Saltcoats - On This Day In History

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
8 AUGUST 1898

Sir,

SALTCOATS BOWLING TOURNAMENT

The attention of the tournament committee has been called to a letter in your issue of 4 August, inserted by Mr. Niven’s marker.

In fairness to Mr. Niven’s opponent, the committee have instructed us to give an official denial to the statement in the closing paragraph.

After Morton had played his previous game, about 5.25, he asked and obtained permission from Mr. Dinning to have a cup of tea before playing his tie with Mr. Niven. He returned to the green about 6.5. The only rinks then available were outside rinks, and Mr. Niven objected to play any of these rinks. Some time was lost here, and ultimately Mr. Dinning ordered the game to be played on No. 1 rink.

The result of the tie shown by the only card handed in was 14-21 (not 15-21).

The report of the tie in your issue was substantially correct.

We are &c.,
W. Fotheringham,
J. McMillan, Joint Secretaries.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
8 AUGUST 1898

CLOSE OF SALTCOATS BOWLING TOURNAMENT

On Saturday this tournament was brought to a close in brilliant weather.

Final result: - Willie’s Mill (Irvine), 21; Nemo (Dreghorn), 18.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
8 AUGUST 1896

SMART PENALTIES

At Saltcoats Burgh Court yesterday – before Bailie Duncan – WILLIAM MURRAY, general dealer, pleaded guilty to committing a breach of the peace in Quay Street, and was fined three guineas, or 30 days.

He also pleaded guilty to assaulting a constable and resisting arrest and was fined an additional three guineas or 30 days.

The fines were paid.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
9 AUGUST 1898

DEATH

HENDERSON: At Glasgow, on the 7th instant, Archibald Henderson, Whiteinch, late of Saltcoats.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
4 AUGUST 1898

Sir,

BATHERS’ DEATH TRAP AT SALTCOATS

Permit me to sound a note of warning to those who indulge in bathing at this popular seaside resort.

At the southern extremity of the wide stretch of sandy bay situated between Ardrossan and Saltcoats there begins a range of rocks, the one nearest to the sand being known as the Plumb Rock.

On its gridiron is erected, with a small board on which can with difficulty be deciphered the word “dangerous”. What the danger referred to is not one in a hundred of the visitors know. They only learn the truth when some accident such as which took place on Friday last occurs.

The place is much frequented by ladies and children at low water for bathing purposes, and so long as they keep well to the north of the notice board they are safe enough; but it cannot be too well known that contiguous to the rocks there are treacherous holes of uncertain depth, and into these very many have stepped unwittingly, to face certain death if succour is not at hand. Accidents of this kind are of frequent occurrence, and have in several cases been fatal; and only but for the fact that proper help was at hand on Friday the young lady would have lost her life.

Now, for this serious state of matters the Saltcoats Commissioners, or other authority who control the shore rights, are certainly to blame, and public safety demands that they, without a moment’s delay, take steps to remove, or at least minimise, this risk.

The first thing to be done is to cause a clearly printed sign to be put up, warning people of the actual danger to be guarded against at the Plumb Rock, and insisting on bathers keeping some distance to the north of it. This notice board should be erected without a day’s delay, so that the new batch of visitors for this month may be warned of the danger.

After that is done, I think the duty of those in authority will not be discharged in the matter till they have taken steps to fill up effectively those treacherous holes adjoining the rock and sand. A little expense may be necessary, but surely that will not count for much in the face of the terrible risks that are at present run of loss of life.

The present warning board is of no practical value, as I have not come across one in ten who knew the real reasons for it being there.

Hoping this matter will have immediate attention, and remove a serious element of danger.

I am &c.,
CAVEAT

GLASGOW HERALD
9 AUGUST 1898

Sir,

BATHERS’ DEATH TRAP AT SALTCOATS

Allow me to endorse CAVEAT’s letter in reference to above.

I have a daughter who, some years ago, had a narrow escape while bathing at the place referred to, and had help not been promptly at hand she would certainly have been drowned.

The effects of the fright she got at that time are still felt.

I am &c.,
H

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
10 AUGUST 1896

BOWLING
SALTCOATS v. IRVINE
At Saltcoats

Result: - Saltcoats, 92; Irvine, 83.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
10 AUGUST 1896

BIRTH

HARDIE: At Dockhead Street, Saltcoats, on the 6th instant, the wife of Captain Robert Hardie; a daughter.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
10 AUGUST 1891

SHEPHERDS’ DEMONSTRATION - SALTCOATS

An outdoor demonstration of the Shepherds’ Friendly Society took place on Saturday. Headed by the Dalry Band, and with handsome flags and mounted men, the procession had a fine appearance, all members wearing the dress of the order.

Deputations from 79 lodges in the city of Glasgow district were in attendance.

A meeting afterwards took place in the Drill Hall – the Earl of Glasgow presiding.

Provost McIsaac, of Parkend, and Mr. Warner, of Ardeer, who had been initiated members also gave addresses.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
11 AUGUST 1896

ANNIVERSARY SERVICES

On Sabbath anniversary services were held in Trinity Church, Saltcoats, when the Rev. Alexander Ramsay, B.D., London, officiated forenoon and evening, and Rev. J. Drummond Taylor preached in the afternoon.

The collections amounted to over £21.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
11 AUGUST 1897

MUNICIPAL MEETING – SALTCOATS

Bailie Miller in the chair.

Mr. Fleck proposed that the Works Committee draw up bye-laws before the bucket system is introduced into the burgh.

Captain Torrance said the bye-laws might be fixed that night, because the Works Committee had the whole thing cut and dry all along. Mr. Caldwell, Mr. Fleck, and Bailie Hunter protested strongly against this remark.

After a hot discussion the motion was adopted.

The question of the delay in carrying out the work of illuminating the town clock led to another lively discussion. The meeting decided to have a cement moulding round the clock.

It was reported that Mr. Stevenson wished a reply as to whether the Commissioners would take the Holm Plantation for a public park. Mr. Fleck moved that Mr. Stevenston be asked to continue the matter till December so as to allow the question to be ventilated at next election at Ardrossan. What more could they do?

Captain Torrance – You could make a public park to suit Ardrossan to be paid for by Saltcoats.

Bailie Hunter – If we were fools we could make a public park for Ayrshire, but we don’t happen to be that.

Captain Torrance said he would be quite willing to join with Ardrossan for a jubilee park, and he was surprised that Ardrossan did not agree to carry out the scheme.

It was decided to ask Mr. Stevenson to delay the matter.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
11 AUGUST 1896

ROW IN THE BIG CLOSE

Yesterday at Saltcoats Burgh Court, Mrs. Hamilton, who lives in Green Street, was charged with breach of the peace. She was the worse of drink, and challenged a lodger next door to fight, calling him “Paddy the Ripper” and other names.

Bailie Miller fined her 10s, or seven days.

[Penny Tray]

GLASGOW HERALD
12 AUGUST 1893

DEATH

GARDNER: At 5 Montgomerie Crescent, Saltcoats, on the 11th instant, Neilson, infant son of James Gardner, Clunie, Paisley.