100 years ago

1907 - February

1897 - 1898 - 1899 - 1900 - 1901 - 1902 - 1903 - 1904 - 1905 - 1906 - 1907

February 27, 1907

The danger of disruption which has hung over the Newark Rowing Club for several months as a result of the movement to introduce Sunday boating was entirely removed at the Robin Hood Hotel on Wednesday night, when the members threw out the proposal by an overwhelming majority.

Never before has an annual meeting been so crowded, and never before has the debate been so caustic.

o-o-o-O-o-o-o

The newly decorated and beautifully fitted up billiard room of the Clinton Arms Hotel was the scene of the finest exhibition of the game of billiards witnessed in Newark for some years.

Mr L’Estrange, the proprietor of the hotel, had arranged with Master Tom Tothill, aged 16, the undisputed boy champion, to play two exhibition games.

A clever Newark cueist took on the youthful champion, and after a very interesting game succumbed to the prowess of the younger player, being something over 100 to the bad.

o-o-o-O-o-o-o

The half-yearly meeting of the Newark Gas Company was held at the company office, Market Place, Newark.

The company reported an increase in the consumption of gas, both by ordinary and slot customers.
Gas companies are face to face with a rising coal market, which is the raw material from which gas is produced.

Should these conditions remain they are likely to prove fatal to the reduction in the price of gas in the near future, disappointing alike to gas companies and consumers.
 

February 20, 1907

A most interesting lecture on the mission work in the Magila district of Central Africa was delivered by the Vicar (Rev E. F. Spanton) in the St. Leonard’s schoolroom, Newark.

A large and attentive audience listened with wrapt attention while the vicar graphically described the views which were thrown upon the screen by means of a limelight which was skilfully manipulated by Mr W. P. L. Harrison.

The scenes were for the most part showing the district to which the esteemed vicar is going in the coming September to carry out the work of the Universities Mission, which is doing most excellent work in Central Africa.

o-o-o-O-o-o-o

The annual tea and meeting of the Newark branch of the Church of England Temperance Society was held in the Parochial Rooms, Victoria Street.

The 27th annual report was read and showed a steady increase in membership. The total on the books was 180 members 169 total abstainers and 11 general section or moderate drinkers.

o-o-o-O-o-o-o

The first meeting convened by the Newark Division Liberal Association at Winthorpe for over 20 years - in fact since Ald. T. Earp contested the division — was held in the schoolroom.

There was a small attendance, several having come from villages several miles away.
 

February 13, 1907

An alarming explosion occurred on Monday afternoon at the offices of the Newark Gas Company. One of the company’s employees, William Atkinson, brought in a meter in order to send it away to be tested.

For the purpose of sealing it he struck a match whereupon there was a loud report, and the cast iron cover of the meter was smashed to pieces.

Mr Atkinson was struck in the side by one of them and was blown through the doorway into the Market Place. He was stunned and a good deal bruised and is confined to his bed.

It is assumed that there was an accumulation of gas in the meter which had just been removed from a house, and that this became ignited when the match was struck.

o-o-o-O-o-o-o

With the object of stimulating interest in the volunteer movement the Mayor of Newark issued an appeal to the inhabitants, and convened a public meeting in the Town Hall.

The answer for the demand for recruits has been so sparse of late years that not only has the town lost its C Company but the B Company is so depleted by resignations that it now stands at little more than half strength. The response to the invitation was very limited, with less than 30 persons being present.

The Mayor said he did not know the reasons for the falling-off of interest, but he believed it could be accounted for to a certain extent by the fact that at the present time the facilities men get for going away were so much greater than in the past.

Nowadays a man liked to take his holiday and go away with his wife in preference to doing the hard work of a camp.
 

February 6, 1907

On the reading of the minutes of the Petroleum Acts Committee at the quarterly meeting of the Newark Town Council Mr Priestley said in 1900 nine licences were granted to store 440 gallons but this year there were 20 licenses to store 3,500 gallons.

If the motor car traffic was progressing all over the country at the same rate so far as petroleum was concerned it was a good thing.

o-o-o-O-o-o-o

There arrived at Newark Station on Friday night, a lady and three children whose experiences will remain a vivid and awful memory for a lifetime.

They are survivors of the terrible earthquake at Kingston, Jamaica, and were passengers on the RMS Port Kingston.

The lady is Mrs J. G. Peet, daughter-in-law of Councillor G. H. and Mrs Peet, Wellington Road, Newark, who has brought her three children away from the danger zone and the terrible scenes of distress and excitement following the catastrophe.

Mr J. G. Peet was unable to leave with his wife and family, his official duties making it impossible.
He is well-known in Newark, where he was born and trained for the scholastic career in which he has been so eminently successful.

o-o-o-O-o-o-o

The half-yearly dinner of the Newark Piscatorial Association was held at the Horse and Gears Inn.
After the loyal toasts, the secretary submitted his report, showing that the half-year had been most successful, 441 fish had been weighed in, and £7 2s 6d distributed in prize money.

He hoped the 42 members would each try to make a new member for, if so, the additional financial aid would enable the association to secure a private water.