September 15, 1921
What was happening a century ago this week from the front page of the Cowichan Leader.
September 15, 1921
The big news story of the day was the Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention in Alberni; the main topic of concern, at least for the Duncan delegates, Mayor Pitt and City Clerk Greig, was roads. (An issue that has ever been with us, it seems.)
80 delegates attended one meeting of the Good Roads League at which it was resolved that the provincial government “undertake without further delay, the construction of the two connecting links required to complete the ‘All Canadian Coast to Coast Highway.’” This refers to what we know today as the Trans Canada Highway, of course.
Speaker after speaker accused Victoria of “just playing” with the League “and giving half promises which they had no intention doing, year after year…”
Speaking for the government, Dept. of Public Works engineer Philip pointed out the many difficulties that his department faced in attempting to “carry out the many demands that were being continually presented to them”.
He noted that there were 14,630 miles of public highways in the province of which only 135 miles were situated within the limits of the municipalities which contained 87 per cent of the entire population. The increasing calls for new road construction came mainly from owners of automobiles, he said; over the past 10 years car ownership had increased 16-fold.
He denied that his department had ignored the League’s recommendations and cited instances where in fact, their recommendations had been put into effect. He reminded delegates that the federal government had agreed to a 40-60 construction program with the province and that they were then in the second year of a five-year agreement, Ottawa having advanced $5 million.
Upon conclusion, the seemingly unsympathetic UBCM passed a resolution that Victoria proceed with cross-Canada highway construction within its boundaries “without further delay”.
As an addendum, they also agreed that vehicles “carry a light after dark”!
An Alberni delegation then spoke in favour of a 25-mile-long west coast road to that community; this appeal did receive a sympathetic hearing—but no more. Delegates admitted to being resigned to the fact that they couldn’t realistically expect the province to add this new road to an already full highways agenda.
The 53rd Cowichan Fall Fair was about to get underway and entries were expected to excel those of the past and to exceed in number those of 1918, the first year for the fair after the end of the Great War. The Leader wryly noted that, even with the ever increasing number of cars in the Valley, horses would still a serious contender at show time. Ladies’ work and domestic science entries were also up, as were flowers and photography. The limit of 30 infants in the Baby Contest had had to be increased to 35!
There was stalemate in the matter of a new Westholme school, parents having refused to enroll their children in the Chemainus school, and the bus was running empty.
Trustee W.M. Dwyer recommended that parents be informed in writing that their neglecting to give their children proper schooling made them liable under the law. By all indications, reported the Leader, both parties were headed for court.
The Cowichan Women’s Institute met on more amiable terms for a new season but began their first meeting on a somber note by acknowledging the passing of three members over the summer. More contentious was the rent they were being charged for a meeting room in the Agricultural Hall which normally allowed free usage by non-profit groups; the ladies felt they should be eligible for free usage and voted to send a letter of protest.
They hoped to resume millinery and dressmaking classes if there was sufficient interest. To their disappointment, Howard Russell, conductor of the Arion Club, Victoria, was unable, for the second time, to fulfill his promise to speak to them.
It was suggested that Mrs. Leather approach an internationally renowned journalist who’d promised to address them “at any time”.
The Anglican Women were also back for the 14th year after summer break. Guest speaker the Rev. F.L. Stephenson told them they were altogether too modest, that they should “let the world know what they were doing, so that they could gain their due reward”.
The Rev. N.L. Ward, Chinese Missionary, described his work “among the Orientals” and appealed for funds and volunteers.
Those present provided their own lunches, St. Peter’s, Quamichan the tea, coffee and cakes.
Miss E. Leslie-Melville described her work in Palestine, doing Christian social work in soldiers’ camps. She reminded Leader readers that there were still British soldiers stationed around the world, many of them lonely and eager for a letter, a book, a newspaper.
Chief engineer John McHugh of the federal fisheries department reported that the job of clearing a jam at Skutz Falls by blasting was going well, and work on the Silver Leaf Mine at Cowichan Lake was also in hand. Mrs. Poirier, canvassing for the Soldiers’ Reunion held in Duncan on Labour Day, had collected $17.
Finally, at Genoa Bay, fishing was poor but another 121,000 “Jap squares” had been shipped.
(It should be noted that, in 1921, the Genoa Bay sawmill was one of very few privately owned forestry companies that successfully marketed itself overseas, most B.C. mills being content to meet domestic markets.)
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