The Herald

From the archives

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25 YEARS AGO THREE businessme­n are trying to find leaded glass panes which once crowned a Victorian rotunda, but which have been missing for more than 40 years. The glass for the two rotundas of the former Glasgow harbour tunnel linking the old Queen’s and Prince’s docks was stored at the outbreak of the last war, but then vanished. They are converting one of the rotundas into a £1.3 million restaurant complex, and yesterday one of them, Mr Marion Romano, said: “I’m told it was put in a safe place as a precaution against air raids. We’ve been in quest of the glass, which would be a crowning glory for our rotunda, for the last three months without success.” 50 YEARS AGO WORKMEN yesterday cleared the debris after the fire which destroyed the clock tower on Rothesay pier on Saturday afternoon. The roofs of the ground-floor offices on each side of the tower, which were damaged by water, were repaired to make the premises ready for temporary use. The mid-pier entrance to the steamers has been closed for repairs. The tower and office buildings were erected about 100 years ago. In 1936 plans were prepared for new buildings and the Provisiona­l Order was approved. The foundation­s were being laid down in 1939 when war broke out. The work was completed but the Government refused to allow the erection of the buildings on the ground that they were not essential to the war effort. By 1945 the Provisiona­l Oder had lapsed, costs of the original scheme had more than doubled, and restrictio­ns on credit prevented expenditur­e on the new buildings. 100 YEARS AGO AN important advance in the treatment of the epileptic patients under the jurisdicti­on of Glasgow Parish Council will be attained with the completion of the colony on the lands of East Muckcroft, near Lenzie. Several months will elapse before the colony will be ready to house its inmates, but the work is being steadily pushed forward, and on Thursday next the ceremony of laying the memorial stone will be performed by Mr James Cunningham, chairman of the Parish Council. There are two principles: the extensive provision for outdoor employment in country surroundin­gs and the provision of homes, housing comparativ­ely few inmates, to enable the epileptics to follow a peaceful regime and quiet life. 150 YEARS AGO ON Saturday afternoon there sailed by the Olympia, from the Clyde, on their way to St John’s, New Brunswick, an interestin­g body of emigrants from the Fair Isle. This island is situated half-way between the Orkney and Shetland Islands, stands solitary in mid ocean, far from either group, and is consequent­ly comparativ­ely less known to the world. It is not, however, without its history. The sailors of a portion of the Spanish Armada that was wrecked on its shores returned the hospitalit­y of the simple islanders by teaching them some of their home industrial arts, the knowledge of which is preserved among them to this day.

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