Last Update - 29 December 2013

Automobile Reg. No. for Co.Down 1911~1912 = IJ

From the "Newtownards Chronicle" 13th. January 1912

Young Newtownards Girl Burned to Death
Mrs. Clarke's plucky action commended
The dangers arising from the wearing of flannelette was painfully and with fatal consequences, demonstrated in the sad death of a young Newtownards girl whose underclothes accidentaly caught fire at her own fireside on monday night, and who succumbed to the shock of the burns received on tuesday morning. Time and again warnings have been issued to the public regarding the danger of wearing this material when near a fire but all warnings and fatal results from wearing of such has apparently and unfortunately fallen on deaf ears.  The sad case of Mary Ann Croan will be taken to heart by those who wear this cheap article of clothing. The facts of the unfortunate case were brought out at the inquest which was held at the Union Rooms on wednesday morning before Messrs. Edward McCall J.P. and Thomas R. Lavery J.P.
The following jury was sworn in :  David O'Prey {foreman} - Thomas Allen Brett - Edward McCall Jnr. - William John Moore - William McIvor - Thomas Eagleson - Robert Foster - James Corry - William Kerlin - Andrew Johnston - Robert Edgar - James Patterson - James Wallace - James Kerr - Alexander Morrison and John McCullough.
Serjeant McLaughlin conducted the proceedings on behalf of the police and Constables Phair and Tarpey were also present.
James Croan a cabinetmaker of  67 Mark Street deposed that he was the father of the deceased child Mary Ann Croan whose body had been viewed by the jury. She was aged 15 years past. He had last seen her alive on monday morning 8th. January. She was in her usual health. Witness worked in Belfast and next saw her that morning and he identified the body.
Mary Anne Croan of 67 Mark Street deposed that she was the grandmother of the deceased, She and the deceased were in the house by themselves about 8.30 pm that evening. Deceased sat down by the fireside before going to bed. Witness next saw her in flames, she ran to the door and out to the street, witness saw her carried in again. In a very short time Dr. Warnock and Dr. Jamison were in attendance and she was taken bu ambulance to the infirmary.
Foreman: "What sort of garments was she wearing, were they likely to catch fire ... ?"
Witness: "She usually took off half her clothes before she sat down. Her chemise was flannelette and she had a flannelette inside bodice"
Foreman: "We may take it that, that was what caught fire"
Mrs. Lizzie Clarke of 18 Mark Street deposed that she resided opposite the house in which deceased lived. It was about 8.30 on the night of the 8th. and she heard the shout of the little girl at the door, witness ran out and took off her own underskirt and placed it over the little girl, when she looked at the girl she then realised it was Mary Ann Croan. All the clothes were burned off her, a man then came up and threw his overcoat over her. A man called McGinn and her grandmother then took her into her own house.
Dr. Robert Bailey deposed that he was Assistant Medical Officer in the workhouse. About 9.30 pm on the 8th. he saw deceased in the infirmary,. she was burned all over her body from top to bottom. She died at 8.00 am on the 9th. as a result of shock due to the burns.
Mr. McCall in asking the jury to consider their verdict said with regard to Mrs. Clarkes action that it was most prompt and deserved to be highly commended. He was sure the jury would take notice of it.  A verdict of accidental death was brought.

Newtownards Town Court
McCready, John - 5th. January 1912 - Of the Workhouse - Arrested for being drunk and disorderley by Constable Farren. He was summoned to court and fined 7s 6d with costs.

Henderson, Robert - 6th. January 1912 - Of Mill Street - Was arrested for being drunk by Constable Tarpey. He was summoned and fined 2s 6d.

Bell, James - 30th. December 1911 - Of Greenwell Street - Arrested by Constable Hayes for being drunk - He was summoned and fined 2s 6d and costs.

Newtownards Petty Sessions
Court held in front of W.G.Duff R.M. {Presiding} - Thomas R.Lavery J.P. - Robert Dunn J.P. - J.M. Galway J.P. - James M. Thomson J.P. -  John McClement J.P. - District Inspector Murnane and Mr. J.C. McGowan C.P.S. were in attendance

Alleged larceny of a gander
John "Jack" West of Mill Street was charged that on the night of the 23rd./24th. December he did steal, take and carry away a gander valued at 3s. the property of Joseph Elders of Ballylisbredan
Joseph Elders gave evidence that he had a goose and a gander in his field adjoining the public road at Ballylisbredan. He missed the gander on 24th. December. He had not given permission to anyone to take it.
Grace Campbell deposed that West saw her home on the saturday night and stayed in her house until 04.00 a.m. On the way West dropped a bit behind and she heard the sound of a goose or a gander.
To Mr. Stewart: "She did not say to West when he was leaving "Wait Jack and i'll get you a fowl for seeing me home".
Grace Campbell admitted that she had previously convicted of larceny.
Mr. Stewart said that Grace Campbell gave the gander to West who did not know that it was not hers to give,. West sold the gander to someone else for 1s.
The bench considered that West knew Campbell had no gander of her own, and they convicted him of receiving, knowing it to be stolen. He was fined 10s with 2s costs.

Drunk and disorderley
Constable Girvan summoned Andrew Russell of Mark Street for being drunk and disorderley on 1st. January - He was fined 10s and costs.

On Licenced Premises on Christmas Day
Robert McConnell a licenced publican of Court Street was summoned for keeping open his licenced premises on Christmas Day. Samuel Orr of John Street, William J. Dalzell of John Street, John McKimm of East Street, William Dalzell of Movilla Street and David Mullan of Gregstown were summoned for being on the premises.  Mr. John McKee appeared for Mr. McConnell and Constable Murnane appeared for the prosecution.
Constable Tarpey deposed that he was on duty in plain clothes on Christmas Day around 6.50 p.m. when his attention was drawn to the licenced premises of Mr. McConnell when he saw two men enter the premises and three leave. Wttness {Constable Tarpey} went over and rang the bell and was admitted at once without being questioned. There were a number of people in the bar and witness went to ask Mr. McConnell how it was that all these people were on his premises. Mr. McConnel had no excuse and accepted that the fault was all his. A number of those present escaped but he recognised those now present.
Mr. McKee: " He intends at once to plead guilty, i would think we all agree that this was an unusual case, sometimes there was swearing and swearing which was not ......" {cut short by the chairman}
The Chairman: "I don't think there was much held .... in this case" {word unreadable}
Mr. McKee: "I'll say nothing about that" he continued that Mr. McConnell was a young man who had been in the business for a considerable time and that this was the first offence with which he had been charged. The police themselves would say that generally his public house was well conducted. The offence occured on Christmas Day and between six and seven he saw some young men outside. They persuaded him to let them in and have a drink. There was only one drink taken.
The Chairman: "There would have been more"
Mr.McKee: "I am told that only one drink was ordered and that was all was wanted. I would ask the majistrates to take into consideration the fact that Mr. McConnell has met the case fairlyand honestly and it is his first offence and it will be a warning to him in the future"
The Chairman: "There is nothing against the public house.. ?"
Constable Murnane: "No, the defendant has been long in business and i am told that the house is fairly well conducted"
After consultation Mr>McConnell was fined 10s and 1s costs for exposing for sale not to be endorsed on his licence. For selling, charge was dismissed without prejudice. The other defendants were each fined 2s 6d for being on the preimises during prohibited hours.

From the "Newtownards Chronicle" 27th. January 1912
Receiving Stolen Goods - A Gander
Robert Milby of Mary Street was summoned for receiving a gander knowing it to have been stolen.  Mr. Stewart appeared for the defendant
It will be remembered that Jack West of Mill Street was convicted last court day of receiving the same gander,. West subsequently sold the gander to Milby for 2 shillings. Defendant was fined 5s with 2s 6d costs.

From the "Newtownards Chronicle" 2nd. March 1912

Coroners Inquest - Newtownards Old Age Pensioners Sudden Death
Matthew Whitla who resided with his brother James Whitla in Wallaces Street died rather suddenly on thursday 22nd. February. Rumour was rife in the town that he had been the victim of an assault a short time previous to his death and the police have been informed of the circumstances communicated with Dr. R.Bailey deputy coroner for the Northern Division of Down who decided to hold an enquiry into the matter.
The inquest was held before Dr. Bailey in the Union boardroom on friday afternoon.
The following jury was sworn: - James McCutcheon foreman - David Smyth - W.J. Moore - R.G. Kelly - George Bailie - Peter McBrien - William McDonald - John McKinney - Charles Dornan - William Martin - Robert Harvey - James George - Andrew Johnstone - Samuel Campbell and Hugh Donnan.
Dist. Insp. Murnane watched the proceedings on behalf of the police and Sgt. McLaughlin and Constables Phair and Johnstone were also there.
Hugh Whitla deposed that the body the jury viewed was that of his brother Matthew Whitla, who was aged about 73. Deceased was a bachelor. Witness believed that he was not insured. Occupation of the deceased was as a labourer and he had an old age pension until lately.
For a short time deceased had been living with his brother James at 12 Wallaces Street.
James Whitla was the next witness called. Before he was called Dist. Insp. Murnane said that he need not give evidence unless he wished , but if he did anything he said might be used in evidence against him if anything he occurred should give grounds for a charge.
James Whitla deposed that he lived at 12 Wallaces Street with his wife. For twelve weeks past his deceased brother Matthew had been living with them, deceased was not fit to work and witness kept him. He was about 73 or 74 years of age. He was in very bad health, lying coughing every night.
He left witness house about 11.00 am yesterday, there was no falling out between them before he left, nor no words. There was no row between them on that day, it was a good while since they had any row, there had been none for many a day. Witness was in the kitchen when deceased left the house. Witness went to the front door when deceased was there, while witness was there deceased fell on the footpath, he just slid down carelessly on his loin,. witness tried to lift him up but was not able. He straightened him up as well as he could. Deceased said he was going to Alex Thompsons, witness told him not to go that day as he was not fit. Witness then told him to go away to the ambulance. Witness had asked him to come back in but he would not. James Paden was there at the time he was speaking to his deceased brother.
James Paden of Movilla Street was next to be examined.
He was in Wallaces Street on thursday about 12.30 delivering papers. He saw Matthew Whitla being shoved out of his brother James house, James Whitla shoved him out, Matthew Whitla then sat on the doorstep. James Whitla then went in and tried to close the door. The door would not close. James then came out and gave Matthew a touch with the side of his foot to get the door closed, it was a kind of shove, he then closed the door. Matthew appeared to be very ill and he did not speak. Witness then went forward, he left the books down beside the door and tried to lift Matthew. The upper half of the door was open and witness said to James that he should not do that to his brother but should take him in and send for the ambulance. James said "Take him away to his lodgings, wherever he likes". James also said "The old rascal, he can walk if he likes".  he said "He was eating and drinking and gave me nothing".
Witness took him away by the arm but at the bridge he took a weak turn and made for the ditch to sit down,. He never spoke the whole time, it was opposite Mr. McAlpines.
Hannah Duff deposed that about 12.00 o'clock on thursday she was going past Whitlas to Wallaces Street, she saw deceased sitting with his back against the half door, he looked very ill. James Whitla was standing behind the half door looking out. He made no attempt to give any help to his brother. James Paden was there at the same time, he was about 2 or 3 yards from the Whitlas, she saw James Paden assisting Matthew up by the hand. He took him along the street. She heard no words spoken between James and Matthew Whitla nor betweeen James Paden and Matthew, although it may have occured bedore she arrived.
William James McAlpine deposed that ata bout 12.00 o'clock on thursday Matthew Whitla came into his yard. He lay down. He was crawling along the plank as if to get an out of the way place to lie down. Witness thought he had drink taken and said "Matthew you cannot lie down there you'll have to come out" . He came out and witness took him in his arms to take him to his brothers. When he got him as far as the gate two little girls came down the road and said he need not take him home because Jimmy had put him out. Whitla said he was not able to stand on one of his legs and would have to sit down somewhere. He came into witnesses shop and lay down in the shavings,. witness ran for the ambulance. It was telephoned for and arrived in about ten minutes. Witness was not then certain if Whitla was alive or dead.
To the foreman: "Witness knew deceased had a bad leg"
To Mr. Kelly: "Deceased made no complaint of any kind, and he could have done so if he wished as he was sensible".
William John McCormick deposed that in consequence of a telephone message he had gone to Mr. McAlpines on the Donaghadee Road on thursday around 12.30 or 12.40. He saw deceased put in the ambulance, in witness opinion he was dead, witness brought him to the workhouse.
From the time he received the message till he arrived at the Donaghadee Road was only about 5 minutes, on arrival at the workhouse deceased was examined and found to be dead.
Dr. Jamison deposed that he had examined the dead body of Matthew Whitla, it was in a very filthy state and covered with vermin. There was no marks of violence on the body except a slight abrasion on the back which he was inclined to believe had occured after death as it had not bled. The body was very thin and emaciated. He knew deceased to have suffered for some considerable time with rhumatism. Witness believed he had died from heart failure. Excitement would accelerate death in a case of this kind. A short time ago witness had visited Mrs. James Whitla and had noticed that Matthew looked very ill. It was prob there was a great deal of affection between the deceased and his brother James and although they had fallouts now and then they were only verbal.
The foreman asked the jury that in considering their verdict whether they would add that no blame was attached to anyone.
Mr. Martin thought that in view of the evidence they should only return a verdict as to the cause of death which was put down to heart failure

From the "Newtownards Chronicle" 30th. March 1912

Newtownards Petty Sessions
Court held thursday in front of W.G.Duff R.M. {Presiding} - Thomas R.Lavery J.P. - Samuel Johnston J.P. - John McClement J.P. - Robert Dunn J.P. - Edward McCall J.P. - J.M. Galway J.P. - James M. Thomson J.P.
District Inspector Murnane and Mr. J.C. McGowan C.P.S. were in attendance

Youthful Depredators
The following boys all of whom were under 12 years old, were jointly charged with their parents and guardians with having maliciously broken into and damaged a vacant dwelling house the property of Henry C. Orr of Cronstown, having damaged seed potatoes to the value of £25.00 and having carried away portions of a stove, parts of ploughs, fireplaces and other articles. Alexander McKnight of Georges Street and his father Alexander McKnight, William McAlpine of Wallaces Street No.2 and his guardian Hugh McAvoy, William John Whitla of Wallaces Street No.2 and his father Samuel Whitla.
Henry C. Orr deposed that at present Ballyharry House was vacant and he kept some seed potatoes there in an outhouse. On 18th. inst. he went to Ballyharry House and found four gr....., an American stove a window and two doors broken. The seed potatoes were scatterd and mashed up outside, the damage was estimated at over £20.00 ...
Thomas Orr deposed that he was coming from Newtownards in the direction of Ballyharry House, he had a view of the potatoe house and saw 3 boys bolt out. He identified the boys as those charged and added that he had previously seen McKnight there on the 15th.
Sgt. G.Smith depoased that he had seen the boys accused after the matter was reported. McKnight at first denied all knowledge of the occurrence but subsequently made a statement to the following effect:
"On yesterday 18th. about 11.00 o.clock i went on the Donaghadee Road along with William McAlpine, James Whitla and William John Whitla, McAlpine and myself went into the house,. William McAlpine took the doors off the range last week and sold them to Mrs. Oldham {local scrap dealer} for 8 1/4d. I was with him, McAlpine twisted the doors off the potatoe house, McAlpine, James Whitla and myself cut up the potatoes with scythe blades. William McAlpine turned the potatoes over with a graip and took all the things off the plough"
Head Constable Newman deposed that McAlpine was brought to the barrack by his uncle and made a statement. He said that on the 14th. inst. William John Whitla and Alex McKnight and himself had gone to Ballyharry House and taken iron bars off the window and bits off the oven. They went upstairs and McKnight found a silver jelly spoon which they sold to a boy on the Bangor Road for twopence. They brought the parts of the oven and some old bones they found in the garden to Bonovitz's daughter, but she would only buy the old bones, they took the scrap to Mrs. Oldham and she bought it. She asked them where they got it and the told her William John Barr gave it to them,.. they got three pence each out of the sale,.. so they thought they would get more money so they went back to Ballyharry House. They got pieces of the stove and some whiskey bottles, then they were all caught by the servant who came up. When the whole kit were caught the others took up scythe blades and he {McAlpine} took up a stick to defend themselves. They were reading little books when they were caught .. one of them was about Charles Peace {a notorious burglar}. When the servant saw them ready to defend themselves he hid himself behind a wall and threw stones at them,. the others were so mad at being caught that they began to chop up the potatoes and started fighting among themselves.
Hugh C. Finlay {School Attendance Officer} gave evidence of the attendance of the boys at school, which was bad excet for the case of McAlpine.
After consultation the Chairman said the Magistrates were determined not to send the boys to an industrial school and because they had not committed a serious offence but because the industrial schools were primarily for those unfortunate children who were being brought up in surroundings of crime, which was not the case with these boys.
They ordered that the boys receive six strokes with a birch rod to be given with as much vigour as possible.  The parents of Whitla and McKnight and the guardian of McAlpine would each be bound over in £10.00 to prevent the boys from committing any offence within the next 12 months.

Licenced Dealer Charged
Arising from the previous case Mary Oldham a scrap dealer of East Street was summoned for that being a licenced general dealer, failed on 15th. March to enter into a book her dealing with Alexander McKnight Jnr. and William McAlpine who sold her a quantity of scrap metal. There were further charges against the defendant of failing to produce certain articles of scrap metal stolen from Henry C. Orr.  Dist. Insp. Murnane quoted th act governing general dealers.
Mr. Duff to defendant: "If we inflicted all the fines they would amount to £50
Dist. Insp. Murnane said he had no desire that the defendant should be severely dealt with but he wanted it to be distinctly understood that this kind of thing must stop in the town. If permitted it would only encourage children to committ crime.
Sgt. Smith gave evidence that the defendant denied having bought any scrap but afterwards admitted buying some from McAlpine.
Mr. Duff said that defendant knew she was doing wrong when she denied to the serjeant that she had purchased any scrap. She was fined 8s and 1s 6d for each charge  making 26s in total.

The visit of Bonar Law to Newtownards on Easter Monday
  Arrangements were being made for the reception of Mr. Bonar Law on his visit to Newtownards. He would be met at the Carleton Bridge on South Street by Unionists and Orangemen and escorted to Conway Square where a platform had been erected. He was expected to make a 10 minute speech before departing for Mountstewart.
From the author: Andrew Bonar Law was leader of the Unionist Party in 1911 and became Secretary of State for the Colonies in 1915. From 1916 to 1918 he was Chancellor of the Exchequer and additionally from 1916 until 1923 he was leader of the house of commons. He then became Prime Minister in 1922.