March 1875
Isle of Wight Observer:
Mar 6th 1875: THE VOLUNTEERS – The monthly parade of the Ryde Volunteer corps took place on Wednesday evening. Under the command of Sergeant FLUX, they were marched through St. John’s, Elmfield, along the Brading road, and Preston, returning via Oakfield, marching altogether about five miles. The band attended.
Mar 6th 1875: LOCAL LIQUIDATION – The total number of fresh petitions filed in town and country, under the liquidation clauses of the Act of 1869, for the week ending the 27th ult., has been 236, and includes the following case: Re Edward MUNSTER de BUSSCHE of Ryde, Isle of Wight, creditors meet at the office of Messrs. F. B. SMART and Co., accountants, Cheapside.
Mar 13th 1875: “MUSICAL SHORTHAND” – This is the title of a very ingenious book by our townsman, Mr. J. WALLIS, the son of Mr. Councillor WALLIS, and the object is to substitute for the present cumbrous system of musical notation, shorthand signs, by means if which a composer may jot down his ideas, or even “take down” an air. The idea is not exactly a novel one, but we think Mr. WALLIS’s system is the best we have seen.
Mar 20th 1875: THE THEATRE – Although the name of our theatre has been altered into “Ryde Pavilion,” the old designation is so familiar that we do not think it will soon be dropped. We trust that under its new management the theatre will be more successful than it has been. The building has been thoroughly cleaned, and a great number of improvements introduced. We are glad to announce that the house will be re-opened, under, we trust, happier auspices, by Miss Sarah THORNE, and an excellent company.
Mar 20th 1875: HOW 1d. BECAME £100 – On Friday evening an ex-prize fighter from Manchester, named Charles BENT, gave a lecture in the Temperance-hall upon this theme. On Monday he gave another lecture upon “The right and wrong side of the publichouse.” It is needless to say that his lectures were temperance ones.
Mar 20th 1875: LOW TIDES – We have lately had some exceptionally low tides, and though the length of our pier prevented any inconvenience in the landing and embarkation of passengers, at Portsmouth the floating bridge got on the mud, the water in the harbour being of a most exceptional shallowness.
Mar 20th 1875: DISCOVERY OF COINS – While cutting the railway from Ryde to Newport at Haven Street, a number of small brass Roman coins were dug up, and have been secured by the Mayor for the Museum of the Philosophical Society. The only coin of rarity was a Magnus Maxinus, with the reverse, Specs Romanorvm; a castruan, in exergue, P. con. The rest were mostly of Theodosius, Arcadius and Honorius.
Mar 20th 1875: ASSISTANT OVERSEER’ AT BINSTEAD – The polling for this office took place on Thursday. The contest lay between Messrs. TWYMAN and YOUNG. Mr. TWYMAN is declared elected, but only by a majority of one.
Mar 27th 1875: THE CEMETERY – Several complaints have been made respecting the conduct of visitors to the cemetery. Choice flowers have been picked and bouquets stolen repeatedly, and we think those guilty of such mean conduct, and so utterly devoid of any sense of decorum, deserve punishment in the event of their discovery. Englishmen are especially prone to touch, and the request “not to” seems to have no effect whatsoever.
Mar 27th 1875: CAMPANOLOGY – The Royal Osborne Hand-Bell Ringers gave an entertainment in the Town-hall on Saturday evening, under the auspices of the Isle of Wight Executive of Good Templars. There was a numerous audience, and both their dexterous manipulation of the bells and their excellent vocalism were heartily and frequently applauded.