Knockinlaw Powder Magazine Store

[smudger]

I have original letters from Kilmarnock Town Council applying to
parliament for a licence for the Gunpowder Store in Knockinlaw dated
1873. After an inspection by her Majestys inspector the licence was
refused on several counts including the use of hob nailed boots by
workers, metal straps used for securing barrels of powder, no
recognisable rules or regulations on view at the premises, he stated
that the overall condition of the store was dirty and unkempt and
worst of all on the day of the inspection a 14 yr old boy was in
charge of the store as an assistant to the manager who was absent on
the day.

As far as I can make out the store was delapidated and need of repair.
It was used by local merchants who each had a (cell) which they were
responsible for) for storing goods ie, gunpowder, ammunition, Further
letters indicate the amounts of Gunpowder storage which was allowed 10
tons of powder , so many cases of shot and ammunition,

Whitehall Inspector replying to an inspection of the Gunpowder Store
stressed that he had grave concerns at the state of the store and
refused to allocate a licence due to the concerns metioned above.The
council responded to all the requests and were eventually given a
licence in 1874.

Prior to the inspection the council were instructed by parliament to
put posters up in all the Churches and chapels in the town forewarning
them of the inspection. (I have a copy of the poster and a list of all
the Churches and Chapels named.

John Smillie

[Ann K. Brinlee]

Thank you for the information.  My Kirkpatrick & McGregor families had left by 1800.

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