100 YEARS AGO

Warships pass - During the week, a large number of warships, which have been at big gun practice in the Moray Firth for some time, passed down the Firth going east.

At about nine o'clock on Tuesday evening, a flotilla of war vessels, which were brilliantly lighted up and going at a low rate of speed, were observed at Gardenstown heading east at a short distance from the land.

Although the weather was boisterous, large groups of villagers were attracted outdoors and assembled at every vantage point to gain a view of the magnificently illuminated battleships as they moved slowly eastward. They had the appearance of a moving city on the water.

50 YEARS AGO

Sea Fish Industry Bill published - Powers to give assistance to the fishing industry are being extended for another 10 years, and made wider in scope, by provisions contained in the Sea Fish Industry Bill published on Friday.

These measures will enable the Government to give effect to the general scheme of assistance outlined in the White Paper on the fishing industry, which has since been the subject of discussions with representatives of the trawler owners recorded in an exchange of letters also published on Friday.

The Bill also contains provisions relating to the regulation of fishing inside and outside territorial waters. These will strengthen the Government's general powers to take measures for regulating fishing and in particular will enable control to be exercised over the catching of salmon by drift nets.

In addition, the Bill contains provisions relating to the control of shellfish pests and diseases and to several regulated fisheries, fishery harbour authorities and the powers of the White Fish Authority.

25 YEARS AGO

Dole figures climbing - The unemployment figures in the Banff area JobCentre climbed higher this month. The total unemployed in the area, which covers Banff, Macduff, Turriff, Whitehills, Portsoy, Aberchirder and immediate rural areas, reached 969, an increase of 42 over the previous month.

The number of men out of work is 615, while 354 women are also unemployed, which together is 12.2% of the working population.

Mr Ken Shand, of the JobCentre, said the rise in the unemployed is probably due to seasonal jobs coming to an end, as this is the pattern seen over past years. However, he said that no great change is expected, although there might be a probability of temporary shop and other jobs coming up nearer Christmas. The figures, and the increases, are fairly general compared to other areas and the Banff area could, perhaps, be considered fairly lucky as there had been no major redundancies in the area, he said.

The future holds no hope of early improvement as there does not appear to be any possibility of large developments in the area and although there are a number of building schemes in the pipe-line, these will only provide employment for the life of the building development.

What is really needed, said Mr Shand, is the introduction to this part of the North-east of new industry which would help solve the position.