Scotland > 1825-1826 - Pigot & Co.'s new commercial directory of Scotland for 1825-6

%m'Qt)ive.
KILMARNOCK.
iliffot k Co's
but natural to suppose, that a town, possessed of
such facilities, and of men, of so much unrcuiitting
ingenuity and perseverance, must, as it grew in
wealth, make rapid improvement in ap])earance.
Such has been the ease; and Kilmarnock, from a
place of little note, and of unprepossessing exterior,
has risen to one, which, both in reality and appear-
ance, may justly be styled famous and elegant: the
new erections are mostly of stone, the streets capa-
cious and well lighted "with gas. The gas 'works
were erecfjd in 1823, in shares of 10/. each ; they
are under the management of a committee of 12
gentlemen, and a sub-tommittee of four. Tiie
shops are fitted with an elegant assortment of goods,
and H degree of animation prensils among the inha-
bitants, which at once makes a favourable impres •
sion oa the stranger. T'le town house, built in
1805, contains a court I'oom for the Magistracy,
and public offices. In 1814 an elegant news room
was built in the centre of the town ; this serves the
twofold purpose of a reading room, and a place of
general resort, and is supplied with most of the
London, Edinburgh, and Scotch provincial papers;
in the evening it is brilliantly illumined witii gas.
The Academy, under the direction of the most able
masters, gives tuition in every branch. of useful and
polite literature to its numerous pupils. A charity
school and several Sunday schools also afford in-
striiction to the children of the poorer classes of
society. The improvement of Kilmarnock is under
the care of trustees, the principal of whom is the
Duke of Portland. The town contains several well
conducted societies, amongst wJiich are the procu-
rators', and the merchants', with numerous bene-
fit societies, clubs, &c. Dean castle, about half a
mile north east of the town, a very ancient ed tice,
now in ruins, was once the residence of the noble
and unfortunate family of Kilmarnock. An old
building, denominated Kilmarnock House, was
formerly occupied by a member of the noble taraily
of Glencairu. A very fine observatory, some valua-
ble machinery, and excellent tclescoiies have been
constructed by the inventive genius of Rlr. Tlmmaa
Morton, a self instructed meciumist residing in the
neighbourhood. The civil government is vested in
two bullies, a treasurer, 16 councillors, and several
inferior officers, who hold a court every week.
Tiie justices also have a monthly sitting, at which
theyenforce the payment of small debts. The mar-
ket is held on Friday, and is abundantly supplied
witli every necessary article of domestic consump-
tion. The fairs are in February (Fastens even),
tirst Tuesday in Way, third Wednesday in July,
(commonly called the gooseberry fair), and third
Wednesday in October ; the three last are old style.
POST OFFICE- Portland-street.— Pojf Master, Mr. Wm. Rankin. Mails from Edinburgh and
Eaglesham arrive every morning at half past .seven, and every evening at a quarter before eight, and are
despatched at a quarter before three in the afternoon. The Mail from Ayr, Ballantrae, Girvan, May-
bole, Portpatrick, and Stranraer, arrives every morning at a quarter |)ast eight, and a second mail from
Ayr in the afternoon at three ; they are despatched at a quarter past seven in the morning, and half past
seven at night. JMails from Glasgow arrive every morning at half past seven, and a quarter before eight
in the evening, and are despatched at a ([uarter past eight in the morning, and a quarter before three in
the afternoon. The Mail from Irvine and Saltcoats arrives every afternoon at a quarter before three,
arid is despatched at a qu-irter before eight in the morning. The Mail from Troou arrives every afternoon
at two, and is despatched at three. The Mail from Cumnock and Mauchline arrives every morning at
eight, and is despatched at ten. Mails from Stewarton arrive every morning at eight, and every even-
ing at six, and are despatched at nine in the morning, and at a quarter before eight at night.
MUNICIPAI. GOVERNMENT.
Wm. Wallace, esq. ^^.^:,Y,^^
Wm. Rankin, esq. )
Archibald Finnic, jun. Treasuier
Councillors.
James Porteous James B. Miller
John Andrew Wm. Thomson
Wm. Brown Thos. Greenshields
John Fulton IM. T. Paterson
Matthew Milne C. D. Gairdner
Wm. Finnie Robt. lliomson, sen.
Matthew Strang Wm. Cumming
John Orr Wm. Rankin
COMMISSIONERS OF POLICE-
Ex Officus.
Wm. Wallace, & Wns. Rankin, esqrs. Bailies
A. Finnie, iun, esq. Town Treasurer
John Hamilton, esq. Baron Bailie
Mr. John Muir, Convener of Trades
Ordinary Commissioners.
Messrs. Robert Gait, ^
" John Andrew, V 1st. Ward
«< James Crooks,J
" Thos. Stewart, sen.~J
" Thos. Bishop V2nd. Ward
" Win. Thomson )
. " Robert Wyllie ^
•' MatthewWillcock VSrd. Ward
Wm. Brown )
Win. Stevenson")
" Alex. Stewart V4th. Ward
«< Wm. Finnie J
Mr. David Kay, Treasurer
Mr. Wm. Ferguson, Surveyor
Mr. James Gregg, Clerk
Mr. Andrew Woodburn, Sergeant
EXCHANGE BUILDING SOCIETY-
Jame« Porteous, esq. President •
Wra. Wallace, esq. Vice President
238
Directors.
Mr. John Howie • Mr. Thos. Baird
Mr. George Paxton Mr. Huah Pattison
Mr. Ebenezer Smith
TRUSTEES FOR THE IMPROVEMENT
OP THE TOWN or KILMARNOCK-
His Grace the Duke of Portland
Robert Morris, esq. of Craig
George Douglas, esq. of Hoadenhead, Factor on
the estate of Kilmarnock
The two Bailies 1 „
The Treasurer /ex officus
Wni Parker, esq. of Assloss
James Fairlie, esq. of Holms
James Dunlop, esq. of Annanhill
John Andrew, esq.
James Porteous, esq.
William Finnic, esq.
Thomas Greenshields, esq.
MERCHANTS' SOCIETY.
Wm. Samson, Preses.
Directors.
Mr. Wui. Thomson Mr. Wm. Morion
Mr. James Porteous
Mr. Thomas Bishop, Treasurer
Mr. D. R. Andrews, Clerk
GROCERS' SOCIETY-
James Baird, Preses.
Wm. Wardiop, Secretaiy and Treasurer
Directors.
M r. David Reid Mr. Wm. Wallace
Thomas Baird Robert Buntin
Wm. Samson .Andrew Anderson