Welcome to another issue of The Newport Cornucopia where we dig through the newspapers archives for interesting news articles and adverts. All articles are posted verbatim and most headlines are original (headlines in quotes are my own).
Illuminated Clock
The public convenience will be promoted by the clock recently put up in front of Mr Nugent Wells' house, High-street. Exceptions are taken, however, to its appearance, which certainly might have been rendered less inelegant, while its usefulness is somewhat marred either from insufficient light, or from some other defect which prevents the possibility of seeing the time at a moderate distance. The Town Council have agreed to bear a portion of the expense of lighting it, and will probably see to its being rendered efficient.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 20th September, 1856
An earlier mention that year during a council meeting gave information about how the clock would have looked.
An application was read from Mr. Wells, for permission to erect a public clock in front of his premises, near the South Wales railway station, to project five feet from the wall. The face would be 4ft. 7in. in diameter, and would be illuminated at night. He also applied for assistance from the Board towards the expense of lighting the clock.
After some discussion, the Mayor was requested to see the clock (which was stated to be wholly of Mr. Wells's construction, with the exception of the dial), and, if he thought proper, to give permission for its erection, and to make an offer to contribute towards the expense of lighting it.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 14th June, 1856
Fire at Maesglas Farm
On Tuesday night, about nine o'clock, a fire broke out in a large barn at the above-named farm, which is situate near Pont-Ebbw. The barn contained a large quantity of straw, which was destroyed. Lord Tredegar's tire engine was obtained, and it was worked to good purpose, the other portions of Mr. Williams's property being saved from destruction.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 25th July, 1873
A Waterproof Spectacle
In the window of Mr. Samuel Polak, Great Western Clothing Establishment, High-street, a tiny fountain has been provided, which flings up a shower of water that descends on the water-proof clothing of two Lilliputian gentlemen, to show how impervious are Nicoll's patent garments to the liquid element.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 3rd March, 1854
Cordey's Perfumery List
A long advert published in the Monmouthshire Merlin in 1877 by Thomas Cordey lists the perfumes on sale at his 35 High Street shop.
The headline perfume is by Johann Maria Farina gegenüber dem Jülichs-Platz which is the world's oldest eau de Cologne and perfume factory and being located in Cologne lends its name to the type of fragrance.
Also on sale was Mitcham's Lavendar water which is 'triple distilled' and originated in the Mitcham area of Surrey which was once the "lavender capital" of the world during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Rimmell featured heavily with a wide range of fragrances such as Jockey Club, coffee flower, Lily of the Valley, sandal wood and new mown hay. For the hair there's Rimmell's Australian hair wash and Mexican hair restorer. Also available was Rimmell's Toilet Vinegar which was poured into water before washing and was used to 'greatly refresh, soften, and whiten the complexion, removing from it all imperfections and giving it satin-like textures'.
Pocket Picking
Catherine Ryan, alias Sullivan, was charged with attempting to pick the pockets of Elizabeth Goldsworthy, and Mrs. Weeks, of Ebbw Vale and she was further charged with stealing five florins, one half-crown, and some odd money, the property of Mary Spring.
Mary Weeks said, on Saturday last she was ill the market about ten o'clock in the forenoon. She was by Thomas' stall, when she felt someone's hand in her pocket. She put her hand to her pocket, and prisoner drew her hand back. She said nothing to the prisoner, who had taken nothing out of her pocket.
Charles Ricketts, confectioner, with a stall in the market, said on Saturday night last he saw the prisoner draw her handout of the prosecutor (Week's) pocket. He said the prisoner made several attempts on different persons in the market. Elizabeth Goldsworthy said the prisoner put her hand into her pocket, but witness missed nothing. The prisoner shortly afterwards put her hand in the witness's pocket again at another stall.
Matilda Spring said she was in the market on Saturday about two o'clock her purse was taken from her pocket, but she did not not know by whom. It contained five florins, one half-a-crown, and some odd money. Inspector Curtis said at about a quarter past three he was in the market. He was standing behind the witness Goldsworthy, and the prisoner. Mrs. Goldsworthy complained to him that the prisoner had tried to pick her pocket. He then took the prisoner into custody and charged her with attempting to pick pockets.
She said, "Who is the woman, where is the woman ?" Witness searched the prisoner and found upon her a purse which contained five florins, two half-crowns, two shillings, one threepenny bit, and twopence halfpenny in coppers, two farthings, and the address of a convict in London.
The prisoner pleaded guilty, and for the first offence she was sentenced to two months hard labour, and for robbing Mrs. Spring to four months hard labour.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 2nd November, 1877
'Man Fined for Being Drunk in his own Pub'
Benjamin Parcell was summoned for being drunk on licensed premises. P. S. Pratten said on Tuesday last he visited the defendant's house, the Windsor Castle, where he found the defendant in the tap-room, near the fire, with another man, quite drunk. Fined 10s., including costs.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 2nd November, 1877
Stealing Rope
Nathan Fisher was charged with stealing a piece of rope from the Alexandra Dock, the property of Messrs. Jones Brothers. Dock-officer Chamberlain said he met the prisoner coming from the dock with a piece of rope (produced) in his hand. Witness asked the prisoner where he got it from, and he said from a mooring ring. He took the prisoner into custody.
Witness subsequently found that the ropc belonged to Messrs. Jones Brothers. They had cut it and left it lying on the ground where the prisoner had taken it from. The rope was worth about 2s. 6d. The Bench sentenced the prisoner to imprisonment for one day.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 2nd November, 1877
Unjust Weights
David Morgan, grocer, Commercial-road, was summoned for having in his shop three unjust weights. Inspector Jones deposed to visiting the defendant's shop, and finding there the weights in question; a 28lb. was 2oz short, a 14lb. 2 drams short, and a 71b. 7 drams short. Mr. C. R. Lyne, Deputy Town Clerk, prosecuted. Defendant was fined 10s.
William Cox, coal merchant, George-street, was summoned for having in his pfpsession four unjust weights. Inspector Jones proved this case also. Defendant was fined 5s.
John Saunders, a grocer, was charged with having in his shop 22 unjust weights and one unjust scale. Inspector Jones said that out of the 24 weights in the defendant's shop 20 were light and two heavy. The scales were an ounce and a half against the purchaser. Defendant said he did not know any of the weights were lights. As to the scale, he might say in explanation that its handle had come off, and one of the young men in the shop had fastened it on again with a few pieces of wood, which made it heavier one end than the other, but to balance this they always put on the scale a ring which they kept for the purpose near at hand. Fined 20s, and the scales to be forfeited.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 7th March, 1879
Obstructing the Pavement
Joseph Freeman was summoned for obstructing Commercial-street, by hanging goods outside his shop. P.C. Pym said some of the goods projected more than a foot beyond the wall. Witness bad told Mr. Freeman of it three or four times. Defendant was fined 20s. including costs.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 7th March, 1879
At a council meeting in March 1879, the following was discussed.
Lamp, Stow Churchyard
After visiting the locality the Committee recommend that, subject to the consent of the Churchwardens of St. Woolos the lamp inside the western gate of the church yard placed at the top of the slope from the road to the footpath, as new public lamp, and that the next public lamp in the churchyard be removed.
A few the Committee also recommend that a sum not exceeding £12 be expended in the repair of the footpath through St. Woollos Churchyard, under the direction of the Public Works Committee.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 14th March, 1879
'The Need for Hydrants on Bridge Street and Gold Tops'
Mr Goss again brought before the Committee the necessity of getting hydrants for the upper end of Bridge-street and the Gold Tops. People had laid out money on property in that neighbourhood, and they ought to have means at hand for putting out fires when any occurred.
Alderman Lyne said the Town Surveyor was preparing a plan of a regular system of hydrants throughout the town. The plan would be ready in the course of this month.
Alderman Murphy said that he had seen in the papers that when a fire took place same time ago it was found that there was no water in the pipes, and if this were so, hydrants would be of no value. He thought a constant supply of water ought to be kept on.
The Mayor said that matter had been considered, but they could not do anything. Mr. Hoskins said the committee had considered the matter, as the Mayor had said, but the Deputy Town Clerk had advised them that they could not compel the Water Works Company to keep on a supply of water at high-pressure all night.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 14th March, 1879
'Egyptian Darkness'
Mr. Griffiths complained of the want of lamps in Barnard-town. He said Egyptian darkness reigned there.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 14th March, 1879
'The Need for House Numbers on Marshes Road'
Mr. Bear drew attention to the want of numbers on the houses and names on the streets in Marshes-road. Alderman Lyne said these matters would be attended to.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 14th March, 1879
'Street Names on Lamps'
Alderman Lyne said he had a piece of good news to tell them. They were going to have the names of the streets placed on the lamps.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 14th March, 1879
Accident — Narrow Escape Through Neglect in Driving
As Lady Morgan, Mr. and Mrs. Style, and Lady Walker, were proceeding from Ruperra Castle to Newport, on Thursday last, in coming down a steep road, near Bassalleg, the driver, (a post-boy from Newport,) carelessly drove the vehicle against an empty cart standing on the road side, which upset the carriage, and the whole party was thrown upon the road with considerable force, but fortunately without the occurrence of serious injury.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 11th July, 1855
Attempted Self-Destruction
"One more unfortunate, rashly importunate," as poor Hood-sang, to end her wretched existence by self-murder, flung herself into the canal near the road leading to the barracks, on Friday I evening last; but was rescued by Mr. Little, of Mr. John Currie's establishment, who bravely leaped into the water, and saved the miserable woman from death.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 11th July, 1855
Earthquake at Newport!
The barograph of Mr. Esdaile, optician, of High-Street, Newport, records considerable disturbances, apparently of a oeiqmatic character, betweem four and six o'clock this morning. Other indications of earth tremors were observed at 7.10 and 7.30 a.m., and lesser disturbances throughout the morning. It is suggested that these had some connection with the docks earth slide.
— Evening Express, 19th April 1907
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