BERWICK ADVERTISER, 4TH AUGUST 1922

05/08/2022 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

CIGARETTE DEAL AT THE BARRACKS

Frank Cook (30), of 17 Walkergate, Berwick was charged with unlawfully assaulting and beating Pte. George Brown, K.O.S.B., Berwick, on July 26^th. Cook pleaded not guilty.

Brown explained that he was owing Cook some £7 for cigarettes, and Cook took him into the rifle room by himself and assaulted him when he refused to pay him the money.

Mr H. R. Peters, appearing for Cook, cross examined Brown, asked brown if there had not been repeated attempts by Brown to get the money, which Cook did not deny.

Dr Fraser gave evidence that when he was called to see him he found Brown bleeding from the nose, lips, and left ear. The most serious matter was a serious contusion over the bone that leads to the brain. He sent him to the Infirmary and kept him there for a week. He was that day just fir to appear.

Corpl. Johnson, from the Barracks, said he found Brown lying on the floor. He had been locked up in the rifle room and was in an unconscious state. He stayed with him till the civil policeman came. He only saw Cook leaving the rifle room.

Sergt. Midlemiss gave evidence of finding Brown on the floor of the rifle room as described.

Frank Cook said Brown was in the habit of coming to his shop for cigarettes. He was responsible for paying for them. They were sold to him at the full price. He got fairly large quantities. At first he paid regularly, but gradually the amount owing grew, until it reached £6 18s 8d,and he was still sending for cigarettes. Brown then did his best to avoid him, and ceased to come to the shop. Eventually Cook heard that he was about to go on draft leave, so he went to the barracks, and he charged him with avoiding him. A week before the assault he got an I.O.U. from him, as he said various men were owing him money. On the 26^th he got permission from Capt. Lake to see Private Brown, who was there on parade with the draft, and was fetched. They went I to the rifle room. There was a Yale lock on the door and the door closed “quite unconscious to him.” Brown had £6 13s on him and he asked him to pay £5, but he flatly refused. Both, said Cook, got angry. Brown made a wild endeavour to reach a rifle and a bayonet and the fight started. After a time Brown told Cook that he was the better man, and he would pay him £5.

Mr Peters, for the defence, said what had happened was only what men of the world would expect in such a case. Brown had been playing an old soldier’s game, and as he had got the worst of it, he was now trying to get back on Cook through the law.

The magistrates retired and on coming in the Mayor announced that they had considered the case and they found him guilty of assault and battery. They had nothing to do with what led up to the quarrel, but he had taken the wrong way to settle it. He would be fined £2 or one month’s imprisonment.

LOCAL NEWS

On July 21^st, Mr R. H. Dodds had a call from a visitor to the town, Mr James Tinto, who was accompanied by a fisherman. Mr Tinto had been along at Dodd’s well with some friends and had seen something splashing about in a pool, which they found to be a young seal the ebbing tide had left stranded. When they got up to it the seal was trying to make its way back to the sea over the rocks, but they killed it with their walking sticks. With the help of the fisherman, they had taken it down to the salmon house, and now had called for their reward. As Mr Dodds gives 5s for a cormorant they no doubt thought that there was a fortune in a young seal, almost 4 feet long. However, an arrangement, satisfactory to both sides, was come to.

An inquest was held at Mr Peter’s office, Ravensdown, at 12 o’clock on Tuesday, concerning the sudden death of Iris Burgon, of 37 Church Street, aged two months and three weeks. On Monday morning at 5 o’clock the mother got up and gave the child which was sleeping separately in a crib, a bottle of milk. To all appearance the child was in her usual health. At 7 o’clock, the father, as was his custom, went to take the little thing out of the crib and put it beside its mother, and before lifting it he found it apparently dead. He at once informed the police and went for the doctor. A post-mortem was held by Dr on Monday. Pneumonia of the right lung was found to have been the cause of death. The child was well nourished. The Coroner’s verdict was in accordance with the medical evidence.

NORHAM HORSESHOW AND GAMES

SPLENDID ANIMALS SHOWN

CUPS GO TO NESBIT HILL AND GALAGATE

In these days of ever increasing motor traffic, when horses seem to be going off the roads, the splendid turnout of Clydesdales at Norham’s annual horse show on Saturday last proved that our countryside still breeds horses and takes a pride in breeding only of the best. There was not a bad horse on the ground. Many of them have already proved their qualities by successful competition in wider fields and will do so again without a doubt. With Alnwick and Dumfries winners in the entries competition was naturally keen and standard high.

BRO 515-179 Norham Castle, harvest time.

The only bad feature about the show was the weather, whose vagaries reduced the spectators to about half last year’s numbers. To begin with, in the early morning there was a good hour’s heavy rain when many exhibitors from a distance were making a start to get to the show yard by 10.30 a.m. for the judging. Then the sun shone, and with every appearance of a fine day preparations were pushed forward. The judges got busy and were getting well through with their task, when about noon rain fell in torrents, a regular thunder plump. For a short while the judges carried on, but were forced to seek the shelter of a hedge, and the decorated horses had to be taken from their stands in search of shelter under trees. The officials began to shake their heads and predict a “wash-out” for Norham Horse Show and to talk gloomily of debt. Gradually, however the rain lightened, the judges got agoing again, and bye-and-bye the sun came out to cheer the officials and with the winds help to dry up the soaking wet grass. And a good crowd turned up after all and generally proclaimed the show one of the best, and the Committee hope to pay their way.

FOOTBALL

BERWICK RANGERS’ PLAYER-MANAGER

Berwick Rangers’ Committee have appointed Peter Nellies, late of the Heart of Midlothian and Scotland, as player-manager of the club. The salary is not disclosed, but we understand this noted player has been secured on very favourable terms to the club. Peter was chosen out of a short leet of four, and it is interesting to note that amongst other applicants were several who have had a prominent connection with First League football.

The new player-manager will start his work practically at once. He is meeting the players this week and will arrange for taking their training in hand and having a practice game when he can spot likely talent. Nellies has been employed as a chauffeur recently, and he will follow that occupation in Berwick.

Originally a full back, Nellies blossomed forth as a half-back while with his only senior team, the heart of Midlothian. He has played for Scotland on various occasions, but his head could always fit his cap. A very modest and genuine player is “Peter.” Last year he was playing in second League football for King’s Park.

GLENDALE PETTY SESSIONS

SEPARATION ORDER GRANTED

Alexander Shiel, Glanton, labourer, was charged with unlawfully and wilfully neglecting to provide reasonable maintenance for his wife and children, and by such neglect causing her on the 8^th of July to leave him and live apart from him.

Mr M. Wade, Alnwick who appeared on behalf of Mrs Shiel, explained that his client was married on February 13^th, 1909 and had three children of the marriage, but they had never been happy owing to her husband’s relations with other women. She was a very tidy woman, and was now in the Workhouse at Wooler.

Sarah Shiel was sworn, and examined by Mr Wade, said she was married on February 13^th,1909. She had three children by the marriage, Bryda 13 years, Esther 11 years, and Alexander James 9 years. She made application for a separation order on the 9^th December, 1920, at the Glendale Court, for persistent cruelty and the case was dismissed. From then up to the 12^th April her husband had never lived with her, and he had never given her any money for food and clothing during that period. She made application to the Guardians for relief, and received 25s a week, which was paid up to 12^th April. Her husband returned then. He was not working but he was receiving 23s from the dole, and she got 10s a week from the Guardians. He never tried to get work. He said he would not work when he was getting dole. He gave her all the money he was receiving then. In June last the dole was stopped and she applied again to the Guardians and was allowed 25s a week for the children and herself. Her husband again said there was no need to work when the Guardians were paying. On the 24^th June the Guardians discontinued outdoor relief. Her husband then got work for a fortnight. I that time she received £2 5s, which was to pay a bill standing at Mr Hill’s shop, Bowsden, for groceries received when he was staying with her.

By Mr Middlemiss- he told her to pay the bill with the money. He had never given her any money besides that.

By Mr Wade- He was working at Whittingham as far as she knew. On the 8^th July there was no food or money in the house, and she was that day admitted in to the Wooler Workhouse, and had been there ever since.

Mr T. A. Robson, Relieving Officer of Glendale, said that Mrs Shiel had applied for temporary relief. He investigated the case and relief was granted, and a total of £102 4s 4d had been paid.

By Mr Middlemas- There had been no interval in which they had not paid something. When Shiel was on the dole they did not pay so much. He had never received any money from the husband. He only saw Shiel once in the house, and he said that he was not working.

Shiel, on being asked if he had any questions to put, said he wished the case to be adjourned for a month, as Mr H. Percy, Alnwick, who had taken it up, was not able to attend that day.

Mr Middlemas – Why did you not ask this before?

Mr Wade- He has heard all my evidence now.

Shiel – I was never listening to the evidence.

The bench retired, and on returning notified that as notice had not been given they had decided not to adjourn the case.

Accused refused to be sworn, and Mr Middlemas informed him he could say what he liked. Shiel then said the house was kept open for them all the time.

By Mr wade- he was working for the County Council at Moor House, and his wages were £1 18s a week.

The Bench again retired, and after a lengthy absence, the Chairman said that they had decided to grant a separation order, and Shiel would have to pay 15s a week, the wife to have the custody of the children. He would also have to pay the cost.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 3RD FEBRUARY 1922

03/02/2022 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

ANNUAL LICENSING SESSIONS

Dates for Transfer Sessions were arranged as follows:- Thursdays, 23^rd March, 11 May, 22^nd June, 3^rd August, 28^th September, 9^th November, 21^st December, and 25^th January, 1923.

A plan from Messrs Johnson and Darling for alterations at the Corporation Arms was approved by the bench, the police having no objections.

Mr H. R. Peters made an application for a transfer of the license of the Salmon Hotel, High Street, Berwick, from Mr John Evans, the present owner, to Mr John Sharp, 26 Station Road, Whitley Bay, Granted.

Supt. Halliday’s annual report was as follows:- There are in the Borough, 44 full licenses, 1 beer on, 4 beer and wine off, and 2 beer off; making a total of 51, and showing an average of one license to about 255 inhabitants- the population (1921Census) of the borough being 12,994. On full licensed house was closed during the year 1921, viz.:- The Sun Inn, Woolmarket, having been found to be structurally deficient and unsuitable. There are four registered Clubs in the Borough with a membership ranging from 108 to 250. During the year 1921, proceedings for drunkenness were taken in 121 cases and 117 convictions resulted, being an increase of eight proceedings and thirteen convictions when compared with the number similarly dealt with during the year 1920. The figures for 1921 are equivalent to 9 convictions per 1000 population as compared with 7.95 convictions per 1000 in 1920. Since last Brewster Sessions one license holder was proceeded against and the case was dismissed on payment of costs. I have served notices of objection on the licensees of the Free Trade Inn, Castlegate, the Old Angel Inn, Marygate, the Brewers Arms, Marygate, and the Berwick Arms, Marygate. These premises I consider are structurally deficient and unsuitable for licensed premises. There are noapplications for new licenses.

FREE TRADE INN – Supt. Halliday said the bar was 35ft by 12ft, a sitting room 15ft x 12ft, upstairs sitting room 12x 12. Inside the house there was a urinal and a W.C. near to the sitting room door. There was a very objectionable smell, especially in the summer time. The ceilings of the house are low and with a crowded house objectionable.

OLD ANGEL INN – Supt. Halliday said the bar was 12 x 15, sitting room 5 ½ x9, both with low ceilings. The building was old, damp and bad repair. There was also an outside passage with a side entrance in to the public house, which was an objection, as it facilitated secret drinking, especially amongst women. The outside passage was dark and not lit at nights. The accommodation was altogether inadequate, the bar, and one small sitting room being all there was. The place was called an inn, and therefore was supposed to accommodate travellers. There was no accommodation of that sort.

The Old Angel, Berwick-upon-Tweed, 1950’s Ref: BRO 1250/85

BREWER’S ARMS, MARYGATE- Supt. Halliday said the bar was 15^th x21ft, sitting room 9f x 8ft, and another sitting room 21ft x 12ft. It was an old building and in very bad repair. The ceilings of the rooms were low. There was an outside passage with a side entrance, which encouraged secret drinking amongst women. There was no dwelling house in connection with this house.

Brewers Arms, Berwick-upon-Tweed, 1950’s. Ref: BRO 1250/18

BERWICK ARMS, MARYGATE – Supt. Halliday said the bar was 15ft by 12ft, and had a large window. There was a sitting room 15ft. by 12ft., and a kitchen 9ft by 12ft, which was sometimes used for drinking purposes. There was also a sitting room upstairs, 15ft by 12ft., also sometimes used for drinking purposes. The building was old, damp, and in very bad repair. There was an outside passage with a side entrance.

Berwick Arms, Berwick-upon-Tweed, 1950’s. Ref: BRO 1250/97

By Mr Henderson – There were no complaints against the conduct of the house. He thought Mr Wheeler did his best, but a side entrance was against proper supervision. Sometimes things were done in these dark passages which neither Mr Wheeler nor anyone else could see.

THE CASE FOR THE DEFENCE

Regarding the Free Trade Inn, Mr Steven, of the Border Brewery, in answer to Mr Henderson, said this was believed to be ante-1869 license. Alterations (including convenience) were made in 1904 to meet the wishes of the magistrates. The Border Brewery did not consider any further alterations necessary. They had had no objections from the tenant or his customers.

Mr Henderson said that, if the objection was upheld, this being an ante-1869 license, must be referred for compensation. If the house had a later license, and was objected to as structurally unsound, it could be closed without compensation.

In regard to the Old Angel Inn, Mr Henderson said Messrs Johnson & Darling would do their best to meet the wishes of the Superintendent. The plan handed in related to alterations passed by the Justices in 1920, but was not now approved by Supt. Halliday. That could be altered if the Justices thought necessary.

Mr Henderson, in connection with the Brewers’ Arms, appeared for Mrs Renton, the present owner. The conveyance to Messrs T. & J. Bernard, the recent purchasers, was not yet complete, and so legally they had no locus standi. The house was sols as an ante-1869 beer house, and he believed that that was the case, but the vendor had not yet had time to produce evidence to the Magistrates, and there seemed to be no Justices’ register available. The new owners when they bought the house intended to make a thoroughly respectable place of it, and they held to that intention.

The Berwick Arms, said Mr Henderson, was in the occupation of Mrs Howe, who was a life tenant, and Messrs Johnson & Darling leased from her. Mrs Howe had just had the notice served on her and had not had time to come to any decisions.

The Magistrates retired, and when they came back the Mayor announced that they had decided to adjourn the consideration of the four cases till Thursday, March 2^nd.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 1ST JULY 1921

02/07/2021 by Northumberland Archives

PRIVILEGE TICKET ABUSE

BERWICK REFRESHMENT ROOM

MANAGERESS AND HER SISTER

The abuse of privilege tickets granted to servants of the North British railway led to charges at the Newcastle Police Court, on Friday, against two sisters, Catherine and Jennie Chisholme, the latter being charged with having aided and abetted, and Catherine with having travelled between Newcastle and Berwick on May 12^th with a privilege ticket.

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

Superintendent Rodgers of the N.E.R. Police, stated that Jennie Chisholme was manageress of the North British Railway Company’s refreshment rooms at Berwick station and that, as a servant of the company, she was entitled to privilege ticket orders. On May 2^nd she was granted an order for herself for a return ticket from Berwick to Newcastle, and on her own initiative she applied for an order for a Miss Phimister, who was a barmaid in the refreshment room. On May 12^th she presented two orders at the booking office, but the clerk refused to issue a ticket for one as it was not signed. She went away and returned with it purporting to have been signed by Miss Phimister, and she was allowed tickets at 4s 11d, whereas the ordinary return far to Newcastle was 17s 2½d. Both sisters travelled to Newcastle and back. When Catherine Chisholme was seen at Berwick on May 27^th she said that she knew she had done wrong.

Defendants, who were not present but were represented, entered a plea of guilty, and Jennie was fined 40s, and Catherine 20s and costs.

LOCAL NEWS

The ceremony at which the conferring of the Honorary Freedom of the Borough on ex-Service men who have served overseas, at sea, or in the air during the war, will take place on Monday. As the proceedings are likely to be protracted, there will be no time devoted to speeches, the Mayor simply welcoming the men in the name of the Borough in a short address. The gallery of the Corn Exchange is being reserved for ladies. A lady’s ticket is being issued to each recipient of the Freedom who is attending, and also to members of the Corporation, justices and ministers on the platform. Music will be discoursed by an orchestra during the afternoon.

A meeting of the Freemen’s Guild was held in the Town Hall on Saturday last, the object being to get Freemen who are ex-Service men and who had not made application for admission to the roll of Honorary Freemen, to make application before the ceremony on Monday first.

Berwick Town Hall early 1900’s Ref: BRO 426-294

There was a poor representation of ex-Service men, but a few forms of application were issued to those desirous of enrolling. We understand that the impression has got abroad amongst Freemen that they were not supposed to apply for admission to the Honorary Roll. That, of course, is a misapprehension.

The Sunday School scholars attending St. Aiden’s Church, Berwick, accompanied by their parents and friends to the number of 370, proceeded on their annual picnic in nineteen gaily decorated farm carts to Paxton on Mid-Summer day. A field there was kindly lent by Mr Thorburn, and there the company settled down to a day’s enjoyment. Bright sunshine prevailed, and many of the company made for the Whitadder, where there was a cool breeze blowing. Lunch was served shortly after the company arrived at Paxton, and thereafter a short programme of sports, including a boys’ and girls’ Marathon, was gone through. A rather unfortunate accident took place during the afternoon, a little boy spraining his hand, but attention by Dr Fraser, who was present, soon had the young chap all right and able to continue enjoying himself. Great credit is due to Mr and Mrs Wardhaugh, Mrs Taylor and Mr T. Evans for the splendid manner in which the whole day’s enjoyment was organised. The company returned to Berwick about 8.30, thoroughly satisfied with the day’s outing.

FARM WORKERS’ GALA DAY

The annual Gala of the Workers’ Union took place on the Football Field, Wooler, on Saturday under ideal weather conditions. From early morn the sun shone brightly and though the heat was a little uncomfortable, especially for those who had to cycle from a distance, a cooling breeze at intervals crept down from amongst the hills, and tempered what would otherwise have been sweltering conditions.

The restricted railway service, owing to the coal crisis cut off this means of transit to the gala to some extent but ways and means of getting to Wooler were found by the workers, by bringing into use farm carts, cycles, and other means of wheel conveyance. In the early forenoon there was little evidence in Wooler that any event out of the ordinary was about to take place but by mid-day the streets began to be busy and hourly the throng was augmented. Visitors who are packed like sardines in the many pretty little villa residences clustering on the hillside were greatly interested in the event of the day, which has come to be looked upon as a red letter day in the life of Wooler.

Mr Geo. Blyth, the energetic joint secretary, was busy from early morning laying out the running tracks and wrestling wrings. He was ably assisted by a small committee who deserve to be congratulated on the huge step taken forward this year in organising the sports. A large wired ring was provided for the wrestling bouts, a great improvement on the crowd condition of affairs which prevailed in previous years, and everyone could watch the bouts with an uninterrupted view. The course for the flat racing was lined off and the marks clearly indicated, everything being provided to ensure the smooth working of the events. Another good feature this year was the means taken to ensure that there would be no congestion at the gates trough people requiring change. A “change box” was provided on the other side of the road to the entrance of the field where change was given to anyone requiring it, and the gate keepers were therefore not bothered. Increased prize money for the sports was another good draw, and with the staging of a few side shows and shooting galleries near the entrance the setting of the field was a credit to the ability of Mr Blyth as an organiser.

At two o’clock Kelso Pipe Band swung into the field playing the “Blue Bonnets” and with them came a seemingly never ending stream of people in holiday attire. Some 2500 had passed through the gates by another hour and the field presented an animated appearance. Lemonade and ice-cream vendors did a roaring trade, being sold out of large stocks very quickly. The heat at times was almost unbearable and it was no wonder that Mr A. D. Morton’s cool tea tent should prove one of the busiest centres on the field.

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