Crowded trams – but boys get room to play
HERE in this regular feature we take a look back at the Rochdale Observer from 100 years ago..
●●A TRAMWAY SERVICE
To the editor of the Rochdale Observer.
Sir, as a frequent rider in the trams I venture to make a suggestion.
At certain times of the day, they are very much over-crowded: the platforms are thronged and even the steps are occupied.
At the same time, it frequently happens that inside the cars there is plenty of room for standing passengers if they will only “move up.”
By a strange perversity, the doorway is a favourite place for passengers to congregate, and the way in and out is blocked.
What I suggest is that a notice to the following effect be placed conspicuously in the car: ‘Will standing passengers please pass along to the top end of the car?’
Not only should this notice be exhibited but the conductors should be instructed and drilled into seeing that the passengers carry it out.
This is done in London busses and I am sure it would be a great advantage if followed here. Yours, A FREQUENT PASSENGER.
●●A CLUB FOR WORKING BOYS
The formal opening of a building in Smith Street belonging to Kelsall and Kemp Ltd as a club for the use of the boys in their employ took place yesterday afternoon.
The premises consist of rooms for meals, reading, gymnastics, billiards and other games.
A company of Boy Scouts has been formed, and a cricket and boxing club established.
Lord Rochdale, in a short speech to the boys, said he hoped that they would get much pleasure out of the rooms, and have a greater enjoyment in their work by getting to know their fellow workings better, not only in work but also in play.
He trusted that they would find out how much happiness would come to them through true comradeship.
●●WAR CASUALTIES
Lance-Corporal W. Young, of the Lancashire Fusiliers, who formerly lived at 9, Ernest Terrace, Rochdale, was killed in action on May 14.
He was in his 21st year and formerly worked for the Milnrow Spinning Company.
Private George Perks of the South Wales Borders, only son of Mrs Perks of 10 William Street, Rochdale, passed away in a casualty clearing station abroad on May 30 from shell gas poisoning.
He was 19 years of age and formerly worked at the Standard Mill, Sparth
●●A THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“War is the last thing in all the world to go according to programme.” Thucydides.
●●FIFTY YEARS AGO
At Darwen on Saturday last, at the opening of the Over Darwen new central co-operative stores, R. S. Ashton, who presided, made the following observation in reference to our townsmen:
“He had always felt himself particularly drawn to the Rochdale people.
“He did not know exactly why it was; whether it was because he heard so much good of the town, or whether it was because they had such an illustrious man as Mr Bright amongst them, or because they had been connected with Mr Cobden.
“They had shown great appreciation of those men, who were prophets in their midst, but it was not always that a man was successful in his own country.
“He would say whatever he heard of Rochdale, it was always in connection with something that was good and useful and he did not think there was a class of workpeople in this or any other part of the world who would surpass the Rochdale people.