Extracts from The Star, September 1916
Children misbehaving at Candie; Healy Maindonald, bigamist; Fishing on Sunday; Petition re military service; Roll of Honour; Ernest Carré, Le Poidevin, Ferguson; Enlistments; Bordage widening; Guernseymen killed; Albion Terrace School; Old custom for scaring birds; Jean-Philippe De Carteret obituary; Guernsey prices
The Star, September 2, 1916
Many correspondents have spilt ink in writing to you complaining of the behaviour of juveniles at the Sunday evening performances in Candie, but apparently they have fallen on deaf ears, as the nuisance still continues. It now appears that not only the public complain, as the bandsmen on the kiosk say it is impossible to hear what Bandmaster Small has to tell them on account of the noise of the children who keep running and shouting around the stand. Some even clamber on the masonry and get to the railings. This disconcerts the musicians and the conductor as well. The question is often asked, 'Where is the groundsman to allow this behaviour?' I hope these lines will catch his eye and an improvement is effected. [Tickets were cheaper and children attended free on a Sunday.]
The Star, September 5, 1916
A GUERNSEYMAN’S FORGOTTEN MARRIAGE
Singular defence to charge of bigamy
The singular defence of forgotten marriage was put forward by Healy John Maindonald, fifty, a furniture dealer, charged, on remand, before Mr Horace Smith at Westminster Palace Court on Staurday with bigamy. DS Stevens said that he apprehended Maindonald at Clapham, where he was passing in the name of McDonald. A few months ago, in that name, he married a young woman named Elizabeth Dale, at St Anne’s, Lambeth, describing himself as a bachelor. He informed him that enquiry had been made as to a marriage at St Peter-Port, Guernsey, many years ago, with Ida Cleopatra Pearce, who was still alive. Maindonald then said 'It is twenty years or more since I returned from a voyage. I was drunk, and taken into a back-room in St Peter-Port, where a woman went though some form of marriage with me—at least, I suppose she did, for, absolutely, I recollect nothing about it.' Henry Barton Reynolds, a sailor from Guernsey, gave evidence of being present at the marriage at a registry office in July, 1890. His wife still resided at St Peter-Port. Maindonald repeated that he had no recollection of being married. Committed for trial.
The Star, September 8, 1916
Sir.—owing to the scarcity of food may I appeal to the Bailiff and Royal Court to withdraw, as soon as possible, the Law relating to Sunday fishing, the need being urgent. Yours faithfully, A POOR MAN
The Star, September 11, 1916
Sir—I would like through the columns of your valuable paper to express my satisfaction and support to the action taken by the Guernsey Growers’ Association as regards military service... As a Guernseyman I am heartily ashamed that there are to be found in the Island persons who have become so degenerate as to try and besmudge and disgrace the good name and traditions established by our forefathers, who were always at the forefront in the defence of our mighty Empire, as well as the noble Guernseymen who have sacrificed themselves in this the greatest struggle in history.
We in Guernsey are so favoured and enjoy rights and privileges and freedom in fact more than our brothers on the mainland. Surely, the least thing that we can do is to waive for the time being those rights and privileges and take our part, side by side, as true Britons and help in our very best manner to vanquish this terrible enemy and uphold the great and glorious Empire which gives us our freedom.
As a sojourner for many years in the larger dominions beyond the seas I have always seen that Guernseymen were among the first to offer themselves as volunteers when dangers threatened. They knew that they were Britishers but a lot of the Islanders do not realise this fact, but seem to think they ought to be neutral and take everything and give nothing.
THOMAS L ROBILLIARD, Flamanville, 8th September 1916
Sec. Lieut. Ralph Hawtrey; Rifleman W. H. Marriette; Pte Harold Mudge; Lance-Corporal A. E. Keyho; Signaller C. Pattimore; Wounded: Corpl E H Zabiela; Pt Herbert Keyho; Pte Charles Robin; Pte Wm Boalch; Corpl C Briand.
The Star, September 13, 1916
A boy, named Ernest Carré, was bathing last evening at the Salerie, and got entangled in some thick weed which comes into the little harbour. His predicament was noticed by some boys on the shore who drew the attention of Police -Sergt. F. Le Poidevin. Seeing that the boy was in urgent need of help, he quickly took his boots off and swam fully clothed to his help. He soon reached and supported the boy until Mt R. Ferguson sculled Mr Le Poidevin’s boat to the scene, when young Carré was lifted out of the water, covered with weed, none the worse for his fright.
The Star, September 14, 1916
The following is the statement of men who have enlisted in the Regular and New Army up to the week ending September 9th:-
REGULAR ARMY
Ex-soldiers 1; Militiamen 19; Civilians 153; Total 173
NEW ARMY
Ex-Soldiers 71; National Reserve 60; Militiamen 787; Civilians 593; Total 1511Grand total for Guernsey: 1684Medically unfit 632
Signed E COWLEY, Lieutenant, Recruiting Officer G and A District.
The continuation of the widening of the Bordage, at least so far as the lower part is concerned, is proceeding. On Monday and Tuesday the workmen of Messrs Rabey Bros. of St Martin’s (contractors for Mr. W H de la Mare’s new premises) were engaged in pulling down the ancient Maison Christophe, the small building which was jambed in between Mr Cluett’s baker’s shop and Market House. It has now completely disappeared. During the last 30 years—since Madame Christophe—a well-known seller of French newspapers and confectionery, died, the shop had successively been occupied by a bootmaker’s, a watchmaker, and as a fried fish shop.
The premises so long occupied by Messrs Cluett—father and sons—is also in course of demolition. When Mr de la Mare’s new premises are completed, Bordage will have been widened from the Market to Mr Luff’s shop, which adjoins the house in connection with which there is litigation between Miss Luff and the Supervisor.
The dwelling rooms at Mr de la Mare’s premises behind Market House are being finished, those now occupied by Mr de la Mare in the old Star Office building are being evacuated for the ones mentioned above.
The Star, September 15, 1916
GUERNSEYMEN WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED
After speaking of causes of death in the island, Dr Bishop [Chief Medical Officer], says:
The Registrar-General has stated that the deaths of those fallen in the Country’s service will be registered separately if they were members of the Regular Army and Navy, but if they belonged to those services in a temporary capacity that their deaths would be registered in the place of their former domicile. I have not up to the present received any list of such deaths, but I hear from an unofficial source that to the end of the year 144 men belonging to, or connected with the Island had lost their lives in the war.
The Star, September 20, 1916
The winter quarter of the Albion Terrace School, Vale, conducted by Misses Cohu, commences on 29th September.
The Star, September 27, 1916
Old customs die hard in Guernsey, and one which I believed had disappeared many years ago was suddenly brought to my notice yesterday. I was strolling though one of the beautiful lanes which still exist in Guernsey, and so far which has escaped the fate of others which have been widened and turned into the semblance of roads. ... I heard a confused shout, then an energetic banging on some iron vessel. As I proceeded, the sound grew louder, and turning a bend in the lane, I came across a girl of about twelve seated on a hedge with an old frying pan lying beside her, and holding a thick cudgel in her hand. As I passed, she uttered a wild cry and gave the pan a hearty whack with her stick. On asking her, why in the name of goodness she was acting in such a peculiar way, she replied, with a broad grin, that she was frightening the birds. On looking over the hedge I saw that the field within had been prepared for some kind of crop. Then I understood, and stood for a few moments thoroughly enjoying the antics and shouts of the girl who gratuitously informed me she was doing it for her brother.
The Star, September 28, 1916
SARK NEWS: Death of Mr Jean Philype de Carteret
[A well-known Sark Pilot, Philype de Carteret died aged 77 on 27th September at his residence, “La Collenette” in Sark. A Sark pilot, he was son of Philype de Carteret and Suzanne Le Feuvre, and was born at Le Fort in 1840. His wife Mary Carré had died ten months earlier; they had no children but many relatives in the island.]
Mr De Carteret’s career. The following particulars concerning Mr de Carteret may be of interest. They were gathered during a special interview which a representative of The Star had with him in Sark during the month of May, 1914. Early Days. [A descendant of Helier de Carteret.] After leaving school he began fishing with his father, and up to seven years ago his life had been practically spent around the coasts and in the caves of his native island. For twenty years he continued to assist his father, and doing his own work besides. He afterwards owned two boats, and had a share in the cutter Charlotte. Made Admiralty Chart. During his many years’ experience in fishing he learned the coast so thoroughly that when the Admiralty required a new chart of the coast and waters of Sark, Mr de Carteret was selected, with four others, to so the work, which occupied about three months. For fifteen years he was master of the cutter which traded between Guernsey and Sark. All this time he had but one experience which had any approach to a disaster, when all ended happily. Victor Hugo’s Guide. Once while on a visit to Sark M. Victor Hugo engaged Mr de Carteret as his boat man, who took him to the Gouliot Caves. One of these was a glorious cave, in form and colouring. Victor Hugo asked the name of the cave, and on being informed that it was called the 'Creux à Coups Marants,'the poet replied, 'In future call it Victor Hugo cave,' by which it has since been known. To England in a cutter. While in charge of the cutter Charlotte, Mr de Carteret once took the little craft to Dover, Shoreham, and Southampton. He used frequently to go to Dielette in Normandy for the purpose of fetching cattle, which could be purchased very cheaply in those days. As there was no prohibition to land foreign cattle in Sark, there was a big trade in this line. Sark farmers used to buy the cattle, fatten them, and sell them to Guernsey butchers at remunerative prices. [This article is accompanied by a photograph.]
The Star, September 30, 1916
Approximate Prices of Guernsey Produce: Tomatoes—3s to 4s; Grapes: Alicante—6d to 8d; Hambros—4d to 8d; Marocs 7d to 10d; Colmars 7d to 10d; Muscats 6d to 1s; Canon Hall 9d to 1s; Appley Towers 7d to 8d
The latest export of produce amounted to 14,400 baskets [of tomatoes] and 280 of fruit. Cases and hampers of bulbs numbered 471. There were 400 cases of tobacco despatched by the same boat.