Lightning struck mill and chimney smoke put fog around town
HERE in this regular feature we take a look back at items in the Rochdale Observer from 100 years ago
●●THE NEW RATION BOOKS
The new food ration books which are to be used after November 2 will continue the existing coupon system.
They are similar in character to those now in use, but there is no provision for the choosing of fresh retailers.
Pages of coupons represent all the articles at present rationed and there are also additional coupons for tea.
There is a spare leaf of coupons which it is understood are to be used for the rationing of jam.
These new books will continue the system until May 2, 1919.
●●A WHITWORTH MILL
STRUCK
In last night’s storm, the Albert Mill, of the Whitworth Manufacturing Company, was struck by lightning.
The roof of the five-storey mill building caught fire and was blazing furiously when the motor engine with a complement of men from the Rochdale brigade reached the spot.
Two jets from the main were promptly brought into play and were found sufficient.
Owing to the rafters being alight the firemen removed a portion of the roof.
The sprinklers came into operation in the drawing room on the top floor.
It was two hours before the fire brigade could safely leave the building.
Owing to the fact that the Whitworth holiday is being taken this week, no employees were in the mill.
The damage, largely caused by water, has not yet been estimated.
●●HOUSE FIRES AND THE SMOKE EVIL
To the editor of the Rochdale Observer
Sir, with reference to the letter from Mr G. B. Williamson on the smoke question, I am glad to see that he points out what every expert on fuel consumption knows, that a clear chimney is not necessarily an economical one, but my object in writing is to point out that the major quantity of smoke produced in our town comes from house fires.
If you will take a position on one of our surrounding hills on a clear Sunday morning about 11.30 to noon, you will see the fog of smoke which hangs over the town from the cooking of the Sunday dinner.
The best cure for this is the use of gas for cooking and communal kitchens.
One important point Mr Williamson omits is the refusal of any colliers or dealers to deliver coal which shall conform to a scientific test of the British Thermal Units.
Some municipal engineers have tried to insert a clause to this effect in the contracts but have not been successful, and until the seller of coal is obliged to deliver fuel containing an agreed upon standard of BTUs we shall not avoid excessive smoke and the usual excuse of the fireman of ‘bad coal.’
It is quite time that rule of thumb methods gave way to scientific tests H BRIGHT, WHITWORTH. ●●WAR CASUALTIES
Lance-Corp Frank Cryer, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, son of Mr and Mrs Cryer of 15 Albert Royds Street, Rochdale, was killed in action on August 22. He was 20 years of age and married. In civil life he was an agent for the Prudential Assurance Company.
Mrs E. Kelly of 88 Worsley Street, Rochdale, has been officially informed of the death in action on August 28, of her brother Private Wilfred Kelly, 22, of the Lancashire Fusiliers.
In civil life, he worked as a carter for the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company.
●●50 YEARS AGO
On Thursday evening the ‘rearing’ of the Rochdale Town Hall was celebrated by a supper in the large assembly room over the Cooperative Store, Toad Lane.
The rearing of so large and magnificent a building may he looked upon as an important event by both the contractors and the public.
In this case, the rearing is very far advanced.
The west end is already covered in and slated, portions of the east end are rapidly approaching completion also, and those who have glanced at the building during the past week will have noticed the erection of several principals for the roof of the great hall which, in fitting proportions to the whole building, will be one of the finest halls in the kingdom,.