December 16, 1920
What was happening a century ago this week from the front page of the Cowichan Leader.
December 16, 1920
The lead story for this edition of The Leader is, in my mind, Au Revoir, a tribute to the departing Dr. Watson Dykes who was off to England for further study.
A century ago, Dr. Dykes had achieved almost legendary local status as a doctor and chief medical officer for the Cowichan Valley. He it was who’d guided residents through the horrors of the Spanish ‘Flu epidemic of 1918-19, to name but one of his many accomplishments.
Today, he’s almost of mythic status—a doctor whose shingle read, ‘Open All Hours.’ Can you believe it, a doctor on call around the clock? He also put up much of the money for the King’s Daughers’ Hospital’s x-ray machine with the proviso that returned servicemen were charged half-price.
All in all, Dr. Watson Marles Dykes, whose stable (even though he was one of the first locals to own an automobile), is still sandwiched between buildings on Kenneth and Ingram Streets, was a one-of-a-kind community asset. When he ultimately moved to Vancouver where he continued his practice until retirement, it truly was a case of the Lower Mainland’s gain being the Valley’s loss.
Also in the news were the Cowichan Women’s Institute who’d met for their regular meeting but had deferred most regular business so they could hear a report by Mrs. G.G. Henderson of a WI conference held in Victoria the week before. There, Premier John Oliver had addressed the Ladies on the subject of farming—specifically, on the reasons why so many young people were abandoning their parents’ homesteads for the “gay” lights of the city. Why so? Because farm work was too laborious and monotonous, he said; the WI could do much to turn things around by helping to make farm life more attractive. After all, farm work hurt no one and benefited the entire community.
At a directors meeting of the Cowichan Agricultural Society Walter Paterson was elected president, Capt. Douglas Groves, vice-president, for the coming year. Another order of business was an unpaid account going back to the Fall Fair of 1918. T|he Canadian Kennel Club, Toronto, was seeking payment of $30 but would accept $20. The problem, it seems, was improper bookkeeping: the AS weren’t sure they owed the Kennel Club anything but it was agreed that, should investigation prove such to be the case, $20 would be promptly remitted.
The Kennel folks also wanted records of the prizes awarded for their stud book records. The solution for this, it was agreed, was to, in the future, paste the results as recorded in The Leader in the Society’s minute book.
The new craze of badminton had come to town and as the Society hall was an ideal venue it was decided to rent it for this purpose on condition that players wore rubber-soled shoes. Also, the front approaches to the hall needed to be gravelled and an awning would be in order.
As for the coming New Year, there’d be an AS dance unless it conflicted with one held by the Duncan Volunteer Fire Brigade.
The girls and “juniors” of St. John’s Church had held a successful sale and raised the respectable sum of $138.85. Flowers and candy were the most popular sellers.
Another resounding success was the Board of Trade’s second annual ball, held in the Aggie Hall. 250 people attended from as far away as Shawnigan Lake and Chemainus. (This was still in the mostly horse and buggy age, remember.)
Christmas trees, tinsel and “tinkling music” added to the “general harmony” and credit was given to the chief organizers, F.A. Monk, C.G. White and W.T. Corbishley with the help of Mrs. H.C. Martin’s orchestra.
So popular was the orchestra, in fact, that it was unable to complete its planned program because of the many encores requested by an appreciative audience. Adding to the theme of moonlight dancing were four spotlights loaned for the occasion by Duncan Garage. A delicious dinner was provided by the good ladies of St. John’s Church.
Miss Ard MacKenzie of Victoria gave an address on the new Health Centre, growing interest in public health and dental care, and university training for nurses. The real challenge facing professional medical practitioners, she said, was instructing expectant mothers in pre-natal care. This was, in her view, particularly difficult in scattered communities such as was the case in the Cowichan Valley.
“The only method was to have mothers’ meetings regularly, and [provide] classes for their benefit. Thus they might gain a general knowledge of nursing and thereby the health of the whole community might be improved.”
In a small display box on the front page The Leader reminded readers that ALL subscriptions expired on December 31st and renewals were due for $2 a year in advance, no extra charge for the British Isles but 50 cents postage was required for subscriptions to the U.S.
Westholme farmer L.F. Solly had sold two prize Holsteins ($543.38 and $275.00 respectively) at a public sale in New Westminster, and retired career soldier and Great War veteran Col. Sheridan Rice spoke to 20 members of the Duncan Epworth League on “India and Indian life, and religions and the work of some Christian missionaries particularly in northern India”.
The Cowichan Creamery Co-op was discussing a possible merger with the Vancouver Island Milk Producers Assoc., and an “Orange Tea” held by the WI of Cowichan Station attracted 50 patrons. Surprise gift packages valued at 10c, 15c and 25c were the star attractions.
Wong Mow, a Chinese man who lived “near” Duncan was the victim of a highway robbery in Victoria in the early hours of December 3rd. His alleged assailant, Chin Yuen Hing had been committed for trial after a hearing in Victoria police court.
Courts of revision of the voters’ lists showed that Duncan had 363 eligible voters, North Cowichan 752.
Speaking of North Cowichan, its appeal of $4,015 awarded by an arbitration board to R. Gore-Langton for a road easement through his Swallowfield Farm, was tossed by the B.C. Supreme Court. Gore-Langton was also awarded costs. Mr. Justice Gregory said he agreed entirely with the previous decision but, should the Municipality wish to appeal further, he’d “facilitate matters for them”.
As you can see, other than passing mention in reports on church and other public activities, there was no mention of coming Christmas on the front page of December 16th. Not so inside, where the advertisements were placed, however. Maybe next week?
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