Dundee Involvement in the South African War (1899-1902)

Dundee Town Council Minutes 1902

With reference to the time of the South African War.

Dundee Town Council Minutes Feb 1902 - Oct 1902

At a Meeting of the Magistrates of Dundee, held on the 6th February 1902,-

Present-

The Lord Provost in the Chair.

The Minute of Meeting of the Magistrates, of date 29th January last, was held as read.

1. VOLUNTEERS FOR SOUTH AFRICA.

The Magistrates, considering that detachments from the undernoted Corps of Dundee Volunteers have volunteered for Active Service in the South African War, recommend the Council to confer on each of them the Freedom of the City and Royal Burgh of Dundee, of the 1st Class, in recognition of their patriotism.

(Attachment of 1st “The Black Watch” – 1902)

IN ABSENTIA.

Non-Commissioned Officer and man on the strength of the 1st (City of Dundee) Volunteer Battalion “The Black Watch” (Royal Highlands), serving with the Scottish Cyclist Company in South Africa.
(Attachment of 1st “The Black Watch” Non-Commissioned Officer and man)

(Attachment of 3rd “The Black watch” – 1902)

IN ABSENTIA.

Officer, Non Commissioned Officer, and men on the strength of the 3rd (Dundee Highland) Volunteer Battalion “The Black Watch” (Royal Highlanders) serving in South African.

(Attachment of 3rd “The Black Watch” Non-Commissioned Officer and men)

The Meeting resolved to make the necessary arrangements themselves in connection with the presentation.

Pages 354

At a Meeting of the Magistrates and Committee appointed at a Public Meeting of the Citizens of Dundee, held on the 1st November 1899, anent Fund for Families of Sailors and Soldiers, including Reservists, affected by the South African War, and also for South African Refugees, held on the 6th February 1902.

Present-

The Lord Provost, Convener, in the Chair.

The Minute of Meeting of this Committee, of date 14th June 1900, was held as read.

SOUTH AFRICAN WAR FUND-SUBSCRIPTIONS.

The Treasurer reported that there was a balance of £690. 13s. 7d. to the credit of the Committee.

The Secretary read a letter, dated 20th November 1900, from the Scotsman, Edinburgh, desiring a portion of the City Fund to be allocated to them to be used in purchasing annuities for widows in Dundee who had lost their husbands at the war; also a letter, dated 9th January curt., from Mrs J. B. Bisset, the Hon. Secretary for Dundee of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families’ Association, desiring a portion of the City Fund to be given to the Association so as to enable them to assist the wives and families and dependants of soldiers serving at the front.

The Committee resolved to close the Subscription Fund by giving an additional £250 to the Scotsman Fund, and the balance to the Local Branch of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families’ Association.

WILLIAM HUNTER, Chairman.

Pages 377

Meeting Magistrates, 12th February 1902.

Article I.

VOLUNTEER FOR SOUTH AFRICA.

Under reference to Article I. of the Minute of Meeting of the Magistrates, of date 6th February current, the Meeting remitted to Bailies Crichton and Robertson, with full powers, to confer with Colonels Hill and Smith and to make the necessary arrangements in connection with the Presentation of the Freedom of the City to the Volunteers on Friday, 21st February current, who are going to South Africa.

Pages 413

At a Meeting of the Magistrates of Dundee, held on the 19th February 1902,-

Present-

Lord Provost HUNTER in the Chair.

The Minute of Meeting of the Magistrates, of date 12th February current, was held as read.

VOLUNTEERS FOR SOUTH AFRICA-ARRANGEMENTS FOR PRESENTATION OF FREEDOM OF CITY.

Under reference to Article I. of the Minute of Meeting of the Magistrates, of date 12th instant, remitting to Bailies Crichton and Robertson, with full powers, the Clerk reported that these Gentlemen had met with Colonels Hill and Smith, and made the necessary arrangements for the presentation of the Freedom of the City to the Volunteers, on Friday first, at 8 p.m.

The Clerk also reported that acting on the instructions of Bailie Crichton, he had issued two platform tickets for the Mercat Cross, and two reserved seat tickets to each Magistrates and Councillor, and that he had sent a number to Colonels Hill and Smith for allocation amongst the officers and men of their respective regiments.

This was approved of, and the Clerk was instructed as to the distribution of the remaining tickets.           

                                                                                    WILLIAM HUNTER,
                                                                                    Chairman.

Pages 414

At a Meeting of the Town Council of Dundee, held within the Drill Hall, Dundee, on Friday, the 21st day of February 1902, at Eight o’clock evening,-

Present-

Lord Provost HUNTER in the Chair.

VOLUNTEERS FOR SOUTH AFRICA-PRESENTATION OF FREEDOM OF CITY.

In pursuance of the Resolution of the Council, as contained in their Minute of 6th February current, the Lord Provost presented the Volunteers named and designed in said Minute each with a Burgess Ticket.

WILLIAM HUNTER, Chairman.

Pages 811

At a Meeting of the Magistrates of Dundee, held on the 2nd day of June 1902,-

Present-

The Lord Provost in the Chair.

SOUTH AFRICAN WAR-DECLARATION OF PEACE.

The Meeting considered the matter, and remitted the same to the Lord Provost and Town Clerk, with powers.

WILLIAM HUNTER, Chairman.

Pages 825

Meeting Town Council, 5th Thursday  June 1902.

Article I.

SOUTH AFRICAN WAR-TERMINATION OF.

On the motion of the Lord Provost, the Meeting unanimously resolved to present an Address of Congratulations to the King on the cessation of hostilities in South Africa, and remitted to the Lord Provost and Clerk to frame a suitable Address, and to sign the same in name and on behalf of the Council.

Pages 832

Meeting Magistrates, 5th June 1902.

Article II.

THANKSGIVING SERVICE IN PARISH CHURCH.

The Magistrates agreed to attend a Thanksgiving Service in the Parish Church on Sabbath, 8th June, current, at 11 a.m., and instructed the Clerk to inmate to the Council accordingly.

The Clerk was also instructed to advertise that Thanksgiving Services should be held in all the Churches throughout the City, and to certiorate the Ministers accordingly.

Pages 1302

Meeting Town Council, 2nd October 1902.

Article II.

5. SOUTH AFRICAN WAR-TERMINATION OF.

Under reference to Article I. of the Minutes of the Council, of date 5th June last, the following Letter was reported:-

“Scottish Office,

Whitehall, S.W.,

11th September 1902.

My Lord Provost,- I have to inform you that I have had the honour to lay before the King the Address of Congratulation on the termination of hostilities in South Africa forwarded by the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Councillors of the City and Royal Burgh of Dundee for presentation to His Majesty, and that His Majesty was pleased to receive the same very graciously.  Owing to His Majesty’s illness and the arrangements for the Coronation, the presentation of the Address has been unavoidably delayed-I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant,

BALFOUR OF BURLEIGH.

The Lord Provost of Dundee.”

<1901 Council Minutes