THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: From the News Letter of December 1955
Speaking at the annual dinner of the Newtownards Chamber of Trade this week in 1955, the Mayor of Newtownards, Captain J McMorran, said that a problem facing the town was population, and for the purpose of schemes, especially in connection with water and sewerage, the borough council had endeavoured to anticipate the population of the borough in the year 2,000.
Mr McMorran said: “That is no easy matter. But at least we cannot be accused of lack of foresight.”
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Hide AdReplying to the toast of the government of Northern Ireland Mr W M May, MP, said that he did not believe that it would be possible to hand the UTA [Ulster Transport Authority] passenger service back to private enterprise without “a serious reduction in the services at present being given to unremunerative areas”.
However, he said that he did not think the same considerations applied to the freight services, “whose charges are so high that more and more lorries are being operated by private traders for their own purpose”.
He added: “It is not a criticism of the government when I suggest that the time is overdue for reassessment their transport policy and obligations.”
The president of the Chamber, Mr C J Stewart, presided, and at his request a period of silence was observed for the late Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Blair ‘Paddy’ Mayne who had been killed in a road accident in the town earlier that week.
Other speakers included Councillor A Edgar.
Belmont celebrate seventh year as top Legion branch
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Hide AdThe Belmont branch of the British Legion this week in December 1955 celebrated its seventh year as the premier of the 8,000 branches of the Legion in the British Isles.
Many of the 300 members attended an anniversary supper in their hall at Belmont Church Hall, Belfast, and the occasion was marked by the presentation of the Haig Cup.
The News Letter reported: “Belmont is only the third Northern Ireland branch to win the trophy since Earl Haig presented it in 1922. Belfast won it in 1943 and Enniskillen in 1945.”
The cup was handed over to Mr E E McCallion, branch president, by Sir Norman Stronge. president of the Northern Ireland Area of the Legion.
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