1922
Mr John G Moncrieff, son of Mr and Mrs W Moncrieff, George Street Cellardyke has been promoted manager of Messrs Richards Audit Company, Windsor, Ontario Canada. Mr Moncrieff served his apprenticeship in Anstruther and emigrated to Canada in 1912.
A firm of American lawyers have been in communication with Mr Alexander Edwards, fisherman Lossiemouth, regarding an immense estate acquired by one of his forebears who died nearly half a century ago. The letter went to MR Edwards as the oldest descendant but there are of course, other relatives, with equal claims. The wealth waiting to be apportioned to the rightful heirs has swollen to the extraordinary figure of 100 million pounds, and the vastness of the accumulating interest has made it essential that an early decision must be given to its disposal..
14 named claimants mainly in Aberdeenshire, – also Mrs Georgina Macleod, or Watson, Cellardyke……
1923
The steam drifter White Queen (Skipper Moncrieff, Cellardyke) arrived at Anstruther with 70 Cran of Herring. The catch had first of all been taken to Hartlepool and was purchased over the phone by Messrs R Melville and sons, Cellardyke at £1 per cran.
Cellardyke fishermen have formed a committee to act in cooperation with Mr J Duncan Millar, MP for East Fife, during the crisis in the herring fishing industry.
The committee have drawn up a statement urging –
Immediate government aid
Inquiry into the destruction of young herring by the sprat fishers in the Firth of Tay and Forth and;
Better supervision of trawling on the East Coast.
The committee maintain that the sprat fishers are destroying tons of young herring which, if they were allowed to reach maturity, would leave the shallow waters for deeper waters, and the winter herring at Anstruther would revive.
Applications for exemption from school were submitted as follows – Pittenweem 1 ( recommended) Anstruther 4 ( recommended) Cellardyke 9 and one under 12 years of age (recommended) St Monans 4 (recommended), Crail 26, and 2 under 12, Mr Steel St Monans, moved that those under 12 be refused exemption, Rev Jas A Paterson, Chairman seconded.
Mr Charles Gardner Anstruther moved that they do not stick to the age as given but take the age of the children on the date they commenced potato lifting, Bailie Galloway seconded on a vote the amendment was carried 11 -4. One poor Crail case was refused on account of poor attendance at School.
Desirable Dwelling house, shop and bakehouse for sale by public roup within the National Bank, Cellardyke on 24th Oct.
The Property on the corner of Fowler Street and Rodger Street all as presently occupied by David Birrell, Baker Cellardyke, Rental £21, feu duty £1 0s 3d, Entry and actual possession at 1st November. Upset price £700.
1924
4th Oct
George Corstorphine, 57 George Street, Cellardyke has been missing since Saturday night from the steam drifter Mace at Yarmouth ( Skipper Martin Gardner) , where most of the East of Fife fleet is engaged in the herring fishing. The Mace left Anstruther about a fortnight ago and has been working its way south.
Corstorphine is 34 years of age, and with a family of two, son of Mr and Mrs George Corstorphine 47 Joh Street.
Fruiterer sues fisherman
‘May god strike me deaf, dumb and blind if I were the thief’ said Alexander smith, lately fruiterer, 45 James Street Cellardyke, in Cupar Sheriff Court today, during the course of his proof in his slander action for £250 against James Brunton, fisherman, 59 James Street.
The pursuer, who was 58 years of age, stated in the witness box that he was accused by the defender of stealing certain stores consisting of 6 x 1lb tins of condensed mik, 4 x 1lb tines of corned beef, 2lbs of lard, 2lbs of sugar and two jars of Jam, from his boat, the Lasher; while it was lying in Cellardyke harbour.
The defender denied that he had made an actual accusation against the pursuer, but stated that he had suspicions which he had communicated to him.
In consequence of the stories that had gone about the pursuers fruiterers business fell off from something like 20s to 25s per day to about 8s per day.
In answer to Sherriff Dudley Stuart, the defender said that he did not believe the pursuer’s denial.
The Sheriff – Do you believe it bow? – I do not believe it yet.
The Sheriff – you know now that he did steal these things from your boat? – I am not sure, you know. All the proof I have is that I got the empty tins on the beach opposite the pursuers house.
The Sheriff, – It seems to me at all events, there is no doubt whatever that you conveyed to him you were accusing him of stealing those things fron the boat? – I never acused him.
The Sheriff, – You come here and say that you have the proof he did it? That is all the proof!
‘I thought it was enough’
The Sheriff, – ‘You think it is enough? – I thought it was enough at the time.
The Sheriff, – Do you still think so? – You people know better about the law than I do, and I thought it was enough
The Sheriff, – You have taken a risk, If you are going to accuse a man of theft who says he knows nothing about your property and didn’t take it, you have to prove it.
The defender – I put the case into the hands of the police at home but nothing was done.
The Sheriff, – Didn’t that make you a little cautious in the matter? – I told the fiscal if there was nothing to be done he would just have to let it drop.
The Sheriff, – you didn’t let it drop yourself, that is why you are here today. You persisted in accusing him.
The Sheriff, – Your proof is that certain empty tins you had on board your boat were found on the beach infront of his house?- yes
The Sheriff, – That is the whole story, you think that is enough?
Defender – I thought it was enough
The Sheriff, – do you still think so?- yes
The Sheriff, – that’s just the question.
Pursuer stated that when the defender said he could prove that he had stolen the stores he (the pourser) went for a policeman. When the Policeman arrived at the boat the defender would not come from the bottom to speak to him. Defender said to him he would give him 24 hours to put back the stores or give him £2. He told defender he would do nothing of the sort.
Later in the month defender was in his house when he ‘chapped’ him and said he was surprised at hi putting the blame on him, and defender said the stolen goods came into this dwelling house. On another occasion defender called at his house when two boys were present and said ‘I am going to give you a chance’. By that pursuer understood defender was wanting him to say that he had stolen the goods
James Brunton said that the pursuer came to his boat for some fish on the night he arrived at the harbour and he saw the key of the galley hung up. When the stores were missed he never accused the pursuer of stealing them; but he told him he would give him 24 hours to put them back. When empty corned beef tines were found on the beach opposite pursuer’s house that strengthened his suspicions. He had told him he had his proof.
After hearing the agents his lordship made avizandum (the Sheriff took time to consider the case)
(Judgement 1 week later – Jimmy Brunton was liable and ordered to pay £20 damages, the £250 claim had been extravagantly stated)
9th Oct
The remains of George Corstorphine were laid to rest in Kilrenny Churchyard yesterday afternoon. Corstorphine went amissing on 27th Sept, and his body was recovered from the river a week later. The coroner at the inquest returned the verdict ‘found drowned’
Over 100 mourners attended the funeral, Rev J R Lee, minister of Cellardyke parish Church, officiating
1925
While cleaning out the lumber room in Cellardyke town hall. Mr Christopher Muir, town officer, unearthed an old oak chest, which resisted all his efforts to open.
He drew attention of the council to it, and as no key could be found to fit the lock it was decided to force it open. This was accordingly done, and to the surprise and pleasure of those present it was found to contain a complete set of brass measures in splendid condition. These number seven in all, ranging from a half gill to a gallon and are of a most artistic design.
Engraved on the front is the town’s coat of arms, surmounted by a scroll and crown. Beneath are the names of the three bailies who dispensed justice to all and sundry and below the names the date 1826.
It is noteworthy that the name of the Provost is omitted. He may have been a passive resister at the expense incurred by buying these articles.
In addition to these brass measures there was found a four gallon or half bushel measure in copper. The design of this is decidedly quaint, and forms and outstanding feature of the find. An ell measure tipped with brass, and a brass yard measure were also brought to light.
It is understood that the town council mean to keep the measures in a manner befitting their intrinsic and historic value
1927
Christina Williamson, Cellardyke awarded second class honours in Classics (Ord. MA 1926)
Philip Anderson (12) of 56 John Street has been awarded Royal Humane Society parchment for having saved from drowning at Cellardyke on 28th July William Mackenzie, aged 5 of 46 John Street who had accidentally fallen into the sea.