1908 News - Hartley-Kent: Covering Hartley, Longfield & District

03 Jan 1908 Bromley Journal and West Kent Herald

Hohler Conservative Candidate

"Mr G F Hohler KC who had been chosen as prospective Conservative candidate for the borough of Chatham, is the son of Mr H B Hohler of Fawkham, who was High Sheriff for Kent some 5 or 6 years ago.  Mr Hohler, when he first was called to the bar 'devilled' [=was researcher] for Mr H F Dickens KC, is an eloquent and humorous speaker, and had many cases as a rule at the Kent Assizes.  It will be remembered that he was engaged for the defence of Apted, the Tonbridge murderer.  Both he and his father are well known breeders of Hampshire Down sheep."

[He won Chatham at both 1910 elections, at the next election in 1918 he had switched to the safer Gillingham seat]

31 Jan 1908 Bromley Journal and West Kent Herald

Cowman in Trouble

(Dartford Magistrates) "William Clark, cowman of Meopham, was charged at the Dartford Police Court last week, with being drunk and disorderly at Dartford Road, Longfield, and further with assaulting Thomas Pankhurst.  Prisoner pleaded guilty.  PC Smeethe stated that at about 4 o'clock on Sunday afternoon Pankhurst came to him, and complained of having been assaulted by a man on the road.  In consequence of his statement witness went to Dartford Road where he saw prisoner who was very drunk.  He had had other complaints of how prisoner had stopped people going alon the road.  Witness got a conveyance, and took him to the police station.  Thomas Pankhurst, butcher of Court Cottage, Longfield, stated that at 3.49 on Sunday afternoon he was walking with 2 friends up the road towards Pescott Hill, when they met prisoner, who was very drunk, staggering about the road.  He came up to witness, and, making a remark about calling him a name, knocked him down on the road.  He hit him twice on the mouth, making it bleed, and loosened 2 teeth.  Prisoner fell down himself, and hung onto witness's trousers, but he released himself, and came down to a policeman.  He only knew the man by sight.  Prisoner said he was the worse for drink, having had a lot of wine given him on the road.  The magistrates treated it as one offence, and fined prisoner 30 shillings and costs or 21 days."

14 Feb 1908 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express

A Public Presentation to the Fawkham Stationmaster

"An interesting presentation took place at Kent House, Station Road, Longfield, the residence of Mr W Robson, on Wednesday night, the recipient being Mr E Taylor, late stationmaster at Fawkham.  Col Geoffrey Hildebrand RE presided, supported by Councillors Gilham, J W Martin, Messrs G L Patullo, W Robson, G E Holmes and other gentlemen.  Mr Taylor was presented with an illuminated address and a silver bound pocket book suitably inscribed and containing a cheque for £30.  The presentation was made as a mark of appreciation for his unfailling courtesy and attention to all concerned with and using the railways, on his taking up a new appointment as stationmaster at Cranbrook.

Col Hildebrand said he was glad that some sort of recognition for Mr Taylor's efficient and kind method of service during the past 7 years had been proposed and carried out.  He knew this was the wish of a number of residents in the district, and personally he could say that during the time he had known Mr Taylor he had always found him very pleasant, kind and attentive.  In making the presentation he hoped it would remind Mr Taylor occasionally of the residents of Longfield and district.  Messra Gilham and Patullo also spoke appreciatively of Mr Taylor's services.

Mr Taylor, in response, thanked them for the presentation, and also for the way they had helped to make his service as stationmaster so pleasant and successful.  He hoped that he would have the same support in his new appointment as he had had at Fawkham.

Col Hildebrnd thanked Mr J W Martin, hon secretary and treasurer, and Mr W Robson for the part they had taken in getting up the testimonial, and Cllr Gillham on behalf of the committee thanked the colonel for presiding.  The committee then adjourned to the Railway Tavern, where an appetising dinner was waiting, and the remainder of the evening was spent in conviviality."

21 Feb 1908 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express

Road Widening at Hartley

(Dartford RDC) "Mr A Hickmott of Longfield Court, wrote stating he was not prepared to give up any land, or entertain any proposal re same for widening Hoselands Hill, Hartley.  The Deputy Clerk said the land was required to complete the widening.  The letter was in reply to a communication from the Clerk.  The Surveyor said the raodway was narrow, and one of the most dangerous parts.  Cllr Smith [Hartley] suggested the owner of the property on the other side of the road should be approached.  Cllr Day [Ash]: That letter is as definite as it is dangerous.  Cllr Wood [Lullingstone] thought the law should be that where the road was not of sufficient width they could take a man's property.  A committee was appointed to see what could be done in the matter."

10 Apr 1908 Eltham Times

For Sale

"Quantity beekeeper's appliances and photographic apparatus for sale - Rector, Hartley, near Longfield"

14 Apr 1908 Lewisham Borough News

The Extermination of Rats - Interesting Experiment in Kent

"The depot manager of the Borough of Southwark, in a report on the extermination of rats at the refuse depots of the Southwark Borough Council, writes to the Times as follows….." Letter is mainly about their 30 acre site between Sevenoaks and Otford with a serious vermin problem, where they caught 2,000 rats the previous year.  They used 'Ratin' poison and reckon rat numbers are down 70%.  The manufacturers say a single rat causes ½d damage per day, so their product will have saved the council £1,500 a year for £20 outlay....... "Ratin has also been used at the Council's refuse depot at Longfield, Kent, with excellent results, the premises (about 4 acres in extent) being thoroughly cleared, and kept clear for several months after the use of a couple of large tins of No.2 Ratin."

17 Apr 1908 Eltham Times

Dartford Rural District Council Highways

"The Surveyor reported that the Rev G W Bancks, the owner of certain glebe land at Hartley, had agreed to surrender 6 feet of his land for road widening, while Mr Morton, another landowner, had agreed to the line of widening being continued through his ground.  [Hoselands Hill]  Ten to fifteen men, who had been recommended by Mr Day and Mr Gilham, had been employed at the work at 3½d an hour.  Mr Day had sent a horse for 6 days, Mr Morton 15½ days and Messrs H Smith and Foster 2 days each, free of cost, to cart away the soil.  The amount expended in manual labour was £21 11s 4d and horse hire £6 12s; a total of £28 3s 4d."

15 May 1908 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express

Pinden Refuse Heaps: Letters of Complaint

"The clerk read a letter, dated May 1st, from Mr S W Newcomb, of Longfield with reference to the deposit of house refuse at Pinden by Messrs J & B Martin.  In this it was stated that there wre 15 truck of refuse lying at Fawkham which Messrs J and B Martin are going to cart through the village tomorrow and deposit it on their ground at Pinden.  'It is so serious a matter that these people should have the audacity to again bring refuse here after the decision of the High Court that I must ask you to let me know at once what steps you intend taking as representing the District Council.  It is imperative they should be stopped at once, so I await your reply, failing which the whole matter will be laid before the local Government Board.  I am afriad we have only to thank the Dartford RDC for this return of the nuisance, for after spending ratepayers' money, it was left to a private individual to get an injunction vide Mr Justice Nevill's remarks in his summing up in the action Waterfield v Martin.'

The clerk replied 'That it was impossible as you will understand at a moment's notice to put a stop to any nuisance.  The ncessary procedure must be followed.  I have, however, addressed an urgent communication to Messras Martins, solicitors, threatening immediate action unless the nuisance is at once stopped.  I note what you say at the latter part of your letter in rgard to teh action of the Rural Council in the recent proceedings, but I am afraid you and others do not appreciate the distinction between a nuisance of a public and a private character and the greater difficulty attending the former.  Mr Justice Neville no doubt made the remarks to which you refer, but the late Mr Justice Kekewich also made remarks when the case was before him, pointing out the difficulties of a Rural Council in having to deal with a matter of this nature.

Messrs Huntley & Son, Messrs Martin's solicitors wrote that their clients had informed them they were using every effort to deal with the trucks at Fawkham which were only left there owing to a temporary breakdown of their arrangements elsewhere.  'We may say that you many rest assured that in the future there will be no toruble at Fawkham.  Our clients have completed arrangements for the deposit of all their refuse at a shoot elsewhere which is far removed from any possibility of trouble arising.  In a further letter Mr Newcomb wrote thanking the clerk for a copy of the letter from Messrs Martin's solicitors 'although I am afraid I haven't much faith in their statements. For instance when emptying the 15 trucks at Fawkham Station on Saturday the Station Road was littered with the filth, and in my garden which is situated about 300 feet [more like 500 feet from 16 Hartley Road] from where the trucks stood, the street was so bad that neither my wife nor my children could stop there it made tehm feel sick and ill.  They were continuing to empty trucks at the siding close to Mr Waterfield's in spite of the injunction.  Why they are allowed to trifle with the order of the High Court is quite beyond my comprehension and yet in the fact ofall this I notice in last Saturday's local paper the Rural Council agreed to allow Messrs Martin to continue to deposit the filth for another 12 months.  Whatever are the members of the Council thinking about?  No, it seems to me that unless the council are prepared to uphold the decisions of the courts we who live in this district and are the greatest sufferers, will have to put the whole facts before teh Local Government Board who knowing of the injunction already existing, will themselves take drastic measures to stop the nuisance once and for all.'  Cllr Gilham [Longfield] suggested the letter should lie on the table.

A report was read from Inspector Goreham on the subject.  Cllr Wood [Lullingstone] thought Messrs Martin should be complimented.  They ha covered the carts and put disinfectants on the heaps and carts and what more could a man do? ..... The clerk informed the council that he had also received a petition with regard to the Pinden deposits.  Cllr McPherson said the council were not absolutely indifferent to th nuisance and as far as possible they had done all the law permitted them to do.  It was not the desire of the Council to encourage that nuisance....."

20 Jun 1908 Gravesend Reporter

Meopham Oddfellows

"Saturday last was a gala day for Meopham, the Kentish Friends' Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows' Friendly Society holding their 60th anniversary at the Lodge House, Cricketers' Inn, Meopham.  Amusements in the form of swings, roundabouts, side-shows, etc, were supplied by Mrs Pettigrove, on the picturesque Meopham Green.  A parade, consisting of members of the society started from the Lodge House at 10 o'clock in the morning.  Headed by the Snodland Town Band, they marched through the village to Meopham Station, returning to the Cricketers with a good appetite for dinner, which was partaken of at 1 o'clock, admirably served by Host Jones.  A large number of members and friends sat down to dinner, mustering about 200.  Mr Golding Bird kindly consented to take the chair, and was supported by the vicar, Rev F Owen, Dr Griffiths, Mr R A Arnold, Bros T Hosmer (Secretary), E Moon, B French, J Buggs, D Pankhurst, W Fortescue etc.  The royal toasts were proposed by Bro Moon, and drunk in the usual loyal manner.  In proposing the toast of 'The Society', Mr Moon spoke of te good which had been accomplished, and upon the very succesful and satisfactory financial position in which they found themselves.  This, he said was due to the large number of members of which they could boast - 168.  He would like to see them numbering 200, and he thought they would not have long to wait before that number was reached.  After dinner, votes of thanks were proposed by Dr Griffiths, and carried unanimously, to the Chairman, who was accorded musical honours, the managers and officials of the club, the Secretary, and Mr Hosmer, who had worked so enthusiastically on behalf of the society.  During the afternoon a cricket match between Meopham and Southfleet took place, and resulted in a win for the Southfleet team, some good cricket being witnessed.  At frequent intervals during the day Snodland Town Band provided some excellent music on the Green.  At 5.30 the club adjourned to the Lodge House, where tea was waiting, ably prepared by Host Major Jones.  The evening was spent at the fair; a large number of cyclists visited the spot and joined in the merriment, of which there was plenty.  An extension till 11 o'clock was granted the licensee of the Cricketers', at which time a festive day for Meopham was brought to a termination."

07 Aug 1908 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express

Mixing her Drinks

"Catherine Wilmore was charged at Dartford yesterday with having been drunk and disorderly on the footpath near Whitehill Longfield on the previous day.  PC Smee said that he saw her lying on the footpath, very drunk, and singing and shouting.  She was too drunk to stand, and he had to get a conveyance to take her to the police station.  Prisoner said she had some whisky and stout, and it overcame her." Fine 2s 6d or 7 days

08 Aug 1908 Daily Express

Payne and Trapps Estate

"Suburban Kent - on main line - Fawkham - Important to builders - Fawkham Park Estate -  Almost Adjoining Station

Messrs Payne, Trapps and Co will hold a final sale upon this well known and popular estate on Wednesday next, August 12, when 51 exceedingly choice sites will be offered.  Each site is about 25 ft by 220 ft.  Building operations going on.  Water main laid past estate  One of the most healthy and picturesque parts accessible to the London business an  Cheap season tickets.  Intending purchasers will leave Holborn on day of sale by the 11.30 train, calling at Elephant and Castle and Herne Hill.  Luncheon provided  Full particulars apply Payne, Trapps & Co, 11 Queen Victoria Street EC."

29 Aug 1908 Beckenham Journal

NSPCC

First report of the Beckenham and District Branch.  "The total number of complaints received and dealt with from July 1st, 1907 to June 30th, 1908 was 164, classified as below:- Neglect and Starvation 135; ill treatment and assault 17; abandonment 2; exposure 6; exposure for begging purposes 1, criminal assault 1; other wrongs 2.  On inquiry, 159 of the complaints were found true and dealt with as follows: Warned 142; prosecuted (and convicted) 3; otherwise dealt with 14.

.....

There were 128 female and 87 male offenders.  Of the 164 complaints, 68 were reported by the general publice, 10 were reported by the police, 63 were reported by other public officials, and 23 were discovered by the society's inspector.  In addition to the original inquiries, the inspector paid 478 visits of supervision.

The cases were widely scattered over the area covered by the branch, occurring in Bromley, Beckenham, West Wickham, Orpington, St Mary Cray, Foots Cray, North Cray, Chislehurst, Mottingham, Sidcup, Welling, Bexley, Bexleyheath, Crayford, Dartford, Stone, Greenhithe, Swanscombe, Longfield, Sutton at Hone, South Darenth, Wilmington, Hextable and Crockenhill."

18 Sep 1908 Eltham Times

Challenges

"The Longfield and Meopham Hockey club will be glad to arrange matches this season, also to welcome any in the district who may be desirous of joining (subscription 5 shillings).  Applications…. The Court, Longfield."

02 Oct 1908 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express

The loss of the Argonaut: Kent Man Describes his Experience

"Mr Hickmott of longfield, Kent, who formerly lived at Bexleyheath, was amongst the passengers of the S.Y. Argonaut, which sank in the Channel as a result of a collision with another vessel in a fog.  'Thank God to be safe in dear old England again,' he exclaimed to a press representative.  'I was at breakfast,' he went on, 'with about 20 or 30 others when the collision occurred.  The impact was very slight, and very little anxiety was at first felt.  One of the sailors went down the side of the Argonaut to inspect the damage and returned with the report that it was of no consequence.  A few minutes later, however, the captain asked the passengers calmly to come up on deck.  My first anxiety was for my mother, who had not finished dressing.  I rushed to her and eventually saw her go down with the ladies into one of the 8 or 10 boats which had been lowered.  Even then we were not greatly alarmed, because the sea was not rough, although the fog was dense.  After rowing about for half an hour we came alongside the Kingswell and clambered up the ladders onto the deck.  We were really frightened when orders were given to the passengers to leave the Kingswell and once more get into the little boats.  I cannot adequately describe my feelings to you,' Mr Hickmott went on, 'I felt, as did all of us, that our last hour had come.  I turned to my poor mother, and with tears in our eyes we embraced and took a loving farewell. The scene of the distressed passengers was very moving.  However, we once more got into the little boats, and after a time the Southmoor hove into sight and we clambered up the side of it onto her deck.  Here we felt that we were safe."

[Steam Yacht Argonaut sank in Rye Bay en route from London to Lisbon, following collision with cargo ship Kingswell.  All 113 passengers and 105 crew were saved.]

13 Oct 1908 Gravesend Standard

Terrible Fatality Near Longfield

"Man with 15 Fractured Ribs - An inquest was held at the Town Hall by the Borough Coroner, Mr G Evans Fenman, on Friday evening, concerning the death of William Crosswell, aged 69, who was employed by Mr Henry James Smith, of West York [West Yoke] Farm, Ash, Wrotham.

Mr Smith, who was much bruised on the face, stated that Crosswell lived at the farm.  He had relatives, but they could not be found.  On Wednesday witness drover to a sale at Ifield Court, and on returning overtook deceased at the top of Longfield Hill and gave him a lift in his four wheeled van.  It was then 9 o'clock.  Three minutes later the horse shied at a woman sitting in the hedge and bolted at a furious rate down the hill.  Witness tried to pull the animal in, but the reins broke.  The horse went down the hill at such a speed that he advised Crosswell to hold tight, as he feared there would be an accident.  Witness tries to pull the horse into a gateway towards the bottom of the hill.  One of the wheels struck the bank, and both men were thrown out of the van.  Witness lay unconscious for a quarter of an hour.  On recovereing he found Crossell, who had been thrown over into the field the other side of the bank.  He called to Crosswell, who was lying on his back and whom he turned over, but received no answer.  The hose drew the van further down the hill where the rein got under the wheel.  The horse stopped and moved round and round the van.  Witness called to the animal, and it came to him.  The woman who had sat in the hedge came on the scene as did other persons, and Crosswell, who was unconscious, was conveyed to the Gravesend Hospital.  Witness had owned the horse for 16 years and never met with an accident on it before.

Dr Wood Milner, house surgeon at the hospital, said Crosswell was admitted at a quarter to twelve on Wednesday night.  He was conscious, but dying.  He lived only 10 minutes after admission.  A post mortem examination was held.  The breast bone was broken, as were 10 ribs on the left side and 5 on the right side, while the left lung was pierced, this injury causing suffociation.

The woman referred to by the farmer was called.  Her name was Jesse Margaret Orpin.  She said she lived at Red Cow Farm, Longfield, her husband being a labourer there.  She was accompanied by him on Longfield Hill, and they were walking home.  They paaused to let the van pass.  The horse shied at her white apron.  After the accident they rendered what assistance they could.

Robert Hoadley, farm labourer, who drove Crossley [sic] to the hospital, also gave evidence.  The injured man spoke only once on the way saying, 'Cover my head over and I shall be all right.'

The Coroner remarked that had the reins been in proper condition the accident would not have occurred.

A verdict of 'accidental death' was returned.  The jury expressed the hope that the same reins would not be used again, and Mr Smith at once agreed.  The Coroner told him it was a mercy he was not also killed."

13 Oct 1908 Gravesend Standard

Sale of Stock at Idleigh Court Farm

"Idley (sic) Court Farm, Ash near Dartford, Kent.  Messrs Dann & Lucas.  Having relet the farm, have received instructions from F R Stoneham esq, who is quitting, to sell by auction on Wednesday, 21st October 1908 at 11 o'clock precisely, on the premises in lots, all of the live and dead farming stock, comprising 9 active cart horses, 95 half bred tegs, 28 heiffers forward in condition, pony, 238 head of poultry, 2 goats.

The implements comprising - 5 tanks, 2 pumps, corn bine, 22 sheep troughs, 250 sheep gates, sack barrow, ladders, 19 hen coops, mangle dun, 50 quarter corn sacks, 4 waggon clothes, farm tools, potato scales, 4 chaff cutters, horse gear, corn mill, cake crusher, 2 root slicers, 2 cleaning machines, harrows, 7 brakes, iron plough, balance plough, 2 turnrise ploughs, 3 iron land rolls, ring bell, manure drill, corn drill, 3 horse rakes, hay tudder, 3 mowers, 2 self binders, stack elevator, iron water barrel on wheels, 10 dung carts, 2 tugs, 5 waggons, the harness, 20 tons 'up to date' potatoes, 7 stacks of hay, 2 stacks of oat straw.  Also a small quantity of furniture.

Luncheon will be provided on the premises, by ticket at a charge of 1 shilling per head.  May be viewed the day previous to sale.  Catalogues may be obtained at the principal inns in the neighbourhood; at the farm; and of the auctioneers, Dartford, Kent and 23 Budge Row, Cannon Street EC."

30 Oct 1908 Bromley Journal and West Kent Herald

Fire at Horton Kirby

"The Horton Kirby Fire Brigade were called by messenger last week, to Dean Bottom.  The men turned out smartly, under Captain French, and proceeded to Mr J Foster's farm, where it was found the centre one of five large haystacks was well alight.  The Longfield Fire Brigade were also in attendence, and, considering the water had to be pumped some considerable distance to the fire, the combined brigades well succeeded in preventing any further spread of the the fire, and also saved a large portion of the burning stack, by cutting it away."

[Dean Bottom was still not on mains water in 1939, so a fire here must have caused difficulties for the Fire Brigade]

30 Oct 1908 Eltham Times

Situations Wanted

"As general, 26, £16, 2½ years' character; General, 3 years' character, £14; General, 20, 17 months' character, £12; Young General, £9; Cook, 25, 4 years' character, £24; Cook, 3 years' character, £20; House Parlourmaids, £16 to £28 - Goodenough's, Myrtle Villa, Station Road, Longfield and Jessiman Cottage, Vicarage Road, Bexley."

[Similar advert in paper of 13/11/1908 with additional address of High Street, Swanley Junction]

06 Nov 1908 Gravesend Standard

Gravesend Hospital

Hospital Sunday Fund acknowledge [illegible] gift from employees of Mr T E Morton at Hartley per Mr Patullo.

[Similar collection raised 6 shillings - Gravesend Standard 23.7.1909]

12 Dec 1908 Chatham Observer

Fat Stock Show

Christmas show at Rochester.  Mr Thomas Morton, Longfield [=Fairby] won 1st prize for Shorthorn cow which was bought for £27 by Mr Epps.