THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

The compilation of district returns has commenced in Calcutta in preparation for the final forecast of the jute crops. Returns have been received here comprising about three-fifths of the crop and they point to a total crop rather under than over 7,500,000 bales. There is a very serious deficit in the yield, which on the figures received shows a reduction of about 60% per acre in contrast with last year. The acreage is, nevertheless, rather more than last season, but the yield marks a reduction.

50 years ago

Miss Jennie Lee, Minister for the Arts, said yesterday she would like more galleries and museums to follow the example of the Victoria and Albert in London by opening on Sunday mornings. In her progress report she paid tribute to the Victoria and Albert authorities for a “miraculous change.” Total government expenditure on the arts is expected to reach £24 million in 1968-69, according to the report. It says that of the 1968-69 Art Council grant of £7,500,000, 9% will go to Scotland.

25 years ago

House sales in Tayside broke through the £100 million barrier last month as property prices continue to rise in the region. Latest figures show that average Tayside house prices are running at their highest level of the year. Released by the Tayside Solicitors Property Centre, the statistics for August show that house sales totalled over £16.5 million with the average home fetching £49,929. In all, 331 houses found new owners and properties worth £105,226,268 have changed hands.

One year agoThe town of St Andrews and actor Brian Cox are playing starring roles in a campaign to highlight the importance of specialist diabetic eye checks. An image of the town’s cathedral has been used to illustrate the effects of diabetic retinopathy as part of the How Do You See Scotland? campaign by Diabetes Scotland and RNIB Scotland. According to latest figures, more than 2,400 of the 21,135 people eligible for screening in Fife have no record of being tested in the last 15 months.