100 years ago

At a Marylebone inquest on Gilbert Moody, 36, French polisher, who had been employed at the aircraft factory, Hendon, it was stated that for several weeks he had complained of illness, and eventually was treated for jaundice.

Later he was removed to the Middlesex Hospital, where he had died. He had been engaged in applying dope, a very quick-drying varnish, to the wings of aeroplanes, and had frequently complained of the smell. The post-mortem showed that death was due to syncope from an acute and mysterious disease of the liver. Experiments on white rats with quantities of the dope had made the rats drowsy and on being killed the animals were found to be showing signs of quite extensive liver disease.

 

50 years ago

MPs were expected to crowd the Commons the following day for the debate on the Bill to abolish the death penalty. A comfortable majority was forecast for the Bill when put to a free vote. Mr Sidney Silverman, Labour MP for Nelson and Colne, who would introduce his Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Bill for Second Reading, would have strong support from both sides of the House. Main opposition would come from a hard-core of Conservative MPs, though many Conservatives were expected to abstain.

 

25 years ago

Property owners in North Yorkshire were sitting on a goldmine, according to a survey. The value of their homes was likely to treble by the year 2000 said the Woolwich Building Society. This would put up the price of a three-bedroom semi in York from £70,000 to £245,000.

The Woolwich based its findings on a survey of 37 towns and cities. However, North Yorkshire estate agents were sceptical. Mr James Wattrus, of Boulton and Cooper with Stephenson and Son, said: “My initial reaction is that it is a staggering increase.”