Notes from Newport Town Council Minutes
These are not full transcripts of the Minutes. They are my own notes.
1893-94 (November 1893 - November 1894) Source: Newport-on-Tay Council Minutes, newspaper reports
| Three vacancies: only 3 nominations - no poll required. Nominations: Alexander Scott, proposed by Sir John Leng, seconded by William Robertson of Balmore; John Fitchett Millar proposed by Peter Anderson, Kilnburn Place, seconded by David Brand, Tay Street; Henry Arklay Pattullo, solicitor, proposed by W N Walker, Hillpark, seconded by William Thomson jun, Lyndhurst. [Courier 1 Nov 1893] |
| [Cupar District Committee] The road roller is now at Newport and the Cupar District are getting 30s. a day for the use of it. [Advertiser 8 Nov 1893] |
| Alexander Scott elected Provost for the third time. Bailie Moir becomes First Bailie, Andrew Leitch becomes Second Bailie. [Advertiser 11 Nov 1893] Commissioners - Millar, Durham, Roger, Welch, Robertson, Pattullo |
| Assessment: burgh road rate to be 5d per £1 as before - 2.5d on tenants, 2.5d on owners, (the County rate is 6d), Drainage rate again fixed at 4d. General purposes rate 8d. - a reduction of 1d on last year. Rates therefore 10.5d on tenants and 6.5d on owners, plus the parochial rate will give a total rate of 15d on tenants and 11d on owners - a remarkably low rate for a burgh so well equipped in every public department. Accounts for roadmaking of approx £300 were approved. Rest of meeting in private. [Courier 14 Nov 1893] |
| [In addition to the Courier's item - ] Roads expenditure: total £281 9s. 2d., main items being Oliver Mathewson £48 11s 10d, Mr Black £64, David Mackie £29 6s, Robert Tait £37, services of steam roller £36, coals for the engine £7 9s 2d. For drainage, any extra expenditure created by the making of new drains to the west of the burgh might entail a further loan from the Public Works Loan Commissioners. [Advertiser 14 Nov 1893] |
| Presentation to Provost Scott, in recognition of his services to the burgh, to be held in Blyth Hall next Friday when he will also be entertained to dinner. A large silver coffee tray and a flower bowl. [Courier 2 Dec 1893] |
| Proposed extension of the drainage system to the westward - after consideration, it was referred back to the surveyor. January meeting to be on second Monday instead of the first Monday (New Year's day) [Courier 5 Dec 1893] |
| Banquet & presentation to Provost Scott in the Blyth Hall. An extensive report in the Advertiser. [Advertiser 9 Dec 1893] The Courier has a shorter report and a sketch of the Provost. [Courier 9 Dec 1893] |
| The license-holders in Newport have agreed to close on New Year's Day at the request of the Magistrates. [Courier 23 Dec 1893] |
| Newport in 1893. Police Commission have been as active as ever. On the front road a large quantity of metal was put down and the services of a steam roller were obtained to make the surface smooth and firm. A new street has been made from Linden Avenue to Craighead. No doubt it will soon be lined by a row of handsome villas. Presentation dinner for Provost Scott. Death of Senior Magistrate John H Walker. Newport has continued to expand - the new houses on Linden Avenue are all occupied. [Advertiser 27 Dec 1893] |
| New street at East Station - completed as per plans. Construction of gable and common walls on new buildings - clerk to find out what other burghs recommend. County Council ask for all burghs to use the services of the County Medical Officer instead of appointing their own - not a popular request - clerk to find out about other burghs' views. Accounts passed: hydrants & water fittings - £7 12s 1d; carting - £34 9s 2d. The burgh manure had been purchased by Mr Arnot, Friarton for £15. [Advertiser 9 Jan 1894] |
| Extension of the drainage system from the present termination westward to Woodhaven - surveyor to produce a plan carrying the drain from the new houses at Woodhaven west to an outlet, leaving the section from the existing drain to the new drain to be completed later on. Plan to be agreed with ex-Provost (of Dundee) Robertson who had planned the drainage system. [Courier 9 Jan 1894] |
| Plans for new houses - deferred until new rules concerning new buildings are devised. New road from Causewayhead Road northwards is complete, those liable for charges had been asked for payment. Agreed to pay the contractor £200 to account. Several new crossings had been laid in the burgh - cost of £36. The new trough in Cupar Road had cost £14. Since this was more than expected it was decided not to erect a trough at the west end of the burgh meantime. The trough at the pier is to be moved to the other side of the roadway. Surveyor to review kerbstone at Shepherd's Brae and renew if necessary. [Courier 6 Feb 1894] |
| Plans for drainage extension at Woodhaven - proposed outlet for the drain about 50 years east of the Mars Hospital, thus securing drainage of all the ground from Mr Leitch's property to the burgh boundary, and if necessary, any ground west of that point. Refer the plans to ex-provost Robertson, Provost Scott & the Surveyor to consider and report back. [Courier 6 Feb 1894] |
| Assessments were being paid in a satisfactory manner, out of a total of £1300 14s 8d only £222 12s 4d was now outstanding. Clerk to write to the secretary of the Telephone Company on this matter. [Courier 6 Feb 1894] |
| Discussion about the Wormit drains which were said to be in such an unsatisfactory condition as to be a danger to the health of Newport. Mr Durham made a statement regarding the action of the Parochial Board and the County Council on the matter. Proposed extension of the Newport drain westward to Woodhaven - carry it a little further westwards. Total cost £150. Correspondence with the Telephone Company about poles erected on the Commissioners' ground. Reported dangerous position of the telegraph poles between the hotel and the pier - Provost to speak to the postal authorities. Letter from the Scottish Cyclists Union about the 'warning to cyclists' sign at the top of Kilnburn Place - Commisioners could do nothing more on the matter. Bailie Leitch pointed out the lack of a drinking fountain in the west end of the burgh and proposed that the public well near Mr James Millar's property should be converted into a fountain and drinking trough. Surveyor to inquire & report back. [Evening Telegraph 3 Apr 1894] |
| [Cupar District Committee of Fife County Council] It was proposed to erect a joint hospital for the northern portion of St Andrews District. It would be available for Newport, Tayport, and the eastern part of Cupar District. Cost of the 18-bed building would be £2700 excluding ground and water supply. Agreed to remit to Joint Committee. [Courier 4 Apr 1894] |
| [Letter to the Editor] Wormit drains - at present 4 drains at Wormit empty over the cliffs. Two years ago the proprietors got notice to combine them into one and discharge in deep water. The County Council have not yet done this. Of the rest of the village, its drainage is superior to Newport's. [Advertiser 6 Apr 1894] |
| Accepted tender by Mr J Cowie for carrying out the new drainage scheme at Woodhaven. Letter from Telephone Company - offer of a concession on a connection from the Municipal Buildings, the concession being in lieu of payment for all telephone poles within th burgh. [No further comment / decision]. Accepted Mr Oliver Mathewson's tender for carting. Lighting the burgh - Mr Leitch suggesting that steps be taken to securing a more adequate supply for next year. [Courier 8 May 1894] |
| [In addition to the reporting in the Courier]: the price of the Woodhaven sewer contract is £186. Telephone poles - delay until arrangements made with the County Council. Mathewson's carting offer is at a cost of 11d. per hour. Lighting - darkness of the streets on certain evenings recently- has the street lighting been discontinued for the season? No, but present arrangement with the Gas Company is far from satisfactory, something better is hoped for next year. Mr Millar explained that if they lighted the lamps, the Gas Co charged them for a whole evening. Bailie Leitch said the gasworks on its present site was a great nuisance & he didn't understand how shopkeepers in the High Street could put up with it. He suggested bringing gas over the bridge from Dundee, erecting a gasholder near Wormit, & supplying both Newport & Wormit. Provost said something similar had been spoken of before, but it proved too expensive. [Advertiser 8 May 1894] |
| Mr Durham reported that he had complained on behalf of the Parochial Board to the County Council about the Wormit drains. As a result Mr Wedderburn of Birkhill & the feuars concerned had agreed to put right the drains to the east of the bridge, which left t he foreshore in a filthy and disgraceful condition. Approved plans for villas for Alexander Robertson & David Lindsay. The accounts of the Burgh appeared to be in a flourishing condition. Bailie Leitch remarked that with the rapidly increasing rental in Newport they should be able to reduce the assessment. [Advertiser 5 Jun 1894] |
| Accounts for the year. [Advertiser 11 Jul 1894] |
| Report on delays on proposed new hospital - County Council said there was no water supply at the proposed site. Complaint about the state of Victoria Street - the sloping banks at the side were crumbling down. Complaints about the state of Kirk Road - Provost said discussions were in place with the superior [Mr Berry]. The gas company to be approached about getting a more satisfactory arrangement for street lighting. Suggested that the charge should be based on the number of hours the lights remained lit instead of so much per night. [Advertiser 11 Jul 1894] |
| [Comment piece] Residents will be glad that a complaint has been raised about the condition of the Old Kirk Road. But if the discussions with the superior are in connection with creating a new road, then we may wait many years. The Commissioners have the power to put the road in at least passable and good sanitary condition. From a sanitary point of view the evil smelling part of the 'road' is a grave danger to the residents. [Evening Telegraph 11 Jul 1894] |
| Considered plans from David Thomson, Dundee for villas on the ground on the south side of the railway near the West Station and nearly opposite the platform. Plans accepted subject to there being a path skirting the railway in front, and also details about the Kirk Road behind. Plans for villas at Woodhaven (Mr James Murdoch) also passed. Supply of metal [stones for roads] by Robert Tait & David Mackie. Under the Act of 1892 the Commission could administer the Food & Drugs Act if it wished, but the County Council were offering to continue the existing arrrangement whereby Newport paid a part of the County Analyst's fees and the County would operate the Act. Agreed. [Advertiser 8 Aug 1894] |
| Lighting the burgh: following a meeting with the gas company, proposed to light the burgh earlier in the year and to continue it until a later date than previously. This year from 1 Sept to 30 April. For April, the commission would be charged for an average nightly lighting of 6 hours, and 7 hours for the other months. It might be necessary to employ extra lighting staff as the commission did not want to burn gas during daylight. The chairman said the lights would not be put out until after the last steamer and train arrived. Last winter the lamps were not lighted on 71 moonlight nights. Last winter the average cost was 12s 7d per night. [Advertiser 4 Sep 1894] |
| State of Kirk Road: in a deplorable state, made worse by the cart traffic to the new house being built at Westfield. Does the road belong to the proprietor of Tayfield or the Commission? Also in a bad condition at the Yellow Castle where one side is 18 inches higher than the other, and is exceedingly dangerous. Chairman said if the road is a private road they can only interfere on sanitary grounds. If it was a public road the Commissioners could keep it in good repair. Chairman would see the proprietor [Mr Berry] as soon as he came home. [Advertiser 4 Sep 1894] |
| Epidemic outbreak in Newport. Between 20 and 30 persons affected, young and old, within a very limited area in West Newport. Headache, sickness, sometimes choleraic diarrhoea, sometimes manifestations of influenza. Dr Stewart is at a loss to understand it. It is undoubtedly due to microbe poisoning. None of the patients are in danger. No fresh cases reported yesterday. [Evening Telegraph 14 Sep 1894] |
| Dr Stewart, medical officer, reported to the Commissioners about the epidemic outbreak. He was of the opinion that there was no disease among the cows in any of the byres which [would rule out] milk as being the cause of the outbreak. [Courier 20 Sep 1894] |
| Petition submitted by Mr Alex Geddes, wood merchant for a warrant to erect 2 semi-detached villas on ground opposite West Station. Approved. The municipal register [of electors] is to be also the parish council register. Request from School Board sending an application from apprentice tradesmen in Newport asking assistance in connection with technical classes - committee to meet with School Board. Retiring members: Andrew Leitch, Edward Moir & John Welsh. [Courier 2 Oct 1894] |
| [Comment piece] Representatives of Newport & Wormit on the County Council used to be very good at matters concerning roads. At Wormit special efforts were made to keep the main road a fair and regular width, and at some points at the west end of Wormit the road had been widened by the spoiling of the frontage of a new house. At Woodhaven, however, on the verge of and outwith the burgh boundary, the roadway is being kept dangerously narrow. Some of the corners on this road, on which the traffic is sure to be heavy, are certain traps and accidents are sure to happen. It seems ridiculous that in out-of-the-way parts of the burgh feuars should be compelled to pay for and give off 40-feet roadways, while on a main road, with heavy and steady traffic, an unmistakably narrow road should be passed without objection. It is certain that before long the present feuars will have to give off ground in order to at least make the roadway of a uniform width from Woodhaven to Wormit. [Evening Telegraph 4 Oct 1894] |
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