Berwick Advertiser - 100 years ago Archives

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 3RD JUNE 1926

05/06/2026 by Northumberland Archives

THE COAL CRISIS

LORD JOICEY ATTRIBUTES IT TO 7 HOUR DAY

The survey of the coal situation made by the Lord Joicey at the annual meeting of the Newcastle and Gateshead Chamber of Commerce- when he was unanimously re-elected president- is worthy of special attention.

“I do not think,” he said, “that many people really know the cause of the coal trouble. In my judgement, it was caused chiefly by the passing of the Seven Hours Act in 1919, which compelled coal owners to employ 280,000 extra men without getting a single ton of increased production. It meant an addition to the weekly pay bill of about £500,000 or £26,000,000 per annum, equal to 2s per ton on 260,000,000 tons.

“Our own concern,” continued Lord Joicey, “paid in rates and taxes a sum of £34,932 in 1914. Last year we paid £48,255, National health and unemployment insurance cost us £59,483 last year, as compared with £8,150 in 1914, whilst the Welfare Fund, to which we paid nothing in 1914, cost us £18,208 last year.”

Ref No: BRO 1944/1/2251/7 Blackhill Colliery

Between 1914 and 1925 the rates of Durham County were increased by over £700,000, and this with the 2s per ton already mentioned, meant an additional cost of about 3s 3d on each ton of coal produced. Instead of reducing expenditure as they promised, members of the Government added to it. “This expenditure by the Government and by local authorities must be curtailed if we are to see business improve.” “I do not believe in subsidies,” said Lord Joicey, reverting to the coal problem. “No industry can be carried on for any length of time excepting on an economic basis. In 1919, the Seven Hours Act played havoc with us, and in 1921 we fixed wages on a reasonable figure. In 1924 we gave an advance of 10 per cent.

“What we have done in connection with the present difficulty is this:

We have offered to revert to the eight hours day with a reduction of 10 per cent in wages- to take off the 10 per cent given in 1924. The wages in Northumberland and Durham have always been fixed in accordance with the prices ruling but having got under the national system the men refuse to recognise that, and the result is that the coal trade, in all exporting areas, is being carried on at a great loss.

“ I feel sure that the national system of fixing wages is noy one that will commend itself to the exporting districts.

“I always regret that we, have not settled with our own men in Northumberland and Durham. We have got on very well with them, and there has always been good feeling between us.

I feel quite sure that if we had an opportunity of dealing with our own men we should in all probability have come to some arrangement that would have enabled us, at any rate, in the North to carry on the export trade.

COAL RATIONING ORDERS

Information has been received by the Town Clerk from the Mines department, in regard to the coal emergency. This is to the effect that the supply of caol for household purposes is now absolutely prohibited, unless authorised by a permit in writing form the local authority, or unless it is purchased in small parcels not exceeding 28 lbs a week which are taken away by the purchaser. The quantity authorised by a permit must not exceed 1 cwt. per fortnight, unless a greater quantity is justified by exceptional circumstances, the nature of which must be shown on the permit.

As a general rule, apart from hospitals, and similar institutions, permits for household coal should be issued only where there are no means of cooking food, except by coal fire, or in case of sickness or infirmity.

THE SCREMERSTON MINERS APPEAL

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Sir- It is a matter for regret and anxiety that, so far, no settlement has been reached in the coal trade dispute. Every generous mind sympathies with the miner in is present plight. Whatever the merits of the case it is clear that the longer the struggle lasts the deeper and more acute will be the sufferings among poor families. No true hearted man or woman can look on without feelings of distress especially in view of the unmerited hardships which innocent boys and girls will have to endure, unless Christian charity springs to their aid.

Ref No: BRO 515-209 Scremerston Colliery

The great need of our age is Good Will and Love. It would be a disaster of the first magnitude if the boys and girls in the coal fields (who will be the workers and wives in a few years) should learn bitterness and hate at this time through hunger and want.

We, the undersigned, have been authorised by the local branch of the Miners’ Union to issue this appeal for help to all men and women of good will and charity in the district. Please send donations immediately. Help is urgently needed. The Union funds are exhausted. The money will be disbursed to needy cases only. Every contribution will be thankfully received and acknowledged by Rev. J. Lightfoot, Vicarage, Scremerston, or Rev. Roy Russell, 4 Warkworth Terrace, Berwick.

BERWICK JOURNAL, 29TH APRIL 1926

01/05/2026 by Northumberland Archives

BODY EXHUMED AT BERWICK

INQUEST OPENED AND ADJOURNED

Sensational rumours ran wildly round Berwick on Friday morning when it was learned that the body of the late Mr John Rogerson had been exhumed from the Tweedmouth Cemetery during the night and that the formal opening of a Coroner’s inquiry was to take place later that morning. It was timed to commence at 11.15, but a delay was caused by waiting for arrivals on Newcastle train. Proceedings were entirely formal, and beyond those necessary to the business, no one was present.

Stafford Little / *Church Tweedmouth Cemetery*

Mr Blakely read the appointment of Mr H. J. Percy as Deputy Coroner by Mr H. R. Peters, the Coroner for Berwick, who, it was said, might be called upon to give evidence. The certificate of the Justices for the inquest was also read.

The jury, compose of Messrs James Richardson, John Smith, Adam Winlaw, John Anderson, James B. Jobson, Peter Mason, J. H. Abbott, W. E. Rutherford and H. Stephenson, elected Mr P. Mason as their foreman.

Mr Percy then addressed the jury. They had been summoned there, he said, to perform a public duty which, he feared must have been a rather an unpleasant nature to them. But it as a legal essential that the Coroner and jury should view the body in order to give complete validity to any Coroner’s proceedings. All that it was necessary to do that day was that they should hear formal evidence of identification and to receive on oath such particulars as were necessary for the correct registration of the death and the re-burial of the body. He did not propose to say any more to t hem about the case at that juncture except one thing. An adjournment was necessary to enable certain medical examinations to be completed. Whether further evidence would have to be laid before them would, to a certain extent, depend upon the result of the medical examination. He then cautioned them not to speak of the case in the meantime. No charge, no suspicion was cast upon any man or woman in connection with the death. They were simply called upon owing to special circumstances which had arisen to inquire into and record the cause of death as soon as evidence as regards the death could be given them.

Giving the formal evidence required, Sergt. Barclay, of Spittal, said he identified the body of the deceased, who was for some time personally known to him, as John Rogerson, late of 14 Dock Road, Tweedmouth, aged 77. He was a retired wheelwright and had died at that address on March 18, 1926.

Dock Road, Tweedmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Mr Percy thereupon said he would issue his order for re-burial which would be out into operation at the time the postmortem was completed.

He then informed the jurymen that he would require seven, including the foreman, at the adjourned inquest, but would welcome them all if they could be present. He then bound them over to appear at the resumption of the proceedings in the sum of £50. The adjourned proceedings were then fixed to take place at 11.15 a.m. at Berwick Court House on Wednesday, May 26.

The postmortem was conducted by Professor Macdonald pathologist, of Newcastle, and Dr J. C. Mackay.

The exhumation was left until the night before the inquest, and then, soon after midnight, Supt. Shell, Sergt. Barclay, Dr Maclagan, and sexton and gravediggers made their way to Tweedmouth Cemetery. The grave is situated on the side farthest from the main road and is not overlooked by any house, so that there was not much likelihood of the proceedings being observed. All the light used was from a pocket electric torch, and this was flashed intermittently until the coffin was uncovered. AS there had been two previous burials in the grave, the coffin was not very deep down, and the work was finished comparatively quickly.

The postmortem examination commenced next morning soon after 11pm. A Police Constable must always be present at such an examination, and the duty on this occasion fell to Sergt. Barclay. The postmortem took some time, Drs Mackay, Maclagan and Caverhill being present in addition to the Newcastle pathologist, Prof. Macdonald. The body was again conveyed t the Cemetery and about midnight the re-burial took place, Supt. Shell again being present.

Next morning it is understood, Sergt. Barclay was dispatched to London with the organs to be examined.

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 2ND APRIL 1926

03/04/2026 by Northumberland Archives

CHAPEL STREET’S UNHEALTHY AREA

A letter was read at the meeting of the Public Health Committee from the Town Clerk of Wallsend, enclosing a copy of a resolution passes by that Council requesting the Ministry of Health to promote legislation, in pursuance of which the Minister shall be enabled to contribute to the cost of providing houses for persons displaced in pursuance of an Order made under Part 11 of the Housing Act, 1925 (relating to unhealthy areas) on the same basis as in the case of contributions made under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act 1924, and asking the Council to support the proposal by passing a similar resolution.

It was resolved of that having regard to the suggested scheme for the clearance of Chapel Street unhealthy are, the Chairman and Sanitary Inspector be requested to interview the officials of the Wallsend Corporation on the matter and on that in the meantime consideration of the question of passing a similar resolution be deferred.

The Committee further considered the official representation on the Medical Office of health relative to the Chapel Street unhealthy area. The Borough surveyor submitted a plan of the area and suggested layout thereof, and it was resolved that a special meeting of the Committee be held to further the matter.

BIRTH CONTROL

A letter was also read to the Committee from Edmonton E. P. C enclosing copies of resolutions passed by that Council urging the Minister of Health to issue instructions allowing Medical Officers in charge of maternity centres to give information on birth control in cases which they consider warrant such information being given, and requesting that the Council support their efforts to secure legislation on the subject. It was resolved that consideration of the matter be deferred until next meeting.

DUMPING OF REFUSE AT OLD QUARRY

A letter was read from a member of occupiers of properties in Shielfield Terrace, Tweedmouth, calling attention to a nuisance at the Old Quarry, caused by the dumping of refuse. It was resolved (i) that the Borough Surveyor be instructed to communicate with the owner of the Quarry on the matter and endeavour to obtain control thereof, in order that the nuisance might be remedied, and that the Town Clerk be instructed to inform, the complainants that the matter is having attention.

PLANS-INCLUDING THE NEW THEATRE

On the recommendation of the Works Committee, the following plans were approved; – Six outbuildings at Northumberland Avenue by Mr John Ayre for various owners; alterations at 4 The Crescent, Spittal, by Messrs Gray & Paterson from Mrs Pardum; alterations to dwellinghouse at Marygate by Messrs Gray & Paterson for Mr John Smith; garage at Springhill by Mr J. E. Carr for Mrs Hinsworth; boarding at Castle Bridge by and for Messrs Symington & Sons, telephone poles at Warkworth Terrace for G. P.O.; drainage at 46a West End, Tweedmouth, for Mr. R. Younger; drainage at 75 West End, Tweedmouth, by Mr D. Watson for Mr A. Shwam; drainage at 74-80 Main Street, Tweedmouth, by Mr D. Watson for the Misses I, and M. Logan; Washhouse at 5 Blakewell Lane, by Messrs Gray & Paterson for Mrs Rutherford; drainage at 108 Middle Street, Spittal, by Messrs A. C. Burn & Son for J. Bruce and others; Theatre at Hide Hill, by Schofield, Southport, for Berwick Theatre Limited, subject to certain details being arranged by the Borough Surveyor with the architect.

DANGEROUS CONDITION OF CHURCH STREET PROPERTY

The Borough Surveyor reported to the Works Committee that statutory notices had been served on the owner and occupiers of certain property being Nos 35 and 37 Church Street, relative to the dangerous condition of the building, and that he intended to demolish a portion of it so as to render it safe. It was resolved that the Borough Surveyor be instructed to proceed accordingly.

OPENING OF MUSEUM

The Reading Room Committee reported they had considered the question of reopening of the Museum and had resolved that consideration of the matter be deferred until the next meeting of the Committee. They had also resolved that the Town Clerk be instructed to arrange for the removal of the relics of the Great War to the Museum, and that they be exhibited on the part of the wall indicated by the Committee.

In moving the adoption of the report of the Committee, Councillor Dickinson (chairman) intimated the Museum was now open 9 am till dusk.

Councillor Stuart seconded but did not get a chance of finishing his remarks before Ald Bolus rose to speak.

Ald. Bolus- I think the Council and the town are deeply indebted to Councillor Dickinson and Mrs Dickinson, who have done so much to renovate and make the Museum a place in which one can now be greatly interested. I am sure the council and people in genera appreciate the work which has been done (Applause).

Councillor Stuart- That is just what I was going to say. (Laughter)

PLAYING FIELD FOR TWEEDMOUTH,

PROPOSAL TO PURCHASE BLAKEWELL GARDENS

The business occupying the Council in Committee was the consideration of three reports of a special committee of the Tweedmouth members in regard to the provision of a playing field at Tweedmouth.

The reports of the Committee meetings were as follows:-

At the meeting on 18^th September, 1925, when there were present, Councillor Lockhart (Chairman), Ald. Brewis, Councillor Adams,, the Town Clerk reported that only three of the owners of property in the vicinity of the Meadow Fields had assented to the field, if required, being used for recreation purposes. It was resolved that the Town Clerk be instructed to ascertain at what price the northern-most portion of the fields can be acquired, and, if necessary, to offer the sum of £200 per acre; and to ascertain if the land in Blakewell Gardens can be acquired, and at what price.

At the meeting on the 27^th October 1925, when there were present, Councillor Liddle (Chairman), Ald Brewis, Councillors Adams and Hay, the Town Clerk reported the present position of the proposal to provide a recreation ground at Tweedmouth. It was reported that lady Osbourne did not desire to sell the Meadows but was willing to assist the town in any way she could. It was resolved that the Town Clerk be instructed to enquire upon what terms Lady Osbourne would sell the Meadow Field north of the footpath leading from the Main Street, Tweedmouth.

At the meeting on the 24^th March 1926, when there were present Councillor Liddle (Chairman), Alderman Brewis, Councillors Adams and Hay, the Town Clerk read a letter from the Agent of Ord Estate informing the Committee that the owner cannot see her way to sell the meadow Filed, north of the footpath, leading from Main Street, Tweedmouth and also one from the Agent of Blakewell Gardens, asking the Council to make an offer, which the owner would be pleased to consider.

It was resolved (i) that the Council approve of the proposal to purchase the Blakewell Gardens as a Playing Field for Tweedmouth, subject to satisfactory terms being arranged; (ii) that the District Valuer be requested to make a valuation of the Gardens and that the borough Surveyor be instructed to prepare an estimate of the cost of converting the Gardens into a playing field; (iii) that the Committee be instructed to report back to the Council.

On the motion of Councillor Liddle, seconded by Alderman Brewis, the Council resolved that the proceedings of the Committee be approved.

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