April 21, 1921
What was happening a century ago this week from the front page of the Cowichan Leader.
April 21, 1921
Business for North Cowichan Council was described as “light” in this week’s Leader. Road superintendent H.R. Punnett reported that the Municipality’s two new trucks were working out well, hauling 1 1/2 tons per load at a cost of 25-38 cents per yard of gravel. They were making nine miles to the gallon on each roundtrip.
The new grader, costing all of $400, had arrived but they were still waiting for the scarifier (a spiked tool used to break up matted vegetation and the like). Premier John Turner had sent out a circular to the effect that a fall session of Legislature would include an emphasis on municipal legislation. Council wasn’t impressed: it was just another political game at further cost to the beleaguered taxpayer, they sniffed.
Capt. R.E. Barkley’s appeal for financial assistance towards $53.00 he’d incurred in court costs the previous year was referred to the police commissioners, and F.G. Smithson, secretary to the Cowichan Electoral District War Memorial Committee, requested assistance in applying to the E&N Railway, whose land included Mount Prevost, for a grant of the proposed memorial site.
Roaming horses, up to 18 at a time, were running amok and damaging property in the Quamichan Lake area and had so far eluded the efforts of Constable Beard to round them up. The Cowichan District Health Centre expressed its regret that Council wouldn’t assist them financially this year, and property owners were to be allowed the option of installing their own road culverts so long as they met Municipal standards.
Municipal grant or no, Mrs. C. Moss, OBE, was able to read a glowing report to the Health Board of its program dealing with home hygiene, tuberculosis, maternity cases and child health. One downside was that many of the families served were financially unable to follow medical advice when it was given to them.
On a more positive note, no fewer than seven nurses were completing their training under CHB auspices.
Duncan City Council was going to hold a special meeting to discuss consultant C. Brackenridge’s report on the state of Duncan streets and take up the cause of lawyer C.F. Davie who, because he served as police magistrate, was barred from client work. North Cowichan had granted the City permission to extend power lines into the Somenos area and the streets committee was empowered to deal with offending maple trees, even those bordering on private property.
The E&N roundhouse in downtown Duncan was to be hooked up to the City waterworks, and it was affirmed by legal counsel that the term “Pound” included cattle, dogs, cats, fowl, poultry and rabbits.
Local farmers who had to ship their products to outside markets were still up in arms over the high costs of railway freight and, in protest, Reginald Burton of Duncan Garage had driven a Ford truck loaded with Valley butter and eggs and returned, also loaded, with consigned goods. In fact, Duncan Garage proposed to begin a daily passenger and small freight service to Victoria, using a large car and trailer. Freight charges were to be substantially less than those imposed by the railway. As well, Messrs. Burchett & Ward were going to begin twice-weekly freight service to Victoria with their 1 1/2-ton truck.
What was said to have been the best concert staged locally in many years suffered a disappointing turnout, only a “sprinkling” of 150 attending the Thomas Kelway and E. Butterfield performance at the Agricultural Hall. Particular praise was given to pianist C.W. Spencer and violinist William Tickle.
Also disappointing was the reception of the Athon acting company which staged two condensed plays to a small audience in the Opera House—despite their having packed the house in all other venues during their tour.
The Rev. Principle Vance of the Anglican Theological College, Vancouver, preached to the congregation of St. Andrew’s, Cowichan Station, on that church’s greatest needs as he perceived them: publicity, prayer, money and men. Anglicans also needed to pray more than the estimated 10 minutes daily by clergymen, and five minutes daily by parishioners.
Pure Bred Livestock Breeders rejoiced at news that inspections by government inspectors would be increased, the Valley Field Naturalists reported having had a quiet year, and Arthur Burchett gave a demonstration of ‘Cowichan Pigment,’ long known to Indigenous people for making body paint. Burchett had designed a machine that separated the pigment from the sand and other material in which it occurred. It was described as having a “khaki hue” but was easily tinted when mixed with oil and other colours. Shiny when dry and impervious to water, it would make a good exterior paint, according to The Leader.
In police news, Cowichan Station’s postmistress Miss Clothilde Ordano pleaded guilty in court to having violated the Indian Liquor Act and paid $200 fine. North Cowichan Constable Beard and B.C. Police Constable William Kier had arrested Gau Chow of Genoa Bay for possession of two pots of opium. He, too, pleaded guilty, was fined $100, and Hong Lock, Chemainus, suffered $200 fine and $24.50 court costs for bootlegging.
In Chemainus court Thomas Nurmi of Ladysmith was fined $30 and $5 costs for speeding—as much as 50 miles per hour—near Somenos Methodist Church. He admitted to 35mph.
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