Looking Back – news from the John O'Groat Journal of yesteryear
Census arrangements under way
From the Groat of April 8, 1921
The forthcoming census was already fully prepared for in Wick with "the whole of the complex machinery for the counting of the people now in readiness".
The John O'Groat Journal had a specimen copy of the form and it showed that complete information as to how it should be filled in was printed on the back.
"If householders will take the trouble to read the instructions carefully there can be little difficulty in the matter," it was stated.
However, to make sure that local householders were able to complete the paperwork, lessons were being given to children in school "which would help towards clearing up any doubtful points as the school children will be able to tell at home how the forms have to be filled in".
One of the interesting aspects of the census this time round was the reference to windowed rooms.
"Householders have to inform the enumerator as to how many windowed rooms his house contains. Kitchens can be counted as a room, but sculleries, pantries and bathrooms are excluded."
Under the guidance of registrar Mrs Sandison, a total of 18 enumerators had been employed to carry out the work in the parish, which included landward areas. The majority were ex-servicemen with just one girl among their number.
Council criticises BBC documentary
From the Groat of April 9, 1971
Caithness County Council took issue with the BBC programme 24 Hours which had focused on the Highlands.
Caithness did not feature in the broadcast, which the councillors chose to believe meant there was nothing the programme makers could find to criticise in the county.
However, they considered that the programme had given a "wrong view" of the wider area and deemed it an "obituary on the Highlands".
County convener Alex Rugg said: "As so very often happens, they brought in what appealed to them as sensational. I don't think they were fair to the Highland Board and the work the local authorities have done."
He noted that while the programme had featured failures "it did not at the same time show the successes".
At the same meeting it was noted that there had been 54 applicants for the post of county development officer, with interest coming from all over Britain.
Ex-Provost William Dunnett quipped: "This list may shrink a bit if some of the candidates have been watching the BBC feature."
Elsewhere, members of then Caithness branch of the Red Cross distinguished themselves by winning both trophies in the nursing and first aid competition in the Scottish branch regional round of competition, held in the Assembly Rooms in Wick.
Stolen fittings put back by thieves
From the Groat of April 12, 1996
Workmen thought they had seen the last of bathroom fittings which had vanished from a block of flats being renovated in Union Street, Wick. But the tradesmen couldn't believe their eyes when they arrived at work to discover the two wash-hand basins and pedestals, taps and joints had been returned.
A police investigation had been started when the equipment vanished at the weekend along with a workman's radio cassette player and a telephone. However, most of the goods were found sitting on the pavement outside the flats when the workmen arrived there on the Wednesday.
Police said the change of heart by the thieves was a bit of a mystery.
The only possible explanation was that the police had been getting warm in their enquiries or that the thieves had had second thoughts about being able to sell the goods and concluded it was more trouble than it was worth.
The radio cassette player, however, remained missing.
Meanwhile, a promising Caithness band had been invited to London for a meeting with Chrysalis Records. Appendix 83, consisting of Barry Gordon, Alan MacDonald, Niall Porter and Ralph Speed, all from Thurso, had sent out demos of their songs to a number of sources in the music industry.
