Gaiety at the theatre, a clean-up at school – and death at front
HERE in this regular feature we take a look back at the Rochdale Observer from 100 years ago..
●●WAR CASUALTIES
Private H Dearden of the Lancashire Fusiliers, fourth son of Mr and Mrs Dearden, of 9 Russell Street, Rochdale, was killed in action on March 22.
Private S Swaine of the Machine Gun Corps, who was the son of Mr and Mrs J T Swaine, of 18 Gowers Street, Rochdale, died from his wounds in hospital abroad on April 11. ●●LOCAL AMUSEMENTS
The Empire - When False Tongues Speak, a play with a powerful plot, is the chief picture shown at the Empire, Town Hall Square during the second half of this week. A very entertaining variety turn is given by Madame Zillah’s Gaiety Girls.
●●SCHOOL CLEANING MR GORDON HARVEY’S EXPERIMENT
Mr A G C Harvey, MP, as chairman of the Rochdale District Education Committee, emphasised the necessity for the strict cleanliness of school buildings at the April meeting of the Committee.
He had no hesitation in saying that he had never yet been inside a school which might not have been better cleaned. It was not possible to keep the schools too clean and pure for the sake of the children who were compelled to use them.
Undoubtedly , the thorough cleaning of the schools would be expensive, but if the committee was a free agent and could spend money in the way suggested, it would mean the prevention of a large amount of infantile sickness.
He was very anxious that schools generally should be perfectly clean, and he proposed to have a Littleborough school thoroughly cleansed his own expense.
He would ask the caretaker at to clean a portion of the school as he thought it should be cleaned, then he would introduce the vacuum cleaning process and afterwards the sprayer would be used.
He intended to arrange for this particular demonstration because he regarded the question of school cleaning as a very important part of the committee’s work.
●●FIFTY YEARS AGO
From the Rochdale Observer of April 25th, 1868.
Pablo Funquo’s Alhambra Circus open every evening at seven o’clock, to commence at half past. Mr Dan Cooke, the Great Clown, every night. Immense Success of the new company consisting of the best male and female equestrians, gymnasts, clowns, etc., of the present day, grand midday performance, Saturday and Monday, April 25th and 27th. Doors open at two o’clock. Performance to commence at half-past.
●●MEDALS FOR NURSES
In a report on the examination of the institution nurses, Dr Richmond (the examiner) recommended the board to provide medals for the successful candidates, and it was agreed to action on the doctor’s suggestion.
●●CHEAP COAL
The Coal Purchasing Committee reported that it had recently attended a coal auction sale and purchased 200 tons of fuel for use at the Dearnley Institution for £100, plus cartage.