FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - A most interesting speech was delivered by Mr H Walker to collective guests from the Ripon Police Courts at a dinner on Monday. He gave a most informative account of an event in which it transpired that a man had been selling as "brandy" an article which analysis showed to contain 60pc spirit not from the grape. If he had sold the liquid as "mock brandy", "sophisticated brandy" or "industrial brandy" or even as "British brandy" the magistrate would not have convicted. As the defendant, however, sold it as "brandy" he was fined £5 and £50 costs. Hitherto public analysts have usually tested brandies and other spirits only to ascertain if they were of the guaranteed alcoholic strength. Spirits extracted from grain, beet, or potato will satisfy this test, but in all other respects there is a vast difference between spirits from grain and spirits from the grape. The medicinal value of brandy, we are told, lies in the several kinds of ethers which it contains and these are almost entirely absent from the grain-distilled spirit. The public must be protected from risks such as these.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - The National Federation of Women's Institutes intends to set up its own "Press Council" in a bid to clean up British newspapers. At the Federation annual meeting in the Albert Hall, London, on Tuesday, delegates pledged themselves not to buy papers which give front page prominence to "lurid reports and pictures." The Federation with nearly half a million members believes itself powerful enough to swing public opinion. Mrs M Lamb, a Shiney Row (Co Durham) member, told the 5,000 delegates that the "sordid and intimate details of sex and crime have caused distress and embarrassment to us all." She was seconding a motion concerning sensational newspaper reports and added: "There must be a dividing line between freedom and licence, and we must insist on more sensible and wholesome reporting. We deplore the headline comments of sex, violence and crimes, for newspapers should be brought into the home and read by all members of the family of all ages."

From this newspaper 25 years ago. - The new recreation centre which is being built in Darlington will be called The Dolphin Centre. The Recreation Committee on Thursday agreed on this name, after discussing other suggested titles submitted by school children and other members of the community. An eighteenth century pub called The Dolphin was once part of the site for the recreation centre and two-thirds of the centre will be taken up with pools for water sports thus making the choice doubly appropriate. The title was suggested by Mr Gabriel Lowes, the Borough Architect, several months ago, but members felt the public should have a say.