BY NIGEL MCDONAGH
25 YEARS AGO/1981
Councils upset 'disruption'
THE campaign by Unionist Councillors to disrupt local government business throughout the Six Counties received a major setback with Omagh and Strabane councils rejecting moves to have their meetings postponed.
The two councils are among the first of the 26 local government forums in the North to successfully oppose the adjournment proposals, and their attitude, formed on the basis of a democratic vote, is seen as offering the first real challenge to Ian Paisley's threat of making the North "ungovernable".
Official Unionist and DUP members of Omagh District Council attempted to have the council's monthly meeting adjourned as a protest "against the lack of security and the Anglo-Irish talks". The move was defeated, however, by three votes during one of the longest full council meetings ever held in Omagh Council chamber, lasting until 11.30pm.
Sheep scab outbreaks
TWO outbreaks of sheep scab - a disease which is highly infectious and causes serious production losses to farmers - have been confirmed in the Beragh and Castlederg areas. The Department of Agriculture has put full control measures into operation at the affected farms at Killen, Castlederg and Dervaghroy, Beragh.
The origin of the outbreaks is being investigated but a Department spokesman warned that all flock-owners throughout the North, and particularly in County Tyrone, should inspect their sheep at regular intervals and report any suspect animals without delay.
It is understood that the Castlederg outbreak involves a flock of 27 sheep, but it is not known how many animals are under restriction on the Beragh farm. Sheep scab is caused by a tiny mite.
50 YEARS AGO/1956
Extraordinary scene in house
A CHASE which began in Co. Fermanagh, in which a car with two policemen followed and twice passed a horse ridden by a farmer who said he did not know he was being chased, and which ended in an extraordinary scene in the farmer's home in which a constable ran upstairs, followed by the owner, who had brought the horse into the kitchen, and who ended up unconscious on the kitchen floor of his home after being hit with a broomstick while the constable made a getaway through an upstairs window, from which he dropped to the ground, was described at Lisnaskea Court. The farmer, T. D. McElliott, a father of three young children, was prosecuted for having, as alleged, assaulted Constable Richard Heslip, while the latter was in the execution of his duty; ridden a horse furiously along the public highway so as to endanger other road users; and maliciously damaged a waterproof coat, the property of Constable Heslip.
Solider jailed for larceny
A SOLDIER with three month's service appeared at Omagh Court and admitted stealing a bicycle valued at £13 10s, the property of Patrick O'Neill. He was Fusilier John Ciall, The Depot, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Omagh.
District Inspector Briggs stated that on November 30, the defendant took the cycle from an entry in Omagh, and the following day rode it to Trillick, where he tried to sell it but was apprehended by the police.
It was stated that defendant had been to Borstal and had been convicted at Cootehill (Co. Cavan), for larceny, and imprisoned. An officer told the court that the defendant had only three months' service and in that time they could not assess his character. He was sentenced to four months' imprisonment.
75 YEARS AG0/1931
Runaway lorry in Dungannon
HENRY Arthurs, coal merchant, Dungannon, had a miraculous escape when, through the back axle of his ton lorry breaking, the lorry brakes became inoperative. Gathering speed in William Street the lorry went at a terrific pace down the steep hill and Mr Arthurs sticking to the driving wheel was able to swerve past several children playing on the street.
Dashing against the wall of the Tyrone Mineral Water Company premises, the vehicle was badly damaged. The owner crawled out from the wreckage practically unhurt.
Robbery next door to RUC
ONE of the most audacious safe robberies in the history of Belfast was carried out, not only in broad daylight, but actually next door to the office of the Inspector General of the RUC, in Waring Street. The premises burgled are tenanted by Daniel Flynn, a well-known commission agent. His manager, Mr McManus, was at work in the office up till seven o'clock when he left to attend the greyhound racing at Celtic Park.
He returned shortly before ten o'clock and opened the door with his key, but was amazed to find the safe, which sat in the corner of the office, out in the middle of the floor. It had been turned upside down and its bottom cut out.
Nothing else in the office had been interfered with, but the thieves got upwards of £30 for their two hours' work. Apparently they were in possession of a key which fitted the lock in the office, coolly walked up and entered it, and as coolly walked away with their booty.
100 YEARS AGO/1906
Selling girls in Russia
THE peasants of the province of Kasan, Moscow, are publicly selling their daughters to the highest bidders. They declare they are forced into this extremity as they are dying of starvation. A terrible famine prevails, and they are reduced to the last stage of misery.
Agents from the Caucasus are negotiating with the parents who, in many cases are parting with their girls for a few pounds. In one village alone, eight girls who ages vary from 12 to 16 years have been disposed of in this way.
The prices ranged from £10 to £15, according to the personal attractions of the girls. Most of the girls will probably find their way into Turkish harems.
Milking machine invented
A PRACTICAL machine for milking cows in one of the latest inventions. Ever since the beginning of the world the milking has been done by hand but modern inventive genius has invaded nearly every known field of labour; but who would ever have thought of mechanical milking?
Two men in charge of four of these machines can milk 50 cows in one hour. The inventor, who lives in the United States, has milked as many as 45 cows with three machines in an hour.
The machine consists of a large milkpail made of block tin, the cover being of aluminium metal. On this lid is located a pump and rubber tubing connects the pump with a system of pipes extending throughout the cowhouse, which connect somewhere on the premises with a compressor. A rubber tube connects the cups which fit over the teats of the cow to the pail. Two such tubes are connected with each pail, the milk of two cows going into one pail.
– NIGEL MCDONAGH
