Railway to

Alton. 1852.

the Anthem with the greatest spirit and enthusiasm. After this they were regaled with tea and cake at the Town Hall. The principal employers of labour provided a meal for their employées.

"In the evening there was a display of fireworks and a bonfire. The Town was also illuminated." "1

RAILWAY TO ALTON.

Alton was first connected by rail with London by an extension of the Farnham Branch of the London and South Western Railway, which was opened for traffic on Monday, 26th July, 1852. It was considered to be an event of such vast importance to the Town, that it was decided to celebrate it in a fitting manner. The following is a description

of the event:

"An enormous tent was constructed, 450 feet in length and 27 feet broad, in a somewhat semi-circular form, with a transept in the centre. This was covered with hop bagging and elaborately embellished with branches of trees, and ornamented with flags and other suitable emblems. The tent contained four tables abreast throughout the length of it, covered with white calico.

"Tickets were issued for 2330 of the resident working classes of Alton and their families. Tent room was also provided for about 100 of the same class from Holybourne. The inmates of the Union House also enjoyed a dinner in a tent on their own ground close by."

"The food provided for the dinner consisted of 3080 lbs. of butcher's meat and hams, in 243 joints; 450 gallons of ale, 200 gallons of bread, 326 plum puddings, 168 lbs. of cheese, and a good supply of lettuces and onions. A considerable part of the meat was cooked at private houses."

"Upwards of 200 navvies were also regaled in a similar manner by the liberality of Mr. Brassey, the Contractor."

"A large pavilion was also erected for the Directors and Contractor and their friends to dine in, and upwards of

1 Extract from the Hampshire Chronicle.

400 sat down to a splendid cold collation; Mr. Edward Knight, of Chawton House, presiding."

“The first train, bringing the Directors and numerous distinguished guests, arrived a little before two o'clock. amidst the cheers of several thousand persons, the firing of cannon, and the playing of bands.".

"After the dinner and the speeches that followed, dancing was entered into with spirit, and again in the evening by the thousands assembled."

"The festivities concluded with a brilliant display of fireworks, and the day will long be remembered in the annals of Alton."1

For some years after this line was opened, Alton continued to be the terminus, but later on a Company was formed to continue it to Winchester. This Alton and Winchester line was opened for traffic on Monday, 2nd October, 1865.

THE VOLUNTEERS.

In 1803, Alton must have had its own Volunteer Corps, 1803. like other towns, no doubt raised for the defence of the County, when an invasion by the first Napoleon was expected.

The following rules and regulations of this body have been lent me by the Messrs. J. H. and E. Dyer :-

Rules and Regulations of the Alton Loyal Volunteers.

1. Every man not attending on the days and hours appointed for exercise before the calling of the roll is finished, to forfeit one shilling, unless he sends such an excuse in writing as shall be approved by the Corps, which written excuse will not be admitted if not sent one hour at least before parade time, to the sergeant of the division to which he belongs.

2. Every man who (after the Corps has been clothed) shall come to parade not clean, or not properly dressed, or otherwise unfit for parade, to forfeit one shilling.

1 Extracts from the Hampshire and Southampton County Paper and County Herald.

Volunteer Rifle
Corps. 1860.

3. Every one who shall talk in the ranks, or be wilfully careless, or inattentive to the words of command, to forfeit one shilling.

4. Every man who shall quarrel with his comrades, or give them ill language, or give ill language to an officer or sergeant whilst on parade, will be expelled the Corps.

5. All forfeits to be determined by the Committee for the time being.

6. That there shall always be a Standing Committee to whom all matters of dispute respecting forfeits shall be referred, and that the said Committee shall consist of the commissioned officers and six of the Corps chosen by themselves whose names shall be entered in the orderly book.

7. That if any man shall quit the ranks without leave he shall forfeit sixpence.

8.-Relates to the appointment of the non-commissioned

officers.

9.-Resolved that the commissioned officers, and also Thomas Gunner, John Pattern, Bridger Bradley, Thomas Edwards, John Chalcraft, and Nicholas Allen, be a Committee for regulating such of the matters of this Association as are to be regulated by a Committee.

THE ALTON VOLUNTEER RIFLE CORPS

Was started in the year 1860, and gazetted on August 20th as the 21st Hants R. V. The uniform was a dusty grey with green facings and black braid trimming. In 1870 the Company was joined to the 1st Battalion. In 1877 the uniform was changed to scarlet with black facings and white Austrian knots on the sleeves, the head dress being the Glengarry (now changed for the new field service cap). In 1879 the facings were changed to white, helmets also being worn; the uniform being the same as the County Regiments, only with silver instead of gold stripes.

The strength of the Company is now (1895) 84, including the band. Six of the members were presented with the "Long Service Medal," by H. R.H. the Duke of Connaught at Aldershot during the summer of 1895.

VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE.

The Volunteer Fire Brigade was formed on June 15th, Volunteer Fire Brigade. 1863. 1863. A brigade had been in existence in the Town for many years previously, but the plant was antiquated and the general character of the Brigade so unreliable in the case of a great fire, that it was the unanimous wish of the Local Board and the townspeople generally that there should be a reorganisation.

The necessary funds were collected for the purchase of plant, the Brigade was started, and Mr. Alfred Hetherington was elected Chief Officer. A Paxton Manual Engine was obtained, but it was found insufficient, and a steam fire engine was purchased of Messrs. Merryweather in 1864. The "Firefly" was the first fire engine to leave the Metropolis for a provincial town.

In 1876 Mr. Hetherington resigned his post and Mr. J. H. Dyer was elected Chief Officer in his stead.

Alton people have been justly proud of their Brigade from its very commencement, and now, after over thirty years, the Brigade was never better organized and manned, while the plant is far more extensive and effective. Quite recently one of the most commodious and thoroughly equipped fire stations in the south of England has been obtained, situated in Cutpound, close to the river.

The plant includes a new steamer, "Firefly the 2nd," recently purchased from Messrs. Merryweather to replace the first Firefly, a manual engine in excellent order, a hand hose truck for the Town, and a four-wheel van for the country (which is also used to convey some of the Brigade and plant), a telescopic fire escape ladder, jumping sheet, life saving line and other appliances, and about 1800 feet of hose.

The Town is well supplied with water, and from the mains and numerous hydrants the Brigade are able to get quickly to work in case a fire occurs in the Town.

Paper Mills.

Police.

THE PAPER MILLS.

These are situated near the Railway Station, and stand on the river Wey. At the back of the mill is a large pond called King's pond, through which the river flows. The mill originally belonged to a Mr. King, and a good deal of the paper made here still bears the water mark, “ W. King.” All the paper is hand made.

Mr. John E. Spicer took possession of the Alton Paper Mills in August, 1796. They were probably worked before 1700.

THE POLICE STATION.

In the old Map of Alton, dated 1666, the " Caige" stood on Normandy Hill, on the site now occupied by the Board Room of the Urban District Council. This Caige was still in use when I was a boy; it was a sort of shed or room with an old door, a window, without glass, only iron bars across and a wooden shutter. This was used as the Lock-up. The Hants County Constabulary was formed at the beginning of 1840, but it was not till the act of 1856 was passed that their appointment was rendered compulsory.

I find that "At a Vestry held the 24 Feb., 1872, the Parish were of opinion that as they were contributors to the County Rate, thereby having a paid body of men to discharge the duties of Constables, they were no longer needed."

The Police Station was originally situated at the foot of Normandy Hill, in the house now occupied by Mr. Ackland. It was afterwards removed to the house next the Red Lion. The present Station was built in 1845 at a cost of £1400, at the south-western extremity of the Town. It has been enlarged and improved since then. It is the Headquarters for the Alton Division of Police, which consists of an Inspector, two sergeants and twelve constables. It is occupied by the Inspector, one sergeant and a constable. There are three cells for the accommodation of prisoners.