THE ARCHIVES

100 years ago

The Government are determined to leave no stone unturned to put the agricultural industry upon a satisfactory basis. This assurance was given by Mr Lloyd George last night to an assembly of representatives of the industry in London. The farmer, he said, stood in need of protection, and he would get it. The farmer will have the security of the State that he will not be ruined by unexpected developments in the agricultural world abroad. The rural population must be lured back to the land.

50 years ago

Ronald Biggs narrowly evaded a Melbourne police net yesterday. Raiding detectives missed him by less than an hour when they forced their way into a house in Ferntree Gully, about 20 miles north of Melbourne. They said he had probably been holed up in the house. Now they have flushed him out of his hiding place they are confident they are closing in on him. Twenty detectives are working round the clock to find Biggs, who left his home after reports the police were seeking him.

25 years ago

Dundee suffered its second major fire in as many days last night as The Grove nightclub was destroyed in a spectacular blaze. The alarm was raised around 9.45 by the manager of the Marketgait club who had been working inside at the time. Fire brigade tenders from four different stations were on the scene within minutes but the flames spread so fast there was little they could do to contain them. The condition of the building rapidly deteriorated. The drama was watched by large crowds.

One year ago

The future of a Perthshire hospital remains in doubt after health bosses failed to fill a key vacancy. The minor illness and injury unit (MIIU) in Pitlochry has been operating with reduced opening hours due to staff shortages. Only one of the two senior nurse vacancies was filled after a recruitment process. The failure has led to fears the hospital may never fully operate again. James Laurenson, chairman of Pitlochry and Moulin Community Council, said: “We are very worried about the future of the hospital.”