FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - At Middlesbrough on Wednesday a woman was in court charging her husband with persistent cruelty.

The counsel rose to examine his witness: "How many children have you?" he asked. "Four" was the reply. "And what age was the youngest when it was born?" inadvertently inquired the solicitor.

When the laughter with which the court was convulsed subsided the Stipendiary remarked drily, "There is no occasion to ask that since it was probably born without a penny in its pocket."

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - Never before have so many race meetings had to be abandoned owing to flood as last month.

In olden days stewards, owners and trainers were less concerned for their horses and jockeys than is the case today.

At Stockton when the track was on the Yorkshire side of the Tees, flooding was quite common and racing went on once when the runners were "belly-deep" in some parts of the track.

From this newspaper 25 years ago. - An 85-year-old grandfather has played Santa Claus to an entire village.

Thanks to retired farmer Mr Fred Hall, Christmas has come to Carlton, Stockton.

For he has made the village - hard up for a safe play area - a present of a two-acre field.

"I am getting on in life and I wanted to do something for the benefit of the parish, especially the kids."