January 1938

Jute Firms Get Big Orders

Local jute firms will benefit by big orders placed by L.N.E.R. The Railway Company state that they have placed orders for 410,000 yards of sacking, 427,000 sleepers, and 2,165,000 gallons of creosote oil.The sacking will be supplied entirely by Dundee firms although in what proportions are not yet known. This is one of the largest orders yet placed for twilled sacking. The sleepers have been ordered from firms in Scotland, London, Hull and Durham, and the creosote oil is to be supplied by Scottish and English firms.

The sacking will be used for the manufacture of grain and potato sacks, and the creosote for pickling. The sleepers will be laid down as the L.N.E.R. progresses with its scheme for renewing 587½ miles of track during 1938.

Do You Want Knocked Up In The Morning?

Dundee Family of “Chappers”
Special to “People’s Journal”

Meet a family who are employed in what must be one of the strangers occupations – “chappers-up”.

The younger generation may well be excused if they do not understand the duties of these nocturnal workers, but to Mr Alexander Gilchrist and his family it represents a job of no mean responsibility.

For nearly half a century Mr Gilchrist has gone his round knocking up early morning risers. When I spoke to him he told me many interesting things about this lost art.

“I suppose you could call us human alarm clocks” said Mr Gilchrist, who has just celebrated his golden wedding.

“It is fifty years or more since I first began work as a “chapper-up”. In those days the mills started work at six o’clock, and the majority of workers preferred to pay for the services of a professional knocker-up to disturb their slumbers, rather than trust to alarm clocks which were then still something of a novelty.

“Dundee used to be divided into a series of beats, and in the early hours of the morning streets resounded to the noise of the beating of the ‘chappers-up’ stick against the window frames and the shouts of ‘Are ye up?’.

“Few people realise that even to-day there are such people as ‘chappers-up”.

“My three sons all carry on the work I started, while my married daughter, throughout the whole of the war years, acted as a “knocker-up”.

Even in this unusual “profession” wages have shown an increase on past years. The present rate of payment is 4d per week, while before the war a “chapper-up” could be had for as little as 1½ d per week.

Mr Gilchrist told me it was mostly bakers and mill workers that “chappers-up” are employed. Even today, although the latter do not start work until eight o’clock many prefer to be wakened in this manner than by an alarm clock.

Perhaps it is a more certain method, for there is no turning over on the other side when you employ a “chapper”.

The knocker-up usually waits until he is certain that you have heard his call and are out of bed.”

For the Gilchrist family “knocking-up” has become a family tradition. Whether a little grandson of Mr Gilchrist’s I saw playing by the fire will follow in the footsteps of his elders remains to be seen.

Dundee Lost in Race

Clyde Smuggles Thomson Away
By Unomi
Dundee was decidedly unfortunate to lose Arthur Thomson, the brilliant inside-left of Campbelltown. Mr Cunningham knew all about the boy. He met him on Saturday morning and sent him along to Dens Park to have a boil on his leg treated. A special watch was kept on the player during the game, but nothing was done owing to Mr Cunningham being at Hamilton.

Mr Colquhoun of Clyde, tried in vain to get Thomson to sign. Ultimately he wired for Pat Travers. The manager did not arrive until 9.30 p.m. Mr Colquhoun was wise enough to spirit the player out of the way. He had him in an establishment in Crichton Street.

When Mr Cunningham arrived back in the city and found out the position he combed the hotels and picture houses for the boy, but could not trace him.

Mr Travers meantime got to work on the player and succeeded in securing his signature round about 11.30 p.m. To say the least Mr Cunningham was disappointed.

Preparing for Hogmanay

Red Herrings are “sure fire” luck-bringers for the New Year, and for first-footing gifts they are in great demand. But they must be dressed up. Shop girls across Dundee are giving the final touches to the bedecked “mascots” in readiness for the Hogmanay rush.

Tobacconists

There is comfort in a long cool smoke.
Try Sutherland’s No. 7 mixture, 1s per oz.
Castle Street, South Union Street and Albert Street.

Hints and Tips

When you Wash Linen Tablecloths
“This is a very good washing day hint which I have tried and tested, writes Miss J. Smith, Monikie W.R.I.
A spoonful of methylated spirits added to the last rinsing water when washing linen tablecloths and tray cloths will stiffen the articles beautifully. They will also be much easier to iron and have a beautiful gloss when finished.

Air-Raid Classes to be Held

Classes in gas training for air-raid precautions are to be started for special constables in Dundee City Chambers next week.

The classes are to be conducted by Inspector Robert Brown, who has undergone special training at the gas school at Fauldfield, and is a first-class officer in gas training. Inspector Brown has already carried out courses for the members of Dundee City Police, Perth City, Angus County and Arbroath. The special constables will go through exactly the same course as has been prescribed for the regular members of the police forces. The classes are to be held on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons and evening weekly for the next three or four weeks.

Aberdeen Nightcaps

These delicious tasties are sure to be appreciated by your guests. Miss S. McRea, Belfast.

Take 4 Spanish onions, 2 oz minced ham, ½ dessertspoonful of sage, 2 oz breadcrumbs, cheese sauce and butter.

Peel onions, remove centres and chop finely, then add the ham, sage and breadcrumbs, mix well together and season to taste. Fill the onions with this mixture, place them in a casserole with a knob of butter on the top of each one and cook in a moderate oven for 2 hours. Pour over the cheese sauce and serve.

The Fur Sale You Can Trust

Honest-to-goodness
Bargains in
Reliable Fur Coats
Values that defy comparison
See Them – To-Day!
The Canadian Fur Co., Ltd.
84, Nethergate, Dundee.
Phone 3360.

Good Luck for 1938

Wear It to Bring You Love and Happiness
Lucky Butterfly Brooch
Free to every reader
Family Star
On Sale Tues, Jan 4
Price 2d.