THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: From the News Letter of February 1876

Belfast’s Russians guns

Now and again while looking through the News Letter’s archive I come across fascinating snippets.

This week I came across reference to two Russian guns which used to stand on the steps outside the Custom House from February 1876.

The News Letter reported: “The wooden carriages supporting the two Russian guns at the Customhouse steps have been removed, and their places substituted by new ones.

“More than once the attention of those responsible for these valuable pieces of cannon been directed to the disgraceful condition in which they were kept, and at last something has been done to make them look decent.”

The News Letter noted of the guns: “They were captured at Sebastopol, and presented to the customs authorities in Belfast. The two interesting trophies of the Crimean campaign have now been placed on new carriages.”

Tributes paid to ‘a gentleman and friend’

An address and presentation of a plate had been made to Mr Mason Alcock, Sub-Inspector, Royal Irish Constabulary, at his residence, prior to his departure to a new posting to Balbriggan, Co Dublin, reported the News Letter this week in February 1876.

The News Letter reported: “A few days before, the full bench of magistrates attending petty session, in most complimentary terms, expressed their deep sense of his valuable services as an officer, and of his conduct as a gentleman and friend.

“The town commissioners also, at the usual meeting on February 7, unanimously passed a resolution to the same effect; and no doubt his removal will be regretted by all classes of the community, not only in [the] Ballymena district, but throughout Co Antrim.”

A Sussex duelling case is heard

Another interesting snippet of news had arrived with the News Letter in February 1876 from Sussex in England concerning a incitement to a duel.

The News Letter reported: “At the Sussex county bench at Hove, Mr Massey Ryves, a militia officer, was summoned for a misdemeanour by writing a letter inciting Mr Heaton, a barrister, to fight a duel.

“It was shown that the defendant had given provocation, and the case was dismissed on the grounds that the terms of the letter did not really amount to a challenge.”

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