25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, September 18, 1971

UNISEX clothes have returned to the scene, underfoot as it were. Shoe designer Stephen Topper, who has been studying men's fashion in a women's fashion world, now designs many shoes to maintain the trend. Among his unisex collection are calf, knee and thigh-length boots in canvas, suede and leather to set off the sexiest hotpants (male and female) or the wildest suit. Colours range from rich rusty suedes to the shockingest pink leathers, adorned with stars, stripes and patches, Union Jack toe-caps.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, September 19, 1946

MR Winston Churchill, speaking at Zurich University, today pleaded for immediate action to begin to build a United States of Europe, which he described as the 'sovereign remedy' for the tragedy of present-day Europe.

The first step - "it will astonish you" he told his audience - must be a partnership between Germany and France, and a "council of Europe" would have to be formed.

125 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News, September 19, 1871

THE Lahore papers brought by the Indian mail give prominent notice to the fact of an Englishman, Mr Charles Davies, and his wife being illegally kept prisoner by the Rajah of Jheend, a small native state in the Punjaub. Mr Davies joined the service of the Rajah about five years ago as bandmaster, and has been very successful in raising bands among the natives, who, under his instruction, became sufficiently skilful as to be competent to play before Lord Mayo and the Ameer of Affghanistan at the Umbralla Durbar, and before the Duke of Edinburgh at Lahore. The bandmaster had, however, incensed the Rajah, who possesses power of life and death over his own subjects, by giving frank advice to a British solder not to enter the service of Jheend without certain guarantees. The letter fell into the hands of the potentate, who, annoyed at the expression that the "natives were deceitful" ordered Mr Davies, with his wife and family, into close confinement, placed four sentries over them, took possession of all his property, deprived him of writing materials, detained all his letters, and stopped his correspondence. Mr Davies had no trial; and he and his family have been kept close prisoners for the last four months. It is believed that the remonstrance of the Indian Government will not be lost upon the ruler of Jheend.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.