Notes from Newport Town Council Minutes
These are not full transcripts of the Minutes. They are my own notes.
1891-92 (November 1891 - November 1892) Source: Newport-on-Tay Council Minutes, newspaper reports
| Newport Election. There are 4 candidates for 3 vacancies - Andrew Leitch, shipowner; Edward Moir, merchant; William Thomson jun, shipowner; James Gold, solicitor. [Courier 30 Oct 1891] |
| Mr William Thomson jun, shipowner, Lyndhurst, one of the gentlemen nominated for election to the 3 vacancies on the Police Commission, has withdrawn his nomination - he only wanted to be put forward if there were insufficient candidates and did not want there to be a poll. Unfortunately, as 4 valid nominations were received, the poll must go ahead at considerable expense. [Evening Telegraph 30 Oct 1891] |
| [Letter to the Editor] ... draw attention to the autocratic manner in which the Commissioners treat the electors. Although there are 3 vacancies to fill, the Commissioners have not deigned to meet the electors to offer the slightest information regarding the work of the Commission or to explain the steps that some of their number had taken to fill the vacancies. Had this been done, the ratepayers would in all probability have been saved the cost of a contested election. As the election must now go on, ... hope the electors will vote in favour of an infusion of new blood. signed 'Woodhaven'. [Courier 2 Nov 1891] |
| Of the 584 voters on the roll of the burgh of Newport only 95 put in an appearance yesterday. This apathy is attributed to the fact that the poll was regarded as a formality by many. Result: William Thomson jun - 68, Edward Moir - 61, Andrew Leitch - 46 (all elected); James Gold - 40 unelected. There were 7 bad votes. [Advertiser 4 Nov 1891] |
| [Comment piece] As a contented and somnolent community Newport 'takes the cake', 95 voters out of 584 on the roll testifying to their interest in the contest rendered necessary by the honourable ambition of a public-spirited but superfluous candidate. [Evening Telegraph, 4 Nov 1891] |
| Meeting of Cupar District Committee of Fife County Council. - Commissioners of Newport were anxious to join in the acquisition or erection of a hospital [to serve the district, and not necessarily in Newport]. [Fifeshire Journal 5 Nov 1891] |
| Statutory meeting of Police Commissioners held this afternoon. Edward Moir & Andrew Leitch, the newly-elected commissioners, intimated their acceptance of office. Letter from William Thomson jun, Lyndhurst expressing regret at being unable to be present & stating that he did not at present see his way to accepting office. Chief Magistrate Scott said it fell to the Commission to fill the vacancy and advised adjourning until this evening. [Evening Telegraph 9 Nov 1891] |
| At the evening meeting Chief Magistrate Scott explained the state of affairs in connection with the election. James Gold, solicitor, who was a candidate, was unanimously elected to the vacancy. Before accepting office, Mr Gold insisted that correspondence between himself, Mr Thomson & Mr Scott should be read. Letter from Gold to Thomson strongly urging Thomson to accept. Reply from Thomson declining to accept & stating that under the circumstances he could not look upon the result of the poll as satisfactory, and urging Mr Gold to accept the office. Mr Gold then accepted office saying he had no doubt he would work in harmony with his fellow commissioners. The fixing of assessments was left to another meeting on Wednesday. [Courier 10 Nov 1891] [full letters published in Advertiser] |
| Commissioners: Chief Magistrate Alexander Scott, Senior Magistrate John H Walker, Junior Magistrate Alexander Robertson, Commissioners Andrew Leitch, John F Millar, John Welch, Edward Moir, James Gold, Alexander Duncan. |
| Adjourned meeting of the Commission [only 4 members present] - (1) Assessment fixed at 4d the same as last year. Drainage debt is £4555 and they had to reduce this by £138 + interest yearly. Debt of £41 for extension of drainage. For police purposes £760 is required. £70 of local revenue will come in, and an assessment of 10d per £ would bring in about £750. Proposed setting a rate of 10d, one penny less than last year. This would allow reduction of the debt from £290 to about £200. Rates agreed. Payments due 1st January. (2) The Library Committee was reappointed. [Courier 12 Nov 1891] |
| [Comment piece] Newport ratepayers no doubt pleased that there is a reductiuon of assessment and are grateful to Commissioner Leitch for his efforts in advocating this reduction. [Evening Telegraph 12 Nov 1891] |
| Expense of the election was £25 [Advertiser 12 Nov 1891] |
| Public Notice. The following assessments have been imposed: (1) at 10d per £1 for the Police purposes of the Act on all occupiers of land or premises within the Burgh rented at or above £4 per annum; and also on all owners of lands or premises within said Burgh rented at sums under £4 per annum - such owners to be allowed a deduction from the assessment equal to one fourth of the amount thereof; (2) an assessment on all owners of land or premises within said Burgh of 4d per £1 as a special sewer rate. Assessments are due for payment on 1st Jan 1892, the roll or book of assessment is open for inspection, appeals to be lodged by 26 Dec 1891, appeals to be decided by the Commissioners on 28 Dec next. [Courier 17 Nov 1891] |
| Monthly meeting of Police Commissioners. Edward Moir, re-elected in November, took his seat for the first time since the election. [Advertiser 15 Dec 1891] |
| Decided to extend the main sewer westwards along the turnpike starting at the Yellow Castle for a distance of about 100 yds so that certain new property may be connected therewith. Cost about £60 - £70. [Advertiser 15 Dec 1891] |
| Mr Gold asked if the Commission could do anything to get the publicans in the burgh to shut their premises on New Year's Day. The Chief Magistrate thought it better to wait to see what would happen in Dundee. Mr Gold said it was pretty evident what was to happen there. Mr J F Millar thought any suggestion the Commission might make would carry little weight with the publicans. The matter was dropped. Further business conducted in private. [Advertiser 15 Dec 1891] |
| Rev Hodge (Newport Congregational Church), speaking at a meeting of the Willison Free Church Temperence Society in Dundee about the publicans there not closing on New Year's Day (their busiest day) when asked by the Magistrates, referred to the Newport Commissioners refusing to recommend closure until they saw what was to happen in Dundee. Such a policy he characterised as truckling. He was of the opinion that an aristocratic burgh like Newport should set an example to Dundee. [Evening Telegraph 16 Dec 1891] |
| [Comment piece] Newport in 1891: In the matter of footways, crossings, drainage, lighting, etc Newport is a model burgh. Mr Andrew Leitch & Mr Edward Moir were re-elected Commissioners and Mr James Gold, solicitor, took the place of Mr Robert Hunter who retired. [Advertiser 26 Dec 1891] |
| An agreement was signed by the licensed grocers and hotel keepers agreeing to close on New Year's Day. This was sent to the Chief Magistrate who then wrote to the other licence holders to see whether they would agree to close as they did last year. Public house licence holders replied that last year Dundee public houses were closed and it might have led to disturbances in Newport, however this year Dundee public houses will be open so there is no need for Newport ones to close. Result: licensed grocers and Newport Hotel will close on New Year's Day, public houses will open. [Courier 31 Dec 1891] |
| Fire at Congregational Church - fire apparatus under the charge of Sanitary Inspector Walker was on the scene within 15 minutes [at 2.45 on Sunday morning]. Fire eventually extinguished but schoolroom and vestry at the rear of the building were totally destroyed. For some time, Chief Magistrate Scott directed the operations. [Courier 11 Jan 1892] |
| Fire extinguishing appliances were brought from the Police Commissioners' Yard in Union Street. ... full account of the fire and damage ... This is the first occasion on which the fire hose recently purchased by the Commissioners has been used. The fire mains & connections, which formerly had been in unsatisfactoiry condition, worked admirably with none of the inconvenience experienced on previous occasions. Thanks to Chief Magistrate Scott, Rev T W Hodge, W B Morrison, Thomas Sharp, James Stewart, James S Jack, John Storrier, Sanitary Inspector Walker along with other members of the volunteer fire brigade. [Advertiser 11 Jan 1892] |
| Fire at Congregational Church - at a meeting of the Police Commissioners Chief Magistrate Scott said he was highly satisfied with the promptitude with which the fire appliances had been brought to the scene ... it was reassuring for the ratepayers to know that the best modern appliances had been secured and were held in readiness against any ourtbreak of fire. Thanks to officials and all who had helped. [Courier 12 Jan 1892] |
| Last evening Chief Magistrate Scott entertained to dinner at his residence, Ashbank, the Commissioners of Police of the Burgh of Newport along with Mr Scrimgeour and Mr Kemp, the officials of the Board. Among other guests were Mr Leng MP, Lord Provost Mathewson, Dundee, ex-Provost Robertson and the Rev Dr Fraser. A very enjoyable evening was spent. [Advertiser 26 Jan 1892] |
| Write to Mr Asquith & Mr Leng, MPs, to secure their interest in the House of Commons in favour of the Burgh Police & Health (Scotland) Act. [Advertiser 9 Feb 1892] |
| Still about £172 of assessments outstanding - issue a second notice to those who had not yet paid their rates. Remainder of meeting in private. [Advertiser 9 Feb 1892] |
| Meeting of St Andrews District Commitee of Fife County Council: Report of sub-committee about transference of the highways within the Burgh of Newport was to the effect that they had not been able to come to agreement with the local Commissioners [i.e. Newport Police Commissioners] - matter remitted to County Road Board. [Advertiser 20 Feb 1892] |
| Result of Sheriff Court decision concerning Carnoustie means that the roads in that burgh will come under the control of the Burgh Commissioners and not the County Council. Expected that a similar change will be made in the case of Newport and Tayport, which have been struggling for years to get the maintenamce of the roads into their own hands. Presently Fife County Council takes 5d in the £1 road assessment which is £375, but spends only £120 on the roads in the burgh. In addition, Newport has to maintain 4.5 to 5 miles of roads. Both in Newport and Tayport the roads are said to be in a very unsatisfactory condition. It is expected to be brought up at the next meeting of the St Andrews District Committee of the County Council. The Carnoustie decision means that the Burgh Commissioners have the sole management of the roads within the burgh, and the sole power of assessment for maintenance etc of the highways taken over. In addition, the Burgh Commissioners will have the power to place on the list of maintained streets such other roads and streets in the Burgh as are suitable to become maintained by the Commissioners. [Advertiser 11 Mar 1892] |
| Plans of new building to be erected by James Brown - approval withheld until alterations are made. Burgh Surveyor reported about the instability of certain walls in various parts of the burgh - Clerk to write to the owners calling upon them to have the walls put into a satisfactory condition. Regarding the Carnoustie roads decision, agreed that no payment would be made to Fife County Council and the matter will fall to the Sheriff of Fife for decision. Rest of the meeting held in private. [Courier 15 Mar 1892] |
| Chief Magistrate Scott reported that at a meeting of the St Andrews District Committee earlier that day it was intimated that no arrangement had been come to with the burghs of Newport and Tayport with regard to the taking over of roads. The Newport Commissioners agreed that no other course was open but to report the matter to the Road Board with a view of the matter being resolved by the Sheriff if the County Council fails to agree the transfer without payment by the Commissioners. [Advertiser 15 Mar 1892] |
| Fifeshire Road Board - no agreement on Newport and Tayport roads. Provost Scott moved that the roads within the burgh be transferred to the Commissioners of that burgh and that no payment be asked from the County Council. However an amendment was carried - that the County Road Board report to the County Council that no agreement has been reached and the matter should be settled by the Sheriff. [Advertiser 23 Mar 1892] |
| Newport Police Commissioners have petitioned the Sheriff of Fifeshire praying him to settle the terms of transference of the highways within the burgh. The parties are to be heard today in Edinburgh. [Advertiser 31 Mar 1892] |
| Roads - The Sheriff of Fife has said he tends to agree with the Carnoustie judgement but will hear proof on 9 May at Cupar [Advertiser 2 Apr 1892] |
| Quarterly Statutory Meeting - £1067 out of £1070 of assessments have been collected, the balance being taxes of paupers etc and are irrecoverable. Plans for new buildings: East Newport Station extension - passed; villas for J Murdoch at Woodhaven - more details of drainage required, and road in front may need to be widened. [Courier 12 Apr 1892] |
| Sanitary Inspector - unsatisfactory state of certain ashpits - notices sent to proprietors. [Courier 12 Apr 1892] |
| Roads in the burgh - Allan Stevenson, road surveyor in Ayr had been requested to survey the roads within the burgh - he has reported that the road beds are in a very unsatisfactory state. As suggested by the Sheriff, the Harbour Trustees & the N B Railway Co had been requested to give a report on the amount of traffic from Newport. [Courier 12 Apr 1892] |
| Lighting - Commissioner Millar, convener of lighting, reported on lighting arrangements & said that if the lamps were to be continued some new arrangement would be needed with the Gas Company. Matter left to the Committee. [Courier 12 Apr 1892] |
| Roads case - Sheriff is hearing parties for Newport & Tayport. The County Council claimed £30 per year from Newport for giving over the maintenance of the roads to the Burgh. Tayport claimed £49 per annum to assist in maintaining its own roads. The County Council contended that they should get £30 per annum for handing over the management of the burgh roads to Tayport. [Courier 10 May 1892] |
| Monthly meeting of Commissioners. Chief Magistrate Scott was hopeful of a positive outcome from the Sheriff. Applauded Mr Scrymgeour for his handling of the case. [Advertiser 10 May 1892] |
| Gas lighting - account from the Gas Company for £93-7-0, compared with £85-16-2 for the previous year, for the period 21 Sep to 29 April. The lamps were lit on 149 nights, 8 more than last year. There were 123 lamps in operation, 8 more than in previous year. It was not thought that this was an excessive amount to pay for lighting the burgh. [Advertiser 10 May 1892] |
| Newport Roads Case. Sheriff Mackay issued an interlocutor finding that the Police Commissioners of Newport are entitled to have the highways within the burgh transferred to them without any payment being made to or by the Fifeshire County Council. Decision is on same lines as the Carnoustie case earlier. [Evening Telegraph 12 May 1892] |
| [Editorial] Newport & Tayport have been given possession of their own roads free of cost. At present Newport ratepayers pay about £400 to the County as road rates. Only about 1/3 of this sum is spent within the burgh. The County were willing to give up possession if they were paid £30 per annum from Newport. Sheriff found against the County. The County were badly advised all through these proceedings. They had kept the Newport roads in a disgraceful condition from time immemorial even though they had the funds to do otherwise. They actually levied rates on the dwelling houses in Newport to the value of £12000 per annum, upon the roads leading to which they spent not 1 penny. The Newport people, despite paying £400 per annum to the County also had to raise their own money to mend their own roads, and recently spent over £2000 on concrete pavements. Newport repeatedly made offers to take over the roads within the burgh. Five or six years ago the County would have had no difficulty in getting what they asked for, but at that time they were so autocratic that they would not listen to compromise. It took an Act of Parliament to allow burghs like Newport & Carnoustie to obtain possession of their own roads. Mr Scott of Newport had much to do in obtaining this Act. The people of Newport are greatly indebted to him for his efforts. It has taken 10 years but at last Newport is free to devote its road money to its own roads. [Advertiser 13 May 1892] |
| Sheriff gives his reasoning on the roads case. [Fifeshire Journal 19 May 1892] |
| Monthly meeting of the Police Commission. £108 spent on taking over the highways. Satisfaction that the decision of the Sheriff had been so much in favour of the burgh. [Evening Telegraph 14 Jun 1892] |
| Plans approved: 2 semi-datached villas forming an extension to Linden Avenue, Congregational Church alterations and additions [after the fire].[Evening Telegraph 14 Jun 1892] |
| Statutory meeting. Accounts for year ending Whitsunday. [income]: £757-3-9 from assessments, £141-11-3 from Government grant, £51-1-6 from sale of burgh manure, total £949-16-6. Expenditure: balance owing to bank at Whitsunday 1891 £292-19-2, lighting £128-17-0, cleansing etc £173-10-8, repair of roads & footpaths £35-8-3, advertising & stationery £9-3-6, election expenses 1891 £24-10-0, bank interest £15-12-9, rent, rates, fuel £73-19-7, salaries & fees £100-5-0, extraordinary expenditure £88-12-4, sundries £14-8-4, total £956-6-7, giving a balance at debit of the Commission £6-10-0. Drainage account - income £16-4-1, expenditure £68-14-9, debit balance of £52-10-8. Assessment for drainage at 4d per £1 on owners realised £310-0-8. Debt remaining due to Public Works Loan Commissioners £4317. Accounts approved. [Evening Telegraph 12 Jul 1892] |
| Approved a list of regulations for the fire brigade. - for every drill >1 hour's duration men to be paid 2s each, if <1 hour then 1s; for every turnout in case of fire 2s 6d to be paid, 2s for the first hour thereafter and 1s for each subsequent hour. A premium of 2s to be given to the first man at the station on an alarm of fire and 1s to the second man. 9 men have subscribed to the regulations including Inspector Walker - if properly trained they will be quite sufficient to cope with any fire in the burgh. [Evening Telegraph 12 Jul 1892] |
| Mr F G Kemp, treasuerer, has prepared an inventory of all the property belonging to the Commission. [Evening Telegraph 12 Jul 1892] |
| Statutory meeting. [in addition to the report of the Evening Telegraph - ] Present Chief Magistrate Scott, Robertson, Leith, Millar & Gold. Expenditure of £16-8-0 for a new water cart, agreed to order waterproof coats, leggings & hats for the roadmen & lamplighters at a cost of £2-14-0. Fire brigade to be 8 men under the supervision of Superintendent Walker. The new Burgh Act recently passed, to come into effect next May will give the commission increased powers to deal with roads, buildings etc. Copies of the Act were ordered. [Burgh Police (Scotland) Act, 1892] [Courier 12 Jul 1892] |
| Fifeshire Roads Board - Cost of litigation in Newport & Tayport road case was £152. [Comments included -] 'Employing 2 counsel was pitching money into the sea'. We should only employ 1 counsel in similar cases in future.' [Evening Telegraph 19 Jul 1892] |
| Statutory Meeting. Retiring in November - Duncan, Robertson, Gold & Welch. It is anticipated that there will be a contest for the 4 seats. [Advertiser 11 Oct 1892] |
Previous available year Next available year