May 1933
Dundee Honours Sir Alfred Ewing
"This is the crowning honour of my life"
With these words Sir James Alfred Ewing yesterday accepted the freedom of Dundee. Sir Alfred spoke of his gratitude to his parents and his native city. The dangers that modern scientific progress might hold for civilisation could be fought, he said, with the principles of "truth, equity and unselfishness, which as small boys we learned at our Mother's knee".The platform of the Caird Hall thronged with representatives of the many branches of life in which the famous scientist has gained distinction. As he delivered his message to the youth of today, his small figure was surrounded by a colourful assembly. Behind him were tiers of red-gowned students who gave hin one of those boisterous demonstrations to which his term as Principal of Edinburgh University had so accustomed him. Around him sat 200 members of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, gathered from all parts of the world, paying tribute to a leader of their profession.
All combined to five him a great standing ovation as he signed the burgess roll. "The honour is all the more appreciated" said Sir Alfred, "because it comes in the evening of days, when the strenuous hours are over. It comes when I have more leisure to enjoy it and it comes as a considered verdict."
Through a long life it had been his great interest to watch the applications of science to industrial life, and it had been these applications of science to industry that made Dundee. A hundred years ago Dundee had little of the tremendous volume of trade and manufacturers which it afterwards attained. It was made by the introduction of machinery.
Telephone Uses
One or two of the little known uses to which the telephone may be put are brought to attention in a booklet issued to city subscribers this week. If for instance you doubt your ability to rise at a given time in the morning you can arrange with the telephone exchange to call you at any time you wish to be wakened. Or if you are stumped for the correct time you simply call up the exchange, should you require the latest weather forecast for your district you can call up the meteorological office in London at any hour of the day or night.
Reduced Charges on Tay Ferries
Dundee Harbour Trustees are to consider the question of reducing the charges for motor cars on the Tay Ferries on Sundays. Sir William High made this announcement at a meeting of the trustees yesterday.
After a recommendation had been read in which reduced fares for passengers and cyclists were proposed, Mr W. Moir Scott asked if there was any reason why a similar concession should not be made to motor cars during June, July, August and September. Mr Johnston, superintendent of the Tay Ferries said that the principal day for cars was Sunday. It was rarely that had to leave any cars behind. Sir William High, convener of the Tay Ferries Committee, pointed out that the B.L. Nairn could take 23 cars, the Sir William High 20 and the Newport 13.
It was agreed that passenger fares on Sundays during June, July, August and September be reduced to 3d single and 4d return for each person and that the rate for a cycle, perambulator or invalid chair accompanied by a passenger, be reduced to 3d single and 4d return on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays during the same months.
Mystery Excursion
The first of this season's mystery hikes arranged by the London and North Eastern Railway Company from Dundee will run today by special express train leaving Dundee (Tay Bridge) at 2.26pm for an unknown destination. On this occasion the route to be traversed, which includes a walking distance of about 12 miles will pass through a district rich in antiquities. A suitable picnic site has been arranged and hikers are advised to take a supply of sandwiches etc. The special train will be due to arrive at Tay Bridge on return at 9.4pm and the return fare will be 2s 6d.
New Friary in Dundee
Franciscan monks returned to Dundee on Saturday after an absence of over 350 years. In the picturesque setting, the foundation stone of their new friary at Tullideph Road was laid by Biship Toner.
Retiring from Council Work
Bailie A.A. Leslie and ex-Bailie James Lockhart have intimated that they are to retire from Dundee Town Council in November. Officials of the Municipal Electors' Association have received communications from them stating that they are not to stand again.
Both Councillors have served for a number of years. Bailie Leslie is a former convener of the Gas Department, while Mr Lockhart at present holds the electricity convenership.
Sea Hedgehog at Harbour
When the North Devon put into Dundee Harbour on Tuesday it had one of the sea's most amazing fish on board. It is called the Sea Hedgehog and was caught by the second engineer, Mr William Barbar off Jamaica.
In normal circumstances this fish is flat but when attacked it blows itself up into a globular form like a football and an array of spiky points protrudes from its skin. The spikes project in every direction as in the case of the ordinary hedgehog, and are remarkably sharp. When swallowed by a shark and this happens quite often to the unfortunate fish in these waters - it does not, like Jonah, sit and wait for something to happen. It calmly proceeds to eat and bore its way out not only through the stomach but completely through the sharks sides. These tactics prove too much for the shark which succumbs. The hedgehog fish has a rubber like an aeroplane to guide it and its ears are almost human in shape.
Dundee Firemen's Busy Time
51 Victoria day blazes extinguished
Dundee firemen had a busy time last night extinguishing bonfires, no fewer that 51 fires received their attention. The brigade were specially summoned to 9, Stirling Street, where a bonfire of tyres, sacking and straw between two wash houses had set fire to a large cloths pole.
Granny Says...
A dipomat is a man who can mak' his wife believe she'd look fat in a fur coat.
Granny says
The fire o' genius canna aye mak' a kettle bile.
Granny says
Funny isn't it, tae hear yer man swear at the driver when he's walkin' and at the pedestrian when he's the driver.
Granny says
Jonah may hae been swallowed by a whale - but ye canna keep a guid man doon
Granny says
The best place tae pit yer troubles is in yer pooch - the ain wi' the hole in it.
Granny says
Half the trouble in the world is caused by mixin' a narrow mind wi' a wide mooth.
Granny says
The reason a dog his sae many freens is that his tail wags instead o' his tongue.
Granny says
The most dangerous part o' a moter car is the nut ahent the wheel.
Granny says
Marriage is the maist expensive way o' gettin yer laundery din free.
Granny says
Freens are usually twa wimmen angry wi' the same person.
Granny says
Early tae bed, early tae rise - and ye'll no meet many o' oor best fowk.
The trouble aboot daein' whit one ought tae dae is that it interferes with whit one wants tae dae.
Granny says
Granny says
The biggest howling success is the baby wha gets picked up.
Granny says
There's no muckle difference 'atween a buddin' genius and a bloomin' idiot.
Granny says
A bore is a lad wha opens is moo' an' pits his feet in.
Granny says
The wise lad is the husband wha thinks aince, twice, thrice - and then says naethin'.
Granny says
Middle-age is the time when weemen winnae admit their age and men winnae act theirs.
Granny says
The man no' guid enough for yer daughter often becomes faither o' the world's smartest grandchild.
Granny says
The man who thinks marriage is a fifty-fifty pro-position disnae understand onything aboot wimmen or fractions.
Granny says
Dinna resent growin' auld. Mony are denied the privlege.
Granny says
Parents spend the first three years o' a bairn's life trying tae get him tae talk and the next 17 trying tae get him tae shut up!
Granny says
Weight is whit a man aye loses when his wife is on a diet.
Granny says
An auld maid is a wumman wha spent her youth stringin' along several lads instead o' tryin' tae rope yin.
Granny says
Auld age is when all lasses look guid tae you.
Granny says
Some wives cannae save money because the neighbours are aye daein' somethin' she canna afford.
Granny says
When a man seeks yer advice he generally wants yer praise.
Granny says
An ounce o' example is worth a ton o' advice.
Granny says
Some wives are no' suspeecious. Some ken.
Granny says
A' throughbred horses hae bonnie coats. How many punters hae?
Granny says
The measure o' a man's character is whit he wid dae if he kent he widnae be fund oot!
Granny says
Tact is the gift o' describing ithers as they see themselves.
Granny says
The grass micht well be greener next door - but it's just as hard tae cut!
Granny says
Claes dinna mak' a wumman, but often nowadays they show how she's made!
Granny says
Whit ye dinna hear winna hurt yae, but it micht mak' a lot o' fowk laff.