Berwick Petty Sessions

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 20TH JULY 1923

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57 YEARS ON THE RAILWAY

RETIRAL OF MR GEORGE YOUNG AND PRESENTATION BY FELLOW WORKMEN

After fifty-seven years spent in the service of the North British Railway Company, Mr George Young, 8 Infirmary Square, a well-known figure at the Loco. Sheds at Berwick, retired at the beginning of the month, and on Thursday evening, in the Oddleffows’ Hall, a company of some forty fellow workmen under the presidency of Mr Joe Gray assembled to make a parting gift in token of the respect and esteem in which Mr Young was held.

The front of Berwick Railway Station
An early 20th Century postcard of the front of the Berwick Railway Station

Mr Gray briefly explained the object of the gathering, saying they were there to do a little honour to the oldest servant of the Railway Coy. at Berwick station, a man who they all held in the highest respect and esteem. Personal, said Mr Gray, I have always been closely associated with Mr Young. He was my driver at one time, and the friendship we formed on the footplate was not one to be readily broken.

A letter read from Mr J. P. Grassick, the Loco Running Superintendent of the L. and N.E.R. Coy. at Cowlairs, Glasgow, showed how much the long and honourable service of Mr Young was appreciated. “I cannot allow the occasion of your retiral from active service to pass unnoticed,” wrote Mr Grasswick. “Your work has been appreciated, and you enter upon your period of rest after a strenuous career with the best wishes of your employers. Personally, I have to thank you for services well rendered, and I hope you will belong spared to enjoy the remainder of your days in peace and comfort, freed from stress and turmoil of modern railway life.” The reading of the letter was received with applause.

Mr William Ewing, the foreman at Loco. Department, Berwick, then made on behalf of the employees at the sheds the presentation of a handsome silver lever watch, albert and medallion to Mr Young, along with a small sum of money remaining in the presentation fund. In a speech where the good qualities of the recipient were eulogised, Mr Ewing told of the ready way the employees had subscribed to give some little token to Mr Young as a memento of the many years he had been amongst them. He hoped Mr Young would accept the gift in the spirit in which it was made, and there was no need to assure him that he had left the Company’s service with the good wishes of all who had esteemed and appreciated his companionship and service in the past. (Applause).

Berwick Railway Station during World War One

Mr Young replied in a speech full of happy reminiscences of his past life on the railway, some of which we reprinted below, and he also told of one or two instances which were not of such a pleasing nature, when accidents had nearly brought about his end and the end of others. I started life as a boy under Mr Cargill in 1866, said Mr Young, and well I remember asking him for a start. I was just a little fellow then – fifteen years of age – and it was like looking up toa giant, for Mr Cargill was not a small man by any means. However, I was fortunate, for he started me at the handsome salary of 10d per day – ( laughter) – which was 2d a day more than was usually given to boys starting. Their wage worked out at ¾ per hour or 4s per week. Well, I was fortunate because I got 5s per week, but I wonder what some of you young chaps would say if you were asked to work for that now-a-days. (Applause). Mr Young also mentioned that there were only other two men alive today who had started life with him at Berwick Station. One was Mr Thos. Aird, coal merchant, who was then a fitter, and the other was Mr David Lawson, a native of Berwick, who had risen to be stationmaster at Shettleston, Glasgow, and who was now retired. During the time he had been on the railway he had worked under five different general managers, five loco. Superintendents, and fourteen loco. Foremen. He also mentioned that the father of Mr Ewing, their present foreman, had worked on the same footplate with him. Mr Young concluded a very interesting speech by thanking his fellow workmen for the honour they had done him.

A FEW REMINISCENCES

A DASH FOR SAFETY

A thrilling experience I have had, said Mr Young, was when I was running the 10 o’clock express between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Just at Winechburgh tunnel a goods train broke an axel and the damaged axel flew in front of my train. There was no time to draw up, and the only safety lay in putting on speed in the open of shifting the obstruction. We put on full steam. There was no Westenhouse brakes to apply and stop in time then, and when we hit the wreckage, we happily shifted it from the line. I was handsomely rewarded by the passengers, who subscribed for myself and the fireman the sum of £2 15s – quite a lot in those days.

PULLED A MAN OUT OF WAY OF EXPRESS

Another thing I remember, said Mr Young, happened shortly after that at Berwick station near the turntable. A St, Margaret’s driver named George Fortune – he is dead now, poor fellow – got right in the way of the express which was coming along. I saw his danger and clutching him succeeded in pulling him off the line. He did not escape injury, for he got a glancing blow from the buffer of the engine, which broke seven of his ribs, but he soon recovered and lived to a good age. Had I not reached him he would certainly have been knocked down and cut to pieces.

A PERSONAL ACCIDENT

I was nearly killed many years ago, said Mr Young, but it must not have been to be. I was starting a pumping engine which was used to be at the Sheds when my coat got into the belt. I did not pull it clear quick enough and I was carried round the shafting until I was stripped of clothing, and then I was flung senseless against the wall. Had I been thrown the other way I would have assuredly been killed outright, for I would have fallen into the well. As it was, I was very seriously injured about the head, legs and arms, and to this day I carry the marks on my legs. All the inspectors who examined the machinery in motion where I was caught could not credit that I could be carried round the shaft as I was and escaped alive.

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

MONDAY

Before C. L. Fraser and Chas. Forsyth, Esqs

A MORALISING TRAMP

John Kelly, vagrant, no fixed abode, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Marygate at 9.5 p.m. on the 15th June. He pleaded guilty.

P. C Jefferson said the man was drunk, getting in front of motor cars and behaving in a foolish and disorderly manner.

Kelly was asked if he would promise to leave the town if he was discharged and he said, “I can promise nothing. I might just get drunk again and get into mischief. I do not think a day or two at Newcastle would do me any harm. It is the only way for you gentlemen to protect yourselves. I don’t believe in making promises if there is a possibility of breaking them. A man who habitually takes drink should not make promises.

Dr Fraser – Then there is no other option than to send you to prison for seven days.

Mr Forsyth – With hard labour.

Prisoner – With all due deference to you, sir. I don’t think they can give me hard labour. I am 62 years of age.

Dr Fraser – I don’t think he is sober yet.

Prisoner – Oh yes, but I will be better at Newcastle. It is twenty-one years since I was in Berwick last, and I hope it will be as long again before I am in it.

Dr Fraser – I hope so, too.

With a “Thank you, gentlemen,” prisoner went below to the cells prior to his trip to Newcastle.

SPORT

FOOTBALL

INFIRMARY CUP

Owing to the majority of the Spittal Hearts’ team being unable to be present at the Pierrots’ stand on Friday night the presentation of medals has been postponed.

Spittal Rovers, Infirmary Cup Winners, 1925. Ref; BRO 1887/41/3

It is hoped to send out circulars to all teams within a 25 miles’ radius of Berwick, and if a satisfactory entry is obtained to play one match per week throughout this season for the Cup. The rules, which are comparatively few, bar players who have played for Berwick Rangers or Coldstream during the season. The competition is strictly amateur, and teams will be paid minimum travelling fares for 12 players. Layers must play for one team only in the competition.

CYCLING

TEN MILE CYCLING RACE ON NORTH ROAD

The Tweedside Cycling Club held their 10 miles road trial over the North Road on Thursday evening last under handicap conditions, when a large assembly lined the footpath out by meadow House to see the finish of the race. The feature of the handicap was the wonderful riding of J. H. Kirkup, a Millfield lad aged nineteen, who had the fastest time of the evening, 25 mins, 44 secs. actual. The prize winners and times were as follows: – 1, P. Gleig, 29 mins. 46 secs., less 6 mins., 23 mins. 46 secs.; 2, J. Tennant, 29 mins, 16 secs., less 5 mins., 24 mins. 16 secs.; 3, J. H. Kirkup, 25 min. 44 secs, less 1 min., 24 mins. 44 secs. E. Young, who was scratch, covered the distance in 25 mins. 59 secs., or 15 secs, longer than Kirkup. Other young riders’ times were :- T. Clazie, 28 mins. 30 secs., less 4 mins., 24 mins, 30 secs.; L. B. Dickinson, 31 mins. 17 secs., less 5 mins., 26 mins. 17 secs.; and A. Aird, 31 mins. 45 secs., less 4 mins., 27 mins, 45 secs. Kirkup, it will be remembered, was the rider who won the double event in the half mile and mile last years at the Tweedside Cycling Club Sports. He is riding wonderfully well this year, and those in the know look upon him as a coming champion.

AUSTRALIA’S CALL

BAMBURGH MAN’S SUCCESS IN FARMING

“This country appears to be over-crowded, and to find so many young men unemployed and hanging about the city streets is a sad and depressing reflection on present-day life when one knows that in Australia there are thousands of acres ready for settlers to enjoy a new and glorious life. The kind of men wanted are only those who are determined to work hard, and to make a home for themselves in that fertile country. Fired by that ambition, emigrants are almost bound to succeed.”

These sentiments were voiced to a “Newcastle Daily Journal” representative by Mr George Waddell, a Western Australian farmer, who, with his wife, is at present on a visit to Tyneside, renewing old friendships. Mr Waddell, who was born in the parish of Bamburgh, fifty-eight years ago, at one time followed the plough, and later was a servant on the railway company in Newcastle as a rolleyman.

SUCCESS IN TWELVE YEARS

It should be noted that Mr Waddell was forty-six years of age when he decided to seek his fortune in Western Australia, and within the space of twelve years, by reason or hard, unremitting labour, he has built up one of the most successful farming businesses in that fertile area, 200 miles from Perth, Quarendin Vale, Belka. What was once a stretch of 1,000 acres of rough forest land, obtained from the Australian Government, has now been converted into a wheat-growing farm, yielding satisfactory returns.

Having visited the recent Royal Show, Mr Waddell said the bulk of the farm machinery there displayed was not applicable to western Australia wheat farming conditions. Out there, farm appliances are manufactured on a larger scale, teams of five to six horses being employed as a rule on one implement. The harvesting machines, for instance, are built on altogether different lines, as only the heads of the grain are cut and harvested, the “straw” being left standing in the field to be used as fodder or burned.

HORSES PREFFERED

The farm tractors are not yet much in vogue on the large fields of this Western Australian State. Most farmers, chiefly on grounds of economy, pin their faith to horsepower. Personally, Mr Waddell prefers the Clydesdale horses, of which he owns 25, because of their power and activity.

While the disposal of the wheat is now free and independent, Australian farmers in Mr Waddell’s area have formed a voluntary co-operative wheat pool by which about 80 per cent, of the wheat produced is dealt with.

With regard to the labour question, Mr Waddell stated that no women are employed in field work. With so many labour-saving appliances now in use six men can work quite well a wheat farm of about 1,000 acres. One experienced man is required to handle a team of five or six horses engaged in field operations. Seldom does a farm hand require to work more than eight hours a day.

BERWICK NEWSPAPERS, 1923

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BERWICK ADVERTISER, 27TH APRIL 1923

INQUEST OF THE LATE MARK THOMPSON

VERDICT OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH

In Howick Reading Room of Thursday last Mr Hugh J. Percy, deputy coroner for North Northumberland, held an inquest touching the death of Mark Thompson, whose body was washed up by the sea near Howick on Wednesday morning.

Hector Thompson, of 5 Old Colliery, Scremerston, deposed – I identify the body of deceased as that of my brother, Mark Thompson, late of 7 Derwentwater Terrace, Scremerston, a motor driver, and a single man aged 34 years. I identify the body by reason of a long blue scar on the left leg which he got as the result of an accident about six years ago. He has had no troubles – mental or physical, and he was always healthy and in good spirits. He left Scremerston in charge of a motor lorry bound for Howick on the 21st March. He was dressed in blue overalls. I have never seen him since.

BRO 0515-211 Scremerston, showing colliery in the background

Robert Dixon Gray said – I live at Howick Red Steads. On the 22nd march I was on the highway near to Howick Lodge when I saw a man dressed in blue overalls about 34 years of age, clean shaven, about 9.30 a.m. In answer to his inquiry I directed him to where a wrecked submarine lay on the rocks near to Howick Point. He left me going in that direction. The tide would be low about 11 o’clock. He was quite sober and in normal cheerful spirits.

Benjamin mason said – I am a roadman, and when on the Howick to Craster road about 7 a.m. on the 18th April I looked over on the beach and saw the body of a man lying. He was naked and the head off the body and nowhere to be seen. I gave warning at once to the police. The body was about 15 years below high-water mark. The tide was about half ebb.

P.C. A Robertson, Longhoughton, said :- I was informed at 11p.m. on the 23rd March that Mark Thompson was missing from Howick Red Steads, and that he had left his work the previous day to go and see the submarine. I searched the submarine but found nothing. On the 16th April the overalls (produced) were washed up on the beach near to Howick Point. I examined the body on receipt of the report and found the headless body of a man with a scar on the left leg. The body was bruised but had no serious wounds. The right hand was off.

Reference; OS 1st ED ROLL 7 Howick, showing Howick Red Stead.

The Coroner reviewed the evidence up to the finding of the body, headless, one hand off, and battered about by the sea and rocks. That body was identified to his complete satisfaction by reason of a scar on the left leg, as being that of Mark Thompson. That was all, really, that they knew about the case, or probably could ever be told. The utmost he could do was to infer from the evidence, and piece together, probabilities of what had happened. There were three alternatives; one was that Mark Thompson had met his death by foul play through the agency of some person, but he (Mr Percy) saw no probability of any such thing having occurred, and in any case, Thompson was a man who probably could hold his own in any interference with any person. There were also the alternatives of accident and suicide. Mental troubles or physical troubles did not apply in the least to Mark Thompson. He was cheery and of happy disposition. That was borne out by the witness Gray, who told them that he was cheerful and in normal spirits when he left him to go and see the submarine. They knew the position of the submarine; they knew there were dangers, and they knew how fierce and terrible were the suctions and currents of the sea at that particular place, and he did not think he would be erring if he drew the following inference from the evidence :- That in trying to get aboard, or being aboard, he slipped off, and was perhaps stunned or hurt and was unable to get up, and was sucked under the water and drowned.

A verdict was returned that “deceased was accidentally drowned whilst inspecting a wrecked submarine at Howick Rocks on 22nd March 1923.”

MEDICAL OFFICER’S QUARTERLY REPORT

In his report for the quarter ended 31st March, 1923, the Medical Officer (Dr P. W. Maclagan) stated:- There were registered during the period 63 births and 32 deaths, giving a birth rate of 20.48 and a death rate of 10.33. This is a higher birth rate and a lower death rate than the previous quarter and compared with the quarter ended March of last year we have 19 fewer births and 25 fewer deaths. The exceptionally low death rate for this quarter is a good start for 1923. Twenty-one patients were admitted to hospital during the quarter. These consisted of 19 borough patients, viz., 14 scarlet fever, 4 diphtheria, and 1 encephalitis lethargica, and 2 patients (one scarlet fever) and one (diphtheria) from Norham and Islandshire district. All the scarlet fever and diphtheria patients have made good recoveries. The case of encephalitis lethargica is the first of the kind reported in this borough. This patient was a roadman chiefly employed on the Paxton road. He had been admitted in the first instance to the Infirmary for observation and treatment, but when the nature of his illness became evident, he was transferred on the 10th March to the Isolation Hospital. Encephalitis lethargica is a notifiable infectious disease and was therefore removed to the Isolation Hospital. It is only very slightly infectious, and no further cases need be anticipated. Three months ago, there were one or two cases of smallpox in Northumberland, and I considered it advisable to make chickenpox notifiable in order that I might be in a position to receive notice of any suspicious case. There have been no fresh cases of smallpox in the County and I do not think it necessary to continue this precaution.

BERWICK PETTY SESSION’S

CHILDREN’S COURT – WEDNESDAY

Before D. H. W. Askew, G. N. Broadbent, Chas. Forsyth, Theo. Bolus. Esqs., and Miss Henderson.

A Berwick boy who has been remanded on two occasions on a charge of discharging a catapult on the Walls and was detained for certification under the Mental Deficiency Act, again appeared before the bench. The boy, who was accompanied by his father, sobbed bitterly during the hearing.

The Superintendent outlined the case and said since last Court he had written to the Committee of the Feeble-Minded Colony at Prudhoe Hall, enclosing the certificate from Dr Caverhill, which had been previously presented to the Bench. Mr Mitchell, the representative of the Committee, was now present and would be prepared to give the bench any further information.

The father of the boy asked permission to give the bench certain information in the course of which he said, while his son was at school, he (witness) had not been satisfied with what he was learning. He went to the school and saw the former headmaster, Mr O’Connell, who put the boy on a form and made him read from a book. The boy read what he was told to read all right. Mr O’Connell said the boy was doing all right. Even when Mr Johnston was headmaster witness was told that the boy was ding fairly well. Still witness was not satisfied with what the boy had picked up. He could hardly write his name, or say his a.b.c’s. It was entirely due to the serious accident he had sustained 11 years ago at Haddington when his skull was fractured.

Reference: OS 3RD ED 102 NW Section showing Prudhoe Hall, c.1924

Mr Bolus – You told us at a previous court the boy had learned nothing, yet you tell us now that the teachers were satisfied with him.

Witness – That was what Mr O’Connell told me.

Mr Bolus – Your statement today is contradicting what you said then.

Witness – What I meant was that the boy had not learned as he should have learned, all through his accident.

The Superintendent – But you agree to the boy going to this home.

Witness- I think it will be the best thing for him, but his mother is very cut up about it.

The Superintendent – I quite understand her feelings, but you agree it will be for his good to go there.

Mr Mitchell, of the Prudhoe Hall Colony, read Dr Caverhill’s certificate which stated that he had attended the boy at Haddington over nine years ago after a serious accident. This accident, in Dr Caverhill’s opinion, was the direct cause of the boy’s mental condition, which he found to be deficient. In his opinion the boy was not responsible for his actions.

Inrepky to a question by the Chairman, the father said he was prepared to contribute 4s per week towards the boy’s keep at Prudhoe Hall, the figure mentioned by Mr Mitchell.

Miss Henderson and Mr Askew assured the father that the boy would have every chance at Prudhoe, which was charmingly situated and had very fine grounds. In addition to being taught a trade the boy would get plenty opportunity for sport, cricket, football, etc. Miss Henderson kindly offered to have a talk with the boy’s mother and tell how well he would be looked after there, and that every facility would be given for his parents to see him from time to time. The bench made the necessary order for the boy to go to Prudhoe Hall and dismissed the charge of discharging stones from a catapult.

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.

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