1860
ANSTRUTHER. HARBOUR COMMISSION. This lately constituted body are proceeding with exemplary zeal in their preparatory labours for the erection of the new harbour, and the new regulations connected therewith. Certain properties at the entrance to the new pier are either already bought up, or are in the course of purchase, in order to the works being commenced in the spring, and we may expect to see a busy time of it this summer. At the same time, other parties, as if by anticipation, have feued a lot of ground on the landward sole of the town, and have commenced the work of town extension, a species of accommodation very much wanted here, which we hope to see imitated with energy. Whilst in these respects things seem prosperous as could be wished, the Commissioners are not finding the Cellardyke fishermen so very manageable as they had hoped. The Harbour Act authorises them to levy 1d for shore-dues on each barrel of fish landed, but does not name the paying party. Of course, reason would at once decide that the owner of the fish is entitled to pay all legal burdens upon them; but the merchant generally buys them in the boat when she comes in, and willing to evade the tax, would hold the fisherman as the owner until he receives them into his cart. The fisherman, on the other hand, equally willing to evade the tax, holds that the collector has no claim until they are landed, when they are the merchant’s, thus making the collector’s claim begin at the time the merchant receives delivery of goods already purchased. Each party has its own characteristic mode of advocating its views. There are four curers in the Commission, and only one fisherman. We do not know how far this fact may influence its decisions, but a few days ago, part, of a minute was conveyed to the fishermen, intimating that they were to be held liable for the dues. On Wednesday last, a meeting of fishermen was held, when extreme measures were adopted, amidst much expression of indignation at the decision of the Commissioners, which measures were afterwards abandoned, and a remonstrance against their decision sent in to the Commissioners. On Monday last a meeting was held, and a prolonged discussion took place upon the subject, when the Commissioners, with somewhat modified views of their own wisdom, resolved to take opinion of counsel on the point. We understand, also, that the fishermen have been consulting the legal faculty on the subject; so that unless some prudence is exercised, expenses may arise that have not been contemplated.
1861
Musical.—ln the East of Fife a very general interest has of late been manifested in music. In the different towns spirited efforts have been made in the organisation of instrumental bands. Within the last week or two such bands have been formed in Cellardyke and Crail. As yet their members perform only on the flute; but there is little doubt, from the zeal and attention they are evincing, that they will ere long qualified for the using of more effective and powerful instruments. In the former place, were the interest of the fishermen to continue, such movement is most likely succeed, as they are not affected by those fluctuations in trade, nor the other inducements to removal, which have been the cause the up-breaking of most of the bands in this district.
1852
Sale of Property.—On Saturday last, an old tenement, with garden attached, situated at the back Cellardyke, was exposed for sale in the Town Hall here. Being well adapted for building stances, for which in the crowded state of that town there is great demand, a considerable degree of general interest was evinced on the occasion. The competition, however, was rather dull, and after few offers had been made, the property was knocked down to George Sharp, at the upset price of £220. We may here mention, that in Cellardyke, where the want of adequate house accommodation has been long and loudly complained of, a scheme being carried out which will to a great extent ameliorate the evil. In the course of the present year, a number of public spirited gentlemen in the locality, who were mainly induced to move in the matter from philanthropic motives, formed themselves into a building society. They shortly afterwards purchased a small field at the back of town, on which they are now to erect number commodious dwelling-houses, according to plans specially prepared by experienced architect.
1863
Anstruther Harbour Commissioners – A complaint was lodged by the Collector against two Cellardyke skippers—David Keay and Robert Dickson —for non-payment on specified days of their boat rates, and also against the former for not signing the weekly reports of the quantity of fish landed by him. The Clerk was instructed to write these parties, and make intimation that the Board was resolved to allow of no evasion of the regulation being made.
Mr Forbes here proposed that portable ladder of about twenty-four feet in length should be provided, and placed on the East Pier, for the convenience of the fishermen going on board their boats, which, after some discussion, it was agreed to grant.
A Justice of Peace Small Debt Court was held in Anstruther Town-hall— Provost Greig and William Murray, Esq , on the bench —John Smith, Esq., acting as assessor. There was the unusual large number of twenty-seven cases on the roll, but six of these were not called. The majority of the remaining cases were for the recovery of the price of growing potatoes, sold in drills in the end of the past summer, and in most cases the defenders, Cellardyke fishermen, appeared. They admitted the claim, but pleaded their inability to pay, from the poor state of the fishing.
MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT AT SEA – Early on Monday morning, one of our fishing boats was proceeding the fishing ground, being a long way out sea, when, preparatory to casting their lines, the fishermen proceeded trim the sails. One of them, named Gellatly, a promising and exemplary young man, had hold of the rope which was attached to the top the mast, and was the act of tightening it, when some piece of wood on which he stood the time slipped from under him, and he fell backwards into the sea, at the same time losing hold the rope. Every effort was made by his fellow fishermen to give aid, but he never again rose the surface of the water, and no trace of his body could be found, though the boat remained near the spot for a considerable time. The boat then set sail for Crail without casting their lines, and the fishermen proceeded to Cellardyke to convey the melancholy tidings to Gellatly’s parents.
1864
The Cellardyke fishermen have subscribed £37 3s towards the fund for relieving those of their own class at Buckie who were sufferers by the late storm.