Snippets from the Courier
THE ISLE OF HATTAN. During the recent gales the beacon on the Isle of Hattan (p 24), a projection of rocks rising out of the sea nearly opposite Treasurer Dunlop’s house, was blown down. Arrangements are being made for its re-erection at the ensuing spring tides, when the water will recede far enough to allow of a strong pole being sunk into the rock, on the top of which is fastened the metal plate, taken off the old beacon, which bears the inscription - ‘G.B.M. Beatson, Esq., 1847’, by whom it was erected. The Campbeltown Courier, 11 February 1882.
No. 51 Spring 2002
BURGH POLICE COURT. ... On Saturday, John Kane, master of a vessel in the harbour, was sentenced to pay a fine of £3 3s or go to prison for 42 days, for taking away sand from the Dorling. Courier, 29/9/1882.
No. 52 Autumn 2002
TROUBLE WITH THE POST. Apropos the adventures of a letter from Glenbarr which reached a Campbeltown merchant via New Zealand, recounted last week, another instance of round-about delivery is related this week. Shortly since, a letter addressed in a perfectly clear hand to the Laird of Largie at ‘Largie Castle, Tayinloan, Cantire’, took four months to reach him. In the interval it had travelled all the way to Canton, China, and the envelope was covered with hierogliphics of the puzzled authorities of the Chinese postal service. Cantire is certainly a more correct spelling than Kintyre, but apparently there are dangers attached to its use. The Campbeltown Courier, 25 July 1914.
No. 52 Autumn 2002
KIPPERING ESTABLISHMENT. The new establishment at Port Crannic, Carradale, erected by Mr J.B. Allen, of Girvan, for the purpose of kippering herring is, we are happy to say, turning out a succesful speculation. The produce is finding a ready market owing to the rare quality of the herrings and the thorough manner in which the kippering is done. Boxes in considerable numbers are exported daily to the Glasgow and London markets, where, judging from the brisk demand, they are in high favour. Campbeltown Courier, 8 September, 1883
No. 52 Autumn 2002
THE WRECK OF THE BEN-MY-CHREE. The sale of this wreck took place on Wednesday at Peninver, under the direction of Mr John Muir, Lloyd’s agent. The entire wreck, including chains, anchors, etc., only realised a little over £48. Since the wreck the crew have been staying with Mr Charles McConachy, Ardnacross, whose son first gave the alarm and assisted the rescue of the men. Courier, 24/2/1883.
No. 52 Autumn 2002
STORMY WEATHER. - FLOODING IN TOWN. This week there was a regrettable change in the weather conditions. Saturday was one of the most pleasant days this season - mild, calm, and summerlike - but at the beginning of the week heavy rains and strong raw winds set in, and the rainfall till now has been exceptionally heavy. On Tuesday and Wednesday a perfect rainstorm was experienced. On the latter day hail fell, and a slight thunderstorm passed over the district in the afternoon. In Longrow and Lochend there was a recurrence of the flooding, the water in Lochend stretching right across the street. In Longrow several shops were flooded, although the shopkeepers who usually suffer in this manner had their stormboards early in use. In the country the few dry hours have been too short to permit of any harvest work being taken seriously in hand, and a large amount of ingathering yet remains to be done, although a few Kintyre farmers are in the happy position of having their crop in the stackyard. Campbeltown Courier, 10 Oct 1903.
No. 53 Spring 2003
KILCHENZIE. GIFT OF A LIBRARY. Mr James Coats, jr., Esq. of Ferguslie, Paisley, has now extended his generosity to Kilchenzie, very kindly equipping the school with a handsome library, comprising one hundred volumes. The books deal with biography, history, fiction, and poetry, and all have been carefully selected. An encyclopedia and a dictionary have been included, and the same generous donor has also presented the school with several excellent wall maps. Campbeltown Courier, 3 Nov 1906.
No. 53 Spring 2003
CARRADALE. PUBLIC HEALTH. The epidemic of diphtheria which has been prevalent in the Carradale district for some time seems now to be on the wane. No fresh cases have occurred for some weeks, and the members of the affected households are now convalescent. The school is still closed. Campbeltown Courier, 3 Nov 1906.
No. 53 Spring 2003