Thursday Flashback

An open top-tram is pictured in Falsgrave heading towards Scalby Road where the tram depot was between Hampton Road and Wykeham Street. When Scarborough’s electric trams started operating they were an instant success: in their first two and a half days 15 open-top cars carried and witness told him his son had used the cart for passengers. Defendant replied that he did not think it mattered about carrying passengers so long as payment was not received from them.

Mr Whitfield, addressing the magistrates, said defendant had one hundred acres of land at Burniston, and a number of cows. Each day the milk had to be taken to Scarborough twice. Only about three of four months ago he had a son who looked after the beasts, and took the milk to Scarborough. That son was called to the colours. Therefore, the daughter who kept the house and did all the housework, in addition to her household duties had had to milk the cows, feed them, and take the milk into Scarborough. Probably she had more than twice the work she could be fairly expected to do. It was a public meeting at Scalby, or at Cloughton, in regard to asking ladies to volunteer for farm work, and to give what assistance they could to farmers in order that men might be released for the colours. Canvassers were sent round, and very largely as a result of this public movement one of the alleged passengers (Mrs 22,000 passengers on five basic routes for one or twopenny fares. Photo reproduced courtesy of the Max Payne collection. Reprints can be ordered with proceeds going to local charities. Telephone 0330 1230203 and quote reference number YRN160719-115616050. Broadbent) who resided in the village retired - saw defendant and as a result Mrs Broadbent very kindly and through motives of patriotism, offered to help Mr Pearson and also his daughter, by taking the milk into Scarborough on such occasions when it was impossible for the daughter to do so. She, of course, pointed out that for her to be able to do so she must know the round. Therefore, on the date in question, Miss Pearson took Mrs Broadbent in the trap to Scarborough with the milk to show her where the customers’ premises were, and the quantity of milk each required. It was on that occasion that the police officer saw Mrs Broadbent in the vehicle. He would fully substantiate that statement by witnesses. If Mrs Broadbent wished to go for a drive she did not choose a milk cart, because she had a pony and trap of her own properly licensed. She was going solely on business - for the delivery of the milk to Scarborough. He (Mr Whitfield) suggested that in view of those circumstances and in view of difficulties in which farmers were placed at the present time, he thought such voluntary action should be supported rather than discounted by the prosecution.

Defendant, Mrs Broadbent, and the daughter of defendant gave corroborative evidence.

Replying to Mr Whitfield, defendant said that Mrs Broadbent volunteered to do the work, when they were busy among the hay, or if the daughter was not able to go in case of illness. The clerk asked Mrs Broadbent if, when she went shopping to Scarborough, she did any shopping, in addition to helping to deliver the milk, The reply was “No.” She added she simply went to deliver the milk.

By Inspector Calvert: She had not been since for fear of getting defendant into trouble with the police. She did not want to do that.

Defendant’s daughter told the Bench that if they saw the milk cans she had to carry and felt the weight they would think she needed help. She had to get customers to help her with the cans. Mrs Broadbent had only been once with her. Sometimes she aided other persons at Burniston by conveying their milk for them.

The magistrates retired, and almost immediately returning, the Chairman announced that the case would be dismissed.