1919
SALE OF FISHING-GEAR AT MONTROSE. On behalf of the Admiralty there was yesterday sold at the Drill Hall, Wellington Street, Montrose, a large quantity of fishing gear, consisting of lines, hooks, oilskins, &c. There were 96 lots. Russian hemp sold at 1s per lb.: Italian hemp to. 1s 3d; Russian line to 2s; Italian line to 1s 11d; tarred twine to 1s 4d; cotton lines to 2s 6d; fine twine to 2s 8d. A 1 cwt. bale of muslin sold at £4 2s, 58 cases containing 630 oilskin jackets and 690 trousers sold at £400, the purchaser of both these lots being Mr Shepherd, Arbroath. The other principal buyers were: —Hounsells (Bridport), Ltd., Bridport; Bunch, Grimsby; Robertson, Aberdeen; Joseph Johnston & Sons, Ltd., Montrose; Gardner, Cellardyke; A. Mearns, Montrose; Keay, Aberdeen; and Ross, } Leith.
CELLARDYKE. No Water. —The inhabitants of Cellardyke are entirely without water, their supply having given out during the last few days. The matter was brought up at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday Councillor Mitchell, who urged the Council to go into the matter at once. The Provost said they were expecting the bore to give some results, and suggested that the Council ought to get in touch with the Local Government Board and point out to them that if they had to build houses water would have to found for them. Ultimately it was agreed to ask the Engineer to visit the town to consult with the Council.
DEADLOCK IN EAST FIFE FISHERMEN’S STRIKE. SEVERAL OF THE DRIFTERS BEING OFFERED FOR SALE. The dispute between the fishermen and owners of drifters in Anstruther and Cellardyke still continues, and matters have now reached a deadlock. Tho Fishermen’s Committee, along with; Mr Clouston, the Union official in charge, the strike, met representatives of the owners and discussed proposals for settlement. These proposals were drawn up by the owners, and asked the fishermen to accept terms on the principle of the twentieth share, eight of which would go to the boat, six to the gear, and six to the crew, no food, cart hires, &c., to be allowed from the gross, total earnings of the boat. The owners also agreed to pay per cent, of the total earnings of the boat to be divided between the crew and gear. These terms were refused by the fishermen, and it was resolved to continue on strike until the original claims put forward by them were conceded the owners. The fishermen’s demands include an eighteenth share, allocated —six to the boat, seven to the crew, and five to the gear. “We contend,” said Mr Clouston to our representative, “that our claim with regard to the eighteenth share is fairer, as six shares set apart for the boat is ample.” The next step rests with the owners, a few of whom have expressed their determination not to give way. As result of the strike several of the drifters are being offered for sale, while other owners are contemplating beaching them for a time. In Anstruther Harbour over 30 steam drifters are lying idle, involving a capital of over £120,000, while the loss in wages for last week, taking the average earnings of each boat at £100, which is a low estimate, amounts to over £3000.
1925
ATTACK ON CELLARDYKE PLOUGHMAN. David Pattie, ploughman, Balhouffie Cottar Houses, Anstruther, or 5 Shore Street, Cellardyke, admitted before Hon. Sheriff Osborne Cupar to-day a charge of having, on 11th May, on the public highway, opposite the dwelling-house occupied by John Douglas, ploughman, Balhouffie Cottar Houses, Anstruther, assaulted Clifford M’Hugh, ploughman, 12 Shore Street, Cellardyke, by striking him severe blow on the right jaw with his clenched fist, causing it to bleed freely, and loosened several of his teeth. Sentence of a fine of £1, or ten days’ imprisonment, was passed.
1926
We print another communication from “Down Under.” There will be recalled the magnificent gift of Mr L. Davidson of Huntly Lodge in promotion of beneficent emigration schemes. Among the numerous applications for help of various kinds that have been received from many sources and of comment on the scheme, one of the most interesting comes from an enthusiastic old Scotsman in Australia, Alexander Cunningham, 13 Walker Street, North Geelong, Victoria, who writes to Mr Davidson that he has seen the scheme mentioned in Scottish newspapers he continues
I, Alexander Cunningham, was born at Cellardyke, Anstruther, Fifeshire. Scotland, on the 3rd day of May 1843 my father Robert Cunningham, and my grandfather Alexander Cunningham, were whale fishers in the Arctic regions and also white fishers in the North Sea. My grandfather was also a Trinity House (King Branch) Pilot for 39 years. My father was master of his own deep sea fishing boat for 35 years in the North Sea. 1 was taken with my father to deep sea fishing at the early age of eight years, and was able seaman at 16 years. I afterwards served another apprenticeship to ship and boatbuilding, and became the master builder of twelve deep sea fishing boats, and was also, since 1865, a member of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. and rescued many lives from shipwreck. I put to sea for a number of years and graduated to shipmaster and Trinity House (King Branch) deep sea, river, and harbour pilot from Kinnaird Head on the North East of Scotland and Flamborough head in the East of England to Stirling up the Firth of Forth.
After five years of pilot experience on the Scottish Coast, I came to Australia 40 years ago. I had five years at crayfishing on this coast before the war with my own fishing boat. There was plenty of fish but very poor prices, but since the war, fish prices are very good. We have three industries in Australia at present where they are mixed up with millions of money, and what we need most are men—ploughmen and seamen—to do the work. if you can send me out, say, six young men of good breeding sober and trust worthy and £100 each, I could soon fix them up to do well for all time. I am of lifelong strict sobriety myself, and I I have little or no patience with young people who take string drink. My three industries that I refer to are sheep farming, pearl fishing, and crayfishing. Australia is the best country in the world, and requires British people who are the best. I trust yon will give your help to any young people who wish to try Australia, as I am anxious to do all I can for humanity I will write you this reference copy that I received from Bishop White when in charge of his Mission ship,
Thursday Island June 1910
Captain A. Cunningham has been in command of the mission ketch “Francis Pitt” from January 1909 to July 1910. He is leaving solely on account of an attack of malarial fever. During the whole time of his command the has given entire satisfaction by excellent conduct and attention to duty. He has shown much skill in the navigation of the dangerous Roper River and other parts of the Straits and Gulf and is especially good in heavy weather. I have great pleasure and confidence in recommending him to any position of trust. Gilbert White, Bishop of Carpentaria, owner of the ketch, “Francis Pitt” 21 tons.
Captain Cunningham’s letter will, we are sure, be read with interest, and we hope it may lead to something of a practical and beneficial nature. As the fishing industry at home is not in a good way, perhaps half a dozen young men may be found who would like to try the Australian life that Captain Cunningham’s letter puts before them.
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