FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - A mysterious suspected burglary has been reported by Mr Gibbeson, landlord of the Turk's Head Hotel, Darlington.

The unexplained loss of a number of silver coins, abstracted from a desk in the inner sitting room, has caused much consternation and puzzlement. The coins, noted to be present on Monday evening, were missed on Tuesday morning and had evidently been stolen during the previous night. It seems that no servant or guest at the establishment had sufficient opportunity to remove the coins and no person was seen entering or leaving the room during the time when the theft is thought to have occurred. Furthermore there was no evidence of tampering with locks on any of the doors or the desk. The manner in which the coins have been abstracted remains unexplained and the matter is in the hands of the police.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - Ripon City Council is at a loss to solve the problem of pigeons spoiling the effect of the newly decorated Town Hall exterior. A pigeon trap was put on the roof three weeks ago but it has become apparent that pigeons are no easier to trap than they are to shoot. In the first two days the box-like wire mesh trap worked admirably, catching four of the birds, but since then not one has succumbed to the bait. The pigeons, it seems, have got wise to the ruse and are, so to speak, giving the trap the bird. After the initial success which goes to most carefully planned offensives, the pigeon now seem to have the initiative again. The City Council will have to think up a more subtle strategy.

From this newspaper 25 years go. - Teesdale councillors face criticism for agreeing to the extension of a controversial pig unit at Hamsterley, even though a school is situated only a stone's throw from the site.

In a letter to the district planning committee, Dr Keith Robinson warned it could affect the health of children at the school. He said: "Children in a school environment are not as careful about hygiene as they could be, and a pig unit nearby could lead to the outbreak of gastro-enteritis or food poisoning." Letters have been received from other residents objecting to "obnoxious smells", the attraction of rats and flies, increased traffic in the village from wagons removing pig slurry and fear that slurry would be sprayed on adjoining land.