From the pages of the Down Recorder, November 23, 1941

23 November 2011

SAINTFIELD — Before Saintfield Court on Tuesday, a 78 year-old Italian, Antonio Forgoine, who, on May 8, three days after the blitz at Great Patrick Street, Belfast, his house being destroyed, took up residence at Carrickmannon, which he left on September 22 to return permanently to the city, on neither occasion notifying the police of his change of address, was prosecuted for contravening the Aliens Order, 1940, which prohibits movement between 10.30pm and 6am on any day without a permit.

District Inspector Parkinson-Cumine regarded the offence as made worse by the fact that on September 10 Constable Brownlee fully explained to one of the defendant’s sons the exact procedure required by the Order.

Mr. Colum McGrath, solicitor, said that the defendant, in business in Belfast since 1886, was so infirm as to be unable to attend court. In May he travelled to Carrickmannon by permit, and before it expired on June 11 it was posted to Downpatrick police. There was really nothing sinister involved.

The R.M, Mr. W. McWilliam: ‘I don’t respect that argument. I wonder how I would fare as an alien in Italy.’

The R.M. accepted that what had been said of the defendant as a harmless old man. As an alien here for 55 years, he had enjoyed lenient terms in regard to restriction of movement, and had not obeyed them. Therefore he would be fined 20 shillings.

DOWNPATRICK — At Downpatrick Urban Council’s meeting on Monday, the Home Ministry requested to know if the Council could give 20,000 gallons of water daily to a refugee camp about to be set up at Cargagh cut, Ballydugan, consisting of 70 to 80 huts to accommodate 1,000 people.

The chairman, Mr. E. K. McGrady, J.P., ready to facilitate the authorities, nevertheless felt that the Council’s reservoir at Tannaghmore unfortunately either at present or in the near future could hardly meet such a demand. Why not a supply from the Silent Valley, led by a service pipe from Ballykinlar or Clough? This was agreed.

BALLYNAHINCH — Lady Clanwilliam, of Montalto, is associated with Lady Rowan-Hamilton, the Marchioness of Dufferin and others in raising enough money to buy a Spitfire. In aid of the fund there was a bridge party at Clandeboye on Saturday, the company numbering 350.

CASTLEWELLAN — The ‘make your money fight’ campaign was carried on Wednesday to Castlewellan, where at a meeting with Mr. Gerald Annesley in the chair, a savings group for the district was formed. Mrs. Phibbs was chosen as secretary. The public are warned of the danger of inflation. And there are two evils. First, hoarding. Secondly, overspending on non-essentials, the prices of which are forced up as supplies dwindle.

KILLYLEAGH — Dufferin branch of the Ulster Farmers’ Union met last night in Killyleagh Orange Hall, Mr. H. Coulter presiding. The speakers were Mr. H. Jameson, general secretary, on agricultural policy; Hon. Helen Ward and her father, Lord Bangor, on the scrap metal drive; and Mr. J. H. Barbour, branch secretary. Thanks to the speakers were proposed by Messrs Fullerton and Burgess.

STRANGFORD Mr. S. Sharvin presided on Wednesday at a meeting of the Strangford centre of the county lending library system. Miss Doran was appointed secretary and librarian, and on Monday a committee will scrutinise the books before issue, these to be available within a few days.

DOWNPATRICK — At Downpatrick Court on Thursday, Major Perceval-Maxwell, whose solicitor is at present in England, was fined 40 shillings and two shillings costs for failure to comply with a notice served in July, under the Noxious Weeds Act, requiring the destruction of thistles and ragwort.

Constable Donaldson’s evidence was that of the 600 acres forming the Finnebrogue estate, roughly 50 acres were badly infested with weeds. Head-Constable Murphy spoke of having seen thistle down blowing across the road like a snow storm.

Major Perceval-Maxwell, at some length, made the points of his being away as an Army officer; the occupation of certain fields by the military, one of which was left in a disgraceful state; the dearth of labour, a difficulty not wholly solved by the requisitioning of soldiers; the efforts made by Wm. Drummond, his land steward.

He said that at this juncture there were things more important than this Act. One could be fined for not cutting weeds. But were oats, which one had been compelled to sow, to be left rotting in the ground? In short, he deprecated a prosecution in this year of all years.

ARDGLASS — Soldiers and fishermen fraternised on Thursday night in the N.A.A.F.I. canteen, Ardglass. After supper came a musical programme, and this was followed by a short dance.

BALLYNAHINCH — Satisfaction is felt in this district over the new appraisal of retted flax, in the light of the exceptional and unforeseen cost of production. It is hoped that both the increased price for 1941 and the price for 1942 will be announced simultaneously by the end of the present month.

KILCLIEF — With a splash of ceremony, St. Malachy’s Ceilidhe Band, Kilclief, made their debut on Sunday night.

BANBRIDGE — The Ministry of Public Security have selected Banbridge as a centre, to serve 15 local authorities, for the decontamination of clothing affected by gas. They will approve of reasonable expenditure on suitable equipment, whilst the necessary clothing for personnel will be supplied.

DROMARA — Dr. Heron, of Dromara, who died on January 1 last, left £8,693, and bequeathed £500 on trust for his housekeeper, Mary Robinson.

SIR — What a thrill the other night to hear Downpatrick, Co. Down, called out on the air to the Malone family in Church Street. And then to hear of the dear old ‘Recorder’ arriving in Egypt weekly. Anyone who has taken up residence in another land realises what a boon it is to receive your paper. Three other persons, get my ‘Recorder’ after I have read all four pages.

Yours etc., J. E. RYAN.

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