25YEARS AGO THE cost to the public purse of closing Hamilton College of Edinburgh alone will be greater than the net savings projected by the government for closing that college plus Craiglockhart and Callendar Park colleges, it was claimed. Figures produced by the Hamilton College action group indicate continuing costs of more than GBP3m in the past year, and GBP2.1m in the second and subsequent years. In addition, the capital value of staff compensation payments in the second and subsequent years would run into many millions, the group allege.

50 YEARS AGO CHRISTMAS Day was spent quietly. People gathered in family parties for Christmas dinner and to listen to the Queen's broadcast. Many had attended late-night church services on Christmas Eve. Many more attended services on Christmas morning in churches of every denomination. For as the observance of Christmas Day has spread in Scotland in the past few years, increasing emphasis has been placed on its position as a great Christian festival.

100 YEARS AGO BERI Beri Cases at Glasgow - On the arrival of the China Mutual Company's steamer Yangtse in the Clyde from Liverpool, it was reported that there were three cases of beri beri among the crew. Two of the men had nearly recovered, but the third was in a serious condition. While the vessel was at Amsterdam one of the hands had succumbed to the disease.

150 YEARS AGO IN reference to the fire at Strathclyde Works, Dalmarnock, we are requested by owners Messrs Main, Brown & Co to state that the girl, Sarah Macdonald, who lost her life, was not employed in that part of the works, but had secreted herself there to eat in contravention of the rules of the establishment, and for breaking this rule, if found, she would have been fined.

200 YEARS AGO ITis with the deepest regret we announce the loss of another transport, the Aurora. She was lost on the Goodwin Sands with 250 men and officers of the 26th Regiment, besides the master and sailors.