TOWN HALL CHAMBERS
Isle of Wight Observer October 4 1890
More 1890s bits and pieces
On Monday last, Messrs Wallis, Riddett and Down took possession of their new offices and sale rooms in Lind-street, immediately facing the Town Hall, and until recently known as the Victoria Rooms, but which they have now very appropriately called “Town Hall Chambers”. It will be remembered that the old assembly room was 8ft or 10ft above the level of the street, and was approached by a double flight of stone steps, the space under the room, although on the ground floor, being only used as a cellar and store. The main floor of the building has now been raised so as to give a height of 12ft to the ground floor. A tiled corridor runs through the centre of the building, off which are several offices for the principals and their staff, a fine room especially intended for property sales, and also a strong room (the largest of its kind on the Island), fitted with a door and ventilating gate, by Chubb. The upper floor measures about 75ft by 35ft, and is 18ft high. It is divided by a plate glass screen. This floor is intended for the sale of furniture, pictures &c. The entrance for goods is from a private road at the back, which will enable this department of the work to be carried on without interference with the front offices. A plot of land at the back of the premises affords convenience for the sale of outdoor effects. Much care and thought have evidently been bestowed upon the work, and it would be difficult to find any town offices and sale rooms more admirably adapted to the purpose for which they are designed. We congratulate the firm on the possession of such excellent premises. The work has been well carried out by Mr Barton, from plans prepared by Mr Francis Newman, on whom the skilful transformation of the premises reflects much credit.
Ryde Horse and Carriage Show
Isle of Wight Observer May 25 1895
If the fine weather should continue the annual Horse and Carriage Show, which is arranged to take place on Thursday next, ought to be a great success. No less than 16 four-horse coaches are expected to take part. We do not think it would be possible to better advertise the Island as a coaching place than for as many of the Island coaches as can come, to assemble in Ryde, as it is expected they will do on the occasion referred to. Naturally there are a few little differences of opinion amongst coach proprietors, but that ought not too prevent their combining to advertise and do honour to the Isle of Wight as a coaching district. The show has always been the most popular of the series arranged by the Ryde Exhibitions and Horticultural Association. This year there have been several new and interesting features introduced, notably, a horse jumping competition in the Recreation Ground, which, we have no doubt, will prove very attractive. We notice that the manager of the Isle of Wight Railway, in an enterprising spirit which deserves much commendation, will run a cheap excursion, as will likewise the Isle of Wight Central Railway, so that we may expect a large influx of visitors. Advertisements elsewhere give full particulars.
A Runaway in Union Street
Isle of Wight Observer May 4 1895
On Tuesday morning, about 11 o’clock, one of Messrs Chaplin’s horses attached to a trolly was coming down the High Street. When opposite Mr Duffett’s, something seems to have startled the animal, which commenced kicking, breaking one of the shafts. The driver managed to alight and seize the reins, and made a plucky attempt to stop the horse, but was unsuccessful. It first dashed into a Victoria in charge of Mr Stephens, jun, knocking the fore wheels off, and damaging the springs, but happily did not injure the horse much. The runaway then proceeded at a stretch down Union Street. Painters were at work on ladders outside Mr Lowe’s premises, and on one of these ladders a painter (E Woodnutt, well known as a football player), was at work 30 feet or so from the ground. Woodnutt fortunately saw the danger, and, as the horse dashed into, and knocked down the ladder he was working on, managed to spring upon a neighbouring parapet, thus escaping a serious accident. A light trap belonging to Mr Tuffley, of Bembridge, was also knocked all to pieces. It was in charge of a young man who had come in to execute various commissions, and was loaded with provisions, which were scattered all over the street. There was a little girl in the cart, and she was thrown out with such violence that some of the bystanders, thinking she was seriously hurt, carried her across to Mr Gurnell, the chemist, where it was sson ascertained that she was quite unhurt. The runaway having collided with, and knocked down and smashed the lamp column in front of Yelf’s Hotel, and also damaged another further down the street, eventually overturned the trolly while turning into Pier Street near Mr Guy’s shop, and fell down. The horse was then resecured, and taken to the stable, where it was found that it had received little injury. It is a miracle that more damage was not done, for the street was unusually brisk, many carriages having just started for the races, &c.
