Digest of stories from The Luton News: Thursday,April 5th, 1917.

The meeting of the Luton Town Council on Tuesday was quite momentous. A new Chief Constable was appointed, and substantial increases of salary were awarded the Town Clerk and the Borough Accountant on the initiative of the Finance Committee.

A shortlist of five from the 53 applications received for the post of Chief Constable was considered by the Watch Committee and interviews held that afternoon. The Committee unanimously came to the conclusion to ask the Council to appoint Mr Charles Griffin, Chief Constable of Clitheroe, Lancashire.

Alderman Edwin Oakley, Chairman of the Watch Committee, said Mr Griffin was a young man of good education who had been refused leave to join the Army by the Clitheroe Watch Committee. He was also a man of ambition, and that was the very man wanted for a town like Luton. He would possibly fill the office equally well as the late Mr David Teale, but would perhaps bring into the Force more modern ideas with the experience of several constabularies behind him.

Addressing the new Chief Constable, the Mayor (Alderman John Staddon) said: "I have very great pleasure in announcing to you that the vote is unanimous, and as Chief Magistrate of this borough I heartily congratulate you on the appointment."

• A jury on Tuesday afternoon returned a verdict of accidental death at an inquest on plumber Mr Arthur Holdstock, aged 32, of 171 Dallow Road, Luton, whose overalls were caught in a revolving shaft at Messrs B. Laporte Ltd, Park Street, on Saturday. Mr Holdstock, who was employed by plumbers and decorators Messrs T. Wood and Son, Chapel Street, was repairing a pipe about 12 ft above the ground and was whirled round and round by the moving shaft. The inquest heard that the shaft could have been stopped had Mr Holdstock requested it, and another workman risked his own life to wrench the off the driving belt. Borough Medical Officer Dr W. J. Cox said when called he found the body of Mr Holdstock on the ground and life was quite extinct.

• Mrs Jessie Stewart, of 25 John Street, on Monday received official intimation of the death of her 19-year-old son, Signalman James B. Stewart. As the result of a collision he went down whilst serving on a minesweeper. The family have lived in Luton for some years, and Signalman Stewart, before joining the Navy, worked at the Diamond Foundry.

• The sad news that Cpl Leonard Euinton, of the Bedfordshire Regiment, had been killed in action has been received by Mrs Euinton, of 57 Boyle Street, Luton. Prior to his enlistment Cpl Euinton was employed at the Diamond Foundry as a moulder.

• Pte Frederick Gordon Smart, Bedfordshire Regiment, whose home address is Laurel Villa, Harcourt Street, Luton, was officially reported missing on February 11th. His mother has now received a card from him stating that on that date he was taken as a prisoner of war. He has been twice previously wounded - in April and September last year. [Pte Smart, 14490, 4th Bedfords, was captured unwounded at Beaumont-Hamel. He probably survived the war.]

• At a meeting of the Luton Modern School Governors on Tuesday afternoon, the resignations were reported of science master Mr G. J. Denbigh and mathematical and science master Mr R. Newman. Mr Denbigh had been offered a post as chemist at Leeds, and Mr Newman a job in a firm of aeronautical engineers at Bedford. Questions were asked about whether attempts had been made to keep the two men at Luton and whether it was a case of better pay offered. Headmaster Mr T. A. E. Sanderson said men with science qualifications were wanted now, and if they could get into technical work they could get good pay. He had instructions from the Board not to stand in the way of work of national importance.

• Lieut Wilfred Staddon, eldest son of the Mayor and Mayoress, who was home recuperating after being wounded in France, went into hospital at Cambridge about a fortnight ago for further treatment. On inquiry it is ascertained that he is making rather slow progress towards recovery. The Mayor had received notification that his youngest son, Lieut C. E. Staddon, has arrived safely in India and was met on arrival in Bombay nu the Rev Frank Hart, formerly connected with the Waller Street Methodist Circuit, who is now Senior Wesleyan Chaplain at Bombay.

• On Tuesday afternoon a cart belonging to Mr Morris Titmus, of Stopsley, and containing a ladder, was turning round the little sideway adjoining the New Hudson Cycle Co in Chapel Street, smashed into the shop window, causing many of the sporting requisites to fall into the road. The window was wrecked and will in all probability cost from £7 to £10 to repair.

• A well-attended general meeting of the Luton and District National Union of Teachers at the Franklin, George Street, on Friday learned with regret that hon secretary Mr H. J. Barnell had tendered his resignation. Mr A. Eling was elected to fill the vacancy.

• Pictured below are war casualties Pte F. G. Smart (prisoner of war), Gunner Sidney Morris (wounded), Cpl Leonard Euinton (killed in action), Pte W. Pratt (wounded) and 2nd Air Mechanic A. Overhill (in hospital).