IOO YEARS AGO THIS WEEK 28 APRIL - 4 MAY 1925
This week's many stories include the Eccleston Park dog bought by mail order, the adulterated milk found at Shaw Street Station, the genesis of Hamblett School is discussed, inquests are held into two unusual deaths, a priest from Sutton Monastery delivers a damning talk on morality at the Hippodrome, the Bishop of Liverpool makes his first visit to All Saints in Sutton and the vulnerable man in court labelled driftwood and a wastrel.
There were many ex-soldiers still suffering in St Helens through their experiences in the war. It is impossible to say just how many were enduring physical or mental problems because they were a forgotten bunch expected to make the best of it.
But William Jennion's suffering was now at an end, as on the 29th his funeral was held at St Helens Cemetery. The 27-year-old from Dunriding Lane was injured during the war and then been in what was described as failing health ever since.
At Whiston on the 29th the inquests into two unusual deaths were held. Although one man had died after a fall in his home and the other as the result of a railway accident, both had some uncertainty as to what had been their cause.
A train travelling near Union Bridge at Bold had knocked down Charles Woods. The 68-year-old lived at what was stated as Clock Face Court and was described by his brother as having been in poor health after enduring two strokes last November. That fact increased the chances of suicide but the brother said Charles was also near-sighted.
And the driver of the train that struck him said after blowing his whistle the man appeared dazed and unable to get out of the way of the train. Suicide in this case seemed less likely and so a verdict of misadventure was brought in.
And William Bridge had died at his Westfield Street home after falling down the stairs. His health had been poor for the last three years and recently he'd had an operation on his eyes for cataracts and had since been suffering from delusions.
When William's wife found him lying at the foot of their stairs, he told her that he had leaned over the banister and let himself fall over "in order to save you and the kiddies". The underlying cause of death appeared clearer in this case and a verdict of suicide was returned.
There was a curious court case on May 1st involving a mail order dog. Arthur May of Laurel Street in Bradford was in the dock in St Helens Police Court charged with obtaining £3 10 shillings by false pretences. John Bratt of Old Lane in Eccleston Park had seen an advert in which Mr May was offering for sale a dog that he claimed was young and suitable as a guard dog in the house.
And so he sent the man 70 shillings but the animal that he received in exchange (presumably not in the post!) was, he considered, old and deaf. A vet reckoned the mutt was at least five years old and so clearly not ancient. But he concluded that the dog was listless and far from being alert as a watchdog should be. May was fined £10 or if in default had to serve six weeks in prison.
The authorities and the newspapers could be quite disparaging about vulnerable people. In 1919 when John Kay appeared in St Helens Police Court the town's Chief Constable called him a "wastrel". This is how the Reporter described the man's court appearance this week:
"Of the queer kind of driftwood that floats occasionally through the local Police Court, John Henry Kay is about the most puzzling. He appeared at Friday's Court wearing a blanket round his shoulders, a three days' growth of beard on his chin, and a wild gleam in his eyes. Discovered by the police in Church-street at midnight minus coat and vest, he appeared to have a striking dislike for saying anything about himself. “What are you doing walking the streets at midnight dressed like that?”, asked the constable.
"“Oh, I don't know where I am going; I don't know where I came from and I don't know my name,” retorted Kay, and the constable, thinking he would be better off “under the clock,” decided to lock him up. Kay's fortunes were obviously at a low ebb, only a penny being found in his possession."
"Under the clock" referred to the police station under the town hall clock. And so the man was locked up essentially for not wearing a coat late at night. The police did not initially know who the man was and did not believe his claim that he did not know his name. In court Kay was charged with wandering abroad without visible means of support.
The Chairman asked him where he lived and he replied that he didn't know. Superintendent Dunn then said: "He has no permanent address. He is only a wanderer. He has been in the workhouse during the last few weeks." The workhouse was now known as Whiston Institution but it still expected its inmates to do some work. Kay had refused to do any labour and had been sent to prison. The magistrates decided to remand the man in custody so he could have a medical examination.
H & E Williams the "progressive house furnishers" of Cotham Street and Duke Street had this ad in the St Helens Reporter on May 1st: "Spring Is Here – Wage War on Dust. Have your carpets dust freed and sanitised by our latest hygienic method, which prolongs their life, revives the colours, and is a sure preventative against MOTH. Prices from 3/- per Carpet. Collected & delivered free."
Another ad said: "For correct time buy Hewitt's Watches and Clocks – All sound workmanship – reliable and splendid value." The Church Street jeweller's was also selling gold expanding bracelet watches from £2 19s; gents watches in solid gold from £7 5 shillings or just a basic metal watch for 4 bob.
The Hippodrome like the Theatre Royal and the town's cinemas was not allowed to open on Sundays unless the performance was religious in nature. Usually these came under the banner of sacred concerts. However, the Reporter described how last Sunday at the Hippodrome there had been an "inspiring and instructive address" delivered by a priest from Sutton Monastery (pictured above).
Father Pius had "gripped the audience for over half an hour with an earnest and eloquent speech, enlivened every now and again with flashes of bright wit, followed by the thunder of denunciation." And immorality figured highly in his lecture in which Fr Pius damned some recent "disgusting society cases" involving adultery that had been in the courts and he stated that such persons had no idea of the "malice of sin".
At the same time the Bishop of Liverpool, Dr David, made his first visit to All Saints Church in Sutton and received a welcoming guard of honour from Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. The Ellamsbridge Road church was crowded to listen to what sounded like a less fiery sermon on the subject of inspiring leadership.
Every now and then the authorities conducted spot checks on milk producers and retailers. Samples of milk were taken and analysed to see that the required amount of fat was present and that the amount of water did not exceed permitted levels. Or, to put it more bluntly, the authorities wanted to check that the producer had not been doctoring the milk. Adulteration used to be quite common but by the 1920s most dairy producers realised that it was not worth the risk. Not only did it lead to a hefty fine but reputational damage as well.
When John Wilcock appeared at the St Helens Police Court this week accused of adding water to his milk, it was revealed that the prosecution had led to his big contract with the St Helens Co-operative Society being cancelled. Samples of the milk had been taken on two separate dates upon their arrival at Shaw Street Station. As well as added water the public analyst also detected traces of dirt in the milk, including straw and dung. The farmer from Garstang was fined £10, plus costs.
In March 1924 St Helens Health Committee had decided that a detailed proposal should be submitted for the purpose of establishing an open-air school for delicate children. Then in July a report was made into a visit by three of their members to a conference organised by the National Association for the Prevention of Infantile Mortality.
The committee's chairman, Dr Henry Bates, said the visit had cast a strong impression on him of the beneficial effects of sunlight and the positive impact of open-air schools. But Cllr. Ellison in response said that they all agreed as to the benefits of fresh air but if they suggested anything of that kind to mothers all too often they would not agree.
However, on the 4th it was decided that the scheme would proceed and steps taken to acquire a site for an open-air school that could accommodate 100 delicate children that required special care. It become known as Hamblett School but it would take four more years before the institution in Rainford Road would open.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include Holy Cross Church's May Queen ceremony, the furniture polish fraudster, the illegal football playing near Knowsley Road and Pimple the second most popular film comic after Chaplin performs at the Hippodrome.
There were many ex-soldiers still suffering in St Helens through their experiences in the war. It is impossible to say just how many were enduring physical or mental problems because they were a forgotten bunch expected to make the best of it.
But William Jennion's suffering was now at an end, as on the 29th his funeral was held at St Helens Cemetery. The 27-year-old from Dunriding Lane was injured during the war and then been in what was described as failing health ever since.
At Whiston on the 29th the inquests into two unusual deaths were held. Although one man had died after a fall in his home and the other as the result of a railway accident, both had some uncertainty as to what had been their cause.
A train travelling near Union Bridge at Bold had knocked down Charles Woods. The 68-year-old lived at what was stated as Clock Face Court and was described by his brother as having been in poor health after enduring two strokes last November. That fact increased the chances of suicide but the brother said Charles was also near-sighted.
And the driver of the train that struck him said after blowing his whistle the man appeared dazed and unable to get out of the way of the train. Suicide in this case seemed less likely and so a verdict of misadventure was brought in.
And William Bridge had died at his Westfield Street home after falling down the stairs. His health had been poor for the last three years and recently he'd had an operation on his eyes for cataracts and had since been suffering from delusions.
When William's wife found him lying at the foot of their stairs, he told her that he had leaned over the banister and let himself fall over "in order to save you and the kiddies". The underlying cause of death appeared clearer in this case and a verdict of suicide was returned.
There was a curious court case on May 1st involving a mail order dog. Arthur May of Laurel Street in Bradford was in the dock in St Helens Police Court charged with obtaining £3 10 shillings by false pretences. John Bratt of Old Lane in Eccleston Park had seen an advert in which Mr May was offering for sale a dog that he claimed was young and suitable as a guard dog in the house.
And so he sent the man 70 shillings but the animal that he received in exchange (presumably not in the post!) was, he considered, old and deaf. A vet reckoned the mutt was at least five years old and so clearly not ancient. But he concluded that the dog was listless and far from being alert as a watchdog should be. May was fined £10 or if in default had to serve six weeks in prison.
The authorities and the newspapers could be quite disparaging about vulnerable people. In 1919 when John Kay appeared in St Helens Police Court the town's Chief Constable called him a "wastrel". This is how the Reporter described the man's court appearance this week:
"Of the queer kind of driftwood that floats occasionally through the local Police Court, John Henry Kay is about the most puzzling. He appeared at Friday's Court wearing a blanket round his shoulders, a three days' growth of beard on his chin, and a wild gleam in his eyes. Discovered by the police in Church-street at midnight minus coat and vest, he appeared to have a striking dislike for saying anything about himself. “What are you doing walking the streets at midnight dressed like that?”, asked the constable.
"“Oh, I don't know where I am going; I don't know where I came from and I don't know my name,” retorted Kay, and the constable, thinking he would be better off “under the clock,” decided to lock him up. Kay's fortunes were obviously at a low ebb, only a penny being found in his possession."
"Under the clock" referred to the police station under the town hall clock. And so the man was locked up essentially for not wearing a coat late at night. The police did not initially know who the man was and did not believe his claim that he did not know his name. In court Kay was charged with wandering abroad without visible means of support.
The Chairman asked him where he lived and he replied that he didn't know. Superintendent Dunn then said: "He has no permanent address. He is only a wanderer. He has been in the workhouse during the last few weeks." The workhouse was now known as Whiston Institution but it still expected its inmates to do some work. Kay had refused to do any labour and had been sent to prison. The magistrates decided to remand the man in custody so he could have a medical examination.
H & E Williams the "progressive house furnishers" of Cotham Street and Duke Street had this ad in the St Helens Reporter on May 1st: "Spring Is Here – Wage War on Dust. Have your carpets dust freed and sanitised by our latest hygienic method, which prolongs their life, revives the colours, and is a sure preventative against MOTH. Prices from 3/- per Carpet. Collected & delivered free."
Another ad said: "For correct time buy Hewitt's Watches and Clocks – All sound workmanship – reliable and splendid value." The Church Street jeweller's was also selling gold expanding bracelet watches from £2 19s; gents watches in solid gold from £7 5 shillings or just a basic metal watch for 4 bob.
Father Pius had "gripped the audience for over half an hour with an earnest and eloquent speech, enlivened every now and again with flashes of bright wit, followed by the thunder of denunciation." And immorality figured highly in his lecture in which Fr Pius damned some recent "disgusting society cases" involving adultery that had been in the courts and he stated that such persons had no idea of the "malice of sin".
At the same time the Bishop of Liverpool, Dr David, made his first visit to All Saints Church in Sutton and received a welcoming guard of honour from Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. The Ellamsbridge Road church was crowded to listen to what sounded like a less fiery sermon on the subject of inspiring leadership.
Every now and then the authorities conducted spot checks on milk producers and retailers. Samples of milk were taken and analysed to see that the required amount of fat was present and that the amount of water did not exceed permitted levels. Or, to put it more bluntly, the authorities wanted to check that the producer had not been doctoring the milk. Adulteration used to be quite common but by the 1920s most dairy producers realised that it was not worth the risk. Not only did it lead to a hefty fine but reputational damage as well.
When John Wilcock appeared at the St Helens Police Court this week accused of adding water to his milk, it was revealed that the prosecution had led to his big contract with the St Helens Co-operative Society being cancelled. Samples of the milk had been taken on two separate dates upon their arrival at Shaw Street Station. As well as added water the public analyst also detected traces of dirt in the milk, including straw and dung. The farmer from Garstang was fined £10, plus costs.
In March 1924 St Helens Health Committee had decided that a detailed proposal should be submitted for the purpose of establishing an open-air school for delicate children. Then in July a report was made into a visit by three of their members to a conference organised by the National Association for the Prevention of Infantile Mortality.
The committee's chairman, Dr Henry Bates, said the visit had cast a strong impression on him of the beneficial effects of sunlight and the positive impact of open-air schools. But Cllr. Ellison in response said that they all agreed as to the benefits of fresh air but if they suggested anything of that kind to mothers all too often they would not agree.
However, on the 4th it was decided that the scheme would proceed and steps taken to acquire a site for an open-air school that could accommodate 100 delicate children that required special care. It become known as Hamblett School but it would take four more years before the institution in Rainford Road would open.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include Holy Cross Church's May Queen ceremony, the furniture polish fraudster, the illegal football playing near Knowsley Road and Pimple the second most popular film comic after Chaplin performs at the Hippodrome.
This week's many stories include the Eccleston Park dog bought by mail order, the adulterated milk found at Shaw Street Station, the genesis of Hamblett School is discussed, inquests are held into two unusual deaths, a priest from Sutton Monastery delivers a damning talk on morality at the Hippodrome, the Bishop of Liverpool makes his first visit to All Saints in Sutton and the vulnerable man in court labelled driftwood and a wastrel.
There were many ex-soldiers still suffering in St Helens through their experiences in the war.
It is impossible to say just how many were enduring physical or mental problems because they were a forgotten bunch expected to make the best of it.
But William Jennion's suffering was now at an end, as on the 29th his funeral was held at St Helens Cemetery.
The 27-year-old from Dunriding Lane was injured during the war and then been in what was described as failing health ever since.
At Whiston on the 29th the inquests into two unusual deaths were held.
Although one man had died after a fall in his home and the other as the result of a railway accident, both had some uncertainty as to what had been their cause.
A train travelling near Union Bridge at Bold had knocked down Charles Woods.
The 68-year-old lived at what was stated as Clock Face Court and was described by his brother as having been in poor health after enduring two strokes last November.
That fact increased the chances of suicide but the brother said Charles was also near-sighted.
And the driver of the train that struck him said after blowing his whistle the man appeared dazed and unable to get out of the way of the train.
Suicide in this case seemed less likely and so a verdict of misadventure was brought in.
And William Bridge had died at his Westfield Street home after falling down the stairs.
His health had been poor for the last three years and recently he'd had an operation on his eyes for cataracts and had since been suffering from delusions.
When William's wife found him lying at the foot of their stairs, he told her that he had leaned over the banister and let himself fall over "in order to save you and the kiddies".
The underlying cause of death appeared clearer in this case and a verdict of suicide was returned.
There was a curious court case on May 1st involving a mail order dog. Arthur May of Laurel Street in Bradford was in the dock in St Helens Police Court charged with obtaining £3 10 shillings by false pretences.
John Bratt of Old Lane in Eccleston Park had seen an advert in which Mr May was offering for sale a dog that he claimed was young and suitable as a guard dog in the house.
And so he sent the man 70 shillings but the animal that he received in exchange (presumably not in the post!) was, he considered, old and deaf.
A vet reckoned the mutt was at least five years old and so clearly not ancient. But he concluded that the dog was listless and far from being alert as a watchdog should be.
May was fined £10 or if in default had to serve six weeks in prison.
The authorities and the newspapers could be quite disparaging about vulnerable people.
In 1919 when John Kay appeared in St Helens Police Court the town's Chief Constable called him a "wastrel". This is how the Reporter described the man's court appearance this week:
"Of the queer kind of driftwood that floats occasionally through the local Police Court, John Henry Kay is about the most puzzling. He appeared at Friday's Court wearing a blanket round his shoulders, a three days' growth of beard on his chin, and a wild gleam in his eyes.
"Discovered by the police in Church-street at midnight minus coat and vest, he appeared to have a striking dislike for saying anything about himself. “What are you doing walking the streets at midnight dressed like that?”, asked the constable.
"“Oh, I don't know where I am going; I don't know where I came from and I don't know my name,” retorted Kay, and the constable, thinking he would be better off “under the clock,” decided to lock him up.
"Kay's fortunes were obviously at a low ebb, only a penny being found in his possession."
"Under the clock" referred to the police station under the town hall clock.
And so the man was locked up essentially for not wearing a coat late at night.
The police did not initially know who the man was and did not believe his claim that he did not know his name.
In court Kay was charged with wandering abroad without visible means of support.
The Chairman asked him where he lived and he replied that he didn't know. Superintendent Dunn then said:
"He has no permanent address. He is only a wanderer. He has been in the workhouse during the last few weeks."
The workhouse was now known as Whiston Institution but it still expected its inmates to do some work. Kay had refused to do any labour and had been sent to prison.
The magistrates decided to remand the man in custody so he could have a medical examination.
H & E Williams the "progressive house furnishers" of Cotham Street and Duke Street had this ad in the St Helens Reporter on May 1st:
"Spring Is Here – Wage War on Dust. Have your carpets dust freed and sanitised by our latest hygienic method, which prolongs their life, revives the colours, and is a sure preventative against MOTH. Prices from 3/- per Carpet. Collected & delivered free."
Another ad said: "For correct time buy Hewitt's Watches and Clocks – All sound workmanship – reliable and splendid value."
The Church Street jeweller's was also selling gold expanding bracelet watches from £2 19s; gents watches in solid gold from £7 5 shillings or just a basic metal watch for 4 bob.
The Hippodrome like the Theatre Royal and the town's cinemas was not allowed to open on Sundays unless the performance was religious in nature.
Usually these came under the banner of sacred concerts. However, the Reporter described how last Sunday at the Hippodrome there had been an "inspiring and instructive address" delivered by a priest from Sutton Monastery (pictured above).
Father Pius had "gripped the audience for over half an hour with an earnest and eloquent speech, enlivened every now and again with flashes of bright wit, followed by the thunder of denunciation."
And immorality figured highly in his lecture in which Fr Pius damned some recent "disgusting society cases" involving adultery that had been in the courts and he stated that such persons had no idea of the "malice of sin".
At the same time the Bishop of Liverpool, Dr David, made his first visit to All Saints Church in Sutton and received a welcoming guard of honour from Boy Scouts and Girl Guides.
The Ellamsbridge Road church was crowded to listen to what sounded like a less fiery sermon on the subject of inspiring leadership.
Every now and then the authorities conducted spot checks on milk producers and retailers. Samples of milk were taken and analysed to see that the required amount of fat was present and that the amount of water did not exceed permitted levels.
Or, to put it more bluntly, the authorities wanted to check that the producer had not been doctoring the milk.
Adulteration used to be quite common but by the 1920s most dairy producers realised that it was not worth the risk.
Not only did it lead to a hefty fine but reputational damage as well.
When John Wilcock appeared at the St Helens Police Court this week accused of adding water to his milk, it was revealed that the prosecution had led to his big contract with the St Helens Co-operative Society being cancelled.
Samples of the milk had been taken on two separate dates upon their arrival at Shaw Street Station.
As well as added water the public analyst also detected traces of dirt in the milk, including straw and dung. The farmer from Garstang was fined £10, plus costs.
In March 1924 St Helens Health Committee had decided that a detailed proposal should be submitted for the purpose of establishing an open-air school for delicate children.
Then in July a report was made into a visit by three of their members to a conference organised by the National Association for the Prevention of Infantile Mortality.
The committee's chairman, Dr Henry Bates, said the visit had cast a strong impression on him of the beneficial effects of sunlight and the positive impact of open-air schools.
But Cllr. Ellison in response said that they all agreed as to the benefits of fresh air but if they suggested anything of that kind to mothers all too often they would not agree.
However, on the 4th it was decided that the scheme would proceed and steps taken to acquire a site for an open-air school that could accommodate 100 delicate children that required special care.
It become known as Hamblett School but it would take four more years before the institution in Rainford Road would open.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include Holy Cross Church's May Queen ceremony, the furniture polish fraudster, the illegal football playing near Knowsley Road and Pimple the second most popular film comic after Chaplin performs at the Hippodrome.
There were many ex-soldiers still suffering in St Helens through their experiences in the war.
It is impossible to say just how many were enduring physical or mental problems because they were a forgotten bunch expected to make the best of it.
But William Jennion's suffering was now at an end, as on the 29th his funeral was held at St Helens Cemetery.
The 27-year-old from Dunriding Lane was injured during the war and then been in what was described as failing health ever since.
At Whiston on the 29th the inquests into two unusual deaths were held.
Although one man had died after a fall in his home and the other as the result of a railway accident, both had some uncertainty as to what had been their cause.
A train travelling near Union Bridge at Bold had knocked down Charles Woods.
The 68-year-old lived at what was stated as Clock Face Court and was described by his brother as having been in poor health after enduring two strokes last November.
That fact increased the chances of suicide but the brother said Charles was also near-sighted.
And the driver of the train that struck him said after blowing his whistle the man appeared dazed and unable to get out of the way of the train.
Suicide in this case seemed less likely and so a verdict of misadventure was brought in.
And William Bridge had died at his Westfield Street home after falling down the stairs.
His health had been poor for the last three years and recently he'd had an operation on his eyes for cataracts and had since been suffering from delusions.
When William's wife found him lying at the foot of their stairs, he told her that he had leaned over the banister and let himself fall over "in order to save you and the kiddies".
The underlying cause of death appeared clearer in this case and a verdict of suicide was returned.
There was a curious court case on May 1st involving a mail order dog. Arthur May of Laurel Street in Bradford was in the dock in St Helens Police Court charged with obtaining £3 10 shillings by false pretences.
John Bratt of Old Lane in Eccleston Park had seen an advert in which Mr May was offering for sale a dog that he claimed was young and suitable as a guard dog in the house.
And so he sent the man 70 shillings but the animal that he received in exchange (presumably not in the post!) was, he considered, old and deaf.
A vet reckoned the mutt was at least five years old and so clearly not ancient. But he concluded that the dog was listless and far from being alert as a watchdog should be.
May was fined £10 or if in default had to serve six weeks in prison.
The authorities and the newspapers could be quite disparaging about vulnerable people.
In 1919 when John Kay appeared in St Helens Police Court the town's Chief Constable called him a "wastrel". This is how the Reporter described the man's court appearance this week:
"Of the queer kind of driftwood that floats occasionally through the local Police Court, John Henry Kay is about the most puzzling. He appeared at Friday's Court wearing a blanket round his shoulders, a three days' growth of beard on his chin, and a wild gleam in his eyes.
"Discovered by the police in Church-street at midnight minus coat and vest, he appeared to have a striking dislike for saying anything about himself. “What are you doing walking the streets at midnight dressed like that?”, asked the constable.
"“Oh, I don't know where I am going; I don't know where I came from and I don't know my name,” retorted Kay, and the constable, thinking he would be better off “under the clock,” decided to lock him up.
"Kay's fortunes were obviously at a low ebb, only a penny being found in his possession."
"Under the clock" referred to the police station under the town hall clock.
And so the man was locked up essentially for not wearing a coat late at night.
The police did not initially know who the man was and did not believe his claim that he did not know his name.
In court Kay was charged with wandering abroad without visible means of support.
The Chairman asked him where he lived and he replied that he didn't know. Superintendent Dunn then said:
"He has no permanent address. He is only a wanderer. He has been in the workhouse during the last few weeks."
The workhouse was now known as Whiston Institution but it still expected its inmates to do some work. Kay had refused to do any labour and had been sent to prison.
The magistrates decided to remand the man in custody so he could have a medical examination.
H & E Williams the "progressive house furnishers" of Cotham Street and Duke Street had this ad in the St Helens Reporter on May 1st:
"Spring Is Here – Wage War on Dust. Have your carpets dust freed and sanitised by our latest hygienic method, which prolongs their life, revives the colours, and is a sure preventative against MOTH. Prices from 3/- per Carpet. Collected & delivered free."
Another ad said: "For correct time buy Hewitt's Watches and Clocks – All sound workmanship – reliable and splendid value."
The Church Street jeweller's was also selling gold expanding bracelet watches from £2 19s; gents watches in solid gold from £7 5 shillings or just a basic metal watch for 4 bob.
The Hippodrome like the Theatre Royal and the town's cinemas was not allowed to open on Sundays unless the performance was religious in nature.
Father Pius had "gripped the audience for over half an hour with an earnest and eloquent speech, enlivened every now and again with flashes of bright wit, followed by the thunder of denunciation."
And immorality figured highly in his lecture in which Fr Pius damned some recent "disgusting society cases" involving adultery that had been in the courts and he stated that such persons had no idea of the "malice of sin".
At the same time the Bishop of Liverpool, Dr David, made his first visit to All Saints Church in Sutton and received a welcoming guard of honour from Boy Scouts and Girl Guides.
The Ellamsbridge Road church was crowded to listen to what sounded like a less fiery sermon on the subject of inspiring leadership.
Every now and then the authorities conducted spot checks on milk producers and retailers. Samples of milk were taken and analysed to see that the required amount of fat was present and that the amount of water did not exceed permitted levels.
Or, to put it more bluntly, the authorities wanted to check that the producer had not been doctoring the milk.
Adulteration used to be quite common but by the 1920s most dairy producers realised that it was not worth the risk.
Not only did it lead to a hefty fine but reputational damage as well.
When John Wilcock appeared at the St Helens Police Court this week accused of adding water to his milk, it was revealed that the prosecution had led to his big contract with the St Helens Co-operative Society being cancelled.
Samples of the milk had been taken on two separate dates upon their arrival at Shaw Street Station.
As well as added water the public analyst also detected traces of dirt in the milk, including straw and dung. The farmer from Garstang was fined £10, plus costs.
In March 1924 St Helens Health Committee had decided that a detailed proposal should be submitted for the purpose of establishing an open-air school for delicate children.
Then in July a report was made into a visit by three of their members to a conference organised by the National Association for the Prevention of Infantile Mortality.
The committee's chairman, Dr Henry Bates, said the visit had cast a strong impression on him of the beneficial effects of sunlight and the positive impact of open-air schools.
But Cllr. Ellison in response said that they all agreed as to the benefits of fresh air but if they suggested anything of that kind to mothers all too often they would not agree.
However, on the 4th it was decided that the scheme would proceed and steps taken to acquire a site for an open-air school that could accommodate 100 delicate children that required special care.
It become known as Hamblett School but it would take four more years before the institution in Rainford Road would open.
St Helens Reporter courtesy St Helens Archive Service at Eccleston Library
Next Week's stories will include Holy Cross Church's May Queen ceremony, the furniture polish fraudster, the illegal football playing near Knowsley Road and Pimple the second most popular film comic after Chaplin performs at the Hippodrome.