June 1876
Isle of Wight Observer:
Jun 3rd 1876: THE HEATHER BELL – As will be see in other advertisements, that splendid vessel, the Heather Bell has been engaged for an excursion round the Island with the deputies of the A.M.C. on Wednesday, and she will also make similar excursions on Tuesday and Thursday, when the public generally will have an opportunity of enjoying this beautiful trip.
Jun 3rd 1876: CHAPEL FOR OAKFIELD – On Tuesday afternoon, His Worship the Mayor laid a corner stone of a new Primitive Methodist Chapel, which is about to be erected at the end of the principal street of Oakfield. It is felt that something is required to fight against the godlessness of this part of the town, as anyone will understand by a glance at our police reports, most of the cases seeming, to come from that locality.
Jun 3rd 1876: ASHEY BOARD SCHOOLS – The new school which the School Board for the united District of Ryde have erected at Ashey, will be opened on Monday, the 12th inst. Miss Marion BOYNE, who has been appointed school mistress, will be in attendance to receive children, and the School will be formerly opened by Thos. DASHWOOD, the Chairman of the Board. The fee will be twopence per week. (More about Thomas Dashwood here)
Jun 3rd 1876: A SPILL IN GEORGE STREET – An accident occurred on Wednesday evening to Mr. WAY, farmer, of Forelands. He was coming down George-street in a trap and did not happen to see a heap of dirt thrown in the road opposite the York Hotel, where some repairs to the road were in progress. To try to avoid the heap of dirt, he drove on the pavement, and the trap turned over and Mr. WAY was quite stunned. Assistance was rendered from the York Hotel.
Jun 3rd 1876: THE FIRE BRIGADE – On Thursday evening the Fire Brigade under the command of Capt. BUCKETT, had a short practice with the hose, and washed the front of the Town Hall, and the Victoria Rooms. The water was sent completely over the Victoria Rooms. (More about Capt. Henry Bucket here)
Jun 3rd 1876: RE-OPENING – We direct our readers’ attention to an advertisement announcing the re-opening of the photographic studio, 9 Pier-street, by Mr. R. JAMES, who has removed from 18 Union-street.
Jun 10th 1876: HAYLANDS – A Mission Room has just been opened at No. 1 Albion Villas, Haylands, chiefly for infirm persons and others who cannot get to church. Services are held every Wednesday evening at 7 o’clock, and conducted by the Rev. G. Pierce GRANTHAM, Precentor of Swanmore Church. The room is nicely fitted up, and will doubtless be a great boon especially to the aged inhabitants of Haylands.
Jun 17th 1876: LECTURE ON ELECTRICITY – Mr. WETTON, the inventor of a new curative agent, “The Magneticon,” gave two lectures at the Victoria Rooms. His knowledge of the subject was very great. The lecture was illustrated by some of the most beautiful experiments we have ever had the pleasure of seeing. Electricity was made to show its power in a really marvellous manner, and some of the exhibitions were more effective than any fireworks we have ever seen.
Jun 24th 1876: EASY TO SEE – An improvement has been recently effected in the appearance of the street pillar letter-boxes. These are painted scarlet instead of black, the times the mails go out being painted in white letters. The pillar post-boxes are now such striking objects that they can be seen from one end of the street to the other.
Jun 24th 1876: FREE EMIGRATION TO QUEENSLAND – Free passages are granted by the Government of Queensland to: General Servants, Cooks, Housemaids, Nurses, Dairymaids, &c. Wages, £25 to £50 a year, all found. Married and Single Farm Labourers, wages, £30 to £50 a year, with board and lodging. All wages are double English rates. Each ship carries an experienced Surgeon and Matron. Families have separate sleeping compartments.