Tag Archives: Peter Dale

1889 : Flooding at the Fountain

ANOTHER FLOOD.

Messrs. Oehme, Summerhays & Co., solicitors, wrote stating that Mr. Peter Dale, of the Fountain, Mitcham, had consulted them with reference to the over flowing of the Board’s sewer into their client’s cellars. They understood that the flooding had occurred several occasions and that the attention the Authority’s surveyor had been drawn the fact on more than one occasion, but steps had been taken until October last prevent a recurrence. Mr. Dale estimated that had sustained damage amounting for loss of beer and cost cleansing, in addition to which and his family had suffered severely from inconvenience. It was hoped that the Authority would make some adequate compensation.

The Surveyor said the flooding took place over six months ago.

The Chairman — Then they are debarred from making a claim upon us.

Mr. Philpott said in addition that the flooding was due the excessive rainfall, over which the Authority had control.

The Surveyor said that was not all. The drain was constructed without the consent of the Authority, and stated the time that it would be liable to overflow. He had had an interview with Messrs. Crowley, the brewers, about the matter some time ago, he had no difficulty in convincing them that the tenant was in the wrong.

It was decided to reply that the Authority could not recognise any claim.

Source: Croydon Advertiser and East Surrey Reporter – Saturday 16 March 1889 from the British Newspaper Archive (subscription required)

1890 The Fountain Tavern and the Gipsies

The Illustrated Police News Saturday, April 26, 1890

At The Croydon Petty Sessions, on Saturday, Mr. Peter Dale, landlord of the Fountain Tavern, Merton-lane, Mitcham, was summoned by the rural sanitary authorities for suffering a certain nuisance to exist by allowing gipsy caravans to be used for human habitation on his premises, the same not being supplied with water and drainage accommodation. The defendant denied the charge. Levi White, an inspector of nuisances said on the 16th inst. he discovered that one caravan out of two had gone, and that the land was occupied by a show. The showman and his wife were sleeping there. The defendant said the show alluded to was a portable theatre, and as far from doing any harm, he thought that when the very poor were enabled to see “Hamlet” played it did much to educate the children. The fact of the matter was that Mr. White did not like people to go to the theatre.

The Inspector : I should like to go myself. (Laughter.)

Eventually the case was adjourned.

Note that Merton Lane was renamed Western Road.