100 YEARS AGO: THE MAXWELL'S MARITAL STRIFE IN HANKY PARK

I love reading stories about the antics in Hanky Park, mainly because I was born there, the area of Hanky Park was roughly where Salford Precinct is now and was a mass of terraced houses, pubs, schools etc, and the name was obviously tongue in cheek because as I was told, the only grass seen was, that which grew between the cobbles.....

In February 1922 , Mr and Mrs Maxwell who lived in lodgings on Hankinson Street, made separate appearances at Salford Magistrates Court both charged with being drunk and disorderly.

First in the dock was Nellie Maxwell aged 27, Constable Metcalfe  told the Magistrate that he was on duty on Hankinson Street at 12.30am, after being told she wouldn't let her husband , George aged 32 into the house, she eventually opened the door and began, "bawling and shouting obscenities" at the hapless Constable. who took her into custody at Pendleton Hall.

The Magistrate Mr Makin asked Constable Metcalf what made him think she was under the influence of alcohol, he replied that she smelled very strongly of drink and was making no sense, Nellie denied being drunk and protested that she was taken into custody in her bare feet.

Mrs Wilford a Probation Officer told the Court that the couple were in lodgings in Hankinson Street, she had spoken to Nellie who told her that they had both been drinking and quarrelling, her husband was out of work and they lived on unemployment pay.

George Maxwell then appeared in the dock, and Constable Metcalfe again told the Court his version of events that happened on Hankinson Street.

He said that whilst he was taking Nellie Maxwell into custody, George grabbed at his sleeve and tried to rescue his wife from him, he was told to go home and look after their baby and then bring his wives clothes to the police station.

George went home and returned with the clothes but refused to go home and look after the baby, he refused and became abusive demanding to see his wife, and persisted in hanging about the police station shouting abuse, he then was taken into custody.

In his defence, George said that he had asked the Police Constable to come to his lodgings on Hankinson Street and let him get in and see his wife who had locked him out, and insisted that he had been helpful all the time, even trying to calm his wife down for him.

Police Constable Metcalfe told the Magistrate that George was shouting and was a nuisance to the neighbours with his language and eventually he had no choice but to lock him up.

The Magistrate, Mr Makin then fined them seven shillings and sixpence each and warned them if they didn't pay they would go to prison for seven days.

They do seem a colourful couple, can't say I would like them as neighbours, perhaps the threat of prison made them into a model,, loving couple.....