Leith 100 years ago

We are grateful to Steve Mitchell for the following two articles

LEITH 100 Years ago: 23rd Feb - 7th Mar 1908.
From the Leith Observer & Advertiser. (The main weekly newspaper for Leith.)

Feb 29th Edition:

What better way to start the weekend than by sitting by the fire with a glass of ‘Haggets Nourishing Stout’, only 2/6d a dozen and coal now at a low price of 17/- a bag (cwt) for Good Lothian and 22/- for Best Niddrie.

(We have to recall that in the past few weeks Leith Town Council had decided that only those with a family income of 20/- a week could rent Corporation house with two bedrooms?)

The Tramway ticket returns for the previous week were £455/11/10d an increase of £12/10/- on the previous year. (This is only mentioned because there is no other report on Tramway business this week – what’s happening on Lower Granton Road?

Health statistics showed a normal (sic) death rate, 17 male, 30 female. Seven under one’s - 9 between 1 and 5 years and 13 over 60. There were18 notifiable diseases recorded and 16 patients had been sent to East Pilton Hospital.

Under Provost Mackie, the Edinburgh and Leith Gas Commissioners met, amongst other things they decided to provide canteen facilities at Granton gas Works, and that the old works were to be sold. They accepted a proposal to oppose the ‘Coal Mines 8 Hour Bill’ saying it would lead very much dearer coal for the Gas Companies. The Government were strongly in favour of this Bill and had pledged to carry it through; the mood of the country was that this Bill was eminently desirable. – Decision deferred.

Provost Mackie’s annual treat for the poorhouse dwellers filled the large hall. A concert was given by many local artists and gifts of food, sweets and tobacco were distributed.

It was announced that Bruce Peebles, the East Pilton Engineers were to go into liquidation.

On Junction Bridge a horse bolted, injuring a lady passenger in a lorry it collided with. Its trailing harness overturned a grocer’s barrow near Bowling Green Street, after which the
horse veered away and cantered back to its stables in Coburg Street.

The Burgh of Leith tendered – again – for uniforms for Tramway workers.

‘The Woman who Gambled’ was coming to the end of its run at the Gaiety, to be followed by the weird mystery – from life to death – ‘A False Wife’.

The Leith Hospital general council of Contributors, at their AGM heard that 22190 patients had been treated in 1907, an increase from 21917 in the previous year. Given the average number of patients per day, the cost per annum per occupied bed was £250.
The ‘Shilling’ und saw a bad week, given that 20/- was contributed by children of he Burns Street mission, only a further 39/- had been donated.

Dalmeny Street United Free Church celebrated the semi-jubilee of the Sabbath School, 272 children attended a special service t which some 140 teachers, past and present and guests had been invited.

A Railway porter was fatally injured at Central Station sidings, when shunting carriages ran over him severing both legs.
A letter had been received by the Leith Observer, from the organisers of the Scottish National Exhibition – Edinburgh – 1908 with an – ‘Appeal for a Leith Exhibit’. Wm Lindsay, FRSGS, Joint Convenor, wrote:
“Sirs. I am convinced that were her citizens willing the historic Port of Leith could take a lead in making the Exhibition successful and more distinctly National.
Leith, on many eventful occasions has, by the combined sagacity and patriotism of her merchants and the skill and hardihood of her mariners, secured for Scotland a renowned place in the annals of naval supremacy. In this connection it is pleasant to remember that the Port of Leith was virtually the birth-place of the Scottish Navy of the past, and from its harbour, Wood and Barton sailed the seas and kept the flag of Scotland proudly waving in spite of every foe.
Was it not from the good town of Leith that King James IV’s renowned ship, “The Great Michael” was launched, and was it not for the size and strength the wonder of her time; then good ships all of them: The Flower – The Yellow Carvel – The Lion – The Jenny Pirwin – The Cuckoo – The James – The Margaret, and others of the same period showed that Scotland’s commerce was promoted and protected by the men of Leith.
This being her honourable record in the stormy past, would it not b a gracious act – an act of patriotism – if leith would kindly contribute to the Exhibition a model that would clearly symbolise the foundations of her commercial enterprise.* Models of the aforementioned famous ships would prove an immediate attraction too the public, and were a large model of, say, the Yellow Caravel - the work of Leith’s own carpenters – presented to the Exhibition by Leith’s townsmen, it would be a tribute whose value and whose interest would be unique. The model could be appropriately anchored on the Water of Leith within the Exhibition Grounds (at Saughton) and would effectively remind the crowds of visitors that as of old the Port of Leith was still a leader in commerce and trade the world over.
I make this appeal because I know the people of Leith are desirous of their town’s advancement. I know they would like her to maintain her worthy place in Scotland’s history. I know they will gladly help to realise this suggestion, made for the sake of the success of a national event which is intended not only to advance the national prosperity, but to spread the blessing of peace, fraternity and lasting friendship among the nations of the world.
The ultimate destination of such a model, after the Exhibition is over, might be in our Royal Scottish Museum.
Trusting the Leith citizens will be pleased to consider the suggestion herein contained, and hoping that it may appeal to them and meet with their approval. Yours etc;”

Leith Academy Former Pupils held an evening of Musical Entertainment and Dance at Coupar Street Halls. ‘Cinderella’ was the theme.
The boys’ Brigade inter-company football league competition ended, the 4th Leith being top of the league, he 10th Leith narrowly beaten into second place.
Hibs lost to Kilmarnock by one goal to no goals.

MARCH 7th Edition:
There had been a proposal to extend Starbank Park and a public meting was held in the Madras Hall on Craighall Road where some 50 residents heard details of the proposal. A petition, which gathered about 600 signatures in favour of the extension were assured that the purchase of the land required for this scheme would not be affected by the extension at Victoria Park and the extension would not only be enhanced amenities for the local community but for the entire ward. In support of the proposal, it was stated that as Leith had no sea beach, what better substitute than a seaward looking park. The proposal was sent to the Council.

The National Actors Association decided to ‘demand’ a minimum wage of £2 per hour.

At the Market Hall, the Temperance Society entertained and presented a concert by the St Cecelia’s Orchestral Choir on behalf of Leith Hospital funds. £w/13/4d was raised, and gratuitously raised to £3 by the Society.

Meanwhile the ‘Shilling Fund’, now nearing the end of its fundraising time-span at the end of March raised another 207/-.

In the Leith Dean of Guild Court, James Bertram & Sons were given permission to build a Brass foundry at their Leith Walk premises. Robert Lamb of Logie Green Works were given permission to erect a wooden shed at Seafield’ on the understanding that it would not interfere with the adjacent wall belonging to Leith Town Council.

Bernard Sayers, the golfer, had intimated that he would be very pleased to play at the opening exhibition of the new golf course together with Mr Massy of France the current open Champion. Prise money of £25, £15 and £10 was suggested. The matter was approved, but there was some disapproval that the course needed more money spending on it. ‘The grass isn’t even growing. ‘The charge of 1/- a head entrance fee wouldn’t help the grass – it would make it worse’. It was agreed t proceed with the exhibition and the charges.

The Leith School Board, at their meeting announced that Leith academy would take part in the Scottish National Exhibition as part of a 230 strong choir and orchestra in the Grand Hall.
It was asked if this was the only school involved ad confirmed that it was.
‘What about the Newhaven School dressed as fisher people?’ Don’t know, but will refer to committee for consideration.

Leith Town Council had a long debate about Rates, the arrears thereof and their collection.
It was stated that arrears would be subject to a penalty, and in future there would be an opportunity to pay by instalments. No details as to how this would operate, but reference was made to the Gas company payments which were due 3 times a year. Any who don’t pay are made to pay by ‘penny in the slot meters’ or get no gas at all.
‘Are we to do that as well?’ (Laughter) – ‘something after the same manner – but still in advance!’ The motion was carried by 10 votes to 5 votes.

At the Police Courts a carter from Eastfield pleaded guilty to being drunk while in charge of two horses, both attached to the same cart. Eight previous convictions were reported and the sentence was 20/- or 14 days in custody.

Three labourers sons from Bangor Road, aged 12 and a half, 10 and a half and 8 and a half respectively were fund guilty of stealing from the green in Tennant Street, two pairs of ladies knickers, a nightgown and a bolsterslip.

A labourer’s wife from Weir’s Close was fined 6d or 5 days for being drunk in charge of two children under two.

Yet another labourers wife, from Bonnington Road was fined 5/- or 3days for being drunk in Coburg street on Saturday and again on Sunday in Leith Walk.

A Dock Place seaman was convicted of assaulting two showmen in the Kirkgate with his fists. - 7/6d or Twenty Five Days.

Four youths were charged with playing football in Smiths Lands on Sunday. Three were fined small amounts; the fourth had the case dropped as he was in the Smallpox Hospital.

A carpenter’s son from Starbank was remitted to Haddington Sheriff Court. He had stolen £2 from a box at Blaghie Farmhouse, where he was employed. He had gone to London by train, but, tiring he returned to his parents house in Newhaven. The Police had been made aware of the theft, and on his return the boy was recognised and arrested. The detective discovered that he had handed the balance of the money to his mother. £15/13/6d.

The Government’s Licensing Bill had created much ‘disquietitude’ in the Trade, both in England and Scotland, which was set out in a statement of opinion by a Mr WG Sinclair of Edinburgh, Managing Director of Allsops Brewery, also of Edinburgh and we give space to it as more dispassionate and better responded than others that have been published. The Statement begins: “The Bill is so extraordinary in character that as a businessman I am almost tempted to say it is not worth while recording it”. The Bill, in summary, set out to vastly reduce the number of licensed premises and impose far greater duties on the sale of alcoholic beverages. It was intended to compensate those who ‘lost’ licenses but only meagrely. The great amount of drink related crime was one of the reasons given for these changes, but the trade and local councils as well were against the move. The trade because of the hardship on its members, and the local councils because they too would lose out since they charged rates for licences. The statement went on at length, giving many arguments against this imposition, but to no avail, the Bill was passed by Act of Parliament.

Hibs beat Port Glasgow Athletic by two goals to one goal. Leith met East Stirlingshire at Falkirk in front of a crowd of 800 supporters. East Stirlingshire were the winners by three goals to one goal. NB Thistle met Leith Athletic Jnrs at Holyrood Park in the Edinburgh League, NB winning comfortably by Seven goals to three goals. At Chancelot Park Leith Battalion BB’s were due to play the ‘Old boys’ in preparation for the next week’s game against Edinburgh.
· Editors note. The copy sent to ‘aboutmyarea/eh6’ stops at this point.


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