IOO YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (25th APRIL - 1st MAY 1922)
This week's stories include the curious indecent assault in a Bridge Street tailor's shop, the ratepayers' anger over proposals to improve roads in Eccleston, the new charabanc season opens in St Helens, a police sergeant claims wrongful dismissal and the opening of the new Windle Labour Club.
When the estimates for building St Helens Town Hall were made public in the 1870s, angry protest meetings were held with ratepayers concerned that their bills would rise to pay for the grand new building. And so it was on the 25th of this week, when a public inquiry took place to consider the St Helens Council's application to borrow a total of £211,600 for badly needed road improvements, mainly in the Eccleston area. That's around £11 million in today's money and despite the meeting being held on a working day, the room in the Town Hall was crowded with furious opponents of the scheme.
Even the St Helens Chamber of Trade was against the improvement, with a Mr Taylor saying that at a time when tradesmen were running into debt, the Corporation should not be planning great expenditure. No actual rise in rates was being suggested – but everyone knew it was likely to come as an increase in council expenditure had to be funded by an increase in rates.
St Helens Corporation's additional argument to widen Knowsley Road – and connect Eccleston with the new Windlehurst council estate and Glade Hill (off Island's Brow) – was that badly-needed relief work for unemployed men would be created. Also the Government was prepared to pay 65% of the interest and sinking fund for half of the period of the loan.
However, there was scathing criticism at the meeting of suggestions that employment would be boosted, with a claim that few of the town's 4,000 out-of-work men would actually benefit from the scheme. It was also stated that when undertaking roadwork, the inexperienced unemployed man worked poorly. The Surveyor revealed that the three current relief work schemes that were improving Clock Face Road, Prescot Road and Blackbrook Road were, on average, benefitting only 86, 38 and 40 men, respectively.
In the face of such opposition, Alderman Forster surprised the meeting by withdrawing the Glade Hill part of the grand plan and other savings were suggested. The Government inspector that presided over the hearing said he would give his decision over the granting of the Corporation's loan application for the rest of the scheme in a few weeks' time. But he left with these words from the spokesman for the Chamber of Trade and Property Owners Association ringing in his ears: "You can take it with much confidence that many of the people of the town are keenly opposed in this extravagant expenditure."
Pictured above are members of the St Helens Borough Police Force in about 1920. During the previous year four police sergeants in St Helens had been downgraded – meaning their wages were reduced – for daring to put their names to a letter to their Chief Constable asking for the setting up of a Representative Board. Other towns had allowed such boards to be created in order that their police forces could hold discussions over pay and conditions. However, they probably did not have a strict Chief Constable like St Helens had!
Arthur Ellerington claimed the men hadn't followed the correct procedure by not obtaining his permission first and then submitting their letter initially to a senior officer – a really pedantic, procedural offence. After a Home Office inquiry and the men agreeing to apologise to the council's Watch Committee, the four sergeants' grades were reinstated – but Ellerington and some members of the committee were seemingly out for revenge.
At Liverpool Assizes on the 25th, Alexander Hillestrom brought an action against the St Helens Watch Committee claiming wrongful dismissal from the force. The former sergeant claimed Alderman Henry Bates, the deputy-chairman of the committee, had threatened to get his own back after the Home Office inquiry – and he was a close friend of the Chief Constable. Hillestrom was sacked for supposedly being inefficient at his job. But proving unfair dismissal was then very difficult and after a lengthy hearing the judge ruled in favour of the Watch Committee.
Windle Hall was advertised to let in the Guardian on the 27th. Its farm and 2,000 acres of "mixed shooting" land could also be let in which 50 brace of partridges could be shot in a single day. If you got tired of killing birds, you could also have fun massacring the local hares. The record number of hares shot in one day on Windle Hall land, according to the ad, was 147. Other attractions were that electric light had been installed throughout the hall and there was a billiards room and three baths using a modern hot-water supply, as distinct from a range. Outside there was a tennis court and greenhouses containing "modern vines, peaches, and nectarines".
MOTs on motor vehicles were not needed until 1960 and although in 1922 there would not have been many old cars on the roads, some would still not have been roadworthy. But getting drivers to pay for what we know as a service – and garages then called an overhaul – when there were not any obvious signs of trouble, must not have been easy. So, on the 28th, Marshall Garages of Corporation Street ran a large advert on the front of the St Helens Reporter bearing the headline "Don't Run The Risk Of A Smash Up."
The ad began: "A little attention to your car or lorry NOW may prevent a serious accident. Marshall's have competent mechanics and will make a sound job of your overhauls or repairs." Marshalls also hired out charabancs from a depot in Hardshaw Street, although they referred to their open-topped motor coach as a "chars-a-banc". So did the St Helens Automobile Engineering Co. Ltd. from their Central Garage in Parr Street.
The new Spring season for chars-a-banc trips was under way and there was strong competition amongst hirers, most of whom were offering 14 or 28-seater vehicles. Pictured above is a vehicle provided by James Bridge's firm based in Ashcroft Street in Parr. In the Automobile Engineering Co's advert in the Reporter, the public was invited to obtain a quotation to hire a coach for a minimum of half a day. However, the company also ran its own daily service to Southport and Blackpool at set times, allowing St Helens folk the opportunity of a day out at the seaside.
Another St Helens motor coach provider was T. Edmondson of Rigby Street. I last mentioned them two years ago when they were using the "chars-a-banc" spelling. However, in this week’s Reporter they were calling their vehicles "char-a-banc" and saying their speciality was "A Safe and Reliable Journey". The firm's owners must have been strong churchgoers, as Edmondsons did not do any Sunday trips, which would likely have cost them a lot of business.
During the evening of the 29th, the St Helens Labour MP, James Sexton, opened the new Windle Labour Club in Dentons Green Lane. An exhibition of billiards and entertainment from a concert party were the main opening night offerings. What was promised to be one of the finest bowling greens in the district was also being prepared. The club's advert in the Reporter for their first night said "Rally Up In Thousands!"
On May 1st the inquest into the death of James Finney from Marshalls Cross Road was held at St Helens Town Hall. The young mineworker at Sutton Heath Colliery had died in St Helens Hospital after suffering a nasty accident at work. James had been badly injured after getting his hand trapped in a descending pit cage, which dragged him down some yards before he could be thrown clear.
A curious charge of indecent assault was heard at St Helens Police Court on the 1st when Christopher Pennington appeared in the dock. The 24-year-old from Grafton Street had been sent by his employer to a tailor's shop in Bridge Street to have some work done on a coat. Pennington was directed to an upstairs room where "tailoress" Alice Denny would perform the task.
The weather was very hot and the 17-year-old girl from Peasley Cross Lane said she wished someone would pour some cold water down her back to cool her. Pennington took her idle comment literally and picked up a damp cloth and made a beeline for Alice's back. A struggle ensued in which the young woman alleged an indecent assault occurred – something the man denied, although he admitted grabbing hold of the girl but only in jest. A remarkable aspect of the case was that the magistrates spent over three hours considering it, something they would never have done in the past when justice was rapidly dispensed.
And even after three hours they didn't appear to be able to make up their minds as they committed Christopher Pennington for trial at the next Liverpool County Quarter Sessions. That usually occurred when the charge was very serious but could also happen when the magistrates wanted to "pass the buck" onto a judge and jury. The hearing was scheduled for July 11th in Islington but the case was thrown out without being investigated.
Next week's stories will include the bizarre experiment on a captive rat, the financial embarrassment of Providence Hospital, the reckless driving of a horse and cart by an old man and the "heinous crime" at Thatto Heath railway station.
When the estimates for building St Helens Town Hall were made public in the 1870s, angry protest meetings were held with ratepayers concerned that their bills would rise to pay for the grand new building. And so it was on the 25th of this week, when a public inquiry took place to consider the St Helens Council's application to borrow a total of £211,600 for badly needed road improvements, mainly in the Eccleston area. That's around £11 million in today's money and despite the meeting being held on a working day, the room in the Town Hall was crowded with furious opponents of the scheme.
Even the St Helens Chamber of Trade was against the improvement, with a Mr Taylor saying that at a time when tradesmen were running into debt, the Corporation should not be planning great expenditure. No actual rise in rates was being suggested – but everyone knew it was likely to come as an increase in council expenditure had to be funded by an increase in rates.
St Helens Corporation's additional argument to widen Knowsley Road – and connect Eccleston with the new Windlehurst council estate and Glade Hill (off Island's Brow) – was that badly-needed relief work for unemployed men would be created. Also the Government was prepared to pay 65% of the interest and sinking fund for half of the period of the loan.
However, there was scathing criticism at the meeting of suggestions that employment would be boosted, with a claim that few of the town's 4,000 out-of-work men would actually benefit from the scheme. It was also stated that when undertaking roadwork, the inexperienced unemployed man worked poorly. The Surveyor revealed that the three current relief work schemes that were improving Clock Face Road, Prescot Road and Blackbrook Road were, on average, benefitting only 86, 38 and 40 men, respectively.
In the face of such opposition, Alderman Forster surprised the meeting by withdrawing the Glade Hill part of the grand plan and other savings were suggested. The Government inspector that presided over the hearing said he would give his decision over the granting of the Corporation's loan application for the rest of the scheme in a few weeks' time. But he left with these words from the spokesman for the Chamber of Trade and Property Owners Association ringing in his ears: "You can take it with much confidence that many of the people of the town are keenly opposed in this extravagant expenditure."
Arthur Ellerington claimed the men hadn't followed the correct procedure by not obtaining his permission first and then submitting their letter initially to a senior officer – a really pedantic, procedural offence. After a Home Office inquiry and the men agreeing to apologise to the council's Watch Committee, the four sergeants' grades were reinstated – but Ellerington and some members of the committee were seemingly out for revenge.
At Liverpool Assizes on the 25th, Alexander Hillestrom brought an action against the St Helens Watch Committee claiming wrongful dismissal from the force. The former sergeant claimed Alderman Henry Bates, the deputy-chairman of the committee, had threatened to get his own back after the Home Office inquiry – and he was a close friend of the Chief Constable. Hillestrom was sacked for supposedly being inefficient at his job. But proving unfair dismissal was then very difficult and after a lengthy hearing the judge ruled in favour of the Watch Committee.
Windle Hall was advertised to let in the Guardian on the 27th. Its farm and 2,000 acres of "mixed shooting" land could also be let in which 50 brace of partridges could be shot in a single day. If you got tired of killing birds, you could also have fun massacring the local hares. The record number of hares shot in one day on Windle Hall land, according to the ad, was 147. Other attractions were that electric light had been installed throughout the hall and there was a billiards room and three baths using a modern hot-water supply, as distinct from a range. Outside there was a tennis court and greenhouses containing "modern vines, peaches, and nectarines".
MOTs on motor vehicles were not needed until 1960 and although in 1922 there would not have been many old cars on the roads, some would still not have been roadworthy. But getting drivers to pay for what we know as a service – and garages then called an overhaul – when there were not any obvious signs of trouble, must not have been easy. So, on the 28th, Marshall Garages of Corporation Street ran a large advert on the front of the St Helens Reporter bearing the headline "Don't Run The Risk Of A Smash Up."
The ad began: "A little attention to your car or lorry NOW may prevent a serious accident. Marshall's have competent mechanics and will make a sound job of your overhauls or repairs." Marshalls also hired out charabancs from a depot in Hardshaw Street, although they referred to their open-topped motor coach as a "chars-a-banc". So did the St Helens Automobile Engineering Co. Ltd. from their Central Garage in Parr Street.
Another St Helens motor coach provider was T. Edmondson of Rigby Street. I last mentioned them two years ago when they were using the "chars-a-banc" spelling. However, in this week’s Reporter they were calling their vehicles "char-a-banc" and saying their speciality was "A Safe and Reliable Journey". The firm's owners must have been strong churchgoers, as Edmondsons did not do any Sunday trips, which would likely have cost them a lot of business.
During the evening of the 29th, the St Helens Labour MP, James Sexton, opened the new Windle Labour Club in Dentons Green Lane. An exhibition of billiards and entertainment from a concert party were the main opening night offerings. What was promised to be one of the finest bowling greens in the district was also being prepared. The club's advert in the Reporter for their first night said "Rally Up In Thousands!"
On May 1st the inquest into the death of James Finney from Marshalls Cross Road was held at St Helens Town Hall. The young mineworker at Sutton Heath Colliery had died in St Helens Hospital after suffering a nasty accident at work. James had been badly injured after getting his hand trapped in a descending pit cage, which dragged him down some yards before he could be thrown clear.
A curious charge of indecent assault was heard at St Helens Police Court on the 1st when Christopher Pennington appeared in the dock. The 24-year-old from Grafton Street had been sent by his employer to a tailor's shop in Bridge Street to have some work done on a coat. Pennington was directed to an upstairs room where "tailoress" Alice Denny would perform the task.
The weather was very hot and the 17-year-old girl from Peasley Cross Lane said she wished someone would pour some cold water down her back to cool her. Pennington took her idle comment literally and picked up a damp cloth and made a beeline for Alice's back. A struggle ensued in which the young woman alleged an indecent assault occurred – something the man denied, although he admitted grabbing hold of the girl but only in jest. A remarkable aspect of the case was that the magistrates spent over three hours considering it, something they would never have done in the past when justice was rapidly dispensed.
And even after three hours they didn't appear to be able to make up their minds as they committed Christopher Pennington for trial at the next Liverpool County Quarter Sessions. That usually occurred when the charge was very serious but could also happen when the magistrates wanted to "pass the buck" onto a judge and jury. The hearing was scheduled for July 11th in Islington but the case was thrown out without being investigated.
Next week's stories will include the bizarre experiment on a captive rat, the financial embarrassment of Providence Hospital, the reckless driving of a horse and cart by an old man and the "heinous crime" at Thatto Heath railway station.
This week's stories include the curious indecent assault in a Bridge Street tailor's shop, the ratepayers' anger over proposals to improve roads in Eccleston, the new charabanc season opens in St Helens, a police sergeant claims wrongful dismissal and the opening of the new Windle Labour Club.
When the estimates for building St Helens Town Hall were made public in the 1870s, angry protest meetings were held with ratepayers concerned that their bills would rise to pay for the grand new building.
And so it was on the 25th of this week, when a public inquiry took place to consider the St Helens Council's application to borrow a total of £211,600 for badly needed road improvements, mainly in the Eccleston area.
That's around £11 million in today's money and despite the meeting being held on a working day, the room in the Town Hall was crowded with furious opponents of the scheme.
Even the St Helens Chamber of Trade was against the improvement, with a Mr Taylor saying that at a time when tradesmen were running into debt, the Corporation should not be planning great expenditure.
No actual rise in rates was being suggested – but everyone knew it was likely to come as an increase in council expenditure had to be funded by an increase in rates.
St Helens Corporation's additional argument to widen Knowsley Road – and connect Eccleston with the new Windlehurst council estate and Glade Hill (off Island's Brow) – was that badly-needed relief work for unemployed men would be created.
Also the Government was prepared to pay 65% of the interest and sinking fund for half of the period of the loan.
However, there was scathing criticism at the meeting of suggestions that employment would be boosted, with a claim that few of the town's 4,000 out-of-work men would actually benefit from the scheme.
It was also stated that when undertaking roadwork, the inexperienced unemployed man worked poorly.
The Surveyor revealed that the three current relief work schemes that were improving Clock Face Road, Prescot Road and Blackbrook Road were, on average, benefitting only 86, 38 and 40 men, respectively.
In the face of such opposition, Alderman Forster surprised the meeting by withdrawing the Glade Hill part of the grand plan and other savings were suggested.
The Government inspector that presided over the hearing said he would give his decision over the granting of the Corporation's loan application for the rest of the scheme in a few weeks' time.
But he left with these words from the spokesman for the Chamber of Trade and Property Owners Association ringing in his ears:
"You can take it with much confidence that many of the people of the town are keenly opposed in this extravagant expenditure."
Pictured above are members of the St Helens Borough Police Force in about 1920.
During the previous year four police sergeants had been downgraded – meaning their wages were reduced – for daring to put their names to a letter to their Chief Constable asking for the setting up of a Representative Board.
Other towns had allowed such boards to be created in order that their police forces could hold discussions over pay and conditions.
However, they probably did not have a strict Chief Constable like St Helens had!
Arthur Ellerington claimed the men hadn't followed the correct procedure by not obtaining his permission first and then submitting their letter initially to a senior officer – a really pedantic, procedural offence.
After a Home Office inquiry and the men agreeing to apologise to the council's Watch Committee, the four sergeants' grades were reinstated – but Ellerington and some members of the committee were seemingly out for revenge.
At Liverpool Assizes on the 25th, Alexander Hillestrom brought an action against the St Helens Watch Committee claiming wrongful dismissal from the force.
The former sergeant claimed Alderman Henry Bates, the deputy-chairman of the committee, had threatened to get his own back after the Home Office inquiry – and he was a close friend of the Chief Constable.
Hillestrom was sacked for supposedly being inefficient at his job. But proving unfair dismissal was then very difficult and after a lengthy hearing the judge ruled in favour of the Watch Committee.
Windle Hall was advertised to let in the Guardian on the 27th. Its farm and 2,000 acres of "mixed shooting" land could also be let in which 50 brace of partridges could be shot in a single day.
If you got tired of killing birds, you could also have fun massacring the local hares. The record number of hares shot in one day on Windle Hall land, according to the ad, was 147.
Other attractions were that electric light had been installed throughout the hall and there was a billiards room and three baths using a modern hot-water supply, as distinct from a range.
Outside there was a tennis court and greenhouses containing "modern vines, peaches, and nectarines".
MOTs on motor vehicles were not needed until 1960 and although in 1922 there would not have been many old cars on the roads, some would still not have been roadworthy.
But getting drivers to pay for what we know as a service – and garages then called an overhaul – when there were not any obvious signs of trouble, must not have been easy.
So, on the 28th, Marshall Garages of Corporation Street ran a large advert on the front of the St Helens Reporter bearing the headline "Don't Run The Risk Of A Smash Up." The ad began:
"A little attention to your car or lorry NOW may prevent a serious accident. Marshall's have competent mechanics and will make a sound job of your overhauls or repairs."
Marshalls also hired out charabancs from a depot in Hardshaw Street, although they referred to their open-topped motor coach as a "chars-a-banc".
So did the St Helens Automobile Engineering Co. Ltd. from their Central Garage in Parr Street.
The new Spring season for chars-a-banc trips was under way and there was strong competition amongst hirers, most of whom were offering 14 or 28-seater vehicles.
Pictured above is a vehicle provided by James Bridge's firm based in Ashcroft Street in Parr.
In the Automobile Engineering Co's advert in the St Helens Reporter the public was invited to obtain a quotation to hire a coach for a minimum of half a day.
However, the company also ran its own daily service to Southport and Blackpool at set times, allowing St Helens folk the opportunity of a day out at the seaside.
Another St Helens motor coach provider was T. Edmondson of Rigby Street. I last mentioned them two years ago when they were using the "chars-a-banc" spelling.
However, in this week’s Reporter they were calling their vehicles "char-a-banc" and saying their speciality was "A Safe and Reliable Journey".
The firm's owners must have been strong churchgoers, as Edmondsons did not do any Sunday trips, which would likely have cost them a lot of business.
During the evening of the 29th, the St Helens Labour MP, James Sexton, opened the new Windle Labour Club in Dentons Green Lane.
An exhibition of billiards and entertainment from a concert party were the main opening night offerings.
What was promised to be one of the finest bowling greens in the district was also being prepared.
The club's advert in the Reporter for their first night said "Rally Up In Thousands!"
On May 1st the inquest into the death of James Finney from Marshalls Cross Road was held at St Helens Town Hall.
The young mineworker at Sutton Heath Colliery had died in St Helens Hospital after suffering a nasty accident at work.
James had been badly injured after getting his hand trapped in a descending pit cage, which dragged him down some yards before he could be thrown clear.
A curious charge of indecent assault was heard at St Helens Police Court on the 1st when Christopher Pennington appeared in the dock.
The 24-year-old from Grafton Street had been sent by his employer to a tailor's shop in Bridge Street to have some work done on a coat.
Pennington was directed to an upstairs room where "tailoress" Alice Denny would perform the task.
The weather was very hot and the 17-year-old girl from Peasley Cross Lane said she wished someone would pour some cold water down her back to cool her.
Pennington took her idle comment literally and picked up a damp cloth and made a beeline for Alice's back.
A struggle ensued in which the young woman alleged an indecent assault occurred – something the man denied, although he admitted grabbing hold of the girl but only in jest.
A remarkable aspect of the case was that the magistrates spent over three hours considering it, something they would never have done in the past when justice was rapidly dispensed.
And even after three hours they didn't appear to be able to make up their minds as they committed Christopher Pennington for trial at the next Liverpool County Quarter Sessions.
That usually occurred when the charge was very serious but could also happen when the magistrates wanted to "pass the buck" onto a judge and jury.
The hearing was scheduled for July 11th in Islington but the case was thrown out without being investigated.
Next week's stories will include the bizarre experiment on a captive rat, the financial embarrassment of Providence Hospital, the reckless driving of a horse and cart by an old man and the "heinous crime" at Thatto Heath railway station.
When the estimates for building St Helens Town Hall were made public in the 1870s, angry protest meetings were held with ratepayers concerned that their bills would rise to pay for the grand new building.
And so it was on the 25th of this week, when a public inquiry took place to consider the St Helens Council's application to borrow a total of £211,600 for badly needed road improvements, mainly in the Eccleston area.
That's around £11 million in today's money and despite the meeting being held on a working day, the room in the Town Hall was crowded with furious opponents of the scheme.
Even the St Helens Chamber of Trade was against the improvement, with a Mr Taylor saying that at a time when tradesmen were running into debt, the Corporation should not be planning great expenditure.
No actual rise in rates was being suggested – but everyone knew it was likely to come as an increase in council expenditure had to be funded by an increase in rates.
St Helens Corporation's additional argument to widen Knowsley Road – and connect Eccleston with the new Windlehurst council estate and Glade Hill (off Island's Brow) – was that badly-needed relief work for unemployed men would be created.
Also the Government was prepared to pay 65% of the interest and sinking fund for half of the period of the loan.
However, there was scathing criticism at the meeting of suggestions that employment would be boosted, with a claim that few of the town's 4,000 out-of-work men would actually benefit from the scheme.
It was also stated that when undertaking roadwork, the inexperienced unemployed man worked poorly.
The Surveyor revealed that the three current relief work schemes that were improving Clock Face Road, Prescot Road and Blackbrook Road were, on average, benefitting only 86, 38 and 40 men, respectively.
In the face of such opposition, Alderman Forster surprised the meeting by withdrawing the Glade Hill part of the grand plan and other savings were suggested.
The Government inspector that presided over the hearing said he would give his decision over the granting of the Corporation's loan application for the rest of the scheme in a few weeks' time.
But he left with these words from the spokesman for the Chamber of Trade and Property Owners Association ringing in his ears:
"You can take it with much confidence that many of the people of the town are keenly opposed in this extravagant expenditure."
During the previous year four police sergeants had been downgraded – meaning their wages were reduced – for daring to put their names to a letter to their Chief Constable asking for the setting up of a Representative Board.
Other towns had allowed such boards to be created in order that their police forces could hold discussions over pay and conditions.
However, they probably did not have a strict Chief Constable like St Helens had!
Arthur Ellerington claimed the men hadn't followed the correct procedure by not obtaining his permission first and then submitting their letter initially to a senior officer – a really pedantic, procedural offence.
After a Home Office inquiry and the men agreeing to apologise to the council's Watch Committee, the four sergeants' grades were reinstated – but Ellerington and some members of the committee were seemingly out for revenge.
At Liverpool Assizes on the 25th, Alexander Hillestrom brought an action against the St Helens Watch Committee claiming wrongful dismissal from the force.
The former sergeant claimed Alderman Henry Bates, the deputy-chairman of the committee, had threatened to get his own back after the Home Office inquiry – and he was a close friend of the Chief Constable.
Hillestrom was sacked for supposedly being inefficient at his job. But proving unfair dismissal was then very difficult and after a lengthy hearing the judge ruled in favour of the Watch Committee.
Windle Hall was advertised to let in the Guardian on the 27th. Its farm and 2,000 acres of "mixed shooting" land could also be let in which 50 brace of partridges could be shot in a single day.
If you got tired of killing birds, you could also have fun massacring the local hares. The record number of hares shot in one day on Windle Hall land, according to the ad, was 147.
Other attractions were that electric light had been installed throughout the hall and there was a billiards room and three baths using a modern hot-water supply, as distinct from a range.
Outside there was a tennis court and greenhouses containing "modern vines, peaches, and nectarines".
MOTs on motor vehicles were not needed until 1960 and although in 1922 there would not have been many old cars on the roads, some would still not have been roadworthy.
But getting drivers to pay for what we know as a service – and garages then called an overhaul – when there were not any obvious signs of trouble, must not have been easy.
So, on the 28th, Marshall Garages of Corporation Street ran a large advert on the front of the St Helens Reporter bearing the headline "Don't Run The Risk Of A Smash Up." The ad began:
"A little attention to your car or lorry NOW may prevent a serious accident. Marshall's have competent mechanics and will make a sound job of your overhauls or repairs."
Marshalls also hired out charabancs from a depot in Hardshaw Street, although they referred to their open-topped motor coach as a "chars-a-banc".
So did the St Helens Automobile Engineering Co. Ltd. from their Central Garage in Parr Street.
Pictured above is a vehicle provided by James Bridge's firm based in Ashcroft Street in Parr.
In the Automobile Engineering Co's advert in the St Helens Reporter the public was invited to obtain a quotation to hire a coach for a minimum of half a day.
However, the company also ran its own daily service to Southport and Blackpool at set times, allowing St Helens folk the opportunity of a day out at the seaside.
Another St Helens motor coach provider was T. Edmondson of Rigby Street. I last mentioned them two years ago when they were using the "chars-a-banc" spelling.
However, in this week’s Reporter they were calling their vehicles "char-a-banc" and saying their speciality was "A Safe and Reliable Journey".
The firm's owners must have been strong churchgoers, as Edmondsons did not do any Sunday trips, which would likely have cost them a lot of business.
During the evening of the 29th, the St Helens Labour MP, James Sexton, opened the new Windle Labour Club in Dentons Green Lane.
An exhibition of billiards and entertainment from a concert party were the main opening night offerings.
What was promised to be one of the finest bowling greens in the district was also being prepared.
The club's advert in the Reporter for their first night said "Rally Up In Thousands!"
On May 1st the inquest into the death of James Finney from Marshalls Cross Road was held at St Helens Town Hall.
The young mineworker at Sutton Heath Colliery had died in St Helens Hospital after suffering a nasty accident at work.
James had been badly injured after getting his hand trapped in a descending pit cage, which dragged him down some yards before he could be thrown clear.
A curious charge of indecent assault was heard at St Helens Police Court on the 1st when Christopher Pennington appeared in the dock.
The 24-year-old from Grafton Street had been sent by his employer to a tailor's shop in Bridge Street to have some work done on a coat.
Pennington was directed to an upstairs room where "tailoress" Alice Denny would perform the task.
The weather was very hot and the 17-year-old girl from Peasley Cross Lane said she wished someone would pour some cold water down her back to cool her.
Pennington took her idle comment literally and picked up a damp cloth and made a beeline for Alice's back.
A struggle ensued in which the young woman alleged an indecent assault occurred – something the man denied, although he admitted grabbing hold of the girl but only in jest.
A remarkable aspect of the case was that the magistrates spent over three hours considering it, something they would never have done in the past when justice was rapidly dispensed.
And even after three hours they didn't appear to be able to make up their minds as they committed Christopher Pennington for trial at the next Liverpool County Quarter Sessions.
That usually occurred when the charge was very serious but could also happen when the magistrates wanted to "pass the buck" onto a judge and jury.
The hearing was scheduled for July 11th in Islington but the case was thrown out without being investigated.
Next week's stories will include the bizarre experiment on a captive rat, the financial embarrassment of Providence Hospital, the reckless driving of a horse and cart by an old man and the "heinous crime" at Thatto Heath railway station.