FROM this paper 100 years ago. - It is interesting to note that while the famous Beck case is exciting the attention of the country, a single case of mistaken identity has occurred in Darlington. Last weekend, a woman stood in the dock at Darlington charged with obtaining a pair of boots by false pretences. Her identity was sworn in no uncertain manner by the shop assistant who supplied the boots, the manager who was called in to authorise the sale and the manager at the pawnbrokers' shop at Ripon where the articles were pledged. Then to clinch the matter the police produced a portrait of a woman who had been sentenced to 12 years' penal servitude on a charge of extorting money and who was a living image of the woman in the dock. Her advocates had a thankless task and knowing what information the police possessed he was unable to ask the bench to deal with the case that day and the woman was sent for trial. On Saturday, certain information was furnished to the police and the prisoner was let out on bail. At the Quarter sessions on Monday she was discharged without a stain on her character, the police having satisfied themselves hat the wrong woman had been arrested.

From this paper 50 years ago. - A once-wild rabbit can usually be seen perched on the shoulders of Mrs Margaret Walker of 3, Boston Avenue, Northallerton, when she is playing the piano for the rabbit, Dusty, is quite a music lover, with a preference for the piano. Dusty is very fond of the radio music also (Winifred Attwell is his favourite) and he will hurry into the living room to avoid missing a bar. The signature tune of the Sports Report on Saturday evenings makes him very exited, though maybe that is because of the prospect of hearing the football results!

From this paper 25 years ago. - After completing his studies at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth in May, Prince Andrew, who is now 19, will be posted to RAF Leeming to do his basic Royal Naval flying training. He will be posted to the Royal Naval Station at Culdrose, Cornwall, for conversion to helicopter flying after completing his course at Leeming.