February 1935

Dundee Jute Works Dispute

Courier BuildingSouth Anchor Works owned by South Anchor Jute Works (Dundee), Ltd., West Henderson's Wynd, Dundee, were closed on Tuesday following a dispute in which 400 employees are affected. The dispute arose the previous day, when complaints were received regarding the quality of the yarn supplied to the weavers.A notice was posted at the gate on Tuesday giving them an opportunity to return to work, but they did not do so, and consequently the whole establishment closed. The situation was still unchanged yesterday.

Final Scenes in Triple Tragedy

Dundee Sister' Funeral

The community of Dundee has rarely been so moved as it was by the tragic death from accidental gas poisoning of the three sisters Millar in their home at 5 Morgan Street.

A public tribute was paid yesterday afternoon, when the bodies of the three sisters were laid to rest in the family grave at Eastern Cemetery. A quietly respectful crowd assembled in Morgan Street as the three hearses drew up to the entrance to the house. Almost every house in Morgan Street had the blinds drawn. A small company of principal mourners assembled in the house and a brief service was conducted by Rev. J.W. Currie, Minister of Princes Street Congregational Church. It was brief but beautifully impressive, said one of the mourners.

The coffins were placed together in the parlour where the service was held. In his prayer Mr Currie referred to the devotion of the three sisters to each other, and to their quiet and humble natures.

While the service was going on the crowd in the street was continually being augmented, until it lined Morgan Street on both sides, almost to the top and bottom and overflowed into Park Avenue and Cardean Street. Quietly people stood until the coffin containing the remains of the eldest sister was placed in the first hearse, a few minutes elapsed and then the second coffin appeared and then the third. A gasp arose from the assembled thousands, as if they had just realised the immensity of the tragedy. Then the cortege slowly moved off to ward the place of interment. At intervals along the Arbroath Road groups of people stood in respectful silence.

At the graveside, which is close to the Old Craigie Road boundary wall, a huge crowd numbering many thousands had gathered. It was a peaceful scene. There was no mad scramble for points of vantage as the hearses drew up. The silence was unbroken except for the rustling of the trees in the wind as the first coffin was carried to the grave. The victims of the tragedy were interred in order of age. The first coffin lowered into the ever-green-lined grave was that of Miss Jessie Millar, the eldest sister. It was followed by the caskets containing the remains of Miss Martha and of Miss Emily, the youngest. The brother of the victims, Mr Mungo Millar, stood up to his ordeal until the third of his sisters was lowered to her last resting place. Then he broke down. The sympathy of the vast crowd was manifest, though it was mute.

Then came a brief and simple service. Rev. J. W. Currie read the unostentatious burial service of the Congregational denomination, and followed by a short prayer.

Many women in the vast congregation were weeping when the sad ceremony was complete. A last look at the flower-covered grave and the crowd slowly and still reverently wended their way from the cemetery.

No Increase in Jute Wages

Dundee Association of Jute Spinners and Manufacturers decided at a meeting yesterday afternoon that they could not see their way to grant application on behalf of the operatives for a 15 per cent increase in wages. The request was made by Dundee Jute and Flax Workers' Union.

The association also decided not to confer with representatives of the union in view of the fact that the Trade Board is not the medium for discussion of wages questions.

Automatic Lamp-Lighters

A sub-committee of Dundee Police and the Lighting Committee decided this week not to entertain the idea of a £23,500 expenditure to introduce automatic controllers on the gas lighting system in the streets.

Referring to a report by Mr R.D. Robertson, the lighting inspector, Convener Wm. Reid said that annual loan charges over seven years for the introduction of automatic controllers would be £3863, against which there would be a reduction in staff of eight men and a reduction in the consumption of gas. But the cost would still be £1407 per annum.

Mr R. A. Scrymgeour said that while the automatic principle was the most modern it seemed to cost a great deal more initially than it cost to have men attending to the lights, and it would be throwing men out of employment.

Dundee Corporation Art Galleries

Albert Institute
Now Open - Exhibition of Scottish Pictures
By Scottish artists in oil and water-colour.
Open during usual Museum hours
Admission Free. Catalogues - One Penny.
The Exhibition closes on 10th February.

Surprise for Harp?

Harp may give their supporters a very pleasant surprise before long. The Lochee club are interested in a prominent amateur inside-forward. He is a big strong player, and is reckoned to be of the type essential to help the club through their Scottish Cup battle with Petershill. The player, too, has had experience of senior football, having served with a First Division club. Harp are certainly nothing if not enterprising.

Policewoman for Dundee

Miss Annie Ross, who has been appointed a policewoman in Dundee, was sworn in as a member of the force on Tuesday.

A native of Arbroath and 29 years of age, Miss Ross was chosen from 70 applicants. She will have the same powers as a police constable, but her duties will be mainly with young persons. She will not wear a uniform.

Miss Ross has been employed for 15 years as a typist with Messrs Macfarlane &Co, Arbroath. She was educated at Broughty Ferry Eastern School. The commencing pay of a policewoman is 56s rising to 80s per week. The Town Council are awaiting confirmation for the appointment of a second woman constable.

Waffle Surprise

1½ cupfuls sweet milk, ¾ cupful Kellogg's All Bran, 1½ cupfuls flour, 4 teaspoonfuls baking powder, 1 teaspoonful salt, 2 tablespoonfuls sugar and ½ a cup of melted butter.

Beat the egg yolks slightly, add the milk and the all-bran and let soak while sifting all the dry ingredients into the liquid mixture; add melted butter and fold in the stiffly beaten egg whites. Bake in a hot waffle iron until now steam is visible.