From the Evening News, April 2, 1992

SHAMED Bolton sea captain Stanley Lord, branded a coward 80 years ago for failing to go to the rescue of the stricken Titanic, could not have saved any of the victims, an inquiry ruled today. The two-year Government inquiry has concluded that the "unsinkable" liner's distress signals after it hit an iceberg were seen, and that Captain Lord's ship, the SS California, did not take proper action. But it added that even if he had taken reasonable measures, the outcome of the tragedy, in which 1,490 people drowned, would not have been different because the California would have arrived too late to save anyone.

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, April 2, 1977

FOOD, heating, keeping a roof over your head, and travelling, are the main causes of the 16.6 per cent rise in living costs since January last year. Coal, coke, food, mortgages, and fares have all gone up more than 20 per cent - and the price of food accounted for more than a third of the total increase.

NEARLY £50,000 is to be spent on restoring the historic Ridgmont House, Horwich (built in 1812) for use as a lodge by Horwich Masonic Association.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, April 2, 1952

MANY of us nowadays count our pennies far more carefully than we did, say, a year ago. The time may even have come when we should count the farthings. The obstacle to this is that, although the coins are legal tender, Bolton is not a farthing town.

Some women are beginning to feel that that is unfortunate. For instance, the price charged for a small loaf in Bolton shops is 4d. One Bolton woman who wrote to the Ministry of Food has been assured that the price of a 14oz. loaf, if bought at a shop and taken away by a customer, is 4d, but if the bread is delivered by the baker, a small charge such as this may be made for delivery.

If offered 4d the baker would have to accept. If, however, a farthing change from 4d is demanded he would, having no supplies of the small coin, be in some difficulty.

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, April 1, 1902

WHILE smallpox has, for some time past, been raging in many towns in different parts of the country, Bolton has enjoyed immunity from the dread disease, but this morning we learn that a case has occurred in Cannon-st., the victim being a man named James Troughton, who has worked for some time in Liverpool, and who came to Bolton last weekend to spend the holidays. On it being discovered that Troughton was suffering from the disease the matter was reported to the sanitary authorities, and he was at once removed to the Hospital. Every precaution was taken to prevent the spread of the malady.