TRAVEL CLUB

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26122, 26 May 1950, Page 2

TRAVEL CLUB

ADDRESS ON A SCOTTISH FISHING VILLAGE

A description of the ruggedness of Scotland, which -lie said was “soaked in history,” and of the life lived by 1000 Scottish men and women in a small fishing village on the north-east coast of Scotland was given by the Rev. W. M. Hendrie at a morning reception of the Canterbury Travel Club yesterday. Mr Hendrie, who was a minister in the village for many years, is youth director for the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand.

The boats used for fishing in the village, Mr Hendrie said, were never owned by a company or firm. They were/owned by the family and were treated as one of the family. If the boat became unseaworthy another would be built but it would always be called by the same name. On Saturday nights—not Friday nights—when the fishermen were paid for the fish they had caught during the week, the man in charge would gather in his family crew of about four or five. Each would receive one note at a time until the* money ran out. Always a pound was put in for the boat, he said. Later in the evening every able-bodied person attended a dance in the village. The wives of the fishermen, Mr Hendrie said, were magnificent women. Their day started between 3 and 4 a.m. After cooking their husband’s breakfast and having prepared his “piece” they did their housework and attended to the children until about 8 a.m. By that time they were ready to prepare the nets for the next day’s fishing. The work took two women eight hours to complete. The women were strong and healthy and on no occasion did he see one looking worn out or even tired.

Life in the village centred about the public bar. Mr Hendrie said. Wherj work was done the men smoked, played darts, and drank ale. He said that one glass of ale would probably last a man all night.

During the morning songs were sung by Miss Maureen O’Neill accompanied by Mrs J. C. Cullman. Mrs Cecil Wood thanked the 'speaker for his interesting address and the artists for their enjoyable programme. Three visitors and three new members were welcomed by Mrs M. H. Godby.