Tribunal names to be published

 

Digest of stories from the Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: March 31st, 1917.

In response to a request from Military Representative Lieut H. Gardner, Luton Borough Tribunal agreed that in future the names of those involved in cases should be named and a few facts published - with the Press asked to use its discretion on what was reported.

Lieut Gardner said he thought the time had come when the public had a right to know the names of people applying to be exempted. "Now that people of more mature age are being passed into the Army, I think it will be an advantage and probably assist the work both of the Tribunal and myself if the names of applicants are put in the papers."

Mayor Alderman John Staddon said he had noted that in reports of the Appeals Tribunal that the names were given, and Town Clerk Mr William Smith said he thought the Luton Tribunal was one of he very few whose proceedings were not reported with names. That was because the Press had given way to the Tribunal's expressed views in the early days.

After consultation with other Tribunal members, the Mayor said that in response to Lieut Gardner's request names and a few facts should be published, and the Tribunal would see how it worked.

  • A terrible fatality occurred today at the chemical works of Messrs B. Laporte, Park Street, the victim being a plumber named Arthur Holdstock, of 171 Dallow Road and employed by Messrs T. Wood and Son, Chapel Street. He was engaged near some machinery about 12.45 when his coat caught in the shafting. The machinery being in rapid motion, he was whirled round and terribly crushed. he injuries were so severe that death resulted almost immediately. Mr Holdstock leaves a widow and one child, and an inquest will be held next week.

  • Also this morning, a young man named James Smith, of 19 Cambridge Street, was mixing sand at Messrs Balmforth's Works when he caught his head against the revolving belt of the machinery and his head was badly cut. First aid was rendered, and he was then taken to the Bute Hospital, where he remains an in-patient.

  • Much interest was centred on Wednesday in the wedding at King Street Congregational Church of Miss Doris Muriel Knowles, daughter of Mr Knowles, solicitor, Castle Street, and Mr Percy Henry Stanbridge, son of Mr Henry Stanbridge, a partner in the firm of Messrs A. Hucklesby and Co. The bridegroom is at present a voluntary ambulance driver in connection with the Red Cross Society at Harfleur.

  • One of 1,500 in a French hospital was Second Air Mechanic A. Overhill, the only son of Mr H. E. Overhill, 15a Adelaide Street, Luton, who is suffering from severe shell shock. Men whose nerves are broken down and shattered to the last degree are treated in this hospital at Rouen, and A-M Overhill says it is a fearful sight. He is now in Bermondsey Military Hospital, Lewisham, and is nothing short of a perfect wreck.

  • Unlike other local newspapers, the Luton News and Saturday Telegraph were not proposing to increase their prices, although the size of the Telegraph might be reduced in the near future as growing circulation was not being matched by allowances of newsprint being available. The Telegraph would also be published next Saturday, which was being observed as a bank holiday.

  • Considerable interest was taken on the Midland Railway Station on Thursday in the departure by the 1.30 pm train of a party of platelayers selected from among the volunteers in the Luton area for service in repair work on the railways in France and Belgium.

  • On Saturday evening last Mr Russell Dellar again took a splendid concert party to Wardown and gave the wounded Tommies an enjoyable evening. The 'Boys' themselves also took up the reins and gave quite a clever performance with their recently arranged band.

  • Burton-on-Trent licensed victuallers announced yesterday that, commencing next week, prices per pint will be increased to the following extent - mild beer 6d, old ale 8d, extra strong draught 9d, pale ale 8d. Bottle beers and local stouts 6d per half pint. These represent increases of 100 per cent on pre-war prices.

  • Sleet driving across the ground and a crowd of about 1,000 spectators greeted Luton Town's London Combination home match against a strong Fulham team today. On a wet and slippery pitch, Luton took the lead after five minutes when a Brown shot struck the underside of the crossbar and dropped into the net. Pugh limped off the pitch injured and Fulham scored twice before the teams turned round without an interval break. Pugh attempted to resume in the second period but was forced to leave the pitch again shortly afterwards, but Simms then levelled the scores. Fulham scored a winning goal to make the final score 2-3 in a match that ended in something of a snowstorm.