A LOOK BACK IN TIME: On dit that

The Isle of Wight Observer of 28th February 1920 included a column headed ‘ON DIT THAT’. On dit is a French term, which translates into English as ‘one says’.

ON DIT THAT
There was quite a military gathering at the funeral of Lady Daly on Wednesday. Her ladyship was of a very charitable disposition and sympathetic nature and will be greatly missed in many quarters. She was an enthusiastic follower of the hounds and took part in the chase until quite recently.
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The Mayor had just a word to say about the young men who hang about the police-court on Monday mornings when they might be more usefully employed – in the Royal Air Force to wit.
No doubt a good many of them have been “fed up” with the Army and there must be very strong inducements held out to them before they will again forsake the “civies.”
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A well known public official, not connected with the Council, dispels the rumour that he is forming an independent golf club to which ladies would be admitted. It is wonderful how clubites get hold of these rumours.
At the same time ladies are taking an increasing interest in bowls and like a gallant gentleman to champion their cause.
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The Vicar was rather hard on the spiritualist cranks in his address at the Men’s meeting at All Saints on Sunday though he admitted there were undoubtedly some very clever minds at work.
What he seemed most against was table-rapping and seances with the mediums.
Undoubtedly many bereaved ones have derived great consolation during the war in the thought that they could communicate with those “in the shadows.”
An excellent suggestion was made that there should be conferences to discuss questions brought forward in the pulpit.
You can always say what you would like to the man in the pulpit and if you did you would be turned out for “brawling.” A lot of nonsense is frequently spoken there nevertheless.
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Although it is said too many girls are born in these times it is reported that the Vicar recently baptised six bouncing boys one after the other.
The return of the soldiers to their homes and occupations has had a marked effect on juvenile employment. The decline is no doubt due to the return of sailors and soldiers to their homes and pre-war occupations, thus displacing many of the youngsters who were having the time of their lives on the high wages they were able to command.