February 1954
Another 300 Houses Planned for the City
Plans for a new housing scheme were approved by the Corporation Housing Committee this week. Known as the West March scheme, it will have approx. 300 houses on a triangular site between Harestane Road and timber houses at Magdalene's Kirkton.
Mr R. Dron, city architect, said he planned to build two-thirds of the houses of the cottage type and the remained would be flats.
Ian is Dundee's Yo-Yo Champ
It's astonishing what you can do with a yo-yo. Yorkshireman Art Pickles, the world champ, can strike a match with one. Billy Panama, American champ, can play a tune with his perforated "special".
Dundee youngsters demonstrated in the Gaumont theatre on Wednesday night what they have learned to do with the toy since Billy Panama came to town three months ago. Sixteen finalists in the competition organised by him in conjunction with local cinemas went through their paces.
Won a Bicycle
And 14 year old Harris Academy pupil Ian McKinlay turned out to the best yo-yoer in Dundee. Ian, of 37 Scott Street, won a bicycle and a chance to compete in the Scottish Championships to be held in Glasgow this summer. Only girl amongst the sixteen finalists was Harris Academy pupil, 11 year old Sally Stewart. Runner-up was 13 year old Douglas Lang, 17 Craigie Drive, Morgan Academy pupil. Harris Academy pupils Frank Bisset and Alex Brown tied for third place.
Slinky - The New Craze
At rest it's a coil of spring steel 2" high. Take it in your hands and it springs to life. It seems to flow from one hand to the other, and can "walk" down a flight of stairs. It's been a best-seller in America for four years and is catching on fast in this country.
Shop and Seven Houses for £100
For sale - a shop and seven houses (all vacant) for £100 - yet no one seems very anxious to buy. The property, 22-28 Kerr's Lane, Dundee, which consists of six houses of two rooms and a shop, is part of a trust which is being wound up. Mr Johnston of Reid, Johnston, Bell & Henderson, Solicitors, who are conducting the sale, said: "so far there have been several inquiries, but no offers".
Two Sopranos in the Office
Mrs June Howie and Miss Margaret Inglis, leading ladies in two amateur operas to go on stage in Dundee shortly, work side by side in the wages department of N.C.R.
Mrs Howie, who is 20, and lives at 80 Ward Road, is to take the lead in the N.C.R. Social Club's forthcoming production of "Maid of the Mountains".
Miss Inglis (19) lives at 1 Dryburgh Place, and is leading lady in Downfield Operatic's "New Moon" which will be staged in the Caird Hall next week.
Both girls are sopranos. Both attended Harris Academy. It is June's first opera and Margaret's third. Margaret played a leading role in Downfield Operatic's "The Arcadians" and the "Country Girl" last year.
Over 23,000 on Waiting List
Mr Charles McDonald, city factor, reported to Dundee Corporation Housing Committee that the waiting list totalled 23,214. The list was under revision, but it would only be possible to check up about 5,000 applications a year.
Will She Be Back?
The Caledon - built motor vessel Temple Hall (8,003 tons) left Dundee on Tuesday for dry-docking at Leith.
The Temple Hall was the Caledon Yard's 74th new ship since the war. The odds would appear to be heavily against her ever being seen in the Tay again.
Of her predecessors only one, the Caledonian Monarch, has been back to Dundee on a business mission. The Wanstead, Wendover and St Ninian paid brief calls for repairs only.
Best spot for seeing Dundee built ships is Singapore. It is rarely without a blue funnel, Straits steamship or Sarawak vessel.
They're Fairly Going Up
Permits for the erection of TV aerials issued by the Corporation Works Department last year totalled 1481. The total was almost double the number (754) approved in 1952. In the previous your only 15 were issued.
Continental Holidays
Travel by Dickson's Continentals on your 1954 holiday coachtour.
16 days - Riviera, touring France, North Italy and Switzerland - £66
15 days - Scandinavia, tour Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Oslo - £75 15/-
12 days - Channel Islands - £39
12 days - Devon and Cornwall - £30 10/-
8 days - London and North Wales - £24
4 days - Blackpool and English lakes - £8 10/-
R. Dickson, 76 Nethergate
What's On Tonight - Cinema
La Scala - The Little World of Don Camillo
Kinnaird - Siren of Bagdad
Playhouse - So Big
Gaumont - A Day to Remember
Odeon - Vicki
Empire - The Fake
The Regent - Pony Express
Royal - Mr Deeds Goes to Town
Plaza - The Paradine Case
Tivoli - Destination Gobi
Princess - Double Crossbones
Astoria - Corsican Brothers
Gray's Rialto - Salome