The Isle of Wight 150 years ago.

6 September 1862

The County Magistrates had no business before them on Saturday last, with the exception of an application from a married woman, named Charlotte Starks, for protection of property against her husband, Mark Starks, now under sentenced for bigamy in Winchester gaol. The Court granted the application.

BOROUGH COURT. - Charles Flux, a Mason, residing in Holyrood-street, was indicted for suffering a most intolerable nuisance to remain in his premises, in defiance of a notice from the Town Clerk to remove the same, and against the bye-laws of the borough. The Inspector of Nuisances, Mr. George Grapes, said he served the defendant with a notice to remove the nuisance complained of, but, on visiting the premises in question again on Thursday, with the Paving Committee, he found it as bad as ever, there being a sow and nine pigs in one stye, three pigs in another stye, two pigs in a third stye, and two cows and a calf in a shed. The filth both within and without was 4 inches deep, and the drainage from the whole ran into a large open cesspool, which was full of living things and putrid matter, occasioning very great complaints from the surrounding neighbours. Mr. Robt. Stratton, builder, Quay-street, said his garden adjoined the defendant’s back premises, where he kept the pigs, the stench from which on Sunday completely drove himself and his wife and family out of their own garden, and deprived them of all the pleasure they would otherwise have derived from it. Defendant said he kept the place is clean as he could, and remove the manure every day, producing a memorial from his neighbours to the effect that they felt no inconvenience from it. The Court said there was distinct evidence of the existence of a most intolerable nuisance, which could not be upset by the representations of persons who say they did not smell it. The defendant was liable to a penalty of 5s. a day for every day that he suffered it to remain in their after due notice, but, as they did not wish to deal harshly with him, they would only find him a one 5s. and costs; but they should order the Inspector to visit the premises every week, and report thereon, and if the nuisance had not been removed they would levy the full penalty.

COWES. - We are glad to see symptoms of reviving business in our building yards. At Mr. John White’s the workmen are busily engaged in laying down the keel of a large steamer of eleven hundred tons. Mr. S. White has received orders to build a schooner yacht of 260 tons for S. Naylor, Esq., and Mr. Hanson has in a state of forwardness a fine schooner, of large size, for R. Stephenson, Esq., while the Messrs. Ratsey are completing a fine a vessel for Liverpool, and are in expectation of two or three large orders for yachts. Altogether there is a winter's work for our artisans.

THE HARVEST IN THE ISLAND. - Contrary to the anticipations of the discontented and the doubtful, the harvest throughout the island will prove, if not superabundant, yet an average one and that, considering the wetness of the spring, is almost more than could have been expected. The charming weather we have had for the last two or three weeks has worked wonders, and enabled the farmers to get in the wheat in excellent condition. The wheat harvest may said to be finished, although here and there in the cold spots some little yet remains to be carried. There is a considerable breadth of barley cut, and in the course of a week, should the weather prove propitious, the whole will be in safely. The barley and oat crops are very good, and the potatoes are suffering less from disease than they have for the last few years. The late rains having been very serviceable to the turnips and gardens, while it has done no injury, on the contrary, it has benefited the corn. The harvest is such as to call forth thankfulness, for should the country generally prove as productive as our own little island, there is every prospect of obtaining a moderately cheap loaf during the coming winter island.

13 September 1862

COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS. - This being also the adjourned licensing day for the Island, several renewals were supplied where the applicant had neglected to appear on the former date. The license of the “Star and Garter” Hotel, at Sandown was transferred from Mrs. Wheeler to Mr. Stear. The license of the “Vectis” Inn, at West Cowes, which was refused to the present occupant, Henry Webb, for suffering disorderly conduct therein, was also refused to Edward Graham, on the grounds that he had no occupation; and the license of the “Fox” Inn, at West Cowes was held in abeyance to the landlord, who resides it at Kingstown, Ireland, shall apply personally for its renewal.

William Newnham, charged with robbing the garden of Mr. Geo. Lowe, of Shanklin Farm, of a number of green gage plums, was fined 10s. 2d., and in default of payment ordered to be committed for 10 days.

20 September 1862

COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS. - Andrew Taylor, an apprentice, charged with assaulting John Phillips, his employer, a master shoemaker at Calbourne, was fined 19s. 6d., and in default of payment committed for 3 weeks hard labour.

Charles Orchard and Frank Whittington, charged with robbing the orchard at the Rectory at Chale, of 14 gallons of apples, were fined 14s. 6d., each, and in default of payment to be committed to hard labour for 14 days.

Isaac Jacobs, a grocer in Haven-street, was charged by Superintendent Horan with using 14 weights which were light. Fined £2. 2s. 6d., and the defective weights order to be forfeited

BOROUGH COURT. – Geo. Henry Weekes was brought up on a charge of misconduct whilst an apprentice towards his employer, Mr. William Cheverton, but on his promising to be a better boy for the future he was discharged, the cost of the proceedings to be stopped from his wages.

John Grant was brought up on a charge of threatening the life of his wife, Agnes Grant, but after examining several witnesses the Bench dismissed the case.

COWES. - POLICE INTELLIGENCE. - On Monday William Simmonds, a green-grocer, on Market-hill, was summoned before the magistrates for exposing goods on sale, and instructing the street by putting out baskets of vegetables on the highway, to the annoyance of the public. This being the first charge made against him a penalty of one shilling and costs was inflicted. At the same time James Cole, a butcher, was summoned by the Inspector of the Nuisances for keeping a number of pigs in Temperance-place, to the annoyance of the residence and injury to the public health. The defendant pleaded that he was not the only offender, this unveiled him nothing, and he was ordered to remove the pigs within 48 hours under pain of fine if you neglected to do so.

RYDE. - THE PIER AND FERRY COMPANIES. - There is a rumour current that some negotiation is pending between the directors of the two companies. We are not aware of the nature of the negotiation alluded to, but we hope it will tend to advance of the attractions and prosperity of the town. We need feel no solicitude as to the interests of the respective parties concerned. They will take good care of themselves we may be quite certain.

James Carter, alias Harding, who was last week remanded by the magistrates of the Westminster Police-court, charged with obtaining several sums of money, watches, and other property, from various ladies, advertising for situations under the pretence that he had an hotel in the Isle of Wight, and require them as housekeepers, has been again examined and further remanded, in order that evidence may be procured from the Island.

THE HEATHFUL ISLAND. - The inhabitants of the island are full of happy anticipations respecting the future prosperity of that favoured spot, which the matter-of-fact Registrar-General has proved to be the healthiest place in Great Britain. The whole is jubilant. Ventnor, well nigh crazy with the joy, sees “looming in the future” wealth and fame. It is, however, a gratifying fact for all of us dwelling in the “Garden Isle” to be made acquainted with, that we are living in a locality where our Constitutions will have fair play, in consequence of the salubrious atmosphere we constantly inhale. There can be no doubt that the world-wide publicity given to the sanitary advantages of the island will tend to increase its attractiveness, both for casual visitors and permanent residents.

27 September 1862

COAST GUARD DRILL, &c, - On Friday last, the Coast guard men belonging to the Atherfield, Brixton and Brook Stations, under the command of J. Cutajar, Esq., R.N., assembled at the latter place, to go through a sword and rifle drill, with Gunnery Instructor Harding, preparatory to target firing. The drills were executed with great readiness and precision, and at the conclusion the Chief Officer past of the words, “Ship on shore towards Compton, man of the rocket apparatus!” When rifles, swords, and belts were quickly laid aside, and in the rocket apparatus placed under weigh for the scene of the supposed disaster. Everything was ready in a few minutes, and a 9lb rocket was fired in a direction parallel to the beach, for the convenience of measuring distance, &c. The line was hauled in and the second fired, which, as well as the first, carried out the line in a most beautiful manner. The quarterly rocket practice being now over, Mr. Horatio Dennett, the manufacturer and improver of this invaluable invention of his late father, obtained permission to try an experiment of its own, and was kindly and most ably assisted by Mr. Cutajar and the active and intelligent men under his command. The first was a pair of 9lb rocket's united and fired as one, for the purpose of extending the range when a ship happens to lay too far from the beach to be reached by the ordinary means of a single market. The Rockets were united by the communication formed between the vents, ready for firing in a few seconds, the two lines being bent end to end and attached to the Rockets, the trigger was pulled, and away they went roaring terrifically, the line at the same time whistling shrilly from the velocity with which it was dragged through the air, and forming a graceful curve as the Rockets descended towards the beach, at a distance of 500 yards from the frame. The second experiment was a similar one, to show the simplicity of the mode of junction it was perfectly performed by Gunnery Inspector Harding with the greatest ease and readiness, although he had never seen the apparatus until used by Mr. Dennett for the first experiment. This was equally successful as the first, fully showing that by these means a recommended reached as a great distance as it is possible to rescue the crew, by means of communication, and also the greater value of this invention by adding 200 yards range to the ordinary apparatus, at the trifling expense of a few pairs of couplings ……… Great credit is due to both Mr. Cutajar and the men under his command for their efficiency in the use of the rocket apparatus in all its parts, the excellent order in which it is kept, and the smartness and alacrity of the men in manning and conveying it to the scene of action without any previous knowledge that the alarm of “Ship on shore” was about to be given. [Note: The rockets were made by Mr. Dennett at Carisbrooke.]

COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS. – John Novell, the driver of an omnibus between Sandown and Shanklin, was charged with using a horse which was unfit for work, having a number of running wounds, but the defendant having taken the precaution to bring the animal itself to the door of the Court in order that the magistrates themselves might judge of its fitness for work, the Bench adjourned to the street for that purpose, and on their return pronounced and unanimous opinion that the charge of cruelty was not substantiated and dismissed the case.

John Houndson, the driver of one of Peacott’s vans between Ryde and Ventnor, was the next on the list of offenders, but as the evidence against him was not very damaging, the Court only find him a shilling and 7s. 6d. costs.

Sarah Flows, a nurse maid in the family of Lawrence Desborough, Esq., a a solicitor, on a visit to Ryde, was charged with stealing from her mistress a silver thimble, a petticoat, and two pairs of muslin sleeves, which were found in her box when searched by a policeman. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and was committed for a month to hard labour.

David Smith and Henry White, labourers, charged by Daniel Wheeler, game-keeper to Sir Henry Oglander, Bart., with trespassing on his estate, on the sabbath day, in pursuit of game, were fined 17s. 6d. each.

Thomas Williams, charged with stealing a bottle of milk, the property of J. H. Hearn, Esq., was committed for one week to hard Labour

COWES. – Messrs. Ratsey & Sons having a lengthened the cutter yacht Tartar six feet by the bow, she was launched on Thursday, and another yacht will succeed her to undergo overhaul and refitment. In Messrs Hansen’s yard the R.Y.S. Derwent is hauled up, to be fitted up for a voyage up the Mediterranean, with many other yachts are also about to proceed.

The keel of the 1,100 ton yacht to be built by Mr. John White for the Emperor of China has been laid down, and a large number of men are busily engaged in expediting the work, and the vessel having to be completed and ready for sea within a very brief time. H.M.S. Egmont, having been thoroughly fitted out as a hospital ship in Mr. John White’s Dock, was removed on Thursday morning, and we hear that the Peninsular handicap Oriental Company’s ship Indus is to fill the same dock, to be converted into a sailing ship.

RYDE. – BALL AT THE TOWN HALL. - On Friday some officers gave a ball at the above room, which was attended by about 50 persons. A number of officers at Portsmouth were prevented from being present, the last steamer from Southsea having been taken off, it is alleged, without sufficient notice having been afforded to the public.

The Isle of Wight 150 years ago

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1 September 2012