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).
The Phantascope
Such is the designation given to a clever contrivance with which Messrs Poole and Young have this week been astonishing and gratifying the lieges of Newport at the Victoria Hall Condensed into a sentence, the entertainment may be described as Professor Pepper's "ghostly" invention, adapted to amusement. In the several parts of the programme—described as "The Storm of Thoughts," "The Haunted Man, Proteus, and Man's Metamorphosis"—some striking illusions are introduced. Denizens of dream-land, spectres, and "fancy fire-dancers," bewilder the senses in certain scenes, by floating about in mid-air, or crawling, whirling, or vaulting in attitudes and by methods that would seem to defy the resources of the most skilful terrestrial posture-master.
These, the more startling and popular features of the entertainment, are interspersed with songs—there being two good vocalists in the company. The lack of good acting is a drawback upon the effective accessories of the entertainment. The mysteries of "the Cabinet" we leave visitors to explore for themselves. We perceive that the amount of patronage accorded has induced Messrs. Poole and Young to remain in Newport for a part of next week.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 12th March, 1870
A Queer Horse Transaction
Samuel Talbert, a man who had the appearance of a labourer was charged before the Cardiff borough magistrates on Wednesday, with stealing a horse, the joint property of Edward Lewis and Francis Crabb. The prosecutors reside in Cardiff. On Saturday they entrusted the prisoner with the horse to take to Newport, and gave him 2s. 6d. to meet the expenses of the journey.
Instead of delivering up the animal to the I person to whom he was directed, the prisoner sold it for £1 7s. 6d. to Mr. Charles Mills, of Mill-parade, Newport. Mr Mills subsequently sold the horse for £2 19s.
As the prosecutors received no tiding of the prisoner, they communicate I with the police, and Constable Webb was on Tuesday sent to Newport to make inquiries. Webb apprehended the prisoner at the Washington Inn [Bridge Street]. On charging him with, illegally disposed of a horse entrusted to his care, the prisoner replied that he had sold the animal and spent the money.
The horse was afterwards found at the Barracks-lane. Mr. Jones remarked that the case ought to have been taken before the Newport magistrates. Mr. Superintendent Stockdale said that the police at Newport refused to entertain the charge, as they did not think it came within their district. The prisoner who denied that he was guilty, cross-examined both Lewis and Crabb, with the view of showing that he had a pecuniary interest in the horse. He was committed to take his trial at the Mon- mouthahire Assizes. Mr. Ellsor prosecuted.
— Monmouthshire Merlin 12th March, 1870
Stealing Beer
George Waters and John Bound were charged with stealing beer from a cask, the property of the Screw Packet Company, they being baillees of the same property. P.C. Jenkins stated (that about half-past two on Sunday morning he was on duty at the East side of the river, at Rodney Wharf, before the Screw Packet Company's stores, and behind some casks he saw the two prisoners.
He found them drawing beer from a 36 gallon cask. They had filled the jar produced, and were about to fill a jug. He asked what they were up to. Bound replied that they were only taking a drop of beer. Witness took Bound into custody; Waters ran away towards Maindee. Witness blew his whistle and P.C. Morgan came to his assistance, and both men were secured and brought to the station. Upon examining the cask, found it had been spilled. Thomas Horton, the manager of the Company, stated that the cask in question was a returned cask. The men had no business on the premises at all. Waters was in the employ of the Company. The Bench sentenced Waters to 21 days' imprisonment, and Bound to 14 days' with hard labour.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 5th March, 1870
'Man Beaten by Father-in-Law'
William Clark, on bail, was charged with being drunk and disorderly on the Marshes-road, on Saturday evening. P.C. Knight, who took defendant into custody, said he was in a very wild state. The row appeared to have originated between the man and his wife and the defendant said his father-in-law had beaten him very severely. The Bench remarked that he looked as if he had been sadly punished, and they therefore discharged him.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 6th August, 1870
The Bell Ringing Nuisance
John Richards pleaded guilty to wantonly ringing the bell at the door of the National Provincial Bank, in that portion of the premises occupied by Mr. F. W. Travers, manager. Complaints of this sort of conduct had been previously made. Defendant's mother was present, and when asked what she had to say as to the conduct of her boy, said the Bench might do what they liked. She had no money to pay.
Mr. Travers said it was a continual nuisance and annoyance to his household, and he had now determined to prosecute every boy he caught. One boy, who appeared to be as bad as defendant, cave evidence against his comrade, but Mr. Travers said he was every bit as bad as the other, and ought to be whipped.
There was another present at the time whom they called "Billy Flowers". Mr. Brown stated that he and others objected to a similar annoyance. Fined 2s. 6d., and cautioned.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 6th August, 1870
'Complimentary Concert'
A complimentary concert, under distinguished patronage, was given at the Town Hall on Thursday evening, by the Albert Union Glee and Madrigal Society, assisted by the following ladies and gentlemen: Miss A. E. Finch (soprano), Miss Prentice, Upper Clapton, London, (contralto), Mr. Lobshaw (tenor), Mr. Walter C. Townsend (bass), Miss Pritchard (pianist); conductor, Mr. J. E Morgan.
The programme was a full one, containing no less than five choruses and three part songs by the choir, three duets, and nine songs by different members of the company. The room was crowded, and the performances throughout well received. The choruses were faultless "The Old Cottage Clock," sung by Miss Finch, was much admired, as also "Joyous Life," and the unanimous encores of the audience induced her to repeat these parts. The concert was got up as a mark of favour towards Mr. J. E. Morgan locally known as a skilful and popular vocalist.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 5th March, 1870
A New Town Hall for Newport
The Mayor said he would just mention that at the last meeting of the Works Committee, they discussed the various plans in connection with Friar's-fields, and he suggested that the present Town Hall be sold, and that a new Town Hall be built on Friar's-fields and he thought it would be only a question of time when the Quarter Sessions would be held at Newport, and, as a matter of course, the Assizes would also be held there. He thought the present Town Hall would fetch a good price, when they looked at the price property fetched in High-street. The committee fell in with the suggestions he made, and asked him to mention them there.
Alderman Lewis: Is there any report beyond what you have stated?
The Mayor: Nothing beyond that when we met there and looked at it, we thought it would be a capital site for a Town Hall.
Alderman Lewis: And what sort of approach would you get to it there?
The Mayor thought there would be a very good approach from both Dock-street and Commercial-street.
Alderman Homfray: You could not have a better entrance than at Dock-street. The Mayor: And we can get a very good entrance at Commercial-street.
Mr. S. Batchelor: I can only say we are very much behind other towns with respect to public buildings, and I am sure it would be a very great convenience, if not an ornament; but whether it would be desirable or wise to erect it in the Friar's-fields I cannot say. I think, however, the time is not very far distant when we shall be obliged to make some provision by a building where we might have a library, reading-rooms, offices, and various other things in connection with such a public building. I think it is quite worthy the consideration of the committee.
Alderman Homfray expressed a hope that whatever was done in that way they would not put the building in a public street.
The Mayor thought they could not possibly have a better site.
Mr. Stone considered it a matter of importance to the ratepayers: would it not be well to take their feelings on the matter?
The Mayor explained that there was nothing before them as yet in the form of a resolution. It was only thrown out as a suggestion. After some further discussion the subject dropped.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 6th August, 1870
The house for sale is located in the advert is on the corner of Stow Hill and looking in a sorry state.
Below is a postcard published in 1847 which shows how the house may have looked in the advert before the little shop was added. The houses to the left of the house in the street view image were probably there at the time of the advert.
Curious to know what the book was like, you can read it for free on Project Gutenberg.
More Light at Maindee
We hear that the Gas Company have received orders to erect six additional gas lamps at Maindee. One at the corner of Upper Fair Oak Terrace, one opposite Mrs. Jones's (Shoemakers) shop, one at Vaughan Terrace near Duckpool-lane, one at Isca Terrace, one in Albert Avenue, and one at the entrance at Barnard Town. These, with the present eight lights, fourteen in all, are considered sufficient to light the district for the present.
— Monmouthshire Merlin, 11th December, 1869
'Victoria Place Stables'
In February 1874 an advert was posted in the Monmouthshire Merlin for six stables with coach houses and lofts adjoining 7 Victoria Place.
Looking at a map surveyed in 1875 shows a series of buildings which may well be the stables and coach houses mentioned in the advert. The buildings have long since disappeared and appears to be part of Chapel Park.
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