FROM THE ARCHIVES

25 YEARS AGO Scotland’s Liz McColgan ended 24 wilderness years for Britain when she won the 10,000 metres title at the World Athletic Championships in Tokyo last night. The 27-year-old Arbroath woman, Seoul Olympic silver medallist and double Commonwealth Games champion, was competing only nine months and five days after the birth of her daughter, Eilish. She wore down a field of stunning talent to take the gold in 31 min 14.31 secs. 50 YEARS AGO President Kaunda announced yesterday that he will not attend the Commonwealth prime ministers’ conference in London because he is disgusted with the British Government’s handling of the Rhodesian issue.

He added that the Zambian delegation now to be headed by the Foreign Minister, Mr Simon Kapwepwe, would put three proposals to the conference and if these were not accepted Zambia would leave the Commonwealth. 100 YEARS AGO The Government has announced its intention to meet the demand which has been put forward for the more generous treatment of old age pensioners. Undoubted hardship has been suffered owing to the increased cost of living, and many aged people who had eked out an existence with the help of the State pension of five shillings have been obliged to seek shelter in the workhouse. 150 YEARS AGO Coatbridge –Scarcely a night passes but bands of boys go about plundering the gardens and destroying far more than they carry away. On Sabbath night a number of boys entered the garden of Mr. James Muir, Summerlee Ironworks, and committed great havoc. Three of the gang, John McInally, James Mitchell, and William Dunn were apprehended, and taken up to the J.P. Court at Airdrie. They were convicted and sentenced to pay a fine of 2s 6d each, or to be imprisoned for three days.