January 1919
Isle of Wight Observer:
Jan 4th 1919: FEMALE WORKERS – About fifty ex-munition workers (females) belonging to Ryde applied for and obtained their out-of-work pay. They were offered situations as cooks, housemaids, etc., but each one of them gave a polite refusal—in other words, they weren’t having any. This is not surprising when it is remembered what times they have had in the past. When there are improved conditions of domestic service, they may take on such jobs.
Jan 4th 1919: WEDDINGS – One wonders when there will be another “boom” in war weddings. There were very few such marriages at Xmas; by the time the “boys” come home at Easter the bells may be ringing again.
Jan 4th 1919: NURSES – Our local nurses afforded great enjoyment to their patients during Christmastide. Real enjoyment was reached when one of the Sisters donned the kilts, and sang a couple of Harry Lauder’s songs that would have highly pleased that famous comedian.
Jan 4th 1919: INDIGNATION – A Ryde corporal, home on leave, expressed his warm indignation about people trying to stop the soldier’s rum allowance. The gallant soldier was especially wrath because a number of these “righteous” people belonged to the chapel that he used to attend.
Jan 11th 1919: GAS SUPPLY – We are informed by the Ryde Gaslight Company that the reduced pressure is due to the demands during the holiday season and the extreme shortage of skilled stokers. During the Autumn the Ministry of Munitions supplied Army Reserve Workers but these men were discharged from the Reserve on the signing of the Armistice and are not now available.
Jan 11th 1919: HOUSING – A visitor who had not been here for some years was loud in his praise of the changes and improvements. There was only one thing he was sorry to observe, namely, the large number of vacant houses. It is possible some of these residences may be converted into flats. The housing question will have to be considered here as elsewhere and that compulsory measures will be taken if necessary.
Jan 11th 1919: EMPLOYMENT – Work for the local discharged soldiers may cause some anxiety as it is not to be expected they will accept just anything.
Jan 11th 1919: PEACE DAY – Some Island towns are already shaping their programme for Peace Day celebrations. As the treaty cannot well be signed until June, they are certainly in time in the matter.
Jan 18th 1919: NARROW ESCAPE – As a horse and van containing a coffin with a corpse, and driven by Charles BISHOP was turning into West Street from Argyll Street, the animal took fright and ran on the pavement, doing damage to the walls and railings at Gladstone Villa. The driver and horse were uninjured though it was a narrow escape.
Jan 18th 1919: SPORT – It is likely that there will be two race meetings at Ashey this year. This announcement will cheer the hearts of some of our sporting friends especially the “bookies.” A little more advertising could be done if proper enterprise was shown and a little money spent in the right direction.
Jan 25th 1919: FREE JOINTS – A certain wag has suggested that the Food Control Committee when their work is finally done and ration books are a thing of the past, should sit down to a sumptuous repast. The butchers will supply all joints free gratis, on this occasion. What? In any case we hope the prices of most commodities will have lowered by that happy time.
Jan 25th 1919: THOUGHTLESS – It is easy to blame the railway company when a slight accident occurs but many passengers are very thoughtless in getting in and out of the trains. The young lady who fell out of a carriage this week without injuring herself was very lucky.