FROM this newspaper 150 years ago. - A gentleman who had taken rather too much wine at a party the other evening and who had to pass through Cotcliffe wood on his way home suddenly came into contact with a tree. "Schuze me shir," he said, "I 'shure you, shir, 'tirley 'tentional on my part. Sho dark shir, I didn't shee you. 'Schuze me shir, 'schuze me, if you please." After this obsequious explanation and an abortive attempt to put on his hat, he essayed to continue on his way but again came in contact with the same tree. "I really beg your pardon shir," he said, "I'm 'fraid you'll 'spect that I'm tossicated, but I 'shure you shir, I never was more sober in all my life. It's sho very dark." At this instant a policeman who had been enjoying the scene volunteered to see the gentleman through the wood, assuring him that it was indeed very dark, and that gentlemen whom he had run against belonged to the stationary department and it was not in his power to make him move on.

From this newspaper 100 years ago. - A public petition from Hawes and neighbourhood has been submitted to the NER Co asking the company to reconsider their decision to remove Mr CE Dawson, station master, from Hawes to Newcastle. Mr Dawson, during his term of service at Hawes, has by his genial and courteous demeanor and obliging and prompt attention to the public won the appreciation and regard of all who have been brought in contact with him.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - Heat from a smoldering hearth beam which melted gas piping causing escaping gas to catch fire is thought to have started a fire at 30 Blossomgate, Ripon, early on Monday morning.

Two women living alone in the house, Miss K Scott and her cousin, Miss ED Kirkley, were said to have had a lucky escape.

They awoke to find the ground floor of the house filled with smoke from an outbreak of fire in the lounge, where a large hole was burnt in the floor.

From this newspaper 25 years ago. - Teesdale council is to help fight plans to cut the cashing of DHSS benefits in Post Offices, because councillors fear this could lead to the closure of sub-Post Offices in villages.

A suggestion to allow giro cheques to be cashed in banks had been put forward by the DHSS but this was not favoured as few villages had banks.

"We must think of the poor old lady of 93 who would have to travel to Barnard Castle from Middleton-in-Teesdale on a bus to get her money," said Coun John Gwillum.