September 22, 1921
What was happening a century ago this week from the front page of the Cowichan Leader.
September 22, 1921
This will be an abbreviated 100 Years Ago as fully one-half of this front page is dedicated to a report of the just-held Fall Fair and a list of prize winners.
One of the most popular competitions according to the Leader was the regional contest which, in its four years, had not seen the first prize go twice to the same district.
“Well done, Cowichan!” exclaimed the newspaper in reference to the win by North Cowichan. “There was every evidence from the completion of their stand that they would be in first place. They well deserved the honour and the district is to be congratulated on having such a fine organizer as Mr. Will Owen.”
Westholme was in second place for the second year in a row, with Glenora, Sahtlam and Somenos following in that order.
The Fair was officially opened by S.F. Tolmie, minister of agriculture, Ottawa, with an honour guard of Boy Scouts, Wolf Cubs, Girl Guides, Brownies and the Boys’ Naval Brigade.
As for the Fair itself, the 53rd, “Another success may be added to the long list and officials and pubic may congratulate themselves on the fine weather which prevailed. While the atmosphere was blurred with smoke, driven from many miles away, the rain did not fall until just before the dance began on Saturday evening.
“The attendance of Friday was decidedly good and on Saturday the gate registered a large increase over last year. There was a small balance on the 1920 fair and it is hoped that a similar result will be disclosed this year. The prize money awarded at the fair was much greater than in any previous year.”
The Fair began with the focus on children’s exhibits and events followed by “the usual” horse and motor events, all accompanied by the Great War Veterans Band. Regrettably absent was longtime organizer W.M. Fleming but the provincial minister of agriculture was there with his deputy.
The Boys’ Naval Brigade from Victoria gave a demonstration of cutlass drill and physical exercises, something you’re not likely to see at a Cowichan Exhibition today. Lieut. P.A. Raynor, secretary of the Navy League, took the opportunity to promote the need of a Canadian mercantile navy and told the audience that the League was doing great work in Empire building and was worthy of their support.
Probably the most exciting demonstration was that of firefighting provided by the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides: “Smoke issued from a window in the first floor of the hall. The Guides promptly mounted a ladder and passed buckets of water up to quell the blaze. Two ‘inmates’ were rescued amid much laughter and applause. The Brownies’ share in the display was confined to keeping back the crowd.”
(I’ve said it before: they just don’t make fall fairs (exhibitions) like they used to!)
Farther afield, the Bonsall farm at Westholme had won high honours for its Holsteins at New Westminster: “Not only did Mr. Bonsall’s cattle annex the grand championship for bull and for cow, but they won the Welsh silver cup for the best exhibit of cattle owned and won by one man.”
The Leader noted with satisfaction that only two lots of property went under the hammer at the city tax sale, all other property owners having paid their arrears.
Among the improvements to city streets was the removal of some hitching posts but Council acknowledged that Duncan hadn’t yet motorized to the point that horses and rigs could be ignored. As they demonstrated by having several new hitching posts erected on Government and Station streets and near the fairgrounds.
Mayor Pitt presided over a full meeting but there was little business to transact beyond passing several tenders for the concrete pavement program to the finance committee for a decision. Ald. Dickie was given the choice of attending a regional fire chiefs’ convention in Victoria.
City Clerk James Greig reported receipt of the annual report of the Inspector of Municipalities for 1920. He noted that Duncan’s mill rate of 29 tied with Victoria “for the honour of being third lowest of the 33 other cities, being beaten by Courtenay and Port Moody only”. The provincial average was 38 mills.
While applauding Duncan’s financial status he expressed his reservation for the province which had increased its debt by $300,000.
(The good old days. Even allowing for inflation, there’s probably not a senior government in Canada that wouldn’t envy such a small expenditure today.)
Finally, the Cowichan Fish and Game Association bid sad farewell to its president Lieut.-Col. C.E. Collard, C.B. who was off on an extended trip to South Africa. They also expressed their concern for the need of more game wardens in the Valley.
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