Tuesday, January 3, 2006

100 years ago

There was a comic side to the working of the Aliens Act and there had been some amusing scenes on the docks at Hull. In view of the regulations, there had been quite a rush of emigrants from Russia, and in a few days before January 1 the arrivals had been numerous. A large number were Jews, the majority of whom expressed their intention of remaining in England. The emigrants were taking the new regulations in good part and submitted to the medical examination without trouble. It was when their wealth had to be exhibited that the officials had to be patient. One woman had thirty gold coins sewn in the lining of her blouse. Others produced money from the bosoms of their dresses and from their stockings, whilst the men had money in their boots. One woman, looking like a bundle of rags, produced the necessary £5 after the dextrous use of a pair of scissors. Up to the day before, the emigrants appeared fairly healthy, and some had been excluded. Today, the value of the Act should be shown, for several vessels with emigrants were due, and a busy time was anticipated. It was expected that some would not pass the test.

50 years ago

York and District Rovers and Rangers, despite the bad weather, distributed 120 parcels of Christmas fare, in addition to a quantity of logs, as a special seasonal good turn. The recipients, most of them old people, had a delightful surprise when Rovers and Rangers, part of the Scout movement, called. Gratitude was on all faces and some of them subsequently wrote, expressing thanks for the gift that helped to brighten Yuletide for them.

25 years ago

Rules for sunblinds might be laid down for shopkeepers in the North York Moors National Park. Recommendations to control colour and design would be put to the park committee by Mr Derek Statham, National Park Officer. This followed a successful appeal against the committee's refusal to allow a Dutch canopy blind over the door of a Castleton tearoom. Under the existing rules shopkeepers needed planning consent to put up a blind where there was none before but not to alter the appearance of one already installed. Mr Statham recommended acceptance of new blinds where the character of a building or area would not be harmed by the proposed colour and design. He further recommended that all approvals should be conditional on no alterations being made in colour and design without the committee's approval. Mr Statham pointed out: "In recent years the tendency has been for deeper canopy-type blinds to be erected, and many of these are in bright colours and often patterned."

Updated: 12:06 Monday, January 02, 2006