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'Newport
First Stop' - 100 Years of News Stories Newport
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1891
Star of Gwent. 9th January, 1891 The Newport Magistrates are to be commended for dealing with a firm hand with acts of indecency whensoever or wheresoever committed. It is a gross and glaring evil that ladies resident, in what may be termed the fashionable suburbs of the borough, are afraid to leave their houses unattended after darkness has set in. It is monstrous, too, that vendors of indecent cards shall publicly ply their avocation in the streets, even though assistant schoolmasters be attracted to the spot, without meeting with the punishment which they so richly deserve. The Superintendent of Police is again on the alert, and it is to be hoped he will turn his attention to those disgusting hand-bills now being posted up in public places of convenience. The morality of the youth of Newport is being corrupted thereby and must be protected.
Mr. Williams for many years Town Crier and Mace-bearer of Newport, has just expired at the advanced age of 91. Failing health for several years past has rendered it impossible for him to perform his duties, but deceased was out so recently as a week ago. He was the last male survivor of old Newport Freemen, and up to the day of his death he annually received in consequence thereof a portion of the rents derivable from the Marshes. The deceased lost his wife two years ago, so that this allowance dies with him. For many years he carried the Mace in front of the Mayor on public civic occasions.
There is a considerable amount of local gossip just now concerning the unexpected isappearance of a young gentleman from Newport. He was on the eve of getting married to a young lady well known in the town, and it is stated she had almost completed the furnishing of her new home when the expectant bridegroom disappeared. It is believed that his relatives have received information as to his whereabouts, and have urged him to return and carry out the marriage contract.
A Chepstow farmer drove into Newport a few days ago and purchased some corn, also two bottles of whiskey. On arriving back home he discovered that during the journey the bottles of whiskey had got broken, the corn being saturated with the liquor. The corn was thrown into a heap in the farmyard, and was freely partaken of during the night by some turkeys. One of these was discovered the following morning by the farmer apparently lifeless and its owner, believing it to be dead from a cause which did not render it unsaleable, plucked it in readiness for Chepstow Market on the following day. The morning duly arrived, but the farmer on proceeding to fetch the turkey, found it alive and hopping about in the yard - plucked though it was.
On Saturday evening the above club was successfully founded. The Chair was taken at the Members Meeting at 7 p.m. by E.J. Smith Esq., the oldest amateur photographer in the district. The rules were considered and adopted. Shortly after the Officers and Committee had been appointed, a beautiful collection of pictures of American scenery lent for the occasion (by the proprietors of "Photography) were exhibited by magnificent optical lanterns. Some 250 ladies and gentlemen were present by special invitation to view the collection, and all conceded the pictures to be an artistic treat.
Sir, I take it as a favourable sign that the public are commencing to advertise their wants etc. in the press under the heading of Newport-on-Usk. This is unmistakable proof that the new name for our town is making its way satisfactorily. - Printers, kindly note! I am sir - Newport-on-Usk
At Newport Police Court on Friday before H. Phillips Esq. and D.A. Vaughan Esq., - Henry Wright and Selina Maluci, who did not appear, were summoned for keeping a brothel. The Town Clerk prosecuting said the premises were situate at 148 Dock Street and as this was a quiet part of the street in which the business was conducted, it became an intolerable nuisance to the neighbourhood. Frank Kingdom, collier, went to the house in Dock Street on July 3rd in company with Maggie Mansfield, with whom he slept for the night and paid Wright three shillings for the bed. On the following Saturday night he stayed there again with Mansfield. On July 25th he stayed at the house with a girl named Lewis. He had paid both Wright and Maluci whom he knew as Mrs. Wright. On Monday night last he stayed there again with Mansfield and went there again on Tuesday night. He told Wright he would pay him next morning but after he got upstairs Wright came up and ordered him out. When he got downstairs Wright knocked him down and he got the police. Mansfield, of 45 Baldwin Street, then gave evidence that she had seen other girls at the house with men. P.C. Packer said he had seen prostitutes and men go to the house. He knew it to be a brothel. The Chairman said Wright would be fined £10 or two months and Meluci £5 or one month.
On the 5th the streets were more lively than usual it is true and fireworks are still resorted to, but to a smaller extent than was previously the case, fortunately rough horse-play and street riots, in which ere now a policeman has lost his life; and the bitterness engendered between Protestants and Roman Catholics, are things of the past. Our Roman Catholic fellow townsmen, no longer regard the celebration of Guy Fawkes' Day as a studied insult to their religion. They now take part in the celebration, purchasing fireworks for the amusement of their children and their families. As a consequence, what is familiarly known as "Squib Night", has become perfectly harmless. The police have recognised this for some years past, and their non-interference, has done more than anything else in maintaining order. The glories of "Squib Night" are only to be regarded as things of the past. [ Back ] |
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'Newport
First Stop' - 100 Years of News Stories Newport
Past |