November 1874
Isle of Wight Observer:
Nov 14th 1874: THE THEATRE – How is it the new theatre does not succeed? This is the question which has often been put, but never satisfactorily answered. Some lay the blame to religion; the people of Ryde, say these, are so religious that they cannot countenance the stage; and if a chapel had been built on the site of this theatre, it would have done well. Others take the fact of the theatre failing as evidence of the decadence of Ryde. Ryde is going down in the scale; a theatre, and in fact nothing else, will ever “do” here now.
Nov 14th 1874: PRINCIPLES – Our newly elected Mayor, Mr. BARROW, will always remain popular so long as he continues to act up to the high principles he enunciated in his speech after his election last Monday. If he behave with the same moderation, consideration, and desire to conciliate all with whom he may come into contact, which he displayed at this first meeting, we may prophesy that his year of office will be a very useful one.
Nov 14th 1874: TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION WITH THE ISLAND – Communication was restored late on Saturday afternoon; a new cable having been laid across the Solent. The International is now on her way to Guernsey for the purpose of inspecting the damage to the Channel Islands cable.
Nov 14th 1874: TORPEDO EXPERIMENT – The announcement that the Oberon torpedo experiments would take place on Tuesday morning caused a great number of persons to be on the qui vive, and numerous glasses were directed to Stokes Bay.
Nov 21st 1874: STATION MASTER AT RYDE – Whether it is that Mr. PENTY, the late station master at the Ryde station, was disgusted with the remarks made respecting him, or the difficulty of pleasing the public, certain it is, he has resigned a position which he has held for some time, and the duties of which he performed in a manner which has gained him much respect. Mr. PENTY has been in many parts of the world, and was with Mr. James BROOK (the “English Rajah”) as a steward for many years.
Nov 21st 1874: VOLUNTEER BAND – Mr. Robert HARRIS has just been appointed bandmaster of our local Volunteer band. An excellent musician, Mr HARRIS has had a great deal of experience in the army, having served in the Royal Marines 26 years and three months—as a bugler seven years, and as bugle-major seven.
Nov 21st 1874: NOISE IN THE GALLERY – The Mayor alluded to the noise which had been made by certain ratepayers in the gallery at the last meeting of the Council. If the same thing occurred at any future meeting, a policeman would be stationed in the gallery who would take down names of those who interrupted the proceedings, and such persons would not be again admitted into the gallery.
Nov 28th 1874: THE BICYCLE – The lightness, elegance, and quickness of these new-fashioned machines have made them extremely popular, and are now very numerous. We must object, however, to one form of these machines (which is now extensively sold) being used in the streets of the town, or without carrying a light in the night time. The wheels of these machines are covered over with india-rubber, and they glide along with a noiseless ghost-like sweep which is likely to lead to accidents.
Nov 28th 1874: ACCIDENTS TO VESSELS – On Thursday last, owing to the winds suddenly flying round, a number of vessels, which were near the slipway, could not clear each other. The Trio, belonging to Messrs. GAWN and RIDDETT, carried away her bowsprit; one of Mr. CURTISS’ boats was driven under the pier, and a barge had her bows stove in.
Nov 28th 1874: LOCAL LIQUIDATION CASES – Re William SALTER, posting master and caterer, of the Belgrave hotel, Nelson-street, Ryde. Creditors meet at the Belgrave hotel. Solicitor for the petitioner, Mr. H. R. HOOPER.— Re Isaac SAUNDERS, builder, of Binstead. Creditors meet at the office of Mr. T. H. URRY, solicitor, 69 George-street, Ryde.