[The Times: Search: "Wandsworth Common"].
[BNA: Buckmaster Battersea 1899]
[BNA: Buckmaster Wandsworth 1899]
[London Evening Standard: Buckmaster Wandsworth 1899]
TEXT
[Halbrake School for sale . . . ]
WANDSWORTH-COMMON- Freehold Investment. MESSRS. FIELD and SONS will SELL by AUC- TION. at tbi Mart, on Thursday, -tune 22. at Two %. odea FREEHOLD INVESTMENT, comprising Halbrake School. Park-road, near Clapham Junction, and contiguous to Wandsworth Common, containing ample accommodation for a loaning school, for which purpose they are used and well adapted, and having at the rear school-room, dining hall, and a larce pis- cronii'l. and let on lease until Lady -'lay. ISOC. at l'b. i.e.- annum.% l'artic ilurs of Messrs. Bannister and Reynolds, solicitors, 70. Basinshall-street, E.C, and of the Ami oncers, as above.
[BNA: Link]
DUNMOW FLITCH OF BACON TRIALS.
AN UNSUCCESSFUL COUPLE
The popularity of the Flitch of Bacon Trial, which h&ro the quiet little Essex town well kaown for end wide, ie evidently not on the wane, for there woe again large attendance at thie annual institution Monday. People docked from all quartan road and rail, and for one day in the year at leaet Dunmow presented lively appearance. Of course the trials era not the oaiy attraction. Tbs Committee who manage the affair provide other sources amusemeota. There were several variety entertainments on the ground, and there was also military tournament, in place the usual cob and pony races, carried out by membeta of the Herts and Suffolk Yeomanry, under the direction of Quarter &emdash; master Heal. Selections of music were rendered by the band the South Metropolitan School from Witham.
The trial of the claimants took place in large marquee provided by Godfrey, of Chelmsford. Two flitches of bacon occupied prominent place in front of the stags, which does duty for the "Court love." The claimants in order to be entitled to the flitch have to show that since they "were married man and wife they have not offended each other in word or deed, nor wished themselves unmarried again, nnr repented in any way of having entered into the bonds of matrimony, and these regulations to be rigorously complied with.
Mr. James Mackenzie assumed the role of Judge, Mr. W. U. Lionel 1 was counsel for the claimants, and Mr. l. Gibbons was counsel for the donors of the bacon, while the Secretary, James Hamilton, was Clerk of the Court. The Jury was composed six maidens and sis bachelors. There were two couples claiming the bacon, and their appearanoe in "court" was the signal for outburst of cheering and laughter. Mr. Linaell, in his address to the jury, said it was matter of sincere congratulation that, the years advanced, the intelligent interest taken in their celebration at Dunmow showed eigne of decreasing. The first couple that would claim their attention wsre Sergeant Alexander McCulloch and bis wife. Sergt. McCulloch was possessed of history that, for charm of variety, it would indeed be hard to surpass. His father was a guard oa m &emdash; cnaviot. skins, in which the claimant was born in 1533. Early in life the house in which hia parents resided was burnt to the ground, and was only by the heroic efforts of his mother that the claimant's life was saved. At the age of U listed in the Amy a drummer boy. was married for years to his first wife, and married his present wife again in November, 1897, she being 28 years his junior. Sergt. McCulloch was of opinion that one of the best reasons for his happiness was that had been staunch total abatainar for V yean. ("Oh." and laughter.) Be was formerly barrack-sergeant at Purfleet (Essex), but was now living at Norwich. Learned counsel mentioned that seven months ago little recruit appeared the scene, and ended by saying that the claimants married life had been "one sweat song. (Laughtar and cheers.)
The old sergeant then gave his evidence, and appeared to enjoy the proceeding* much aa anyone, and, of course, had to undergo much good &emdash; humoured crow &emdash; examination at the bands Mr. Gibbons. "As an experienced campaigner." asked the baoon*e defender, "you made sure beforehand that your attack this lady heart would successful Mr. McCulloch smphMi.):"Oh, &emdash; rt &emdash; inlr." (Laughter.) &emdash; a mar your happiness at allf (Oh, and laughtor.) Asked if had to walk about in hi. shirt with the baby at night, whether it would not disturb him. the eergeent gallantly replied that it wouU be a labour of love. (Laughter.) &emdash; Mrs. McCulloch also told her story. &emdash; Mr. Gibbons: le the sergeant very strict man. like ell old eoldi.rsf &emdash; After UUb fencing, the lady replied, Yes, hot not with me." (Laughter.) &emdash; &emdash; A Mrs. Stillwell came for* ward to tsetiiy to happy married life this eonpls, and was asked by Mr. Lmeell aha thought they were deserving flitch bacon, &emdash; Mrs. Stillwell thought the couple deserved "a whole pig." (Laughter.) &emdash; Mr. Gib bene: Do you like bacon yourmelf very muchf (Laughter.) &emdash; Mre. Stillwell: Not very.
In addressing the jury, Mr. Gibboa. made allusion to tks many good the claimants were said t &emdash; have, and said that. tact, love seemed be the only weak news they had, and bacon the only one they wanted &emdash; (laoxhtsv) &emdash; and asked the jury to Mr. and Mrs. McCulloch mere ordinary beoon &emdash; eating human beings. The fact that Mr. McCulloch wan born at aea convict ahip waa mote than interesting; it was quite romantic, but what the jury wanted to know was whether had ever felt "at sea" since be started on the pen lone voyage of matrimony, it they had always had fine weather, end if the skipper and his mate had always agreed on the courne to be taken, especially with regard to the little paaeenger who had recently arrived. Ths policsmaa. in his tsetimonisl. had said had never seen anything wrong. Whoever would expect policeman to see anything! (Laughter.) There ths usual summing up from ths judge, and the jury, after a short delibsration, returned verdict for claimants.
The second couple wen Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bennett, ot Heathfield House, Wandsworth Common, whose ages respectively are 28 and 27. At an early age, said Mr. Linsell for the claimants, each felt that life would not be worth lising without the other. (Laughter.) They had undergone many trials, hot lore survived these, and came out of the furnace ot tribulation with untarnished lustre.
Mrs. Bennett was the first witness in this case, and came out the ordeal very well. Mr. Bennett had his turn, and letter from him was fastened on to by Mr. Gibbons. The claimant mentioned in this document that there had only been one little quarrel in two years mere trine. Mr. Gibbons wanted to knew all about this mere trifle." question that provoked much laughter. According to the explanation it appeared the husband returned home to And his wife out, and having to wait some time for her there were a few words." wee hungry, and had to wait ter hie dinner. (Laughter.) Mr. E. Turif, who was frequent visitor the occasion of the musical evenings mentioned, cams forward behalf the complainants. Bis experience of them was that they were a vary happy couple, and that harmony always prevailed at their .home. &emdash; Mr. Gibbonst yen mean to any there was never a discordant note7 &emdash; Mr. Turf: Only in the band. (Laughter.) &emdash; Do yon mean to ear there were no rows the house P &emdash; Wall, we called it music. (Laughter.) &emdash; You say you here had experience ot many married sonnies, and married happiness f &emdash; Yes. &emdash; Well, why don't yon get married yourself (Laughter.) &emdash; A voice; 1 can't afford it. (Renewed la^htsr.V &emdash; Mr. Turff: Marriage is lottery. (Laughter.) &emdash; Mr. Gibbons: lam surprised a witness in this Court making &emdash; uch A rwmwrk.
Learned counsel for the defence made strong point about the incident whan Mr. Bennett returned boose only to And hie wife out. Thru . he amd Mr. Beuett enprmmd himiU rather strongly, and it woe perfectly clear Ihntvnhen Mr. Bennett used the aspeesoien Oh rhothennbe's always oat." words to that rfh ct, ShvWiso &emdash; ffendod at the time with Mrs, Bennett, aiidSasrivnssgly they had net with the relssNof SKmnl. and were nut entitled to the flitch. &emdash;
The Jury retired to consider their verdict, and an returning, the Foreman announced they had and verdict ter the doners of the bacon. They were of opinion that them ahaenee of toot whoa than was empty stomach. bacon, aaid they had unfriendly feelings towards Mr. sad Mrs. Bennett, sad would bopwr to moko them present of a large piece bacon, long it wan understood it not award of tbs court. There waa the usual procession, both moplss being chaired," and the surrsosfnl claimants made the quaint customary confession follows: Tan shall swear custom of confession. That yon ne'er rasda nuptial transgression; Nor since yon ware married man and wife. By household brawla or contentions strife. Or otherwise, at had or board, Offoadod tarn other ia dead or word: Or ia a twalramonth aad a day. Repented not, in thought, ia aay way. Or tinea tha pariah dark aaid "A a," Wished yourselves unmarried again; Bat continued true, sad dssira. As whoa yon joined bands in holy quire. Tha fata was kept up till the avaaiag, whaa tbs proceedings concluded with display of fireworks, carried out by Mr. H. B. Sullinga. at Ipswkh.
[BNA: Link]
Wolverhampton Express and Star - Friday 15 September 1899
NOTES ON NEWS.
A domestic in the employ of gentleman living in Wandsworth Common, like many other folks have done, went in search of an escape of gas with a lighted match. Of course, there is no speedier way of acquiring knowledge as to the presence of escaping gas, but if this method is pursued there is generally a sequel, which can hardly be described as pleasant.
It was so in this instance, for the thoughtless &domestic's entry into the dining room was signalised by a terrific explosion, and the furniture was shattered and the the house set on tire. Still, we firmly believe, this will not be the last of such incidents.
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003126/18990915/032/0002