Volume 1, Number 4

Welcome to another issue of The Newport Cornucopia where we dig through the newspapers archives for interesting news articles and adverts. All articles are posted verbatim and most headlines are original. If you want to have each issue delivered to your inbox, why not subscribe for free.

Twelfth Night Festivities at Tredegar Park

Fancy Dress Ball

The truly noble method of commemorating the great festive season of the year at the old baronial mansion known as Tredegar Park has become a matter of note. These festivities are usually brought to a close on Twelfth night by a grand fancy dress ball, at which are assembled the leading families of Monmouthshire and the adjoining counties. The Twelfth night ball of 1870 has never been excelled. The dining hall was elegantly laid out with the richest and prepared under the superintendence of of Mr Howells, professional cook, London. In addition to a magnificent cake, splendidly adorned, which was, so to speak, the centre of attraction, there were other noticeable features in the decorations and display. The silver cups, pieces of plate, and other prizes won by his lordship at exhibitions of cattle and horses, were tastefully exhibited. There was on the present occasion, as is usual, a large party of visitors in the house. The invited guests commenced to arrive shortly before ten, and continued to do so until twelve o'clock.

The following is a list of the company present, together with the dresses worn.

Looking at the list of costumes, I’m curious to know how a Californian would have dressed in 1870.

The company began to disperse shortly after two a.m. Messrs. Jacobs and Pollock's string band, whose reputation as skilled musicians the public in this district well know, performed on the occasion a varied and select programme.

— Western Mail, Saturday 8th January, 1870

Tredegar Park Races

The races held in connection with the Christmas festivities at Tredegar House took place in the Park yesterday, when there was a large attendance of ladies and gentleman from Tredegar House, as well as an exceedingly numerous company from Newport, and the neighbourhood. The weather was anything but favourable at the commencement, but, as the day advanced, rain poured in torrents, until at length many of the spectators were driven off the ground. Considerable improvement was made this year in the arrangements, and, in addition to a grandstand, there was a marquee erected underneath which refreshments were spread for the accommodation of Lord Tredegar’s party. The following is the result of the racing:

— Western Mail, Saturday 8th January, 1870

Local Telephonic Communication

An article describing the slightly complicated method of telephoning people in different locations and on different ‘networks’ — Post Office and National Telephone Company. Calls were charged per 3 minutes with the amount based on where you are calling.

— South Wales Weekly Argus, Saturday 4th January, 1896

Later the same year the charges were being discussed with a proposal to charge a rental fee for use of the trunk lines between Newport and Cardiff rather than charging every 3 minutes.

Telephone Charges

The secretary reported that he had forwarded the letter drafted by the President and committee asking the postal authorities to permit the use of the telephone trunk lines between Newport and Cardiff to firms on payment of a fixed amount of rental instead of paying for every three minutes’ conversation. The authorities had replied stating that the system of charging for each trunk call had been adopted after careful consideration by the Government, as calculated to be more advantageous in the interest of the public generally, and the could not […] to the application. Mr Chaloner Evan’s said he understood that Newcastle and Sunderland were treated as one town, and if that were so, why not Newport and Cardiff? Mr Martin also stated that Barry and Cardiff were so treated, and the secretary was directed to enquire if that were so in order that the application of the Chamber might be strengthened.

— South Wales Weekly Argus, Saturday 1st August, 1896

On the Wrong Path

Lad named Yelverton Hazell, of 28 Victoria Crescent, was charged with stealing 41 rabbit skins and four hare skins from the premises of Messrs. Fennel, but upon the request of a representative from the firm asking that the case should be allowed to be withdrawn because of his youth and the respectability of his parents, the Bench granted the request and cautioned the lad as to his future, while “to impress it upon his mind” the Clerk advised the parents to give him a thrashing.

— South Wales Argus, Monday, 18th January, 1904

Half-A-Dozen of One, Etc.

Elizabeth Flynn, of New Ruperra Street, was summoned for assaulting Mary Fitzgerald, but the Bench, holding that prosecutor is was a bad as the defendant, bound both over.

— South Wales Argus, Monday, 18th January, 1904

Begging at Newport

Jew, names Hartog Arons, was charged at Newport with begging and refusing to leave the shop of Mr H Phillips, 164 Dock Street. Mr Phillips (who is president of the Newport Jewish Board of Guardians) said that the prisoner came to him and asked for relief. The prisoner was abusive, causing a crowd to assemble, and was ordered to leave. He had been relieved before and had received several pounds. The man also conducted himself insolently at witness’ mother’s house. Councillor Abrahamson (president of the Newport Jewish Congregation) also gave evidence. He said it was the custom to give relief to Jews; but he could not say anything in favour of the prisoner. Replying to questions, the prisoner said he had worked in Cardiff and Bristol. The man was cautioned and then discharged.

— South Wales Argus, Wednesday 13th January, 1904

That Gentleman There

The most interesting point about a charge of assault brought by Richard Phillips against George Swanton, of 2 Courtybella Street, and Charles Liston, of 2 Constables Lane, was the manner in which all the witnesses referred to the other as “that gentleman there.” One of the “gentleman”, however, was less polite when he described a “lady” as a “ginger-headed gal”.

Defendants were fined 21s or a month.

— South Wales Argus, Monday, 18th January, 1904

Newport Castle

TO THE EDITOR OF THE “SOUTH WALES ARGUS”
Dear sir,—It is pretty generally known that Lord Tredegar acquired by purchase some time since the old Newport Castle, and it is, I believe, his intention to thoroughly renovate it. I think I am correct in saying the tower next to Newport Bridge belongs to the Corporation. Would it not be a graceful act on their part if they were to present it to his lordship in order that he may have a free hand. It would be a little return for his many acts of kindness to Newport, and could not fail to please him, while it is evident that, roofless, and left to itself, it will soon be ruined for ever.

Yours faithfully
WALTER J. DIX, Newport, January 23rd.

— South Wales Argus, Saturday 24th January, 1903

Not everyone agreed with Mr Dix.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE “SOUTH WALES ARGUS”
Sir,—I noted a letter in the South Wales Argus on Saturday suggesting that would be graceful act if the Newport Corporation would hand over to Lord Tredegar the tower of Newport Castle which belongs to the town; in “return for his many acts of kindness to Newport.” I would go a step further, and suggest that every individual who has a little bit of freehold in Newport, and a house then upon, should hand it over to Lord Tredegar—so that he might have it all. It “could not fail to please him” and he has so much money that probably he would be better able to undertake repairs than the present owners.

Yours, etc.
X.Y.Z., Newport, Jan 26th

— South Wales Argus, Monday, 26th January, 1903