the New Testament.
The Coronation of Edward VII was to take place in June and in March the council decided to call a meeting of representative men in the council's district to consider what to do as a celebration. At the meeting it was agreed to provide a treat for the aged poor and the children, and a committee was formed to oversee the event.
At their first meeting it was decided to open a subscription list and
find how many qualified and how much it would cost to provide a present
for each child. The committee were told the council would contribute
£100.
Two weeks later it had
been established there were about 3,000 children and about 600 old
folk. It was decided to present each child with a mug which would cost
about 3s 6d a dozen and 3,500 would be bought from local dealers at that price, but if not from a wholesaler. The cost for amusements, tea and sports would be 6d for each child and 1s 6d for each old person. A tender from Featherstone Brass Band of £10 10s was accepted. The council had now agreed to give £200 and the committee would have to make this up to £350 - the estimated total cost.
In May the committee were told John Shaw and Lord Masham had promised
£25 each and this persuaded Henry Briggs of Snydale Colliery to give £25
as well plus wood for a bonfire. The committee decided to give the old folk the choice
of 2s each or a dinner. The children's mugs would be given out in the
morning and to prevent breakages the children would be asked to bring
their own mug for the tea.
By June the deserving poor had been established as 250 in North Featherstone, 250 in South Featherstone, 85 in Snydale and Streethouse,
and 35 in Loscoe. There were 3,294 children in all four districts. A
separate group of organisers was arranged for each district and they
were given 2s for each old person and 6d for each child. For a gala,
sports etc £40 each was given to the North and South Wards, £12 to Snydale and £6 to Loscoe.
The South Featherstone and Purston group agreed to give one shilling
each to the 20 helpers at each school and prizes of 10s and 5s for the
best cottage decorations and best decorated cart in the procession. £1 and 10s would be given for the best horse and trap, and two heavy horse and trap. All horses had to be led and not driven.
As the date of the Coronation approached it all went wrong. The King
fell seriously ill and there had to be a postponement. The committee met
and decided to hold everything up except the treats for the children and old folk. They met again the next day and the north district decided to carry on except for the bonfire, while the south district decided to stand by the previous day's decision.
So on June 26 south of the railway there was dinner for the aged and
poor at the Railway Hotel (Mr Umpleby), Jubilee (Mr Johnson), Junction
(Mr Waller) and Travellers (Walter Hoyle). There were 40 to 50 at each hotel.
The procession for the north district set
off from the Assembly Rooms to North Featherstone and then back to
North Featherstone Lane Board School. It was hundreds of yards long with
bands, cyclists, wheelbarrows, wagons and traps all suitably decorated, Ackton Hall
Colliery fire brigade, and turnouts from the collieries. There were
sports and tea for the schoolchildren, and 250 old folk had an alfresco
meal in the sunshine outside the vicarage. The vicarage grounds were
decorated with fairy lights, and after the meal were opened to all-comers for maypole dancing, Punch and Judy, a ventriloquist and a band.
The winners
of the various competitions were John Wright - decorated house, Charles
Scholes - decorated cycle, Allen Hill - decorated wheelbarrow, A Jowett
- best colliery turnout, A Booth - best cart. The festivities ended at 10pm. Those in South Featherstone remained postponed.
The south district decided to go ahead and held their procession on July 7. It commenced at the recreation ground in Post Office
Road, then went round Masham's Square, round Purston and back up to the
station. The children all went to their own school for the tea and then
everyone congregated at the recreation ground for dancing, a juggler, marionettes and a greasy pole. The competition winners were heavy turnout - T Cuttle, light turnout - F Shore, best shop - Mr Caley, best cottage - Mr Rowbuck, and there was a special prize for the way Granville Street was decorated.
Edward VII was eventually crowned King in August but by that time it was something of an anticlimax.
1902 NEWS ITEMS
JANUARY
An inquest was held on Sarah Jane Kirk of Earle Street aged two. She
set herself alight with paper she had lit at the fire while her mother
was upstairs. Dr Luck was sent for but she died from shock. The verdict
was misadventure.
The foundation stone was laid in Featherstone Lane for the United Free Church. Mr Bamforth said when he came to Featherstone more than 30 years ago there was just one chapel in Purston and one in North Featherstone. Now there were the Primitives, Wesleyans, New Connection and now the Free Church.
There was a row at the council meeting over whether or not the finance committee should review the work of the sanitary committee. Cr J Booth said he would resign and he walked out.
The foundation stone was laid in Featherstone Lane for the United Free Church. Mr Bamforth said when he came to Featherstone more than 30 years ago there was just one chapel in Purston and one in North Featherstone. Now there were the Primitives, Wesleyans, New Connection and now the Free Church.
There was a row at the council meeting over whether or not the finance committee should review the work of the sanitary committee. Cr J Booth said he would resign and he walked out.
An inquest was held on Henry Womersley of Kinsley who was killed by a fall of roof at Ackton Hall Colliery. The verdict was accidental death.
The New Year revelries resulted in David Smith and Joe Hancock of Purston being taken to court by Ackton Hall Colliery who claimed 2s 6s a day from each of them for not attending work from December 31 to January 4. The company said they had to pay other colliers 2s a day to do the absent men's work. The court ordered both to pay ten shillings.
FEBRUARY
Alfred Lumb aged 65, a platelayer for the Lancashire and Yorkshire
Railway, was knocked down by a train at Snydale and died before he
reached hospital.
At the Convalescent Fund annual meeting it was announced during the past year 42 local residents had been sent to various convalescent homes.
At the Convalescent Fund annual meeting it was announced during the past year 42 local residents had been sent to various convalescent homes.
The council decided not to take part in a joint smallpox hospital
scheme with other authorities because there would only be two beds for
Featherstone - less than in their own hospital. The chairman said it
only cost £100 a year for their own hospital, and Featherstone's share
of the cost for the joint effort would be about £200. Cr Darlington said
he would withdraw a remark objected to by Cr Booth (who wasn't present)
and the clerk said he would write to Cr Booth to let him know.
The Local Government Board gave permission for £146 19s 3d from the sale of parish land to be spent on improvements to the main road in Purston. It wasn't spent on Girnhill Lane because the scheme to turn it into a proper road would be funded by other means. This postcard shows Pontefract Road at the entrance to Little Lane.
The Local Government Board gave permission for £146 19s 3d from the sale of parish land to be spent on improvements to the main road in Purston. It wasn't spent on Girnhill Lane because the scheme to turn it into a proper road would be funded by other means. This postcard shows Pontefract Road at the entrance to Little Lane.
MARCH
The council appointed Tom Mitchell of Scarborough as caretaker of the
smallpox hospital at a salary of £65. A request from Pontefract Joint
Hospital Board to use the hospital was refused.
Roslyn Holiday, electrical engineer at Ackton Hall Colliery and captain of the fire brigade, discovered a fire in the fitting shops. He blew the buzzer and the 12-man brigade assembled and tackled the blaze. The manager, Mr Durnford, rode up on his machine (motorbike?) and the fire was put out in an hour. The damage was estimated at £120.
APRIL
Messrs Stebbing, Darlington and Gledhill were returned unopposed to
the council. There were no nominations either for the Ackton and Snydale
Ward so James Eley, the retiring member, who hadn't put up was deemed
to be re-elected.
John Jones, lamplighter, John Heath, byeworker, and William Adamson, bricklayer, were charged with betting. The police claimed they saw Jones near the Railway Hotel take something from about 20 persons and make entries in a book - among those were Heath and Adamson. They all denied the offence but had previous convictions. Jones and Heath were fined £5 and Adamson £2.
The council elected Peter Darlington as chairman although he said he would rather stand by. Although automatically re-elected it was determined James Eley was no longer qualified to be a councillor. The clerk was instructed to declare the seat vacant and take steps for the appointment of a new representative.
An inquest was held on John Hardy of Pretoria Street who was injured by a fall of roof at Featherstone Main Colliery last December 5. He was taken home from hospital at the beginning of April but he wasted away and died on April 20. Dr Steven said death was due to compression of the spine and the verdict was accidental death.
Twenty-eight boys from the Port of Hull Society's Sailors' Orphans Home gave concerts in George Street School and North Featherstone National School. They were all under 14 and were put up at homes in Featherstone. They toured the town for two days playing and collecting.
The men at Featherstone Main Colliery collected £100 for a wedding gift for Captain Shaw, the son of owner John Shaw.
A 58 strong party from the Bradford Junior Wool Association visited Ackton Hall Colliery. They went underground into the Silkstone Seam to view the stables designed for up to 50 ponies, and the workings which were now a mile out from the shafts.
JUNE Thirteen Featherstone and Purston miners were charged with gambling with coins in Coal Pit Lane in Purston. Two others were charged with aiding and abetting (acting as lookouts). They were all fined from 9s 3d to 21s 9d.
Children of the Methodist Free Church Sunday School were parading in Wakefield Road when they passed a bullock driven by two men. The bullock ran towards the children who scattered, but a boy of four called Harvey fell and was kicked by the animal. He was taken to Dr Steven's surgery and then home.
PC Hully found seven Featherstone men stealing pigeons from Huntwick Farm at 1.40am. In court they did not deny the charge and received sentences varying from one to three months in prison.
At the council meeting Cr Durnford suggested sending five or ten guineas to the King's Hospital Fund. Cr Booth said charity begins at home and if there were any surplus from the Purston Jubilee Fund it should be given to the Purston and Featherstone Convalescent Fund.
All the churches and chapels gave thanks for the end of the Boer War in South Africa.
JULY The miners of Featherstone Main Colliery voted to strike over the price list and a complaint the management were flushing the pit (closing down for the day and sending the men home) too early.
The council agreed to lay footpaths in Hall Street and Ackworth Road, and to ask the gas company about the lighting of Halfpenny Lane and Wakefield Road.
Four Featherstone miners were fined for not contributing to the maintenance of their respective mother as previously ordered.
The pony drivers at all the local collieries went on strike for 3d a day extra for those under 16 and 6d a day extra for those over 16. They refused to go back to work in spite of pleas from their fellow workers and the Yorkshire Miners' Association. Most of them were back after a week, but those at Ackton Hall Colliery stuck it out for another week before giving in.
Sophia Plant, a single woman, was summonsed for neglecting her three children who had been found sleeping outside a neighbour's house at 11.30pm. The police found Sophia asleep at home. She said she did not know where the children were. Inspector Bauser of the NSPCC said the house was dirty with broken windows, little furniture and no food. The children were poorly clad and with vermin. The mother refused to go into the workhouse. The man she was living with had left but was willing to take the girl but not the boys. The Bench decided to send the mother to prison for one month, and the two boys were sent to the workhouse.
AUGUST There was a court case held as a test case over dirt (shale) in the coal at Featherstone Main Colliery. The evidence was for 6 years the coal had been riddled underground before being loaded into the tubs. New screens had now been built and riddling ceased, so now it was necessary to agree a deduction for dirt sent out with the coal. To cover this the price list had been reduced from 1s 7d a ton to 1s 5d a ton. Without warning the company had made a further reduction for dirt and the men were suing for this money in order to settle the matter. The judge suggested the parties could settle the matter between them but John Shaw declined. The judge then said as there was no agreement on a deduction for the slack dirt (small dirt as the large dirt had already been picked out) the men must be paid.
The Express noted the number of court cases brought by the Featherstone and District Society for the Prosecution of Offenders. "It is a shameful thing that the fruits of any man's labour should be wantonly damaged or destroyed, and any organisation which helps to stop the injury complained of renders both a private and a public service."
Miss Brookman performed the opening ceremony for the United Free Church on North Featherstone Lane. This was followed by a service and a tea for 80 persons.
John Jones, lamplighter, John Heath, byeworker, and William Adamson, bricklayer, were charged with betting. The police claimed they saw Jones near the Railway Hotel take something from about 20 persons and make entries in a book - among those were Heath and Adamson. They all denied the offence but had previous convictions. Jones and Heath were fined £5 and Adamson £2.
The council elected Peter Darlington as chairman although he said he would rather stand by. Although automatically re-elected it was determined James Eley was no longer qualified to be a councillor. The clerk was instructed to declare the seat vacant and take steps for the appointment of a new representative.
An inquest was held on John Hardy of Pretoria Street who was injured by a fall of roof at Featherstone Main Colliery last December 5. He was taken home from hospital at the beginning of April but he wasted away and died on April 20. Dr Steven said death was due to compression of the spine and the verdict was accidental death.
Twenty-eight boys from the Port of Hull Society's Sailors' Orphans Home gave concerts in George Street School and North Featherstone National School. They were all under 14 and were put up at homes in Featherstone. They toured the town for two days playing and collecting.
The men at Featherstone Main Colliery collected £100 for a wedding gift for Captain Shaw, the son of owner John Shaw.
A 58 strong party from the Bradford Junior Wool Association visited Ackton Hall Colliery. They went underground into the Silkstone Seam to view the stables designed for up to 50 ponies, and the workings which were now a mile out from the shafts.
JUNE Thirteen Featherstone and Purston miners were charged with gambling with coins in Coal Pit Lane in Purston. Two others were charged with aiding and abetting (acting as lookouts). They were all fined from 9s 3d to 21s 9d.
Children of the Methodist Free Church Sunday School were parading in Wakefield Road when they passed a bullock driven by two men. The bullock ran towards the children who scattered, but a boy of four called Harvey fell and was kicked by the animal. He was taken to Dr Steven's surgery and then home.
PC Hully found seven Featherstone men stealing pigeons from Huntwick Farm at 1.40am. In court they did not deny the charge and received sentences varying from one to three months in prison.
At the council meeting Cr Durnford suggested sending five or ten guineas to the King's Hospital Fund. Cr Booth said charity begins at home and if there were any surplus from the Purston Jubilee Fund it should be given to the Purston and Featherstone Convalescent Fund.
All the churches and chapels gave thanks for the end of the Boer War in South Africa.
JULY The miners of Featherstone Main Colliery voted to strike over the price list and a complaint the management were flushing the pit (closing down for the day and sending the men home) too early.
The council agreed to lay footpaths in Hall Street and Ackworth Road, and to ask the gas company about the lighting of Halfpenny Lane and Wakefield Road.
Four Featherstone miners were fined for not contributing to the maintenance of their respective mother as previously ordered.
The pony drivers at all the local collieries went on strike for 3d a day extra for those under 16 and 6d a day extra for those over 16. They refused to go back to work in spite of pleas from their fellow workers and the Yorkshire Miners' Association. Most of them were back after a week, but those at Ackton Hall Colliery stuck it out for another week before giving in.
Sophia Plant, a single woman, was summonsed for neglecting her three children who had been found sleeping outside a neighbour's house at 11.30pm. The police found Sophia asleep at home. She said she did not know where the children were. Inspector Bauser of the NSPCC said the house was dirty with broken windows, little furniture and no food. The children were poorly clad and with vermin. The mother refused to go into the workhouse. The man she was living with had left but was willing to take the girl but not the boys. The Bench decided to send the mother to prison for one month, and the two boys were sent to the workhouse.
AUGUST There was a court case held as a test case over dirt (shale) in the coal at Featherstone Main Colliery. The evidence was for 6 years the coal had been riddled underground before being loaded into the tubs. New screens had now been built and riddling ceased, so now it was necessary to agree a deduction for dirt sent out with the coal. To cover this the price list had been reduced from 1s 7d a ton to 1s 5d a ton. Without warning the company had made a further reduction for dirt and the men were suing for this money in order to settle the matter. The judge suggested the parties could settle the matter between them but John Shaw declined. The judge then said as there was no agreement on a deduction for the slack dirt (small dirt as the large dirt had already been picked out) the men must be paid.
The Express noted the number of court cases brought by the Featherstone and District Society for the Prosecution of Offenders. "It is a shameful thing that the fruits of any man's labour should be wantonly damaged or destroyed, and any organisation which helps to stop the injury complained of renders both a private and a public service."
Miss Brookman performed the opening ceremony for the United Free Church on North Featherstone Lane. This was followed by a service and a tea for 80 persons.
The front of the chapel can be seen, the rest is obscured by the houses. A photo from the Featherstone Heritage Group.
The gas company told the Council they declined to light Halfpenny Lane and Wakefield Road. The council decided to take proceedings against Messrs F Shaw and Son for moving a bed from Chickenley to Station Lane which had been used by a person suffering from chicken pox and which had not been disinfected.
An inquest was held on Alfred Dickinson aged 18 of Halton Street. He was run over by runaway tubs at Ackton Hall Colliery when a haulage chain broke. The verdict was accidental death but the coroner criticised the company for not producing the chain at the inquest.
At the council meeting it was announced the water tank at North Featherstone was completed and supplying water. It had taken three years and eight months from the council first deciding to build it.
The North Featherstone water tank. A personal photo.
SEPTEMBER
After many years of campaigning by Mr Maxwell the gas company had begun
to lay gas pipes in private streets. Joe Copley wrote to the council
about an accident to his daughter caused by the bad state of Pretoria
Street. The council told the Gas Board all roads should be repaired
immediately the pipes were laid.
OCTOBER An inquest was held on James Vincent Poppleton of Thornton's Buildings in Purston. His wife found him after he had cut his throat with a razor and he told her he must have gone mad. Dr Finch was sent for and he sent him to Clayton Hospital. Dr Cross from the hospital said the windpipe was cut right through and Poppleton died the next morning from shock. The verdict was he had cut his throat with a razor whilst in a delirium from illness. He had only complained of a bad stomach.
The Bishop of Beverley attended Purston National School to hand out prizes to the 80 pupils of the mining and other evening classes.
OCTOBER An inquest was held on James Vincent Poppleton of Thornton's Buildings in Purston. His wife found him after he had cut his throat with a razor and he told her he must have gone mad. Dr Finch was sent for and he sent him to Clayton Hospital. Dr Cross from the hospital said the windpipe was cut right through and Poppleton died the next morning from shock. The verdict was he had cut his throat with a razor whilst in a delirium from illness. He had only complained of a bad stomach.
The Bishop of Beverley attended Purston National School to hand out prizes to the 80 pupils of the mining and other evening classes.
The council approved plans for a Primitive Chapel at North
Featherstone Lane. It was decided to light the private streets the same
as public streets and to pay the lamplighters £1 a week because they now
had 70 more lamps to light. It was agreed to pay the surveyor, Mr
Rothera, £200 year. F Shore and Son asked for compensation for the time
the shop was shut for disinfecting but this was refused.
A fire broke out in Thomas Amison's premises where he was a hairdresser and newsagent. It was put out by buckets of water but it caused damage estimated at £150.
Separate inquests were held on George William Palmer aged 44 and Isaac Hufton aged 58 both of Andrew Street. Palmer was crushed by a large slab of stone which fell from the roof in Ackton Hall Colliery. He died the next day in Clayton Hospital. Hufton suffered a similar fate at Snydale Colliery and was taken home where he was seen by Dr Finch but died later. Both verdicts were accidental death.
DECEMBER An inquest was held on Mary Spencer aged 73 of Pontefract Road who was found dead. She was in a bed downstairs and it was assumed she had gone to the coal range to get some water from the kettle and her nightdress caught fire. The verdict was death from misadventure.
The council agreed to build a lavatory over the beck at Station Lane. Mr Bullock had applied for permission to extend his coach house and stables but he was refused.
There was a fire at the premises of Mr M Andrews, a hosier and draper in Station Lane. Ackton Hall Colliery fire brigade turned out and before they arrived neighbours used hoses and buckets while others assisted in removing goods and furniture. The upstairs was destroyed and about £600 of damage caused.
A fire broke out in Thomas Amison's premises where he was a hairdresser and newsagent. It was put out by buckets of water but it caused damage estimated at £150.
Separate inquests were held on George William Palmer aged 44 and Isaac Hufton aged 58 both of Andrew Street. Palmer was crushed by a large slab of stone which fell from the roof in Ackton Hall Colliery. He died the next day in Clayton Hospital. Hufton suffered a similar fate at Snydale Colliery and was taken home where he was seen by Dr Finch but died later. Both verdicts were accidental death.
DECEMBER An inquest was held on Mary Spencer aged 73 of Pontefract Road who was found dead. She was in a bed downstairs and it was assumed she had gone to the coal range to get some water from the kettle and her nightdress caught fire. The verdict was death from misadventure.
The council agreed to build a lavatory over the beck at Station Lane. Mr Bullock had applied for permission to extend his coach house and stables but he was refused.
There was a fire at the premises of Mr M Andrews, a hosier and draper in Station Lane. Ackton Hall Colliery fire brigade turned out and before they arrived neighbours used hoses and buckets while others assisted in removing goods and furniture. The upstairs was destroyed and about £600 of damage caused.
An
inquest was held on William Fitton of Nostell View, He had gone for a
ride on a dray sitting on a bale of hay. The horse shied at a piece of
paper blowing in the wind and he fell off under the wheels. The verdict was accidental death.
The arbitrator decided Lord St Oswald was entitled to £12,581 17s 7d compensation for his land on which the new sewage works would be built.
The arbitrator decided Lord St Oswald was entitled to £12,581 17s 7d compensation for his land on which the new sewage works would be built.