Stevenston - On This Day In History

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GLASGOW HERALD
6 AUGUST 1895

THE AYRSHIRE COLLIERY DISASTER - NINE MEN STILL MISSING - WORK OF EXPLORATION CONTINUED

The gallant band of workers whose efforts on Sunday resulted in the rescue of five of the fourteen men entombed in Auchenharvie Colliery continued their labours yesterday. They, however, were without success so far as the further saving of life was concerned, but a considerable portion of the lower workings were explored, and some property belonging to the imprisoned miners discovered.

As time goes on the chances of rescue are, of course, becoming more remote, and it is regarded almost a certainty that some at least of the miners will never be brought to the pithead alive.

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GLASGOW HERALD
7 AUGUST 1895

THE AYRSHIRE COLLIERY DISASTER - ALL HOPE OF RESCUE ABANDONED

Search parties continue to explore the Auchenharvie coal workings yesterday. They went through all the places to which it was thought the nine men might have escaped, but without finding any of them.

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GLASGOW HERALD
8 AUGUST 1871

IRVINE SHERIFF COURT

At a Sheriff Court at Irvine on Saturday last, Sheriff Robinson gave judgment in an action which has been before the Court for a considerable time, and which is of considerable interest to agriculturists.

Mr John Orr, Newmoor, sought to recover a fee of two guineas from Mr A. W. R. Cuninghame, of Auchenharvie, for the services of an entire horse.

The defence was a statement that a bargain had been made with the pursuer’s groom that the service should be made at farmers’ rates, viz., one guinea, but the Sheriff held that such a bargain was beyond the groom’s power to make, even were it proved to have been made, and discerned for the full sum sued for.

In a previous action for the service fee, Sheriff Anderson held that the groom could make a special bargain.

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GLASGOW HERALD
9 AUGUST 1898

MALA-FIDE TRAVELLERS

At Irvine J.P. Court yesterday – Doctor Wilson, of Redhurst, presiding – ROBERT PATERSON, JAMES PATERSON, and ROBERT PATERSON, all pleaded guilty to a charge of having on 17th July, falsely represented to a Kilwinning publican that they came from Kilbirnie, when they had travelled from Stevenston, and thus induced him to supply them with refreshment.

They were each fined 20s, or in default 10 days’ imprisonment.

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GLASGOW HERALD
10 AUGUST 1870

KILMARNOCK U.P. PRESBYTERY

A meeting of this presbytery was held yesterday – the Rev. Mr Kirkwood, of Troon, officiating as moderator.

The Rev. Mr Philp, of Saltcoats, presented the report of Evangelistic Committee, containing a number of recommendations, especially with regard to the appointment of a missionary for the district of Ardeer and Stevenston.

After some conversation, the committee was re-appointed, with power to co-operate with the Home Mission Board in obtaining the services of evangelists for the district referred to.

There was no other business of interest.

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GLASGOW HERALD
11 AUGUST 1871

Sir,

IRVINE SHERIFF COURT

Observing a paragraph in your paper of 8th instant, be good enough to insert the following in your next publication, being a more correct and full statement of the procedure, and also of considerable interest to agriculturists; for should any have the misfortune to have cases to contend against, and after getting justice done them at Kilmarnock, and appeal to Circuit Courts at Ayr dismissed, still they are in danger from a novelty in law, that the case can be brought again before the Sheriffs of Irvine, taken again to proof before any number of witnesses their opponent, the pursuer, might choose to bring forward, and have the case by a majority of witnesses entirely overturned.

Such, no doubt, has been the case with Mr A. W. R. Cuninghame, who first refused a demand of Mr John Orr’s for a fee of two guineas for the service of an entire horse, when one guinea, according to proved agreement with the pursuer’s groom, was the contract – viz., that the service of the horse should be at the farmers’ rates; according to the card presented, and which card referred to the said groom for all further particulars. In which previous action at Kilmarnock, Sheriff Anderson accordingly decided that the groom had and could make the bargain which was entered into – viz., 2s 6d to himself, one guinea for service, and one guinea afterwards if the mare proved in foal.

This decision at Kilmarnock did not satisfy Mr John Orr, who appealed to the Circuit Court at Ayr, where his appeal was dismissed against him with expenses. Nothing daunted, however, he again summoned Mr A. W. R. Cuninghame for the two guineas to the Irvine Court next, where, after repeated attendance through nearly a twelvemonth, before the Sheriffs there could make up their minds to strike at the novelty in law by proceeding with the case until last Saturday, when Sheriff Robinson at last reverses Sheriff Anderson’s decision and the Ayr Court’s dismissal of appeal, led evidence again with a majority of witnesses sworn up by the pursuer, overturning all other final decision, and as is termed in lawyer’s phrase res judicata.

If such now is to be the general practice, there will be no end to litigation.

I am etc.,
A.W. R. Cuninghame.
Auchenharvie

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GLASGOW HERALD
12 AUGUST 1885

STEVENSTON SCHOOL BOARD

This Board met on Monday evening – Mr Donaldson in the chair.

A census prepared by the attendance officer showed the children of school age in Stevenston numbered 695, and in the Saltcoats part of the parish 261 – total 1056.

A letter was read from Mr William Stewart resigning his seat on the Board. It was agreed to accept his resignation and appoint a new member at the next meeting.

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GLASGOW HERALD
13 AUGUST 1884

STEVENSTON SCHOOL BOARD

The monthly meeting was held on Monday evening – Rev. John Grahame presiding.

From the minutes of special meetings it appeared that the plan of Mr F. Burnett, Glasgow, had been selected for the new school at Saltcoats.

Mr Gemmell, who had not attended the special meetings, dissented from the minutes, but the Chairman ruled that the dissent could not be entered in the minutes.

The Committee appointed to consider the salaries paid to the six assistants in Stevenston Public School recommended that they receive an advance of £5 each per year.

The Board agreed to give effect to this recommendation.

Mr Gemmell asked the Board to reconsider their resolution to fix the school rate at £450 this year, proposing £300 instead, which he considered sufficient. The Chairman thought £450 would be required. The clerk said the proposal could not be entertained as the Parochial Board had already fixed the assessment for school rates.

Mr Gemmell afterwards moved that the Board’s resolution to build a new school at Saltcoats be rescinded, and that effect be given to the resolution of the public meeting of ratepayers.

After a warm discussion, the Chairman refused to put the motion to the meeting, and the matter dropped.

Mr Gemmell next took up the question of the appointment of the Building Committee, asking that the minutes bearing on the point be read, but he was not successful, the Chairman stating that they had already been read, and ruling against him.

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GLASGOW HERALD
14 AUGUST 1889

STEVENSTON SCHOOL BOARD

At the monthly meeting of this Board – Mr Donaldson presiding – it was reported that the grant earned by the Public School was over £510, from which £54 had been deducted under Article 32, making the net grant nearly £456.

The grant for Kyleshill School, after deducting £32 under Article 32, was nearly £225.

Two pupil teachers and two assistants applied for an increase of salaries.

It was resolved to hold a special meeting of the Board to consider the school reports and salaries.

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GLASGOW HERALD
14 AUGUST 1894

STEVENSTON PAROCHIAL BOARD

At the meeting of the Parochial Board the Poor, School, and Registration rates were fixed.

Mr John Dickie was elected chairman, and Messrs Thomson and Caldwell delegates to the poorhouse.

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GLASGOW HERALD
15 AUGUST 1910

FATAL BOATING ACCIDENT AT STEVENSTON

Yesterday afternoon an alarming boating accident took place on Ardeer beach, Stevenston.

A party of eight men and one woman left Stevenston in the forenoon for Irvine, and while returning the boat in some unaccountable manner capsized while coming into the pier. All the occupants were thrown into the sea.

The accident occurred about 100 yards from the shore, where the water was deep.

Fortunately some other boats were in the vicinity, and they immediately made for the drowning people. A man set off from the pier, sculling a boat but as he was making too slow progress another man swam out with a second oar, and together they picked up five men and the woman.

The two remaining men were rescued by another boat.

One of the men taken into the first boat, JAMES AGNEW, (40), miner, residing at Ardeer Square, had been in a recent colliery accident and lost an arm. He was recovering from his illness, and the sudden immersion brought about heart failure, and he died on being brought ashore.

The accident caused great excitement among the people on the beach.

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GLASGOW HERALD
16 AUGUST 1895

SHIPMENT OF EXPLOSIVES

During the past fortnight there have been several heavy shipments of explosives from the works of Messrs Nobel & Company in Ardeer Bay.

They include 2025 cases of dynamite and gelatines and 30 cases of detonators for London, 400 cases of gelatines and 15 cases of detonators transhipped on the Clyde, and 3481 cases of dynamite and gelatines and 14 cases of collodion cotton for London.