June 30, 1921
What was happening a century ago this week from the front page of the Cowichan Leader.
June 30, 1921
Ah, the age of innocence. A century ago, the Leader heralded Dominion Day with photos of Sir John A. Macdonald and the Hon. George Brown. Fathers of Confederation, they’re wreathed and flanked on each side by Union Jacks.
The caption reads: “In years gone by, with true prophetic vision, they caught a glimpse of that which was to be, this Canada, among the vanguard of nations keeping her place with proud serenity.”
We’re anything but serene these days, it seems...
There’s a photo, too, of our new Governor-General, Lord Byng of Vimy. Even that office has come into disrepute in recent years.
Miss Monk’s annual summer pageant was another success and filled St. John’s hall to overflowing to hear songs, solos, piano duets, drum patrol and a whistling chorus—another indicator of how our tastes have changed in a century. All followed by supper and Mrs. Martin’s orchestra.
Proof of the value of manual education was said to be evident at an open house: “From the first small piece of wood on which the beginner is instructed to operate, to the larger pieces, there was evidence not only of skill and workmanship but of careful instruction.”
Between 7-800 pieces of workmanship were on display and “examination of many of the exhibits showed that Mr. J.A. Kyle, the supervisor of technical instruction, had ample reason to express the verdict that here was one of the best exhibits in B.C.”
The items were made from teak, walnut, oak, birch, maple, fir and pine, and the larger projects included wheelbarrows, garden chairs, tea trays, writing tables, book shelves, a Morris chair and a gun rack. Proof of their quality was the fact that there was “a keen demand” to purchase many of them, a further incentive to the young artisans to pursue manual crafts for a living when they completed their schooling.
The Cowichan Agricultural Society was gearing up for the Fall Fair. This year there would be no poultry exhibit but special emphasis on children as September 16 had been designated Children’s Day. Prospective exhibitors were reminded that the province offered a prize of $400 for the best fall exhibition.
Queen Margaret’s School had closed for the summer and the results of examinations were announced. In the Junior School Peter Gordon White had top marks, followed by Stretton Thompson and Anthony Burgess. Girls led the way in the Senior School: Doreen Davis, Sheila Tisdall and Marjorie Alexander.
Miss Denny explained the meaning of the school’s colours: red for courage (especially moral courage), green for service, and gold “for all that is best and most beautiful in life”.
There was a good attendance for a meeting by the Great War Veterans Association who discussed alleged cases of discrimination against returned men in road work hiring practices. Comrade O.T. Smythe submitted a report of the proceedings of the provincial Convention held at Chilliwack and received a warm round of thanks. It was unanimously agreed to give a donation—$5—from the Association funds to the Red Cross and to hold their Labour Day sports and dance on September 5th. The membership application of P. Le Roy, late 49th Bn., was approved.
There was no meeting of North Cowichan Council to report but Duncan Council met to push forward improvements to Station and Craig streets. H.N. Clague would oversee the work for his fee of $15 per day. Over 300 feet of water pipe was on its way from Vancouver at a cost of 85 cents per foot. Ald. Whidden reported that thistle and grass growing alongside city streets had been trimmed or removed and he was instructed to see that a culvert at the foot of Hospital Hill was widened.
Batteries on the fire truck had been repaired for $27.
Council also endorsed a resolution by Vancouver Council against unrestricted immigration by Japanese nationals.
It was reported that E. Stuart Wood, Somenos School’s first teacher who’d attended a Masonic Jubilee in Victoria, was now a prosperous apple rancher at Salmon Arm and Kamloops.
In Maple Bay news, J.H. Whittome’s new house was finished and George Aitken was building a summer home, as were G.G. Henderson and S.D. Gordon White. Col. B.A. Rice had a new launch and O.P. Taute’s boat had been repaired after spending weeks partially submerged.
In Superior Court in Victoria Miss Lily Frumento sued Sheriff Richards and Robert Sangster, deputy sheriff, for wrongful seizure of her “alleged” motor car after they towed it from Cowichan Station to Duncan. Details are somewhat confusing, at least as they’re reported in the Leader, but it seems that the car was in her brother’s name and she hadn’t driven it. It would appear that there was a lien on the vehicle and that brother A.D. Frumento had settled up to secure the car’s release. Because he had in effect agreed to the terms imposed by the sheriff, Mr. Justice Clement ruled, after a day and a-half, that Miss Frumento didn’t have a case and dismissed her action with costs.
Have a question, comment or suggestion for TW? Use our Contact Page.