Notes from Newport Town Council Minutes
These are not full transcripts of the Minutes. They are my own notes.
1896-97 (November 1896 - November 1897) Source: Newport-on-Tay Council Minutes, newspaper reports
| Election: 5 candidates for 3 vacancies - James Young, Thomas Roger, Captain George Rollo, James Mitchell, Henry A Pattullo. Result - H A Pattullo 284 votes, T Roger 275, J Young 222. Unsuccessful - G Rollo 189 votes, J Mitchell 142. Number of electors who voted - 439, 10 spoilt papers. [Advertiser 4 Nov 1896] |
| [Cupar District Committee of Fife County Council] The road roller has finished scarifying 6 miles of road to Lindores and it is now proposed to send it to Newport. [Advertiser 4 Nov 1896] |
| Andrew Leitch elected as Provost of Newport - biography of him. [Courier 7 Nov 1896] [Commissioners: Andrew Leitch Provost, John Welch Senior Bailie, Thomas Winton Junior Bailie, Edward Moir, Henry Pattullo, Alexander Robertson, James Lawson, Thomas Roger, James Young] |
| Worshippers in Newport Parish Church disappointed not to see the new Provost, Bailies and Councillors for the 'Kirking of the Council'. Some councillors refused to have the Kirking in the parish church year after year. Suggested that other churches might be used as well. Decided that this year no Kirking would take place. [Courier 9 Nov 1896] |
| [Comment piece] Complaints about the disreputable condition of the lane between William Street and St Phillan's Place. The state of the lane has for long been a reproach to municipal management. The Commissioners have frequently wasted money by laying down sand but all to no purpose - the traffic quickly renders this useless. ... Hoped that the Commissioners will get something done permanently. [Advertiser 16 Nov 1896] |
| [Letter to the Editor] Complaint about the new Provost and Commissioners - lack of the Kirking of the Council - possibly because the majority of the Commissioners are seceders from the state church? Lighting - lamps stayed on last Friday night for far too long, compared with other nights when it has been far too dark. signed A Ratepayer. [Advertiser 20 Nov 1896] |
| [Letter to the Editor] Don't blame the new Provost - he has not been in the position very long - and in that short time Queen Street has been macadamised (much needed) and the lane from William Street to St Phillan's Place is undergoing the same process now. I was blessing the new Provost. The previous letter writer should check his facts before rushing into print. signed Queen Street. [Advertiser 21 Nov 1896] |
| [Cupar District Committee, Fife County Council] The road roller has been at Newport during the last month. The surveyor expected it home on Monday night but it had not yet arrived. [Courier 2 Dec 1896] |
| The business of the meeting was keenly followed by a large number of ratepayers. Bailie Winton said he had been promised gifts of several seats from private parties for disposal on the Braes. [Courier 8 Dec 1896] |
| Six additional lamps are to be erected throughout the burgh; weekly wages of the lamplighters to be increased, dating from the beginning of the lighting season. Commissioner Roger suggested that the whole commission meet as a committee on the second Monday in January 1897 to discuss the matter of the Kirk Road in all its bearings. Agreed. [Courier 8 Dec 1896] |
| Mr Smith of Inverdovat notified that in future he would be unable to grant the use of the ground they had rented from him as a manure deposit. Arrangements for a suitable alternative left to committee. Letter from Mr W N Walker pointing out the number of accidents that had taken place in front of his property due to the steepness of Station Brae at East Newport. He suggested the steepest part of the road (Youngsdale Place to Cupar Road) be closed to traffic. Matter remitted to the streets committee. Commissioner Young proposed that the Magistrates be asked to recommend to licensed houses in the burgh that they close on New Year's Day. Agreed. [Courier 8 Dec 1896] |
| Commissioner Roger as lighting convener explained about the extended hours of lighting of the burgh after the normal time on a particular night recently which had caused some discussion amongst residents. It was not a matter the Commission could do anything about - the whole arrangement having been settled between the Gas Commission and the gentleman who requested the favour. [Courier 8 Dec 1896] |
| Accounts passed totalling between £400 and £500. The Commission would require an overdraft of £750 until the assessments came in. [Courier 8 Dec 1896] |
| Arrangements are being made for an official lamp to be placed at the gate of Provost Leitch's residence. Commissioner Robertson said 2 of the additional lamps should be placed in Kilnburn Place. The lamplighters' wages would be raised by one shilling. A subcommittee to discuss erecting urinals in the burgh. The cost of the extra gas involved in the additional lighting was 3½d. which had been paid by the party ordering it. [Advertiser 8 Dec 1896] |
| [Local news] Half-yearly meeting of students attending Dundee Technical Institute under the auspices of the Burgh Commission. List of students: John Dingwall, William Mathewson, George Blyth, Thomas Marshall, William C McMillan, David Latto, William Latto, Alex. Kidd, Robert Mathewson. [Courier 1 Jan 1897] |
| [Comment piece] Newport in 1896. The new police court - a grocer's barrow threatened to upend the public peace, but now Bailie Winton & Bailie Welch drop in of a morning, hear evidence, pass judgement, and go off to the city like any other ordinary mortal. The Commission is to be congratulated on a year of successful work. They have still not settled the Kirk Road question but as the road is surely dissolving in mud a solution is not likely to take long. [Advertiser 4 Jan 1807] |
| Commission will take no steps such as had been proposed towards shutting the road from the East Station to vehicular traffic, as it was believed there was no danger if horses were under proper control. Discussed the equipment and payment of the burgh firemen - more discussion required. [Courier 5 Jan 1897] |
| [Tay Ferries Committee, Dundee Harbour Trust] - improvements to ferries - included improved sanitary arrangements at Newport Pier at a cost of £350. Would Newport Burch Commissioners contribute to the structural cost? The Newport Commissioners were discussing erecting 2 places for the public, but that had nothing to do with the Tay Ferries Committee's decision. [Advertiser 2 Feb 1897] |
| Agreed, subject to conditions, to allow the Gaslight Co to open the road from the Gas Works in the burgh to the new gasholder to be erected at Northfield. The equipment of the local fire brigade had been inspected by Capt Ramsay of the Dundee Fire Brigade and found to be satisfactory. Several other matters about the brigade were left to committee. Agreed to carry out the proposed drainage extension in Albert Street, and to consider other extensions in the burgh - report required from Burgh Surveyor. [Advertiser 2 Feb 1897] |
| Provost reported that a deputation from them had been invited to confer with Mr Berry at an early date about the Kirk Road improvement scheme. The Tay Ferries Committee are carrying out improved sanitary arrangements at Newport Pier. Tenders by Messrs Tait & Mackie were accepted for kerbing and channelling throughout the burgh. Agreed to divide the kerbing between the contractors; the channelling to be carried out by Mr Tait who had given the lowest estimate. The Provost spoke highly of the new incandescent light introduced into the new lamps and suggested they be more generally used next winter. [Advertiser 2 Feb 1897] |
| Surveyor asked to report on Bailie Winton's proposal to form a kerbed and channelled gravel footpath on the east side of St Phillans Place. The railway company agreed to Commissioner Roger's proposals for a widened entrance and improved lighting at East Station. [Advertiser 2 Feb 1897] |
| Memorial celebrating the Queen's diamond jubilee? Suggestions included - a volunteer hall to be named the Victoria Hall; a public park; an extension to Comerton Home. Matter to be left meantime - 'as loyal citizens of Dundee we have already been asked to contribute' - Commissioner Pattullo. [Advertiser 2 Feb 1897] |
| Assessments outstanding - £142 - Mr Kemp empowered to take steps to recovery. Proposed footpath on east side of St Phillans Place - agreed to call on the proprietors to have a footpath made at an estimated cost of £29. Provost reported quite a number of communications about the Jubilee. Agreed that the Board join its congratulations with those to be offered by a Committee under the presidency of the Duke of Fife, having for its object the recognition of the beneficent legislation for children carried out during Her Majesty's reign. Burgh fire brigade - agreed not to provide uniforms; agreed to fix remuneration per man at £1 per year, the firemaster (Mr Walker) to receive £1-10-0. Captain Ramsay, Dundee fire brigade, said the burgh's fire extinguishing apparatus was in excellent condition. [Advertiser 2 Mar 1897] |
| Agreed expenditure of £325 for the year for repairs and improvements (metalling & channelling) to streets. Commissioners had agreed to petition the House of Commons in favour of the Newburgh & North of Fife Railway Bill, but this was unnecessary as the Bill was unopposed. Noted that the proprietors to the west of Misses Scott's property in Tay Terrace had agreed to form a kerb and footpath on the south side. [One of the proprietors concerned is Commissioner Roger.] Agreed to pass the names of those in arrears for rates be passed to the Sheriff officer for collection. [Advertiser 6 Apr 1897] |
| Proposed footpath on east side of St Phillans Place - Clerk and Surveyor to see one ot the proprietors who was not inclined to agree to the suggestion. Improvements on the roadway at East Station had cost £32-1-6, the railway agreed to contribute £16. Mr Young suggested putting lifebuoys and hooks at varous places along the east and west foreshore - left over to another meeting. Agreed to the repainting of the fountain on the braes. Inconvenience due to the absencce at intervals on duty of local police officers, particularly in reference to a recent disturbance - agreed to make representations to th Chief Constable. Noted that police officers had been officially notified that they might use their own discretion as to watching the arrival & departure of boats - this would give opportunity for a more efficient supervision of the burgh. [Advertiser 6 Apr 1897] |
| Mr Lawson again raised the question of a footpath from the UP church to the post office - left to next meeting. Estimate by Mr Tait, builder, for the Derby Cottage improvement was accepted. The one proprietor against the proposed footpath on St Phillans Place had submitted a lengthy letter - a small committee to meet with him and supply him with information as to his share of the expenses for improvement. [Courier 6 Apr 1897] |
| [Comment piece] Newport folks are much interested in tonight's meeting of the Commissioners at which it is anticipated that the proposals for the due celebration of the Jubilee Year will be discussed. It is anticipated that an effort would be made by the Commissioners to secure the braes and the cricket field either on a long lease or otherwise, and that the cricket field and braes would then be laid out as recreation grounds worthy of Newport. It is believed Mr Berry is willing to hand over the braes to the care of the commissioners and is also agreeable to giving the cricket field as it is at a nominal year-to-year rental. There is nothing to hinder the Commissioners coming to an agreement about the braes and proceeding with improvements there. In regard to the cricket field, however, there is a difficulty for the agents of Tayfield estate do not see their way to grant a long lease. As Mr Berry has all along acted very handsomely in reference to the cricket field - he must have spent £60 or £70 in improving the ground and making it fit for football, cricket and other games, and he has hitherto given the use of the field rent free. It would be a pity that any friction should arise over the matter. ... Commissioners could come to an agreement marking off land to be feued ... unlikely the flat ground south of the present building line would be in demand for building purposes for a long time to come. With a long lease, the Commissioners could lay out a very handsome park. I note from the minutes that the Old Kirk Road is still a difficulty. Mr Berry appears to have increased his offer from £300 to £500, the additional £200 to be paid when water is supplied to an extended area. As this is bound to come sooner or later, the Commissioners appear to be troubled over the interest on £200 for a number of years. It is a pity that an improvement cannot be made when everyone wants it to happen The matter of £100 would apparently more than priovide the missing link. [Evening Telegraph 3 May 1897] |
| The suggestion that a footpath should be made from th UP church to the Post Office on Boat Road was to stand over for a year - Mr Lawson agreed on the understanding that it would be carried out then. Resolved that the new street in front of the East Station should be known as Norwood. [Advertiser 4 May 1897] |
| Policing - reply from Captain Bremner of the County Constabulary - 'Only 1 police constable now attends for drill & pay at St Andrews, 1 remaining in Newport on Saturdays; if required, both will remain in Newport. As to the attendance on ferry boats - the first 3 in the morning and the last 3 at night are watched, also 3.30 and 4.30 in the afternoon. The burgh is patrolled during the other hours on duty, allowing usual time off for meals. Is the time coming on, do you think, when a third man should become a necessity? PS I look upon the watch on the boats being of importance.' [Advertiser 4 May 1897] |
| Mr Young's proposal for lifebuoys at intervals along the foreshore - a recent drowning at Arbroath and no precautions there, even more necessity for them in Newport. He proposed that lifebuoys be placed at the Old Pier, at Seacraig, Rickard's Point, and to the rear of Miss Eadie's property at West Newport. Cost would be less than £6. Messrs Young, Roger and Robertson were appointed a Committee, with powers [i.e. they were to sort the matter out and spend if necessary]. [Advertiser 4 May 1897] |
| Jubilee celebrations : a letter from the Fife County Committee asking the cooperation of the Commission on behalf of th Queen Victoria Jubilee Institute for Nurses. No - several members giving their opinion that some scheme nearer home might be supported. [Advertiser 4 May 1897] |
| Kirk Road - The Commission's committee reported : they had decided that the scheme, including making the road down to the Yellow Castle, was needed. Agreed that they should meet Mr Berry and try to get him to increase his contribution. Provost & Mr Pattullo met Mr Berry, there was correspondence subsequently with his agents that Mr Berry was willing to increase his contribution to £500 provided some arrangement was made to supply water to the higher parts of his ground. Since nothing definite could be said about extending the water supply, although this would be done sooner or later, and Mr Berry was insistent that his contribution be increased only if the water supply was provided, there is stalemate and Mr Berry's contribution remains at £300. Also the proprietors of properties abutting the road have not, as a body, agreed to support the scheme by contributing in the amounts suggested by the Commissioners. Therefore, the Committee cannot recommend that the scheme goes ahead. As far as the making of the road down to the Yellow Castle is concerned, Mr Berry is willing to give off ground to permit the road to be made to a desirable width. This would be most desirable and would need to be arranged with Mr Berry and his feuars and the proprietors on the east side of the road, who would all need to contribute to its formation. Committee recommends that the work on the road down to Yellow Castle be carried out. Discussion : the road was mainly for Mr Berry and his feuars and neither was anxious to have it improved. However a motion from Bailie Winton that the committee consider repairing the present road from Waterston Crook to the Cupar Road at its present width and metalling it; costs could be as little as £250 and would be sufficient for ordinary traffic; this was agreed. [Advertiser 4 May 1897] |
| [Letter to the Editor] What is Newport to do in commemoration of the Queen's record reign? All over the country great things are being done but Newport seems to be far behind or at a loss as to what to do. The sea braes improvement scheme is very good - but why not get what Newport is badly wanting - a public park and recreation ground? Waterston Park is not nearly large enough and it will soon be less, for they are to build on it, and on the Association ground too. If that is done where will the young lads go to? The burgh is increasing and the want of recreation ground will soon be badly felt. If the two Commissioners who at their election said they would see that ground would be procured would exert themselves they would find a large park at the south of the East Station where the Rugby used to hold its quarters. Why not endeavour to get it? It is central, and very level, and would altogether prove a very suitable ground. Hoping they will see to it and keep their promises as soon as possible. signed T W J. [Courier 21 May 1897] |
| [Letter to the Editor] ... further to the letter by TWJ, true there is Watertson Park - but what of it? Seeing we are in the middle of cricket now there is only one pitch on that park and the premier club plays on it. All the other clubs are fairly stranded for want of ground. I am glad to see that someone has tried to open the eyes of the Commissioners to their duty towards the youths of the burgh ... I think that by having a park laid out it would not only commemorate the Queen's reign, but be of everlasting benefit to the whole community. signed 'Junior' [Courier 25 May 1897] |
| Life saving apparatus (lifebelts and posts) would be put up immediately on receipt of consent from the proprietor of one of the placing points. Total cost 6 guineas. Plans for the improvement of the road at Yellow Castle had been agreed with Mr Berry's surveyor, Tenders for the work to be sought. A complaint was received from a resident in the street east of Linden Avenue complaining that the name Norwood Terrace given to it at the last Commissioner's meeting would inconvenience the residents there, who formerly used the name Linden Avenue. Some Commissioners were in favour of each option, agreed to continue with the name Norwood Terrace. Some small accounts passed for payment. Business closed after half an hour. [Courier 8 Jun 1897] |
| [Local News] Newport and the Jubilee - Provost Leitch explains. At the Comerton Home anniversary yesterday Provost Leitch explained why the local authorities had taken no steps with regard to the Jubilee celebrations. Newport, he said, in effect was really a portion of Dundee, and the residents had given ungrudgingly to the various philanthropic objects for which they had been appealed to. The matter of enlarging the Comerton Home had been discussed, but he was of the opinion that this would not be the right time to appeal to the public when so many demands were being made. Next year would be a much more favourable time. The Provost's remarks were evidently approved by those present and it was generally agreed that he had justified the course adopted by himself and his colleagues. [Advertiser 10 Jun 1897] |
| At the Police Court yesterday Bailie Welch admonished a youth living in the burgh for having been guilty of riding a bicycle without a light. Bailie Welch said in future any one guilty of such neglect would be severely dealt with. [Advertiser 19 Jun 1897] |
| A meeting of the burgh commission was held last night when a loyal address, which had previously been drawn up by Mr Pattullo and the Clerk, was formally approved. The address is a beautiful example of calligraphy, and is signed by Provost Leitch and Mr Scrimgeour, burgh clerk. [Courier 19 Jun 1897] |
| [Comment piece] Jubilee - Complaint is made to me from Newport that the Provost and Commissioners of the burgh did not appear at a special service in the Parish Church, a service which was attended by members of all classes and sects. [Evening Telegraph 21 Jun 1897] |
| [Local News] Jubilee Celebrations ... there was no public demonstration in the burgh ... flags were displayed at ... the Blyth Hall ...; ... at Wormit a bonfire was lit .. the children of Forgan School were treated by Mrs Arnot of Friarton, and Mr Berry of Tayfield kindly gave them a medal ... [Advertiser 23 Jun 1897] |
| The life-saving apparatus that the Burgh Commission agreed, on Commissioner Young's proposal, to provide for various points on the foreshore has now been placed in position. [Courier 5 Jul 1897] |
| At the monthly meeting it was resolved that no business be transacted out of respect to the memory of the late Mrs Leitch [who died as a result of a carriage accident at Bruar]. [Advertiser 14 Jul 1897] |
| At a meeting of the Burgh Commissioners last night, Provost Leitch said the thanks of the Commission were due to Mr Young for his action in getting the lifebuoys at the foreshore. Yellow Castle road improvements - details to be discussed in committee. [Advertiser 21 Jul 1897] |
| At the meeting of the Commission, a vote was taken on the naming of Norwood. Bailie Winton & Bailie Welch moved that both streets be named Linden Avenue. Commisioners Robertson & Lawson moved that the eastern one remain as Norwood. Provost Leitch & Mr Young supported the Norwood opetion, which was carried. Agreed that the Yellow Castle Road and the road in front of Bailie Welch's property be made up, channelled and kerbed, estimated cost £405, partly to be borne by proprietors in proportion to their frontages. Mr Berry had given off ground to enable the Yellow Castle Road to be widened to 36' . It was agreed to name the street in front of Bailie Welch's property Westfield Terrace. [Advertiser 10 Aug 1897] |
| Plans passed for alterations to Mrs Kelman's house at West Newport and Mrs Low's house at Myrtle Terrace. Burgh Surveyor to have the Blyth Fountain repainted. Mr Berry to be asked to fill up the old well near the west playing field [Courier describes this old well as adjoining the cricket pitch]. [Advertiser 10 Aug 1897] |
| [Letter to the Editor] Since Newport and Aberfeldy are 'Jubilee Burghs' (being formed in 1887), could anything better be thought of for the present jubilee than making into a passable condition the Auld Kirk Road from the Cupar Road to its connection with the Yellow Castle Road? It could be named 'Queen's Road' to identify it. ... [Advertiser 21 Aug 1897] |
| [Letter to the Editor] When will the Newport authorities awake from their slumbers and give us some light in the burgh? Meagre indeed is the supply of gas lamps in the streets ... hoping that the lamps will soon throw a cheering radiance on the weary wanderer's path. signed 'A poor benighted one' [Advertiser 1 Sep 1897] |
| Plans passed for a wash-house at the Granary. Mr Roger submitted a detailed report on the lighting of the burgh. Recommends erecting 12 new gas lamps and 7 incandescent lamps, the removal of some bracket lamps from the principal streets to the narrower roadways and the erection of pillar lamps in their places. Agreed to go ahead, £25 allocated to lighting committee, extra to be considered at the next meeting. The committee also had under discussion the lighting of private roads. [Courier 7 Sep 1897] |
| Mr Berry has agreed to close up the old well near the cricket field. Provost has spoken with some of the proprietors on the east side of Castle Road, and the clerk has written to others - Mr Berry, Mr Welch, Mr Easson, Mr Chalmers, Mr Worrall & Mr Leitch. Accepted the offer of £423-8-2½ from John Bain, Dundee for the Castle Road work. [Courier 7 Sep 1897] |
| Lighting report - 12 new lamps were required and a number needed to be shifted. Pillar lamps should be placed on the Boat Road pavement. Further, 7 incandescent lamps should be placed at other points - including at the stations, Kilnburn Steps, and Dr Stewart's corner in Cupar Road. Mr Roger asked for £50 to cover the costs, the commission agreed £25, more to be given if needed next month. [Evening Telegraph 7 Sep 1897] |
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