19 OCTOBER 1951, Page 18

Time-Spans .

SIR,—William Baird (founder of the famous firm of Scottish Coal and Iron Masters) was born in 1796 and died in 1864, shortly before the birth of his youngest son. He.--is Brig.-Gen. E. W. Baird, and is alive today. Thus this span takes in three centuries and a period of over 150 years.—

Yours faithfully, JAMES T. Foam& Well Hall, Hamilton, Laniirkshire.