Berwick Advertiser – 100 years ago

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 19TH JANUARY 1923

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DEATH OF “KING OF SHOWMEN”

Mr John Evans, known s “The King of the Showmen,” a native of Spennymoor, and one of the most prominent owners of roundabouts in the showmen’s business, has died at his residence, 1, Strainton Place, Portobello, at the age of 51 years. His father was also a showman, but of the old school and in a small way.

Salmon Hotel, Berwick-upon-Tweed. REF: BRO 426/322b

In his boyhood Mr Evans came with his parents to Byker and began his career as proprietor of a coconut “shy,” and eventually kept on buying and extending his sphere of operations until he became one of the largest owners of attractions for fair grounds in the country. It is stated that frequently he had 18 traction engines to draw his paraphernalia about different parts of the kingdom. Among the fair grounds in which he had a controlling interest was the Jesmond Dene show ground, and he held leases for stands at the Spanish City, Whitley Bay.

For a time, he held possession of the Salmon Hotel, Berwick, but disposed of the property recently to Mr J. Sharp. He gave freely to many charitable institutions. He leaves a widow, a married daughter, and four sons, three of the latter being assistants in the show business. The funeral took place at Rosebank Cemetery, Edinburgh, on Thursday afternoon.

LOCAL NEWS

Now that the groupings of railways is an accomplished fact, it is just possible several employees will be affected as a result. The Railways Act 1921 specifically protests those with five years’ service previous to the passing of the Act, and the National Union of Railwaymen is circularising its branches urging branch secretaries to safeguard the position of members by keeping in touch with the Head Office on any case where they have been transferred to an inferior position as a result of the grouping. This usually has taken place at exchange stations- that is stations where previous to grouping one Company met another. Here the N.E. and N.B. met, and we learn the secretary of the newly-formed loco. branch at Tweedmouth has had occasion to request that the benefit of the Act be extended to his members, some of whom have been reduced about 20s weekly. He is in touch with Head Office and awaiting development.

The Tweedmouth N.E.R. St. John’s Ambulance Association held a successful whist drive in the King’s Arms Assembly Rooms, Berwick, on Wednesday evening, 10th January. The object was to raise funds to enable their members to enter this year for the various challenge shields offered in connection with ambulance work. The first of these competitions is on the first Saturday in March, when the Newcastle and District shield will be competed for at Gateshead. On the first Saturday in April the Lord Wharton shield will be competed for at York, and in the second week in May a competition for the National shield will be held at the Crystal Palace, London, the shield going to the team judged the best in the national contest. The conditions under which the Company deals with the men is that each team pays their own expenses to the first competition at Gateshead. After that the Company pay the expenses of successful teams at the subsequent events. With this encouragement the men of the Tweedmouth class have worked hard to make their whist drive a success. There were 240 presents.

A house-to-house collection in aid of the National Children’s Home and Orphanage, London, was taken up in Tweedmouth by some of the teachers of the Tweedmouth Scotch Church Sunday School, this being the Church chosen for the Tweedmouth district. The amount collected was £9 16s 8d, this sum being handed over to Mr Buglass, Castlegate, who acted as Hon. Secretary. Thanks are due to the lady collectors for this gratifying sum for such a good cause. Some of the young boys in the Home belong to the county of Northumberland. The Church secretary, Mr J. Paxton, has received a letter of thanks from headquarters.

Owners of wireless sets in Berwick have been enjoying the operas broadcasted from Covent Garden, London, during the past week. The operas have also been picked up at Ayton. Berwick Wireless Club members are now engaged inbuilding up a three-valve set of their own. There are some 20 members of the Club and attendances at the weekly meetings on Wednesday evenings continue good.

Archibold Barton, alias William Wagstaff, a native of Derbyshire, who was wanted by the Kelso police for fraud and a contravention of the Aliens Order, was apprehended by Sergeant Middlemiss at Berwick Police station on Saturday, Berwick police were informed at 1.45 that the man was wanted, and by two o’clock he was under arrest- a really smart piece of work. We understand that a woman who had been in the wanted man’s company in Kelso has been taken into custody by the Kelso police.

Church Street, 1906. BRO 0426-338 Showing Berwick Police Station

Up to the time of going to press the goods sent in for Berwick Rangers’ free gift sale, which is held in the Corn Exchange on Thursday (this afternoon), were much below the expectations of the Committee. There were a number of bags of potatoes and a few hens, rabbits, etc., but the miscellaneous goods were not of a very high value. The view was expressed by one who has experience in such sales that the Committee would be lucky to clear £50 off the venture. The Committee were unable to secure the services of the Mayor to open the sale, but Mr H. M. Young, auctioneer, kindly consented to make a few opening remarks.

We have picked up what we believe is one of the earliest Berwick printed books, namely “The English Hero; or Sir Francis Drake Revived,” being a full Account of the dangerous Voyages, admirable Adventures, notable Discoveries, and magnanimous Achievements of that valiant and renowned Commander.” The book was printed at Berwick in 1760 and sold by R. Taylor. It consists of 183 pp., about 3½ inches wide by 5¾, is set in a beautiful type of the period, with artistic headings and sometimes tailpieces to the chapters. The last page is ornamented with an oval picture, an inch and a half wide, of an old-fashioned printing office. To the side two compositors are sitting on stools working at case; the centre is taken up with a large press with two pressmen with their hats on. One is inking the former with bladders, and the other has his hand on the frisket. From the roof on rails hang printed sheets.

THE LAST WOMAN HUNG IN BERWICK

Before the Recorder, Mayor and Aldermen, and a jury, at the Court of Gaol Delivery at Berwick on July 23-24, 1823, Grace Griffin was found guilty of the charge of murdering her husband, John Griffin, on 27th April by throwing him to the ground and beating, trampling, and kicking upon him with both feet and hands, and was sentenced to be hung by the neck until she died.

Court area within the Town Hall where Grace Griffin was found guilty.

It was a sordid case of drink and immorality but stripped of an immense quantity of evidence immaterial to the issue and which the Recorder paid little attention to, the persecution built up its case purely on circumstantial evidence. Statements by a woman of loose character who had stayed in a room above the couple were to the effect that she overheard the man saying, “Oh Grace, it was you that did this to me.” This was not a very damning thing to hear but taken in conjunction with other things there was a strong presumption that the woman had caught her husband sleeping drunk and had set about him. The jury found a verdict of guilty after twenty minutes’ adjournment, and after they had heard a summing up from the Recorder rather in favour of the prisoner.

After the trial Mrs Griffin expressed herself as satisfied with the verdict of the jury, which she said could not have been otherwise in consequence of the evidence; the witnesses had sworn as much, she said, as would have hanged twenty. She appears to have been kindly looked after by the ministers in the town before she was hung. The Vicar (Mr Barnes) urged her to confess before giving her the last sacrament, but she adhered to her story that she was innocent.

Stocks used in the time of Grace Griffin

At 3 o’ clock on Saturday, 26th July, the hangman arrived from Edinburgh and on seeing him entering her cell Mrs Griffin asked who he was. No answer was returned but when she proceeded to pinion her arms she submitted with calmness. Twenty minutes later she walked in deep mourning to the entrance hall of the Town Hall and when she saw the sea of faces looking up on her she remarked that she had often seen Berwick fair very thrang, but never anything like this.

Seated on a cart draped in black, she was borne to Gallows Hill and it is recorded that she waved her hand and nodded to acquaintances as she observed them in the crowd. She viewed the scaffolding without emotion and after engaging inprayer with the Vicar she mounted without movement. The bolt was drawn at 4 o’clock and with her hands clasped Mrs Griffin accepted human judgment.

Commenting on the execution the “Advertiser” of August 2nd, 1823, says “In short the whole proceedings were conducted with a solemnity and decorum suited to the awful occasion. In the crowd we observed many eyes bathed in tears, and several females who from curiosity perhaps pardonable of seeing the mournful procession, found the scene too overwhelming for their feelings and actually fainted.”

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 22ND DECEMBER 1922

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BELFORD HALL ESTATE SOLD

It is stated the Belford estate has just been sold by Messrs Anderson and Garland, in conjunction with Messrs John Baty and Son, of Newcastle, to Mr Blasé, near Northallerton. A syndicate is mentioned which is already prepared to part with some of the property and it is stated that some farmers have already been asked if they want to buy.

The estate, belonging to the Atkinson Clark family, embraces the larger portion of Belford village which has a long history of exceptional interest. In olden times the houses were covered with heather and sods, and the place, Tomlinson tells us, being liable to be burned by the Scots, was very poor.

BRO 426-944 Market Place, Belford

It was sacked by these northern raiders in the reign of Henry II., and in the reign of Charles I. (1639) was in a state of declension. The “Castrum de Beleford,” which existed as early as 1416, is now West Hall Farm-houses. The old moat may still be traced. Belford Hall, also included in the sale, has been for many years the seat of the Atkinson-Clark family. The large stone mansion was designed by Payne, and altered and enlarged by Dobson. The greater part of the furnishings were disposed of at a sale at the hall last year after the death of the late Mr G. D. Atkinson-Clark. The present Squire, Mr H. G. Atkinson-Clark, has not resided at the Hall save for an occasional visit.

LOCAL NEWS

The happiest day of the school year for teachers and scholars of Berwick C.E. School was on Wednesday, when a dancing display was given by the girls in the Parochial Hall before a large number of parents. As Miss Richardson, the headmistress, said at the close, the girls work all the better when they know their work is to be appreciated and that they are going to give pleasure to others. The hour was all too short, all enjoying watching the girls dance. Very pretty was the Morris Dance, in which the girls wore lavender or green pinafores and sun-bonnets, and “Briar Rose” – a singing game in which the tots took part. In the centre of a ring sat a tiny maiden on a rose-decked chair spinning her wheel. Round her danced the maidens, till by came a fairy and, touching all with her wand, sent them to sleep for 100 years. In due course also by came the fairy prince and, cutting through the thorns of the briar rose, rescued the maiden.

The shops throughout the town are making a fine display with Christmas ware, and with lighting effects now brought to a high state of perfection the window displays are very pleasing. The toy shops are cram full of every mechanical and other device calculated to catch the children’s fancy, while the clothiers, tobacconists, fancy goods merchants, boot makers and bakers and confectioners vie with each other as to who will make their premises the most attractive. Such is the show that it is difficult to pass any of the shops without making a “saxpense gae bang.” The only fly in the ointment at the present time is the tightness of money. Shopkeepers freely tell us that there is not much of this passing at present, but perhaps by Friday the purse strings of economical and thrifty residents will be opened as a result of that Christmassy feeling which makes the whole world kin.

BRO 1944-1-4939-44. Santa delivering parcels on Marygate, Berwick-upon-Tweed.

The magazine night of the Berwick Debating Society is always looked forward to with anticipation by members as one of the treats of the syllabus, and particularly so when the Christmas magazine comes round. The Editor, Mr L. F. Gleig, on Wednesday night read the papers with a true interpretation of their meaning which could hardly have been improved upon. The first paper entitled “The angelic choir boy” was well thought out, and the anti-climax brought considerable hilarity. There was also a poem on Armistice Day, and a humorous skit entitled “7a Church Street, “ which produced a great deal of merriment. “Easter Island” was another good paper which we publish in full in another good paper which we publish in full in another column. The second part of the programme was a lengthy and extremely well written paper entitled the “Veneer of Civilisation.” The writer reviewed the various civilisations which had come and gone in the past centuries and said there was only a slim covering between the civilised people and the barbarians. A lively discussion ensued on every paper.

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

A WALKERGATE BATTLE

Mary Ann Campbell, 57 Church Street, Berwick, was charged with assaulting Ellen Pearson on 14th December. Mrs Campbell cross summoned Ellen Pearson, 55 Walkergate, for assault.

Mrs Pearson said there was a dispute about a brush when Mrs Campbell jumped at her, pulled her hair and knocked her down behind the door. She remembered no more.

James Lyons corroborated and said Mrs Campbell thumped Mrs Pearson with a key.

This was denied by Mrs Campbell, who said she only struck in self defence as Mrs Pearson threw a jug at her.

The cross summons was then taken, when Mrs Campbell said a little boy was accused of stealing a brush, and she said they should look for it instead of blaming anyone. The elderly Pearson kept shouting at her and as she went down the passage threw an enamel jug at her Mrs Pearson then pulled her hair and to make her leave go witness hit her on the nose.

This was corroborated by Mrs Smith, aunt of the accused.

The Bench bound both parties over for six months and ordered them to pay their own expenses.

NO DEMAND ON PROPERTIES

FOUR LOTS SOLD OUT OF SIXTEEN OFFERED

In the Long Room of the Corn Exchange on Tuesday night Mr H M. Young, of Messrs Millers, F.A.I., offered for sale sixteen lots of property in Tweedmouth, Spittal, and Berwick. There was a large attendance at the sale, but actual business was practically nil, though the auctioneer, in his opening remarks, made it clear that the reserve prices fixed were very moderate.

Mr Young, at the outset, intimated that the parcel of copyhold land known as the “Quarry” on Tweedmouth Cemetery road had been sold privately before the auction. In his opening remarks, he covered most of the ground as he had done in the afternoon, and pointed out that it was very probable after June next year that the Rents Restriction Act would be considerably modified. He urged the necessity of tenants becoming owners of their own houses wherever possible.

Corn Exchange, Berwick-upon-Tweed. NT9990052696 from NT9990452736

The conditions of sale for the various lots were read by Mr Parker, Mr P. M. Henderson, Mr J. E. T. Smith, and Mr Jas. Gray, but biding all through was of a most depressing character. The only lots to find a market were the freehold tenements 19, 14 and 16 Well Square, the dwelling house at 11 Kiln Hill, the self-contained house and garden at 50 West Street, Spittal, and the property at 13, 15, 17 and 19 Walkergate. In every other case the lots were withdrawn as the reserve price had not been reached.

The property at 9, 14 and 16 Well Square is now in the occupation of Messrs Veitch, Taylor and others at the gross annual rental of £17 16s. For this lot bidding started at £70 and rose by £10 bids to £100, when Mr R. Sidey, plasterer, became the owner.

The dwelling house at 11 Kiln Hill is now let in tenements at the gross annual rental of £24 per annum. Bidding for it started at £100 and rose slowly to £150, when Mrs Skelly, Tweedmouth, was declared the purchaser.

No.50 West Street, Spittal, with 60 square yards of garden ground, is now in the occupation of Mrs Laidlaw at the rental of £13 per annum. It started at £20 and went slowly up by small amounts until £39 was reached, when Mr Spowart got the fall of the hammer.

The shop and dwelling house of three apartments, yard, etc, known as 13 and 15 Walkergate, in the occupation of Mr Cook, and the dwelling house Nos 17 and 19 Walkergate, in the occupation of Messrs Windram and Davidson at the gross rental of £44 was the only other lot to sell. There is a right of way from the Scotch Church in Greenside Avenue to Walkergate through the yard of this property. Bidding for it started at £200, and with several bidders out for it the most spirited moment of the evening was seen. At £400 it became the property of Mrs Forsyth.

LOTS WITHDRAWN

The following lots were withdrawn:- 3 Brewery Bank, withdrawn at £110; Elm House, Kiln Hill, tenements and garden, withdrawn at £150; Nos 1 and 3 Well Road, withdrawn at £150; Nos 5 and 7 Well Road, withdrawn at £120; freehold property 11 and 13 Coxon’s Lane, withdrawn at 3120; block of property, Nos 14,16,16a and 18 Kiln Hill, 17 Yard Heads, two self-contained dwelling-houses, warehouses and yards occupying an area of 690 square yards and occupied by the executors of the late A. D. Watt, withdrawn at £400; tenement property in Blakewell Lane withdrawn at £70; tenement dwelling-houses, 71,73 and 75 West End, no offers; dwelling-house 15 Church Road withdrawn, £110; block of property, 26 to 32 Middle Street and 23 to 25 West Street, Spittal, withdrawn at £60; tenement property, 29 and 31 East Street, withdrawn at £345, and tenement property, 46 to 48 West End, Tweedmouth, withdrawn at £110.

PROFESSIONALISM IN FOOTBALL

LORD JOICEY ALARMED

The menace which professionalism constitutes to football as a sport was commented on by Lord Joicey at the Station Hotel, Newcastle, on Tuesday afternoon, when he presented a beautiful silver shield, mounted on oak, to last season’s winners of the North-Eastern Railway Cottage Homes football competition, the Newcastle Accountants’ department team, who are the first holders.

In the course of his remarks Lord Joicey said that he was an old football player himself, and when at school he was captain of the football team and knew the value of games. Games were really an education in themselves, and football developed determination, character, and a high honour, and the amateur teams had a very good influence. “I confess I took with some degree of alarm,” he went on, “at the way that football has been given over to professionals. Professionals are all very well and good of the sport is where every footballer player for the benefit of the game itself. I regret that very large sums are paid to gentlemen who are engaged as professional football players. Three, four, and even five thousand pounds is sometimes paid to get a good player. That all leads to betting, and I am afraid that ultimately it will have a very bad effect upon the game itself. I hope your club will continue as an amateur club, because it will be beneficial to everybody connected with the railway company and to yourselves.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 24TH NOVEMBER 1922

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BERWICK DIVISION ELECTION

DECLARATION OF THE POLL AT ALNWICK

Scenes of Great Enthusiasm In The Constituency

Bonfires, band, and cheering crowds welcome

Mr. Philipson as member For The Division

Alnwick was all agog on Thursday last, when the counting of the votes took place in the Town Hall. Counting started after eleven, and by mid-day a huge crowd gathered in the Market Place. The declaration was expected to be between half-past one and two o’clock, but it was announced shortly before two that the declaration would at least be another hour. Rumours were current that a re-count was taking place, but this was not a fact. About five minutes past four Mr H. Graham Lester, deputy acting Returning Officer, announced the result from the Town Hall steps as follows:-

HILTON PHILIPSON……………….11,933

Walter Runciman……………………7,354

And added. “I declare Mr Hilton Philipson to be the candidate elected for this Division.” (Loud cheers).

Appearing on the Town Hall steps, the new member said he must first of all propose a very hearty vote of thanks to the Returning Officer for the very efficient way in which he and his staff had carried out their duties. He was rather nervous, and he could not very well thank them properly, but he could only say that he was overjoyed by the way in which the people of this constituency had shown that they still wanted all moderate people to work together. (Cheers). He was quite sure that they would agree with him that the fight had been a good fight, a straight fight, and a clean fight. He thanked them very very much from the bottom of his heart, and he hoped that he would justify the confidence they had placed in him. (Cheers).

MR RUNCIMAN CONGRATULATES NEW MEMBER

Mr Runciman then spoke, saying – I wish to second the vote of thanks to the Returning Officer for the courtesy and kindness with which he has conducted today’s proceedings; and in doing so I wish to be the first to publicly congratulate Mr Philipson on becoming the member for this constituency. (Cheers). He has every reason to be proud of a constituency with such a history as this. (Hear, hear). I am glad to think that, although you have not chosen me as your member, you have at least chosen a Northumbrian. (Hear, hear, and cheers). Before passing within the hall Mr Runciman shook hands with the new member.

Mrs Philipson, who responded to calls for a speech thanked the electors in similar terms to what she used later at Berwick.

Berwick Town Hall early 1900’s (c) BRO 426-294

Mr Philipson was then carried shoulder high through the crowd to his motor car. Mr and Mrs Philipson, accompanied by cheering and excited crowd, proceeded slowly in their motor car up the step cobbled slope of Bondgate Hill to the committee room near the Corn Exchange, and Mr Runciman went to his committee rooms in the old “Officers” mess” near Bondgate Tower, where both addressed and thanked their workers.

Mr Philipson, speaking from an upper window, thanked the ladies first and then the Service men. “The way in which my comrades have stood by me has absolutely astounded me,” he said. “I thank everyone for all you have done, and let me say I will never let you down.” (A voice: “Good old lad.”)

Tumultuous cheering and the singing of “He’s a jolly god fellow” followed.

Huge crowds waited at the Town Hall, Berwick, for the election result, and at 4.20 this was announced by the Mayor. The result was greeted with loud cheers. Hand-bills giving the figures were printed at the “Advertiser” and circulated in the town.

THE RECEPTION OF THE NEWS

The constituency generally was staggered at the size of the majority. Those who remembered the last general election did not expect the result before 4 o’clock, and when ballot boxes have to be collected from like Holy Island it is not surprising that Berwick is not among the first results to be declared. That was the real reason for the delay, but when it was announced that a recount was necessary no one was surprised. The rumour ran that Philipson was in by 5, 9, 10, and 15 and other small majorities, which squared with the expectations of the man in the street. Mr Philipson’s own people knew how well he had polled: most of those not in the know expected Runciman to get in by a very small majority, but a recount with Philipson leading seemed not outside the bounds of possibility. The actual figures, as we say, were staggering. There is no getting away from it that the result is a great blow not only to Mr Runicman, but to Viscount Grey. With Sir Donald Maclean defeated, and Mr Asquith over 70, Mr Runciman, if returned, would frequently have acted as leader of the Wee Frees in the House of Commons, so that it is a double loss to him. It is no disparagement to Mr Philipson to say that there would have been advantages to Berwick and the constituency to be represented by one who had been a Cabinet Minister, and was still young, as politicians go. The constituency, however, decided to give a younger and untried man a chance, and there can be no doubt that the votes of the ex-Service men and the ladies brought this about. Mr Runciman is a powerful speaker, a good businessman and courageous. Over confidence was probably his undoing. When he first spoke in Berwick he had a very poor meeting, and he said openly that if Berwick didn’t want him other constituencies would be glad of him. When you are wooing it doesn’t do to take too much for granted. There has been a good deal of bitterness on both sides, and there is no denying that in many quarters Mr Runciman had to face for reasons good or bad considerable personal unpopularity. When that is so, scandal and malice get in a double blow, and spiteful rumours with no foundation undoubtedly did him a great deal of harm. Both candidates being Liberals did not induce their supporters to carry on the contest any more pleasantly, and even in 1906 there was less ill-feeling. In connection with the ex-Service vote, it will be remembered that, without setting foot in the constituency, Capt. Watson-Armstrong in 1918 polled 4397 votes again Sir Francis Blake’s 6721. Mr Philipson has taken his success with great modesty and has now to win his spurs by service in the House.

ENTHUSIAMS AT HIGH PITCH IN BERWICK

MR PHILIPSON’S CAR DRAGGED THROUGH CHEERING CROWDS BY EX-SERVICE MEN

Scenes of unparalleled enthusiasm were witnessed in Berwick on Thursday night, when Mr Philipson arrived to thank the electors. A huge crowd gathered in Hide Hill and Sandgate shortly before six o’clock and numbers of supporters and ex-Service men, who had proceeded to the Bridge End, held up Mr Philipson’s car and, fixing ropes to it they towed it though cheering crowds to Sandgate.

BRO 0426-355 Hide Hill, showing the King’s Arms Hotel, Berwick-upon-Tweed

The member and Mrs Philipson, standing up in the body of the car, acknowledged the cheers and shook the hands of hundreds of enthusiasts who clambered on the footboards. Never in the history of the constituency, since young Edward Grey was dragged in his carriage round the town after defeating Earl Percy, has such a scene been witnessed.

Mr and Mrs Philipson and their friends had difficulty in making their way through the crowd to their committee room. Cheer upon cheer went up, and the young member, towering above the seething crows, could be seen forcing his way to the passage and shaking hands with supporters.

The sash window of the committee room having been removed, the member addressed the crowd from there.

Mr Philipson (who had to stand some time before cheers died down) said- I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for me in helping to win this election. (Loud cheers). You have shown me hat, after all, “old soldiers never die.” (Laughter and cheers.) I must thank all of you for what you have done. It is you who have got me into Parliament. (Cheers)…………………………………………whole speech can be read in the Berwick Advertiser

Mrs Philipson (in response to an insistent demand from the crowd) made a neat little speech, which was distinctly heard by all. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, she said. (Cheers). It is a proud moment for me today; for first of all I am proud to think the object his father wished for him- (Loud cheers which drowned part of the sentence)- that he should strive to have the family name of Philipson honoured in the North had come to pass today. (Loud cheers). Secondly, I particularly wish to thank you men and women- (cheers)- who have voted for him for having given him his chance- his first chance in the beginning of his political career- to work in your interests and in the interest of the country. (Loud Cheers) I thank you all, and I promise to help him all I can. (Cheers). Mrs Philipson, kissing her hand to the huge assembly, stepped back from the window amid deafening cheers.

Mr and Mrs Philipson were again dragged in their Austin through the town, and after traversing the north part a return was made to the King’s Arms headed by a piper (Mr James Chisholm). A further speech was made in the King’s Arms, this can be read fully in the Advertiser.

AT THE CONCERT

Thanks to Mr Hilton Philipson’s kind consideration, the concert arranged by Mr W. S. Moor for the evening was a success. In the excitement of the election seats had not booked up too well, and the concert party on arriving in the midst of Berwick rejoicings concluded the affair would be a wash-out. However, Mr Philipson announced in his speech from the King’s Arms Hotel that he and Mrs Philipson would come along to the concert about 9 p.m. This turned the attention of the crowd to the concert, with the result that there were few vacant seats in the Corn Exchange.

Corn Exchange Berwick

Mr Philipson, introduced by Mr W. S. Moor as “our new M.P.,” had a great welcome, the concert party lining up on stage and leading the audience in singing “For he’s a jolly good fellow.” When the cheering quietened down, Mr Philipson again thanked the electors for the honour they had done him that day in putting him in the very proud position of member for the Division. “I cannot,” said Mr Philipson, “possibly hope to compare myself with Lord Grey – (cries of “Question”)- but I will do the utmost I possibly can – (applause)- and try to justify the confidence you have so lavishly given me today.” (Applause). Continuing, Mr Philipson said – I am told that never in the history of this town has there been such a demonstration as tonight. If you want to give three cheers for the people who made this possible, you ought to give them to yourselves and not me. (Applause).

Led by Mr Pike, the audience gave three lusty cheers for Mr Philipson, who afterwards left the Corn Exchange.

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