Notes from Newport Town Council Minutes
These are not full transcripts of the Minutes. They are my own notes.
1896-97 (November 1896 - November 1897) Source: Newport-on-Tay Council Minutes, newspaper reports
| [Local news] Sea beach at West Newport - right-of-way secured. An arrangement has been come to by the Wellgate Park and Broadhaugh feuars whereby the householders on the river side, whose property commands the foreshore at the point known as the 'Old Pierhead', have given off their gardens for the purpose of forming a road to the point where the steps to the sea beach used to be, and to permit the replacing of these steps and grant to the feuars and residenters access at that point to the sea beach. It is also provided in the agreement that in the event of those proprietors wishing to build at any future time on this ground they will form a substitute entrance at their own expense. At the present day, when so many accesses to the sea beaches and rights-of-way in the neighbourhood of Newport are being shut up, it may be interesting to make public and preserve evidence in regard to the rights of the West Newpoort case, which had nearly been lost, but which several of the old residenters have quietly but formally secured to the public. In West Newport the only kind pf public road down to the river from the highways is by the access to the house occupied by Miss Adie. This road is much used by boaters to use the slip which is constructed on the shore there. At that point, however, the rocks intersect between the road and the beach, and the latter is very rough. The main road to the sea has always been a feuars' and public road, and at the north-west corner of it there was ground described, known and used as 'the Pierhead'. This road and pierhead are referred to in the older titles of the Broadhaugh feuars and those of Wellgate Park enjoy the same rights. Formerly all the ground to the north, from some cottages facing the highway down to the river, was in a manner common or waste ground, and, with the exception of a narrow slip behind these cottages, was in grass, the boundary being a sea retaining wall, very high to the westward and lowering with the ground level to the eastward. About the middle of this waste ground there was a footpath leading to an opening in the sea wall, and an access by some broken-down steps and cuttings in the rock down to a very good shingle beach known as the ladies' bathing place. That portion of the beach makes very good bathing ground when the tide is flowing. Some years ago a proprietor built two cottages towards the north-east point of the common ground and either partly upon, or in awkward proximity to, what was used in earlier times as pierhead ground. Several of the adjoining feuars still maintain that at least the northmost of the cottages was put upon that ground. A small piece of ground, partly used as a garden plot, was, however, still left to the northward, but latterly it was fenced in. The ground was shut up at the westward, and that to the north of the other front cottages was gradually turned into garden ground, and even the footway to the ladies bathing ground was closed. The palings and fences at these points suffered at different times at the instigation of pedestrians anxious to show how they regarded the right-of-way question involved. Now, as has been stated, a suitable path and concrete stairs have been established, and it may be that in the future a Tay Ferry Convener will adopt this point as a suitable landing stage for passengers by the river steamers. [Advertiser 1 Oct 1897] |
| [Comment piece] I am glad to learn from today's Advertiser that there are in Newport champions of public rights-of-way who are not afraid to work for the public benefit. There are other rights-of-way in West Newport to which the attention of the commissioners has been called again and again, but as nothing has been done perhaps the champions who have been successful in connection with access to the beach will take up the other questions which could be settled easily. [Evening Telegraph 1 Oct 1897] |
| The Commission had sponsored technical classes in Dundee, 26 lads attending at the present time [funding from Government grant]. Fees and boat fares for these scholars, £4, would come within the amount at the disposal of the Commission for the purpose. Agreed to increase the salary of Mr F G Kemp, collector, in view of the excellent service he rendered. Assessments for the coming year: 8d per £1 for general purposes; 4d per £1 special sewer rate; 5d per £1 for streets and roads (all the same as last year). Also an additional £50 for improved lighting. The total valuation of the burgh is £20900, a rise of 18% on that of 10 years ago. It was a matter for congratulation that the assessment for roads and streets should be the same as when they were taken over by the Commission. Lighting improvements: an incandescent lamp in each of 2 lamps on Kilnburn Place instead of erecting new lamps on the dark side of the roadway. Agreed to write to the North British Railway Co expressing the unanimous agreement of the Commissioners on the need for a station on the main line at Wormit. The Jubilee medal just received from Her Majesty by Provost Leitch was on view at the meeting, and congratualations were offered on its reception. [Courier 5 Oct 1897] |
| Lighting improvements: The proposals included placing an incandescent lamp at the corner of St Phillans Place and High Street - a member remarking that it was well to cast some light upon the Club. Provost intimated that there had been received from Mr Thomas Congleton a minute of agreement between the feuars of Wellgate Park and Broadhaugh and the Misses Just, preserving a right of way by Miss Eadie's property to the Old Pier at West Newport. [Advertiser 5 Oct 1897] |
| The Clerk read the following letter which the Provost had received from Mr Thomas Congleton, Wellgate Park, Newport, dated 4th October:- 'Dear Provost Leitch, I herewith hand to you, to be recorded in your Commission books, agreement between the Misses Just, proprietrices of Wellgate Park and Broadhaugh Feus, and me, as representing feuars and the public; also, sketch of the Pierhead ground received by me from Mr John Roger, Walnut Cottage, Newport. Fife. The agreement is dated 4th March 1889. On behalf of the feuars and the public, I have to ask that your Commission will in future keep the Pierhead road in good order, and also the right-of-way footroad to the ladies' bathing place, and the common ground given back to the feuars and the public by the Misses Just. Seats for the use of the public should be put on the latter, and at the portion of the footway I suggested to you. The agreement referred to was in the following terms:- To Miss Joanna Just and Miss Jane Just. West Newport. 87 Commercial Street, Dundee, March 4th, 1889. Dear Madams. - Referring to our recent meetings as representing the Wellgate Park and Broadhaugh feuars, for whom I am acting, I beg to state that they are fully satisfied with the agreement come to whereby you are (1st) to have removed seven feet of the paling measuring from the wall on the south-east of the piece of ground now in grass, which formed part of the old Pierhead, and is situated to the north of your northmost house next the sea, presently occupied by Robert Murray, and to put a paling fence directly across the present flower plot, seven feet from said wall, leaving between said paling fence and the north gable wall of said house a space of twelve feet or thereby, and to leave open the portion of said plot and ground to the north of said paling fence so to be erected; that these feuars and other proprietors whose titles give them the use of the common road, and right to ship and unload goods, may, with you and your successors, have joint and common and uninterrupted access to said ground to the north of the paling fence so to be erected; and (2d) that you are to give off a footroad of four feet in width to lead round the south-east and south-west sides of the garden ground to the point where the steps to the rocks and sea-beach used to be, and to permit the replacing of steps, and grant to the feuars and residenters access at that point to the sea beach; the expense of fencing such footpath and of the steps to be borne by the feuars and others, and not by you. Declaring that in the event of you at any time wishing to build upon the said garden ground further south and west than where the present houses are, you shall be at liberty to alter the entrance to said footroad further south and west, provided you, at your own expense, make a substitute entrance suitable to continue the access to the sea beach as now to be arranged for as above mentioned, and such power and right is hereby expressly reserved to you. The rough sketch plan annexed shows the ground and alterations referred to. - Yours truly, (sgd) THONAS CONGLETON, JOANNA T. JUST, and JANE E. JUST.' The agreement was minuted. [Courier 5 Oct 1897] |
| Retiring members: Bailie Welch, Commissioner Moir, Commissioner Lawson. Election, if required, to be on Tuesday 2 Nov 1897. [Courier 5 Oct 1897] |
| Last night a public meeting was held in the Blyth Hall for the purpose of allowing candidates to be nominated for the 3 vacancies occurring at the Burgh Commission. Provost Leitch said the Commission had attempted no heroic scheme but had carried out a number of important improvements; he mentioned that he had that day come to an arrangement with Mr Berry under which the Commission would lease the whole of the Braes at a merely nominal rental. (applause). Mr Robertson spoke about the work done by the Plans Committee; Mr Roger spoke about the Lighting Committee - a steady improvement in the street lighting of the burgh, and the railway company had agreed to make important additions to the lighting in the neighbourhood of the West Station. Bailie Winton spoke of the work of the Streets Committee - including the widening of the street at the entrance to the East Station, Mr Berry having given the ground free of charge. With regard to the vexed question of the Kirk Road - a lot of discussion but no definite agreement for the work on the whole road. For a start, the road leading up by the Yellow Castle has been improved - the costs borne largely by the feuars, Mr Berry and the railway company. Little would be left for the ratepayers to fund. With regard to the road from Waterstone Crook to the Cupar Road, he remained of the opinion that the road should be repaired as it was, not widened or deviated. He had been complimented on the condition of the roads in the burgh by cyclists - who knew what good roads were. Mr Pattullo spoke about the finances. Mr James Lawson, one of the retiring commissioners, referred to the improved democratic conditions under which the elections of commissioners now took place. The Provost then asked for nominations. [Advertiser 23 Oct 1897] |
| Public meeting (continued) : Retiring Commissioners Bailie Welch and Mr Lawson were proposed; Captain Rollo and James Keay were nominated. Mr Lawson stated that in view of the feelings expressed, he would reconsider his decision not to stand again. Bailie Welch was not present. Messrs Rollo and Keay gave their opinions on current local questions and intimated their intentions of going to the poll. Any questions from the floor? George Scrymgeour - why, when all the other private roads in the burgh were watched, cleaned, lighted and repaired by the commissioners, was Kirk Road left in such a deplorably unsanitary condition? Convener of the roads committee [Bailie Winton] stated his inability to answer the question. Mr Scrymgeour said in view of the reply he trusted that the commission would lose no time in dealing with the question. They now knew that it was not Mr Berry who was the stick-in-the-mud who prevented the road being put right. (applause.) George Scrymgeour - what sum had been subscribed by the feuars on the east side of the Yellow Castle road? Provost replied £50 already subscribed, eventually £80 is anticipated. George Scrymgeour - what precautions are being taken in Newport to prevent the spread of fever? Provost replied that they had only become aware that day that 2 cases of fever had occurred in the Burgh. The medical officer was not obliged to notify any authority. Mr Scrymgeour pointed out the danger to the health of school children - is nothing to be done? Mr Pattullo replied that the commissioners had strived for some time to secure the co-operation of neighbouring authorities in erecting a fever hospital. Under the new Act which would come into force in the new year, notification would become compulsory, which would no doubt strengthen their case for reform. Dr Stewart was taking every precaution. Provost given vote of thanks for services in the chair. [Advertiser 23 Oct 1897] |
| Public meeting (continued) : Mr Lawson was pleased in the success of calling the public meeting where the general feeling as regards the Commission's work might be given expression to. James Kay, Woodmuir Cottages was proposed by Messrs Sharp & Donaghey; Mr Lawson by D H Robertson & John Scott; Bailie Welch by George Scrymgeour & Commissioner Mitchell, Alma Terrace; Capt Rollo by William Fenton & James Maclaren. [Courier 23 Oct 1897] |
| Nominations for 3 vacancies: David Brand, James McEwen Kay, James Lawson, George Rollo, John Welch. (Lawson & Welch are retiring members.) [Courier 27 Oct 1896] |
| Alexander Tosh CA has been reappointed auditor. Plans passed - double villa for William Kidd, stationer, in Tay Street at the east side of Robert Street. [Advertiser 2 Nov 1897] |
| Slaughter houses - report by Dr Stewart, the Burgh Surveyor and Sanitary Inspector - there are 2 existing slaughter houses and 1 proposed by George Murray. Murray's plans refused - the site and the temporary nature of the buildings proposed make the buildings not suitable for the proposed purpose. Town Clerk to ascertain from the butchers in the burgh the average number of cattle and other beasts which they slaughter in the course of a year, the Surveyor to enquire about slaughter house provision in other similar burghs. [Advertiser 2 Nov 1897] |
| Application by the National Telephone Co for certain proposed improvements to its plant in Newport was remitted to Committee. Several accounts were passed. [Courier 2 Nov 1897] |
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