March 4, 1904
The ceremony took place on Saturday of laying the memorial
stone of the new masonic temple in Kilbirnie. It was performed in the
presence of a large gathering by Bro Major Mure of Caldwell, RWPGM.
Vale of Garnock Strollers defeated Ardrossan Winton Rovers 1-0 at
Ardrossan. A paragraph in Kilbirnie notes states that the game was most
pleasantly contested, there being only two fouls throughout the whole
ninety minutes for illegitimate work.
In Ardrossan United free Church Presbytery the number of members on the
roll is 5725. The 30 Sabbath Schools have 337 teachers and 3190 scholars.
Mr Alex beck, Eglinton Road, Ardrossan, has been awarded a diploma for his
exhibit in Glasgow East End Industrial Exhibition. The exhibit consists of
a bed mat made of silk, satin and brocade; a sofa cushion and a wall
pocket.
Among the male pupil teachers who passed the King's Scholarship
Examination was John Jackson, Glengarnock School and R Crawford, Eglinton
School, Ardrossan.
March 11, 1904
Mr Gavin Hamilton, the father of the Glasgow Faculty of Procurators, who
has died, was a native of Brodick, Arran.
Mr John Withers, Ardrossan, who was a spare signalman on the Glasgow
Southern Railway, was made a presentation by his fellow workers to mark
the occasion of his leaving for Canada.
The Crook and Plaid Lodge of Shepherds, Stevenston, has a membership of
390.
Mr Arthur Wiseman, organist of St Andrew's UF Church, Dalry, has been
appointed organist and choirmaster of the East UF Church, Kilbirnie, in
place of Mr Robert Blackwood, Beith, who has resigned.
A Kilbirnie note states that on Tuesday a number of friends and
well-wishers of Mr Robert Howie, farmer, Milton, turned out of the fields
of Paddockholm, leased by him, and give him a day's friendly ploughing.
Among the young artistes in the Beith Academy annual concert were Masters
Hugh Smith, John Anderson and James Robertson. The conception of the
illustrated programme, it is stated, was worthy a John Leech or a Phil
May. It is understood it was the work of Master James Foster, son of
esteemed headmaster.
An association called The Sons and Daughters of Kilbirnie has been formed
in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
At the annual social of the G&SWR Ardrossan Ambulance Class medallions
were present to Messrs John Cairney, D Deans, James Anderson, John McLean,
John Davies, James Smith and Peter Naismith. Presentations were also made
to Mr Nisbet, late captain of the class, Mr Logan, retiring secretary, Mr
FH Gillies, president, and Dr Allan, medical instructor.
March 18, 1904
The fiftieth anniversary of the Dalry Baking Company Ltd
was celebrated at a festival held in the Reformed Templars' Hall.
Mr A
Neil, chairman presided and an interesting concert programme was carried
through by messrs W Begg and A
Mitchell, and Messrs H McKissock and J
Shedden, vocalist, Miss J Mitchell, pianist; Mr John Neil, elocutionist;
Miss Lawson, dancer, and Mr James Morrow, comedian.
Mr FH Gillies, secretary of the G&SW Railway Company was entertained to
dinner in the Station Hotel, Ardrossan, on the occasion of his leaving the
district.
At the Caledonian railway Ambulance Class (Ardrossan) social Mr G Clark
made the presentation to Dr Macdonald, the lecturer.
Among the students of Mr JD McClymont's shorthand class in the Public
School, Stevenston who gained Primary Certificates were Harry Edgar, John
Scott, John Black, Alex McIntosh and Thomas Gray.
Mrs Deacon, teacher, Blair Mains School, Dalry, has resigned.
Scholars of the physical culture class conducted by Mr John Gibson, drill
instructor, held a social in Townend School, Dalry.
The death has taken place of Mr William Fife and Mr James Logan,
Kilbirnie, both almost 90 years old.
March 25, 1904
Saltcoats St Mary's League of the Cross members gave a
performance of the drama Ireland As It Is on the evening of St Patrick's
Day. The cast included Messrs M Reilly, D Whyte, J Pettigrew, F Connor and
Misses Harkins, M Murray, C Harkins, Mrs Harkins sang a solo and D Legg's
band provided interval music.
Saltcoats EU Congregational Church and choir under the leadership of Mr
Thomas Ingram, sang the cantata, The Lion of Judah.
A concert was held on Friday in the Parish Hall, Lamlash, with the object
of raising funds to provide an invalid carriage for a young man in the
village who is paralysed in both legs. The Brodick Choral Class under Mr
James S Shaw gave the sacred cantata Saul of Tarsus and the soloists were
local. The hall was filled.
The new musical instrument, the symphonium has been introduced into
Stevenston UF Church, is giving, it is said better satisfaction than the
previous "kist o' whistles".
Among the first prize-winners in the adult section of the Stevenston
Spring flower show were John McNab, Thomas Johnston, Hugh Kentley and Miss
C Stewart (teacher). The championship medals (school children) were won by
Sarah Forrester and Gary Johnston.
In the board room of Kilbirnie Co-operative Society Mr Alexander Torrance,
who has been manager of the society for 12 years, was presented with
parting gifts on his leaving to be manager of Armadale Co-op Society.
April 1, 1904
captain William Dunlop, son of the late James Dunlop and
Mrs Dunlop, Princes Street, Ardrossan, has died of enteric fever in
Singapore. he was sailing master of the Albion.
Mr David Murray, of Dalgarven, Kilwinning, who was chief engineer of the
SS Barnstable, fell overboard during a voyage, and was drowned.
Miss Robina Watt, Ardrossan, gained a gold medal at a juvenile dancing
competition at Maybole on Saturday.
At Ardrossan Amateur Minstrels' supper and musical evening Mr W Harvey
presided. Songs were sung by Messrs J Black, William Kean, H Craig, T
Logan and J McDowall; step dances were contributed by J McDowall and J
Todd and Mr JB Lawson and Dan Harvey were pianists.
The Golfers' Glee Club's first concert at Saltcoats was a success. Solo
parts in the choral numbers were taken by Mr John Stewart, Mr Muir, Mr
Arnott, Mr Turnbull and Mr SC Hogarth, Mr JC Douglas was conductor and Mr
FM Baxter, Dalry was at the piano.
William McGran, Beith FC, has been transferred to Glasgow Rangers.
Largs postmistress, Miss Wood and her ancestors have conducted the Post
Office work there for an unbroken period of about 108 years. the first
postmistress was her great grandmother.
A Wedding in the Parish Church, Lamlash, on Friday evening, was the first
to take place in the church for 10 years.
April 9, 1904
Among the deaths announced are that of Mr Robert Allison of
Lima, Peru, formerly a coal and shipping agent in Ardrossan, and that of
Mr John McKinnon, Stanley Farm, Ardrossan, who was in his 74th year and
was one of a family of 12 born at laigh Dykes, Saltcoats.
At the Saltcoats, Burgh Band concert on Monday the bandmen made their
first appearance in their new uniforms.
During the storm on Sunday last the 100-ton trading schooner Bredalbine of
Belfast was driven ashore at Stevenston, carried right up through the
boundary fence of Ardeer Dynamite Works, and left smugly cradled at the
foot of a 20-feet sand dune inside of the works.
Damage estimated at £5000 was done by a fire that broke out last Friday
morning at the Ayrshire Foundry, Stevenston.
Under the auspices of Overton Church Band of Hope, West Kilbride, and
exhibition was held of hyacinths grown by the children from bulbs supplied
by them. First prize winners were:- Kate McIntyre; red, Tom Henderson,
white, Leslie Henderson, blue, Maggie Jack.
At a meeting at Dalry, Mr Harry Thornton presided, it was agreed to form a
cricket club.
April 15, 1904
In the production of Jeannie deans by the Ardrossan Amateur
Dramatic Company, the cast included - messrs Jack Clydie, John Deason, JT
Woodburn, P Mullen, H Skillen, John Cance, Misses A Higgins, J
McConnachie, AM Gibson and A McKinnon.
Ardeer Golf Club three-days' bazaar opened yesterday in Saltcoats Town
Hall and the drawing amounted to £300. The Countess of Eglinton performed
the opening ceremony.
Saltcoats Licensing Court recommended hotel keepers to fall in with a
suggestion made by Chief Constable McHardy and apply next year for a
license which precludes them from selling excisable liquors to travellers
on Sundays.
Mr James Ferrie, champion draughts player of Scotland, visited Kilbirnie
on Saturday and played 12 or more games simultaneously with local and
district players. Of 52 games played he won 42, lost one and drew nine.
At a service concert and dance held in the Parish Church, Lamlash, under
the auspices of the Reading and Recreation Club, Mr Wm Hunter of Glenkiln,
presided. The knockdow Silver Cup for carpet bowls was presented to Mr
John Gordon skip of the winning team.
Mr William D Simpson of Yonderfield, West Kilbride, gained two first class
and one second class certificates at the west of Scotland Agricultural
College examination.
A ticket in a house window in Largs bears the following: "Room and kitchen
to let, furnished. near the quay. With a WC. And own key. If you are TT
(teetotal)."
