From the Evening News, November 5, 1992 - POLL tax rebel Brian Baxter gave town hall staff a mind bending problem when he paid his £175.75 bill - with 12,680 coins.

But they got their own back by refusing to accept 10 Irish one pence pieces given to him by the bank - and he had to write a cheque for 10p. A spokesman for the town hall's finance department said it was an "unconstructive way to pay". Mr Baxter, who lives in Blackburn Road, said: "I am doing this in protest because this tax is for the rich against the poor."

25 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

November 5, 1977

INFLATION will be down to single figures next spring if wage settlements are kept down to moderate levels. This prediction was made by Prices Minister Mr Roy Hattersley, speaking at Bolton Town Hall last night. He also said that although prices were still too high they were showing some signs of stability.

A MAN used the same 10p piece in his gas meter for nearly two years, magistrates were told yesterday. When inspectors read his meter in September, they found he had used £500 worth of gas, but had only 20p in his pre-payment meter. He was fined £30, and ordered to pay the Gas Board £387, which is what he would have paid for the gas taking into account the rebate which would have been due.

50 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

November 6, 1952

THIS year Bolton people "splashed out" on fireworks. There have been lots more fireworks because manufacturers have had more raw materials at their disposal, and there has been an increase in the amount of paper, cardboard and labour available.

One local shopkeeper said the most expensive firework he had dealt with was selling at 10s (50p). He calculated that the average parent had spent about 5s (25p) per child. The choice of fireworks was made on a simple basis -- bangers for boys and decorative types for girls. Rockets cost 1s (5p).

100 YEARS AGO

From the Evening News,

November 6, 1902

AS the Chief Constable (Mr J Holgate) was proceeding to town in the Rishton Lane area this morning, just before half-past eight, he was eye witness of a savage attack made upon a youth named Robert Openshaw.

At once descending from the car he arrested Joseph Hubbersty (25), a packer, residing at 95, Weston St., Great Lever, and later on the case came before the Borough Magistrates. Apparently, Hubbersty had kicked the lad thrice in the stomach and once on the leg.

The Magistrates characterised the assault as a most serious one, and intimated that if the prisoner had had his full senses they would have dealt severely with him. He would have to pay a fine of 10s and costs, with the alternative of fourteen days' hard labour.