Sarah
Hawkins Genealogy Site
Newspaper
Articles
The West Somerset Free Press and Williton, Minehead, and Watchet Journal. Saturday 24 Dec 1887
Page 5 Column 4
BRIDGWATER.
A BOATMAN DROWNED. - On Saturday, about seven o'clock, a man named James LANGFORD, a boatman, belonging to Northmoor Green, was accidentally drowned in the river Parrett. Deceased was getting into his barge when he missed his footing and fell into the water.
THE TOWN-HALL EXIT. - At the borough petty session on Monday, Mr. T. M. REED attended before the magistrates, on behalf of the Town Council, in reference to the grant of a licence authorising the performance of stage plays in the town-hall, and called Mr. LAFFAN, the borough surveyor, who produced plans that had been approved of by the Corporation providing for another exit from the balcony into the street by means of a new stone staircase. The magistrates, after inspecting the plan of the proposed improvement, decided to adjourn the application until it had been considered by a fuller Bench.
BOARD OF GUARDIANS. - At the weekly meeting of the Board of Guardians on Wednesday, the clerk read a letter from Mr. COLLINS, medical officer, stating that Mr. WARNER, district relieving officer of North Petherton, who had been incapacitated by illness from attending to his duties for the past six months, although still weak, was improving in health and strength, and he hoped he might be able to resume work in a few weeks. Some members of the board remarked that it was very unsatisfactory to have the work performed by a deputy for so long a time; but it was agreed to allow the matter to rest for another month. Mr. LANSDOWNE, chairman of the general committee, reported that the master had paid into the bank the sum of £7, as profit of work done by the tramps. Some discussion took place with reference to the proceedings against Mr. KIDNER for the non-vaccination of his child, and it was resolved that Mr. COZENS, the vaccination officer, should again report to the board as to whether Mr. KIDNER still refused to have the child vaccinated.
PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF A DAIRY FACTORY. - An adjourned meeting of agriculturists and others who are interested in the establishment of a dairy factory was held on Wednesday, in the Council-chamber at the Town-hall, the Mayor, Mr. W. HURMAN, presiding. Mr. F. HENSON, of the East Devon Dairy Supply Company, Honiton, attended, and gave some interesting particulars concerning the working of dairies. Mr. E. J. STANLEY, M. P., was also present during a part of the proceedings. Mr. Alfred PEACE, the ex-Mayor, detailed the steps which had been taken since the last meeting, remarking that the committee, of which he was a member, had visited the East Devon Dairy Supply Company's factory at Honiton, and the Culm Valley Dairy Company's factory at Hemyock. The committee received every attention from Mr. HENSON, the manager of the former, and from the manager of the Hemyock factory also. Mr. W. J. R. POOLE having been elected solicitor to the company, Mr. HENSON delivered an address, to which he referred at considerable length to the process adopted at Honiton. He pointed out that what the large buyers required was quantity, quality, and uniformity, and the first question that a London dealer asked a person who offered butter for sale was, “How much can you supply me with?” Of course, by combination, they were able to supply the demand for uniformity, where it would be impossible for a private individual to succeed. The reason why Brittany and Normandy butters were so much bought by London dealers was on account of uniformity. He expressed his most sanguine belief that if such a factory as existed at Honiton were established at Bridgwater it would succeed, and advised the meeting to commence operations as early as possible, as this was a favourable time of the year. It was proposed to establish a company in 1,000 shares of £5 each. This was agreed to, and about a fourth of the shares were taken.
<NOTES: James LANGFORD son of Charles LANGFORD and Mary Ann COLES, married Emily RICHARDS>