Back Through the Pages: Advertisers from years gone by

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 1859

TOWN COUNCIL

A special meeting of the town council was held on Monday last at the Town Hall, when the town clerk reported on an interview with Mr Portal, the chairman of the county works committee, with reference to the difficulty in transferring the borough gaol to the county for the purpose of it being converted into a police station. It had been resolved that Mr Cubitt, the MP for the borough, should obtain an interview with the secretary of the treasury, to arrange the matter. The interview concluded that the secretary to the treasury thought that if the town council could satisfy the lords of the treasury that the contingency for the payment of £400 by the County to the borough in the event that any future separation of county and borough forces was not likely to arise, then there would be no difficulty in allowing the conveyance. Mr Wakeford proposed, and Mr Thompson seconded, that it was the opinion of the meeting that such an event was so remote and improbable, that the conveyance may with safety and propriety be taken in its present form, especially as the union of the two forces cannot be dissolved without the sanction of the secretary of state.

ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 1898

CORRESPONDENCE: THE PRICE OF BREAD

Sir: Why should we be asked to pay 11d per gallon for bread when the markets are reported almost daily to be getting lower? Evidently the miller or the baker is making good profit at the expense of the public, when 90 4lb loaves can be made from a sack of flour that costs about £1. 5s, and therefore allows too much of a margin for profit. Most certainly there is a way out of it, as in many places and some not many miles from Andover, it is supplied for less. As co-operative stores are conducted in many counties, on remunerative lines, I cannot see why it could not be done in Andover if purveyors of provisions are not content with a fair profit. Why not secure a site now, as no doubt the funds would be readily found? Yours respectfully, FAIR PLAY.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 1923

GOOD POSTAL RECORD

An interesting fact concerning Mr Willie Tonge, a native of Andover, is that he has put in nearly half-a-century of service with the post office. He joined the service as far back as 21 November 1874 at Andover. Eleven years later (August Bank Holiday, 1885) he was transferred to Bournemouth, as sorting clerk and telegraphist. Recognition of ability came in 1890, when he was promoted to the position of overseer. Ten years afterwards he was called upon to take up still more onerous duties, that of assistant superintendent and accountant, and this office he held at retirement. In the long period Mr Tonge has been at Bournemouth he has seen amazing developments. For example, he went there before the opening of the L&SWR’s direct line from Brockenhurst through Christchurch and years before it became a distinct parish as apart from Christchurch and Holdenhurst, and prior to the establishment of a mayoralty.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 1948

CORRESPONDENCE: NEED OF A SUITABLE HALL

Sir: I see that ‘while fully aware of the need for such entertainment in the town’ the General Purposes Committee of the borough council has refused the application of a repertory company to perform in the town, owing to lack of suitable accommodation. It is deplorable that the members of a community - in which love of the arts runs so high – must travel nearly 20 miles to see the performance of a professional company. Surely the Guildhall could have been used for this entertainment? The company and the public would both have fully understood and borne its drawbacks. Failing this, the hall of the Boys’ Modern Secondary School is ably suited to the purpose, and has been used for the public performance of plays. Could not permission to use that have been obtained from the authorities? Although much has been made of Andover’s long-term reconstruction plan, no mention has been made of the much-needed hall. Naturally, this could not be built while the need for houses is so pressing, but meanwhile the necessary money for its construction could be raised. Now that the hospitals are no longer in need of funds, might the proceeds of next year’s carnival and other entertainments be devoted to a new public hall? Yours faithfully, J R Dunn.

FORTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO – FRIDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 1976

STATE OF RIVER CRITICISED

The state of the River Anton in Bridge Street in Andover was criticised by a Test Valley councillor yesterday. Cllr Brian Smith appealed to the council to clear up the river, ‘It is unsightly; everyone seems to be using it as a refuse tip at the moment. It could result in a health hazard.’ Cllr Laurie Porter commented: ‘It isn’t our responsibility; it is up to the water authority.’ Cllr Michael Whittingham, chairman of the Environmental Health Committee, replied: ‘I will see what I can do about it.’ A letter is to be sent to the Southern Water Authority drawing their attention to the condition of the river.