April 1869
Isle of Wight Observer:
Apr 3rd 1869: ROYAL I.W. INFIRMARY – Report for week ended Wednesday last. —Patients admitted, 5; discharged, 1; died, 1; remaining in the house, 3. —Out-patients on the books, 150. —Surgeon for the week, B. PINNIGER, esq.; chaplain, Rev. Alexander POOLE. —Thos. WILKIN, house surgeon.
Apr 3rd 1869: ACCIDENT – On Thursday morning Messrs. W. and H. LAKE’s four-wheel van was being driven down George-street, when the horse started at the reflection of a looking-glass, which was being removed from one of the windows there, and coming against the kerbstone at the corner of the street, two of the wheels came off. The driver was seriously bruised, but it seems no other damage was done.
Apr 3rd 1869: NATIVE MINSTRELS – This talented company of real native minstrels drew a large audience at the Victoria-rooms, on Tuesday evening last, who were kept in a perpetual stream of laughter by the drolleries and wit displayed, especially by a member of the company in a stump oration in which many local hits were introduced. Some of the sentimental songs were exceedingly well sung and elicited hearty rounds of applause.
Apr 10th 1869: WHO STOLE THE PIG? – A poor old man named HAYNES, who subsists principally by rearing pigs, and whose form doubled up by age, may be frequently seen wheeling his wash-tub up Canada-hill, left his sow and nine pigs about five weeks old in the sty on Friday evening. On the following morning the finest of the young pigs was gone. For some time past the inhabitants of the Oakfield locality have been annoyed by the nocturnal visitations of some mean thief—who selects the very poor for his victims. The police have their suspicions.
Apr 10th 1869: CONCERTS – The two grand concerts announced for the 20th, at the new Assembly-room, bids fair to eclipse anything of the kind which has ever taken place in the Island, and already we hear a very large number of seats have been taken. The band and chorus will consist of upwards of 100 performers.
Apr 10th 1869: POLICE STATION – Our readers are aware that the County Magistrates have handed over the police station to the Ryde Borough Council, and under the direction of the Watch Committee the place has been fully renovated; in fact, put into thorough repair, so that no further outlay may be anticipated in this direction for years to come.
Apr 17th 1869: STEEPLE CHASES – Never did a more glorious day shine upon the Island than that appointed for the great sporting event on Tuesday last. These sports are not merely of local reputation. The excellent arrangements were admirably carried out, so that, in fact, a more successful meeting we have never had. Every race was earnestly contested and full of stirring incident.
Apr 17th 1869: STEAM PACKET COMPANY – The directors of this company have spared no pains or expense to improve and strengthen their fleet of steamers for the coming summer’s traffic. The Duke of Edinburgh, one of the two new packets which the company have caused to be built is expected to arrive at Portsmouth on or about the 19th inst., and the second will quickly follow.
Apr 24th 1869: THE PARISH CHURCH – Mr. Gilbert SCOTT, the architect, attended, when the ground for the new church was laid out under that gentleman’s supervision. The contract for the building is taken by Messrs. SHAW and JACKSON, of London for the sum of £7,450. The nave and chancel only will be built under this contract, leaving the second aisle and tower and spire for a future occasion.
Apr 24th 1869: RYDE LIFEBOAT – The lifeboat, named after the generous donor, Hans BUSK, is intended to be launched on Tuesday next, when Capt. Hans BUSK is expected to be present, on which occasion there will be a numerous gathering of Volunteers and others. The boat, as our readers are aware, is intended to be stationed at the pier.