January 20, 1921
What was happening a century ago this week from the front page of the Cowichan Leader.
January 20, 1921
For those of us who’ve become used to, even jaded by, world news of catastrophes and political crises, it was a very quiet week in the Cowichan Valley, a century ago. Every front-page news item on the front page of The Leader for this week in January 1920 was hum-drum, mostly about agricultural affairs.
That’s something we don’t have much of today: news about local farming. The Valley still has a large dairy industry and other agricultural enterprises, of course, but when did you last read about them in the Citizen or saw a feature on TV?
Let’s start with a wrap-up of the recent municipal election. E.W. Paitson beat A.C. Aiken for the reeveship of North Cowichan and businessman H.W. Dickie, son of Charles H. Dickie whom we’ve met elsewhere in the Chronicles, led the Duncan polls. In both elections only about half of the eligible voters cast ballots—a better showing than more recent elections, alas.
For 1921 Duncan Council was composed of Mayor Pitt and Aldermen Dickie, Prevost, Smythe and Whidden. For North Cowichan, Reeve Paitson, Concillors Menzies, Green, Ashby and Rivett-Carnac.
So much for politics. On the farming scene, so very important to the Valley economy and to individual small landholders in those days, the Cobble Hill poultrymen had done well in the Provincial Poultry Show in Vancouver the week before. The Utility classes had done best and J.J. Dougan cleaned up with nine ribbons for his Leghorns, both laying hens and roosters. J.S. Baiss, also of Cobble Hill, won several ribbons for his Wyandotte entries.
But it was glum news on the Farmers’ Institute front, a meeting in Victoria proving so down-spirited as to confirm the fears of many that the Institute system around the province had “ceased to be, if it ever was, an energising force in the development of agriculture in B.C.”
There was of talk asking the government to finance equipment for land clearing that could be rented out to private parties, a negative reaction to a suggestion of using chemicals to eradicate undesirable vegetation, and a consensus that the only effective way to deal with stumps was with blasting powder. The least the government could do, it was said, was subsidize the cost of stumping powder by one-third.
As matters stood, the cost of clearing former forest lands for market gardening were too prohibitive and the “anti-progressive” attitude of the current provincial minister of agriculture didn’t bode well for the industry’s future.
The hottest topic was the “Oriental Question”—the “growing menace of Oriental competition to the white settler”. The leasing of farm lands to Asiatics was on the increase and the “cutthroat” practices of Chinese wholesale market producer trade “was rapidly resulting in driving the white settler out of business,” it was claimed.
Because immigration and citizenship were federal jurisdictions the farmers recognized the province’s impotence and unanimously endorsed a motion to form a delegation to take the matter up with Imperial authorities in England.
Another unanimous vote promoted ongoing merger discussions with the United Farmers of B.C. so as to have a single united voice—the only way, it was thought, to grab the provincial government’s attention.
The publication of an annual Agricultural Journal had been a financial flop, having cost $10,000 to produce and only $300 sold in subscriptions. This appears to have been funded by the province as one delegate was heard to murmur, “Poor old taxpayer, another $10,000 wasted.”
Suggestions put forth by an Advisory Board were ignored, apparently the usual practice. All in all, the prevailing atmosphere of the meeting was described as “undoubted pessimism”.
The Leader’s column-long report ended with an editorial reprimand. Accusing the Institutes of being fearful of antagonizing the government for fear of losing what financial grants there were, they were said to be in the bottle feeding stage. “If they hope to accomplish anything they must learn to feed themselves.”
Local stock breeders at their annual meeting put the run on the claim that wealthy farmers had an overwhelming advantage over small farmers when breeding and showing their animals. With 23 members and $69.66 in the bank (annual dues were $10 and five per cent of sales of a registered animal) they encouraged local sales so long as pedigrees were maintained. But public recognition required promotion and that cost money; also, the lack of a Valley testing facility for cows was a problem that kept animal values down. The answer to promotion, it was suggested, was for each owner of pedigreed stock to submit details for publication in a registry
Prospects were said to be excellent for a co-operative for fruit growers, to be called the Cowichan Fruit Growers’ Assoc., and to be united with the Cowichan Creamery Co-op. As commercial buyers were already inking contracts with local growers for jam fruits, A.C. Johnston urged prompt action. Membership would cost all of $1 per year.
The Women’s Auxiliary of St. John’s, Duncan, had their annual meeting and reported a balance in hand of $64. At the conclusion of the meeting Mrs. Geoghegan, newly appointed leaflet secretary, presented Mrs. A. Bischlager, president and wife of the Rev. Bischlager, and the Rev. F.G. Christmas with “useful gifts” in appreciation of their regard and esteem.
A community hall of ample proportions was to be built on Gibbins Road thanks to the enthusiasm of local residents. Forty-five patients had been treated at King’s Daughters’ Hospital in December and the Cobble Hill Meat Market, the Duncan Meat market, Mr. Shaw and Temple Lodge, A.F.&A.M., were thanked for their donations to Christmas festivities for patients and staff.
Miss Measures, the night supervisor, was too ill to fulfill her duties but a glowing report by the inspector of nursing schools helped staff morale.
The Duncan Seniors beat Chemainus, 24-22, in a clean and fast game in the Agricultural Hall, particular mention being made of Eddie Rutledge, Albert Dirom and team captain Dr. French. The second match between the winning City Girls and the High School wasn’t as closely matched at 12-5. Both games were followed by a dance with Robinson’s Orchestra providing the music.
Miss Monk’s pupils gave a recital in St. John’s Hall, Mr. Monk being lauded for his work as electrical engineer where the program called for moon scenes. Also popular was the 12-piece toy orchestra. $40 was raised for the Cowichan War Memorial fund.
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