May 1874
Isle of Wight Observer:
May 2nd 1874: VISCOUNT TEMPLETOWN – During the week, Mr. Jabez HUGHES, the eminent photographer, of Union-street, has been exhibiting in his window a fine portrait (almost life size) of General Lord TEMPLETOWN, intended, we understand, for presentation by the Corporation of Portsmouth.
May 2nd 1874: VISIT TO RYDE – The Rev. H. MORRIS paid us a flying and unexpected visit on Friday last, and met with a hearty reception from several old friends. Some years since the rev. gentleman was curate of St. Thomas’s Church, during which time he took an active part in causing a small mission Church to be erected at Swanmore, which in after years gave place to the present edifice.
May 2nd 1874: STEALING SAND – A recommendation, to the effect that a summons be issued against Charles REEVES for taking sand away from the shore, and that another summons should be taken out against Henry PARNELL (master of the ship Leonidas) for receiving it. The report of the Surveyor was to the effect that he saw REEVES and several other men ballasting the ship of sand within the boundaries of the borough. He mentioned the names of the other men who were with REEVES—all Ryde men.
May 9th 1874: PROPERTY – In a month or so the lease of the property known as Westmont, now in the tenancy of that fine old English gentleman, Sir Wm. MARTINS, will expire, and it is generally understood that a road will be made, starting from Queen’s-road in a northerly direction and coming out into Spencer-road, and thus open the land up for building purposes. Those who are seeking investments perhaps will find it a profitable one.
May 9th 1874: THE SEASON – Our lodginghouse-keepers are now busily engaged in having their houses decorated and renovated for the comfort of the thousands of visitors who annually flock hither for the two-fold purpose of enjoying a ramble and our unrivalled Island scenery, and obtaining the benefit of its health-giving and invigorating breezes. Visitors have already began to arrive.
May 16th 1874: DISCOVERY OF ROMAN COINS – On Saturday an excavator working near Ashey, on the Ryde and Newport Railway, struck his pickaxe into an earthen pot containing a quantity of copper coins (Roman). They were much corroded, and the image and superscription were illegible. We hear that some of them have been cleaned, and found to be of the reign of the Emperor Antoninus Marcus AURELIUS, who died A.D. 161.
May 16th 1874: TROUBLESOME – We are glad to learn that Mr. Frederick SMITH, of High-street, has disposed of his troublesome dog. He has sent it to a distant relative, who, we hope, will take the precaution to keep it under proper control.
May 23rd 1874: LAMPLIGHTERS – Ryde Borough Council recommended that the wages of H. WEST, lamplighter, be increased from 20s. to 25s. per week, and that the wages of Henry BUCKETT and FAULKNER for lighting lamps be increased from 4s. to 6s. per week.
May 30th 1874: A TREAT – On the morning and evening of Wednesday, the 10th of June, the Poland-street hand-bell ringers, whose clever performances gave unmingled satisfaction at the Ryde Town-hall, a short time ago, will again appear in Ryde, and, judging from their popularity and the way in which they were received on the former occasion, we have no doubt there will be a very numerous attendance.
May 30th 1874: WHITSUNTIDE – On Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, some thousands of visitors entered Ryde, and the boat, pier, and railway companies were patronised to a large extent. In fact, the older residents of the town declare that during the Whitsuntide holidays there was a greater influx of visitors than on any former occasion in the history of the town. Many of them, however, passed through to the towns on the east and south of the Island.