1897
SCHOOL BOARDS. Kilkenny.-The second election ordered by the Education Department took place in Cellardyke on Saturday. The contest was between four burghal and four landward candidates for the controlling power on the Board. The polling took place amid a good deal of excitement, nearly 400 voters out of 610 going to the poll. The result was declared at nine o’clock as follows – John Butters, merchant, Cellardyke, 637 ; Peter Thornson, draper, Cellardyke, 539 ; James Leslie, manufacturer, Cellardyke, 445; Alexander Black, manufacturer, Cellardyke, 411; John Hutton, farmer, Kilminning, Crail, 136 ; H. G. Lawson, farmer, Firtbfield, Anstruther, 135 ; John Dobie, blacksmith, SpaleField, Anstruther, 122. Unsuccessful —John Paton, jun., farmer, Blacklaws, Anstruther, 113. The result is a victory for the burghal representatives, all of whom were on the old Board.
At Anstruther Police Court the, Johnston Smith and David Davidson, jun , both residing in Cellardyke, failed to appear to answer charge breach the peace, and warrants were granted for their apprehension.
1899
Deputation of Trawl owners –
The Prime Minister subsequently received a deputation representing the interests of line fishermen, who urged on his Lordship the desirability of extending the limit of territorial waters from three to thirteen miles, and of giving instruction to the British delegates to the forthcoming convention of the North Sea Powers in favour of extending the distance from the shore within winch trawling should he prohibited. Among the delegates who appeared was Mr George Darsie, for St Monans and Anstruther Harbour Commissioners; and the following bodies were represented by resolution —Pittenweem Town Council, Buckhaven commissioners of Police. Fife County Council, and Crail and St Andrews Parish Councils.
A deputation, organised by Mr Jas. Johnston, and comprising several hundred fishermen which included Wm. Hutton. Largo; Wm. Kinnear, Pittenweem ; John Murray, St Monans ; James Hughes, Cellardyke; Alex. Glen and Wm Glen, St Andrews. A large number of Members Parliament joined the deputation.
Lord Salisbury was accompanied by Mr Ritchie, Lord Balfour Burleigh. and Mr Brodrick, as well as Mr Anstruther.
Mr Campbell, Convener of Banffshire, handed to the Premier a memorandum in which it was stated that whereas fifteen years ago line fishermen were able make at least 20s per week during the winter white fishing season, they are not able now make average more than from 10s to 12s per week. Of the total value of fish landed in Scotland last year, amounting about £2,000,000. about three-fourths of this amount, £1.500,000, must be placed to the credit of the line and drift-net fishermen. The local authorities interested had been induced to come before his lordship in the belief that, unless trawling were so regulated as to insure that the stock food fishes in the bays and firths and waters immediately off the coasts Scotland should not seriously diminished, and that, if means were not taken to secure that line and drift-net fishermen shall permitted pursue their avocation without incurring serious loss of fishing material, the prosperity of not only the white line fishing, but the great herring fishing industry, would be affected.
1900
DEATH OF ANOTHER VOLUNTEER AT THE FRONT. News has been received that Private .James Bayne, son William Bayne, baker, Cellardyke, has died of pneumonia at Bloemfontein. Private Bayne was one of the contingent of volunteers for South Africa. He left with the unit of the Fifeshire Rifles. 6th V.B. Black Watch, who were stationed at St Andrews early in February. Deceased was about twenty-five years of age, and was a general favourite with his comrades.
Relief of Baden-Powell. The reception of the news of the relief of Mafeking was received in Anstruther and Cellardyke with great rejoicings. At the harbour every vessel was gaily decorated, while the steam liners started whistling with the utmost gusto. On all the churches and other public buildings flags were hung, while the number of private houses that were decorated (particularly in Cellardyke) beat anything ever seen before. On the Sunday mention was made from several pulpits of the event, and a large crowd visited the Post Office to see if any official intimation was shown from the window.
1901
PERTH. Excursion from Anstruther. – Early Saturday a large party in connection with Cellardyke and Anstruther Gospel Temperance Union visited Perth, and as the weather conditions were favourable the excursionists enjoyed themselves heartily. There were about 350 persons who took advantage of the trip.
Handsome gift from Mr Williamson, ex-M.P.- Since the institution of the Anstruther and Cellardyke Nursing Association, Mr S. Williamson, Liverpool, ex – M.P. for 8t Andrews Burghs, has contributed a donation of £20 yearly to the funds. To ensure that the donation should paid for many years to come. Mr Williamson has invested the sum of £500 in Chilian bonds, which will ensure yearly interest of £22.
Mr S Williamson Liverpool has forwarded a donation of £5 to the funds of the Cellardyke branch of the Boys Brigade and sir Ralph Anstruther has given £1
Homecoming of te Local Volunteers
Private Grubb of the Black Watch, one of the three local volunteers who have been at the war, arrived in Anstruther on Friday night and was accorded an enthusiastic reception by a crowd numbering between 3000 and 4000. Private Grubb was officially welcomed by Captain Wilson, Surgeon-Lieutenant Fergusson, Lieutenants Brack and Murray. On reaching the outside of the station gates the local company of volunteers along with the pipe band formed into processional order and marched through Anstruther and Cellardyke on to Crail road stopping at Rustic Place where Private Grubb was carried shoulder high into his mother’s house
1902
ST ANDREWS. J.P. Court.—ln the absence of David Ross, fish hawker, Cellardyke, yesterday, who was charged with driving a spring cart one dark night without lights between Crail and Anstruther, the Bench, after hearing witnesses for the prosecution, fined accused £1, with 18s 9d of expenses. Ross failed to appear at last week’s Court, and a warrant was granted, and yesterday again he failed to put in an appearance.
The Sheep-Worrying Nuisance – Fife Farmer Exonerated.
Andrew Dingwall, farmer, Caiplie Farm, Kilrenny parish, was charged—before Sheriff Armour at Cupar yesterday—with having, on May (1) on a field on Caiplie Farm shot at and destroyed a dog belonging to Wm. Myles, carter, John Street Cellardyke; (2) assaulted Wm. Myles, presented a gun his person, and threatened to shoot him. He pleaded not guilty, and was defended Mr J. E. Grosset, Cupar. Accused admitted shooting the dog, and on oath said he had suffered very much from dogs hunting his sheep. He denied threatening to shoot Myles. When he saw there was to be a disturbance he went into his foreman’s house, and Myles and another man waited outside, and invited him to come out and be killed. The Sheriff found the accused not guilty of both charges, remarking that the witnesses for the prosecution were the real disturbers, and it might have been better had they been in accused’s place.
The Cellardyke fishing boat Jane and William (skipper, Robert Meldrum) arrived at Anstruther on Friday night with one of the crew named George Murray (Geddes) suffering from smallpox. After being seen by Dr Ferguson, he was removed Ovenstone Hospital, and all precautions taken to prevent the spread of the disease. It is supposed that Murray had been in contact with some of the cases.