In the courts – less than a pint! Montreal, 1888

Montreal Gazette, 6 March 1888

In the police court yesterday, Thomas Kilcullen, grocer, no 107 Lagauchetiere street, was fined $75 and costs or three months for selling less than an imperial pint of liquor.

Using a locomotive that does not consume its own smoke, Henley-on-Thames, 1875

Jackson’s Oxford Journal, 28 August 1875

Town Bench, August 23

Before the Mayor (W Plumbe, esq) and Ald TW Jeston, WH Brakspear and T Reeves

Alfred Whitbourne was charged with having, on the 16^th instant, used in this town a locomotive which did not consume its own smoke.

Mr. Dodd, or Reading, appeared for the defendant.

The charge was preferred by Mr. John Williams, of the Red Lion Hotel, who stated that on the day above-mentioned the locomotive, which has for some time past been employed between Nettlebed and the Henley station, stopped opposite the hotel on the crown of the road leading to the bridge when a dense volume of smoke issued from the chimney of the engine and entered a room where some ladies were at luncheon, causing great annoyance; similar instances had occurred continuously, and when he remonstrated with the driver the latter impertinently told him he might summon him as soon as he liked.

On cross-examination, Mr. Williams said that it was a long black cloud of smoke extending from the engine to the hotel.

Mr. G Paulin, who was passing the hotel at the time, fully confirmed Mr. Williams’ statement.

Mr. Dodd called the defendant, who said he was thoroughly acquainted with this description of entire.  This was a first-class one, and had been constructed by one of the best makers, and was to consume its own smoke; it was in good repair.

William Talbot, the driver, said that on the day in question he could not get up the rise in the road near the Lion for want of steam; he put two shovels of coal; there was very little smoke; it was sort of a light condensed smoke; he did not stop there was more than a minute and a half; the proper appliances of the engine were in order at the time. He usually got up his fire in the “mile,” so as to get rid of the smoke before passing through town.

Robert Bedwell, who keeps the Little White Hart, near the Lion said, – The locomotive stops before my house frequently to get up the steam; there is great smoke for a minute or so, when coal is put on the fire; I do not consider it necessary to close the bed room windows on these occasions.

Mr. Dodd contended that it was quite impossible for any engine to consume its own smoke completely, and that there was not more smoke from the engine on this occasion than was absolutely unavoidable. Convicted and fine 1l and costs 1l 8s; paid.