Film drama, plain bread and less working hours
HERE in this regular feature we take a look back at the Rochdale Observer from 100 years ago..
●●CINEMA FILM FIRE
A fire which might easily have had serious consequences occurred in the operating box at the Public Hall Picture House, Baillie Street, on Wednesday night.
Shortly after 10 o’clock, when the last section of the principal picture, Moll o’ my heart, was being shown, the electric motor working the lantern stopped.
Becoming stationary, the film got overheated through the carbons in the lamp and burst into flames.
The operator, Mr. W. H. Yates of Field Brow, Ramsbottom, pluckily endeavoured to extinguish the fire, and in so doing, had his left hand badly burned.
Meanwhile, a detachment of men from the Rochdale Fire Brigade had arrived and carried the burning film encased in a spool, into the street where the fire was extinguished.
●●FANCY BREAD ABOLISHED
In a new Bread Order dated May 18th, the changes in existing regulations interest chiefly the bakers.
One provision abolishes fancy bread. No bread, says the order, shall be made or sold which contains: any dried or other fruits; any eggs or egg products; any butter, margarine or other form of fat (except that which is used for greasing the tins); any sugar, molasses, syrup, honey or other sweetening substances.
No bread is to be baked which contains any form of milk other than buttermilk.
●●MORE BUTTER SOON
Instructions have been received at the local Food Control Offices by which it is expected shortly to increase from four to five ounces the ration of butter and margarine purchasable on a coupon.
Where supplies have been available, the committees have taken immediate advantage of the instructions; other committees as in the case of Rochdale, are awaiting detailed information as to the methods by which supplies will be obtained.
●●A PLEA FOR AN EIGHT-HOUR DAY
To the editor of the Rochdale Observer.
Sir, - In your “Trade and Commerce” notes of Wednesday, you make the statement that certain employers are up against the introduction of an eight-hour day for the cotton mills as likely to become a permanent institution.
Why not? Many employ- ers in the cotton trade have long since declared their willingness to give it a trial.
The slipper trade throughout the Rossendale Valley have adopted shorter hours, starting after breakfast, and the change is admitted to be a great success.
The writer is one of those who believe the two hours’ work before breakfast do more harm and take the energy out of a man for the rest of the day.
In our colonies of New Zealand and Australia, they recognise an eighthours day and adopted it years ago. Yours, E.L.
●●WAR CASUALTIES
Private Gilbert Stuttard (Devonshire Regiment), 25, was killed in action on April 24th. His home was in Manchester, but he was formerly a spinner at the Ensor Mill, Rochdale. He has left a widow and a child. Private Stuttard’s parents reside in the Spotland district.
Private William Martin (Royal Welsh Fusiliers), died of dysentery in Mesopotamia on April 18th. He enlisted on April 16th, 1915, went to the Dardanelles five months later and was severely wounded in January 1916. After leaving Gallipoli, he was sent first to Egypt and then to Mesopotamia, where he was in hospital four times with malaria. Before enlistment he worked for Davey, Kenton and Co. Limited, attended St Patrick’s Catholic Church, and was one of the “Old boys” in the Catholic Boys’ Brigade. He was single and 24 years of age.