February 17, 1921
What was happening a century ago this week from the front page of the Cowichan Leader.
February 17, 1921
As befitting a quiet rural backwater such as the Cowichan Valley, there are no blaring headlines of gruesome crimes or other sensational events in this issue of the Leader, just the usual weekly wrap-up of city and municipal council news and social events. All in all, one might say, it had been a dull week.
But it’s in the details, the minutia of a century ago, that researchers learn most about life on the Canadian frontier, just two years after the end of the First World War.
So let’s begin with “Words of Cheer,” a brief report of a slide show and talk given by well known naturalist Glendinning (so well known, obviously, the reporter didn’t bother to give his first name or initials) to the Cowichan Valley Field Naturalists’ Club. Because the Easter Lily grew so profusely here, he suggested that it might be used as the Valley’s emblem or on a shield of arms. Even the lowly Skunk Cabbage had a beauty when in bloom, he pointed out.
There were slides of Trillium, Lily of the Valley, Lady’s Slipper, Solomon’s Seal, Oregon Grape and other native flower-bearing plants. He spoke of plants used as traditional medicines, and of a native cactus with lemon-coloured blooms that grew in the Maple Bay area. He warned of the sting of Devil’s Club and others, said the Dogwood was the most beautiful of trees, and advised that the best viewing areas for naturalists were on Mount Tzouhalem and Copper Canyon.
Such is unlikely to be the case a century later, alas.
The announced arrival of the province’s chief engineer P. Philips to do an inspection of North Cowichan roads had led to several observations. Although he thought the roads were good overall, other than for drainage problems, because of steadily increasing traffic they were too narrow: 20 feet wide would be better, and oiling was the most economical surfacing. The gravel being used contained too much dirt but he recognized that it was what was available. A concerted plan to bring Municipal roads up to par would take no less than five years, he thought. He said he’d send his assistant on a regular basis to help develop and pursue a program of improvements.
Local farmers were said to be reeling from increased rail freight rates—all of 40 per cent for regular freight, a full 100 per cent for second-class express. W. Paterson, manager of the Cowichan Creamery Co-operative, telegraphed in protest to the board of Railway Commissioners, pointing out that Valley farmers were scattered throughout the Valley. Outlying farmers had to send their produce by the E&N to Duncan and the new costs were prohibitive—94 cents to transport two cartons of eggs weighing 110 pounds. The new tariffs amounted to a charge of 3 1/2 cents per dozen eggs at a time when they were selling retail for pre-war prices.
“The urgency of our demand thus stated will, we trust, be apparent, and we solicit quick and favourable consideration with a view to remedy,” Paterson concluded.
At the recent convention of the Boards of Trade of Vancouver Island a resolution by John Stewart of Ladysmith had been unanimously approved: that imported eggs be stamped with their country of origin. This was in response to the suspected practice of Washington and Oregon dealers bringing in eggs from China and exporting them as homegrown. At a lower price than the domestic product, of course. The editor smugly reminded readers that the Leader had recommended just such a course four years earlier.
Yet, on the same page—side by side, in fact—Co-op manager Paterson is quoted as saying that Chinese eggs weren’t the reason local prices had fallen. Those eggs imported from China were destined for eastern Canada; it was the Washington product that was hurting local producers.
Local MLA Kenneth Duncan had been appointed to two standing committees of the House, Agriculture and Private Bills.
Gibbins Road residents who really, really wanted to electrify their homes now had a golden opportunity: buy bonds on offer by the City of Duncan, owners of the electric company. The 20-year debentures, to pay for extending the power lines, would yield 6 1/4 per cent and cost $200 per household. The Leader thought this was a good deal: get electricity and earn money at the same time.
Westholme residents had decided to go ahead on their own to build a community hall, expected to be completed in a month. The Sahtlam local of the united Farmers of B.C. had elected J.Y. Copeman as president. He too expressed concern with Chinese eggs and rail freight rates.
Local commercial seed growers, the Messrs. Crossland, had won several honours at a Seed Fair held in the Empress Hotel. They’d have earned first place overall if they had entered several varieties rather than concentrating on sweet peas. Local grower E.T. Cresswell also won ribbons in the vegetable seeds class for his parsnips, cabbages, carrots and a collection of perennial flower seeds.
The United Farmers of B.C. wanted the government to extend hunting seasons so they’d have greater opportunity to shoot animals damaging their crops and properties. Glenora and Sahtlam farmers wanted improved mail service, a bridge linking their communities over the Cowichan River, and a co-op store. Surprise, they, too, wanted imported eggs to be stamped with their place of origin.
A ‘new’ social club, actually a revival of one that had lapsed for several years, had been formed, calling itself A.O.T. (Always-on-Time). First meeting was held at the Kettle Inn which was decorated with Oregon Grape, pussy willow and Valentine hearts. Mrs. Currie G. White and HJ. McDevitt took first prices.
The Duncan Consolidated School board met to discuss estimates for the coming year, government grants leaving local taxpayers to come up with $24,751.77, an increase of almost 20 per cent from the previous year which had ended with a modest shortfall. Increased salaries and domestic science classes were among the leading cost-drivers, as well as the need for another school bus (for a total of six). These were leased ($7000 per annum) from Duncan Garage Ltd. which had offered to make improvements to the service if assured of an extended contract.
More classrooms were needed in Duncan and there was the $500 purchase of property for a proposed manual training school in Chemainus, subject to North Cowichan Council approval.
Projected total expenses for 1921-22 amounted to $39,409.77 including the provincial grant. If that sounds cheap, allow for inflation and multiply by 25!
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