Orkney Image Library

This seems to refer to the councillors of 1922/3 right enough, going by the only early 20s almanac I have. Taking them in the order mentioned, the Provost was John White, solicitor and Sheriff Clerk, and evidently a golfer. Bailie P. C. Flett owned the "Mounthoolie Aerated Water Factory" - lemonade a speciality. Bailie J. Jolly was obviously the coal merchant. The Treasurer who boomed "whisky" was John M. Slater, proprietor of William Slater, Licensed Grocer, Bridge Street. Dean of Guild was R. Spence, presumably a baker, of Cumming and Spence, perhaps? A. G. Spence was proprietor of Nicol Spence and Son, ship chandlers, Bridge Street. "Freddy Buck" was Fred Buchanan, as the note in the margin says brother of Capt. Angus Buchanan, Sahara explorer. Both Fred Buchanan and Cllr. D. J. Robertson were solicitors, which explains the (totally unfair, of course) fun being poked at their fees. The only A. J. Grant I find mention of was a Commission Agent in West Castle Street. James Johnston, I'm not sure about. The County Convener at the time was James Johnston of Coubister. There was a J. Muir, Shoemaker in the list of electors. Finally there is Albert Maxwell, a third Bridge Street businessman (or fourth if Muir worked with the W. Muir, shoemaker listed in that street). Presumably "Auld Willie" was the former bellman and Gullion the new.