100 years ago

The well-known Government delegate from Ontario, Mr John Farrell, had just arrived in this country on his annual visit in order to give the latest information and advice with regard to the prospects for intending settlers in the Dominion.

For this purpose he would attend at Messrs Cook’s Shipping and Emigration Office, 38, Coney Street, York, on Monday, February 2, where he could be consulted free of charge by all interested persons. Mr Farrell would make up a party of settlers to return with him to Ontario in May. He would be in a position to guarantee every member of the party permanent employment at farm or domestic work for one year, and would himself supervise their being placed into positions.

Afterwards he would at intervals personally visit the settlers to ascertain whether they were satisfied with their conditions.

 

50 years ago

A 101,000-mile signal had been sent to America’s Ranger VI moon probe as it hurtled through space. If the Ranger obeyed it correctly, scientists hoped to announce within 12 hours where the spacecraft would hit the moon.

Dr William Pickering, director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of Pasadena, California, which was controlling the flight, said: “Everything continues to look very good. The mid-course correction seems normal. On the basis of information radioed back, I can say we will probably hit the moon.” Officials said later that the radio signal had ignited the steering engine.

It was hoped the booster would increase the Ranger’s speed from 4343 mph to 4435 mph, guiding its path towards the middle of the moon. Ranger VI was scheduled for a crash landing on the moon to snap close-up photographs of the surface where an American astronaut might land five years later.

 

25 years ago

York Railway Station had been judged the best large station on the whole British Rail network, not only for the way it looked, but also for the quality of its staff and the customer service it offered.

At an awards ceremony in London Princess Alexandra handed over a commemorative framed certificate and a cheque for £300 to Debbie Bartlett, clerical officer of York Travel Centre, to mark the station’s achievement. York station had beaten 17 of British Rail’s major stations to win the prestigious award in the nationwide competition.

Judges from British Rail and Rotary International, supported by the Tidy Britain Group, made the award after assessing all British Rail’s manned passenger stations and giving marks for all aspects of station environment. They considered customer care, the quality of information to customers, and staff efforts to involve the local community.