Newport bomber lecture, Risca divorce suit and illegal sugar selling in Newport shop were all in the headlines 100 years ago

Bomber's Experiences

Lecture at Newport YMCA

Those who were fortunate enough to hear Capt. Paul Bewsher's lecture at the YMCA, Newport on Monday, on "Through Shell and Searchlight," heard the experiences of a night bomber, the description of raids, and all the tragedies and comedies that made up the life "over there" as though it was all some new sensational narrative. Poetic phrasing, freshness and vividness were the outstanding features of the lecture. The audience were carried quickly through a raid on Bruges, from the preliminaries attending the start to the actual arrival at the town, through the dangerous feats of the bomber, and the exciting chase back over the large, dark "blobs" that were towns of devastated France. Capt. Bewsher, who spoke in a quick, breezy manner, possesses extremely fine powers of description. The lecture was the last of the YMCA series for this winter.

MORE NEWS:

• Pen y Fan fundraiser for Monmouthshire boy Tom Walker
• Work starts on Bethel Community Church after it was gutted by fire
• In the Dock: Thief who stole £250 from victim at cashpoint among defendants in court

Risca Divorce Suit

Colliery engineer's petition

In the Divorce Court on Monday Mr Justice McCardie heard the petition of Mr Bertie Richards, colliery engineer, Risca, for a divorce from his wife, Clara Richards, formerly Evans, on the grounds of adultery with the co-respondent, a man named Kingston.

Petitioner said he married the respondent in 1906 at Newport, and lived with her at various addresses in Risca. In March 1915, he enlisted, and the following September went to France. He returned in March, 1916 owing to some rumours concerning the respondent. He taxed her with what he had heard, and she denied it. He returned to France. In September, 1916, he returned home unexpectedly. He found Kingston in the respondent's bedroom. He forgave her on that occasion, and returned to France. In January, 1917, he was again in England and in the following September, his wife and Kingston went off together. He filed a petition, which was heard before Mr Justice Horridge, but was ineffective, as his evidence stopped short at the proof of the adultery of which he forgave his wife. Subsequently, he heard further information from Mrs Harriet Owen about his wife and the co-respondent. Mrs Harriet Owen, Caerphilly, said that in September 1917, a Mr and Mrs Kingston and a small child took apartments in her house and stayed till Christmas. The man and woman slept in the same bed. The man was not petitioner but the woman had been subsequently identified as the petitioner's wife.

The judge granted a decree nisi.

Sugar Order

Newport grocer's defence

Ormond Davies, Baneswell Road, was summoned at Newport for supplying sugar to Marion Hawkins, she not being his registered customer on the 9th ult.

The deputy Town Clerk (Mr Treharne Morgan) prosecuted, and Mr J Moxon defended.

Miss M Hawkins, an inspector, gave evidence of having purchased sugar at the defendant's shop. The defendant's wife said that there was plenty of free sugar there.

Mr Moxon stated that Mrs Davies was simply in the shop while her husband was having his tea and there was no intention whatever of evading the law. Mrs Davies was not well enough to attend.

The Bench ordered payment of £2 2s costs, no conviction.

The Mayor stated that Miss Hawkins acted quite properly in instituting the proceedings.