Snow storm in Manchester
NICOLE McCLURG looks back at what was making the news 100 years ago
Clearing difficulties
FOLLOWING a severe night’s frost, snow commenced to fall in Manchester this morning around 5.30. [January 9] For nearly four hours the storm continued, with the result that the city was covered with snow to a depth of several inches.
The temperature rose very perceptibly after nine o’clock and during the forenoon a thin rain speedily transferred the snow into a uncomfortable slush.
The Cleansing Committee of the Manchester Corporation found itself in a plight when the time arrived for engaging extra labour to clear the roadways. In pre-war days a snowfall, like that of this morning, would have seen the department engaging at least 2,000 extra men. This morning seven men all told completed the number of ‘extras’ that applied for work.
This little hand constituted the sole assistance able to help the extremely limited number of permanent men and women whose duty it is to keep the streets clean. Added to these difficulties there is a dearth of carters, and the citizens perforce will be called upon to make the best of the situation.
A new motor sweeper purchased by the cleansing department arrived in Manchester last weekend but it will be a few days before the equipment can be turned out to daily use.
The tramway department experienced no difficulty in running the ordinary service, the lines having been well salted during the night.
Stockport Without Gas Shortage of Labour and the Cold Snap
STOCKPORT is practically without gas and the supply to doubling mills, hat works, laundries and works using gas engines was stopped, with the result that many departments had to close down. During the past week the consumption of gas has been from half a million to three-quarters of a million cubic feet per day in excess of the quantity that the gasworks has been able to make. It is stated that this is due to the shortage of labour and the sudden cold snap, which has created an enormously increased demand.
The gas engineer stated this morning that they had been endeavouring to get a number of men released from the forces, and permission had been granted in a number of cases, but the men had not yet arrived. The plant was available if they could get the men to work it.
The mayor and engineer have interviewed the stokers, and a number of them are going on twelve hour shifts. The men have recently received an additional 1s. 2d. per shift. Every effort it was stated, is being made to increase the supply, and it is hoped that the present difficulty will only last for two or three days. The restrictions have been necessary in order not to interfere with the demands of the munition works. The pressure to household consumers is very low.
A Hen-Keeper’s Lament (With apologies)
‘EVERY working man who has a fair-sized backyard should keep a few hens on the intensive system in order to obtain fresh eggs daily for his household requirements.’ Walking one day in my backyard I was struck with a bright idea I would purchase a hen and teach it To lay through the livelong year. So I bought the best bird in the market It came from a ‘laying strain’ And the man from whom I bought it Swore I’d never want eggs again! I fed it on beans and lentils; On oats and ‘salvaged’ wheat; On scraps of meat and ‘Ovum’; With bones as a special treat. I gave it cayenne pepper And spice every other day, But nothing that I could give it Would induce that hen to lay! I’d had visions of eggs in plenty, But alas! to my sad surprise, I have sought, but I seek one vainly In the nest where the pot egg lies. It may be in some bright future I shall meet with a ‘laying pen’; And it may be for Sunday’s dinner I shall eat that sterile hen. - “STRETFORDIAN.”