The following appears in the towns newspaper of July/August 1896

GREENHILLS SCHOOL

Mr Howat of the Scottish Band of Hope Union, delivered an address to the pupils of Greenhills School on Wednesday last. It was most interesting and focussed on the evil effects of alcohol. The experiments were both effective and instructive and the pupils followed the explanations with intelligence and pleasure.

FLAX DRESSERS STRIKE

The flax sorters, numbering about 60, in the employment of Messrs W & J Knox, Kilbirnie, have been on strike since Monday for an advance on their piecework rates. Their wages average about 25s per week. They have been offered a slight increase, but have refused it.

THE NOBLE ART

On Wednesday night the lieges of the town were treated to a stand-up battle for supremacy of the knuckles between two labourers named Thomas McCourt and James McGhee. Kings Road and Laigh Road were both patronised in turn, a large crowd of people being witness to the melee, in which neither combatant suffered grieviously, although they continued fighting until both were exhausted. The onlookers evidently decided that it was best to allow them to fight until they had their bellyful. The melee lasted a long time and the result was a draw. McCourt was apprehended the same night and conveyed to Kilmarnock where he subsequently received 60 days imprisonment. McGhee thought that discretion was the better part of valour and absconded. "He that fights and runs away lives to fight another day." Since the above was in type, McGhee has been taken into custody.

BARRMILL POLICEMAN POET LEAVES

On Tuesday last a few friends of Mr Mathew Anderson, "The Ayrshire Poet Policeman," met in the reading room for the purpose of presenting him with a substantial token of their regard, on the occasion of his leaving the district. The presentation consisted of a brooch for Mrs Anderson, and a combined timepiece, barometer and thermometer to Mr Anderson. Mr Stevenson, Greenhills, presided and the presentation was made by Mr Mathew Kerr, manager, Barrmill.

JOINTER WANTED

Jointer wanted, also apprentices for cabinetmaking and chairmaking, and strong lad for packing shed. West of Scotland works.

WANTED

Apprentices wanted to the Turning, Cabinet and Chairmaking. Apply Gibson & McEwan.

WANTED

A few boys to learn the Carving, Turning and Chairmaking. Apply to J Gardiner, Reform Street, Beith.

BEITH SMALL DEBT COURT

The Secretary for Scotland has intimated to Mr Andrew Stewart, banker, the Sheriff Clerk Depute here, that it is not the intention of the authorities to abolish the Circuit Small Debt Court at Beith. The courts will be heard therefore as usual on the first Thursdays of August, November, February and May.

FOUNDRY BOYS TRIP

The annual excursion of the children attending the Beith Foundry Boys Society and the Sabbath School Mission were treated to their summer outing. The venue was Barrhill Farm and they were conveyed there in carts kindly donated by local farmers and others the route being via Longbar and Kilbirnie. Although the weather was not very kind, the 270 boys and girls enjoyed the trip and received milk in the forenoon with tea in the afternoon. Races and games formed the principal part of the excursion till the return journey which was via Kerse and Beith Station. The arrangements were under the superitendence of Mr John Doctor, president of the Foundry Boys Society and he was most grateful to Mr and Mrs Kerr of Barrhill for their assiduous ministering to the wants of the excursionists.

BEITH GAS COMSUMERS

At the annual meeting of the shareholders of Beith Gas Light Company Ltd, held on Tuesday last, the price of gas was reduced to 4s 7d per 1,000 feet, as from 12 May last. R Reid, Secretary.

SERIOUS ASSAULT CASE

A young man named James Clark, an apprentice chairmaker in Messrs Galt & Wilson's furniture manufactory, Braehead, Beith had been stabbed by a bench-mate named Alex Paxton, also an apprentice chairmaker, aged 17, residing with his father in Eglinton Street.

It appears that the youths had an altercation and it is alleged that Clark struck Paxton with his open hand on the face and turned to attend his work. Paxton at the moment threw a chisel at Clark striking him on the left hip. The chisel, which had a one and a half inch blade, was as sharp as a razor, penetrated the body, blood at once spurting from the wound.

The serious nature of Clark's wound was only realised when two of his companions run him down to Dr Clark's surgery. Dr Clark and Dr Stewart worked quickly to stem the flow of blood and by this time Clark was in a state of exhaustion. He was then removed by waggonette to his father's home in Kilbirnie. The wound was a very ungly one and considerable force must have been used to imbed the chisel so deeply. A small artery was severed, and but for the prompt treatment received the poor lad may have bled to death.

- Submitted by Donald L Reid.