FROM OUR ARCHIVES

5 YEARS AGO

The shortlist for the £15 million revamp of Glasgow’s George Square is expected to be scrapped amid concerns from the jury over the quality of the submissions, it is understood. Senior sources close to the selection process have said it was unlikely the panel of experts tasked with coming up with a winning submission would agree on one of the current six. Opposition leaders have called for Glasgow City Council to recommission fresh proposals amid claims the original process was too rushed.

10 YEARS AGO

A Tasmanian skull and other human remains held by the National Museums of Scotland (NMS) are to be returned as part of a global repatriation campaign. The NMS said yesterday that trustees agreed to requests to return the artefacts and it will repatriate the skull to the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, which has been designated to be the receivers of Tasmanian remains, in a move which is supported by the Australian Government.

25 YEARS AGO

Gordon Smith, pictured, St Mirren’s assistant manager, has resigned and will leave the club today. The former Kilmarnock, Rangers, and Brighton player has come to an “amicable” arrangement with the Paisley board over his contract, which has two-and-a-half years to run. “I have been unsettled for a while,” he said. “Jimmy Bone and I just don’t gel.” Bone, however, was taken aback by the decision of his assistant.

50 YEARS AGO

Mr William Ross, Secretary of State for Scotland, yesterday asked nine local authorities in the west of Scotland to supply, by Monday, the cost of the storm damage in their areas. He will decide from this whether or not financial aid should be given by the Government. The Secretary of State will make a full report to the Cabinet this morning on his findings during his tour of the area.

100 YEARS AGO

A deficiency in the gas supply is being experienced in Glasgow at the present time. Domestic lighting is so bad that in many cases householders are resorting to the use of lamps and candles. The poorness of the service is due to the aggravation by the recent snowstorm of the difficulties which war-time conditions have created. The local gas works are being called upon to meet a largely increased demand, owing to the requirements of munition works and engineering establishments.

150 YEARS AGO

Mr Halle’s only concert in Glasgow this season took place last night in the organ hall of the Queen’s Rooms. Mr Halle’s execution of the “rondo brillante,” from Weber, was effective in the very highest degree, and called forth an encore.