1907 News - Hartley-Kent: Covering Hartley, Longfield & District

23 Feb 1907 Barking Gazette

Servant Wants Position

"Gardener seeks situation in Essex; life experience in all branches; excellent reference last and present employers; 3 years [….] in present; age 32; married.  G Crow, Fairby Grange, Longfield, Kent"

08 Mar 1907 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express

Longfield Parish Council Election

Five candidates for five seats so following declared elected: Reuben Hales, G S Hills, Philip Letchford, F Lynds and G T Lynds.

05 Apr 1907 Gravesend Standard

Tragedy at Hartley

"An inquest was held on Saturday at Hartley concerning the death of Mr Geroge Charles Wansbury, for many years an overseer of Hartley.  Mr Wansbury carried on the business at Hartley of grocer and baker, and was the licensee of the Black Lion Inn.  It appears that he had been depresse through business worries and on Friday morning, when his wife went to take him a cup of tea, she was horrified to find him sitting up in bed with his throat so gashed that the windpipe was completely severed.  Mr Wansbury was greatly respected at Hartley and throughout the district, and the news of the sad affair caused a painful shock to his friends"

05 Apr 1907 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express

The Longfield Refuse

Mr H E Fass, of Hartley Manor, wrote complaining of the accumulation of refuse between the Fawkham and Meopham Stations.  Dr Richmond stated that the Walworth corporation pulverised their refuse, but recently their machinery had broken down, and hte refuse had been sent into the country.  He understood that the machinery was running again now, and no more refuse would be sent out."

The action against Messrs Martin

"The clerk read a letter form Mr Waterfield of Longfield, who was recently successful in obtaining an injunction agaisnt Messrs J & B Martin, restraining them from depositing refuse at Longfield, in which he enclosed a transcript of the shorthand notes of Mr Justice Neville's judgement.  In the course of his judgement Mr Justice Neville said 'How it came about that the local authority, having gone to the expense and trouble of instituting their action, and having taken terms from the defendant, wholly neglected to enforce those terms, is a matter entirely beyond my apprehension.  But that is what they did do, with the result that it was left to private individuals, living in proximity to the nuisance to institute fresh proceedings, and, I imagine, very largely to increase the costs to the defendants, as well to incur large costs on their own account.'

The Chairman [Cllr Chambers] said that he always took up the position that Messrs Martin should have been made to carry out their offer, and put 18 inches of soil over the refuse, but the Council were of the opinion that they did not want to put 100 men out of work, or destroy the industry which hte putting that depth of covering on the refuse must have resulted in.  Mr Martin himself offered to put on a covering of 18 inches; he did not do so, and the whole of the trouble therefore rested on Messrs Martin's shoulders. In reply to Cllr Gales, Mr Goreham [Sanitary Inspector] stated that refuse was still being tipped there in large quantitites.  The clerk stated that all tipping had to be discontinued by May 16th.  The Rev E Smith [Hartley] said that the remarks of the judge were not well founded.  The council did endeavour to enforce the terms Messrs Martin made, for they threatened to proceed against them if they did not observe the condition.  On the motion of Cllr Waring, seconded by Cllr Gales it was decided to write to Messrs Martin, calling upon them to strictly carry out the terms agreed to."

06 Apr 1907 Kent Messenger

Publican's Tragic Death

"Mr George Charles Wansbury, the well known licencee of the Black Lion Inn, Hartley, who had reached the age of 61, committed suicide on Good Friday morning by cutting his throat with a razor.  At the inquest the widow stated that her husband had not enjoyed very good health lately.  He had suffered from varicose veins in his legs, and business worried him a great deal, trade being bad.  During Thursday night she got out of bed two or three times to see to him.  She got up about 5 o'clock on Friday morning, and he then appeared to be asleep.  When she returned to him he had cut his throat.  She immediately summoned the doctor and bound the wound up, but deceased expired just before the doctor arrived about 9.30.  Her husband had said he was very tired of his life, and could not pay his way, money coming in so bad, but she had never anticipated this would happen.  After other evidence, the jury returned a verdict of 'suicide whilst labouring under temporary mental derangement'.  The greatest sympathy is felt for the widow and family."

12 Apr 1907 Northfleet Standard

Property Sale Longfield

"Messrs Rutter are instructed to sell by auction at the Falcon Hotel, Gravesend, on Thursday May 9th 1907 at 2 o'clock in lots the choice freehold estate known as Upper Pescot Farm.  Embracing an area of about 35 acres, possessing ost extensive road frontages, and affording most desirable sites for the erection of country houses, amid charming rural surroundings.  The estate has been divided into lots, varying from ¼ acre to 3 acres in extent.  Free conveyance will be granted, and if desired, extended payments would be accepted.  Company's water mains laid to each lot."

Rutters also have for sale (1) "a very attractive country house situated in Nurstead Avenue, Longfield", with 4 bedrooms and 1½ acres of garden.  (2) "An ideal weekend bungalow" at Fawkham with 2 bedrooms.

20 Apr 1907 Chatham Observer

Administration Orders

(Rochester County Court) John G Banfield, Essex Road, Longfield, labourer, debts £24 9s 10: 6s in the £ by 2s every 14 days.

03 May 1907 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express

Refuse at Longfield

(Dartford RDC) "With regard to the complaints made as to the refuse at Longfield Siding constituting a nuisance, a letter was read from the Southwark Borough Council stating that the matter had been receiving their attention.  They had always endeavoured to avoid creating any nuisance, and latterly there had been a considerable diminution in the amount of rubbish sent to Longfield.  They had not been able to observe any nuisance arising from the rubbish, and the council could not be held responsible for the use farmers put the refuse to after it was purchased from them.  The Rev E Smith said he had visited the spot and found the yard very clean.  He was bound to say he could detect no smell in the yard.

[edition of 31/5/1907 mentions visit by Medical Officer who found the same as Rev Smith]

17 May 1907 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express

Private not Public Benefit

(Dartford RDC) "With regard to Mr Dobson's application to be permitted to divert a footpath at Pescott Longfield [the footpath from Pescot to Hartley Manor - still here today], the Clerk to Longfield Parish Council wrote that the Council had considered the matter.  the diversion would very much enhance Mr Dobson's property, and the parish council considered that he should contribute a considerable share of the cost.  Mr Dobson was not prepared to make any offer, and as the diversion would be of no public benefit, the council did not think that the consent asked for should be granted.  The Rural Council accepted the opinion of the parochial authority.

Trees on the Roadside

(Dartford RDC) "Complaint had been made of the action by Mr Thomas Morton of Fairby Grange, Longfield, in planing a tree within less than the prescribed distance from the centre of the highway.  He now wrote that the trees should be treated as a hedge, as they would not be permitted to grow to any height, and the Council agreed not to take any action until the trees became a nuisance."

01 Jun 1907 Gravesend Reporter

Complaint against Longfield tip rejected

“House Refuse at Longfield

The Medical officer read his report (dated May 27th), for submission to the Local Government Board, in regard to the deposit of house refuse at Longfield railway siding.  He found the condition much the same as a month previously.  A large heap of refuse was still there, but most of the paper had disappeared.  The refuse was gradually being carted away to land at Hartley to be ploughed in, as he was informed, immediately.  He could hardly think any fumes could be carried over quarter of a mile, which was the distance to the nearest house.  As regarded the siding, he was of opinion it was not a public nuisance.

The Rev E Smith said there was much less nuisance now than at any time during the 13 years he had known the place.

The Chairman: And you live as near as the gentleman who complains?

The Rev E Smith: Oh! Quite.  I thoroughly endorse the report.

Other members expressed the opinion that the report was a good one.

[ This is an extract of a report of the Dartford Rural District Council meeting.]

09 Aug 1907 Gravesend Standard

Disorderly Conduct

Dartford Magistrates "For disorderly conduct at Hartley, William Morphew of Fawkham, and James Martin, of Longfield, were each fined 5 shillings and costs."

16 Aug 1907 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express

Indecency

"William Wenham of [Essex Road] Longfield for committing an indecent act on the footpath adjoining Lesser [sic] Road, Longfield on August 3rd. Was fined 1d and 10s costs."

23 Aug 1907 Kentish Independent

Ash Shooting Case

"Dartford Bench bind prisoner over:

Before Mr A T Waring and other magistrates at Dartford Sessions on Friday, Joesph Best (aged 15)  was charged with maliciously wounding four lads named Thomas Whenman, Robert Sandle, William Payne and Michael Farmer, by shooting them with a gun at Ash, near Dartford, on August 11th.

Thomas Whenman said he lived at Reading and had gone to Ash fruit picking.  About 6 o'clock on the previous Sunday night he and some other boys went to get some sticks to have a game.  At this time they noticed Best in a raspberry field in possession of a gun.  Prisoner aske dthem where they were going, and witness said ' We are going to get some sticks'.  Prisoner said, 'If you come up here any further I shall shoot you.'  Witness replied, 'That is more than you dare do.'  Almost immediately afterwards prisoner shot at them and witness fell among some raspberry canes.  He felt pains about his arms and head.  When witness got up he started to run again and fell down a second time.  The other boys ran away, but in a different direction.  Witness had shot marks on the nose, ear head and chest.  Prisoner he said, held the gun in the direction of where he and the other boys stood.

William Thomas Payne said he had also been engaged in fruit picking.  He was with the last witness and some other boys on the date referred to.  He heard prisoner say, 'If you don't go back I will shoot you.'  Witness replied that prisoner would not dare to do this, but shortly afterwards Best shot at them.  Witness's mother picked him up when he fell down.

At this point the magistrate's clerk (Mr J C Hayward) said the Bench could deal with the case at that court, and he asked prisoner if he had any objection to that course.  Prisoner said he had not.

Michael Farmer gave similar evidence to that given by the previous two witnesses.

Albert Randle, a fruit picker, father of one of the boys, said he saw prisoner loading a gun, and a short time later he heard the discharge of the gun and saw the boys bleeding.  Prisoner told him that he shot over the heads of the children.  In reply to the chairman witness said the gun was one which 'scattered a lot.'  He did not believe the prisoner really intended to injure the boys.

Police Constable Dennett, stationed at Hartley, said he questioned prisoner about the affair, and he replied, 'They (the boys) told me that I could not shoot for nuts.  So I shot at them.  In reply to the Chairman witness said that prisoner's brother was the usual 'scarer'.  He lent the gun to prisoner while he had his tea.  The gun had been used to scare birds away.  Police Sergeant Poole said prisoner made a statement to him as follows: 'They kept following me and I shot over their heads.'

In binding the boy over in £5 under the First Offenders' Act to come up for judgement if called upon the chairman said that undoubtedly prisoner used the gun much in the same spirit as he would throw a stone."

13 Sep 1907 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express

A Sunday Evening Disturbance

"At Dartford Police Court on Monday, Albert James Pennington was charged with having been drunk and disorderly on September 8th in Dartford Road, Longfield.  PC Smith said that about 11 o'clock he found defendant drunk, shouting and using bad language.  He was vry drunk and as he could not get home, he was provided with temporary accommodation at the Police Station." Fine 10s or 14 days.

17 Sep 1907 Gravesend Standard

Longfield Brickfields Sale

"By order of the Executors of the late Mr J J Hickmott, to clear up the estate - Fawkham Brickfields, Longfield, Kent - Close to Fawkham Station and goods yard, and to Longfield Siding on the SE and C Railway, Chatham Main Line.

Messrs Dann and Lucas have received instructions to sell by auction on Wednesday 25th September at 1 o'clock precisely, on the premises in lots, 410,000 place bricks, brick rubbish, batts, flints and gravel, iron whelling plates, barrows, grindstone, chaff cutter, 2 sets of zigzag harrows, iron plough, horse rake, iron water barrel, 2 contractor's carts, sets of harness, stable tools and implements.  2 cart horses, 6 steers and heiffers, 3 pigs, crop of potatoes, mangold and onions, 2 stacks oats, 3 stacks of hay, nag horse, dog cart and wagoette.

May be viewed the day previous to and morning of the sale.  Catalogues may be obtained of Mr Seabrook at the Brick Fields; at the principal inns of the neighbourhood; and of the auctioneers, Dartford, Kent and 23 Budge Row EC."

02 Nov 1907 Bromley and West Kent Telegraph

Servant Wanted

"Wanted a young lady as resident governess for 2 girls, aged 7 and 4 in Ireland, must be fond of country.  Mrs Hildebrand, New House Farm, Hartley, Dartford"

08 Nov 1907 Gravesend Standard

Drunk in Charge

Dartford Magistrates: "Thomas Collier of Hartley, was fined 10 shillings and costs, or 14 days' for being drunk whilst in charge of a horse and cart; while his companion had to pay 7s 6d and costs, for a like offence."

12 Nov 1907 Dartford Chronicle

Buying a Plot of Land

"In the Dartford County Court on Wednesday, the South Tankerton Estate Company Ltd sued Lancelot E Dunmall of Briars Lodge, Longfield for the balance due in respect of the purchase of a plot of land.  For the plaintiffs it was stated that the defendant was at Whitstable on the day of an auction sale, and purchased a plot of land, not by auction.  Defendant signed a contract to pay a deposit, and to pay the remainder by instalments - Mr Wilkinson, the secretary of the company, in cross examination by Mr Clinch, admitted that cheap tickets were given to people to go to the sale, and a free luncheon was provided.  He did not agree that the people invited had as much as they liked of whiskey and soda and "that sort of thing".  Beer and whiskey and soda were provided, but not without restriction.  The defendant stated that his brother, having 2 tickets, asked him to go to the sale.  They partook of the luncheon at Whitstable, and attended the sale.  The lot was not sold, but Mr Ford, a commission agent, persuaded him to buy a plot of land, saying that he had a plot next to it.  Witness was given to understand that he would have to pay 20 shillings as a deposit and 20 shillings a year afterwards and that all the drainage was paid for.  Nothing was said about the roads.  Cross examined - witness said that he was not present during the whole of the sale, and did not hear the auctioneer's opening remarks.  His honour said that whether the system of giving luncheons and beer and whiskey and other such things was a good system or not, or one to be recommended was not a matter for him.  Personally, he thought it was a bad system.  The only question was whether the whole of those instalments were due  The agreement stood.  He thought it was sufficiently clear from the wording that the whole of the instalments actually due could be sued for.  The two instalments for March and September could be sued for, and therefore there would be judgement with costs for those, with interest according to the conditions, and sewerage money (£3).  He was afraid the defendand would find this land very expensive before he was done.  It was advisable that such persons should take advice before buying land like that."

[This article gives a good example of the sales tactics of "Champagne Developers" like Payne and Trapps at Hartley.]

19 Nov 1907 N/A

Sanitary Problems

"Sir, Referring to hyour recent leading rticle particuarly referring to the actions of the Dartford Guardians, I suggest that there is room for an article in your paper on the question of "Are men of leisure men of ability?"

I admit that it is very good of the members of the Guardians to give up a day every fortnight to attend their respective boards, but whether those members are capable of looking after the business of those boards, and are prepared to study the interests of the ratepayers is an open question.  I will give you an instance  For some years past the anitry arrangements of thi village have been looked after by the Sanitary Inspector of this district, and in referring to sanitary arrangements, I mean the most important, viz.  the emptying of cesspools.  In carrying uut this work a van, pup, and hose and a body of men were the chief factors, the cost being willingly borne by the ratepayers.  Now, without any notification, this scheme has been abruptly stopped by some person or persons, the consequence being that the inhabitants were suddenly thrown on their own resources to empty their own cesspools, which in many cases were full, and some overflowing, and will be so from time to time until this scheme is resumed, or a better one substituted.  In the meantime scarlet fever is raging in the village, and the sanitary arrangements are worse thn they were 50 years ago.

An unsigned and apparently unofficial circular was delivered to me by hand on November 7th, suggesting how to get the work done, viz, by hiring horses and men from a local contractor at specified charges.  I do not know who is responsibile for the issuing of this circular, but it is scandalous that important work of this description shoudl be treated in this manner and if it is the work of the Rural District Council, why do they not allow a bold front, and advise the inhabitants officially what is going to be done or what has been done.

I will send you this circular, and you will see that it states that the Rural District Council will discontinue the work of cesspool emptying from September 30th 1907, and this circular was handed round on November 7th.  Do the Council think that owners or the tenants, say of cottage property, are going to pay 27 shillings a day for cesspool emptying?  To leave the arrangement for emptying of cesspools to each tenant seems to me madness, and can never work satisfactorily from a sanitary point.  You may as well leave the upkeep of roads to each ratepayer to do his share, and so do away with the rate for such upkeep.

Yours faithfully, "Anitseptic", Longfield Kent

(copy) A sanitary van and tackle is stationed at the Brickfield, Longfield, and may be used, free of charge, upon application being made either to Mr J Foster, Longfield, or to Mr Longhurst, Sanitary Inspector Longfield, under the following stipulations: (1) That an experienced man under the direction of Mr Foster is employed to superintend the work at a charge of 5 shillings per day, or 3 shillings per half day.  (2) That the van and tackle be returned in a clean and proper condition immediately after use.  

Persons desirous of using the van and tackle must make their own arrangements for the hire of horses and labour, but an experienced man must in every case accompany the van.  For the information of owners and occupiers, the committee beg to state that Mr Foster agrees to provide men and horses at the rate of 22 shillings per day, this does not include the charge in the 1st stipulation above mentioned."

[ This is a letter from "Antiseptic" criticising Dartford RDC's decision to abandon collecting rubbish and emptying cesspools in the parishes of Ash, Hartley, Longfield, Fawkham, Ridley and Southfleet.  This appears to go back to the original decision in 1895 to commence collections and emptying, which had been bitterly opposed by some prominent local people, including attendees at the Hartley Parish meeting.  The writer of this letter lived in Longfield and there is a good chance he was J Walter Newcomb who had also written to the council to complain.  He makes the point that the change benefits the richer inhabitants.]

06 Dec 1907 Bromley Journal and West Kent Herald

Sudden Death

"On Friday morning a carman named John Shaw, employed by Messrs S W Gibson and Co, ironmongers of High Street, Dartford, was found dead in his van at Fawkham.  Deceased was a married man, living at St Alban's Road, Dartford, and had been in the employ of the firm many years."

13 Dec 1907 Northfleet Standard

Alleged Cruelty

(Dartford Magistrates) "Albert Wooding of Longfield, a waggoner, and James Woodward jun of Southfleet, a farmer, were summoned, the former for working, and the latter for causing to be worked, a horse while in an unfit condition - Mr Clinch defended.  An inspector of the RSPCA stated that upon visiting Longfield Hill Farm he found 3 horses at work with a pair of harrows.  One of the horses was covered with sores, and was in quite an unfit condition to be worked.  The defendant Wooding admitted to him that his master was aware of the existence of the wounds - The defendant Woodward stated that when his attention was called to the condition of the horse he directed it to be taken out of a pole van and worked in a harrow, which he considered it quite capable of.  Albert William Hall, veterinary surgeon, of Southfleet, expressed the opinion that the horse was quite fit for work in a harrow.  The bench considered there was a doubt in the case; they would give the defendants the benefit of it, and dismiss the cases."