ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 23 FEBRUARY 1894

CORRESPONDENCE — DEBATES IN THE HOUSE

A late Prime Minister once remarked, “A measure that cannot be discussed is doomed.” If he had lived until to-day his astonishment would have been supreme, to hear that at the end of the 19th Century an important public institution like the Andover Union, with immense financial business to be dealt with, carried on their deliberations with closed doors. The guardians should court publicity for their own protection. Certainly the ratepayers have a right to know how their money is voted away. We read interesting reports of the Stockbridge and Romsey Boards; in fact of all Unions in the Southern Division, and in one instance, I am told, they provide a light luncheon for the representatives of the Press. Probably we are in a transition State, bordering on considerable organic changes, and any information disseminated now may be invaluable hereafter in moulding the new regime. I wish to invoke your powerful aid to extinguish such an ancient anomaly.—Your obedient servant, CAESAR’S WIFE.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO — 21 FEBRUARY 1919

CORRESPONDENCE — THE HOUSING QUESTION

The abusive screed over the name of A.J.Newton, in your last issue, directed for some reason or none against me, does not impress one with a high regard for the intellectual capacity of the anti-housing, anti-reconstruction, anti-improvement people, who are quite content to see England degenerate into a chronic state of “C3”-ism. A.J.N. refers to my “school of thought.” Thought, I might inform our friend, is a very necessary process, and time spent in thinking is far more improving and uplifting for a man than time spent in concocting windy verbiage or twisting and shuffling other people’s words away from their obvious meanings. I maintain that housing is vital, and must be provided for those who need it. I suggest that A.J.N. get into touch with a “school of thought,” and when his intellectual outfit will bear the strain exercise it on the following propositions:—

(1) If it is necessary for human beings to inhabit houses, it must pay to build them.

(2) If food and clothing are vital for human beings, it must pay to produce or procure them.

(3) A nation that cannot feed, clothe and house its citizens is a nation that has survived its usefulness, and should be moved to a preferably warmer climate, where a lower state of civilisation prevails.

After that our friend can find out what means and facilities the Government possess for building or helping other to build houses.—Yours faithfully, G.FOSTER. Larkfield, Chilbolton.

SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 25 FEBRUARY 1944

ADVERTISEMENT — A HEALTH and BEAUTY HINT

SHOULD WOMEN TAKE MEN’S SALTS?

Should a woman be content with the ordinary find of “Salts” that men take? Of course not. She’s differently built, has different needs, and is prone to different troubles.

That’s why more women ought to know about the one salts specially designed for women—Juno-Junipah. Juno-Junipah is quite different from ordinary salts. It’s gentle, it clears away without any drastic purging all the impurities and wastes which clog the bloodstream, make complexions muddy, cause unhealthy fat, and bring on Rheumatism, Lumbago, Sciatica and other uric acid troubles.

Ordinary sales claim that, but here is something different! Juno-Junipah contain pure oil of Juniper, and oil of juniper is the best of all specifics for the Kidney and Bladder troubles which cause so many women to suffer from Backache, Disturbed Nights, Aching Ankles, &c.

Take just a pinch of Juno-Junipah in warm water every morning, and you’ll be astounded how soon you begin to feel better, and to look better, too. Your pains will go, your complexion improve, and if you’re overweight you’ll be delighted at the way your figure is returning.

So certain is Juno-Junipah to make any woman fell and look better, that here is an offer! Get a 2/- packet of Juno-Junipah from any chemist today. Take it as directed, and if you aren’t more than satisfied with what it has done, he will refund your money without question. Obtainable from W.E.Dales, Market Place, Andover, and all chemists.

FIFTY YEARS AGO — 21 FEBRUARY 1969

LETTERS … POTHOLES NEED FILLING

Mr.P.A.O’Donohue, of 15 Millway Road, Andover, writes:

Now that motorists are liable to heavy fines for having smooth or badly cut tyres I think it is time that the courts were given powers to fine local councils for allowing roads to get into such a bad state of disrepair to cause this damage to tyres.

In the Andover area I know of several potholes in the roads three inches deep and also manhole covers several inches beneath the surface of the road.

I am sure there must be many motorists who have spent money not only on new tyres but in having to pay for repairs to suspensions damaged by the holes.

In view of the fact that the Road Fund tax is now £25 a year I think this is a disgrace.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO — 25 FEBRUARY 1994

AUCTION BID GIVES BOYS AN INSIGHT INTO THEIR LOCAL NEWSPAPER

Half term proved to be the ideal time for two local ten-year-olds to take up the offer of a day at the Andover Advertiser offices, bought by their mothers at a school auction of promises.

Matthew Pearson and his chum Tom Allen, both pupils at Balksbury School where the auction was held, spent the morning learning about the history of the newspaper and about the long-standing and traditional methods of printing.

After lunch with the editor they then saw how the modern newspaper is produced on a computerised system with laser printers before travelling to Basingstoke to see the finished product come off the web offset printing presses at a rate of 23,000 an hour.

Editor Ken Dykes afterward commented: “They really kept me on my toes. Tom was fascinated with the historical side of the business while Matthew became engrossed with the computer system.”