1911 News
History > Newspaper Stories 1900 - 2000 > 1910-1919
20 Jan 1911 Eltham Times
Damage to Underwood
Dartford Magistrates: "Christopher Henry Kingston of Buckfield Cottages (sic), Longfield, was summoned for maliciously damaging underwood belonging to Sir William Chance, of Hartley, on December 31st, and was bound over…"
28 Jan 1911 Lady's Pictorial
Jones - Hickmott wedding
"on the 18th inst at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, Longfield, Kent, by the Rev Edward Smith MA, the Rev Henry Arabin Jones, son of the late Archdeacon Jones MA to Miss Mabel Maud Hickmott, daughter of Mr and Mrs John Joseph Hickmott. The bride was given away by her father, and was attired in a loverly gown of ivory crepe de Chine meteore, which had the bodice and tunic skirt handsomely embroidered in pearls and tiny brilliants inset in silver, the vest and under-sleeves being of drawn net. The transparent court train, from the shoulders, of ivory fishnet, lined with chiffon, was worked all over with ivory ribbon in a vandyked design, and finished with cactus flowers and foliage in satin ribbon. The bridesmaids were the Misses Hickmott, who wore extremely dainty dresses of pale blue satin. The kimono bodices were edged with lattice work of satin, and arranged in folds over plastrons and bands of shaded ribbon and pearl embroidery, showing here and there Empire wreaths of tiny pink roses. White Chantilly lace vests and under-sleeves completed these pretty gowns, and white shepherdess crooks decorated with pink carnations, tied with Louis Quinze bows of satin ribbon, were carried. The best man was Mr Gervaise Manson. After the ceremony a reception was held at the court Longfield, and later the happy pair left for London, en route for Switzerland. The presents were numerous and costly. The wedding cake was supplied by Messrs Buszard, Oxford Street W. The wedding gown and bridesmaids' dresses were designed and made by Messrs James Shoolbred & Co, Tottenham Court Road, W." (article features pictures of the bride and groom).
11 Feb 1911 The Field
Servant Wants Position
"Gamekeeper seeks situation (single handed or good beat); has had life experience, and thoroughly understands all duties; sober and trustworthy; leaving through death of employer; age 29; height 5ft 9in, weight 12 stone, married, one in family; can be highly recommended. Apply W Fuller, Pescot Lodge, Longfield, Kent."
14 Mar 1911 Dartford Chronicle
Dartford and the Telephone System
Concerns among local businesses that when the Post Office takes over the National Telephone exchange at Dartford, they will take Dartford out of the London region, meaning a call to London will become a trunk call, causing delay and expense.
21 Mar 1911 Dartford Chronicle
A Southfleet Election Echo
Cross summonses dismissed after all parties dropped charges. Joseph Allchin, Howard Bartholemew and Arthur Minton said to have caused damage to Arthur John Miller's property. Allchin said he only damaged the election hoarding after election hoarding on his property was damaged. He now regrets this. He denied assaulting Miller, who withdrew charge. Magistrates welcomed agreement. Lt-Col Kidd said "They knew at election times feelings ran high, and people get excited and did things which a little while after they regretted."
.
The Recent Charge against a policeman - the Sequel
George Beautridge of Hodsoll Street charged with disorderly act. He'd had recently lost a case of assault against PC Dennett dismissed. "PC Dennett gave evidence that on the night in question he was standing at the corner of the street, when Beautridge came up and asked if witness was waiting for him. Defendant referred to a case in which had to pay 12 6d and asked if witness was going to fight. Witness advised defendant to keep his temper, but defendant used bad language, took off his coat and rushed at witness, who dodged the blow, with the result that the defendant fell over witness's bicycle into the road. Cross examined: Witness had received no complaints from residents about defendant's condition on that night. John Dickenson, farm bailiff, Ash, corroborated evidence of previous witness.,,,, Defendant gave evidence on oath, and denied using bad language or being disorderly. The chairman of the bench said they did not want to be unduly severe, but the police were for the protection of the public, and it was a serious matter for an individual to make an attack upon the police which he could not prove, and when he knew he was telling an actual falsehood. If defendant expected the Bench to believe that he must think they were born yesterday." Fined £1
08 Apr 1911 Gravesend Reporter
Gravesend Hospital - Village Help
Rev Smith hands over £6 collected from Longfield. Hospital Committee said if only other villages in the hospital's district were as generous they wouldn't have the current money worries.
22 Apr 1911 Preston Herald
New Use for House Refuse
"Even house refuse is, it seems, following the general law of change. Previous to October 1906, states Mr Arthur Harrison, the borough engineer and surveyor for Southwark, the house refuse of the district was taken to the country depot, screened and sorted, and the ashes sold to brickmakers, the refuse being partly burned and disposed of in various ways. Owing, however to the increased use of gas cooking stoves during the last few years, it was found that the nature of the refuse had changed, and did not produce sufficient ashes to pay for hand screening. Accordingly, Mr Harrison decided to crush the refuse without sorting it, producing by this means a species of manure, which, it is said, saves annually to the ratepayers some thousands of pounds."
02 May 1911 Dartford Chronicle
Minor Cases
Hildred Wickens of Ash fined 2s 6d or 5 days for no light on bike.
13 May 1911 Gravesend Reporter
Sad bicycle fatality
A sad bicycle fatality occurred at Longfield on Tuesday morning, when a lad, between 16 and 17 years of age, named Sidney Cannon, who lived with his parents at 1 Walter Cottages, Kent Road, Longfield, met his death by colliding with a van in descending a hill leading in the direction of New Barn. The deceased lad was a member of the local troop of boy scouts, being leader of the 'Owl Patrol', and was recognised by all associated with the movement in Longfield as one of the most energetic and enthusiastic boys of the troop. When engaged in scoutcraft he put his whole attention in his work, and his scoutmaster had reason to anticipate a very successful career for him in all branches of the movement.
At the inquest on Tuesday before Mr H H Sowell, Mr J P Easton, solicitor, of Walworth Road SE, was present on behalf of Mr Woodward, the owner of the van and his driver. The first witness called was James Ganden [sic] father of the deceased, who said his son was employed as a milk lad by Mrs Noakes of Longfield Hill. He had always enjoyed good health, and his hearing and eyesight were not affected. Deceased left home at about quarter past 5 on Tuesday morning to go to his work as usual, and was expected home at 6 o'clock that night. It was between 10 and 11 o'clock in the morning, when he heard of his death. Deceased was a good bicycle rider and had owned a machine for 2 years. He was well acquainted with the roads and lanes of the district and was constantly traversing them. He was always a sober and steady lad.
Ezekiah George Lynds, of 2 Uphill Cottages, Longfield Road, a carter, employed by Mr Woodward, of Southfleet, for whom he ahd been employed off and on for 8 years, and been driving a horse for the last 4 years, stated that on Tuesday morning he was coming from New Barn wth the horse and van, which had a load of about 2 cwt of farm produce, and was descending Longfield Hill at a very slow pace, when the deceased approached him in the opposite direction. Witness held the reins at the time, and the horse being a young one he was obliged to proceed at a very slow walking pace. It was about 9 o'clock in the morning and the weather was very fine. Deceased was on the left side of the road, and it being rather wide at that point there was ample room for the deceased to have passed quite comfortably. He came round a very nasty corner a short distance ahead at an uncontrollable speed, and being on the wrong side of the road he collided violently with the front portion of the van. Witness did not hear the bell ring, but as soon as he rounded the corner he could see that an accident was unavoidable. The coroner: Did he call out? Witness: He hadn't time. It was so sudden. Proceeding, witness said the bicycle struck the near side of the van on the front carriage, near the shafts. He pulled up short, but the rattle of the machine seemed to startle the horse, which made a 'bit of a dart'. However, he pulled it up as quickly as possible, and looking round he found the deceased lying on the road just behind. The coroner: Did he speak? Witness: No, he looked as if he was dying. I picked him up and looked at him. Continuing, he said he noticed a man named Seager across the fields, and he called out to him for assistance. A man who came down the hill on a bicycle directly afterwards went for a doctor. After the doctor's arrival, the lad was placed in another van and taken to Longfield. The rear wheel of the bicycle was buckled, and examining the machine witness noticed that the front brakes were deficient of blocks. The deceased was carrying a milk can on the back of the bicycle, and a quantity of the milk was spilled. Witness knew lad to speak to, and had seen him riding a bicycle on other occasions. The Coroner: Was he riding up hill? Witness explained that he had just previously descended another hill and the impetus gathered was carrying him past the dip in the road and a short distance on the ascent. He was going in the direction of New Barn. The Coroner: Do you think he had not control over the bicycle? - No sir; at the pace he was coming he had no time to pull up. One of the jurors mentioned that it was a nasty corner with high banks and a hedge on either side. Another juror said it was a dangerous corner, but the road was very wide; there was room enough for 2 carts to pass on the offside. In answer to a question, witness said he was a little to the left of the centre of the road. The Coroner: Could he have come either side of you? - Yes, either side. There was plenty of room. Was there any other traffic at the time? - No, not just at the time and none in sight. Witness added that he was frequently driving along that road, but he had never before experienced any difficulty with cyclists. Mr Easton: Was his head bent low over the handlebars? - Yes. Do you think that is some reason why he didn't see you? - Yes.
It was stated by one of the jury that a cyclist, to cut off a corner in the road would naturally hug the wrong side of the road while rounding the corner. William Seager, of 6 Mabel Cottages, Longfield, a labourer, said he knew the deceased lad well. He didn't see the accident happen, but he was called immediately afterwards. The deceased was lying in the road about 9 feet from the right side of the road, quite dead; the hind wheel must have gone over him. The Coroner: Was the driver of the van sober? - Yes, I don't suppose he has drank a drop of beer in his life.
Dr S A E Griffiths, a registered medical practitioner of Meopham, spoke to being called at about 9.15 Tuesday morning. Upon arrival, he found the deceased lad lying in the road about 7 or 8 feet from the right hand side of the road, going up. Externally there was a red bruise on the left side of the forehead, 1½ inches by ½ inch, and there were one or two slight bruises on the chin. Witness was of opinion that his neck was broken, and there was probably a fracture at the base of the skull. He found no other external marks. He did not think the wheels passed over him, but he was of opinion that death was instantaneous. It was rather remarkable that there was ano haemorrhage of any sort anywhere. He must have struck his head and that would cause the injuries he had explained.
The Coroner said it was pretty clear what actually happened and if they were satisfied that the driver used all due precaution a verdict of 'Death from misadventure' should be returned. A verdict accordingly was returned and the driver was exonerated from all blame. Mr Crook, one of the jurors, proposed that the notice of the Parish Council be directed to this sport with the view to a board being placed ther. It was a very dangerous place, he said, several accidents having happened there. Another juror sia dhte question of widening the road had been brought before the Parish Council, and the owner of the land adjoining had given his permission. Another juror said the erection of a notice board hardly fitted the present case. The lad was well aware of the nature of the road. Eventually a rider was added to the effet that it was the opinion of the jury that application should be made to the Parish Council to take the necessary steps for widening the road at this particular point." [presumably Pescot Hill on Main Road is meant]
Paper of 20 May 1911 reported on the funeral at Longfield parish Church with 180 local scouts.
16 May 1911 Dartford Chronicle
Dartford RDC
"A recommendation was received from a meeting held at Hartley, asking that the Mid Kent Water Company should be asked to extend theirmain along Hartley Court Road [Church Road]. The clerk was asked to make enquiries."
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The Proposed new by-laws
"Mr Day said they were not suitable for outlying districts. The only thing was to leave out the outlying districts. Mr Macpherson said Mr Day did not understand the position under the new Act. The by-laws must be generally imposed. If a landowner would not build houses where required they would have power to build susch houses. They could insist on existing dwellings being made reasonably fit for human habitation. They had no right to exclude certain parishes from their by-laws. If they did, they would have the Local Government Board on them. Mr Day said these were perfect by-laws for certain localities, but they could not be made to apply generally. The same thing applied to sanitary matters. They could not apply the same thing all round. They would be lunatics if they tried to. Mr Snell asked if they could not accept the by-laws as applied to semi-urban districts, and then let the committee meet again and get by-laws that would suit the rural districts. Mr Lee: What was the matter with the old by-laws? The Clerk: The old by-laws were too stringent. Mr Lee: And these by-laws are still mor stringent? The clerk said he should advise that the rural parishes be left out. They could take the step boldly, and if the Local Government Board did not agree, then it would be for them to consider it again.
The Chairman [W Chambers] said it would be a mistake to have a hard and fast line for fixing one set of by-laws on the whole district. Once fixed, it was difficult to alter them. The Local Government Board sometimes acted in opposition to what they did 20 years ago, as they did here. They asked for certain by-laws 20 years ago, and then came and said they were too stringent. Mr Vernon: If our present by-laws are satisfactory, why alter them? The Rev S Morgan asked if some of the most stringent things in the by-laws were not needed on by the Housing and Town Planning Act, such as the height of the bedrooms?
Mr Day said that a practical man had told him it would be impossible to build cottages with 3 rooms and he held that no cottage ought to have less than 3 rooms (hear hear) at less than 6s 3d per week. Mr Macpherson said under the Town Planning Act they must have buildings that complied with the Act. If they did not, the County Council would step in. If a private builder would not find accommodation the Rural Council were requested to do it, and if they did not, the County Council would come in. Under the Town Planning Act they would be forced to make by-laws, and to make by-laws that complied with the Act. If the Local Government Board would excuse them from complying with the Act, that would be the best way out of the difficulty. The Chairman: That is what I think they will do. Mr Waring said the present by-laws had done very well in the past, and it would be as well to leave them as they were.
Mr Macpherson said that when Mr Atkinson and he went through the by-laws they had in mind all that had been said that afternoon, and had tried to heed all the objections. The Act stated that the building must be free from damp and non-inflammable, and he did not see how they could get a building partly wood and partly iron that would be free from that objection. He moved that the Clerk be asked to put the matter before the Local Government Board. The Clerk said he did not think they would accept it. They would ask to see the by-laws. Mr Macpherson said they could as, the Local Government Board if the rural area could be excluded. The Clerk said they could try it if they liked.
The Rev S Morgan said they were condemning wholesale the rookeries in the district, and yet they were asked to lay themselves open to similar structures being erected. The better housing of the people was being forced upon them, and he did not think the Council was doing itself credit in putting the thing off. Mr Hewitt said there was a disposition to study the question of expense, while the question of the safety of the inmates was sometimes overlooked. Certain rules were laid down, and under these such districts as Ash would be hard hit. When houses were not up to the standard in sanitary and other matters, they ought to be closed, and if the people in the neighbourhood could not provide new houses the council ought to do so. The Chairman said that for people living in pure air in the country districts it was not necessary to spend as much money on building as in the towns. The difference was the same as that between a wild rabbit and a hutch rabbit. In the country people could live and be healthy in buildings that would not be suitable in towns. He did not want to see any jerry-built houses in the country. Wooden houses were not jerry-built. They were air dry, and as suitable as brick buildings. He did not believe in tin houses as any sort of habitation. They wanted, as the sanitary authority, to keep people as healthy as possible, but they did not want to make buildings cost so much money that people would not build and the local authority would have to build.
The Clerk said one section of the Act indicated that they need not have one set of by-laws for the whole district. It was clear from the Act that it was contemplated that there might be different sets of by-laws for different parts of a district. He suggested that they should collect the different sets of by-laws and discuss them before coming to a decision. After further discussion of the matter was deferred until October."
[By-laws referred to were an early form of planning permission, in the main they were not to prevent development, but to prevent shoddy buildings, as a major farmer, George Day may have been concerned he wouldn't be able to put up cheap housing for his workers, because of the minimum standards of the by-laws. They gave the game away by claiming that houses in rural districts didn't need to be of such a high quality. He and his supporters won a short term victory as the by-laws this time were limited to the urban parts of the district, but by 1921 had been extended to the whole district.]
01 Jul 1911 Gravesend Reporter
Coronation Festivities at Longfield
"The Coronation festivities at Longfield were held in the meadow opposite the schools. There was a large turn out of the inhabitants and schoolchildren. The procession formed up at Whitehill and marched to Longfield Church where a short service was conducted by the Rector, Rev E Smith MA. Thereafter the procession marched to the field where sports were held during the afternoon. Arriving at the field headed by the Swanscombe band, Mr G T Lynds, Chairman of the Parish Council moved the adoption of a loyal address. This was seconded by Mr F Auld, who referred to the occasion of the gathering in appropriate terms. On the all of Lieut Cory the audience shouted in unison 'Long Live the King' and the band played the National Anthem. At the conclusion of the games which consisted of upwards of 20 events handsome prizes were presented to the successful competitors by Mrs Smith, The Rectory and the proceedings terminated with a brilliant display of fireworks in the evening...... a hearty vote of thanks and cheers were accorded to the Parish Council for providing the treat..... During the course of the afternoon a sumptuous tea was provided for all present including the children.
Prior to the festivities commencing at Longfield, an interesting ceremony was observed at New Barn when upon the invitation of Miss Darbis a number of residents and children met in the grounds of New Barn House and planted a Coronation Oak Tree ..... [list of attendees] ... After the tree had been declared well and truly planted the wish was expressed that as it grew so might the King's prosperity grow and if it withered so might the King's enemies wither....."
07 Jul 1911 Gravesend and Northfleet Standard
Local Scouts at Windsor
150 from Gravesend attend the King's Review at Windsor - 1st Gravesend (24); 2nd Gravesend (15), 3rd Gravesend (12); 3rd Northfleet (14); Longfield (14 under scoutmaster Lieut. Cory), Cobham (17), Sutton at Hone (16)
11 Jul 1911 London Standard
Happy Villages
Happy Villages' description of Small Owners Estate at Hartley
11 Jul 1911 Dartford Chronicle
Footpath Diversion
(Dartford RDC) "The Committee had under consideration the notice from Mr James M Dobson of Pescot, Longfield, of his proposal to divert and stop up the public footpath across the meadow belonging to him adjoining his house, and to construct in lieu thereof a footpath at the spot and along the line shown on the plan accompanying the notice, and also to give up certain land for the purpose of widening the road between Longfield and Meopham and Ridley. The committee recommended the Council to approve the application."
[Looking at the 1907 and 1931 OS 25 inch maps it seems to relate to the footpath from Main Road to Hartley Wood. The footpath used to turn north-west to run near to Pescot House. As a result of the diversion it now runs as it does today to join Main Road opposite New Barn Road.]
18 Jul 1911 Dartford Chronicle
Important Sales of Property in Dartford District
"Mr Henry Dann (of Messrs Dann & Lucas) offered for sale by auction at the Mart, Tokenhouse Yard on Monday, a number of properties in Dartford and District…."
Included Ship Inn, Green Street Green (leased to C N Kidd & Son, brewers at £70 per year) for £2,000 to Mr Wood of Crockenhill. 2 cottages in Franks Lane and 1 storey cottage in Village Street at Horton Kirby, sold for £1,500 to one of the tenants Peter Palmer. "Longfield allotments, leased to the Parish Council at £7 10s pa, and arable land leased to Mr Reuben Hales, at a rental of £10 10s were sold for £400 to Mr W Robson."
[As we shall see the Longfield sale was going to cause an enormous amount of controversy]
Obscene language
"George Hammond, St Paul's Cottage, Whitehill, Longfield was fined 5s and costs for using obscene language at Longfield on the 24th ult."
04 Aug 1911 Bromley & District Times
Drunkenness and Cruelty
"George Henry Pettman, Wellington Street, Gravesend, was summoned on two charges - one of being drunk in charge of a horse and cart in the Dartford Road, Longfield, and the other with ill-treating the animal, by beating it, on July 25th. PS Cash of Fawkham, Inspector Saunders RSPCA and other witnesses gave evidence as to defendant's drunken condition and to wounds on the horse and on the harness. Defendant said he went for a drive and had some beer, and the heat got over him. Supt Hayward said when he was brought into the police station, defendant wanted a Board of Trade examination to prove whether he was drunk or not (laughter). Defendant was fined 10s and costs of being drunk, and 20s and costs for the cruelty."
19 Aug 1911 Gravesend Reporter
Auction Sales - Eltham Cottages, [39] Station Road, Longfield
"By order of the Executor of the will of the late Mrs Barbara Hall…. Messrs Porter Putt and Fletcher are instructed to offer for sale by public auction on the premises on Friday the 25th August 1911 at 11 o'clock precisely. The whole of the valuable modern and antique furniture and effects, consisting of: handsome inlaid sideboard, large mantel glass, double ended couch, two sets of six dining room chairs, two carving chairs, walnut choffonier, oak dining table, antique inlaid tallboy in walnut, fine antique gent's wardrobe with 3 drawers and 5 sliding shelves, Singer sewing machine, cottage piano in rosewood frame, piano stool, several oil paintings in gilt frames, inlaid writing table with ormolu mounts, mahogany sofa, two mantel glasses in gilt frames, Antique grandfather clock in mahogany case, small antique inlaid walnut drop leaf table, dressing glass, marble top washstand, birch chest of drawers, dressing glass, antique straight chest of drawers, 4ft 6in brass bedstead, box spring mattress, bedding, linoleum, kitchen utensils, cutlery and other articles too numerous to mention, also dark chestnut mare, dog cart by Gates, Gravesend, set of cob harness......."
26 Aug 1911 Sydenham, Forest Hill & Penge Gazette
Technical Offences
(Bromley Magistrates) "William Bevan, Hartley Bottom, Hartley, did not appear to a summons for not having direction and government of a horse and van on the 27th ult at St Mary Cray - a fine of 10 shillings and 11 shillings costs was ordered."
11 Oct 1911 Eastbourne Gazette
Seek Vacancy
Cowman (head) seeks situation, early riser, abstainer, understands oil engine and all machinery, 9½ years in present place, age 42, near school. Apply J Marchant, Fairby Farm, Hartley, Longfield, Kent. [Mr Marchant was living in one of the cottages near Hartley Green. He would have been one of the people evicted by Small Owners Limited when they bought the estate, because they wanted to sell them. As he had 5 children he clearly would need a school close by.]
"
""The Automatic Landowner - the Mecca of the Small Owner"" It was an English day. A day of autumn compromise.
There was a blunt softness in the air, because across the Kentish downs the wind met no resistance, and was good-tempered accordingly.
The Darracq hummed smoothly along.
We could of course, have trained it straight to Fawkham Station, but we wanted to see what our neighbours were like.
The 1.37 from London Bridge had run us to Dartford in 30 minutes with only one stop.
The 'Bull' - memorable to lovers of Pickwick - was having its front elevation repaired, and was of no interest to us at the moment. We were faring for Fairby Farm and could do no more justice to the splendid open road than to skim over it, noting the presence of good breaking up gravel in the soil of the fields and ignoring the romance of a ruined Roman Villa to our right. Because after all, we were concerned with the present - with its beneficent alloy which we term promise for the future.
A short cut through Fawkham Station over a stile, and we were tramping the good brown loam, over the protesting heads of young turnips (at this time of year!) up a slope crowned with woodland.
Here a hard, dry path revealed itself, carpeted with acorns.
Mr H pointed to a curly monarch on our left with scarce a leaft unmoored from its anchorage yet.
""What would you give for that oak in your garden? £5? £10?""
""Yes, and be glad of it.""
The Valley Road
Leaving the wood we stood before long on a shelving slope with a wide view in front of us: undulating land leaning gently to a valley road, with flaming beeches in the middle distance, and away off in a hazy dip, more trees in diminishing masses.
""There is Fawkham Church just below, and a little to this side of it is the site of Fawkham Castle - an ancient keep now belonging to the legends. Here where we stand would be a fine take off for your aeroplane: plenty of room, no chance of dangerous currents, and open to the west and south. A few acres would serve your turn - ""
""The last aeroplane I had was a ____ ""
""____ But this land"", went on Mr H, ""is almost too good for a mere jumping on and off place. It is meant for a permanent alighting ground, with kisses at the front door, and tennis on a lawn and pottering about with a dibber and pruning hook and watching goldfish in a pond - just here, say.""
""Well the friend I told you about has lately been married, and is thinking of coming to the country in order to be free from noise and the least suggestion of business. This place is not far from the City, as the train flies it is as near as Hampstead or Brixton. I know you told me so, but I came along to see for myself. What my friend wants is my report of the best 2 acre plot you have got, and it's your turn now.""
We located this plot, but I shall not indicate it. I will just mention that it included a bit of woodland, whether for appearance in the front or quiet enjoyment in the rear pleasance, I decline to say - and a delightful uninterrupted view.
I took out a chart. Some people might call it a meaningless scrawl, but if you had drawn it yourself you also would refer to it as a chart. Then I came to grips with Mr H.
""These are my friend's instructions. First, as to the a house, he doesn't want anything reminiscent of the City; it must be, er, redolent of the soil __""
""In other words, a cottage. We will make him a plan, free, to any style he desires__""
""With a billiard room?""
""Yes""
""And a motor shed?""
""Yes""
""And, let me see, a poultry run?""
24 Oct 1911 Evening News
The Automatic Landowner
""The Automatic Landowner - the Mecca of the Small Owner"" It was an English day. A day of autumn compromise.
There was a blunt softness in the air, because across the Kentish downs the wind met no resistance, and was good-tempered accordingly.
The Darracq hummed smoothly along.
We could of course, have trained it straight to Fawkham Station, but we wanted to see what our neighbours were like.
The 1.37 from London Bridge had run us to Dartford in 30 minutes with only one stop.
The 'Bull' - memorable to lovers of Pickwick - was having its front elevation repaired, and was of no interest to us at the moment. We were faring for Fairby Farm and could do no more justice to the splendid open road than to skim over it, noting the presence of good breaking up gravel in the soil of the fields and ignoring the romance of a ruined Roman Villa to our right. Because after all, we were concerned with the present - with its beneficent alloy which we term promise for the future.
A short cut through Fawkham Station over a stile, and we were tramping the good brown loam, over the protesting heads of young turnips (at this time of year!) up a slope crowned with woodland.
Here a hard, dry path revealed itself, carpeted with acorns.
Mr H pointed to a curly monarch on our left with scarce a leaft unmoored from its anchorage yet.
""What would you give for that oak in your garden? £5? £10?""
""Yes, and be glad of it.""
The Valley Road
Leaving the wood we stood before long on a shelving slope with a wide view in front of us: undulating land leaning gently to a valley road, with flaming beeches in the middle distance, and away off in a hazy dip, more trees in diminishing masses.
""There is Fawkham Church just below, and a little to this side of it is the site of Fawkham Castle - an ancient keep now belonging to the legends. Here where we stand would be a fine take off for your aeroplane: plenty of room, no chance of dangerous currents, and open to the west and south. A few acres would serve your turn - ""
""The last aeroplane I had was a ____ ""
""____ But this land"", went on Mr H, ""is almost too good for a mere jumping on and off place. It is meant for a permanent alighting ground, with kisses at the front door, and tennis on a lawn and pottering about with a dibber and pruning hook and watching goldfish in a pond - just here, say.""
""Well the friend I told you about has lately been married, and is thinking of coming to the country in order to be free from noise and the least suggestion of business. This place is not far from the City, as the train flies it is as near as Hampstead or Brixton. I know you told me so, but I came along to see for myself. What my friend wants is my report of the best 2 acre plot you have got, and it's your turn now.""
We located this plot, but I shall not indicate it. I will just mention that it included a bit of woodland, whether for appearance in the front or quiet enjoyment in the rear pleasance, I decline to say - and a delightful uninterrupted view.
I took out a chart. Some people might call it a meaningless scrawl, but if you had drawn it yourself you also would refer to it as a chart. Then I came to grips with Mr H.
""These are my friend's instructions. First, as to the a house, he doesn't want anything reminiscent of the City; it must be, er, redolent of the soil __""
""In other words, a cottage. We will make him a plan, free, to any style he desires__""
""With a billiard room?""
""Yes""
""And a motor shed?""
""Yes""
""And, let me see, a poultry run?""
""Yes. We have an expert - that rare thing, a scientific farm manager - who will both provide the poultry and given him three weeks' lessons in the art of keeping them for both
Pleasure and Profit
""And the eggs, I suppose there will be eggs?""
""If he will put himself in the hands of our manager and is willing to take poultry seriously, he could pay for his two acres in two years, out of the poultry and what he takes out of the land.""
""Oh! Will he have to work?""
""No need to. But 10 to 1 this Fairby air will seduce him into doing it. And you can't worry about business while you are gardening.""
""Most true. Personally, I confine myself to looking on at the gardening, and I know I don't think about business then. I can only think what a silly way the other chap has of doing things.""
""Your friend can choose just how he will have his land laid out. A well known firm of designers will make him a plan free, flowers here, for instance, vegetables there, fruit trees over yonder, or he can keep the garden for flowers and vegetables and take a portion of an orchard. One of the orchards we have is full of 5 year old trees and the price of the land would include the trees in their present perfection.""
""Can you advise as to suitable furniture?""
""We will not only advise but supply, if your friend wishes - and at practically wholesale prices - the kind of furniture that seems to me eminently countrylike and homely. The sort of thing you pay dear for, as a rule, simply because it is both artistic and appropriate, but of course you friend will choose what pleases him.""
""In a sentence - your friend simply tells us what he wants and we supply it. Land, house, plotted garden, poultry, furniture; and if he buys now the best can easily be ready for him by the summer - the ideal time, of course, for a country life.""
""And for health. By the way, the water ____""
""Is company's water.""
""The roads___""
""Council road frontage wherever he selects.""
""Access to town easy enough""
""There is a splendid service of trains. You can get to the city in 37 or 50 minutes, according to your choice of train, both morning and evening. There are even theatre trains from Victoria, Holborn Viaduct and St Paul's at midnight, reaching Fawkham about 12.50.""
""Tell him that, in order to make the first year at his cottage more memorable, we will present your friend with a season ticket to town which will hold good to the end of June 1913. We do not offer free trips to prospective buyers; this free season ticket is only for householders on the residential section of Fairby Farm. We make the offer as one means of settling the land quickly.""
""It is possible he may come down and check my report.""
""He can do it this way; occupy all the morning with business, take the 1.37 from London Bridge to Dartford, and motor from there. He could have an hour on the estate, 315 acres you know, get the 4.15 from Fawkham, and be back in the office to wind up business. Or he could devote midday to the matter; take the 11.20 and return by the 2.46.""
""How do your plots work out in shape?""
""We give, to an acre plot, at least 100 feet of frontage and about 400 feet of depth, for £120 to £130 the acre. If you work out the latest offer I know of anywhere else you find the 20 feet frontage and 100 feet depth ome ou at £2,500 per acre - and more than that. Our local rates, again, are very low, about 4 shillings in the pound.""
""And suppose my friend, as we rather think he has, has got rid of most of his immediately available cash over his recent celebration___""
"" We are providing for any such case. We will take 25 per cent down, and the rest can be paid next year or in 5 years or in 12 years, with a modest 5 per cent on the balances. As you need hardly be told, all the money he pays is so much to the good, nor lost forever as in the case of rent; in fact, if he chose to avail himself of the 12 year period he would be paying less than rent and making the place his own all the time.
Aladdin's Lamp
Really, seeing how easy it all is, he could hardly do better if he had Aladdin's Lamp! We are the slaves of the ring and lamp. Utter your wish - tell us what you want - and you become automatically a landlord!""
This majestic wind up dazed me for a time, and we next drove slowly round the farm, Mr H pointing out everything with a modest, no not exactly a modest pride; merely the statistical kind of pride of the man who knows that what he is talking about is a good thing without the possibility of question.
We now took in the features of the land appropriated for small holdings - land into which, I was told, thousands of pounds have been put in fertilisers. Certainly the look of it was decidedly promising; rich, dark land with a sufficiency of gravel for aeration. As a sample of fertility, Mr Hu pointed to a field of standing brussels sprouts. There was £600 worth in view, he said.
I saw a dozen or so of labourers' cottages on the estate; Fairby Grange, which did not pass with the land; orchards mature, and one lovely stretch of 5 year old beauties, trees so regular that one might expect see them labelled 'With care! From Noah's Ark Limited.' This particular orchard is to go at £100 the acre.
The farm buildings, apart from the cottage, cost some £2,000 and it is here that lessons will be given in dairying and agriculture.
""We will take the small holder's milk and separate it and make the cream into butter for him, if he likes. If his produce, in fruit, vegetables, poultry, and the rest, is good enough, we will introduce him to a connection with hotels or institutions who must have the best, and with our methods and organisation we can always supply the best.
We are in the midst of
A Specially Fertile District
as you can see for yourself. As for poultry, Orpington is not for all, to give an example. Let the smallholder send us his produce; our manager will see to the rest. Freedom from trouble again, you see our very object, one of the leading features which make our proposition different from any other. That is the idea of the season ticket and of making you a home complete.""
""And the price for this agricultural land?""
""From £32 per acre, and you can buy from 1 to 50, every acre with a hard road frontage. We have 218 acres set apart for the smallholders; the residential sites account for 97. That is a council school we are passing. Grammar schools you can get at Rochester or Chatham, not far.""
""Grammar schools remind me of golf. I don't know why.""
""There are links at Gravesend, 4 miles away. At Rochester is the Royal Medway Club.""
""Golf suggests church - naturally.""
""There are three within a few minutes: Longfield, Hartley and Fawkham.""
""Coming once more to the agricultural land, I notice that most of it is turned.""
""Yes, cultivated right up to the date we transfer it"".
""You have certainly thought the matter out very thoroughly. I see no flaw in the proposition.""
""My dear sir, we knew from the first what we were looking for. It is the bare fact that we examined or considered hundreds of estates before we pitched upon Fairby Farm.""
""Well you have partly verified our claim that your friend can do the business in half a day. We shall catch the 4.15 back to Town (we could have taken an earlier train at Fawkham), and a short talk in our office in our office over cottage plans, garden plotting and selection of furniture would relieve him of all trouble. He would simply await our note to the effect that his cottage was ready, furnished and aired, the garden laid out, and the hens clucking out there are eggs, fresh eggs, for tomorrow's breakfast. Let him ask for me at the offices of Small Owners Limited, in Temple Chambers, Temple Avenue, London EC. I shall be pleased to see him, whether he is quite ready to proceed or not. Let him ring up 13183 Central or he can call upon our surveyors, Messrs Leopold Farmer and Sons, 46 Gresham Street, EC.""
I am asking my friend accordingly to meet Mr H. I believe he will thank me next summer at 'Woodland Cottage' Fairby Farm.
John Dalma"
Pleasure and Profit
""And the eggs, I suppose there will be eggs?""
""If he will put himself in the hands of our manager and is willing to take poultry seriously, he could pay for his two acres in two years, out of the poultry and what he takes out of the land.""
""Oh! Will he have to work?""
""No need to. But 10 to 1 this Fairby air will seduce him into doing it. And you can't worry about business while you are gardening.""
""Most true. Personally, I confine myself to looking on at the gardening, and I know I don't think about business then. I can only think what a silly way the other chap has of doing things.""
""Your friend can choose just how he will have his land laid out. A well known firm of designers will make him a plan free, flowers here, for instance, vegetables there, fruit trees over yonder, or he can keep the garden for flowers and vegetables and take a portion of an orchard. One of the orchards we have is full of 5 year old trees and the price of the land would include the trees in their present perfection.""
""Can you advise as to suitable furniture?""
""We will not only advise but supply, if your friend wishes - and at practically wholesale prices - the kind of furniture that seems to me eminently countrylike and homely. The sort of thing you pay dear for, as a rule, simply because it is both artistic and appropriate, but of course you friend will choose what pleases him.""
""In a sentence - your friend simply tells us what he wants and we supply it. Land, house, plotted garden, poultry, furniture; and if he buys now the best can easily be ready for him by the summer - the ideal time, of course, for a country life.""
""And for health. By the way, the water ____""
""Is company's water.""
""The roads___""
""Council road frontage wherever he selects.""
""Access to town easy enough""
""There is a splendid service of trains. You can get to the city in 37 or 50 minutes, according to your choice of train, both morning and evening. There are even theatre trains from Victoria, Holborn Viaduct and St Paul's at midnight, reaching Fawkham about 12.50.""
""Tell him that, in order to make the first year at his cottage more memorable, we will present your friend with a season ticket to town which will hold good to the end of June 1913. We do not offer free trips to prospective buyers; this free season ticket is only for householders on the residential section of Fairby Farm. We make the offer as one means of settling the land quickly.""
""It is possible he may come down and check my report.""
""He can do it this way; occupy all the morning with business, take the 1.37 from London Bridge to Dartford, and motor from there. He could have an hour on the estate, 315 acres you know, get the 4.15 from Fawkham, and be back in the office to wind up business. Or he could devote midday to the matter; take the 11.20 and return by the 2.46.""
""How do your plots work out in shape?""
""We give, to an acre plot, at least 100 feet of frontage and about 400 feet of depth, for £120 to £130 the acre. If you work out the latest offer I know of anywhere else you find the 20 feet frontage and 100 feet depth ome ou at £2,500 per acre - and more than that. Our local rates, again, are very low, about 4 shillings in the pound.""
""And suppose my friend, as we rather think he has, has got rid of most of his immediately available cash over his recent celebration___""
"" We are providing for any such case. We will take 25 per cent down, and the rest can be paid next year or in 5 years or in 12 years, with a modest 5 per cent on the balances. As you need hardly be told, all the money he pays is so much to the good, nor lost forever as in the case of rent; in fact, if he chose to avail himself of the 12 year period he would be paying less than rent and making the place his own all the time.
Aladdin's Lamp
Really, seeing how easy it all is, he could hardly do better if he had Aladdin's Lamp! We are the slaves of the ring and lamp. Utter your wish - tell us what you want - and you become automatically a landlord!""
This majestic wind up dazed me for a time, and we next drove slowly round the farm, Mr H pointing out everything with a modest, no not exactly a modest pride; merely the statistical kind of pride of the man who knows that what he is talking about is a good thing without the possibility of question.
We now took in the features of the land appropriated for small holdings - land into which, I was told, thousands of pounds have been put in fertilisers. Certainly the look of it was decidedly promising; rich, dark land with a sufficiency of gravel for aeration. As a sample of fertility, Mr Hu pointed to a field of standing brussels sprouts. There was £600 worth in view, he said.
I saw a dozen or so of labourers' cottages on the estate; Fairby Grange, which did not pass with the land; orchards mature, and one lovely stretch of 5 year old beauties, trees so regular that one might expect see them labelled 'With care! From Noah's Ark Limited.' This particular orchard is to go at £100 the acre.
The farm buildings, apart from the cottage, cost some £2,000 and it is here that lessons will be given in dairying and agriculture.
""We will take the small holder's milk and separate it and make the cream into butter for him, if he likes. If his produce, in fruit, vegetables, poultry, and the rest, is good enough, we will introduce him to a connection with hotels or institutions who must have the best, and with our methods and organisation we can always supply the best.
We are in the midst of
A Specially Fertile District
as you can see for yourself. As for poultry, Orpington is not for all, to give an example. Let the smallholder send us his produce; our manager will see to the rest. Freedom from trouble again, you see our very object, one of the leading features which make our proposition different from any other. That is the idea of the season ticket and of making you a home complete.""
""And the price for this agricultural land?""
""From £32 per acre, and you can buy from 1 to 50, every acre with a hard road frontage. We have 218 acres set apart for the smallholders; the residential sites account for 97. That is a council school we are passing. Grammar schools you can get at Rochester or Chatham, not far.""
""Grammar schools remind me of golf. I don't know why.""
""There are links at Gravesend, 4 miles away. At Rochester is the Royal Medway Club.""
""Golf suggests church - naturally.""
""There are three within a few minutes: Longfield, Hartley and Fawkham.""
""Coming once more to the agricultural land, I notice that most of it is turned.""
""Yes, cultivated right up to the date we transfer it"".
""You have certainly thought the matter out very thoroughly. I see no flaw in the proposition.""
""My dear sir, we knew from the first what we were looking for. It is the bare fact that we examined or considered hundreds of estates before we pitched upon Fairby Farm.""
""Well you have partly verified our claim that your friend can do the business in half a day. We shall catch the 4.15 back to Town (we could have taken an earlier train at Fawkham), and a short talk in our office in our office over cottage plans, garden plotting and selection of furniture would relieve him of all trouble. He would simply await our note to the effect that his cottage was ready, furnished and aired, the garden laid out, and the hens clucking out there are eggs, fresh eggs, for tomorrow's breakfast. Let him ask for me at the offices of Small Owners Limited, in Temple Chambers, Temple Avenue, London EC. I shall be pleased to see him, whether he is quite ready to proceed or not. Let him ring up 13183 Central or he can call upon our surveyors, Messrs Leopold Farmer and Sons, 46 Gresham Street, EC.""
I am asking my friend accordingly to meet Mr H. I believe he will thank me next summer at 'Woodland Cottage' Fairby Farm.
John Dalma"
24 Oct 1911 Daily Express
Small Owners Advert
"Do you want a garden or smallholding?
At Fairby Farm, Fawkham, Kent, 37 minutes from town. This estate is being arranged on the new idea of colonisation - producer and consume on the same farm.
Acre sites on the residential section adjoin the station, have charming views, company's water, and no road charges, with a FREE SEASON TICKET (lasting till June 1913) for every householder on the residential section.
Small holdings on the agricultural section have council road frontage. Land in splendid condition. Many buildings have established orchards with a FREE COURSE IN PROFITABLE POULTRY KEEPING for small owners on the colony.
EASY TERMS OF PAYMENT
Ask for these booklets (A) Fairby Farm, Fawkham, agricultural section illustrated; (B) Fairby Farm, Fawkham, residential section illustrated; (C) To Own or Rent, from the smallholder's point of view; (D) What Small Owners Ltd Do, business methods applied to small holding.
From Small Owners Limited, Temple Chambers, Temple Avenue, London EC."
01 Nov 1911 Shields Daily Gazette
Small Owners Description
Description of Fairby Estate by G H Humphries (also appears in other papers)
18 Nov 1911 John Bull
Small Holdings (Ad)
"At Fairby Farm, Fawkham, Kent, 37 minutes from town. The new idea in colonisation - producer and consumer on the same farm.
Acre sites in the residential section adjoin the station, have charming views, company's water, and no road charges, with a FREE SEASON TICKET (lasting till June 1913) for every householder on this section.
Small holdings on the agricultural Section have council road frontage. Land is in splendid condition. Established orchards. A FREE COURSE IN PROFITABLE POULTRY KEEPING for small owners on the colony.
Collecting depot under resident manager, in the central buildings on the farm. Combined marketing - deferred payments if desired.
Write for any of these booklets: 1 Fairby Farm Fawkham - Agricultural Section (Illustrated); 2 Fairby Farm Fawkham - Residential Section (Illustrated); 3 To Own or Rent from the Smallholder's point of view; 4 What Small Owners Ltd Do. Business methods applied to smallholding."
[Similar Advert in Reynolds Newspaper but with the heading (to pick up the newspaper's banner) "Our Land is the Land for the People"]
26 Nov 1911 Lloyds Weekly News
Small Holdings (Ad)
"Fairby Farm at Fawkham, Kent, is now being divided into freehold smallholdings for sale at prices from £32 per acre, which can be paid over 12 years. Collecting depot for smallholders' produce on the estate in the Central Buildings. Implements, labour, and horses at the disposal of every smallholder. Main line station on the Estate, 22 miles from London. Resident practical small holdings expert will act as our manager on the farm and give free advice and instruction in how to produce and sell." (Reply coupon)
10 Dec 1911 Weekly Dispatch
The Way to the Land for a Living (ad)
"On the Fairby Farm Estate there are for sale on very easy terms many holdings of land of the highest quality, adjoining hard parish roads, with Company's water laid on. The Farm Buildings will be used a Central Collection and Marketing Depot. Her the smallholder will be able to hire cheap implements, horses and labour. He will also find experts who will advise him free of cost on any difficulty regarding market gardening, fruit culture, poultry and the many departments of an up-to-date smallholding. There are 60 acres of established orchard, 108 acres of arable, and 50 acres of pasture land. A main line station on the estate ensures quick transit of produce. London is only 23 miles distant, and the busy towns of Gravesend and Dartford are within 5 miles." (reply coupon)
[another differently worded advert on 12/11/1911 has the tagline "Don't Emigrate before you have seen our small holdings"]