April 1935
Bullock Goes For a Swim
The chilly weather that prevailed during the early part of the week did not deter a bullock from having a swim in the Tay. A drove of cattle coming from the market and in the vicinity of the Tay Ferries, the traffic caused uneasiness in the ranks of the animals. Suddenly one of them made a dash for an open gateway leading to the rear of the garage belonging to Mr George McLean and the slipway of Dundee Corinthian Boating Club. On reaching the waters edge it made a spectacular jump into the Tay.
Swimming strongly, it negotiated the pillars of the jetty nearby and reached Craig Pier. There was some concern for its safety by the near approach of the "Fifie" from Newport, but just as quickly as it had dashed from the street the bullock decided to return.
Two members of the boating club commandeered a dinghy and guided the animal back towards the steps. It came ashore at the point at which it had entered the water. It was none the worse, and was driven off in a motor float to join its companions.
"Star Gazers" Forward!
Mills Observatory Ready for Opening
Special to "People's Journal"
The long awaited Mills Observatory on Balgay Hill is now ready for opening. It will be handed over by the Mills Trustees to the control of the Town Council within the next week or two.
I was informed by one of the trustees that the observatory is now ready for action. All the instruments for studying the heavens are installed and only one or two odds and ends have to be attended to.
As I explained some time ago much of the delay was caused by the difficulty experienced in setting the best method of controlling the dome. As this weighs fully four toms and is operated by hand the machinery for manipulating it had to be most delicately adjusted and at the same time substantial enough to stand the strain.
This has been settled to the satisfaction of the trustees and of the firm, which supplied the instruments. The Trustees have deliberately not hurried to get the observatory handed over to the Town Council who are the future custodians of the building. They were determined that when it was handed over it would be in a state of perfection, and not liable to break down at any moment. So far as is humanly possible the Mills Observatory is a perfect establishment of its kind.
The only thing that remains for the trustees to do is to square up the accounts. That also will be completed before the handing over process takes place.
I was assured that everything will be in readiness in a matter of days. Then the trustees will be able to retire gracefully into the background, happy in the knowledge that even if it has been a long job it has been a good one.
The next step remains with the Town Council. They have laid down a splendid approach to the observatory, but they have not yet considered how the admission of the public to the building after dark is to be controlled.
Officially the park closes just after sunset, and obviously the use of the observatory will be ridiculously restricted if that rule is to remain in force. The time for serious star gazing is when the sun has gone to rest and the stars have begun to peep. The observatory has its uses during the day, but its main object is not to see if you recognise anybody on Broughty beach. It is intended for the study of astronomy, so it must be used until the wee sma' hours.
On the other hand the opening of the park to all and sundry at all hours of the night can hardly be permitted. Some other method of regulating admittance must be looked for. A special wired-in enclosure leading from the park gate to the observatory has been suggested, but this is a somewhat expensive business.
The issue of special permits has also been suggested, but if the resident park-keeper has to be at the beck and call of astronomers at all hours of the night he looks like having a thin time in the matter of sleep.
It is not the job of the Trustees to plan the methods of admission. Their job is to provide a building. They have done so. The next moves lies with the Town Council. They need not wait until the observatory is handed over. They can start right now, and have their scheme in readiness, and, who knows, the observatory may have its doors open in time to let citizens have a peep through the big telescope at the many beacons lit to celebrate the Royal Jubilee. It is not impossible but unlikely.
Camping or Hiking
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Jute Works to Reopen
A Dundee factory, which has been closed down, is to be reopened after the latest type of machinery is installed. A new company is in course of formation, and on their behalf North Dudhope Works have been purchased. The Works are situated in West Henderson's Wynd, between Guthrie Street and Douglas Street. They formerly belonged to Scott, Sons & Co (Dundee) Ltd.
It is the intention of the purchasers, when the new company has been formed, to engage in jute weaving and the factory will be equipped with the most modern type of machinery.
Dundee United Beaten
Dundee United were defeated Larbert last night in their league match with Stenhousemuir.
Result - Stenhousemuir, 3; Dundee United, 2.
Goal Scorers - Stenhousemuir - Murray (2), Morrison; Dundee United - King and Smith.
Wintry Spring Holiday
Dundee's spring holiday crowds had their outings under wintry weather conditions on Monday. This did not prevent a large exodus from the city however.
Upwards of 10,000 people left the city by train, Glasgow (2300), Perth (2000), and Edinburgh (1400) being easy favourites.
Cinema queues set up new records - even for a holiday, the smaller houses shared the boon with the big shows.
The city was without a senior football attraction, but Harp and North End, who had the junior fold all to themselves, drew 3000 to Glenesk Park.
Caird Park golf course was busy from early morning. The first couple went out at 6am in drizzling rain, and although there was no improvement during the next few hours, there were hundreds of people on the course by midday.
Scores of hardy hikers waded ankle-deep in snow to cross the Sidlaws. The drifts were knee deep in some places.
Forty biology students from University College, Dundee visited the Rowett Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, under the guidance of Professor A.D. Peacock.
Swiss Milk Tablet
This brown tablet is delicious and a great favourite. Take 3lb of castor sugar, 3-oz fresh butter, a small time of condensed milk, 1 cupful of fresh milk, 1 heaped tablespoonful of syrup and 1 dessertspoonful of vinegar.
Put sugar, butter, syrup and fresh milk into an enamel lined pan and melt very slowly (don't allow to boil until thoroughly melted). When boiling add the condensed milk, stirring all the time, boil for 20 to 30 minutes, and then add the vinegar. Remove from the fire and beat for five minutes, before pouring into greased tins.
Warm Welcome for B.B.C. Orchestra
An audience of 3000 people gave an enthusiastic reception to the B.B.C. Orchestra in the Caird Hall on Wednesday night. The orchestra, which was paying its first visit to Scotland, comprises 119 players and the tempestuous applause testified to their magnificent playing. Dr Adrian Boult, the conductor, was recalled many times.
The programme included Wagner's "Flying Dutchman" overture, "Coronach" by David Stephen, the Dundee composer, who received the tribute of the audience when he appeared on the platform; the Brahms third symphony; three scenes from the "Petrushka" ballet of Stravinsky; the "Queen Mab" scherzo from "Romeo and Juliet"; the "Benvenuto Cellini" overture and "Chasse Royale et Orage" from "The Trojans."
At a reception in the Marryat Hall, which followed the concert, Dr Boult expressed himself as delighted both with the Caird Hall and the audience.
Mickey Summers Defeated
Mickey Summers, Dundee, the Scottish bantam-weight champion, met his match at Liverpool Stadium on Thursday night, when he was defeated on points by George Marsden, of Nottingham.
Marsden won by a comfortable margin mainly because of his superior leading with both hands. Summers had no effective counter, and most of his best work was done at in-fighting.