A HISTORY OF FEATHERSTONE
1904
THE CHECKWEIGHMAN REMOVED
The coal at the local pits came
out in small tubs which were weighed at a pit top weighbridge to
determine how much each collier had earned. The colliers were allowed by
law to have their own man to keep a check on the weighing and he was
called the checkweighman.
William Sykes had been elected by the Ackton Hall colliers and he was also president of the Ackton Hall branch of the union. Because he was paid by the colliers the company had no control over him and could not sack him. The only way they could have him removed was to prove he had exceeded his duty in a manner detrimental to the company's interests.
So when the management considered William Sykes was partly to blame for the strike in November 1903 and they wanted him banned from the premises, they had to apply at Pontefract Court for a summons on the grounds he had been at the pit gates persuading the men not to go to work. The magistrates granted the summons and the case came up for judgement in February.
William Sykes had been elected by the Ackton Hall colliers and he was also president of the Ackton Hall branch of the union. Because he was paid by the colliers the company had no control over him and could not sack him. The only way they could have him removed was to prove he had exceeded his duty in a manner detrimental to the company's interests.
So when the management considered William Sykes was partly to blame for the strike in November 1903 and they wanted him banned from the premises, they had to apply at Pontefract Court for a summons on the grounds he had been at the pit gates persuading the men not to go to work. The magistrates granted the summons and the case came up for judgement in February.
Mr Bairstow, for the company,
said the case was brought up under the Coal Mines Regulations Act of
1887, and the sole question was whether William Sykes had exceeded his
duties in such a manner as to justify the Bench in ordering his removal.
David Horrobin said Sykes was at the pit gates on November 14, a play
day, persuading those workmen ordered in to make their place safe not to
go down. On being cross-examined he agreed the meeting was on the
highway and not at the pit gates.
Robert Shaw, undermanager
in the Haigh Moor Seam, said he saw William Sykes near the pit gates on
November 14, a play day when there was nothing for Sykes to do. Later,
Sykes presided over a small meeting on ground nearby and said the men
must stop going to work on play days and put a stop to the tyranny of the management in forcing the men to work on six days. Mr Shaw and Mr Barraclough, the manager, went to the meeting and Mr Sykes told Mr Barraclough it
was association business and asked someone to propose the bellman went
round to announce a meeting for the afternoon. Mr Barraclough proposed
the men go home about their business, and leave the management of the
pit to those responsible. The resolution as to the bellman was carried but he didn't go round.
Fred Chamberlain said he attended a meeting at the Featherstone Hotel on November 19 called about working on play days. Four men's checks had been stopped and Sykes told them not to see Mr Barraclough but be at the pit gates the following morning and he (Sykes) would see there were men present to stop men from going to work. On that morning Sykes was present telling the men not to go to work on play days.
Mr Jones, for Sykes, tried to get the magistrates to agree the wording of the Act did not preclude simply advising the men not to go down, but they would not take that view.
William Sykes refuted all the previous witnesses had said. He claimed at the pit gates on November 14 the men were on the highway
and he was in a cottage garden. He asked for a decision calling on all
men to work loyally and avoid trouble in future. He never said
he would see they stopped working on play days. At another meeting the
men clamoured for a resolution to stop the pit if the four men were not
reinstated. He pointed out they were acting contrary to the
association's rules, but he was urged to put the resolution that the
four men present themselves for work the next day, and if refused work
they were to fall back upon the road and stop men going to work. This
was carried unanimously but he was against it.
At the resumed hearing Mr Jones called witnesses for four hours and
then said he had another 20 but did not propose to call them.
The magistrates retired at 4.30pm and returned at 5.30pm to say the
defendant had interfered with workmen and should be removed from the
office of checkweighman.
The union decided to lodge an appeal and William Sykes gave an undertakng not to go near Ackton Hall Colliery until it was heard. The colliers had to have a check on the weighbridge so they put in a man called Thompson. The management objected in writing to the union saying Thompson was unauthorised and the union should hold a ballot for a checkweighman. So it was back to court to sort it out
Mr Lowden, solicitor for the union, said Thompson was appointed by a full meeting of the men and this was confirmed at another meeting last week. Mr Bairstow said if he had known this there would have been no need for this hearing. The management believed Sykes had put Thompson in the weigh box. The management would now withdraw the objection to Thompson as a checkweighman.
The Court of Appeal decided in July there were sufficient grounds for the order made by the justices and the appeal on Sykes behalf failed.
The union decided to lodge an appeal and William Sykes gave an undertakng not to go near Ackton Hall Colliery until it was heard. The colliers had to have a check on the weighbridge so they put in a man called Thompson. The management objected in writing to the union saying Thompson was unauthorised and the union should hold a ballot for a checkweighman. So it was back to court to sort it out
Mr Lowden, solicitor for the union, said Thompson was appointed by a full meeting of the men and this was confirmed at another meeting last week. Mr Bairstow said if he had known this there would have been no need for this hearing. The management believed Sykes had put Thompson in the weigh box. The management would now withdraw the objection to Thompson as a checkweighman.
The Court of Appeal decided in July there were sufficient grounds for the order made by the justices and the appeal on Sykes behalf failed.
GIRNHILL LANE
In 1903 the council decided to make up Girnhill Lane as a road and the
Private Streets Act allowed the council to share the cost between the
landowners of the property it served.
The specification for the road was agreed by the council in
January and it included four inches of dross. Some members said other
streets had only ashes, but it was pointed out this was done at the
owner's expense to get rid of the nuisance of stagnant water. Joseph
Watson, for the gas company, Lord Masham, and Messrs Anderson, Cowling
and Banks all objected to the council's proposal to apportion the cost
to the adjoining properties and land owners. So they all attended
Pontefract Court to sort it out.
Mr Scholefield, for the council, said the real question to be decided
was whether the lane in 1836 was a highway repairable by the inhabitants
at large in which case the council would have to stand the cost, or if
the objectors should pay.
The first witness was William Spence age 75 of Purston who said 59
years ago the lane was at times in winter up to the knees in sludge and
muck. He had seen bits of stuff put in the lane just to make a road.
When he first used it it seemed to have been used for some time.
Isaac Clegg, a 75 years old roadman, said he had just used the lane as a
footpath when going to his wife's parents at Badsworth prior to 1866.
He often got up to the knees in muck and had seen nobody repairing the
road except farmers tipping rough stuff. Since the gasworks were made
the gas company had repaired part of the road and he had cowled it over
for them a few times 10 or 11 years ago and had been paid for doing
it. He never knew of any traffic on the road except farmers and he said
it was an old road in 1864.
James Harrison, a 71 years old roadman, remembered the lane 35 years ago. He worked for John Nelstrop, a farmer who lived near Mr Waller's. There was then only one house in the lane. Only farmers needed the road and they repaired it with pieces of bricks and rubbish of any sort. He had assisted in repairing the road. The farmers had carted stuff from Snydale Pit but the lane wasn't much better as to repair when the farmers had done what they did.
Alfred Freeman, nuisance inspector, said the farmers had given him permission to tip night soil on land adjoining the lane. The lane was practically impassable in places and he had shot a load of light stuff in the worst holes occasionally in order to get on. The tipping was done up to three years ago mostly at the top of the lane.
Mr Rothera, the council's surveyor, said he had searched the council's books and he had found no order about the council repairing the lane. The gas company had dug up the lane without giving any notice, which they would have done if it had been the council's responsibility.
Here Mr Clayton-Smith, for the gas company, raised the question as to whether the owners of the side streets should contribute because Girnhill Lane was their only access. The clerk said it was possible to amend the application if this was necessary.
Mr Rothera said he had not apportioned owners of back property because the council decided to apportion on adjoining owners only. There was access from Wakefield Road to Hartley Street. Mafeking Street could only be approached from Girnhill Lane. The council laid a causeway for 270 yards down the lane on the left side in 1899/1900. They contemplated putting a causeway down the other side sometime.
Mr Bairstow, for Lord Masham, submitted the order was entirely irregular. He said the evidence did not show the users of the road were responsible for the repair of it. What the farmers did was not proper repair and that did not make them liable. The onus of proof was on the council. If in 1864 and afterwards the council repaired the road the liability continued to this day.
John Waller JP age 75 said for about 15 years after 1864 he was the parish surveyor, succeeding his father. While he was surveyor the road was hacked back in every spring and repaired. His father did similar work before him and all the bye-lanes were similarly treated. This work went on until the Local Board was formed. The lane was very bad but they weren't as particular then as now. He didn't dispute the lane was repaired to make it just passable, and the farmers repaired it for a similar reason. It was sometimes mended with bind from a parish quarry.
William Banks, an owner who lived in the lane, said the surveyor had always repaired the lane, and put material on it, until the Local Board came into existence. The repair was done every spring and he considered the lane to be belonging to the public. He had repaired the lane in order to be able to get to his own place.
The Bench said they came to the conclusion they did not consider it to be a highway repairable by the public. With regard to the apportionment, they adjourned the hearing for three months and sent it back to the council because they thought the back streets ought to be included.
At the resumed hearing in August the council said they had considered the side streets off Girnhill Lane and decided it would be unjust to those owners to make them pay towards Girnhill Lane because they were not cul-de-sacs and the principle access was by way of Wakefield Road. They had already paid £120 for road works. The Bench agreed and confirmed the apportionments.
In September the council accepted a tender of £703 from J W Broadhead for the making up of Girnhill Lane, and it was at last made into a proper road.
James Harrison, a 71 years old roadman, remembered the lane 35 years ago. He worked for John Nelstrop, a farmer who lived near Mr Waller's. There was then only one house in the lane. Only farmers needed the road and they repaired it with pieces of bricks and rubbish of any sort. He had assisted in repairing the road. The farmers had carted stuff from Snydale Pit but the lane wasn't much better as to repair when the farmers had done what they did.
Alfred Freeman, nuisance inspector, said the farmers had given him permission to tip night soil on land adjoining the lane. The lane was practically impassable in places and he had shot a load of light stuff in the worst holes occasionally in order to get on. The tipping was done up to three years ago mostly at the top of the lane.
Mr Rothera, the council's surveyor, said he had searched the council's books and he had found no order about the council repairing the lane. The gas company had dug up the lane without giving any notice, which they would have done if it had been the council's responsibility.
Here Mr Clayton-Smith, for the gas company, raised the question as to whether the owners of the side streets should contribute because Girnhill Lane was their only access. The clerk said it was possible to amend the application if this was necessary.
Mr Rothera said he had not apportioned owners of back property because the council decided to apportion on adjoining owners only. There was access from Wakefield Road to Hartley Street. Mafeking Street could only be approached from Girnhill Lane. The council laid a causeway for 270 yards down the lane on the left side in 1899/1900. They contemplated putting a causeway down the other side sometime.
Mr Bairstow, for Lord Masham, submitted the order was entirely irregular. He said the evidence did not show the users of the road were responsible for the repair of it. What the farmers did was not proper repair and that did not make them liable. The onus of proof was on the council. If in 1864 and afterwards the council repaired the road the liability continued to this day.
John Waller JP age 75 said for about 15 years after 1864 he was the parish surveyor, succeeding his father. While he was surveyor the road was hacked back in every spring and repaired. His father did similar work before him and all the bye-lanes were similarly treated. This work went on until the Local Board was formed. The lane was very bad but they weren't as particular then as now. He didn't dispute the lane was repaired to make it just passable, and the farmers repaired it for a similar reason. It was sometimes mended with bind from a parish quarry.
William Banks, an owner who lived in the lane, said the surveyor had always repaired the lane, and put material on it, until the Local Board came into existence. The repair was done every spring and he considered the lane to be belonging to the public. He had repaired the lane in order to be able to get to his own place.
The Bench said they came to the conclusion they did not consider it to be a highway repairable by the public. With regard to the apportionment, they adjourned the hearing for three months and sent it back to the council because they thought the back streets ought to be included.
At the resumed hearing in August the council said they had considered the side streets off Girnhill Lane and decided it would be unjust to those owners to make them pay towards Girnhill Lane because they were not cul-de-sacs and the principle access was by way of Wakefield Road. They had already paid £120 for road works. The Bench agreed and confirmed the apportionments.
In September the council accepted a tender of £703 from J W Broadhead for the making up of Girnhill Lane, and it was at last made into a proper road.
THE WESLEYAN CHAPEL
The Wesleyans met at the chapel in Hall Street, Purston, but had
realised for some years they would have to find bigger premises. So they
bought a piece of land at the corner of Girnhill Lane and Wakefield
Road.
The plans for a new chapel by architects Garside and Pennington of Pontefract were passed by the council in May 1903 and the first stone was laid in July. Before the building was ready the Wesleyans received a licence to perform weddings and the first ceremony took place in the old chapel in April 1904.
The building work lasted just one year at a cost of over £3,000. The opening ceremony was performed by Mrs Wood of Featherstone who was presented with a 15 carat gold key inscribed "Purston Wesleyan Chapel, opened by Mrs John Wood, July 27th 1904. Mrs Wood had previously handed over a cheque for £50 towards the building fund.
After the opening ceremony the congregation of 630 went to George Street School for a tea and then back to the chapel for a meeting. The Revd W Greenwood said the total cost would be about £4,000. So far £1,922 had been raised from subscriptions, £500 was promised from the 20th Century Fund, and £200 was expected from the sale of the old chapel. The grand total to date with other things added was £2,802.
He said if they continued to work united he had no doubt they would soon have the great joy of knowing the place was free from debt. The efforts of the first day had raised £250.
The plans for a new chapel by architects Garside and Pennington of Pontefract were passed by the council in May 1903 and the first stone was laid in July. Before the building was ready the Wesleyans received a licence to perform weddings and the first ceremony took place in the old chapel in April 1904.
The building work lasted just one year at a cost of over £3,000. The opening ceremony was performed by Mrs Wood of Featherstone who was presented with a 15 carat gold key inscribed "Purston Wesleyan Chapel, opened by Mrs John Wood, July 27th 1904. Mrs Wood had previously handed over a cheque for £50 towards the building fund.
After the opening ceremony the congregation of 630 went to George Street School for a tea and then back to the chapel for a meeting. The Revd W Greenwood said the total cost would be about £4,000. So far £1,922 had been raised from subscriptions, £500 was promised from the 20th Century Fund, and £200 was expected from the sale of the old chapel. The grand total to date with other things added was £2,802.
He said if they continued to work united he had no doubt they would soon have the great joy of knowing the place was free from debt. The efforts of the first day had raised £250.
The above photo is from the original Featherstone Local History Group, and that below is from the Dr Gatecliff Collection.
THE PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHAPEL
Mention has been made in previous years of the damage in Wakefield Road
caused by mining subsidence. The Primitive Methodist Chapel, built in
1872 didn't escape and the damage was so bad it had to be closed in 1902
and the congregation held their services in George Street School.
An appeal was made to Lord Masham and he gave £132 towards the
rebuilding. Other sums were raised and Mr W H Fearnley was asked to act
as architect. The plans were passed by the council in September 1903,
and after the foundations were reinforced the foundation stones were
laid in March 1904 by a large number of subscribers to the building
fund. Captain J R Shaw of Purston Hall was present and he donated £10.
The
total cost was about £900 and the Featherstone builder, Mr G Darnley,
had the work completed ready for the opening ceremony in September which
was performed by Mrs Shaw.
A photo from the Dr Gatecliff collection.
THE NEW SEWAGE WORKS
The council clerk, Mr Lowden, said outstanding loans totalled £38,984. The land for the new sewage works had been bought at the agreed price and paid for. The council were being pressed by the Rivers Board and wanted to make a start as soon as possible.
Mr Hudson explained the scheme. He said the original drainage scheme had been by gravitation, but the new one would be pumped because mining subsidence could lower the surface by up to 30 feet. The scheme could deal with a much greater population that at present and the two pumps could lift 288,000 gallons in 12 hours. A very liberal allowance of 25 gallons per person had been provided for. The old site of 13 acres was available and another 26 had been purchased. There were no objections to the scheme and the inspector closed the inquiry and visited the site.
In December the LGB agreed to a loan of £11,934 to the council for the new sewage works and a destructor, so the work could finally go ahead.
EDUCATION IN 1904
The
running of the schools was taken over by the county council and the
last meeting of the Featherstone School Board was held on March 27. The
members present were Peter Darlington, the chairman, Alf Higgins, Sam
Mason, Speering Rogers and Henry Gledhill, and the clerk's assistant Mr
Haigh. The
balance against the Board when all accounts were paid was £667 2s 6d,
but there was an unpaid precept of £660 so the actual deficit was very
small. The chairman said he thought the ratepayers could not complain of
the way the members had done their duties. They had studied the
interests of the people and the large amount of money spent on new
buildings was caused by the great increase in the number of children.
They now had schools second to none. The board was indebted to the
headmasters and headmistresses, and to the assistants, for the way they
had educated the children, and he, the chairman, wished them every
success in the future. He must also give a word of praise to the clerk
for the very efficient manner in which he carried out his duties, also
to Mr Boffey who had given great satisfaction.
Mr Gledhill said the members had always worked together amicably, and had been on good terms with the teachers. He hoped the latter would continue to do the best they could and would be no worse off under the new arrangements.
Mr Gledhill said the members had always worked together amicably, and had been on good terms with the teachers. He hoped the latter would continue to do the best they could and would be no worse off under the new arrangements.
Mr Higgins spoke in a similar manner, and said during the long time he
had been connected with the board he had taken a great interest in the
education and welfare of the children, and had gained considerable
experience by his connection with the board. All along from the time of
Messrs Andrews, Battye, Chambers and Phipps, the work had been carried
on successfully, and he thought it was a credit to both old and new
members that such good schools had been built and so well equipped. He
was proud of their teaching staff, and he hoped Mr Simpson, Mr Cowey,
and the rest would remain long in Featherstone. Mr Mason also briefly
acknowledged the services of the teachers.
Tinley Simpson thanked the members for their kind remarks, and for the uniform courtesy they had shown him. Compared with other boards he thought this one had been a model. Robert Cowey said the board and staff had always worked amicably together, and to him personally they had been extremely good. Mr Haigh, in the absence of the clerk through indisposition, thanked the board for the kindness the clerk had always received at their hands.
So ended the work of the Featherstone School Board which was formed in 1882. From now on the schools would not be board schools but council schools (except the two church schools).
The new local education sub-committee met in the local council chamber and Featherstone Council charged them 5s a time. The first meeting was in May and there were immediate problems. Some teachers salaries had not been paid and the clerk was instructed to write to the county council.
There was a complaint from Purston National School about the poor quality of materials supplied. Mr Booker said better materials could be obtained in Featherstone at half the price. The chairman, Peter Darlington, said the county council would never be able to manage education and should give it up. The locals were allowed to run the evening classes and it was decided to pay headteachers 10s and other teachers 5s for taking these.
At the October meeting a small account was produced from North Featherstone National School for sewing materials. Mr Higgins said no authority to purchase had been given and it was declared out of order. A local schoolmaster, Mr Cooper, wrote explaining he had bought two pennyworth of emery paper and one pennyworth of tacks. The divisional clerk, who attended these meetings, said the committee could sanction such small purchases. Mr Higgins said these committees were the laughing stock of the county.
By December some members were disillusioned and only five of them turned up for that month's meeting. Mr Stebbing said if they went on like this the meetings would only be attended by one member. The county council could not expect them to go to meetings month after month and make resolutions only to have them ignored. Mr Darlington asked what interest could the members take in education if they were to be treated that way.
The clerk pointed out the school attendance in Featherstone was becoming the worst in the West Riding. He was told to reply to the county council this was because they would not allow the attendance officer any help.
Some teachers had had their salary reduced from £60 to £57 10s, but after the committee objected it was put back to £60.
A COMPENSATION CASE
A
compensation hearing was held in April on behalf of Thomas Cook who
injured his hand at Ackton Hall Colliery on February 4, 1901. Mr
Alexander, for Cook, said he was first treated by Dr Steven and then had
to have an operation at Leeds Infirmary. In March 1903 he was offered
light employment and he returned to work at 4s 2d per day, his average
weekly wage being 14s plus compensation of £1 a week from the company.
His former earnings were about £2 14s a week.
His company stopped paying the compensation in October 1903 and the next month he tried to do his old job but he could not grasp the pick or shovel. He could have continued the light work. Under cross-examination Thomas Cook admitted receiving a letter in March 1903 offering light work, but he didn't take it up until July when Dr Buncle told him he should try and use his hand.
Dr Steven, medical officer for the Accident Fund, described the injury and said the strength and grip of the thumb was largely impaired and he did not think Cook could use a pick or shovel, but he could do light work. Dr Sykes of Barnsley confirmed Cook could not use a pick or shovel and would not be able to do so in the future.
Mr Andrews for the company said with reasonable usage the thumb today might have been a good one The applicant did not give his usual work a fair trial. Ellis Barraclough, manager, said he had offered different kinds of light work which were all refused. There were other men who had injured fingers still working in the pit as colliers.
The judge commented on the doctors' evidence and said what on earth was he, a layman, to do. The applicant's own doctor had said it would be a good thing for him to do light work, but it would be an absurdity to send him to the coal face. He then made an order of 16s a week from last October 6.
Crs Gledhill and Walmsley proposed Cr Stebbing. They both paid a high tribute to the retiring chairman, Cr Darlington, but thought the nominee had well earned the honour. Crs Briscoe and Maxwell proposed the re-appointment of Cr Darlington, who they said had the practical experience of the duties of the chair and the four new members would receive an education if he was re-elected.
The voting was five each, Crs Stebbing and Darlington not voting. The clerk said he did not want to decide the chairmanship by giving a casting vote, so Cr Darlington, who had been chairman for the past two years, offered to withdraw in favour of Cr Stebbing. Cr Maxwell objected which caused Cr Mackintosh to say "I hope we aren't going to be two days over the job as before". (He was referring to the hung council in 1896.)
Cr Murphy wanted to know why Cr Maxwell was objecting when Cr Darlington had offered to withdraw, and he (Cr Murphy) would propose the offer be accepted. Cr Walmsley seconded this but Cr Darlington said he would only withdraw if his proposer and seconder agreed, and the clerk said it was quite in order for them to decline to accept his offer. Cr Briscoe said he would sit until morning before he would withdraw his proposition.
Many ideas were suggested to get them out of the difficulty but none were accepted. In order to break the deadlock Cr Darlington said he would accept the clerk's casting vote, but Mr Lowden said it would not be fair for him as a public servant to have a vote. It was practically asking him to choose his own master.
As no one would give way the fires were started, the pipes came out and cigars were lit. The councillors stood about in little groups round the fires, walked the room, read the evening papers, or anything except leave the room in case a vote was called in their absence.
More suggestion were made - drawing lots, a ballot (secret vote), and the two nominees should discuss the matter in private to see if they could come to some arrangement. All were turned down, but after a while Cr Maxwell brought up the idea of a ballot again and this time one was held, each member voting in private on a piece of paper. It was another even vote and after Cr Maxwell's idea of drawing lots was turned down it was agreed to adjourn for one hour.
They reconvened at 9.30pm and Cr Maxwell brought up his drawing lots idea but it was turned down again. Cr Walker was suggested as an alternative to break the deadlock but he declined. Neither side would give way so the meeting was adjourned at 10pm for four days.
All twelve gathered again in the council chamber and Mr Lowden again took the chair. The opening gambits were exactly the same with Crs Darlington and Stebbing being nominated. This time when the clerk put it to the vote only four voted for Cr Darlington, and when he asked for votes for Cr Stebbing there were six hands raised. Tommy Sides had changed sides and so Cr Stebbing became the new chairman.
"I was stranded here the other night, and had a strange experience. As there is no train to Wakefield between 6.55pm and 9.05pm, and the only waiting room at the station is locked up until 9 to save the gas (I suppose), I had an hour's patrol of Station Lane where I made the discovery that it and the township were in darkness, save where, here and there, a little light was shed by a shop open for the sale of sweets, fruit or pork pies. The only lamps alight were two to prevent anyone driving into the level railway crossing; here, now and again, vehicles had to await permission to continue their course; and this is the main thoroughfare of the place! I was told by a policeman (of a facetious turn I think) that it was all the fault of the moon! If the lighting table is based on the fickleness of Luna I replied that it seemed a lunatic arrangement. At nightfall the shops close because customers are not expected to grope about in darkness, but hundreds of young people seemed to enjoy it. If it is economical it struck a traveller as a little behind the times." It seems odd if, as the letter writer says, the station gates were normally closed to road traffic and only opened when necessary.
Tinley Simpson thanked the members for their kind remarks, and for the uniform courtesy they had shown him. Compared with other boards he thought this one had been a model. Robert Cowey said the board and staff had always worked amicably together, and to him personally they had been extremely good. Mr Haigh, in the absence of the clerk through indisposition, thanked the board for the kindness the clerk had always received at their hands.
So ended the work of the Featherstone School Board which was formed in 1882. From now on the schools would not be board schools but council schools (except the two church schools).
The new local education sub-committee met in the local council chamber and Featherstone Council charged them 5s a time. The first meeting was in May and there were immediate problems. Some teachers salaries had not been paid and the clerk was instructed to write to the county council.
There was a complaint from Purston National School about the poor quality of materials supplied. Mr Booker said better materials could be obtained in Featherstone at half the price. The chairman, Peter Darlington, said the county council would never be able to manage education and should give it up. The locals were allowed to run the evening classes and it was decided to pay headteachers 10s and other teachers 5s for taking these.
At the October meeting a small account was produced from North Featherstone National School for sewing materials. Mr Higgins said no authority to purchase had been given and it was declared out of order. A local schoolmaster, Mr Cooper, wrote explaining he had bought two pennyworth of emery paper and one pennyworth of tacks. The divisional clerk, who attended these meetings, said the committee could sanction such small purchases. Mr Higgins said these committees were the laughing stock of the county.
By December some members were disillusioned and only five of them turned up for that month's meeting. Mr Stebbing said if they went on like this the meetings would only be attended by one member. The county council could not expect them to go to meetings month after month and make resolutions only to have them ignored. Mr Darlington asked what interest could the members take in education if they were to be treated that way.
The clerk pointed out the school attendance in Featherstone was becoming the worst in the West Riding. He was told to reply to the county council this was because they would not allow the attendance officer any help.
Some teachers had had their salary reduced from £60 to £57 10s, but after the committee objected it was put back to £60.
A COMPENSATION CASE
His company stopped paying the compensation in October 1903 and the next month he tried to do his old job but he could not grasp the pick or shovel. He could have continued the light work. Under cross-examination Thomas Cook admitted receiving a letter in March 1903 offering light work, but he didn't take it up until July when Dr Buncle told him he should try and use his hand.
Dr Steven, medical officer for the Accident Fund, described the injury and said the strength and grip of the thumb was largely impaired and he did not think Cook could use a pick or shovel, but he could do light work. Dr Sykes of Barnsley confirmed Cook could not use a pick or shovel and would not be able to do so in the future.
Mr Andrews for the company said with reasonable usage the thumb today might have been a good one The applicant did not give his usual work a fair trial. Ellis Barraclough, manager, said he had offered different kinds of light work which were all refused. There were other men who had injured fingers still working in the pit as colliers.
The judge commented on the doctors' evidence and said what on earth was he, a layman, to do. The applicant's own doctor had said it would be a good thing for him to do light work, but it would be an absurdity to send him to the coal face. He then made an order of 16s a week from last October 6.
ANOTHER HUNG COUNCIL
The first council meeting after each annual election was mainly for the
purpose of electing a chairman for the next twelve months. On April 21
the following councillors met to perform that duty: J Maxwell, J
Briscoe, J Poppleton, T J Sides, H Gledhill, J Walker, J J Murphy, J
Mackintosh, P Darlington, A Makin, J Walmsley and Revd F G Stebbing. The
clerk, Charles Lowden, took the chair until a new chairman was elected.
Crs Gledhill and Walmsley proposed Cr Stebbing. They both paid a high tribute to the retiring chairman, Cr Darlington, but thought the nominee had well earned the honour. Crs Briscoe and Maxwell proposed the re-appointment of Cr Darlington, who they said had the practical experience of the duties of the chair and the four new members would receive an education if he was re-elected.
The voting was five each, Crs Stebbing and Darlington not voting. The clerk said he did not want to decide the chairmanship by giving a casting vote, so Cr Darlington, who had been chairman for the past two years, offered to withdraw in favour of Cr Stebbing. Cr Maxwell objected which caused Cr Mackintosh to say "I hope we aren't going to be two days over the job as before". (He was referring to the hung council in 1896.)
Cr Murphy wanted to know why Cr Maxwell was objecting when Cr Darlington had offered to withdraw, and he (Cr Murphy) would propose the offer be accepted. Cr Walmsley seconded this but Cr Darlington said he would only withdraw if his proposer and seconder agreed, and the clerk said it was quite in order for them to decline to accept his offer. Cr Briscoe said he would sit until morning before he would withdraw his proposition.
Many ideas were suggested to get them out of the difficulty but none were accepted. In order to break the deadlock Cr Darlington said he would accept the clerk's casting vote, but Mr Lowden said it would not be fair for him as a public servant to have a vote. It was practically asking him to choose his own master.
As no one would give way the fires were started, the pipes came out and cigars were lit. The councillors stood about in little groups round the fires, walked the room, read the evening papers, or anything except leave the room in case a vote was called in their absence.
More suggestion were made - drawing lots, a ballot (secret vote), and the two nominees should discuss the matter in private to see if they could come to some arrangement. All were turned down, but after a while Cr Maxwell brought up the idea of a ballot again and this time one was held, each member voting in private on a piece of paper. It was another even vote and after Cr Maxwell's idea of drawing lots was turned down it was agreed to adjourn for one hour.
They reconvened at 9.30pm and Cr Maxwell brought up his drawing lots idea but it was turned down again. Cr Walker was suggested as an alternative to break the deadlock but he declined. Neither side would give way so the meeting was adjourned at 10pm for four days.
All twelve gathered again in the council chamber and Mr Lowden again took the chair. The opening gambits were exactly the same with Crs Darlington and Stebbing being nominated. This time when the clerk put it to the vote only four voted for Cr Darlington, and when he asked for votes for Cr Stebbing there were six hands raised. Tommy Sides had changed sides and so Cr Stebbing became the new chairman.
SWALLOWED UP IN DARKNESS
The
gas lamps in Featherstone were not lit in the summer - not even in
Station Lane - which resulted in the following letter, simply signed "A
traveller" appearing in the Express in August."I was stranded here the other night, and had a strange experience. As there is no train to Wakefield between 6.55pm and 9.05pm, and the only waiting room at the station is locked up until 9 to save the gas (I suppose), I had an hour's patrol of Station Lane where I made the discovery that it and the township were in darkness, save where, here and there, a little light was shed by a shop open for the sale of sweets, fruit or pork pies. The only lamps alight were two to prevent anyone driving into the level railway crossing; here, now and again, vehicles had to await permission to continue their course; and this is the main thoroughfare of the place! I was told by a policeman (of a facetious turn I think) that it was all the fault of the moon! If the lighting table is based on the fickleness of Luna I replied that it seemed a lunatic arrangement. At nightfall the shops close because customers are not expected to grope about in darkness, but hundreds of young people seemed to enjoy it. If it is economical it struck a traveller as a little behind the times." It seems odd if, as the letter writer says, the station gates were normally closed to road traffic and only opened when necessary.
FEATHERSTONE CLUBS
Underneath
the above letter was the following article about Featherstone. "A
leading feature of our village life is to be our working men's clubs. We
have four with nearly 4,000 members, mainly colliers, and more are not
improbable. The smallest is the Central in Station Lane, the
quaint-looking red brick building known as the Coronation, in Wakefield
Road, is a rather imposing place and crowded nightly. The theatre at the
top of Station Lane, a large red brick building erected by a company,
including persons connected with the Featherstone Main Colliery, several
years ago, has not been a success and was closed at the end of last
season. In connection with it was the Athletic Cub, and this institution
with about 1,100 members (embracing nearly every worker at the Main
Colliery) is developing its operations so as to occupy the whole of the
premises. The vacant ground on the south side of the building had been
boarded in for quoits, skittles and other games, and here, in fine
weather, members can sit and enjoy their beer and bacca. Unfortunately
the atmosphere at this spot is not the cleanest. The auditorium offers
scope for a gymnasium, and of course there are billiard tables and an
ample bar. Outdoor sports are to be encouraged - cricket, football and
races. Owing, as we understand, to a dispute as to the increased rent
charged to the association, the fourth club has been erected in Green
Lane, close by. The temporary billiard room, at the rear, with its
indispensable tap, has been open for several weeks, and in a month the
great billiard room, running over four shops and the front entrance,
will be open. In the hall is a grand crescent bar capable of serving
from 30 to 50 customers at once. A Wakefield brewery is interested in
this venture, and already there are 900 customers in prospect. As these
institutions mainly depend for revenue on the intoxicating liquors sold,
the question is being debated in certain quarters as to what the moral
effect of such places will be. That a collier should want exciting
amusement for his evenings, and at other times when not working (now
just over half the week) is not to be wondered at, and the churches not
having provided anything more rational or edifying, the brewers and
colliery officials have supplied the kind of recreation required."
This photo from the original Featherstone Local History Group shows the
Featherstone Working Men's Club, always known as the Green Lane Club.
1904 NEWS ITEMS
JANUARY John Waller gave 2s 6d to each of the poor in Featherstone and Purston who were in receipt of poor relief.
At the general meeting of the Featherstone Association for the Prosecution of Offenders Mr J Booth, the president, said there were 73 prosecutions last year without a failure. They were flourishing and in future would be a terror to wrongdoers. There were 70 members at the dinner in the Featherstone Hotel.
A pigeon shooting match of eleven birds each at £20 a side was held between Mr J E Booth of Pontefract and Mr G Brookman of Featherstone. Betting was 5-4 on Booth but the match was a draw as both downed seven pigeons.
John Smith, a grocer's assistant, was charged with writing with chalk on the painted woodwork of a shop front in Station Lane. As it was the first case of its kind he was let off on payment of 6s 6d costs.
At the general meeting of the Featherstone Association for the Prosecution of Offenders Mr J Booth, the president, said there were 73 prosecutions last year without a failure. They were flourishing and in future would be a terror to wrongdoers. There were 70 members at the dinner in the Featherstone Hotel.
A pigeon shooting match of eleven birds each at £20 a side was held between Mr J E Booth of Pontefract and Mr G Brookman of Featherstone. Betting was 5-4 on Booth but the match was a draw as both downed seven pigeons.
John Smith, a grocer's assistant, was charged with writing with chalk on the painted woodwork of a shop front in Station Lane. As it was the first case of its kind he was let off on payment of 6s 6d costs.
FEBRUARY The council approved plans for a lavatory near the station and for a working men's club on Green Lane.
An inquest was held on Fred Littlewood aged 24 who was killed by a
fall of roof at Ackton Hall Colliery. The verdict was death by
misadventure. On the same day another inquest was held on Joseph Wardle
aged 27 of George Street who was killed by a fall of roof at Snydale
Colliery. This time the verdict was accidentally killed,
MARCH Thomas Markey lodged with Leonard Matthewman in Nostell View. One day on his return from work he found a silver albert and a pair of patent leather boots were missing. Tomas Markey was arrested a few days later in Barnsley and was fined 10s in Pontefract Court.
The council decided to write to Alfred Holiday, the Ackton Hall Colliery agent, because tipping was being done where the stack was on fire instead of elsewhere.
Charles Keith died suddenly leaving John Murphy a walkover for the Snydale Ward in the Council elections. James Booth said he had washed his hands of council duties and did not stand again. The results were:
Ackton and Snydale Ward: J J Murphy unopposed.
North Ward: T J Sides publican 337, William Sykes checkweighman 146.
South Ward: J Poppleton grocer 133, S W Mason checkweighman 116.
Purston Ward: A Makin grocer 206, S E Earnshaw miners' secretary 168, A Short brewery traveller 114.
All four winners would be fresh faces on the new Council. Mr Makin used a motor car to take voters to the polls. It had been loaned by Ewbanks of Pontefract.
APRIL Captain J R Shaw of Featherstone Main Colliery took out a patent for the self-emptying of coal wagons. It was claimed his system would empty three wagons in 38 seconds.
The council's sanitary sub-committee turned down plans for 15 houses to be built by Mr Sutton at North Featherstone because of insufficient sanitary accommodation. They considered wherever possible there should be a closet at each house. The full council approved them conditionally but Mr Sutton had to see the surveyor to discuss his plans.
An inquest was held into the death of an infant child of Sarah Ann Bates, the single daughter of Joseph Bates. Sarah's stepmother said the child was born in an outhouse. Dr Finch said the mother was of low intellect and did not really think she had given birth to a child. He believed the child could have lived if proper attention at birth had been given, but at the same time he could not be sure if it had a separate existence (ie it could have been still-born).
MAY The council decided no public seats should be fixed within 100 yards of houses, and any that were at present would be moved.
John Stanley and Herbert Jordan were fined £5 each for taking bets in Station Lane. When he was fined Jordan said "I haven't a h'penny in the world". Supt Hollis told him to go and see if Stanley would help him out. Edward Gill was also fined £5 for taking bets.
JUNE Robert Banks and Herbert Palmer were summoned for playing ball on a highway. Mr Lowden, defending, said it was ridiculous bringing such cases because the magistrates had just decided the council were not responsible for repairing Girnhill Lane and the side streets, therefore it was a public place, The Bench agreed and dismissed the summons.
An inquest was held on John William Rhodes aged 39 and a foreman over labourers at Ackton Hall Colliery. He collapsed and died at the reservoir and there were rumours he had been poisoned. His stomach and contents were sent to Sheffield for analysis but no poison was found. Dr Buncle and Dr Steven said in their opinion the cause of death was convulsions induced by acute gastritis. The coroner advised the jury if gastritis was the cause of death then it was natural causes. If they considered the fall at the reservoir by the deceased accelerated the death they would have to say whether or not it was accidental. After retiring for ten minutes the jury returned a verdict that convulsions accelerated by the fall had caused death and it was accidental.
The main winding engine at Featherstone Main Colliery broke down early in the afternoon and all the men had to be brought out a few at a time by means of the fan shaft. It took until 10.30pm to get them all out.
JULY There were 1,572 people on three trains for the Featherstone Main Colliery trip to Blackpool. On the same day another 624 men from Ackton Hall Colliery went to Bradford and they were each given a ticket to visit the exhibition there.
An inquest was held on Ben Ward aged 49 who was fatally injured by a fall of roof at Snydale Colliery. He was taken home where he died shortly afterwards. The verdict was death by misadventure.
At 4.30am in Pontefract, PC Stayton stopped a man riding a bicycle which had two flat tyres. The man claimed he had been given the bicycle in Featherstone but the policemen didn't believe him and locked him up. In his pocket were billheads from Oswald Short, a shopkeeper in Green Lane. It transpired his name was Samuel Rounds who was a recruit at the barracks. He had broken into the shop through the cellar and stolen the bicycle and clothes valued at 10s. An officer from the barracks said Rounds had signed on in the name of Samuel Wrigley. He was sent to Leeds Assizes for trial and was sentenced to four months with hard labour.
The Bench issued a warrant for the arrest of a man called Davis who was to be summoned for changing motties at Ackton Hall Colliery. Mr Lowden said Davis was a single man and might leave the district. A week later Richard Davis of Purston, Charles Bowskill of Tanshelf and William Turner of Featherstone were charged with stealing 15s 2d belonging to coal getters at Ackton Hall Colliery by changing motties. John Hennessy, a deputy, said there had been continuous complaints for four months so he kept watch until the thieves were identified.
Boskill and Turner tried to blame Davis by saying he drew the money and they just accepted what he gave them. The Bench decided they had all acted together and they were all sentenced to two months in prison with hard labour.
At the council meeting Dr Buncle criticised the inmates at the Cross Keys Inn for allowing children to go about with a rash for a week before calling the doctor in. Three daughters of the landlord, Mr Pfisterer, were found to have smallpox and were taken to the smallpox hospital in Little Lane. The doctor said he was not yet able to say how the district would be affected. The public house was closed and the other inmates were placed in quarantine. Two weeks later a fourth sister contracted the disease.
Wilfred Davies, Harry Mosely and Thomas Withington were playing with Ernest Calvert when they were attacked and bitten by a dog owned by John Calvert, Ernest's father. In court Mr Calvert claimed the boys had been throwing stones at the dog. He did not want to have the dog destroyed and he was ordered by the magistrates to keep it under proper control.
A bazaar and gala was held at the Featherstone vicarage to raise funds to pay off the outstanding £50 on the cost of the building. Also North Featherstone church was in need of a new heating system and a new organ. John Waller opened the proceedings and said churchgoers were not as a rule very liberal givers, and he would like them to give more silver and less copper. Although trade was very bad he thought the colliery owners should contribute more than they did. The Featherstone Band conducted by Mr J Moxon entertained during the afternoon and evening. The band had just purchased a new set of instruments at a cost of £283.They were strapped for cash as well and had only managed to raise £40 so far.
Hundreds of people went to Ackton Woods after reports of a freak of nature which looked as if the likeness of a man's face was growing out of a tree. Some thought it looked like Lord Kitchener's face with mustache and hair. Some said it was merely a face which had been carved into the tree some years ago and had opened out as the tree grew. Because of the damage being caused to the woods the owners had the face disfigured and covered with tar.
AUGUST Alfred Holiday attended a meeting of the Coal Conciliation Board on behalf of the Yorkshire coal owners. The meeting was called to decide on the removal or not of the 5% advance given to the miners in January 1900. Naturally the owners and the union were split 50-50 and the chairman, Lord James of Hereford, gave his casting vote in favour of the reduction.
At All Saints' Church in Castleford the Revd Stebbing married Annie Jackson, a widow of North Featherstone. Mr Stebbing's wife had died 15 months earlier. Mrs Jackson had taken over the running of North Featherstone National School when her husband died some years ago. The wedding was a quiet affair with only a dozen present.
Selma Newsome was found asleep in a closet at Tanshelf and was charged with vagrancy. She was very confused in court and Mr Anderson said she had been depressed since her husband's death. It was said she had slept in the closet for several nights. The Bench set her free on a promise she would go to her married son's house in Featherstone.
George and Robert Milburn and Cook, young Featherstone miners, were sent to prison for one month with hard labour for stealing apples from the orchard of Harold Smith of Foulby. They all had several previous convictions.
There were two more cases of smallpox at Snydale. The council authorised Dr Buncle to destroy or disinfect such articles as he considered necessary and to make vaccinations.
MARCH Thomas Markey lodged with Leonard Matthewman in Nostell View. One day on his return from work he found a silver albert and a pair of patent leather boots were missing. Tomas Markey was arrested a few days later in Barnsley and was fined 10s in Pontefract Court.
The council decided to write to Alfred Holiday, the Ackton Hall Colliery agent, because tipping was being done where the stack was on fire instead of elsewhere.
Charles Keith died suddenly leaving John Murphy a walkover for the Snydale Ward in the Council elections. James Booth said he had washed his hands of council duties and did not stand again. The results were:
Ackton and Snydale Ward: J J Murphy unopposed.
North Ward: T J Sides publican 337, William Sykes checkweighman 146.
South Ward: J Poppleton grocer 133, S W Mason checkweighman 116.
Purston Ward: A Makin grocer 206, S E Earnshaw miners' secretary 168, A Short brewery traveller 114.
All four winners would be fresh faces on the new Council. Mr Makin used a motor car to take voters to the polls. It had been loaned by Ewbanks of Pontefract.
APRIL Captain J R Shaw of Featherstone Main Colliery took out a patent for the self-emptying of coal wagons. It was claimed his system would empty three wagons in 38 seconds.
The council's sanitary sub-committee turned down plans for 15 houses to be built by Mr Sutton at North Featherstone because of insufficient sanitary accommodation. They considered wherever possible there should be a closet at each house. The full council approved them conditionally but Mr Sutton had to see the surveyor to discuss his plans.
An inquest was held into the death of an infant child of Sarah Ann Bates, the single daughter of Joseph Bates. Sarah's stepmother said the child was born in an outhouse. Dr Finch said the mother was of low intellect and did not really think she had given birth to a child. He believed the child could have lived if proper attention at birth had been given, but at the same time he could not be sure if it had a separate existence (ie it could have been still-born).
MAY The council decided no public seats should be fixed within 100 yards of houses, and any that were at present would be moved.
John Stanley and Herbert Jordan were fined £5 each for taking bets in Station Lane. When he was fined Jordan said "I haven't a h'penny in the world". Supt Hollis told him to go and see if Stanley would help him out. Edward Gill was also fined £5 for taking bets.
JUNE Robert Banks and Herbert Palmer were summoned for playing ball on a highway. Mr Lowden, defending, said it was ridiculous bringing such cases because the magistrates had just decided the council were not responsible for repairing Girnhill Lane and the side streets, therefore it was a public place, The Bench agreed and dismissed the summons.
An inquest was held on John William Rhodes aged 39 and a foreman over labourers at Ackton Hall Colliery. He collapsed and died at the reservoir and there were rumours he had been poisoned. His stomach and contents were sent to Sheffield for analysis but no poison was found. Dr Buncle and Dr Steven said in their opinion the cause of death was convulsions induced by acute gastritis. The coroner advised the jury if gastritis was the cause of death then it was natural causes. If they considered the fall at the reservoir by the deceased accelerated the death they would have to say whether or not it was accidental. After retiring for ten minutes the jury returned a verdict that convulsions accelerated by the fall had caused death and it was accidental.
The main winding engine at Featherstone Main Colliery broke down early in the afternoon and all the men had to be brought out a few at a time by means of the fan shaft. It took until 10.30pm to get them all out.
JULY There were 1,572 people on three trains for the Featherstone Main Colliery trip to Blackpool. On the same day another 624 men from Ackton Hall Colliery went to Bradford and they were each given a ticket to visit the exhibition there.
An inquest was held on Ben Ward aged 49 who was fatally injured by a fall of roof at Snydale Colliery. He was taken home where he died shortly afterwards. The verdict was death by misadventure.
At 4.30am in Pontefract, PC Stayton stopped a man riding a bicycle which had two flat tyres. The man claimed he had been given the bicycle in Featherstone but the policemen didn't believe him and locked him up. In his pocket were billheads from Oswald Short, a shopkeeper in Green Lane. It transpired his name was Samuel Rounds who was a recruit at the barracks. He had broken into the shop through the cellar and stolen the bicycle and clothes valued at 10s. An officer from the barracks said Rounds had signed on in the name of Samuel Wrigley. He was sent to Leeds Assizes for trial and was sentenced to four months with hard labour.
The Bench issued a warrant for the arrest of a man called Davis who was to be summoned for changing motties at Ackton Hall Colliery. Mr Lowden said Davis was a single man and might leave the district. A week later Richard Davis of Purston, Charles Bowskill of Tanshelf and William Turner of Featherstone were charged with stealing 15s 2d belonging to coal getters at Ackton Hall Colliery by changing motties. John Hennessy, a deputy, said there had been continuous complaints for four months so he kept watch until the thieves were identified.
Boskill and Turner tried to blame Davis by saying he drew the money and they just accepted what he gave them. The Bench decided they had all acted together and they were all sentenced to two months in prison with hard labour.
At the council meeting Dr Buncle criticised the inmates at the Cross Keys Inn for allowing children to go about with a rash for a week before calling the doctor in. Three daughters of the landlord, Mr Pfisterer, were found to have smallpox and were taken to the smallpox hospital in Little Lane. The doctor said he was not yet able to say how the district would be affected. The public house was closed and the other inmates were placed in quarantine. Two weeks later a fourth sister contracted the disease.
Wilfred Davies, Harry Mosely and Thomas Withington were playing with Ernest Calvert when they were attacked and bitten by a dog owned by John Calvert, Ernest's father. In court Mr Calvert claimed the boys had been throwing stones at the dog. He did not want to have the dog destroyed and he was ordered by the magistrates to keep it under proper control.
A bazaar and gala was held at the Featherstone vicarage to raise funds to pay off the outstanding £50 on the cost of the building. Also North Featherstone church was in need of a new heating system and a new organ. John Waller opened the proceedings and said churchgoers were not as a rule very liberal givers, and he would like them to give more silver and less copper. Although trade was very bad he thought the colliery owners should contribute more than they did. The Featherstone Band conducted by Mr J Moxon entertained during the afternoon and evening. The band had just purchased a new set of instruments at a cost of £283.They were strapped for cash as well and had only managed to raise £40 so far.
Hundreds of people went to Ackton Woods after reports of a freak of nature which looked as if the likeness of a man's face was growing out of a tree. Some thought it looked like Lord Kitchener's face with mustache and hair. Some said it was merely a face which had been carved into the tree some years ago and had opened out as the tree grew. Because of the damage being caused to the woods the owners had the face disfigured and covered with tar.
AUGUST Alfred Holiday attended a meeting of the Coal Conciliation Board on behalf of the Yorkshire coal owners. The meeting was called to decide on the removal or not of the 5% advance given to the miners in January 1900. Naturally the owners and the union were split 50-50 and the chairman, Lord James of Hereford, gave his casting vote in favour of the reduction.
At All Saints' Church in Castleford the Revd Stebbing married Annie Jackson, a widow of North Featherstone. Mr Stebbing's wife had died 15 months earlier. Mrs Jackson had taken over the running of North Featherstone National School when her husband died some years ago. The wedding was a quiet affair with only a dozen present.
Selma Newsome was found asleep in a closet at Tanshelf and was charged with vagrancy. She was very confused in court and Mr Anderson said she had been depressed since her husband's death. It was said she had slept in the closet for several nights. The Bench set her free on a promise she would go to her married son's house in Featherstone.
George and Robert Milburn and Cook, young Featherstone miners, were sent to prison for one month with hard labour for stealing apples from the orchard of Harold Smith of Foulby. They all had several previous convictions.
There were two more cases of smallpox at Snydale. The council authorised Dr Buncle to destroy or disinfect such articles as he considered necessary and to make vaccinations.
The local miners' union
were holding a meeting at the Featherstone Hotel when John Ridger
gate-crashed it using abusive and disgusting language. Tommy Sides, the
landlord, was asked to eject him but when he attempted to do so he was
hit in the face by Ridger. In all Ridger had to be put out four times
before he decided to stay out. He told Pontefract Court he couldn't
remember anything and he was fined 28s.
There was criticism in the Express of a drab Featherstone and a lack of modern shop fronts. "What is needed, say the reformers, is to plant the streets and roads with trees which would in addition be an education of the beautiful in nature".
SEPTEMBER There were more complaints at the council meeting about stack fires, especially near Henrietta Street. Dr Kaye, the West Riding medical officer, had made an inspection and said the fires must be injurious to health. The council did not wish to damage the coal trade but thought Ackton Hall Colliery had not done all they could to mitigate the evil.
OCTOBER At Wakefield Crown Court, Mrs Wardle claimed compensation from Henry Briggs, Son and Co Ltd for the death of her son at Snydale Colliery last July. The court was told her son had signed a contracting out clause and the company had already paid £10, but they agreed to pay another £10 and the court costs,
Alice Toplis, a young girl, was accused of stealing a pit prop valued at 3d from Ackton Hall Colliery. She was let off but had to pay the court costs of 16s 6d.
A special meeting of the council had decided to dispense with six workmen and pay teamsters 3s 8d a day as required - a reduction of 6d each. A letter was received from Mr Holiday saying the colliery had done all possible to abate the stack fires, but it was impossible to stop them until the slack had burnt itself out.
Dr Buncle reported all the patients had been discharged from the smallpox hospital. Mr Dobson was given seven days to have his lodging house registered. The clerk said Mr Dobson had the necessary papers and they only needed filling in, but Mr Dobson had been humbugging the council for some time.
John and Tom Waller and Mr Broadhead were returning from Hemsworth Station by horse and trap when the horse became restive and ran away. Tom Waller jumped out but the other two were thrown into a hedge. The horse ran three miles home and when the trap arrived empty there was great consternation in Purston. Two cabs were sent back along the road and the three men were found walking home, shaken and scratched but otherwise unhurt.
Twelve Featherstone men were fined between 9s and £2 for gambling by tossing coins in Allison Street.
NOVEMBER An inquest was held on Richard Ingram aged 25 of Fearnley Street. His back was broken when coal fell on him at Ackton Hall Colliery last January. He was taken to Clayton Hospital where he died some months later. Dr Bearney said the accident was the primary cause of death and the jury brought in a verdict to that effect.
Thomas Speight was up in court for being drunk and disorderly at 2am in Station Lane, and for using obscene language after being taken on the train to Pontefract Police Station. The court was told he had 22 precious convictions. The latest cost him 20s 6d.
Seven miners were fined 10s each for throwing stones in the Featherstone Main Colliery lane from Green Lane. The chairman said they were grown up and ought to have known better.
Another two cases of smallpox were taken to the hospital in Purston.
DECEMBER Featherstone Working Mens' Club was officially opened by J Compton Rickett MP. Over 600 men had joined and they and their wives had tea in the concert room and it took three sittings to serve them all. Mr Rickett said he was surprised at the capacity of the building and he hoped the place would be a blessing to the district.
A well attended meeting was held in Purston old chapel to discuss the lack of allotments. A resolution was passed that the council be pressed to take immediate steps to secure allotments for the people of Purston.
The council agreed to send a deputation to meet Alfred Holiday about the burning of bark and yard rubbish at Ackton Hall Colliery which was the cause of further complaints. It was also agreed to point out to the Joint Hospital Committee they were laying the water pipe in the same trench as the gas pipe for the new hospital at Ackton and the water could be contaminated. The surveyor was given authority to employ 20 extra men to clear snow from the streets and the council would purchase 24 extra shovels.
Mr W Shaw of Spink Lump in Purston could smell gas in his cellar. He called Alf Reynolds from next door and they went down the cellar steps with a lighted candle to find the leak. An explosion occurred which blew them back up the steps. There were two more explosions in the next hour under neighbouring properties. Kitchen floors were lifted and ornaments broken, and the residents came out of their houses. The gas company were informed and they turned the gas off leaving Purston in darkness for the rest of the night. council men spent two days digging to find the leak without success.
The residents recalled a traction engine had passed over the road on the day of the explosion. A few days later a half-inch hole was found in the gas pipe opposite Thornton's Buildings. It was only a foot underneath the road surface. Gas had seeped into an old sewer used as a surface water drain. The gas pipe was repaired and a ventilation pipe was connected to the sewer.
There was criticism in the Express of a drab Featherstone and a lack of modern shop fronts. "What is needed, say the reformers, is to plant the streets and roads with trees which would in addition be an education of the beautiful in nature".
SEPTEMBER There were more complaints at the council meeting about stack fires, especially near Henrietta Street. Dr Kaye, the West Riding medical officer, had made an inspection and said the fires must be injurious to health. The council did not wish to damage the coal trade but thought Ackton Hall Colliery had not done all they could to mitigate the evil.
OCTOBER At Wakefield Crown Court, Mrs Wardle claimed compensation from Henry Briggs, Son and Co Ltd for the death of her son at Snydale Colliery last July. The court was told her son had signed a contracting out clause and the company had already paid £10, but they agreed to pay another £10 and the court costs,
Alice Toplis, a young girl, was accused of stealing a pit prop valued at 3d from Ackton Hall Colliery. She was let off but had to pay the court costs of 16s 6d.
A special meeting of the council had decided to dispense with six workmen and pay teamsters 3s 8d a day as required - a reduction of 6d each. A letter was received from Mr Holiday saying the colliery had done all possible to abate the stack fires, but it was impossible to stop them until the slack had burnt itself out.
Dr Buncle reported all the patients had been discharged from the smallpox hospital. Mr Dobson was given seven days to have his lodging house registered. The clerk said Mr Dobson had the necessary papers and they only needed filling in, but Mr Dobson had been humbugging the council for some time.
John and Tom Waller and Mr Broadhead were returning from Hemsworth Station by horse and trap when the horse became restive and ran away. Tom Waller jumped out but the other two were thrown into a hedge. The horse ran three miles home and when the trap arrived empty there was great consternation in Purston. Two cabs were sent back along the road and the three men were found walking home, shaken and scratched but otherwise unhurt.
Twelve Featherstone men were fined between 9s and £2 for gambling by tossing coins in Allison Street.
NOVEMBER An inquest was held on Richard Ingram aged 25 of Fearnley Street. His back was broken when coal fell on him at Ackton Hall Colliery last January. He was taken to Clayton Hospital where he died some months later. Dr Bearney said the accident was the primary cause of death and the jury brought in a verdict to that effect.
Thomas Speight was up in court for being drunk and disorderly at 2am in Station Lane, and for using obscene language after being taken on the train to Pontefract Police Station. The court was told he had 22 precious convictions. The latest cost him 20s 6d.
Seven miners were fined 10s each for throwing stones in the Featherstone Main Colliery lane from Green Lane. The chairman said they were grown up and ought to have known better.
Another two cases of smallpox were taken to the hospital in Purston.
DECEMBER Featherstone Working Mens' Club was officially opened by J Compton Rickett MP. Over 600 men had joined and they and their wives had tea in the concert room and it took three sittings to serve them all. Mr Rickett said he was surprised at the capacity of the building and he hoped the place would be a blessing to the district.
A well attended meeting was held in Purston old chapel to discuss the lack of allotments. A resolution was passed that the council be pressed to take immediate steps to secure allotments for the people of Purston.
The council agreed to send a deputation to meet Alfred Holiday about the burning of bark and yard rubbish at Ackton Hall Colliery which was the cause of further complaints. It was also agreed to point out to the Joint Hospital Committee they were laying the water pipe in the same trench as the gas pipe for the new hospital at Ackton and the water could be contaminated. The surveyor was given authority to employ 20 extra men to clear snow from the streets and the council would purchase 24 extra shovels.
Mr W Shaw of Spink Lump in Purston could smell gas in his cellar. He called Alf Reynolds from next door and they went down the cellar steps with a lighted candle to find the leak. An explosion occurred which blew them back up the steps. There were two more explosions in the next hour under neighbouring properties. Kitchen floors were lifted and ornaments broken, and the residents came out of their houses. The gas company were informed and they turned the gas off leaving Purston in darkness for the rest of the night. council men spent two days digging to find the leak without success.
The residents recalled a traction engine had passed over the road on the day of the explosion. A few days later a half-inch hole was found in the gas pipe opposite Thornton's Buildings. It was only a foot underneath the road surface. Gas had seeped into an old sewer used as a surface water drain. The gas pipe was repaired and a ventilation pipe was connected to the sewer.