Inspection of Constabulary

100 YEARS AGO

Inspection of Constabulary – Yesterday, Major Ferguson, HM Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland, conducted an inspection of the Banffshire police force, visiting Banff and Keith in the course of the day. At Banff the inspection was held in the Gordon Highlanders’ Drill Hall, where the chief constable, one superintendent, two sergeants and 18 constables were on parade.

There were present during the inspection Sheriff Stuart and Mr P. Stewart, depute county clerk. The books of the were also examined, and in the afternoon Major Ferguson proceeded to Keith. Here he inspected a company of 17 – the chief constable, an inspector, a sergeant and 14 constables.

Major Ferguson received a telegram from Sir John Macpherson Grant, Bart, of Ballindalloch, regretting his inability to be present. At both centres, the inspector expressed satisfaction at the manner in which the men went through their movements, and the careful way in which the books were kept.

50 YEARS AGO

No rush for plots – Duff House Trustees are experiencing trouble in getting tenants for their plots at Banff. They were told at their meeting on Thursday night by Mr R. Gourlay Halley, joint clerk, that at present there were 17 of the 30 plots unoccupied. He added: "The general feeling seems to be that these plots are just not worth while."

He explained that people had been discouraged from taking plots because of the high rates, the lack of water and the absence of a surrounding fence. Tenants, he said, seemed to think that the plots were just not worth the money. Bailie William C. Smith, Banff, recalled that the Trust had undertaken some years ago to erect a fence.

This had never been done, and he thought it was the Trust’s own funeral that many of these plots were now vacant. But Provost G.O. Robertson, Banff, declared that he thought it was the high rates that discouraged people from taking plots. Provost Robert Henry, Macduff, suggested that it might be as well to let the ground to a farmer as agricultural land. Councillor John Mair, Banff, thought that many of the people who used to have plots had now council houses with excellent gardens there.

Provost Robertson, however, remarked that he knew of one tenant in a housing scheme who wanted two plots. After further discussion, it was agreed that the rents of the plots be 12 shillings and sixpence and that the Trust would investigate the rate position.

25 YEARS AGO

Gardeners dig in – The earth-mounding placed at the Greenbanks caravan site in Banff to close the site to travelling families is attracting the "attention" of local gardeners. District council employees have discovered that people have been helping themselves to quantities of soil from the mound for use in gardens.

Now, in order to stop the pilfering of more soil – and maintain the barrier – the area is to be sown in grass. Mr Gil Carling, director of leisure and recreation, said this week that it was almost inconceivable that someone should choose to steal soil from the mound – but that was the case. In order to stop this activity – and to help consolidate the soil and make the area more attractive – it has been decided to sow grass.

"It seems ironical that the mound was placed at the site to stop travelling people from using the Greenbanks this summer, following the outcry from local residents against such a use of the site, and now people are doing their best to remove the mound by stealing quantities of soil," said the director. Mr Carling added that those responsible for the theft certainly knew good soil – for the type used for mounding was of a very good quality.

The director said that the sowing of grass would not prejudice any decision of the council when it reviews the Greenbanks situation in September. No doubt the results will be obvious in someone’s garden or windowbox as the flowering season comes into bloom.