6 July 1901

STEALING SHRUBS AND PLANTS FROM RIVERSVALE, BARDSLEY
Two unkempt individuals, named William KING and Benjamin BALL, were in the dock at the Ashton County Police Court on Wednesday, charged with stealing ferns and shrubs growing on the premises of Mr C T BRADBURY, JP, at Riversvale, on June 28th.

Superintendent HEWITT stated that on the date in question Miss WAINWRIGHT, who was on a visit to Riversvale, was sketching in the grounds and saw two men rooting up shrubs in the grounds. She went and asked them what they were doing there, and they said they had got permission. She communicated with the gardener. A constable subsequently found the prisoners in a beerhouse close by and they said they had been gathering the ferns along the riverside. They were taken into custody. One of the prisoners was at that court on May 13th 1899, fined 20s and costs for a similar offence. Mr BRADBURY felt strongly at having his shrubs uprooted and carried away in this manner.

Miss Henrietta Maria WAINWRIGHT said she a visitor at Mr BRADBURY’s, Riversvale, Bardsley. On Friday afternoon, about 2 o’clock, she was in the carriage-drive, and saw two men pulling ferns or shrubs up from the ground. She asked them if they had got permission to do this, and prisoner KING replied "Yes". A man came past with a cart and the prisoners disappeared from view. Her suspicions were aroused and she sent word to the coachman. Witness was sketching at the time and she picked up her materials and went away. She subsequently identified KING at the police station.

George SADDLER, gardener at Riversvale, stated that in consequence of a communication made to him he visited a portion of the grounds and found a quantity of ferns rooted up. The value of the ferns would be about 5s. They cost about £2 a hundred.

Charles Henry WOOD, under-gardener at Riversvale, stated that about two o’clock on Friday afternoon he was in the garden, and he saw the two prisoners in a field adjoining Mr BRADBURY’s grounds. They had a quantity of ferns in a box and a basket. Prisoner BALL said the ferns were advertised at 1s 9d a hundred. It was only like a wild wood where they obtained the ferns.

Constable HODKINSON deposed to finding the prisoners at the Woodstock Inn, Taunton. They had a box and basket of ferns with them and had already sold some of them to a man in the public house. Superintendent HEWITT said there were six previous convictions against BALL and 18 against KING for various offences in different parts of the country.

The Chairman (Mr A E REYNER) said that he could not congratulate the prisoners on the way in which they were passing their time. It was something disgraceful that able-bodied men should have such charges against them. Prisoner BALL: Not able-bodied. I’m paralysed in my right hand. Magistrates’ Clerk: You can use the left it appears. Prisoners were committed to gaol for three months.

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ACCIDENT TO AN ASHTON LADY CYCLIST
Another alarming cycle accident occurred on Saturday evening to an Ashton young lady, Miss Agnes Eleanor CROWE, pupil teacher at Gatefield School, Ashton. Miss CROWE set out on her bicycle, along with some friends from Droylsden, on Saturday afternoon, to go to Altrincham. They arrived at Altrincham, and had tea there. About 5.30 they started for a ride round the district, and whilst riding along a rather crowded part, Miss CROWE came into collision with another bicycle ridden by an elderly gentleman. Both riders were precipitated to the ground, and Miss CROWE’s leg was dislocated by the gentleman falling on her. Miss CROWE rose to her feet without assistance, and tried to walk, but could not do so, and suffered considerable pain. A lady and gentleman came along in a trap and into this the injured young lady was lifted and driven to the infirmary, not far distant, where the limb was set. We are glad to hear that Miss CROWE is progressing favourably.

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DUKINFIELD
BADLY DRUNK — At the Police Court on Thursday, Alfred BADDELEY was summoned for being drunk on the licensed premises known as the Bridge Hotel, King-street, on the 29th ult. — He pleaded not guilty. — Constable TAYLOR stated that at nine o’clock on Saturday night, he was walking in King-street and saw the defendant ejected from the Queen’s Arms Hotel in a drunken state. He ordered him to go home and he went down King-street in the direction of the Bridge Hotel. He followed him and found the landlord in the act of putting him out at the middle door. — Defendant: I was chucked out before I got in. — (Laughter.) — Fined 2s 6d and costs.

OCCASIONAL LICENSES — On Thursday, at the Police Court, Mr Marshall BARDSLEY, Lodge Hotel, applied for permission to sell at the Stalybridge Cricket Ground on the following dates: 6th, 13th, 20th, 22nd, and 25th July, from 2 o’clock to 7.30 pm. — Superintendent CCOOPER had no objection and said that these bars had been generally well conducted up to the present. — Granted.

Mr Percy WALLWORK, Commercial Hotel, applied for an occasional license to sell on the Dukinfield Cricket Ground that (Thursday) afternoon, on the occasion of a cricket match. Pills v. Physic, on behalf of local charities, by the medical men of Ashton, Dukinfield, Hyde, Stalybridge and district. — Superintendent COOPER had no objection, and the application was granted.

SCHOOL BOARD PROSECUTION — On Thursday, at the Police Court, George Henry GIBSON was summoned at the instance of the School Board for a breach of the by-laws. Defendant did not appear. — Mr J ROBERTS, attendance officer, informed the Bench that eight weeks ago that day, the defendant, then residing at 3 Pitt-street, was summoned in reference to Robert, aged 12, for non-compliance with an attendance order granted by the Bench last year. On the 9th of May he was summoned for a second non-compliance, and defendant was then warned that unless the lad attended regularly he would be sent away to an industrial school. That warning he was pleased to say had had the desired effect. During the adjournment the attendance had been 50 out of 55. Under those circumstances the Board asked the permission of the Bench to withdraw the case. The person had now left the district, and gone to live in Ashton. — Granted.

LEAVING THEIR HORSES — At the Police Court on Thursday, David BARDSLEY and Ernest WHITE were summoned for leaving their horses an unreasonable time without anyone in charge in Birch-lane on 4th June. They pleaded guilty. — Constable KENNY stated that at 10.15 on the morning of the 4th, he was going along Birch-lane along with Superintendent COOPER in his trap. When nearing the New Inn they saw three horses and carts standing in the middle of the road opposite the New Inn without anyone in charge. He got out of the trap and went to the New Inn where he saw the defendants drinking at the bar. — Defendants said they had not been stopped many minutes when the police drove up. — In reply to Superintendent COOPER, KENNY said one horse was drawn across the road, and the passage was blocked. — Defendant said the horse shied because Mr COOPER drove up at such a great speed. — Superintendent COOPER said there was nothing of the kind. — Fined 2s 6d for costs.

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DUKINFIELD NOT CABLESS
Sir, - The writer of the paragraph in the Reporter of Saturday last regarding Dukinfield being cabless is labouring under a mistake, as Mr John BEARD, undertaker, of 32 Birch-lane, is also a cab proprietor, and is about to have a stand at the junction of King-street and Astley-street. — Yours, JUSTICE

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HURST
Sergeant MUNROE, who for three years has been clerk of the Hurst Police Station, is leaving to take up similar duties at Skerton, near Lancaster. The reason for his taking this step is illness in his family. His removal will cause regret to the constables and others who have come in contact with him, as he has been very well liked for his cheerful and obliging disposition, and he will carry with him the good wishes of his friends. Sergeant HALLIWELL, of Skerton, will succeed him.

ROUGH PLAY — Two young fellows belonging to Hurst Nook started to have fun with each other on Wednesday evening. One pulled the other about until they commenced to wrestle, and the contest who should be master became eventually rather more than play, and resulted in one of them, named Arthur TURNER, having his leg broken. He was conveyed to the Infirmary in a spring cart.

BREACHES OF THE PEACE — Emma ALLCOCK was before the Ashton County Justices on Wednesday, charged with committing a breach of the peace at Hurst on June 1st. — Defendant said she was guilty of going to her own door and ordering a drunken man away because she had a child nearly dead. — A constable deposed to defendant shouting and using bad language. —Bound over in 40s to keep the peace for three months. — John KNOTT pleaded guilty to committing a breach of the peace at Hurst on June 13th, and was bound over in 40s to keep the peace for three months.

SUDDEN DEATH OF A CHILD — On Friday, 28th June, an inquest was held at the Church Inn, Hurst, by Mr J F PRICE, on the body of Arnold STANSFIELD, aged 13 months, the son of Joseph and Sarah STANSFIELD, of 202 King-street, who died at 4am on Wednesday, the 26th of June. From the evidence given, it appears that the child had been very healthy from birth, and on Tuesday night it was put to bed about 9.30pm, the parents following half an hour later. It was then asleep and apparently all right. At about 3.30am the mother awoke and found that the child was ill. She took it downstairs and told her husband to go for Dr HILTON. He did so, but the doctor was not in, and on his return the child was dead. Dr HILTON, who saw the body at 8.30 gave it as his opinion that the child died from convulsions. A verdict of "Death from natural causes" was returned.

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THE FIRE AT NEW MOSS COLLIERY
Sir, — Seeing that the men thrown out of work by fire are now appealing to the public for help, the following facts may be of interest: —

At the time of the fire there were 1,000 men and boys employed at the colliery. The number now employed is about 300. Some of the remaining 700 have obtained employment elsewhere, but as most collieries are working short time, the majority are still out of employment.

These men, when working, have always been ready to help others in distress, in proof of which I may say that in 13 months, from November 29th 1899 to January 3rd 1901, in addition to carrying a very useful sick and accident club, they subscribed about £400 (£397 17s 1d) to the war, Indian famine, and sick nursing funds.

Although the pits have been re-opened, the damage underground is of such an extent that it will be weeks before more men can be employed, and unless help is obtained from the public, there must soon be a good deal of distress. I feel sure, however, that the public of Ashton and district, in knowing the facts, will readily help these men out of their temporary difficulty.

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ASHTON
Joseph ALCOCK, of Mossley-road, wishes us to state that he is not the Joseph ALCOCK who was charged with assaulting the police.

ASHTON SWIMMING CLUB — The members’ handicap of two lengths, which took place in the Ashton Swimming Baths on Thursday night, resulted as follows: - First prize, value £1, C KERSHAW; second, 12s, H SCHOFIELD; third, 7s 6d, A TAYLOR; and fourth, 5s, J RATCLIFFE.

FLOWER SHOW — On Sunday last a flower show was held at the house of Mrs LOMAS, Star Inn, Cotton-street. There were 15 competitors, and some very good blooms were shown. The judge, Mr Silas HOWARD, awarded the prizes as follows: — 1, 5s, George LEE; 2, 3s, S HUDSON; 3, 2s, T EATON.

COLLAPSE OF A BUILDING — While the workmen were engaged in demolishing the building recently occupied by Mr Enoch TURNER, Stalybridge-road, Ashton, on Wednesday afternoon, the front portion of the building, which had been left standing, collapsed and fell into the roadway, smashing the railings in front of the house. The roadway was clear of pedestrians at the time, and no one was injured.

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WATERLOO AND BARDSLEY
GAMING — A youth named Wm RYAN was before the Ashton County Justices on Wednesday, charged with gaming at Waterloo. — Defendant pleaded not guilty. — The case was proved by a constable who stated that he saw the defendant gaming in Back Gordon-street. Fined 5s, or seven days.

BOWLERS SUCCESSFUL — On Monday afternoon W JONES, of Waterloo, and George KAY, of Bardsley, opposed each other in a game of 51 up on the green at the rear of the Dog and Partridge Inn, Waterloo, for £20, JONES receiving six start. A fair company witnessed the match. KAY was favourite at the start, and won by six points. — The green at the Commercial Inn, Butler Street, was surrounded by spectators on Saturday to witness W H ANDREWS, of Waterloo, and W INMAN ("Tidy"), of Butler Green, play 81 up for £40. ANDREWS was favourite at 6 to 4 on at the start. INMAN began well by scoring the first three, and reached 10 to ANDREWS’ 3, and at half-time the scores were 41 to 30. On resuming ANDREWS improved much on his play and peeled at 79. The finish of the game was exciting, ANDREWS winning by two only.

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HYDE BOROUGH POLICE COURT
ASSAULT IN CHARLES-STREET — James PURCELL, of Charles-street, was charged on remand with assaulting Emma FRITH, ring spinner, of 10 Charles-street, Hyde, was proceeding along Charles-street when she saw prisoner get hold of his wife. Prosecutrix went to her assistance when prisoner ran after her and kicked her at the bottom of the back. Prosecutrix went unconscious and could remember nothing for a long time afterwards. She was not subject to fits. Dr T WATTS attended her and she had to remain in bed until the previous afternoon. She had done nothing to provoke him. — Prisoner said he was drunk at the time nothing about the assault.

Catherine FRITH, mother of the last witness, stated that at 9.30 on Wednesday night she heard screams in Charles-street and on looking round she saw his wife on the floor. She afterwards saw him hit someone, but at the time she did not know it was her daughter. Subsequently she discovered it was her daughter who went into a fit. Prisoner kicked her but in her opinion it was through fright that her daughter lost consciousness. — Sarah Ann HALL deposed that it was she who hit prisoner on account of the way he was abusing his wife and he must have thought it was prosecutrix who hit him. He hit FRITH on the head with his fist and she dropped to the ground and he then kicked her. Prisoner who had been before the court five times previously, for drunken and disorderly conduct was fined 10s and costs in 14 days.

MAINTENANCE ARREARS — Frederick BUMBEY, of Mottram-road, was summoned by Elizabeth T BUMBEY of 8 Walker-lane, for arrears of maintenance amounting to £2 19s 6d. An order was made upon the defendant on the 16th May for him to pay his wife 8s per week and he had only paid her 9s. He was sent to gaol for 14 days.

A CARELESS CARTER — Henry HITCHEN, of Stalybridge, a carter, was charged with being drunk and disorderly, whilst in charge of a horse and cart at four pm on the 1st inst in Ashton-road, Newton. It was stated that the defendant was drunk and asleep and riding with the reins loose in the cart. — He was fined 5s, and costs.

THEFT OF BILLIARD BALLS — Joseph POLLITT, of no fixed abode, was charged with stealing three billiard balls on the 13^th March belonging to Mr J D MORLEY, of the Commercial Hotel, Hyde. The Chief Constable said that prisoner was arrested the previous afternoon and was very deaf and having regard to his careworn condition he asked for the case to be dismissed.

EDUCATIONAL — Ellen BAILEY, of 21 Catherine-street; Harry FINCH, 12 Read-street; Fred KEYWORTH, 9 Bredbury-street; William ADSHEAD, 13 Cooper-street; George BENNETT, 16 Russell-street, Kate PEACHER, 56 Charles-street; Samuel BURGESS, of 36 Wood-street; James CONNOR, of 7 Union-street; Albert DAVENPORT, the Lumb; Harry ELLIOTT, 17 John Shepley-street; and Elizabeth METCALFE, 12 Sandhill-street, were summoned for not sending their children regularly to school. — Mr RAWSTHORNE stated that in each case he and his colleague had done their best to get the defendants to send their children regularly to school, but their pleadings had been to no avail. — The cases of ADSHEAD and KEARNS were adjourned for a month and all the other defendants were fined 6d and 4s 6d costs.

A NAMELESS ENGINE — Thomas KEARNS, 59 Ashton-road, contractor, was charged with not having his name and address painted on his traction engine. — Defendant pleaded not guilty, and said that there was a name on the side and back of the engine. — Chief Constable said he had seen the engine and the name was totally invisible. The defendant had often been cautioned by the police and every time he gave a lot of impudence. — The case was dismissed on payment of costs.

ALL THROUGH A SCOTCHMAN — Mary EDWARDS, of Beech-street, a married woman, was summoned by Sarah CHATTERTON, of 33 John-street, also a married woman, for assault. — Complainant stated that on 28th June defendant came to her door and said "By ———, if tha goes out tha husband will be murdered." She came altogether about four times, and complainant tried to pacify her, but could not do so. The last time she came to the door she hit the complainant and knocked her almost insensible. She had never given her any provocation. — William EDWARDS, husband of the last witness, gave similar evidence. — The defendant’s story was that on the day in question a Scotchman called at her house and told her that Mrs EDWARDS had told him not to leave anything with her as she was living away from her husband. She did not hit the complainant, but would have done had complainant been a younger woman. — Ellen MELLOR, of 27 John-street, gave evidence in favour of the defendant. — Fined 2s 6d costs.