THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

The Magistrates of Inverness had a lively meeting yesterday in considering the question of dancing and the licensing of a boxing tournament. Provost Macdonald, in moving that the dance be licensed to four in the morning, said the magistrates had no right to interfere with the liberty of the subjects by curtailing the dance to two o’clock. Regarding an application from the Comrades of the War to hold a boxing tournament, he said boxing was generally recognised as a harmless amusement.

50 years ago

British Standard Time came in for some harsh criticism yesterday from Dundee’s two lollipop ladies. “I think it’s ridiculous that young kids have to venture out in the dark,” said Mrs Beaudella Mccluskey, who is on duty at the Perth Road-pennycook Lane junction. The other lollipop lady, Mrs Jane Muir, who is on duty at the Strathmartine Road-kirkton Road junction, also feels strongly about BST. “I’m not exactly looking forward to the next few months,” she said.

25 years ago

A visit to Perth by two con men proved expensive for two companies. The men, who had posed as car dealers, stayed at the Queen’s Hotel overnight before leaving without paying, to take a car out for a test drive. They picked up a 730 series BMW car from Grassick’s Garage on the other side of Leonard Street from the hotel and have not been seen since. Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen the burgundy car, or who may have any information, to contact them.

One year ago

Dundee city centre musicians have been told to turn off their amps following a number of reported noise complaints. Singer George Harris turned up at his usual patch at the bottom of Reform Street yesterday to be told by a council official he was not allowed to use his guitar amplifier. The young musician, whose busking videos have proved an internet hit, said without his amp he would be unlikely to play again, as the sound is “lost” in the general noise of the town. A set of guidelines advising buskers has been in place for some time.