FROM this newspaper 100 years ago. - Last week a pony belonging to Mr Reay, Ripon, wandered from its stable accompanied by a collie dog named Tiger. The pair roamed the surrounding district for a week, and visited several farms, the pony always selecting the best pastures for feeding. The strange part of the story is that Tiger never left his companion, and disputed every effort to capture him. Many attempts were made to entice the collie away with food, but he was resolute in his guardianship. The couple have now been restored to their owner, apparently none the worse for their adventures. The pony is only 36 inches high.

From this newspaper 50 years ago. - Two skeletons unearthed by workmen digging foundations for old people's bungalows at Priory Close, Northallerton, on Tuesday, may be well over 400 years old. The site is on ground where a Carmelite Friary once stood and which was one of the last to suffer at the Dissolution. The remains are believed to have been from the former burial ground there. One of the skeletons appeared to be that of a tall person and the skull and teeth were in a fine state of preservation, and the other is a smaller one, probably of a boy. Human bones have been discovered near the site during previous excavations there.

From this newspaper 25 years ago. - A partnership between police and publicans is stamping out under-age drinking in part of the North. A crackdown over the last 12 months has halved crime figures in the Sedgefield area, which is studded with 110 pubs. In 1978 there were only 35 youngsters convicted for buying and drinking alcohol under age. The previous year 72 teenagers appeared in court. Chief supt Archibald McKenzie Adamson told licensing justices sitting at Sedgefield yesterday that the statistics were down to closer supervision of licensed premises with good co-operation from licensees.