January 3, 1902
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Last Friday Mr ES Wilson received a presentation on the
occasion of his completion of 25 years as headmaster of Saltcoats Public
School.
Mr Alan Gilfillan, architect, Ardrossan, has had his plans for the
proposed Co-operative Buildings in Kilwinning accepted.
Scotch whisky (18 under proof) is advertised at 3/- a bottle.
During 1901, 36.35 inches of rain fell in Saltcoats.
On Friday last the new Irvine Royal Academy was opened. The Earl of
Eglinton declared the new building open, and a gold key was presented to
Lady Eglinton by the contractors as a memento of the occasion. Dr J Parker
Smith, MP gave an address on "Higher Education" and other speakers
included Provost Murchland and Bailie Kirkland. it was pointed out by the
Earl of Eglinton that in 1816, the then new Academy was opened by his own
great grandfather, Hugh, Earl of Eglinton, who procured for it a Royal
charter in 1818.
January 10, 1902
On Thursday, January 9, an explosion occurred at Nobel's
Factory, Ardeer. One man is missing, John Howie of New Square, Stevenston.
On Wednesday the ships in Ardrossan Harbour were "dressed", the occasion
being the marriage of Mr Alex J Ritchie, cashier to the Ardrossan Harbour
Company. At a gathering of a number of friends, Mr Ritchie was presented
with a marble timepiece and ornaments by Councillor JR Smith.
Mr Robert Gilmour, the new stationmaster at St Enoch Station, Glasgow, was
formerly stationmaster at Saltcoats.
The new elementary school at Ardeer was formally declared open on Monday
by Mr R Laidlaw. Mr George Sinclair, chairman of the board, presided. The
total cost of the school was £4000
January 17, 1902
The Rev Arnold Boyd, St Andrew's Church, Dalry, has been
appointed to the charge of Mussoorie, a hill station in North West India.
Mr William Fife senior, the well-known yacht designer and builder,
Fairlie, died on Monday.
Mr David Cunninghame, Clydeview, West Kilbride, died on Sunday. He was one
of the Cunninghames of Chapleton.
Owing to the operation of the popularly called "Football Act", Three Beith
factories close at noon on Saturdays.
January 24, 1902
Private Alex Mair, RAMC, son of Mr Alex Mair, Corrie, has
died of enteric at the South African front.
The largest cargo of iron ore ever discharged in Ardrossan, 6400 tons,
came in this week by the steamer Conway.
At the opening of the salmon season on Loch Tay, Mr George W Menzies,
Saltcoats, caught three fish weighing respectively 18lb, 20lb and 26 lb.
Dr J Paterson White, grandson of Mr Andrew Wilson, engine driver,
Ardrossan, has obtained the degree of DPH from King's College, London.
Mansfield United Free Church congregation, Kilwinning, have decided to
instal an organ.
January 31, 1902
Messrs W Park and J Gillespie have been appointed managers
of Head Street United Free Church, Beith, in room of Messrs W McGuire and
D Thomson, who have left the town.
Dalry Burns Club held their 77th anniversary gathering - the longest
unbroken record in Scotland - in the Turf Inn, Courthill Street. Mr Alex
Allan presided and proposed "The Immortal Memory" and Mr Bone proposed
"The memory of Jean Armour."
The property known as Allan View, at the head of Ritchie Street, West
Kilbride, and possessed by Mr Tom Donaldson, has been sold for £585.
Mr WW Melville has been appointed president of Beith Liberal Association.
February 7, 1902
Mr William Gilroy, superintendent of the local branch of the Prudential
Assurance Company, was presented with an illuminated address on the
occasion of his semi-jubilee in the service of the company at a social
gathering of the superintendent, agents, sub-agents and friends of the
branch in the lesser Town Hall, Saltcoats. The address was signed on
behalf of the staff by the following assistant superintendents, messrs
James Dunlop, WR Harper, D Melville, H Wightman, and J Kirk. Among those
who contributed songs were Miss Gilroy and Mr Gilroy jnr and Messrs
Stewart, Ritchie, Graham, Harvey, McCrum, Hutchison, and Harper. Mr A
Arnott, accompanying Mr George I Bailey gave readings.
Mr Thomas Miller, a teacher at Ardrossan EU Congregational Church Sunday
School for more than 40 years, has been presented by his class with a
silver mounted walking stick.
Mrs Rae and family of Auburn Villa, Bowfield Road, West Kilbride,
entertained the senior members of the Parish Church choir, the occasion
being the departure of two of the members to New Zealand, Mr Thomas
Donaldson and his sister Mrs Maggie Donaldson.
February 14, 1902
A shop in Quay Street, Saltcoats, occupied by Mr John Millar, and the
dwelling house above were destroyed by fire on Saturday night.
A motion that every second street lamp should be extinguished after 11pm
during the lighting season was defeated by two votes at a meeting of
Ardrossan Town Council.
Mr William Cowan, Lorryman in the goods department of the G and SW Railway
at Saltcoats, has been presented with a marble timepiece by the local
merchants and a pair of bronze ornaments by the station staff.
A points medal play for by members of Ardrossan Castle Curling Club was
won by Mr John Baird, the youngest member.
