KETTLE PARISH

MANUFACTURES.-There are 378 hand-looms in the parish, ninetenths of which are employed in weaving a kind of linen called Dowlas, and one-tenth in weaving window-blinds. The average value of linen per loom in the year is about L. 51 ; and the average wages in the week is about 4s. 6d. A moderately steady hand will make 5s. 8d. a week, and the value of his work will be L. 72 ; a few of the best hands will receive considerably more. Within these three or four years, a good deal of work has come into the parish from Newburgh, a port on the Frith of Tay; and from other places, a good deal of work also goes out from this to other parishes, but not so much as comes into it; and the increase of work within the last 120 years is reckoned about 30 per cent. Many young women as well as men employ themselves on the loom. Elder women and widows are generally employed in winding pirns; but for these there is a great want of employment since the lint-wheel failed them. We have smiths, carpenters, wrights, and masons, sufficient for the parish, and for helping our neighbours, and one medical gentleman.

PROVISIONS and MARKETS.-From the vicinity of the metropolis, and a great many coast towns, provisions are commonly kept at the Edinburgh prices. At present we have neither flesher, baker, brewer, writer, stipendiary constable, nor exciseman in the parish. With butcher-meat we are supplied from Cupar, six miles distant, or from Freuchie, in the parish of Falkland, a mile and a-half distant. Carts every day come from Cupar with excellent bread. Beer is brought from Freuchie or Letham, in the parish of Monimail.

POOR.-The poor on the roll for monthly supply are 30 in number at present, besides others who need occasional supplies. Our collections at the church are only about L. 20 or L. 21 a-year, and the heritors contribute about L. 100.

INNS ETC.-ln the parish we have 10 houses licensed to retail excisable spirits, etc. 5 along the thoroughfare road, 4 in the village of Kettle, and 1 in the Coalton of Burnturk.