The Association for the Preservation of Rural Scotland (A.P.R.S.) 

TWENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT 1954 

TO BE PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD AT 15 RUTLAND SQUARE, EDINBURGH 1 

On THURSDAY, 8th APRIL 1954 At 2.30 p.m. 

The Rt. Hon. THE EARL OF DUNDEE 

will give an Address 

THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF RURAL SCOTLAND 

OFFICE-BEARERS 

Honorary President 

SIR JOHN STIRLING MAXWELL, BT., K.T.

POLLOCK HOUSE, GLASGOW 

President 

THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF GALLOWAY 

CUMLODEN, NEWTON-STEWART 

Vice-President 

WILLIAM WALKER, A.R.E. 

MARCHLEA HOUSE, COLDSTREAM 

Chairman of Council 

COMMANDER H. C. COURTNEY CLARKE, D.S.O., R.N.(Retd.) 

CLINT LODGE, ST BOSWELLS 

Vice-Chairman of Council 

ALAN STEWART-CLARK 

18 LAUDER ROAD, EDINBURGH 

Hon. Secretary 

H. A. RENDEL GOVAN, A.R.I.B.A. 

44 QUEEN STREET, EDINBURGH 

Hon. Treasurer 

IAN D. ROSS, W.S. 

1 THISTLE COURT, EDINBURGH 

Organising Secretary 

KENNETH MACRAE, W.S. 

Office: 15 RUTLAND SQUARE, EDINBURGH I

Telephone FOU 7631

THE COUNCIL

 ELECTED MEMBERS 

Chairman – Commander H. C. COURTNEY CLARKE, D.S.O., R.N.(Retd.) 

Mrs MACKENZIE ANDERSON, 69 Southpark Avenue, Glasgow, W.2 

J. BARTHOLOMEW, M.C., M.A., F.R.G.S., Manor House, Inveresk 

E. S. BELL, F.R.I.A.S., Cranstonhill, Stirling 

Mrs D. BROWNE, 5 Greenmount Avenue, Burntisland 

Mrs COWAN, Eastfield, Bowden, Melrose 

W. FERRIS, 159 West Nile Street, Glasgow, C.1 

W. M. GLASS, 38 Drummond Place, Edinburgh 

A. GRAHAM, 1 Nelson Street, Edinburgh 3 

LESLIE GRAHAME MACDOUGALL, R.S.A., F.R.I.B.A., P.R.I.A.S., 6 Ainslie Place, Edinburgh 3 

The Right Hon. THE EARL OF HADDINGTON, K.T., M.C., Mellerstain, Gordon, Berwickshire 

Mrs HEDDERWICK, 44 Coates Gardens, Edinburgh 12 

D. J. MCARTHUR, 39 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh 3 

B. N. H. ORPHOOT, R.S.A., F.R.I.B.A., Well House, Easter Belmont Road, Edinburgh 12 

Major R. A. OSWALD, Cavens, by Dumfries 

The Right Hon. LORD POLWARTH, 3 Albyn Place, Edinburgh 2 

Mrs A. E. ROBERTSON, 17 Cluny Gardens, Edinburgh 10 

ALAN STEWART-CLARK, 18 Lauder Road, Edinburgh 9 

Sir SAMUEL S. STRANG STEEL, Bt., Philiphaugh, Selkirk 

Brig. ALAN H. C. SWINTON, M.C., Kimmerghame, Duns, Berwickshire 

The Hon. DAVID J. WATSON, Q.C., 45 Northumberland Street, Edinburgh 

WM. WILSON, R.S.A., 11A Belford Mews, Edinburgh 4 

CONSTITUENT BODIES AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES 

AFFILIATED SOCIETIES AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES 

*Elected to the Council as representatives 

THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF RURAL SCOTLAND 

ANNUAL REPORT, 1954 

THE Council have pleasure in submitting the Twenty-sixth Annual Report of the Association, together with a Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31st December 1953. 

General.

 The year 1953, Coronation Year, has been a very special one and, thanks to the combined efforts of Local Authorities, Societies and individuals, considerable progress was made with the general improvement of the amenities of rural districts. There was much planting of trees to commemorate the Coronation of Her Majesty the Queen. A number of small burghs and villages erected decorative name-signs at their approaches, in many places plots of ground were laid out as public gardens or flower-beds, throughout the countryside cottage-gardens presented a fine floral display, the litter problem was tackled in many places, and generally great efforts were made to beautify and tidy up the countryside. It is hoped that these efforts will continue, with a special nation-wide effort in 1954 to keep the country clear of litter. 

The Council.

 The death of Mr D. M. Mathieson, who represented the Cockburn Association on the Council, is recorded with deep regret. 

Sir Mark Dalrymple, Bt., having in December 1953 intimated his resignation from the office of Vice-Chairman, the Council, at their meeting on 3rd February 1954, filled the vacancy by appointing Mr Alan Stewart-Clark. 

During the year Sir John H. F. McEwen intimated his resignation from the Council as he was unable to attend meetings and Major Gordon Home resigned on his taking up residence in England. These resignations were accepted with regret. 

The following members were co-opted by the Council: Brig. A. H. C. Swinton, M.C., The Hon. David J. Watson, Q.C., Mr D. J. McArthur, Mr F. C. Rogers, and the Council welcomed the following new representatives of Constituent Bodies and Affiliated Societies:- 

Mr Leslie Grahame MacDougall (Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland). 

Colonel J. Steel Harvey (Royal Scottish Automobile Club). 

Mr J. Hunter (Scottish Caravan Club). 

Mr James B. Bease (Kirkcaldy Naturalists’ Society). 

The Council have met regularly each month (July and August excepted). These meetings have been very well attended, especially by the representatives of other Societies. Consequently decisions have been arrived at and action has been taken with the benefit of the views of a considerable cross-section of Scottish interests. A very good liaison continues to be maintained with Government Departments, Local Authorities and Public Boards. 

By courtesy of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, the monthly meetings of the Council continue to be held at 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh, and the Annual General Meeting was again held there in April 1953. The Council once again desire to express their cordial thanks to the Royal Incorporation. 

Membership. 

During the year under review the following bodies have joined the Association :- 

The Burgh of Callander. 

The Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club. 

The Kirkcaldy Naturalists’ Society. 

The Scottish Landowners Federation have rejoined. 

With the five bodies which joined last year, the total number of Constituent Bodies and Affiliated Societies is now forty-one. 

During the year the following new Individual Members joined:- 

LIFE: 

Mrs Jock Elliot. 

Miss Margaret H. Kidston. 

Miss E. M. Stewart-Clark. 

J. C. Stewart-Clark. 

Brig. Alan H. C. Swinton, M.C. 

Major Alan Walmsley, M.C. 

The Hon. David J. Watson, Q.C.

ANNUAL:  

Miss Mackenzie Anderson. 

E. M. Cassett. 

Mrs E. L. C. Courtney Clarke. 

Lady Craigmyle. 

Mrs Ramage Dawson. 

A. Campbell Fraser. 

Mrs G. F. Henderson. 

Mrs E. M. D. Kirkwood. 

Lady Masson. 

Sir James Moir Mackenzie, K.C.B., C.M.G. 

F. G. Rogers, L.D.S., F.R.P.S. 

Mrs Gladys R. Sharpe. 

Col. W. Mackenzie Smith, D.S.O., T.D., LL.D. 

James Walker. 

Mrs C. M. Watherston. 

ASSOCIATE: 

F. R. N. Curle, W.S. 

Mrs Anne Oliver. 

Mrs T. L. A. Oliver. 

Capt. W. C. Tancred, C.B.E., R.N. 

Committees

The following are the Standing Committees appointed by the Council:- 

CHAIRMAN’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE (including Finance and Publicity): 

Chairman – Commander Courtney Clarke. 

JOINT RIVER POLLUTION, FISHERIES AND HYDRO-ELECTRIC SUB-COMMITTEE: 

Chairman – Commander Courtney Clarke. 

Vice-Chairman – Mr B. N. H. Orphoot, R.S.A., F.R.I.B.A. 

RURAL AMENITIES SUB-COMMITTEE: 

Chairman – Mrs Mackenzie Anderson. 

Vice-Chairman – Mr Alan Stewart-Clark. 

BUILDINGS OF ARCHITECTURAL MERIT OR HISTORIC INTEREST: 

Chairman – Mr William Walker, A.R.E. 

In addition, the Council have appointed an ad hoc Sub-Committee to go into the question of the use of land for housing. The Chairman of this Committee is Mr Alan Stewart-Clark. 

Donations. 

The Council have gratefully acknowledged donations received from the following: The Automobile Association; Craig-ard (No. 2) Fund, per Messrs J. & J. Scrimgeour & Gillan, Solicitors, Dundee; Inverness Town Council; The North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board; The Royal Institute of British Architects; and three donors who wish to remain anonymous. 

Publicity. 

A new explanatory leaflet, which as well as setting forth the origins, objects and work of the A.P.R.S. embodies an application for membership form, has been printed. This leaflet has proved of great service in bringing the A.P.R.S. to the notice of prospective members. Supplies of the leaflet can be obtained from the Organising Secretary. 

‘The Scotsman’ published a leading article on the speech of the Right Honourable The Earl of Home, P.C., at the Annual General Meeting, and there was also a full report in the news. Reprints of these were obtained and issued to new and prospective members, &c. 

The Chairman gave addresses to the Edinburgh and Hawick Rotary Clubs on the work of the A.P.R.S. This was done on the suggestion of a member in Canada, Mr G. C. Thomson, Q.C., himself a Rotarian, who takes a great interest in the work of the A.P.R.S. 

Mr Alan Stewart-Clark addressed a meeting of the Glasgow Tree Lovers’ Society and the Field Studies Association in Glasgow on the planting of slag-heaps. 

Planting of Slag-heaps

The Council decided to go into the question of the possible afforestation and re-vegetation of spoil-heaps whether as the result of coal-mining, shale-mining or other industrial processes. It was remitted to Mr Alan Stewart-Clark and Mr J. G. Roger to study the material available, and, following on a report by these two members of Council, a letter was addressed to the County Councils of East Lothian, West Lothian, Stirling, Ayr, Clackmannan and Fife, in which the view was expressed that the restoration and improvement of derelict industrial areas and spoil-heaps should be a matter of concern to County Councils as Planning Authorities as well as to the Department of Health for Scotland, the Department of Agriculture for Scotland, the Forestry Commission and the National Coal Board. Very helpful and informative replies were received and the Council were gratified to learn that this question is receiving attention in various quarters. In East Lothian and Fife the National Coal Board are carrying out experimental planting. Ayr County Council are dealing fully with the subject in the County Development Plan and further investigations into the problem are being made in the Department of Health for Scotland. The Council will continue to keep this matter before them. 

Litter. 

During June 1953 the Chairman wrote to the Press on the subject of litter thrown from buses, appealing to all touring-bus undertakings to ensure that there is a receptacle for litter in every touring-bus and to urge their bus conductors to encourage passengers to use them instead of the roadside. 

The Council urge that there should be a special anti-litter campaign this year to try and check the litter menace. In preparation for this, the Council have had printed a preliminary 1000 copies of a Notice which is being issued for display in hotels, offices, village halls, &c. 

The Chairman discussed the question of how to bring the matter before schools with a representative of the Scottish Education Department at St Andrew’s House, and it is understood that a memorandum will be circulated to Education Authorities on the subject. 

The Boy Scout and Girl Guide Associations are also being urged to stress the anti-litter question this year. 

Hydro-Electric Development. 

During the period of this Report the following Schemes were received from the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board:- 

1. No. 23A-Moriston Project (Amendments). 

2. No. 23B-Moriston Project (Further Amendments). 

3. No. 32-Loch Shin Project. 

4. No. 72-Shin/Caithness Transmission Lines. 

Close contact has been maintained with the officials of the Board, and questions raised by members concerning the design of dams and power-stations, the screening of transformer-stations, &c., have been as a rule satisfactorily cleared up. 

A very satisfactory report was received from the Rev. and Mrs A. E. Robertson, after a visit to the Corrieyairack Pass, regarding the progress of the construction of the power-line, and the attention of H.M. Inspector of Ancient Monuments was drawn to the state of certain of the Wade bridges. 

Control of Advertisements.

Considerable progress is being made by an ever-increasing number of Counties with regard to the defining of areas of special control of advertisements. It is not proposed in this Report to give details of these as in previous years as there is believed to be a number of Orders awaiting approval. The A.P.R.S. was consulted by the County Councils of Roxburgh and Sutherland with regard to their proposals for the designation of areas of special control and in each case heartily approved of what was proposed. 

Loch Lomond Road. 

The attention of the Council was drawn to the proposals for a new trunk road along Loch Lomondside from Balloch to Ardlui which were reported in the Press in September 1953. The Council appointed an ad hoc Sub-Committee to go into the matter consisting of Mrs Mackenzie Anderson, Mrs Hedderwick and Mr Alan Stewart-Clark, and they had a meeting with the County Surveyor at Dumbarton and examined the plans of the new road. They reported to the Council at their December meeting, when, after a full discussion, it was decided not to raise any formal objection to the road in principle at this stage, but to ask to be consulted as to details when the appropriate stage is reached. 

National Parks in Scotland

As mentioned in the last Annual Report, representatives of The Scottish Council for National Parks, a body on which the Association is represented, have had talks with officials of the Department of Health for Scotland in order to estimate the initial cost of setting up a National Parks Commission for Scotland and a National Park in either the Loch Lomond-Trossachs area or in the Cairngorms. Following on these talks, a Report was presented to the Minister of State in October 1953, and the reply of the Minister is awaited. 

Eaglesham.

The Council received a letter signed by thirty-five residents of the village of Eaglesham in the County of Renfrew expressing concern at the deterioration of the village owing to the bricking-up of houses in poor repair and asking for the support of the Association in preserving the character of the village. As well as inviting the assistance of the National Trust, the matter was taken up with the County Council as Planning Authority, and the Council have now been informed that it is the subject of consultation between the County Council and the Department of Health for Scotland. The Council continue to keep the future of this village in view. 

Dunkeld. 

At the request of the National Trust for Scotland, the Council are supporting them in their campaign for the preservation of The Cross and Cathedral Street, Dunkeld, which form the approaches to the Cathedral and are an important example of minor Scottish street architecture of the early eighteenth century. The Council were particularly concerned with the acquisition of No. 6 Cathedral Street, in order to maintain architectural uniformity, and have urged the County Council to take action under the powers available to them. The matter is still under consideration. The Council were very pleased to learn, however, that the Trust have accepted the gift of Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 9 Cathedral Street and Nos. 11, 12, 13 and 14 The Cross from the Atholl Estates, which will ensure the preservation and restoration of the approach to the Cathedral. 

County Development Plans

The Council gave consideration to the following Development Plans in course of preparation in terms of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, 

1947:- 

Clackmannan.

The Association was asked by the proprietor of a property near Alloa to support an objection to the Plan. On going into the matter it was ascertained that a compromise was being negotiated, and no further action appeared necessary. 

County of Ayr.

On the invitation of the County Planning Officer, a Sub-Committee consisting of Mr Alan Stewart-Clark, Mrs Mackenzie Anderson and Mr Hunter, accompanied by Miss Elizabeth B. Mitchell and Sir James Fergusson of Kilkerran, had a meeting with him at Ayr. The proposals for the County Development Plan were fully explained and the Sub-Committee were very gratified to find that great attention is being paid to such matters as the Scheduling of Areas of Special Landscape Value, Control of Advertisements, Tree Preservation, Planting of Coal Bings and other matters in which the Association is interested. 

Sheep Dip. 

In March 1953 a letter was sent to forty-nine newspapers circulating in rural Scotland containing the annual appeal to farmers and others concerned to take every possible precaution to avoid sheep-dip flowing into rivers or burns. 

Attention is again being drawn, in the Press, to the danger to fish-life unless proper precautions are taken for the disposal of the contents of sheep-dippers. 

Protection of Birds Bill.

The Council welcomed this Bill generally, but noted that the goosander, which feeds mainly on trout and young salmon, was included in the Schedule of wild birds which may be killed or taken outside the close season only. The Council understand that it is the intention of the promoters of the Bill to protect this bird in the greater part of England where its numbers are few, but they have in mind that in Scottish rivers (and in Northumberland) the goosander does very considerable damage to salmon and trout fisheries. After consulting the Scottish Salmon Angling Federation, the Scottish Anglers’ Association and the River Tweed Commissioners, a letter was sent to the Secretary of State for Scotland requesting that if the Bill comes into force it should be followed up immediately by an Order applicable to Scotland removing the goosander from the Schedule above referred to and including it in the Second Schedule of noxious wild birds which may be killed or taken at any time by authorised persons. The Council has been informed that on the motion of Lady Tweedsmuir it has been agreed in Committee to include the goosander and also the red-breasted merganser in the Second Schedule in its application to Scotland. It must be emphasised that only “authorised persons” are legally entitled under the Bill to kill any wild bird. 

Precautionary Measures against Toxic Chemicals used in Agriculture. 

The Council were glad to learn of the extension of the terms of reference of Professor Zuckerman’s Working Party to include the investigation of the possible risks to the natural flora and fauna of the countryside from the use in agriculture of toxic substances. The Council had no knowledge of specific cases of damage in Scotland arising from the use of poisonous substances in agriculture which might be reported to the Working Party, but will be glad if members will bring any such cases to the notice of the Organising Secretary. 

Rivers Pollution.- 

(1) Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) (Scotland) Act, 1951. 

The latest information obtained from the Department of Health for Scotland is as follows: Orders have been made establishing River Purification Boards for the Ayrshire, Banff, Moray and Nairn, Forth, Lothians, Tweed and Solway areas, and four of these Boards have held their first meetings. Draft Orders have been published for the establishment of Boards for the Dee and Don, North and South Esk, Tay and Clyde areas, and objections to the Orders lodged by certain of the local authorities concerned are being considered by the Secretary of State. 

The Secretary of State has made an Order bringing into operation within the Counties of Caithness, Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland and Zetland, the provisions for the control and prevention of river pollution contained in the Act. The effect of this Order, which came into force on 1st February 1954, will be that the County Councils of these areas will be the River Purification Authorities. They will be empowered to make bye-laws governing the purity of discharges in the rivers and streams in their areas. As the problem of preventing pollution is not so acute in these areas as in other parts of the country, it is not proposed to set up River Purification Boards in the meantime. 

The Council trust that the necessary bye-laws to be made under Section 25 of the Act will be ready for approval to coincide with “the appointed day,” i.e., the day when the enactments in the Fourth Schedule, which include the powers of River Boards to deal with pollution, are repealed. The Council are specially interested in the bye-law to prevent dumping of litter in rivers. 

(2) Border Burghs. 

As regards the Tweed, the Council hope that pressure will continue to be applied to burghs such as Jedburgh, Kelso, Melrose and Coldstream to instal adequate sewage disposal works. 

The Council have been following with great satisfaction the extensive and costly efforts made by Hawick Town Council to purify the town effluent, which have already cost £60,000. The Council appreciate the great difficulties involved and would like to express their sympathy that the new works have not yet proved entirely satisfactory and they hope that the necessary improvements envisaged will not prove too costly. 

Rural Bus Services.

The Council have for some time had under consideration the lack of adequate bus services in parts of rural Scotland, which has been aggravated to some extent by the closing down of branch railway lines. The Council took note of a resolution passed at the Triennial Conference of the Scottish Women’s Rural Institutes urging the provision of small buses in sparsely populated districts, such buses to be run without conductors. The Council decided to support the S.W.R.I. and as a preliminary step a letter was sent to the Chairman of the Licensing Authority for Public Service Vehicles asking him to clarify the position. The following is a summary of his reply:- 

The licensing of bus services in Scotland is the responsibility of the Licensing Authority for Public Service Vehicles set up under the Road Traffic Act, 1930, but they have no power to require an operator to apply for licences to operate particular services, nor can they prevent operators from surrendering licences. 

The large bus undertakings at present run services where there is a need for them without insisting that each individual service should itself be profitable, provided that the total results of their operations yield a reasonable return. At a time, however, when costs have risen and fares are on the increase, the Licensing Authority do not find it a practicable proposition to press the bus companies to put on additional services that are bound to be extremely uneconomic. In rural areas, the proportion of unremunerative services is high and there is a limit to what any commercial organisation can do in this respect. Notice of any proposed modification or withdrawal of a service is given by the Licensing Authority to every Town and County Council, who can make representations to the Licensing Authority should they so desire. 

Where any local body seeks new or improved bus services, they should, in the first place, discuss the proposal with the operator on the route or in the district, to whom it is open to apply for variation of his existing licence or for a new licence. Where this local approach is unsuccessful, the local body may raise the matter with the Licensing Authority for Public Service Vehicles direct or through the District or County Clerk. If the first means is chosen, sufficient details should be given (e.g., the route and destination, the days of the week on which the service is proposed, the journey times suggested and the population to be served) to enable the Licensing Authority to examine the matter further with the operator. Representations of a vague and general kind are scarcely helpful. 

The above information has been forwarded to the S.W.R.I. Historic Buildings Council for Scotland. The Council welcome the setting up of this Council under the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act, 1953. The Chairman is the Earl of Dundee and among its members is Lord Polwarth, a member of Council. The Chairman and the Organising Secretary represented the A.P.R.S. at a Reception given by the Minister of State for the Historic Buildings Council in Edinburgh Castle on 22nd January 1954. 

XXIInd International Congress for Housing and Town Planning.

The A.P.R.S. has been invited to appoint a representative to the Organising Committee of this Congress which is to be held in Edinburgh in September 1954. The Council have decided to support the Congress and have appointed as their representative to the Organising Committee Mr Robert Grieve, A.M.I.C.E., M.T.P.I. 

Committee on Hedgerow and Farm Timber.

The Association was invited to give evidence before this Committee which was appointed jointly by the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Secretary of State for Scotland to examine the extent to which the growth of hedgerow timber is compatible with good agricultural practice and to make recommendations as to the best means of securing the planting and tending of hedgerow timber. The Chairman, Mrs Mackenzie Anderson and Mr Rendel Govan gave evidence on behalf of the A.P.R.S. at a meeting of the Committee held in Edinburgh in September 1953, when evidence was also given on behalf of the Glasgow Tree Lovers’ Society by Mrs Mackenzie Anderson and other representatives of that body. Amongst the more important points covered by the Tree Lovers and the A.P.R.S. were the following:- 

• The necessity for research into the advantages and disadvantages of hedgerow trees from the agricultural point of view with special reference to shade, shelter, root formation in regard to drainage and soil, pests, maintenance of birds and reduction of erosion. 

• Organisation of publicity, especially for farmers, covering the results of these researches, as it is felt that many of the agricultural community know only one side of the argument. 

• The difficulties of carrying out shelter planting as a single item under the Hill Farming Act, although this could often greatly improve hill farms. 

• The amenity value of row planting along roads and the choice of suitable types of trees for the purpose. The sparing of trees of great amenity value, such as beech and oak, even if ripe for felling, and replanting of the same species if felled; also the felling of trees on a selective basis and the felling of alternate trees in avenues with subsequent replanting. The value of mature trees being left as features in housing schemes, and also the use of trees for screening unsightly industrial installations. 

St Boswells Village Committee.

The Council would like to congratulate this Committee on the progress they have made in the improvement to the amenities of the village. 

Miscellaneous.

Other matters which have engaged the attention of the Council during the period of this Report include:- 

Trees at Stirling Castle; 

Signs at entrances to villages; 

Service land requirements; 

Housing scheme at Plockton; 

Individual advertisements, &c. 

Finance.

There is appended hereto an Abstract of the Accounts for the year to 31st December 1953. 

At the end of 1952 the Accounts showed that the current finances of the Association had improved sufficiently to allow the investment of the balance of the legacies bequeathed to the Association. Accordingly £250 3 1/2 per cent War Stock was purchased and a sum lodged with the Edinburgh Savings Bank as shown in the Accounts for 1953. 

It was brought to the attention of the Council that the Life Membership Fund was in danger of being extinguished if the practice of transferring to Income Account a yearly sum on the same basis as in former years were continued. It was therefore decided to restrict the annual transfer to a sum at the discretion of the Council not exceeding 20 per cent in any year, and in 1953 only approximately 5 per cent was transferred. 

It was also decided to absorb the balance of the Hydro-Electric Fund into the General Fund of the Association, as there is now no object in keeping it as a separate fund. 

Finally, in spite of the fact that the Accounts show an excess of Income amounting to £54, 4s. 6 1/2d. over Expenditure for 1953, which may be regarded as an average year, there is still a need for greater financial support by way of Annual and Associate Members subscriptions. 

Chairman’s Remarks.

I would like to pay a personal tribute to the late Mr D. M. Mathieson, who represented the Cockburn Association on the Council for the last two years and who also recently joined as a Life Member. He gave the Council and myself personally so much encouragement and help with the work of the Association that we shall miss him very much at our Council meetings. 

As a result of the work of the Association being brought to the notice of individuals personally, a number of new members joined in 1953 and it is hoped that every member will endeavour to get at least one new member in 1954. 

As stated in the Report, a preliminary 1000 Anti-Litter Notices have been printed and circulated, but if the anti-litter campaign is to be brought before the general public throughout Scotland many thousands more will be required. This and other activities of the Association will entail increased expenditure and it is very necessary therefore to encourage interest in the work of the Association and enlarge the membership. It must be borne in mind that the pre-war Life Members out-number the Annual and Associate Members. 

The increasing activities of the Association also entail more and more administrative work for the Organising Secretary and his staff, to whom I would like to express the special thanks of the Council and myself. 

H. C. COURTNEY CLARKE, 

Chairman of Council. 

[see PDF for Statement of Accounts]