THE City Cashier of Glasgow was born at Merkland Cottage,
by Kirkintilloch, next door to the dwelling in which David Gray, author of "The
Luggie," lived and died. At school he excelled in writing, book-keeping, and
mathematics, and on coming to Glasgow he took classes in the old "Andersonian"
and in Glasgow University. About the end of the sixties he entered the office of
the late City Chamberlain, where, besides the general office work, he was
employed upon the intricate calculations necessary for his chief's popular Vital
and Social Statistics, etc. The Town Council shewed its high appreciation of the
Chamberlain's work in this direction by granting him an honorarium of one
hundred guineas, out of which he generously recognised his assistant.
Mr. Gibb soon became book-keeper for some of the city trusts,
and latterly received the appointment of City Cashier. In this office he has
charge of the intromissions of the following departments - Common Good, City
Improvements, Parks and Galleries, Municipal Buildings, Markets, Diseases of
Animals Act, Lands Valuation, Mitchell and Public Libraries, Inebriates Act,
Town Clerk's Fee Fund, Mortifications, etc. Owing to the extension of the city
boundaries, and the addition of departments, the duties and responsibilities of
the office have increased in his time till the financial turnover now exceeds
four millions sterling per annum.
In 1875, along with Bailie M'Bean and Bailie Jackson, Mr.
Gibb inaugurated and took charge of the music in the parks. At first the
performances were confined to the bands of the barracks garrison and a few
volunteer regiments, and the cost was some £650 per annum. But each year has
seen some extension; choirs, dancers, pipers, and performances of the champion
bands of Britain have been introduced, and the cost is now over £3,000 per
annum. In consequence of the popularity of these performances inquiries were
made by many of the chief cities and towns of the Kingdom and America regarding
the details of management, and the institution is now widely adopted.
In 1880 Mr. Gibb also took charge, along with Bailie Malcolm
Campbell, of the City Hall Afternoon Organ Recitals by Mr. Lambeth, the City
Organist. At these recitals he varied the entertainment by introducing
elocutionists, vocalists, choirs, etc. In this way he was the means of bringing
out many artists now among the most popular, and of encouraging and improving
choir singing in Glasgow. The concerts proved highly popular, and were presently
extended to other districts.
On account of his known aptitude for organising these things
Mr. Gibb has been requisitioned to act as entertainments' convener of several of
the great charitable functions, such as that of the Deaf and Dumb Institute of
1891, for which Glasgow is famous, and he has himself taken part occasionally in
the entertainments themselves. In his favourite pastimes, shooting, sailing, and
cycling, he has been the winner of several cups and prizes. He is also no mean
handler of the painter's brush and the poet's pen.
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Index of Glasgow Men (1909)