News From the Herts Advertiser
April 1871
On 1st April the paper published a detailed report of the St Albans Board of Guardians, which included the usual report on inmates, the progress with smallpox vaccinations, news that the workhouse's new infirmary wing is nearly complete, property assessments for rating purposes and details of the contracts for supply of goods over the next six months.
At the Liberty Petty Sessions, St Albans, the magistrates temporarily transferred the licence of the White Lion, London Colney, to Mr Resting of Rotherhide. Frederick Groom was sentenced for vagrancy - after complaining about the facilities for tramps at the workhouse. Charles Bland was sentenced to 21 days hard labour on a similar charge. At the St Albans police station Alfred Winter was charged with obtaining £125 by false pretences from Arthur Bell of the Lamb public house.
The St Albans Musical Union held a concert of high class sacred music which was not well attended.
At the Watford Petty Sessions the magistrates endorsed the licence of the Sportman's Arms beer house, before transferring it from Samuel Graveney to William Pape. There were several cases including an alleged theft by a domestic servant, Emma Hassall, from Mr. George Cowan, of the Swan public house, Leavesden. William Larkin was fined for driving an un-named cart on the turnpike at Watford, while Robert Timberlake was charged with stealing four fowls, the property of the late Mr John Ellis of Watford. Thomas Leaper was sentenced to hard labour for misbehaving in the Watford Workhouse.
Details are also given of the Registrar General's quarterly report - including details of the causes of death in West Hertfordshire.
The 8th April issue had over a page of court information. The County Court hearings before Judge Whigham contained an number of briefly reported civil cases. Others involved damage to watercress beds, a possible breach of contract between Mr. F. R. Silvester, of Hedges Farm, St Albans, and his bailiff, William Campkin, a case involving a breach of promise of marriage, and a Harpenden bankruptcy involving Daniel Dunham. The false pretences case from the previous week was dismissed
The Liberty Petty Sessions appointed new overseers (as did the Borough Sessions), George Parker of Wheathampstead was committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions for sheep stealing, Francis Randall of Harpenden, was sentenced for breaking a window (the Borough Sessions excusing another offence) and two cases of non-payment of rates were heard involving John Constable of St Peters and Charles Fenson, Holywell Hill, St Albans.