Notes from Newport Town Council Minutes
These are not full transcripts of the Minutes. They are my own notes.
1892-93 (November 1892 - November 1893) Source: Newport-on-Tay Council Minutes, newspaper reports
| At a meeting of his friends Mr William Ferrier, plasterer, agreed to come forward as a candidate at the forthcoming election of Police Commissioners [Fifeshire Journal 27 Oct 1892] |
| 6 candidates for 4 places: James Gold solicitor (proposed by William McFarland & P H Sellars), Alexander Robertson builder (proposed by James Hutcheson & David Mackie), Thomas Roger grocer (proposed by William Dickson & George Scrimgeour), James Durham wholesale stationer (proposed by William Robertson & Robert Tait), George Rollo shipmaster (proposed by William Fenton & John Jackson), John Welch bank accountant(proposed by George Mitchell & William Dickson). Welch, Robertson & Gold are the retiring members and Durham, Rollo & Roger are the new candidates. The contest will no doubt be conducted in a spirited manner, as some feeling has been shown that the retiring members have not met the ratepayers in any way, or given an account of the work of the Commission during their term of office. [Advertiser, & Courier 28 Oct 1892] |
| Comment. At Newport it is expected that 2 new men will be returned. An attempt was made to arrange for holding a joint meeting but the candidates seem timid about meeting the electors. [Evening Telegraph 31 Oct 1892] |
| Result of poll. 349 voters attended out of 596. Bailie Robertson 215, James Durham 189, Thomas Roger 166, John Welch 154, James Gold 124, Capt. Rollo 122. There were 5 spoiled papers. Elected Robertson, Durham, Roger & Welch. [Courier 2 Nov 1892] |
| Mr George Rollo, Woodriffe Tce, Newport writes to say that he is not the Mr George Rollo who is a member of the Forgan School Board and who was a candidate for one of the vacancies in Newport Police Commission. [Advertiser 3 Nov 1892] |
| To the Electors of the Burgh of Newport: Ladies & Gentlemen, Accept my best thanks for the honour you have conferred on me in again returning me as one of your representatives at the Police Commission. Yours faithfully, A Robertson, Newport 2 Nov 1892. [Courier 3 Nov 1892] |
| Commission: Chief Magistrate Scott, Senior Magistrate Walker, Junior Magistrate Moir, Commissioners Leitch, Millar, Robertson, Durham, Roger, Welch |
| Plans & sections of a new road on Tayfield estate have been lodged with the Commission with a view to fixing their levels. The road is to extend along the south-east side of the railway, northeastwards from the railway station, over Gowrie Hill to the bridge under the railway at Craighead [despite the directions, this is Norwood]. Mr Berry is desirous to have the road constructed in time for building operations in the spring. This will open up fine sites for villas. The ground alongside the new road on the southwest of the railway [this is Linden Avenue] has now all been built upon with fine double villas by Mr Robertson who has managed to sell them as they were built. The Commissioners have been negotiating with Mr Berry as to improvements in the neighbourhood of West Station. Mr Berry is having a plan drawn up to show how Kirk Road might be improved. The residenters in the neighbourhood will be glad to hear this, for the Kirk Road greatly requires improvement. [Advertiser 21 Dec 1892] |
| Road improvements. Now that they have secured the control of the money paid by the ratepayers for roads upkeep, the Commissioners have shown the most commendable promptitude in arranging for the roads being put in a proper & safe condition. Under the direction of the surveyor, Mr Cappon, the roads have been heavily metalled in all weak places, the work having been undertaken with painstaking care by Inspector Walker and his staff of workmen. Instead of waiting till the metal would be crushed into condition by carriage & cart horses at a very heavy cost in horse and vehicle value, rollers have been worked over the roads, and yesterday a heavy steam road-roller was set to work over the newly macadamised surface. The Chief Magistrate & Commissioners have taken a close interest in the work of road improvement, and not only have all the roads in the burgh been carefully examined and put in order but fences have also been renewed and repaired, so that the ratepayers are getting value for money for the assessment such as the burgh has not hitherto known. [Courier 24 Dec 1892] |
| The licence holders in the burgh have had addressed to them a letter from Mr John Scrimgeour the police clerk, stating that the Magistrates of Newport, having in view the recommendation to Dundee licence holders to close their places of business on Monday 2 January, consider it very desirable that the licence holders in Newport should also close their premises on that day. An answer is requested to the letter, and it is understood that the ecommendation will be generally complied with. [In the original 'license' is used throughout.] [Courier 27 Dec 1892] |
| [Public Notice] The Restaurant, Newport, will be closed on Monday 2 January. Charles Clark, Proprietor [Evening Telegraph 27 Dec 1892] |
| Police Assessment Appeals - none. [Courier 30 Dec 1892] |
| A committee meeting of the Police Commission was held last night at which intimation was made that Mr Berry of Tayfield proposed to open up a road in continuation of Linden Avenue along the south side of the railway onwards to the railway bridge at Craighead Farm. Agreed to serve the necessary intimation. [Courier 30 Dec 1892] |
| Accounts passed: Mr Mathewson, contractor, for cartage £37-17-6. Of this sum £16-16-0 is applicable to roads and £21-10-0 to the burgh. Correspondence about the proposed opening up of a new street at East Newport. The new thoroughfare which is to be 25' in width, is to run parallel to the railway beginning at a point on the Causewayhead Road near Linden Avenue and running northwards to the railway bridge near Craighead Farm. Mr Robertson said 25' was scarcely a sufficient width for such a street. Burgh Surveyor stated that the levels of the street were to his satisfaction. It was outwith the power of the Commission to order that the street should be made broader than 25' but it was resolved to suggest to the proprietor that it be made somewhat wider. Clerk was instructed to make the necessary intimations in connection with this matter. [Advertiser 30 Dec 1892] |
| Newport in 1892 - The electors are to be congratulated on securing the services of Mr Roger, who, as the leading shopkeeper in Newport, is greatly interested in the propserity of the burgh. Chief Magistrate Scott gives a large proportion of his time to municipal affairs. The roads were taken over from the Roads Trustees and immediately the Commission set about making much-needed improvements. A large quantity of road metal has been put down, and a heavy steam roller has been employed to crush down the stones and make the road smooth. In a little time it is expected that the high road within the burgh will be in a most satisfactory condition. Generally the Police Commission has attended most assiduously to the comfort and well-being of the community. The streets are well lighted - except, it is said , on Sunday evenings, when the light seems to be unduly restricted. The roads are well kept and recently sand was put down to make walking safer when frost came after a thaw. On the back roads, however, and on streets like Kilnburn Place, which being very steep, are extremely dangerous at such times, this was not done soon enough, and one much respected gentleman met with a serious accident. [Advertiser 31 Dec 1892] |
| Mr Scrimgeour, clerk to the Police Commissioners, has received intimations from the license-holders in Newport that they are to close their business today, in accordance with the recommendation of the magistrates. [Courier 2 Jan 1893] |
| Cupar District Committee: The [road] roller had been let out to the burgh of Newport to make a little money. [Courier 4 Jan 1893] |
| Proposed new road [Norwood]: Suggestion to increase the width from 25' to 30' had been communicated to Mr Berry. He considered 25' to be ample considering the small amount of traffic - if the Commission wanted it to be wider they would have to pay for the land. Chairman Scott said the great drawback of many of the strreets in Newport was their narrow width. The existing (Lindsay) Act gave them only powers over the levels of new streets, the new (Burgh Police Act) will give them powers over the width as well. Wait until Whitsunday when the new Act comes into operation. [Advertiser 10 Jan 1893] |
| Need for hospital accommodation - a recent case of scarlet fever had been sent to King's Cross Hospital, Dundee. Dr Stewart pointed out that an outbreak of fever would require more accommodation than Dundee could provide. The proposal to erect a joint County Council & Burghs hospital was still under consideration. [Advertiser 10 Jan 1893] |
| As a result of an appeal in Carnoustie, the burgh would not be liable for payment of the County Medical Officer as Newport has one of its own. [Advertiser 10 Jan 1893] |
| Letter to the Editor - praising Newport for using sand on the roads and footways - clean & simple - should be used in Dundee instead of danders and dirty ashes as at present. [Advertiser 17 Jan 1893] |
| [Comment Piece] In Dundee reporters are not admitted to committee meetings of public bodies but are routinely given a report by the clerk of the business transacted. In Newport it is different - newspapers 'have no right' to publish anything discussed at a meeting to which the press has been excluded. Last night there was a committee meeting of the Police Commissioners which discussed matters of considerable public interest but the reporters were given no information for publication. It is not uncommon to hear complaints of lack of interest in municipal affairs by the people of Newport, but if they are kept in entire ignorance they cannot exhibit any intelligent interest in public business. [Evening Telegraph 15 March 1893] |
| Statutory meeting - after reading the minutes of the previous meeting, on account of the holiday it was adjourned till Monday next week [Courier 11 April 1893] |
| Proposed new sewer in the new street to be opened up to the south of the East Railway Station. No objections. Accepted tender from Messrs Mitchell & Band - £108 14s 4d. Hydrants to be put in the street, also Burgh Surveyor to report if hydrants are needed at any new points in the burgh. Lighting Convener to report on any lighting needs. [Courier 18 April 1893] |
| Agreed to delay notification to feuars about the formation of Victoria Street until the Burgh Police (Scotland) Act comes into operation in a month's time. Tenders for construction of a new sewer for the new street leading from Causewayhead Road, above the East Railway Station, to Craighead were submitted. Mitchell & Baird's tender £108-4-4 accepted. The sewer will drain the street from the crest of the hill at the wood and will be connected to the main sewer sat the railway station. Mr Leitch enquired if the commissioners' water cart had been out recently - he had heard it had never been west of Boat Brae! It had been a very drouthy spring and there was a lot of dust. Chief Magistrate replied it had been west on Friday or Staurday. Mr Leitch said that would have been the first time this year and shopkeepers had been complaining about the dust. Lighting convener proposed discontinuing the public lighting next moon. Put a new lamp at south end of Linden Avenue near the railway bridge? Nuisance caused by emptying of ashes and garbage over the iron railings at the water trough at the Ferries Pier making the beach at the corner of the pier an ashpit. Steps to be taken to remedy the matter. The next meeting will be the first one under the new Act - the title of 'Provost' will no longer be a matter of courtesy. Commissioners advised to read up about the new Act. [Advertiser 18 April 1893] |
| Attempt has been made to stop a right of way at Newport. The boarding up of a footpath which leads in a diagonal direction from the public road immediately east of Mr Carr's house, East Newport on to the foreshore, Fishermen's Station, and the old road to Tayport. The footpath has always been a public thoroughfare. When houses were built some 30 years ago to the east of Mr Carr's house, the builders were expressly prohibited from encroaching on the footpath, the right of which to pass along the shore in front of the houses in that part of Newport was most rigidly maintained. The path affords access to a well-wooded and much-frequented park along the braes to the old Volunteer battery … one of the prettiest walks in the neighbourhood. Hopes that authorities will take steps to vindicate the right of way. [Mr Carr's house was 75 Tay Street, the path ran along past Kempstane to what is now the foot of the road bridge.] [Courier 26 Apr 1893] |
| Right of Way case at Newport: considerable attention. Question informally discussed by members of the Police Commission who consider it an outrage of public liberty to barricade the pathway in any way. To close the road would limit the public's right to the foreshore, which communities are beginning to regard as something special. A right of way is maintained along the foreshore, this having been established beyond question in a Court of Session action, and, apparently in the belief that access was available from the public road by the path in question. Various titles are being examined, steps likely to be taken immediately. [Courier 27 Apr 1893] |
| The Newport right of way case has undergone an interesting development - the obstruction placed on the footpath having been removed during Thursday night. The method of closing it was the usual one of erecting 2 bars. Yesterday morning it was found that during the night these had been removed by person or persons unknown, who, actuated by the humour of the affair, nailed them in the form of cross-bones to the adjoining pailing, thus leaving the road clear. The public will now watch with interest. Several influential gentlemen in Newport have expressed themselves as determined, in the interests of the community, to test the proprietor's right in the event of the obstacles complained of being again raised. If necessary, a public subscription, it is said, will be raised for this purpose. [Courier 29 Apr 1893] |
| First reported meeting since the Burgh Police (Scotland) Act, 1892 came into operation. Chairman now referred to as Provost. Congratulations to Sir John Leng MP on being awarded a knoghthood. Victoria Street - Mr Berry was willing to play his part in the matter of laying out the street. Mr Kyd likewise, but he prefers to do it under the terms of the new Act. Street to be macadamised with channelling & kerbing on each side. New sewer at East Station - North British railway Co had no objections to it passing below the railway. 9-inch cast iron pipe to be used. Contribution towards maintenance of the roads - received £35 6s. 6d. from St Andrews District Road Trustees after Newport had appealed to the Secretary of State. [Advertiser 15 Jun 1893] [Newport had been constituted as a burgh under the General Police and Improvement (Scotland) Act, 1862 (the' Lindsay Act').] |
| Proposed joint hospital - letter from Board of Supervision suggesting that, with the prevalence of smallpox & the outbreak of cholera on the continent, a record be kept of the unoccupied houses in the burgh to be used as reception houses should an outbreak occur. But it was known that Dr Littlejohn, Medical Officer of the Board of Supervision, was in favour of the plans for a joint hospital with Tayport and the District Committee of Fife County Council, and this would be a solution more acceptable to the inhabitants of Newport. Agreed to delay making the list until it was known what was to happen about the joint hospital. [Advertiser 15 Jun 1893] |
| New villas at East Newport - plans by Alexander Robertson for 8 houses - 4 blocks of 2 semi-detached - to be erected on the east side of the new street at the East Station [Norwood]. New Act is contradictory on the issue of party walls. Wait until the practice in other burghs is seen. [Advertiser 15 Jun 1893] |
| A meeting had been held on 29 May [unreported]. The seal which had previously been in use with the motto 'Hygea Duce' had been approved as the common seal of the burgh, and as per the new Act the following officials were reappointed under their existing terms and salaries: James Scrimgeour clerk, F G Kemp treasurer & collector, T M Cappon surveyor, Dr Stewart medical officer, W Walker sanitary inspector. Alex Tosh appointed auditor. A committee to arrange for additional water troughs at convenient points in the burgh, & ask Harbour Trustees to move the trough at the pierhead to a less dangerous position. Other items as reported in the Advertiser, [but in less detail]. Plans passed for a temporary workshop and for an addition to a villa in the west end were passed. Future meetings to be held on firth Monday of each month. [Courier 15 Jun 1893] |
| [Comment piece] The Provost has been doing his bit to secure a suitable site for a skating pond for the village but difficulties seem to be put in the way. Unless action is taken now Newport will be without skating facilities next winter. More of a concern is the demand for bathing facilities, for which the new Act gives the Commissioners special powers in connection with the care of the beach & providing bathing facilities - it is time something was done. [Evening Telegraph 11 July 1893] |
| A site near St Michael's is being considered for a cottage hospital talked of for Newport, Tayport and the landward district. [St Andrews Citizen 15 Jul 1893] |
| [Meeting of Dundee Water Commission] Application by Alexander Robertson for water supply to new houses he was building [Norwood]. The engineer said that owing to the elevation of the houses, it would not be possible with the present system to give a satisfactory supply continuously. Mr Robertson was not satisfied as he believed he was bound to get a continuous supply night and day as he was within the compulsory area. Provost Scott suggested a small committee look into this. [Advertiser 28 Jul 1893] [Water supply was not a responsibility of Newport Town Council.] |
| [Meeting of Dundee Water Commission] in addition to the report in the Advertiser - Provost Scott reported that there would be great difficulty getting a supply there because of the lack of pressure. 18 months ago there was a lack of pressure in the western parts of Dundee and additional mains had been provided to improve the supply there. [Courier 28 Jul 1893] |
| [Dundee Water Commissioners] agree to extend supply to the new houses at Norwood. a six-inch main to be laid from the Cupar Road, cost £260, water to be supplied only to such a height as it would rise by gravitation from the present distributing reservoir. [Courier 8 Aug 1893] |
| Government grants received. Part of it is supposed to be for technical education - but this is provided by Dundee, so it would be better used by applying it to relief of rates. No decidion meantime. [Courier 5 Sep 1893] |
| Formation of Victoria Street - William Farquharson, London, refuses to give over a small part of his land on the corner of Victoria St and Youngsdale Place to have allowed a smoother junction. [Courier 5 Sep 1893] |
| Report from Board of Supervisions - Sanitary condition of the burgh is good, but advisable to adopt the Infectious Diseases Notification Act. Also byelaws should be made to cover the duties of the sanitary inspector and the medical officer. Agreed to write byelaws. Letter received about cholera at ports. Provost stated that steps were being taken to erect an epidemic hospital in conjunction with St Andrews District. Councillor Leitch stated that cholera would never come to Newport - it is too healthy a place. [Courier 5 Sep 1893] |
| Kilnburn steps - danger caused by too much gravel being washed down on to them. Agreed to alter the drainage of Kilnburn itself, rather than alter the steps. [Courier 5 Sep 1893] |
| Lighting - Public lamps to be got ready with as little delay as possible for the winter season. Lamps should be kept lighted till 10 o'clock on Sunday nights rather than 9 o'clock as previously. [Courier 5 Sep 1893] |
| Special meeting - death of Senior Bailie John H Walker of Westwood. He had been elected senior magistrate at the first town council meeting in 1887. [Advertiser 6 Sep 1893] |
| Public notice - Registration of Voters - List of those entitled to vote in the election of commissioners of the burgh of Newport is open to public view. Objections / claims to be made if required. [Courier 19 Sep 1893] |
| Register of voters contains 397 males, 178 females; no applications for admission. [Advertiser 22 Sep 1893] |
| Public meeting calling for Provost Scott, whose term of office ends at the end of the month, to stand again as Provost. Support of the whole commission [council], Sir John Leng, and over 100 residents. Praise for Provost Scott's work for the burgh. Provost Scott said he believed that the honours should go round, but he accepted. [Advertiser 3 Oct 1893] |
| Plans for 2 semi-detached villas for Daniel Lawson at Woodhaven immediately west of Mr Murdoch's property were approved. [Courier 3 Oct 1893] |
| Retiring: Provost Scott & Mr Millar, as well as the vacancy caused by the death of John H Walker. [Courier 3 Oct 1893 |
| Public dinner in the Blyth Hall for Provost Scott. Handsome and costly testimonials to be given to Provost Scott and his sister-in-law: 2 pieces of plate, salver, bowl & a diamond ring, all on view at Ramsay, goldsmith's. [Evening Telegraph 8 Oct 1893] |
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