1913 News - Hartley-Kent: Covering Hartley, Longfield & District

04 Jan 1913 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)

Hartley Primary School

Hartley School Treat at Social Club inc lantern entertainment and Xmas tree.  Covered brakes took children from their homes

Longfield Football Club

1st annual dinner of Longfield FC at the Black Lion

11 Jan 1913 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)

Longfield Cricket Club

"(Longfield) A meeting was held in the Club Room on Tuesday to consider the desirability of forming a cricket club….. [list of some of those present including T Rodwell representing Hartley]… The Chairman [F C Auld] announced that if a club was formed Mr Dudley Martin had kindly offered the ground to play on.  Mr W Robson had also intimated his wish to give a piece of ground which he was prepared to hand over to trustees on behalf of the club; also to pay the expense of preparing the ground and to erect a pavilion.

Mr [Fortunatus] Lynds spoke in favour of forming the lcub, and he moved that the club started.  Mr L Fuller seconded the proposition, which was unanimously carried......"

17 Jan 1913 Bexleyheath Observer

Local Notes and Queries

"It will surprise most people to know that if the old age pensions were made a local charge, we in Kent would have a rate of 11d in the pound added to our burdens.  This is one of the facts Mr James Rowlands has obtained in a return from the Local Government Board.  On the last Friday in March 1911, there were 19,491 old age pensioners in the county, and at the same period in 1912 the number had increased to 20,708, the total annual cost being £380,000 [can't be sure, photocopy is blurred here].  It will be seen that practically 20 people in every 1,000 in Kent are in receipt of a pension.  What the pensions have done for the payers of the poor rate in this district is shown by the return, which gives the paupers over 70 years of age, excluding lunatics, in the Dartford Workhouse on March 31st 1906, and January 1st 1912.  On the latter date the numbers were: Indoor 157, a decrease of 43 as compared with the previous date; outdoor 7, a decrease of 421.  Thus, the total number of people over 70 years of age taken off the poor rate in this one union is 464, or 74 per cent.  For the union county of Kent the percentage of reduction is 70 per cent.

Some figures of very great interest have been prepared in connection with the movement to adjust the representation of the various parishes of the Dartford Union on the Board of Guardians.  The return shows the population and assessable value of the parishes in the years 1836 and 1911, and from these some exceedingly illuminating conclusions can be drawn.  It is seen that during the 76 years the whole of the urban and semi-urban districts have increased, in some cases enormously, while on the contrary, the truly rural parishes have either decreased in population or remained practically stationary.   Thus we see that Erith, which had a population of 1,533, and an assessable value of £988 in 1836, increased more than 11 times as to population, while the assessable value has gone up to £163,903 - 167 times.  In the same time, Dartford's population has increased from 4,715 to 23,609, and asssessable value £1,720 to £123,450; Bexley, the largest parish in the Union as to acreage, has increased in population from 3,605 to 15,895, and assessable value from £2,032 to £87,680.  Crayford's population has increased from 2,022 to 6,234; Darenth from 588 to 3,449; Sutton at Hone from 1,012 to 5,541; Swanscombe from 1,166 to 7,693 and Wilmington from 724 to 2,227.

On the other side of the picture we have Ridley, which in 1836 had a population of 91, now has only 66 and its rateable value is only £510, against £67.  Ash now has a population of only 603 against 628 in 1836, and Kingsdown has 407 against 431.  And yet Ridley, with its 66 inhabitants has one member on the Board of Guardians, the same as, say, Eynsford, with its 2,147 population.  If Erith had the same proportional representation as Ridley, it would have 420 Guardians.  If time permitted, I might instance a few more comparisons which would give food for reflection, all bearing on this matter of representation.  For instance, take the value of the various parishes.  Not only are most of the rural parishes over represented when we consider the population, but it is the same with respect to the value.  Thus, on average, each acre in Erith is assessed at £42, and in Ash 15s, in Dartford £29, and in Ridley 12s."

[As far as I can tell the complaint was well founded.  Erith and Bexley had 3 members; Dartford, Crayford and Sutton at Hone (which included the growing settlement of Swanley) had 2 and all the other parishes, however small had a single member.  So for example Dartford had one member per 12,000 electors, Ash one per 600 electors]

24 Jan 1913 Eltham Times

A Horse Starved

(Dartford Magistrates Court) Robert Dickens and Robert Abbot of 126 Fulwich Street, Dartford, greengrocers were summoned by Haydn Fletcher, an RSPCA inspector, for causing unnecessary suffering to a horse through malnourishment.  George Kingsland of St Albans Road, blacksmith, said the horse was brought to him for shoeing but collapsed more than once including in the road, where Arthur Smith, of East Hill, bill poster tried unsuccessfully to get the horse up.  Thomas Sullivan, groom at the vicarage said he had been sent by the vicar with bran mash for the horse, but it was too weak to eat.  Inspector Burbridge said he saw the horse in the road on New Years Day, it had been in fair condition when he had previously seen it 3 weeks earlier.  William James Wallace of Home Villa, Bullace Lane, a horse slaughterer, said he told the owner it needed to be killed to put it out of pain, and Abbot agreed.  He found very little food except the bran mash in its stomach.  Frank Robards, vet, confirmed it died through want of nutrition.

"Fred Harris, of Hartley Green, Longfield, said the horse, with a van and harness, was bought by the defendant Dickens from him on November 27th, for £9, but he had not been paid for them.  The horse was then in good condition, and £4 was allowed for it, the balance being for the van and harness.  He sold it at a low price because he had no use for it.  There was nothing the matter with it.  Jim Cole, 19 of Hartley Green, who described himself as a fruit and landforeman for the last witness, siad the horse was in good condition when it was taken away by Dickens.  It was taken on a fortnight's trial, as defendant said he did not want to buy a pig in a poke.  He knew the man by sight, and had had a previous transaction with him.  On December 9th, defendant brought over a pony which he wanted to exchange, but as no deal was effected, on the 16th he agreed to buy the horse."  RSPCA Inspector Fletcher said he spoke to the defendants, who denied they were the owners because they hadn't paid for it.  "They knew it was weak because it could not pull half a ton of potatoes up to Stone."  Ellzabeth Abbot claimed it was well fed but in poor condition when it came.  Each defendant fined £2 plus £1 1s vet's costs.  Abbot fined £1 on a second charge.  Chairman said they were lucky not to be sent down.

[Messrs Harris and Cole must have been newcomers to Hartley as neither are in the 1911 census]

25 Jan 1913 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)

Hartley Poultry Farm

"New laid eggs, delivered free direct from farm at London wholesale rates, in boxes of 120; every egg guaranteed…"

27 Jan 1913 Daily Mirror

Farming Experiment

Correspondent's experiments in using elecricity to kill pests on gooseberries at Fairby

30 Jan 1913 Daily Express

Win a farm at Hartley

Poultry World's win a smallholding competition (Johns, Johns Close)

01 Feb 1913 Kent Messenger

Road Traffic Survey

Traffic survey at Farnborough on Sun 29th Sept – 276 cars, 100 side cars, 67 motorbikes, 2 motor wagons, 1 steam engine, 79 horse vehicles, 2 horses, 10 hand vehicles, 605 bikes

05 Feb 1913 Irish Independent

£1,000 Farm Won by An Irish Woman

"Mrs O'Grady (pictured with picture of Hartley) of Utility Poultry Farm, Coachford, Co Cork, won the prize as a result of an examination in London conducted by oral and written questions on the rearing of poultry and the production of eggs"

07 Feb 1913 Poultry World

Win a farm at Hartley

Mrs O'Grady wins farm, details.  Description of prize giving, all candidates went to London Opera House, where her name was announced in interval.

14 Feb 1913 Bexleyheath Observer

Parish Council

Dartford RDC - "A letter was read from the Kent County Council notifying the issue of an order increasing the number of Parish Councillors for Longfield from 5 to 7."

14 Feb 1913 Poultry World

Win a farm at Hartley

"The Truth about the £1,000 Prize Competition".  PW writes to refute allegations made in other quarters, stating Smallowners donated the house and land in return for free advertising.  They were happy for PW to appear as donors.  Farm will be completely stocked, on the night of the prize giving they asked to purchase another 2 acres from SO so there could be no criticism that the farm was of an inadequate size.  Mrs O'Grady has utmost confidence in them.

14 Feb 1913 Ballymena Observer

Win a farm at Hartley

"An Irishwoman, Mrs O'Grady of the Utility Poultry Farm, Coachford, Co Cork, was the winner of a £1,000 poultry farm in Kent in a competition at Anderson's Hotel, Fleet Street, London, on Friday.  The competition was organised by the Poultry World.  Six ladies were among the competitors of whom there were 44.  Two gentlemen sat in front of a table upon which there was a crescent of 25 small globes containing 25 different kinds of poultry food, and each candidate was required to identify the dishes as requested.  Indian corn was easily recognised but few know that a collection of little brown seeds was millet, and fewer still could tell what price should be paid for it.

In the corner by the judges was an oblong wicker basket which imprisoned four defective birds.  One, or possibly two of the birds had to be taken from the basket by the candidate and the defects pointed out.  After this each candidate entered a room where two judges with a plucked chicken, an incubator and an egg tester.  Here his knowledge of the utility side of the profession was examined.  The most interesting competitor was Captain Pearson Webber, who while on service in India, lost his eyesight [He would later visit Hartley with his students from St Dunstans in 1915]  the searching questions in the two examination papers were dictated to Captain Webber; he took them down with a pin in Braille shorthand, and, to the astonishment of the judges, typed his answers on an ordinary typewriter.  In telling the poultry food, Captain Webber's sense of touch served him with complete fidelity.  In two cases in which knowledge of the colour of the birds was almost essential to identifying their breed his lack of sight was a handicap, but in one case, by feeling the texture of feathers, he was able to describe not only the breed and the defects, but also the colour with perfect accuracy.  The candidates came one from each county in the UK and Ireland.  The candidates with their friends attended the London Opera House in the evening, when, during the performance, Mrs O'Grady was declared the winner, and was presented by Mr Ben Natham, the general manager, with the title deed of a farm at Fawkham, Kent, valued at £1,000.  Mrs O'Grady received a great ovation from the audience...." [The farm is now called Johns, John's Close, Hartley]

15 Feb 1913 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)

Longfield Parish Council

(Dartford RDC) "A letter from the Kent County Council was received, notifying the issue of an order increasing the number of councillors for Longfield from 5 to 7 from March next."

The Village Club

Letter from "A Resident" about Longfield Village Club.  Argument over eligibility for billiard competition led him to ask who owns the club.  There were 3 trustees, Mr Wade has left the district, Dudley Martin who supplied a quantity of material for the foundations has finished with the club, leaving only Mr Allchin.

In following week's paper was a reply from "Old Resident" saying "Mr Allchin is really the founder of the club, and has the full confidence of the general community."  Mr Martin has resigned from committee not as trustee.  Mr Wade was prevailed to remain as trustee after he moved to Wilmington.  He had been People's Churchwarden at Longfield.

16 Feb 1913 Lloyds Weekly News

Small Owners Advert

Small Owners ad

21 Feb 1913 Bexleyheath Observer

In Search of Game

"Henry Canter and Leonard Canter, 3 Stanley Cottages, Darenth, were charged under the Poaching Prevention Act.  PC Abnett said that on January 26th he saw defendants in Rabbits Road, Horton Kirby, coming from Mr Hohler's land at Fawkham.  He searched them, and found 5 rabbits and 6 nets on Leonard Carter.  There were 5 previous convictions for poaching against Henry Canter.  Leonard was fined 10 shillings and costs, and Henry 20 shillings and costs, or 14 days."

22 Feb 1913 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)

Longfield Football Club

Football: Longfield v Royal School of Mines, one of players for latter was from Royal College of Sciences, another was captain of Hull City (Gordon Wright).  Longfield won 3-2.

Longfield Special Parish Meeting

Held at the School Room.  Most was about the legal dispute between the parish council and Mr W Robson about the allotment land.  George Lynds (chairman) moved a 6d special rate to pay for legal costs.  Their solicitor said they didn't really need to do this as it is a legal obligation.  When asked what would happen if he lost the motion, he said the case would stop and all those who voted against would be liable for the costs.  Rev Smith moved the 6d rate and Mr Kirk seconded.  But it was lost 11-16 (against were Messrs G E Holmes, Seager, R W Gilham, G Taylor-Elliott, Coulson, Fuller, J Foster, E Foster, W Robson, F Harris, J Crook, J Goodwin, W Smith, J Collaby and another).    Then Mr Kirk proposed and Fortunatus Lynds seconded that they be authorised to borrow £500.  The vote on this was tied, but the chairman gave the casting vote in favour.  As for what happens now the chairman said they would have to wait and see.

Fortunatus Lynds proposed and Mr F Cannon seconded that the parish adopt the Lighting and Watching Act 1833 [The power to have streetlighting]. The vote was 11-7 but a two-thirds majority was required under the act.  Mr F Lynds demanded a poll.

Musical

Longfield Free Church crowded for cantata 'The Flower Queen'.  Proceeds went to Free Church and Fawkham Mission.

28 Feb 1913 Bexleyheath Observer

County Council Election

Nominations for Dartford Rural No 1 District (incl Ash, Hartley, Longfield): Cecil James Hulkes, land agent, Hadlow Place, Tonbridge, proposed by Rev F W Warland and Henry Booth Hohler, Gerald F Hohler and Frederick G Meyers.

George Day, farmer, North Ash, proposed by William Chambers and Richard French, H W Snape, E J Tubb, F Lynds, G T Lynds, A J Miller, F Crowhurst.

07 Mar 1913 London Standard

Townsmen on the Land

Mr Hamilton Edwards, Chairman of Small Owners Limited challenges idea that townsmen can't make good farmers.

08 Mar 1913 Kent Messenger

County Council Election

County Council – Dartford 1 (inc Hartley.  CJG Hulkes 460; George Day 249

08 Mar 1913 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)

Longfield At Law - Parish Council Sues its late Clerk

 // "A case which had some peculiar features was opened in the Chancery Division of the High Court before Mr Justice Warrington on Tuesday, when the Longfield Parish Council were plaintiffs in an action against their late clerk, Mr Walter Robson of Kent House, Longfield, in respect of some land which, it was alleged he was instructed to purchase for parish uses.  Counsel for plaintiffs were Mr George Cave KC MP and Mr J M Peterson (instructed by Mr G A Whigham); and for defendant Mr G F Hohler KC MP and Mr E J Elgood (instructed by Mr George Clinch).

Mr Paterson in opening, stated that eh defendant was the plaintiff's late clerk, an dhte plaintiffs' declaration was that he purchased some land at Longfield as agent and trustee for them.  The extent of the land was 11a 3r 30p, and it was part of the Colyer-Fergusson estate.  For allotment purposes the parish Council held some 5 acres of it on a 7 years' lease from September 1908, at an annual rental of £7 10s, and the remaining 7 acres were held by Mr Hales, a member of the Council, for 7 years from 1908, at £10 10s per annum.   As land in the neighbourhood was going up considerably in value, and the lease would soon be running out, the Council came to the conclusion that it would be wise to acquire the land (which was being sold) if it could be obtained on reasonable terms.  When, in June 1911, it was suggested that two members of the Council should attend the auction for the purpose, the Clerk, who had considerable influence over the members, said: 'No; if you do that, the price will go up.  I will go and buy it,' or words to that effect.  A minute was entered stating that 'portions of the Colyer-Fergusson estate will be shortly offered at the Mart, and the desirability of securing land,' etc.  These minutes were prepared by the Clerk, who had custody of the minute book, and in several instances, Mr Paterson alleged, the minutes were not accurate, and did not set out all that took place.  The Clerk, however, was instructed to attend the auction sale, and to purchase the land at a sum which was not to exceed £800.  His lordship: That is not on the minutes.  Mr Paterson: But as a matter of fact he was so instructed.  Continuing, Mr Paterson satated that Mr Robson attended the sale on July 10th, 1911 and the land was knocked down to him for only £400.

His lordship: What is the defence?  Mr Paterson: The defence shortly, is that defendant purchased it on his own account.  The next date of importance he continued, was August 14th, 1911, when a member asked the Clerk whether the deeds with respect to the land had been made out in the name of the Council or the parish.  The defendant's answer was: 'Neither.  It is a matter which must be dealt with privately in the meantime, but if you wait it will come right,' or words to that effect.  Reference was again made to the matter at the following October meeting, when defendant was asked what was being done with respect to the land, and his answer was that the land was in Chancery.  The next important date was November 11th, 1911, the date of the conveyance.  The land was conveyed to defendant, subject to the leases held by the Parish Council and Mr Hales, to which reference had been made.  On December 22nd there was a meeting o fthe Parish Council, and what took place tehre was rather peculiar. Among the cheques presented by the defendant to the Chairman of the Council for signature was one in the defendant's own name for 37s 6d.  My evidence is positive (went on Mr Paterson) that on that occasion the defendant stated that it would be covenient for the cheque to be made out in his name for the purpose of completion, and you will hear that they had no knowledge whatever at that time that the sale had been completed.  As a matter of fact, the notice was not added to the book until later.  This cheque was passed, with others, and no-one had any idea that, by paying the cheque to the defendant, the Council were acknowledging that he was the owner of the land.  Up to that time the Council had had no suggestion that he was the owner of the land.  The cheque for £1 17s 6d was for rent for the allotments to defendant!  Members proposed that the accounts should stand over until the next meeting.  At that time the Council were getting rather suspicious.  The next meeting was a parish meeting on March 18th, 1912.  It was a stormy meeting.  The minute book, so far as this meeting was concerned, did not by any means represent what took place.  On that occasion the Rector of Longfield was in the Chair, the Chairman of the Parish Council being ill.  Under the word 'Allotments' Mr Lynds, it was recorded, drew attention to a 'misunderstanding' as to the purchase of the land, and it was moved and seconded that Mr Robson be asked whether he would sell the land.  That was a gross misrepresentation (alleged counsel) because the Council took the view that the defendant was to purchase the land on their behalf, and to represent that he was to be approached to sell the land was not what took place.  The next meeting of the Parish Council was on April 3rd, 1912, and on that occasion the question of rent came up again, and on the advice of the Rector, it was decided to pay the rent under protest.  It was further moved that the Clerk should report as to what he did at the sale.  Evasive excuses were put forward by the defendant, and the Council formed itself into a committee to deal with the matter forthwith.  On April 11th a special meeting was held, when an intimation was given that defendant bought the land for himself, and that he wanted to present a portion to the council as a recreation ground.  It was later, decided to offer him £400 for the land and his personal expenses. Mr Robson promised to consider the offer, and eventually stated that he was not prepared to accept £400 and expenses, but he was prepared to consider a fair offer.  In December last the Council gave their Clerk notice, and he left their service on January 23rd.  But he did not hand over the minute book until February 6th.

His Lordship: What is the statutory position of a parish council.  Can they purchase land?  Mr Paterson: Yes for recreation and allotments, though defendant has raised the point that they have no powers to purchase.  As far as a recreation ground is concerned, that is expressed in the Local Government Act 1894.  His Lordship stated that he found that a Parish Council was a body corporate.  Later addressing Mr Paterson, his lordship said all he had to do was to establish that defendant held this land in trust for the parish, subject to the purchase money.  The Court then adjourned.

When the Court resumed on Wednesday, Mr Cave examined witnesses for the plaintiffs.  George Thomas Lynds, a builder and contractor of Longfield Hill, stated that he had been a member of the Parish Council for 14 years and chairman of the council for 12 years.  He bore out counsel's description of the land and the desire of the council to purchase, and said tha tat the Parish Council meeting on June 12th, Mr Robson agreed that the land should be bought, but stated that if it was known that members of the Council were present they would be 'run' in price for the lot.  They asked the Clerk if they had a right to purchase as a Council, and he said, 'No, we have not; there is not time to get it (the authority) before the sale.  We shall have to go to the Local Government Board, and there is not time.' Witness then asked whether two of Council could go - himself and Mr Hales - and defendant said 'No.'  Then witness said, 'Could we not go and buy it privately?'  He said 'Yes, but if we went they would run us, thinking we were buying for the council.'  He said better terms would be obtained if a private individual went, and added that he was going to the sale and would buy for them.  Mr Hales proposed that the Clerk's expenses shoudl be paid.  Defendant then said he had no wish to put the parish to that expense. but what he did he would do for the good of the parish.  There was then a discussion as to the price they should go to, and the Council decided to go to £800.  The next meeting was on August 14th.  Witness was in the chair.  Mr Hales asked the Clerk how he was having the deeds made out.  At this time witness knew that Mr Robson had bought the land for £400.  Mr Robrson said he was having the deeds made out in his own name, not in that of the parish.  That, he said, would have to be done and the matter settled privately afterwards.  If the Council waited, he said, all would come right.  His Lordship: This was conversation at the meeting?  There is no record of it on the minutes.  Witness: Yes, the minutes (produced) are in the handwriting of Mr Robson's clerk.  Witness also confirmed counsel's account of the subsequent meetings, and stated that the accounts at the December meeting which came up for payment included a cheque to Robson of 37s 6d for rent.  There was no explanation of this cheque given to the defendant.  Witness tought it had something to do with the deeds which Mr Robson held, and that he would clear up at the finish.  Witness had no idea he was holding hte conveyance against the council.  This cheque was for rent due at Christmas from the Council for the land.  There was a letter now attached to the minutes of that meeting which was not read at the meeting.  Between the meeting in December and the one in February, Mr Hales had told them that he had had notice from Mr Robson to pay his rent to him.  After the Parish Meeting on March 18th witness heard that Mr Robson claimed the land for himself.  At a special meeting on April 11th correspondence was received from Mr Robson in which he stated that he was quite prepared to negotiate for the disposal of the land.  And further 'Before the sale I explained to the Council my desire and determination to give a portion of the land to hte parish forthe purposes of a recreation ground.  Mr Cave: Is that true? Witness: I never heard anything about it.  At a later meeting (witness went on to explain) a resolution was passed offering Mr Robson £400 and his expenses for the land.  Mr Robson replied that he was not prepared to accept £400 but was prepared to consider a fiar offer.  A writ was issued on April 30th.  Mr Robson having remained their clerk until January 13th.

Cross examined by Mr Hohler: In june, 1911, witness could not remember whether all the allotments were let.  There might have been 2 or 3 unlet.  There was a notice of the forthcoming auction fixed in the allotment field.  This land was really a sloping bank, and the Council proposed to use the upper portion as a recreation ground.  There was a level portion at the north-westerly end  The question as to the desirabilty of getting allotments had been before the council as early as 1908.  Mr Hohler: What efforts did you make?  Witness: We wrote to many landowners, including yourself (laughter).  Mr Hohler: Not to me, to my father probably.  Mr Cave: If it was to my friend, the land would have been given at once (laughter).  Mr Hohler: At the meeting of June 1911 did Mr Robson say he had been trying privately to purchase the land for himself? - No.  Di you not know he saw Mr Dann about it? - No.  Did he not say the Council could not buy it, and that it had no power? - Yes.  You knew that - He told us it could be done privately.  You knew you had no power? - I thought we might take steps to get it.  His lordship: He told you the time was so short? - Yes.  Mr Hohler: Did he tell you thre would have to be an inquiry by the Local Government Board? - No; he said there would be no time.  What does a 3d rate in Longfield produce? - About £70 a year.  And what are your ordinary expenses? - They average about £20 to £25 a year.  At the meeting on June 12th did not Mr Robson say his wife had always proposed to give a recreation ground to the parish? - No, I had never heard of it.  When he went to the auction, did he say he was going to bid for the property? - He said if it was left in his hands he would buy it for the Council.  He said he would buy it privately.  Was anything said as to who should find the deposit? - Mr Robson said he would do it for the good of the parish.  I took it then that he would find it.  His Lordship: You took it that he would be disposed to do what you would have done if you had gone yourself? - That is quite right my lord.  Mr Hohler: Who did you think was advancing the money? - I did not know Mr Robson said the land was in Chancery and that it would take time.  Have you bought land yourself? - Yes, but never land in Chancery (laughter, in which his lordship heartily joined).  You mean they are slower in Chancery than ordinarily? - Well, I could not understand it.  Have you any iea as to how the money was to be found? - No, we were asking for information.  At the meeting in December was not the authority produced by Mr Robson to pay the rents to him? - No; if it had it would have read and recorded in the minutes.  But you signed the cheque for rent in favour of Mr Robson? - Yes.  Did you not ask why that was? - No. Did you see a report in the Kent Messenger of your last meeting to consider for special purposes a 6d rate? - Yes.  What was the 6d rate for? - For allotments about which Mr Prosser wrote to us.  (The Council's chairman was in the witness box for 2¼ hours).

Reuben Hales, the member of the Parish Council already referred to, said that he saw the notice of the auction and proposed to buy the 7 acres he was farming, but Mr Lynds, observing that he thought it woudl be a good thing to purchase a recreation ground for the parish, witness said that in that case he would stand aside for the good of the parish. At the meeting on August 14th witness asked defendant how the deeds were being prepared.  He replied that he was having them done privately and if the council waited all would come well.  Witness then corroborated the last witness as to susequent meetings, and said that on Nov 23rd or 24th he received notice to pay his rent to Mr Robson.  He told Mr Lynds of this about a fortnight later.  It was said at one meeting, witness incidentally mentioned, that Mrs Robson proposed to give a piece of land for a recreation ground and a set of bells for the parish.  They had received neither. Cross-examined: They were not told that the Council had no authority to buy the land.  Mr Robson told them they would have to get a loan.

Fortunatus Lynds, a carpenter, another member of the Council, gave similar evidence and futher deposed to a conversation with Mr Robson, when the latter said (referring to the land): 'It will be a good thing if we get it.'  Witness asked what he meant by 'we' and he replied 'Why the Council, certainly.'  After the sale witness said to Mr Robson, 'Well, you have made a good deal!'  Robson replied: 'I had an offer in the mart of £200 for my bargain for Mr Hall.  Since then I have had an offer of £250 from Mr Martin.'  Witness said 'How could you do such a thing, Mr Robson?'  He then shrugged his shoulders and said 'All right, we shall see'.  In the cross examination, witness stated that if defendant said he was giving a recreation ground to the parish, no-one heard him say so.  At the time the purchase was proposed, witness said he knew the council had not the power to purchase for anything like £800.  He thought that as the land was in Chancery it would not be conveyed very quickly.

George Hills, another member of the parish council also gave evdience.

Rev E Smith, Rector of Longfield, stated that he was in the chair on March 18th.  They had a rather stormy meeting.  The question arose as to the purchase of the land, and witness thought the whole meeting, with a small exception, seemed to be of opinion that the land had been purchased by the Council and that Mr Robson bought it for them.  This concluded the case for the plaintiffs.

Defendant then gave evidence.  He stated that he was a surveyor and a collector of taxes, and an overseer for several parishes.  When the land was advertised for sale, he approached the auctioneers with a view to purchasing it.  At the meeting of the Council on June 12th 1911, there was a discussion by the members as to whether they could purchase the land or not.  They asked witness whether they had power to purchase,and he told them they had not.  He told them he had written to the auctioneers to know whether he could purchase it for himself, and they told him it must go to the sale.  He told the council at that time that they knew his wife always wanted to buy a piece of land for a recreation ground to give to the parish.  He also told the Council that if they had the power to buy for the £800 that they spoke of, the necessary formalities would put the allotment holders to a higher rent and it would go up to quite 9d.  He also told them he was going to the auction to buy for himself, that they had 4 more years to go under their lease, and that it would be better for a private individual to buy the land.  They never said anything about two of the councillors going to the sale to buy.  It was untrue he suggested that they could better buy privately.  His Lordship: Was anything said about two of the councillors going to buy it for the Council?  Defendant: not in my hearing.  Mr Hohler: Did Mr Hales say they would pay your expenses, and you said 'No, I would do it for the good of the parish?' - I said by giving a piece to the parish, and anything I could do for the parish I would.  Did Mr Hales ask you how you were having the deeds made out? - Yes, and I told him I was having them made out to myself.  His Lordship:  Did you understand why they asked you that question.  Witness: The only think that occurred to me was they wanted me to give them an idea as to how long it would be before they had the piece of land given to them.  Mr Hohler: Was anything said about raising a 3d rate and taking the rents spread over a period of years, or anything of that kind? - No.  His Lordship: There was nothing of that sort said? - No.  Nothing at all? - No.  You do not merely say you do not think anything was said, but that it was not said? - I do not think anything was said.  Did you understand at the parish meeting that their view was that you bought the land for the parish? - No I did not.  Mr F Lynds made me wild by inferring that I had robbed the parish of £200.  That was the 'misunderstanding'.  £200 - Yes, £200. The word 'purchase' was used by Mr Kirk.  We had rather heated words.  My clerk and I both told him that the word was used.  Defendant, further answering his counsel, denied telling Mr F Lynds that it would be a good thing if 'we' got the land, or that Mr Hall and Mr Martin had made him offers.

Cross-examined: Did you from teh beginning say you intended to buy for yourself? - Yes.  You never intended the Council to believe you intended to buy for them? - No.  Who drew up the council minutes? - Mr Cromar, my clerk.  Did you see them before they went to the council for signature? - Usually.  What you wrote down and read to the meetings was true? - Yes.  Is it correct that the mintues made reference to the desirability of purchasing the land and that better terms could be secured by a private individual? - Yes.  And the matter was left in your hands? - Yes.  Is that your minute? - Yes.  Then do you suggest that all this means that you were left to buy it for yourself? - Yes.  And that was what your minute was understood to mean? - Yes.  Then why on earth did it interest the Council if you were to get it for yourself? - Well as I was going to give the parish a piece, there it was.  The minute does not say 'by you' but by a private individual? - I was buying it for myself.  His Lordship: Leave it in your hands to buy it for yourself!  Was it supposed they were going to buy it from you? - No.  'Leaving it in your hands' meant then not benefitting the council, but benefitting yourself? - I told them I was going to the sale to buy it for myself.  Mr Cave: When you were asked in whose name the land was being conveyed, did you say it would have to be done privately? - Yes.  Why privately if you were going to give a recreation ground to the parish? - For my private solicitors to take it privately for the parish (laughter).  The case was then adjourned.

Yesterday (Thursday) counsel were engaged for over 2 hours in discussing legal points connected with the case.

His Lordship, in giving judgment, said defendant led the Council to think, and they believed, that if he bought the land it should be held for the Council, of course, upon the Council paying to him the purchase money and indemnifying him against the expenses he incurred.  Defendant went to the sale, bought the land for £400 - an extremely good bargain - and the next day got an offer for his bargain of £200; and he (the judge) was certain that from that time he determined that if he could he would get the land for himself.  Meetings of the Council were held, and his Lordship said the conversations which went on at those meetings were a strong confirmation of the idea in the minds of the council as to the position which defendant held with regard to them.  He could not conceive why they asked the questions they did unless they believed he was going to buy the land on behalf of the parish.  But on November 11th he took the conveyance to himself.  On December 22nd the Christmas rent became payable, and he presented to them a cheque for payment of the rent.  He said he also showed to them the authority by the vendor to pay him the rent.  He (the Judge) was satisfied that he did nothing of the sort, and that none of those present at the meeting knew tht any such authority was in existence.

Now what was the legal position?  The result of what took place on June 12th 1911 was that defendant undertook to purchase the land for the Council.  The result, further, was that he was under an obligation to convey the land to them, if, and when, they paid him the purchase money, and they, on the other hand, were, he thought, under an obligation to him to take such stops as might be necessary to put themselves in the position of being able to pay the money.  Practically they entered into a conditional contract to buy - a contract which, in the event of their not obtaining the money within a reasonable time, might be declared void.  Beyond that defendant was not entitled to say the land was his.  It was said the Council were unable to put themselves in a position to buy.  The Council, of course, was a statutory body , and the material statutes affecting the matter were the Local Government Acts of 1894 and the Small Holdings Act of 1908.  The former gave them power to provide or acquire land for allotments at such a price or rent as could be reasonably recouped out of hte rents obtained.  So far the case appeared to him to be fairly clear, but there were certain other restrictions in the act of 1894 which applied to the Parish Council, and upon which reliance was placed by the defendant.  The restrictions were in section 11, which stated that a parish council should not, without consent of a parish meeting, incur expenses or liabilities whcih would involve a rate exceeding 3d in the £ in one financial year, or without the consent of the County Council incur any liability which would involve a loan.  Now it was said it was necessary for the Parish Council in this case to get the consent of the Parish Meeting and of the County Council before the arrangement made with Mr Robson on June 12th 1911.  His opinion was that that contention failed, and for this amongst other reasons: They incurred no expense at the time they arrived at the conclusion of June 12th.   Then it was said they had no power to buy the 7 acres out of the 12 acres because they were held under a lease by Mr Hales.  He was quite satisfied that there was nothing whatever in that.

In his judgment, concluded his Lordship, the defence failed both on facts and in law, and he considered it proper to make the order applied for.  Defendant must not be kept an indefinite length of time in doubt as to whether the parish would take over the land.  He  thought, therefore, he ought to impose an undertaking to take with all reasonable speed such proceedings as might be necessary to enable them to acquire the necessary authority to make the payments, and then to declare that the defendant was liable to convey to the plaintiffs to defendant of the sum of £400, together with interest.  The interest it was usual to pay, he thought, was 5 per cent from the date of payment, defendant of course, accounting to them against such interest for the rent which he had already received, and upon payment, of course, of the expense incurred by him.  Defendant was ordered to pay the expenses of the action.

On the application of Mr Hohler, a stay of execution with regard only to the costs was granted, on condition that notice of appeal was given within a fortnight."

14 Mar 1913 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express

Longfield Parish Council: Successful Action against late Clerk

"An action to which is attached considerable local interest was heard in the Chancery Division on Thursday week, when the Parish Council of Longfield sued Mr Walter Robson, its late clerk, to obtain a conveyance from him of a piece of land over 11 acres in extent, part of Hook Place Farm, which the parish council resolved, at a meeting on June 12th 1911 to buy for the purposes of allotments and a recreation ground.  Mr Robson is also clerk to Eynsford Parish Council and Assistant Overseer.

AT that meeting (according to the plaintiff council) the clerk suggested that the land could be acquired on better terms for the council by a private individual attending the sale and bidding on the council's behalf, and accordingly it was arranged that he should attend the auction and buy the land for the council at a price not exceeding £600.  On July 11th he bought the land for £400, and it was conveyed, free from incumbrances, to him; but he did not disclose to the vendor that he bought merely as agent for the council.  When requested to convey the land to the council Mr Robson refused to do so, and alleged that he bought it on his own behalf.  He denied that the council ever resolved to buy the land, or that he suggested that it could be acquired on better terms by a private bidder on the Council's behalf, or that he bought the land as agent and trustee for the Council.

In giving judgment, Mr Justice Warrington found that on June 12th the defendant led the Council to believe, and it did believe, that if he bought the land it should be held for the Council, of course on the Council paying to him the money and expenses incurred.  There would be an account, if necessary, to ascertain the sum payable, and on payment the defendant would be ordered to execute to the Council a conveyance of the land free from incumbrances.  The defendant must pay the costs of the action."

15 Mar 1913 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)

Gravesend West Street Railway

Motor rail service from Longfield to Gravesend to commence in summer .

[KM 22/3/1913 Gravesend Town Council  thought this would bring trade to the town.]

Cook wanted

"Plain cook-general, 25-35 years; house parlourmaid kept; 5 in family; no washing or boots; good references; early riser; comfortable home; wages £18; country.   Mrs Smith, Longfield Rectory."

17 Mar 1913 Times

Hartley Manor Sale

Sir William Chance has disposed of his estate of 600 acres near Fawkham, Kent, known as Hartley Manor.  It is intersected by the South Eastern and Chatham main line.  The land, scheduled in the Domesday Book as belonging to Odo, Bishop of Baieux, was originally called Erclei or Arclei.  The lordship of the manor and the advowson to the living of Hartley are included in the sale, which was carried out by Messrs Nicholas.

[also mentioned in Kent Messenger 29.3.1913]

18 Mar 1913 Westminster Gazette

Miss Davies-Cooke

Miss Davies-Cooke [owner of Middle Farm] writes to say she is president of the Ladies International Club at Bayswater, which provides accommodation for ladies of gentle birth who are earning their living

21 Mar 1913 Poultry World

Mrs Alice O'Grady

Picture of "foster mother" coop for chicks on Mrs O'Grady's farm (?Ireland)

22 Mar 1913 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)

Longfield Station

AW Beck clerk at Fawkham station promoted

25 Apr 1913 Bexleyheath Observer

Unpaid Rates

"Small Owners Ltd, were summoned for the non-payment of the following poor rates, made in October last: Fawkham £1 18s, Hartley £11 10s 10d and Longfield £1 10s 7d.  A letter was read from the Secretary stating that the demands were only received on the 15th inst., and the rates had not been paid because of the reluctance of the collector to give them certain particulars as to the rates.  Mr Robson, the collector, said that he had given them all particulars.  Immediate orders were made."

09 May 1913 Bexleyheath Observer

Measles

"The county medical officer has approved of the closing of Longfield School, owing to an epidemic of measles in the village."  [reopened 20 May]

09 May 1913 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express

Cutting a Corner

"At Dartford County Court on Wednesday before His Honour Judge Parry, Edward Pankhurst, Whitehill, longfield sued Thomas Rodwell, of Hartley, for 36s damage to a bicycle.  According to the evidence, the men and their bicycles got mixedup with a milk cart, and it was alleged that Rodwell was on the wrong side of the road. 'Can you see very well?' asked the defendant.  'Yes,' was the reply.  'What time is it by that clock?' asked the defendant.  Plaintiff admitted he could not tell.  'How many lamps are thre on that gas standard?' asked the defendant, pointing to a nearer object. Plaintiff could not tell, nor could he say how many gentlemen there were in the press box.  'We'll take it you are not very good sighted,' said the judge.  'On the contrary,' said the plaintiff, 'My sight's very strong.'  At the finish the Judge said to the defendant, 'You were cutting a corner.  That's what you were doing, and that's how all these accidents happen.  I shall give judgment for 30s and 8s costs."

Longfield Parish Council

(1) Part of land required for cemetery let rent free to Mr Hales, in return he will dig the 5 x 5 x 8ft deep hole required by the Local Government Board.  (2) PC call for branch office of Labour Exchange in Longfield as they get lots of complaints from the unemployed making "long and often journeys to Dartford."

09 May 1913 Catholic Times

Opening of a New Oratory

"A public oratory has been opened at Hartley, Kent, in memory of the late Captain Aubrey Davies-Cooke and Kathleen Mary Davies-Cooke…..."

10 May 1913 Essex Newsman

Rosa Bleakley

Death of Rosa, wife of Robert Bleakley, Small owners's manager.  Wreath from Smallholders at Fairby Farm

10 May 1913 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)

Longfield Halt Station

Local people wanted Longfield Halt built at Pinden Bridge, people from Westwood not likely to walk back to Halt

County Court

Edward Pankhurst of Whitehill Road v Thomas Rodwell of Hartley.  Wins 30s for damage to bicycle.

10 May 1913 Essex Newsman

Robert Bleakley

"Sad Death of a Bride -  Funeral on her 25th Birthday

Great sympathy is felt with Mr R W Davies, of Treffgan, Braintree, headmaster of the Council School, in the lamentable death of his youngest daughter (nee Miss Rosa Gwynne Davies), who was married to Mr Robert Bleakley, manager to Small Owners Limited on April 17 last, at Bocking Chapel....  The young couple had returned from their honeymoon, the husband's residence being at Longfield, Kent....  when the bride was compelled to undergo an operation for her eyes.  this was performed at the National Hospital, London, and was quite successful, on Monday, but the patient failed to recover from the anaesthetic, and after remaining unconscious for several hours, during which secondary haemorrhage supervened, she died at 6.30pm......"  Description of funeral, Mr Bleakley was accompanied by Mr George Humphrey, managing director of Small Owners Ltd.  Wreaths sent included those from Mr Hamilton Edwards; London Staff of Small Owners Ltd; Small Owners at Fairby Farm; and from the Farm Staff at Longfield.

10 May 1913 Adelaide Journal

Typists' Uniform

"Cotton overalls of a fawn shade have been provided for the girl typists in a Strand office.  It is a revival of an experiment which 4 years ago started an agitated controversy in the ranks of thousands of women engaged in city offices.  At that thime the innovation met with an outburst of indignation, and was solemnly condemned at a conference of girl typists.  The suffrage movement had begun to open the eyes of men to the capacity of women for revolt, and commercial magnates whose nod rocked the prices on half a dozen bourses shrank from a course which threatened to introduce revolution into the office.  One city man who desired a Quaker like sobriety of costume in his office, orders a uniform of brown, with white collars and cuffs, for his typists.  The unexpected happend when he found that his son had married one of them; but those who have seen a recent popular musical comedy will understand that a demure Quaker gown may heighten the fascinations of an attractive girl.  The revival of the experiment has been undertaken by Small Owners Limited of Norfolk Street, Strand.  The new overalls are of a becoming pattern.  The style has been the subject of much anxious care, and a fawn shade was selected as the least likely to clash with diverse complexions.  A neat waist is assured by a belt, and the neck is not too high to conceal a Peter Pan collar or ribbons - the Daily Mail."

13 May 1913 Pall Mall Gazette

A Million Daisies

A Million Daisies - Specially grown in England for Today's Decorations

A million daisies (Marguerites) have been gathered from the small owners' farms and sent to all parts of the country for Empire buttonholes and decorations today.  The farms on which they were grown are at Great Leighs in Essex, the Histon District of Cambridgeshire and Fairby at Fawkham in Kent.

This is the first year that hardy English daisies have been grown for Empire Day.  It is a crop that pays the small holder very handsomely, as much as £83 having been made by one grower from an acre.  Last year the daisies grown for the market made more per box than sweet peas  Now that they have become the flower of Empire - the white petals representing the Dominions and the golden centre the Mother country - their cultivation is expected to become increasingly profitable.

For purpose of decoration few flowers, if tastefully arranged, are more graceful.  The novice is sometimes apt to crowd too many in a vase.  Five or six blooms, as a rule, prove far more effective than a crowded bunch.

16 May 1913 Eltham Times

Hartley Parish Church - A Venerable Edifice

"The parish church of Hartley, dedicated to All Saints, provides a link with antiquity, and like most other churches of this kind the history of it gives one also a clear outline of the parish, and of the people who created it in those days of the dim past.  When Domesday was being prepared the hamlet was called Erclei, and it was a part of the enormous possessions of Odo, the half brother of William the Conqueror, while in the Textus Roffensies the name of the village is given as Herdei.  Later in Henry III's reign, the place belonged to a noble family (Montchensie), the head of which obtained a free warren for his land from the king, and whose chief seat was at Swanscombe.  Another ancient name by which Hartley is recorded is that of Harselhotte.  [This is now known to be a mistake, Haselholt is thought to be Hadlow]

In the course of time the patronage of the church, which for centuries had been in private hands, came to the Earls of Shrewsbury, Mr Thomas Bloomfield securing the advowson about 1750.  The trustees under his will sold it to the Rev Thomas Bradley, who in 1776 was the Rector.  At one period Hartley was held with Horton Kirby, and tradition says that the priest resided at the Parsonage House adjoining All Saints, which meant a long journey for him when repairing to Horton Kirby for the services there.  One night the Parsonage was destroyed by fire, and the poor folk of that day believing that it was a design of Providence on account of the priest residing so far from the other church, the Rectory was built 2 miles nearer Horton Kirby.  To this day the residence of the parish priest of Hartley is on that site, a full half hour's walk to the church, and if not actually in another parish - that of Longfield - can only miss it by one of those inexplicable devices which determine the confines of one parish from the other.  Hartley in ancient days paid 9 denarii chrism fee to the See of Rochester, and the Church in Edward I's time was valued at 12 marks, and in the King's Book at £7, while at the commission of inquiry in 1650 it was returned as a Parsonage, with a house, 8 acres of glebe lane, the whole worth £60.  [Actually the site of the old rectory at the bottom of Hoselands Hill was built in 1851, believed to be because the rector lived in Greenhithe but was under pressure to live in Hartley]

There remains but little now to suggest to the visitor its ancient beauties, the ruthless hand of the 'restorer' being as much in evidence hereas in other pre-Reformation churches and this, with individual acts of vandalism on the one hand and the ravages of time and storm on the other, has shown the hallowed place of nearly all of its antiquity.  One of the last things that happened here was the partial destruction of a fine old oak pulpit, which was actually converted into a box arrangement to fit in a corner of the nave on the north, a hideous deal stained boarding providing the background.  Major Hildebrand, one of the churchwardens, who is anxious to safeguard what remains of an ancient past, is proposing to try and raise the funds necessary in order that the pulpit may be restored to something of its former beauty as all the panels are intact, one or two of them forming the interior othe pulpit.  The history of this pulpit as given to me by the Rector is rather curious.  The fine old panels, which are intact, were removed from the sanctuary some time in the last century, and some of these were made up into a bedstead for the owner of a farm, the remainder forming a crudely shaped and very cramped pulpit.  The Rector is looking forward to recovering the lost panels and using them with those now in the church for the construction of a handsome pulpit.  In 1863 Sir Stephen Glynn visited Hartley church, and in his notice of hte fabric he refers to a lynchnoscopic single lancet trefoiled on the north side of the sanctuary, no trace of which; except on the outside, can be seen at the present time.  The vestry, which is on this side of the chancel, and which is modern, can have had nothing to do with the destruction of this window, as it had just been done at that date, Sir Stephen referring to it as new, as well as remarking that the walls had been lately reconstructed in a great measure.

With reference to this the Rector of the parish, the Rev Gerard W Bancks, says that he thinks this lychnoscopic single lancet must be a small window on the south, and that the north window Glynn has confused as 'the two lights without foil'.

The Rev Edward Allen was responsible for the restoration of the tower and west end, and he was the rector at the time that Sir Stephen made his report on the church.  His son the Rev W H Allen (sic), succeeded him in the Rectory, and the two held the living for nearly a century, their memorials in the churchyard near the south porch recording their long ministry in the parish.  It was to the memory of the Rev W H Allen that the lich gate and the south porch were erected, and insciption on the two sides of the porch giving the donor and to whose memory they were built.  On this side of the church, at the extreme east end, on the ground level, will be found a sun dial with the hole for the centre pin. Its original position must have been higher, and it would escape attention in the ordinary way, its discovery being of quite recent date.  The massive ancient oak door, with its fine iron work, will arrest attention and Major Hildebrand who secured the keys of the church for me, and accompanied me on a round of inspection, mentioned that this door had been taken to London for expert workpeople to put in a proper repair which has preserved a fragment of the old church that is possibly a thousand years old.

All Saints consists of a nave, chancel, south porch, and a wooden belfry with small spire at the west end, and is built of flint and rubble, strengthened in recent years by brick buttresses.  There are two Norman windows set high on both sides of the nave, the west window being Perpendicular of three lights, while a leper window is revealed on the south side of the church.  The chancel arch is pointed, rather small and plain, and one authority speaks of a sedilia as well as a squint being in the church, I thought that the organ had hidden the sedilia, but the Rector writes to me and says that this is not so, and that possibly it was blocked up by the two light window.  The same authority refers to a curious wooden box under a stained glass window in the southwest part of the chancel, but the only stained glass now in the church is that in the east window, and two other windows put in by the late Rector in memory of some of his family.  Most ancient churches had these boxes, which were used for Peter's pence, for the safe custody of the vestments, sacred vessels, and other such purposes.  The font is not nearly so old as the church, nor indeed is it of the period of the centrepiece on which it rests.  It is supported by eight pillars, and had 8 sides, with a quatrefoil in each.  I omitted to enquire about the bells, but there used to be two here, the treble one bearing the name of its maker, Robert Rider, a London founder, 1351-1386.  The altar gives one the appearence of being quite new, ans is like those that Bruges has made familiar, with a conventional design.  It is not veiled, but has a super frontal of the colour of the season.  An inventory of church goods dated 1552 is given in one of the volumes of Archaeologica Cantiana.

While the register commences in 1712 the list of Rectors dates back to 1328, at which time Henry Cotebrooke was in charge of the parish.  One of the Rectors, William Potter bequeathed his silk hat to the Parson of Faccam (Fawkham).  There is one peculiarentry in the churchwardens' accounts, which puts down a guinea for the possin block.  Sir Stephen Glynn complains of the dreary situation in which the church is situated, which seems to pint to the fact that he must have been there in the winter. To come to Hartley in the full glory of an early spring day, as was my good fortune, was a perfect dream of loveliness, and the memory of the day will be a long time fading from memory.

Hartley Church is now in the patronage of Sir William Chance, baronet, and the Rev Charles W Bancks MA is the present Rector, having been instituted in the diocese of Lincoln in 1879, and priest at St Albans in 1882.  It was in 1885 that he came to Kent, working at Sutton Valence first, and coming to Darenth the next year, where the rev gentleman remained until he was preferred to Hartley. The services are of the usual village character, the choir being a mixed one in consequence of the difficulty of getting sufficient boys and men.  BEDESMAN."

20 May 1913 Gravesend and Northfleet Standard

New Service from West Street

"The service on the London, Chatham and Dover Railway from West Street, Gravesend, is undergoing a vast improvement, commencing in June.  A local service is being run to Swanley, calling at Rosherville, Southfleet, a new halt at Longfield (for Pinden and Westwood), and Farningham road, this service to connect at Swanley with trains from London, also to connect at Swanley with trains for the Otford and Sevenoaks line.

Up trains from Gravesend: 7.58am, 8.45am, 9.10am, 11.25am, 1.5pm (not Sats), 1.23pm (Sats), 3.25pm, 5.52pm, 7.15pm, 9.25pm.  It will be seen by a comparison with the old timetable that the service is thus being doubled on this line, a great and unexpected boon, which ought to account for a large development of building trades and other business.

Down trains from Swanley to Gravesend: 7.21am (from Orpington), 8.38am, 9.55am, 12.25am, 1.41pm, 2.30pm (not Sats), 2.53pm (Sats), 4.30pm, 6.25pm, 8.5pm, 8.55pm.  Thus the down service is also doubled.

Travellers are advised to carefully peruse the timetables and to note that the Sunday services are also undergoing alterations."

23 May 1913 Daily Citizen

Profit from Daisies

"To be known and recognised as a true patriot it will be necessary to wear a daisy tomorrow.  The daisy, it seems, has been made the flower symbol for the Empire, and tomorrow is empire day.

One result has been quite a boom in the commercial cultivation of the daisy.  'Daisies are of many forms' explained Mr LJ Humphrey, of Small Owners Limited, to a representative of the Daily Citizen yesterday, 'but the ox-eye or marguerite is the most valuable from a commercial point of view.  Smallholders find it a profitable crop, and there are many holdings in Cambridgeshire, Kent and Essex where great preparations are being made for the demand which is anticipated tomorrow.'

'It is a comparatively new industry, and it is interesting to note that the flowers sell much better in the north of England.  The reason is that in the south of England there is so much foreign competition.  But daisy cultivation is getting to be quite a profitable industry.  They pay even if the wholesale price is 1s 9d per box of 48 bunches, but often it is possible to obtain 6s or 7s per box.  The opening up of the industry has come as quite a boon to the smallholder, whose first crop of the year it is.  It is quite common now to see 2 acres of land under daisy cultivation.'"

[The land at Kent referred to is Hartley]

23 May 1913 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express

Road Scrapings

(Dartford RDC) (1) Following complaint from Longfield PC, contractors ordered to stop practice of dumping road scrapings on land by road.  (2) Surface Water Pond [Court Pond] partly on Mrs Hickmott's land needs cleaning out, council to request her permission to clean her part of pond.

The Purchase of Land

Kent County Council give Longfield PC permission to raise £500 loan to buy 12 acres of land for allotments, recreation ground and cemetery.

24 May 1913 Beckenham Journal

Land for Sale at Woodland Avenue

"To close the estate, as the merely nominal upset price of £100.  About one-fifth of the cost.

Between the villages of Longfield and Hartley, near to Fawkham Station on the SE&C Railway and about 5 miles from Dartford and Gravesend - The valuable piece or parcel of freehold building land, having a frontage of about 300 feet to Woodland Avenue, together with the wooden buildings; also a piece of freehold land, on the main road (Leading from Fawkham Railway Station to Hartley), and having a frontage of about 63 feet, with the tram car theron used as an outbuilding.  The Land forms part of the Fawkham Park Esate, and is held by Mr John Foster, on an annual Michaelmas tenancy, at the low rental of £13.

Messrs Baxter, Payne & Lepper will sell by auction at the Railway Tavern, Longfield, on Friday, May 30th, at 5 o'clock in the evening (in one lot) the above freehold property.

May be viewed and particulars with conditions obtained at the place of sale; of G L Lepper esq, Solicitor, 72 Mark Lane EC, and of the auctioneers.  Offices: Bromley and Beckenham, Kent, and 69 King William Street EC."

Paper of 7/6/1913 reported  it was sold to Mr Walter Robson of Hartley for £120.  The land on Main Road mentioned is plots 1-2 Ash Road (site of Crown Point, Hillside and part of Little Merrett)

24 May 1913 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)

Windmill House

Old Landmark Gone – metal frame of windmill behind Windmill House on road between Dartford and Longfield taken down.  Well known landmark for cyclists.

June Train  Alterations

"The new motor rail service from Gravesend (West Street) to Swanley serving Rosherville, Southfleet, Longfield, Farmingham Road etc and also connecting at Swanley with trins for the Otford and Sevenoaks lines will be as follows from Gravesend:

7.58am, 8.45am, 9.10am, 11.25am, 1.5pm (not Saturdays), 1.23pm (Sats only), 3.25pm, 5.52pm, 7.15pm and 9.25pm.

Swanley to Gravesend starting from Orpington: 7.21am, 8.38am, 9.55am, 12.25am, 1.41pm, 2.30pm (not Sats), 2.53pm (Sats only), 4.30pm, 6.25pm, 8.5pm, 8.55pm.

27 May 1913 South Eastern Gazette

Newlands Shaw for Sale

"Longfield, Kent.  About 1½ miles from station whence London is reached in under the hour.  'Newlands Shaw', occupying a delightful spot, commanding splendid views approached by a carriage drive and containing 3 reception rooms, usual offices, 3 bedrooms, bathroom (h and c) etc.  Company's water laid on.  Gardens and Pleasure Grounds; small piece of picturesque woodland in all 4 acres.

Messrs Denyer and Collins are instructed to sell the above by auction (unless previously disposed of privately) at the Mart, Tokenhouse Yard, EC on June 18th.  Auction Offices: High Street, Tonbridge and at Tunbridge Wells, and 16 Abchurch Lane EC."

30 May 1913 Gravesend Standard

St Francis de Sales RC Church

"At Hartley, last Sunday morning, mass was said at 9 o'clock (the first on Sunday since the Reformation), in the presence of a numerous congregation.  The Oratory is in the Northfleet parish, and is easily accessible now by means of the new service of trains from West Street to Longfield.  Among those present were Col Vaughan, who served during the mass which was said for the late Dowager Duchess of Newcastle); the Baroness von Hogel, Miss Davies-Cooke, Mr McNaughton; New Barn, Fawkham, Meopham and district having representatives.  Father Patrick Ryan SJ, on behalf of Father Hoare, appealed for the spreading of the faith in Hartley.  It is hoped to arrange for Sunday mass shortly.  Meantime service of instruction is held every Wednesday evening at 7 o'clock by the rector of Northfleet."

30 May 1913 Daily Mirror

Farming Experiment

Experiments to grow strawberries with electricity

31 May 1913 Kent Messenger

Gravesend Sufragettes

Gravesend council refuse suffragettes permission to have stall in market, some councillors spoke in favour, others said no political group had been there before

07 Jun 1913 Kent Messenger

Woodland Avenue sale

Property sale – FH building land with 300 ft frontage to Woodland Avenue, together with wooden buildings and a piece of FH land on main road sold to Mr Walter Robson of Hartley for £120

07 Jun 1913 Country Life

Fairby Grange for Sale

(Auction advert by Millar Son & Co) "AD 1700, full of old oak and interesting features.  Kent (beautiful part of county, within hour of London) FAIRBY, LONGFIELD.  Very fine old residence, perfect repair, approached by long carriage drive, containing, briefly, porch entrance, old world hall, billiard, 3 reception, 11 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and complete domestic offices; capital stabling, motor garage, 3 cottages; timbered pleasure grounds, gardens and paddocks, about 20 acres.  Electric light.  Company's water.  Telephone connected.  Good hunting and shooting....." (Includes pictures of garden and lounge)

14 Jun 1913 Kent Messenger

Hartley Cricket Club

Cricket at Hartley – Hartley 74, beat Ash 42

21 Jun 1913 Kent Messenger

Hartley Parish Meeting

Hartley Parish Meeting calls for more mains water.  Present: Mr & Mrs Emmett, Rev Bancks, Maj Hildebrand, Capt Copus, Messrs Braybrook, Johnson, Good, Swallow, Wansbury, Flint, Harris, Dr Welch, Elliott, Tate, Rose, Green, Robson & 40 others

26 Jun 1913 Express

Small Owners Description

"Organising Small Holders…..

Mr Hamilton Edwards, the chairman, and Mr G H Humphrey, the managing director of Small Owners Limited, write to the editor of the Express.

Sir, We have been much interest in reading in your today's issue Lord Lansdowne's remarks on small ownership at Matlock Bath, on Saturday.

As a result of our experience in the past few years in facilitating the establishment of smallholdings on English land on a basis of small ownership, we are heartily in agreement with his suggestion to apply the principles of the Irish Land Purchase Act to the English Small Holdings movement.  We feel, however, there is one important point to which sufficient prominence is very rarely given by speakers on agricultural subjects, and that is the provision in smallholding districts of organised farm centres where agricultural instruction, farm implements, horses and casual labour are at the disposal of the small holder.  In our opinion, such facilities are absolutely essential if the small holder is to be successful.

Lord Lansdowne referred in his speech to the success of small ownership on the continent.  This success has been largely due to the willingness of the continental peasant proprietors to combine by means of a system of credit banks and cooperative societies for the purpose of working the land and disposing of produce.  In spite of the considerable attention which ahs been directed by the English authorities to the establishment of credit banks in this country, little or no progress has been made.  Agricultural students, when questioned, ahve come to the conclusion that the Englishman is too essentially individualistic to merge his private business in the somewhat altruistic relationship which membership of a credit bank or cooperative society must involve.

Security Problem solved

the security for a credit bank loan in this country necessitates the personal guarantee of two fellow members of the borrower.  Very few Englishmen would care to make the necessary disclosure of their private affairs, and some other system must therefore be designed to take the place of the facilities which a continental small owner enjoys.  We have found that this want is filled by our system of organsised farm centres, and we write to suggest that the new Unionist land policy should include the provision of such centres as an integral part of their new land scheme.

On our Fairby Farm estate, we have now completed the establishment of the various departments which go to make an ideal central depot.  Established in the centre of the estate, worked by a colony of small owners, it comprises stabling for the horses which are hired out to them, and a farm office, equipped with a telephone, by means of which produce is sold either in our associated retail shops in London or to distant markets where good prices may be ruling.

There is also a jam factory, to which fruit is sold at a price fixed at the beginning of the season.  This for example, obviates the risk of sending strawberries to an overcrowded market, with its resultant loss to the producer.  there are also on hire full sets of farm implements, appliances, baskets and measures.  There are stables, cow sheds and pigsties for temporary accommodation for small owners who desire to keep stock and prefer not to invest capital in buildings until they have placed their smallholding on a profit earning basis.  In addition to these facilities, there is also a club room, serving as a village hall, and containing a reference library of books suitable and useful to the small holder, maps, a barometer, weather forecasts, and a supply of agricultural periodicals.

There is also a general store, from which anything can be bought, worked on a mutual profit sharing basis between the company and the customers.

Loans from Credit Banks

Last of all, there will be established on July 1 the final link in our scheme of agricultural small holding organisation - the credit bank.

The credit bank will lend to small holders on the security of their interest in their holdings, and subject to a report by the farm manager that their holdings are in good order and under profitable cultivation.  these loans will be granted without any sureties, and in dealing with this bank a small holder will be able to rely on the privacy which any customer of ajoint stock bank expects as a matter of course.  No-one except the bank manager and the directors of the company need know from whom he gets the money to buy anything he needs.  // Nobody but the farm superintendent will have any right to advise him on the way to manage his holding and produce profits.

It is by the provision of such centres as these that the small holder movement will be placed on a really sound successful basis.  As far as we ourselves are concerned, we are quite prepared to place all our experience and the whole perfected organisation of the company at the disposal of either one of the great parties.

In addition to the advantages of the small holder which our system gives, a government department would be able to place at the disposal of the cnetre the services of its experts and the valuable records which are always at the disposal of the Board of Agriculture.

Hamilton Edwards, Chairman; G H Humphrey, Managing Director, Small Owners Limited.  June 23."

26 Jun 1913 Daily Express

Small Owners Description

Description of Fairby Estate by R Hamilton-Edwards

27 Jun 1913 Tonbridge Free Press (KM)

Ex-Superintendent's Funeral

"The funeral took place at Ashford Cemetery on Thursday in last week of Thomas Noakes, whose death occurred, at the age of 80 years, on Saturday.  The deceased, who was a native of Frant, Sussex, had had a long and distinguished career in the police force, having seen service at Hartley in the Dartford Division, Chipstead (Sevenoaks), the Isle of Thanet, and Sheerness, before he came to Ashford, while afterwards he was for a short time attached to the Bearsted Division.  He was succeeded by the late Supt Wenham in 1894, retiring on a pension owing to ill health.  Mr Noakes was a keen sportsman, and was also interested in the Ashford Institute.  Proceeding the interment, a service was held at the Parish Church where the Rev D Relton officiated.  The body was enclosed in a polished oak coffin which was borne by 6 constables: PCs Wells, Bishop, Pullen, Littlewood, Apps and Smith."

27 Jun 1913 Gravesend Standard

Cricket: Hartley v APCM

"After a week's rest, the APCM team journeyed to Hartley, on Saturday, and won handsomely by 59 runs.  A late start was caused by a long brake journey necessitated the visiting captain applying the closure with the score at 102 for 4.  This proved to be sound judgement, for Hartley were dismissed for 43, with but 3 minutes to go.  A E Crabbe again batted brilliantly in compiling his 57, receiving good support from F Bex.  The former also bowled effectively, taking 6 for 17.

APCM 102-4 declared (A E Crabbe 57, Day took 3 wickets)

Hartley 43 all out (R W Emmett 4, A Nairn 1, Humphreys 2, T Rodwell 10, Dennis 2, Day 1, Cole 1, Williams 10, Thornton 1, Braybrook 1 not out, T Elliott 5, G Elliott 0, Extras 5)."

[Cricket was notable for the mixing of the social classes, which would have been unusual at the time, the team included the solicitor owner of Fairby (Mr Emmett), farmers (Thornton), builders (Nairn, Braybrook), gardeners (Elliott) and farm labourers (Day), although I note Mr Emmett was chosen to open the innings!]

28 Jun 1913 London Monitor

Fairby House for Sale

"AD 1700 - Full of old oak and interesting features

Kent (Beautiful part of the county, within hour of London) - FAIRBY, Longfield - very fine old residence.  Perfect repair; approached by long carriage drive; containg briefly, porch entrance, old world hall, billiard, 3 reception, 11 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, complete domestic offices, capital stabling, motor garage, 3 cottages, finely timbered pleasure grounds, gardens and paddocks about 20 acres.  Electric light; company's water; telephone connected; hunting and shooting.  Close to Catholic Chapel. //  Millar Son and Co will sell the above by auction at the Mart, Tokenhouse Yard EC 15th July next.  Illustrated particulars of auctioneers, 46 Pall Mall SW."

[The London Monitor was a Roman Catholic newspaper.  The Evening Standard of 23/6/1913 has smilarly worded advert without reference to the RC Church]

28 Jun 1913 Kent Messenger

Hartley Cricket Club

Cricket at Hartley – APCM 102-4 beat Hartley 43.  AE Crabbe for APCM scored 57 and took 6 wickets

04 Jul 1913 Church Times

Servant Wanted

General Servant wanted £16-18 wages monthly holiday - Mrs Flint, Bundoran

04 Jul 1913 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express

Too Fast

Frederick Henry Oxley, a young man, Homewood House, Longfield, was summoned for driving a motorcycle recklessly at Longfield, and also with failing to produced his licence when demanded.  PC Hannigan said that he saw the defendant driving the cycle.  He was going too fast to be stopped,.  There was not much traffic in the Betsham Road at the time.  Defendant had to stop owing to an accident to his machinery.  He did not ound his horn, but witness heard the motor.  There were two danger signals near that spot.  Witness asked him for his licence, and he said that he must have left it in his working clothes when he changed.  Arthur Adams, Essex Road, Longfield, said that he was with PC Hannigan and before they could look round defendant had gone by them.  He was going at an 'awful rate'.  He was going about 30 or 40 mph.  Charles Spice of Betsham, corroborated.  Defendant said that he produced the licence to the constable next morning.  Fined 20s + 5s for no licence, or 14 days.

07 Jul 1913 Pall Mall Gazette

Small Owners Description

Description of Fairby Estate by Bevil Tollemache

[The paper of 30/9/1913 has a picture of Mr Tollemache]

08 Jul 1913 Pall Mall Gazette

Small Owners Description

Reply by Mr Hamilton-Edwards to correct inaccuracies in article of 7/7/13 calculated to do the company harm

13 Jul 1913 Belfast Weekly News

Flowers from Fairby

"Honour for Small Owners

The bouquets and floral decorations of the Royal saloon in connection with the visit of HRH the Princess Henry of Battenberg to Herne Bay to open the King Edward VII Memorial Hall were supplied by Fairbys Limited of 17 Buckingham Palace Road, the distributing department of the Fairby Small Owners' Colony of Fawkham, Kent."

19 Jul 1913 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)

Fall on a Footpath

Dartford County Court.  George Powell, labourer of Longfield v Richard French, farmer, of Southfleet, arising from accident on footpath on 3 March.  Dr W F Lace of Sutton at Hone saw plaintiff on that day and said he had dislocated his shoulder.  Didn't notice that he had been drinking.  Dr Johns house surgeon of Gravesend Hospital saw him recently and said he couldn't raise the arm about his head.  Both said it would respond to exercise.  Judge said a game of bowls would do him good.

"The case for the plaintiff, outlined by Mr Dunbar, was that about 7pm on March 3rd, after walking along the main road from Dartford to Strood, he turned into a footpath leading from Whitehill to the Longfield [sic] Tavern, Longfield.  The footpath crossed 2 fields belonging to defendant.  There was a very steep decline at the bottom, and being dark plaintiff caught his left foot in some tree roots which were just at the edge of the turning and fell, injuring his shoulder.  Counsel had been told that one root projected some 9 inches from the ground.  There wcould be no question as to whether defendant had, or had not, received complaints as to the danger of the footpath, because the Longfield Parish Council had written several letters to him on the subject.  Mr Ince protested against the inclusion of the letters from the Parish Council, as, he said, they did not prove the case.  Mr Dunbar pointed out that he had given defendant notice to produce the letters.  His Honour remarked that they were not bound to take it that a thing was so because a Parish Council said it; the issue was as to whether the place was dangerous or not.

Mr Dunbar, continuing, said plaintiff was employed by Messrs John Mowlem & Co Limited cable layers.   Plaintiff had 4½ miles to go to work.  He left home at 5.30 and finished at 6 or 6.30.  From the evidence and cross-examination of the doctor, the defence was that the defendant was drunk - Mr Ince: It is not the whole of the evidence.  His Honour: His way home was past the tavern.  Proceeding, Mr Dunbar said plaintiff claimed for loss of wages through incapacitation - £1 7s 9d a week from the date of the accident.

Plaintiff, a labourer, of Brickfield Cottages, Longfield, bore out counsel's statements.  He added that he had one pint of beer at dinnertime which was all he had all day.  Since the accident he had not been to work, and he was still attending the hospital.  Cross-examined: There was not 2ft 8in of perfectly clear footpath; there was 2ft 4in.  His recollection was clear that night, and there was no reason why it should have been otherwise.  He was not sufficiently in drink to be 'silly' when the accident occurred; he was not under the influence of drink at all.  He walked 3 miles before he met with the accident.  It was true that the proprietor of the Railway Tavern had refused to sell drink to him, but that was 2 years ago.  He had never been there since.  His average earnings were not 15s a week.

George Monk of Hartley, Longfield, plaintiff's mate; Roy Digby, bootmaker of Dartford; William Henry Blackman, carman, of Brickfield Cottages, Longfield; and Walter Wright, Clerk to the Longfield Parish Council, having given evidence.

Henry Dann of Messrs Dann & Lucas, Dartford, called for the defence, said he had known the footpath all his life.  It had been in its present condition for 30 years, and he did not consider it dangerous.  The hard way of the path was 3 feet wide, and there was no obstruction in it.  Neither the owner nor tenant were under any special obligation to repair the path.

Defendant stated that he had resided at Southfleet for 43 years, and the path, which the public made for its own convenience, had been in its present position for 25 to 30 years.  He agreed with Mr Dann's evidence.  Cross-examined: He received a letter from teh Parish Council on October 14th, 1912, asking that the roots of the elm trees outside the Railway Tavern should be cut away, and it was suggested they wer dangerous to the public.  He did not answer the letter, but he received a second letter, to which he replied.  The pathway had never been dangerous.  Albert Tomlin, baker of Longfield, also gave evidence.

After legal argument.  His honour said it was important that people should not put their rights too high, and bring actions against landlords who were within their rights.  All the public had was a right to pass and repass over a footpath, but if there were obstructions, then they had a right to make another path somewhere adjacent.  Under the circumstances he was bound to hold that there was no legal duty to remove the natural growth of roots of trees in the neighbourhood of a footpath.  That meant judgment for the defendant, with costs, which were not to be taxed without leave."

[the footpath in question only partly exists today.  It used to run from Whitehill Road to the Railway Tavern.  It survived Northdown Road being built but the lower section was closed when houses were built on Main Road.  On the 1864 OS Map the path ran to Longfield Church, but by 1895 had been divered to the Railway Tavern (which was not there in 1864).]

26 Jul 1913 Kent Messenger

Arthur Outred

Arthur Outred 22 of  Cottage taken to Gravesend Hospital with fractured skull

02 Aug 1913 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)

Longfield - A Growing Village

"At the Local Government Board inquiry held into the application of the parish council to borrow £500,to purchase land for a burial ground, a recreation ground, and allotments, the Vicar (the Rev E E Smith) told the Inspector that the population of the parish had grown 200 in 10 years, and 400 in 30 years, and that the village was becoming a residential resort.   It was further stated by others that the burial ground would be wanted in 3 or 4 years' time, and that the recreation ground was required owing to the increasing population.  It was proposed to allot 3 acres to the recreation ground and one acre to the burial ground.  The land was situated between the Dartford Road and the SE&C Railway at Longfield.  There was also, it was stated, a demand for allotments.  The purchase price, it was further stated, was £400, the fence for the cemetery would cost £40, and the law costs about £60.  Mr Gilham said he objected to the saddling of the parish with a loan.  The parish did not want a recreation ground, as they had good fields.  Further why should Longfield Hill people, nearly 2 miles away, pay for a recreation ground at the end of the parish?  Mr W Crouch and Mr J Crook opposed the application, whilst Mr F Longford, cricket club captain, said they had to go to Horton Kirby for a ground."

08 Aug 1913 Gravesend Standard

Cricket: Hartley v Northfleet

"Mr G K Gardiner had fixed up with Hartley for the Monday a double innings match, and this also resulted in a win for the Reds by an innings and 26 runs.  A Wright was again in form, scoring 25 runs and taking 5 for 15.  He was ably supported by W Saville, A Martin and J Williams, the first named doing the hat trick.  Northfleet, who were accompanied by many friends, were ably entertained by the home team, spending a most enjoyable day. //  Hartley 28 all out and 18 all out (Nairn 6 & 0), Rodwell (0 & 2), Dennis (2 & 3), Green (12* & 0), Elliot jun (3 & 0), Day (0 & 3), Applegate (0 & 2), Cole (0 & 0*), Elliott sen (0 & 1), Woodward (1 & 0), Williams (0 & 0), Extras (4 & 7).  In the first innings W Saville took 5 wickets and A Wright 4.  In the second innings J Williams took 5 wickets and A Martin 4.

Northfleet 72 (A Wright 25, Dennis took 4 wickets, Day 3)."

08 Aug 1913 Bexleyheath Observer

Hartley Court Sale

"Sale Friday next.  Mr Philip Champion has been favoured with instructions from Major A B R Hildebrand RE who is proceeding to Ireland, to sell by auction upon the premises, as above, on Friday, 15th August 1913, at 12 o'clock, the whole of the live and dead stock and outdoor effects, including 8hp De Dion 4 seater motor car, dog cart, tumbril, 45 head of poultry, 18 ducks, 11 geese, 4 in calf heiffers, nag mare, ditto with foal, stack of meadow hay, the crop of apples as growing on about 4½ acres, and a quantity of surplus household furniture.  Catalogues can be obtained of the auctioneeer, Mr Philip Champion, 5 Market Buildings, Maidstone and Lowfield Street, Dartford"  [Also in South Eastern Gazette 5.8.1913]

An Old Offender

"William Cooper, of 7 Bath Street, Gravesend, was summoned for using obscene language at Longfield on July 15th.  PC Hannigan said that prisoner was having an argument with his brother, and used the language complained of.  16 previous convictions were recorded against the defendant, and in the last case he was fined 40s and costs for obscene language, on January 13th this year.  Defendant was fined 40 shillings and costs or 14 days."

09 Aug 1913 Times

Fairby Farm

Mentioned as one of estates sold, many being broken up

13 Aug 1913 London Evening News

Ideal Weekend Cottages

"In delightful country surroundings, 15 old fashioned cottages for sale at prices varying from £100 to £225.  Full particulars and photographs on application to: The Cottages Department, Small Owners Limited, 34 Norfolk Street, Strand WC."

[When Smallowners Limited bought Fairby, this was bad news for the people who lived in the existing properties on the estate, because Small Owners did not want to be landlords, so they would have been evicted so the cottages could be put up for sale.]

15 Aug 1913 Bexleyheath Observer

Fawkham Footpath 'Obstructed'

"Dartford RDC has received information from the Commons and Footpaths Preservation Society, of complaints that the footpath leading from St Mary's Fawkham, to Horton Kirby, had been obstructed.  The District Surveyor has inspected the path, but beyond an ordinary field gate, which could easily be opened, there was not, in his opinion, any obstruction.  He has, however, been instructed to keep the path under observation."

15 Aug 1913 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express

Longfield Parish Council

"The clerk reported that several complaints had been received as to the dangerous conditions of the narrow an dwinding raod from the Briars [now Broomfield] to Pescot [Pescot Hill, Main Road] and wsa instructed to write to the RDC.  The council further instructed the clerk to draw the attention of the RDC to the east end of the recently made Pescot Road footpath, as pedestrians using the path at night were likely to fall over the wire fencing which is fixed at the end."

Paper has report of Dartford RDC. "..... Mr Hookins, the surveyor, state that Pescot Road, Longfield, was most dangerous.  There were curves in the road like the letter 'S'.  Cllr Rev E E Smith remembered having a narrow escape in Pescot Road.  He moved that an alteration of the road be added to the list of suggestions [for government grant money].  Cllr Kelman seconded and the council agreed."

16 Aug 1913 Kent Messenger

Longfield Football Club

Longfield FC 1912/13 p 20 w 4 d 5 l 11 f-a 35-53.  Now in Gravesend League Div 2, vice captain J Rich

23 Aug 1913 Kent Messenger

Ash & District Horticultural Society Show

Big report on annual Ash & Dist Horicultural Society Show.  Prizes included Desert Apples 3rd H Green of H, Scarlet Runner Beans 4th T Rose of H.  Cttee included from Hartley, Messrs Cromar, Chandler, Robson and Whiffen

05 Sep 1913 Eltham Times

Servant Wanted

"Wanted.  Useful Girl, to help with house work; family three; no cooking; no children convenient house; good wages; outings - Home Field, Hartley, Longfield, Kent [Stack Lane]

12 Sep 1913 Gravesend and Northfleet Standard

Longfield Football Club

"The match Stifford v Longfield resulted in a win for the home team by 6 goals to 1.  Notwithstanding the big deficit the villagers from Longfield have no reason whatever for being discouraged.  They proved themselves a fine sporting crowd and when more accustomed to League games, should not do at all bad.   They have one or two points that want remedying.  The forwards, for instance, should learn to keep their places, and let the halvesdo their own work.  But a few games like that of Saturday will quickly show them where they are wrong."

[The paper has a lot of reports of Longfield matches, although this season was not a good one for them.  On 14/10/1913 they were bottom of the Gravesend Borough League division having played 6 lost 6 goals for 3 against19. The paper of 18/11/1913 reported on their first point, a 4-4 draw with IPM reserves, although Longfield were unlucky not to win, having also had 3 goals diallowed]

17 Sep 1913 Morning Post

Cottages for Sale

"In a most delightful rural district (within 25 miles of London) - 5 artistic cottages, two of them over 400 years old, now being carefully restored.  Artists and others who are looking out for really choice properties of this nature should communicate with Arthur Barnes, Fairby Farm, Hartley Longfield, Kent without delay, in order that they may incorporate in the restoration any of their own ideas."  [One of the two very old houses was probably Hartley Cottage, which would have been part of Small Owners' purchase of Fairby]

19 Sep 1913 Westminster & Pimlico News

Chelsea Guardians

Report of various tenders includes "Potatoes - W T Jay £540 17s 6d (accepted); K F Clisby £550 10s; Fairbys Limited £802 17s 6d."

19 Sep 1913 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express

Longfield Fire Brigade

Parish Council heard brigade had won cup in London competition and had recently attended two fires, at Morsted Farm and J and B Martin's brickfield at Pinden.

26 Sep 1913 Gravesend Standard

St Francis de Sales RC Church

"The mission lately given in the Oratory at Hartley by the Rev D Aidendsen MA PhD, DD proved very successful.  His lordship the Bishop of Southwark said mass therin last Sunday morning.  Weekly Sunday services are being arranged.  The service of trains now running betwween Gravesend and Longfield has proved of much use in connection with the establishing of this new centre of religious teaching."

30 Sep 1913 Daily Mail

Small Owners Description

Review of Bevil Tollemache book which mentions Fairby

08 Oct 1913 The Sketch

De Mallet Morgan - Monckton Wedding

Picture of couple

[They bought The Birches, Ash Road, in 1926]

10 Oct 1913 Bexleyheath Observer

Mr Clinch Loses a Vote

Electoral Register Revising Court at Dartford County Court.  "Mr D O Burt (Liberal Agent) objected to the ownership vote of Mr George Clinch, who was on the register as the owner of a piece of land at Longfield.  His objection was that the land was not of sufficient value for the Parliamentary vote.  Mr Clinch appeared himself, and Mr Burt said that ht eland was waste land by the side of the road.  It was not fenced in, and anyone could walk on it.  It was producing nothing per annum to Mr Clinch, and could not be worht the necessary 40s a year.  Mr Clinch said that he had refused £90 for the land, as he considered it was worth £4 or £5 a year to him.  He could let it for agricultural purposes.  Mr Burt said the price of allotments in Longfield was 4d a rod, and if the land was let for allotments it would not bring in more than 10s a year.  After some argument, the Barrister said that he did not think the land was of the necessary value, and Mr Clinch's name was struck off."

St Mary Cray & Swanley Express 6/3/1914 Essex Road

Frontagers meeting chaired by F Lynds decided to appeal to the Local Government Board.

10 Oct 1913 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express

Some Serious Charges - Essex Road Longfield

"For some time past it has been known that the Dartford RDC were investigating complaints in which the highways Surveyor and a contractor were involved, and the matter came to a head publicly at the meeting of the council on Tuesday, when the following report wsa presented by the Highways Committee.

Your committee bed to report that they have had under consideration the question of the making up of Essex Road, Longfield, and have, in order to test the allegaion which have from time to time been made by the frontagers, had the road opened up in several places with the result that the depth of material specified in the contract with Mr R Foster of Greenhithe was not found in the road.

The making up of the road was completed in 1911, and the contractor was paid for his work upon the production of the certificat of the Council's Surveyor that the work had been carried out to his satisfaction, and in accordance with the terms of the contract.  Your committee have obtained Counsel's opinion as to the Council's legal position in the matter both in regard to the contractor and the frontagers.  Cousnel expresses the opinion that the Council can take no steps against the contractor for the reason that the Surveyor had given his certificate expressing his approval of the work, which, in the absence of fraud and collusion, would have precluded the council from resisting payment, and that as the Council had accepted his certificat and duly paid the amount of the contract, the matter was consequently conclusive.  Counsel also expressed the opinion tha thte Surveyor's apportionment of the expense of making up the road was binding and conclusive on the frontagers under section 257 of the Public Health Act 1875.  Counsel advised that in order to prevent any similar difficulties in future, a cluase should be inserted in the Council's contracts which would prevent the certificate of the Surveyor for payment by the Council from operating as an estoppel against hidden defects or bad work.  Your committee find that the clerk has already adopted a clause similar to the one suggested by counsel and has inserted it in all recent contracts.  Your committee have given very careful consideration to the position of the surveyor in the matter.  He has explained to your committee that he visited the works during their progress as often as his other duties permitted and that before issuing his certificate he conscientiously believed from his observations that the proper quantity of material had been used.  Your committee recommend - that the council censure him for issuig his certificate of the completion of the work without making proper and adequate investigation as to whether the terms of the contract had been complied with in their entirety, and that as a mark of their disapproval they reduce his salary for one year by the sum of £50.  Your committee have received an application from Mr G T Lynds, Longfield, for repayment of the legal expenses which he had had to pay in connection with the action taken by the council for the recovery of the amount due from him in respect of the making of the road.  They recommended that the application be not acceded to.

When the report came up for approval at the meeting of the RDC on Tuesday, Cllr Lynds referred to the committee meeting held that day.  The clerk said that the last paragraph but one should be amended, taking out the words after 'entirely'.  Cllr Day moved the adoption of the report, subject to the deletion of the last paragraph.  The Chairman: that's the £50.  Anyone second that?  Cllr Morgan said that he seconded it.  He did so because he was the mover of the whole resolution, and in altering the resolution in this way he should like to say that as far as public interests were concerned in this matter of Essex Road, Longfield, the Committee had given its most careful consideraion to the mater and in dealing with the statements made there as to granting a certificate when it was found that the material was not in the road, the council tried to protect the public interests, and at the same time not to make too much of a mistake.  He thought the Council would agree with him that they did feel keenly they had a duty to the public in this matter.  It had been known by all of them for a long time that there had been grave dissatisfaction found ty the public with the work of the RDC.  Whether there was good ground for that or not they were not in a position ot prove, but they would agree that it was the duty of the council to regard the atmosphere that hovered over the public mind, and to see that they gave no possible cause for such an atmosphere.  He was sure that most of them felt very keenly the remarks made in public about some of their work, and here was a case where it might seem that public opinion about their general administration had some justification, because here was a road made up, and the Surveyor's certificate granted, and then they found that the depth of material specified in the contract had not been put in the road.  He did not want it to be felt that the council did not realise the gravity of that.  They did, but they would see from the report that the Council were not able, through the legal aspect of the question, to take any proceedings against the contractor.  They felt, therefore, that it would not be fair to visit the whole of the offence on the shoulders of one person who, he said conscientiously presumed that the proper quantity of material had been used.  NOtwithstanding this, they felt it was a mistake of grave import to the counci.  They were placedthere by the public to see that the money was properly spent, and that mistakes which involved loss to the frontagers should not occur.  He had been stuck in the past with the slowness of the council in dealing wiht matters whichcalled for a certain amoun tof watchfulness, such as the tar contracts.  These things hd been righted now.  After saying that some members of the council were not keen enough in the work, the speaker said that the Highways Committee had taken this matter up with keenness, and evry members had shwn anxiety to safeguard the public.  He said this because he did not want to make any capital out of this in the public mind.  The alteration to be made that day he suggested, with the full approval of hte Committee.  It was made after careful consideration and they felt that their collective honour would be safeguarded by the resolution.  He hoped no member of the public would think they had been at all lax.   They had not.  They were not doing everything in public.  Matters had been dealt with in private in a manner which would satisfy the keenest person outside that they were safeguarding the public interest.  They felt, as a counicl that they had a right to demand a very high standard from their officials.  They intended to get that high standard of administration from their officials, and if they did not they intended, if this should happen again, to take th emost extreme method of dismissal.  They would not sanction anything like laxity of administration.  In dealing with this matter there had been a certain atmosphere which he as an individual ought to protest against.  When he touched the tar he had threats conveyed to him, threats that he should be had up, and he had been warned that money would be spent in bringing him down.  He had not been deterred by these threats, but it was an extraordinary thing that when a man took a prominent part in a matter in the public interest he should be threatended with prosecution.  The council ought to make it impossible for that sort of thing to happen, and the Board sincerely hoped that the Surveyor would not make a similar mistake again.  Having dealt with this matter so, and having regard to his past services, which had produced roads at almost the lowest cost of any in the county, they had dealt leniently in the matter, and hoped the Surveyor would in return give them more keen service than in the past.  Some might say they should not have censured him, but they were in England and not in Mexico.  A mistake had been made, and they were bound in duty to themselves and the public to mark with an emphasis they might not make in private, this mistake.

Cllr Lynds said the Council's action would not bind the frontagers, who would, no doubt, go further in the matter.  It had been thrashed out in Committee, and the frontagers were at a great loss.  The Chairman said that Mr Hookins had admitted the stuff was not there through an oversight.  As to the frontagers, he did not see that they lost anything.  They, as a Council, were responsible, and if the roads were not made up, must keep them in repair.

Mr Hookins wished to make a statement, but the Chairman put the report as amended and it was carried.  Mr Hookins then said he thought it devolved on him to say something, as the Press would have the report.  He should like to say, as to Essex Road, that he followed previous precedents.  In each of their parishes where they took over new roads, Crayford, Sutton at Hone, Swanscombe and Horton Kirby, the roads had been taken over, and were among the very best in the district.  He simply followed the precedents of the past, and had had no complaints.  Unfortunately in this case there had been serious objections, some of which he had taken notice of.  They had taken over 3 roads since, and he had had them opened before granting a certificate, and in all future cases he should do the same.  The Chairman said there was no question about the new roads, which were perfect.  The only objection was that people said they cost too much money.  Mr Hookins was quite right in having every road opened.

Cllr Lynds said the contract was given for 13 inches, and there were only 8, so the road was only half made.  The Council had robbed the frontagers of £239.  Cllr Morgan asked Cllr Lynds as the representative of the aggrieved people, where he considered, as a council, that they had lacked courage in dealing with the situation.  They did not want it to go out that they had not dealt firmly with it.  If it had been insisted on, the members of the Committee would have voted for the salary being reduced.  The Council were not in a position to take proceedings against that contractor, or they would.  They were not going to make the Surveyor the scoundrel of the piece, nor a scoundrel in any sense.  They were debarred from taking the steps they would like to take, and were dealing with him, having obtained sufficient assurance from him that what they wanted in the future they would get.  Cllr Lynds said the legal opinion the frontagers got differed from the council's.  He thought the £50 ought to be enforced.  Cllr Morgan said the feeling of the Committee was that they ought to do to others as they would like to be done by. If they secured improved efficiency through it, their leniency would not have been misplaced.

Cllr Ames pointed out that in Swanscombe they would have to pay for their own roads and towards this at Longfield, which had not been properly put down.  He hoped the outcome of all this would be absolute purity of administration in the future.  Cllr Snell said that one other thing had been left out which ought to go forth.  That Board had decided that the contractor who did this road would not be able to contract for any work for them in the future.  The Chairman: You could hardly expect us to employ him again.  Cllr Snell: yes, but it should go forth."

10 Oct 1913 Catholic Times

A New Mission for Kent

"A portion of the Hartley Manor Estate has recently been acquired by a Catholic lady near Fawkham in Kent, and the buildings known as the Middle Farm have been converted by her into a charming and old fashioned dwelling house, the yard having been made into a delightful quadrangle of an almost monastic aspect.  On one side of this stands the large thatched barn, which, like the farm itself is some 200 years old and build of magnificent old oak.  The floor has been covered with concrete, and dignified old oak fittings have been arranged on it so as to turn it into a remarkably fine chapel or oratory capable of seating some 150 persons.  Father Hoare of Northfleet, comes to give an instruction in this oratory on Wednesdays; the Bishop of Southwark has said mass in it, and Father Arendsen has preached there a very successful mission to non-Catholics, who came in great numbers and showed much goodwill.  Several are under instruction; and a consderable number of Catholics who, owing to the lack of a priest and to other reasons, had neglected the habitual practice of their religion, have profited by the facilities now at their disposal.  Congregations varying from 30 to 90 have come to this oratory, which, in its sober yet dignified worship, reminds us of the days when the Church was just emerging from the eras of persecution.  Funds are required for the establishments of regular Sunday mass; and Miss Beatrice Davies-Cooke, of the Middle Farm, Hartley, Fawkham, is forming a Catholic library there for which books will be welcomed."

11 Oct 1913 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)

Longfield - Football and Essex Road

(1) "Football

The village club's experience in the Gravesend league has not yet proved auspicious for they were again vanquished on Saturday by Harmsworth Athletic 4-0.  In the first half Longfield did well in having a good share of the gameand permitting their opponents to score only once.  In the secondn half three more goals were netted against them, but with a little more judgment on th epart of the villagers' defence might have prevented a least two of them.  Longfield appears to possess the necessary enthusiasm for victory, but what the team requires is a little more combination and the power to shoot when the opportunity presents itself."

(2) Essex Road

At the meeting of Dartford Rural Council on Tuesday, Mr E Vinson presidin, the making up of Essex Road, Longfield (done in 1911) was discussed, the committee reporting they had the road opened up in several places, with the result that the depth of material specified in the contract with Mr R Foster of Greenhithe, was not found.  They had obtained counsel's opinion, which was (presuming absence of fraud and collusion) that the council could take no steps against the contractor for the reason that the Surveyor had given his certificate expressing his approval of the work; and that the surveyor's apportionment of the expenses of making up the road was binding and conclusive on the frontagers.  Counsel advised a clause in future contracts which would prevent similar difficulties.  The committee added that they had carefully considered the position of the Surveyor in the matter, and recommended tha the Council censure him for issuing his certificate without making adequate investigation, and, as a mark of the disapproval, reduce his salary for one year by the sum of £50.  They further recommended the refusal of Mr G T Lynds' application for repayment of his legal action taken by the council for the recovery of the amount due from him in respect of the making of the road.  The Rev Stanley Morgan supported a suggestion that he words relating to the reduction of the Surveyor's salary be deleted from the report.  In his remarks, he said he had been warned that he was watched and that money would be spent to bring him tumbling down.  He thought, however, the Board shoudl express the hope that hte Surveyor would not make such a mistake again and that he would render the Council good service such as he had done in the past.  Mr Hookins asked to be allowed to state that in the case of this road, he had followed the same precedent as in all the other roads.  The three roads take over since the commencement of this trouble had been opened and found quite satisfactory, and the action taken in the case of these roads would be taken in the future.  Mr Lynds said the frontagers had got legal opinion which was quite contrary to that obtained by the Council.  After some further discussion, however, the matter dropped."

22 Oct 1913 Aberdeen Daily Journal

Small Owners Description

Review of Bevil Tollemache book which mentions Fairby

25 Oct 1913 Evening News

Indignant Longfield Frontagers - The Making up of Essex Road

At the council offices, Longfield, on Monday, a meeting of the Essex Road Frontagers was held to consider what steps should be taken in view of the refusal of the Dartford Rural District Council to go on with the matter.  Mr F Lynds was voted to the chair, others present being Messrs W High, Thos Crouch, A High, William Crouch, W T Bennett, Elvey Bance and G T Lynds.  Mr E Foster wrote regretting his enforced absence.

The chairman having explained the prpose of the meeting, a letter which appeared int eh press from the pen of a Longfield working man, stating the frontagers' grievance, was heartily approved.  The chairman then read the report of the Rural Council meeting, and advised the frontagers to approach that authority and ask them to refund that portion of the money they had no right to. Mr G T Lynds said it appeared to him that the Rural District Council had tried in every possible way to screen the surveyor and contractor, and they (the counicl) were therefore responsible.  The council had apparently dropped the whole matter, and left the frontagers in the lurch.  Mr W Crouch said it was estimated that the frontagers had got about £220 less materials then athey paid for. The Chairman said Mr G Day, who was present at the opening of the road asked the surveyor to point out where he had seen the full amount of flints put on, but the surveyor did not reply.  Continuing, the chairman said he had asked for the road to be opened about 20 times.  His first protests was made immediately after completion.  Subsequent replies were that the contractor had documentary evidence to prove the full complement of stones were there.

Mr G T Lynds: So the Rural council think theis job is done with?  The chairman. Yes.  Mr Crouch: Where did that coat of granite come from that they put on Essex Road, and why did they put it on an already perfect road?  The chairman: I don't know where it came from, why it was put there, or who paid for it.  The surveyor approached me about putting it on.  I protested, but eventually gave way.  Mr George Day was surprised to see it there, but the surveyor assured him they always did it on new roads.  Mr Crouch: What is the surveyor's salary? Chairman: £450 (a voice: 'And a motor car').  The chairman: One poor widow lady had had to put her property on the market to meet this debt ('Shame!').

After a lengthy discussion, a resolution was proposed by Mr W Crouch, seconded by Mr Elvey Bance, and carried unanimously.  This strongly expressed the views of the meeting on the matter, and demanded a full and open enquiry.  In the event of this being refused, the meeting threatened to petition the Local Government Board.

[At the Longfield Annual Parish Meeting of 1914 it was agreed to ask Kent County Council to investigate - Gravesend Messenger 4.4.1914 but KCC refused to get involved - Gravesend Messenger 16.5.1914]

25 Oct 1913 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)

For the Thrifty Traveller

(very poor photocopy) Article explains how fares can be saved by splitting tickets, including an example from Longfield to Holborn Viaduct.

31 Oct 1913 Bexleyheath Observer

Longfield Primary School

"A petition was sent through the Parish Council ot the Elementary Education Sub-Committee [of Kent County Council] on behalf of 87 children attending the Longfield School, asking for 'a better system of education than our children are receiving, and a schoolmaster appointed to control the school.'  The sub-committee recommended to the Kent Education Committee at its meeting at Maidstone on Monday, that in view of the satisfactory reports that have been received from HM Inspector of the school, no action be taken and that the Parish Council be informed accordingly."

31 Oct 1913 Eltham Times

Organist Wanted

"Organist wanted for country parish church; £15 - Apply Rector, Hartley, Longfield, Kent."

31 Oct 1913 Clapham Observer

Fairby's Limited

//  "You are cordially invited to visit the display of English Apples at Fairby's Limited, 145-147 High Street, Clapham.  Demonstrations of Fruit Cookery."

Elsewhere newspaper reports "Clapham housewives are vastly indebted to Messrs Fairby's Limited of 145 & 147 High Street, Clapham, who, on Thursday, inaugurated an instructive and interesting series of practical demonstrations on that important culinary operation, the proper cooking of fruit....."

05 Nov 1913 Yorkshire Post

Small Owners Description

Review of Bevil Tollemache book which mentions Fairby

06 Nov 1913 The Stage

Ideal Homes for Artists and Literary Men

"Two charming country cottages are for sale at Hartley, Longfield, Kent, at £250 and £400 each.  Nice large gardens, company's water and modern conveniences.  Midnight theatre train daily.  Mortgage arranged for either property if desired.  Convenient to London and yet in the heart of the Kent country.  Arthur Barnes, Hartley, Longfield, Kent."

14 Nov 1913 Poultry World

Win a farm at Hartley

PW wins £100 in damages for libel over competition, but has to admit cottage hadn't been built then and was only later built on plot selected by Mrs O'Grady.

18 Nov 1913 South Eastern Gazette

Sale at Black Lion

"Sale Friday next.  The Black Lion Inn, Hartley, Kent.

Mr Philip Champion has received instructions from Mrs E Wansbury to sell by auction, at the above address, on Friday next, 21st Nov, 1913 at 12 o'clock noon, the useful and well kept Household Furniture and effects and live and dead stock, including 3 cobs, pony, 3 heiffers, sow and 4 pigs, 12 geese, 30 head of poultry, 2 vans, 6 carts and traps, sets of harness, two wood lodges, 4 fowl houses, gent's and lady's bicycles and other effects.

Catalogues can be obtained at the place of sale, and of the auctioneer as above."

21 Nov 1913 Bexleyheath Observer

Dartford RDC Sanitary Committee

One case of puerpal fever at Longfield.  DRDC District also had one case of anthrax where the man's life has been saved by an injection of antitoxin at St Bartholemew's Hospital.

21 Nov 1913 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express

Dartford Rural District Council

(Dr Richmond, Medical Officer) "I have a further list of properties to be dealt with uner the Housing Act 1909, also some cases in which I have to ask for closing notices, owing to the repairs not having been completed within a reasonable period, also some letters in reply to orders issued by the Committee.  I have had an interview with the owner of Brickfield Cottages, Longfield, who is willing to repair these cottages, under certain conditions, otherwise he will close them.  Owing to the paucity of cottages in Longfield, it is undesirable that these cottages be closed."

Cllr Morgan next referred to Brickfield Cottages, Longfield, and said the Council would not be quite fair to themselves if they allowed the owner to say what he would do  if they held back, because he practically put a pistol to their heads.  They were absolutely at his mercy.  He was willing to repair, but only to do what he wanted.  If the Council insisted on their conditions the owner would close the property.  He (the speaker) suggested that the proper way was, where the council made up their minds that repairs were necessary, to go for them.  If they were closed the real blame would rest on the owner.  He, as a councillor, declined to be put in the position that they must either accept this man's terms or be blamed for the shortage of houses.  They were absolutely wrong in giving way here, and owners would hold hem in the hollow of their hands if they submitted to this.  There was one tap for 15 houses, and only 5 WCs.  It might be said that the repairs would cost more than the houses were worth.  If they were not worth making habitable, then they ought not to be inhabited.

The Chairman said that in theory, Cllr Morgan was right, but in practice, was it worthwhile turning the people out?  Cllr Lynds said they had not asked for a thing to be done that was not necessary in these houses.  He did not know where the people would go to if the houses were closed, because there was a shortage of houses in Longfield.  He suggested dealing with the matter 6 months' hence.  After 6 months he was quite prepared to go for it, but he would not like to see the people turned out in winter time.  He thought that Inspectors had done their duty with regard to these houses.  Some were rented at 4s 6d, some at 2s 6d.  

The Chairman: We can't tolerate one WC for four or five houses.  Cllr Ames gave his idea of what the houses had cost, and said they must be a paying property, and the owner could afford to do what was required.  Cllr Hennell said that if the landlord refused to do the rapairs they had practically to render the tenants homeless. Certainly the law ought to be altered, so that there should be other alternatives in the hands of the council.  Cllr Morgan said they had power under the Act to do the repairs and charge the owner over a period of 5 years.  If there had been, as Cllr Hennell suggested, an alternative, so that they could fine a ralcitrant owner, their work would be easier.  Cllr Day said that if they could do the work and make the owner pay they ought to be unanimous on that.

It was suggested that the owner should be written to, but the Medical Officer said that he had had an interview with the owner, and was certain that if they wrote to him he would close them.  Cllr Morgan said he was loth to believe that the gentleman would adopt such an attitude as that.  He moved the appointment of a committee, to consist of Cllrs Smith, Day and Lynds.  The Chairman: And yourself?  Cllr Morgan: I'm getting so to trust the council that I don't need to accompany them as a conscience (laughter)."

22 Nov 1913 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)

Longfield & Southfleet Confer

"A joint conference of the Longfield and Southfleet Parish Councils was held in the Schools, Longfield on Thursday evening…..  Mr A A Burrows was elected chairman, and explained that the two parish councils had met to receive and discuss any suggestions that would enable them to get out of the tangle of the late Sanitary Committee.

Mr G T Lynds asked what power they had to provide towards the expenses of the sanitary van.  Mr F Lynds replied that the District Council  had no power, and if they failed to carry out the work voluntarily, it would have to be paid out of the rates.  The Chairman said he would oppose once and for all any extra financial burden upon the rates, and that Conference was convened to find a way to improve the present voluntary system.  Mr G T Lynds proposed that the work should be carried on as before.  The way suggested at previousl meetings would only tend towards increasing the expense.  Several members opposed this motion on the ground that the old system had not worked successfully financially.  There was no seconder....."  Lots of suggestions (not detailed) to be considered at another meeting.

28 Nov 1913 Evening News

Charitable Donation

Miss A Bunce of Hartley Manor donates £12 to papers fund for toys for poor children

29 Nov 1913 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)

Balloon

"A balloon from Farnborough descended in a field at the top of Whitehill on Thursday afternoon.  Lieut H L Woodcock of HMS Hermes, Lieut W C Hicks and Bombadier A Barton were the passengers.  The balloon was speedily packed and put on rail at Fawkham Station."

05 Dec 1913 St Mary Cray & Swanley Express

Cookery Centre

"At the last meeting of the Kent Education Committee, it was agreed to approve of the application from the Managers of the Longfield Church of England School for the admission of a class of children from that school to the Cookery Centre at Stone, and for the provision of a conveyance.  The tender of Mr Foster of Longfield, for the conveyance of the children was accepted, it being understood that he receives the same amount as in the case of the Bean children, namely 13s 9d a journey."

Longfield Parish Council

(1) Several members still dissatisfied with the Primary School even though it got a good HMI report.  (2) Some councillors concerned at cost of Longfield Fire Brigade and questioned the need for 2 fire stations in the parish.  (3) Councillors very unhappy with motion to give rate collection Mr Robson 5 percent of the special rate levied.  Clerk said they had no choice, he was still the rate collector.

06 Dec 1913 KM (Gravesend Telegraph)

Longfield Parish Council

//  (1) Land Purchase.  Deeds have been signed and on deposit at the Bank.  (2) Primary School.  "Several members again called attention to the present system of education at Longfield Schools, notwithstanding the reports of HM Inspector."  (2) Fire Brigade.  Discussion on whether Longfield needs  2 fire stations.

09 Dec 1913 Daily Express

December Apple Blossom

"Mr Lionel W Harris, of Hartley Manor, Longfield, Kent, sends to the Express a sprig of apple blossom which he cut yesterday from a Blenheim Orange Tree."

19 Dec 1913 Bexleyheath Observer

Black Lion Transfer

Dartford Petty Sessions, Transfer of Licences.  Black Lion Hartley to John William English.