March 16 - 22: Compiled by Dave Humphrey from the archived newspapers held at the Cranbrook History Centre and Archives
1918
City dog catchers make good haul … The City dog catchers started on their rounds to-day with Chief Mike Michael in charge. Mike is the best dog catcher in this part of the country and he demonstrated his ability by landing 15 canines in one hour. There are quite a few unnecessary dogs yet and they expect a large catch on their next trip. Owners of dogs will be wise in securing tags for their pets.
Death of Mr. George Adlard … The death occurred on Wednesday morning, March 20th at the St. Eugene hospital of Mr. George Adlard, of Creston. The deceased underwent an operation on Saturday last and for a short time seemed to be recovering. A brother, Mr. W. G. Adlard, is living in Cranbrook and another, Mr. J. Adlard, lives in Creston.
Half section St. Mary’s Prairie for sale … Lots 12 and 13, Block 341, St. Mary’s Prairie, containing 320 acres. Fee simple title, registered. Two hundred acres ready for the plough, within 2 1/2 miles of Wycliffe station, store and school. Twelve miles from Cranbrook by motor road. Two excellent springs on land which is wire fenced on three sides. Absolutely no summer frosts. Price $11.00 per acre on very easy terms as to payments and interest.
As the St. Mary’s Prairie is now recognized as the best wheat growing area in the Province, it is probably the best offering put on the market in recent years as an investment for a farmer prepared to make the land pay for itself from the proceeds of his industry. Growing wheat is growing dollars. Buy this land and grow the price of it. Apply to Joseph Ryan, Cranbrook, B. C., sole agent for Sale.
Parcels to soldiers … The postal authorities use every possible effort to ensure delivery of parcels sent to the troops overseas, and of all parcels containing foodstuffs sent to England, but it is absolutely essential that the regulations with regard to parcels containing sugar and also consignments, of assorted articles should be complied with.
Parcels containing sugar up to the parcel post limit of weight, 11 pounds may be sent to a soldier provided it is sent to his regimental address through the usual war office channels. A parcel of sugar addressed to “Corporal Blank, in care of John Dash” will not be forwarded.
A parcel containing not more than one pound of sugar may be sent to a civilian address.
Parcels for soldiers must contain on the slip provided to be pasted on the outside of the parcel a specific list of the contents, tobacco, socks, toothpaste, etc. The words “soldiers’ comforts” will not suffice.
Materials such as butter, lard, jam, honey, syrup, etc., should be packed in a tin, having the lid and seams soldered all around (not only in one or two places) so that there can be no leakage
The tin should then be surrounded with absorbent materials and packed inside another tin or thick cardboard box
When these materials are thus properly packed, it should be so stated on the declaration. For example if the parcel contains butter, it should be marked “Butter in soldered tin.”
Response to appeal of the I.O.D.E. … To Editor the Cranbrook Herald, Dear Sir — A week ago you kindly inserted a letter from me stating the needs of the Red Cross Society and asking the citizens of Cranbrook and the neighborhood to help the I.O.D.E. by giving liberally when they made their house to house canvass on the 19th inst. It would ask you today again to publish a letter of very earnest thanks to all those who have helped us so willingly and generously.
We have received to date $521.39 and there are still one or two more donations to come in. We can therefore again take up our work of sewing and knitting for those we have sent across the seas with our minds at rest concerning finances at least for some months and with gratitude in our hearts to those who have helped us so cordially in our efforts.
I am, dear sir, Yours very truly, J. C. Leslie, Regent. Kuskanook Chapter, I.O.D.E.
Police court notes … Japanese Fined for Selling Cigarettes to Juvenile. Seraka Takimata was fined two dollars this morning for selling cigarettes to a boy under sixteen years; the accused stated that the boy had told him the cigarettes were for his big brother, but the boy in giving evidence denied this. The Police Magistrate pointed out that the offence was in selling to persons under 16 no matter what the excuse might be; he stated that the maximum penalty for first offence was $10.00, but as this was the first case he would not deal harshly. The defendant was fined two dollars.
Again before council … The regular monthly meeting of the City Council was held last week in the City Hall with the Mayor and Aldermen MacKinnon, Eakin, Shankland, Genest and MacPherson in attendance.
Mr. Spreull, as representing a Committee of the Board of Trade, laid before the Council the results of the inquiries and investigations which had been made regarding the possibility of opening a gymnasium and swimming pool in Cranbrook. He gave information as to the probable costs of running the old gymnasium, and also as to the possibility of obtaining an addition to the Ry. Y.M.C.A. and running the gymnasium and swimming pool in conjunction with that Institution. He said that someone had suggested that an addition to the Y.M.C.A. might be made in the form of a memorial to the soldiers.
Mr. Gill laid before the Council a petition which had been signed by a number of the rate payers asking that the Council submit a By-law to the people authorizing the purchase of the old gymnasium building, which could be bought for $5,000. He intimated that this building was ready for use and that a number of people were desirous of having it carried on by the City Council.
Mr. Gill’s petition was referred to the City Clerk to ascertain if the requisite valuation is represented thereon and Mr. Gill was informed that if the By-law was submitted, the cost must be defrayed by him.
Mr. W. H. Wilson, representing the Cranbrook Auto Association and Board of Trade, asked for parking accommodation for touring automobiles, pointing out that the motor traffic through the Cranbrook district was increasing to such an extent that he thought it would be an excellent advertisement for the City and District to have suitable accommodation provided with free light and water. The matter was referred to the Finance Committee with power to act.
Mr. A.B. Smith and Mr. John McDonald, representing the Farmers’ Institute, asked the Council if they would be willing to share half the expense of herding the cattle for the proper enforcement of the Pound Bylaw. The Fire and Police Committee were asked to meet the members of the Farmers’ Institute to discuss the question.
The Great War Veterans Association applied to the Council for the use of a portion of the old Royal Hotel; the request was granted, the occupying to be subject to a month’s notice and an agreement to that effect to be drawn up.
The Auditor’s report was received and filed. Accounts to the amount of $3,548.25 were ordered paid.
The City Engineer reported 26 thawouts during the month, that the water supply was normal and that plans and estimates had been prepared for proposed extension of Water Main on the south end of Van Horne Street, to the South Ward School.
In the Fire Chief’s report reference was made to two recent fires in the City caused by defective wiring. The Chief recommended that action be taken to have proper inspection of wiring. The City Clerk was instructed to ask the Underwriters Association to obtain for the City a good workable By-law regarding electric wiring.
The Chief of Police reported as follows for the months of January and February: Prisoners received; 8, Prisoners discharged; 7, Prisoners serving time; 1, Number of meals served; 76, Police Court Fines; $95.00, Bails Forfeited; $50.00.
An order was passed for the purchase of a Brockway Gasoline Motor Truck with single 40 gallon tank combination chemical and hose, for the price of $5,335 F. O. B. and duty free Cranbrook—subject to cancellation on or before April 12th, 1918.
Court orders sale of timber limits … A case was argued some days ago before Chief Justice Hunter in Vancouver wherein the question whether timber licences constituted such an interest in land as could be disposed of under a Fi. Fa. was decided in the affirmative.
A doubt on the point has long existed and has been now disposed of—unless of course, the defendant company appeals from the decision.
It would appear that the Royal Bank took action against the company for the recovery of some debt, recovered judgment and issued execution. The point was made that the licences, or rather the interest created by these government timber licences, could not be seized and sold by the sheriff.
Counsel having been heard on both sides, the Chief Justice held that a timber licence was “an interest in land” and ordered the sale of the timber limits of the defendant company of which there are quite a large number of shareholders in the Cranbrook locality.
Up to May, 1917, the head office of the company was in Cranbrook but it was then transferred to Prince George.
King Edward School annual entertainment … There was scarcely a vacant seat in the Auditorium on Thursday evening last when the annual entertainment was given by the pupils of King Edward’s School.
The audience demonstrated their appreciation of the efforts of the young actors and actresses by frequent and prolonged outbursts of well-merited applause.
The first part of the programme comprised a capital presentation of “Puss In Boots”, by the younger pupils, the part of Puss being taken in excellent style by Dick Spurway, who though short of stature is long on ability. Betty Green was a charming and graceful Princess. The three sons were represented by Jack Brown, Kenneth Campbell, and Gerald Lee, with Ella Fenwick as the Ogre and Catherine Freeman as the Lion. The cast included eight country children and ten kitten fairies in attractive costumes.
Several musical numbers were rendered in pleasing style; two dances by the Country Girls and a Kitten Dance also being well received.
In the second part, the older pupils gave an excellent performance of a shortened version of the “Taming of the Shrew”. In five scenes and in this connection as well as the first part of the programme, not only are the juvenile actors and actresses deserving of high commendation, but great credit is reflected on Miss V.M. Cherrington, principal of the School, for the result obtained demonstrate the best of training.
In the character of Petruchio, Dorothy Holmes capably acted the role of Suitor and as Katherine, the Shrew, Norah Pownall demonstrated a very Shrewish disposition. Nancy Trail as Grumio gave evidence of considerable ability as an actress.
All the other parts were well taken the performers representing the different characters in the play entering into their work with enthusiasm and delivering their speeches in good style.
A stately minuet formed a pleasing feature of Scene III. Patricia McDermot and Marguerite Caven, pupils of Mrs. C. Van Braam, added to their past success as dancers in each of their numbers.
Seldom has anything more effective been seen at the Auditorium than the East Indian charming dance with numerous changes or color and lighting devices, by Patricia McDermot who also gave a Hunting Dance.
Marguerite Caven shared the honors with Patricia McDermot in a Gavotte, Stuart
Period and performed a ballet dance in excellent style. Several musical selections were rendered by the Cranbrook Orchestra and the entertainment terminated with a pleasing tableaux that included allthe performers.
Baptists call pastor … The Cranbrook Baptist Church has called to the pastorate the Rev. J. P. Sinclair of Winnipeg. Mr. Sinclair was trained in Glasgow, Scotland, and has done good work in Winnipeg. He has accepted the church invitation and will become permanent pastor of the local church.
The Rev. James Dunlop ends his work here on March 31st. He came to Cranbrook temporarily to prepare the local church for a permanent settlement. He did not expect to be so long in Cranbrook, but wished to remain until the church had found a successor.
The church has been organized, the building has been renovated. It is free of debt, and the treasurer has a balance of $50 in the treasury. The church is therefore in a position now to call a settled pastor.
Mr. Dunlop goes to North Vancouver which is one of the most important fields in the Baptist Provincial Convention. He has refused that church’s invitation to settle permanently, but hopes to give them six month’s service, and prepare for the provincial convention, which is to be held in that church sometime in June.
When one remembers the growing scarcity of ministers, the local church has to be congratulated on its good fortune in securing a pastor. In one province alone, the Baptist denomination has 60 churches and stations pastorless. Cranbrook is therefore one of the favored few. This is due to the generous interest which the Board of B.C. has taken in the local church, perhaps also due to the present pastor who came from across the border. The generosity of the American Baptists in giving a grant of $500 per month for struggling Canadian Baptist Churches, has made a settlement in Cranbrook possible. This ought to inspire gratitude in the hearts of the local church members.
Knox Church … There was a record attendance at the meeting of Knox Young People’s Guild on Monday, nearly fifty members being present. The proceedings opened with a piano solo by Miss Wanda Fink, after which Mrs. Wright read an excellent paper on Tennyson, followed by a reading from this poet’s works by Miss Agnes Reekie.
A quartet was well rendered by Misses Magee, Watt, Reekie and Noble, also a piano solo by Miss Irene Beech. Miss Simpson read an interesting paper on Wordsworth, and Miss Ward contributed a reading from his poems after which a most successful evening was brought to a close with the singing of the National Anthem.
St. Patrick dance … A very successful St. Patrick’s Dance was held by the Cranbrook Tennis Club at the Parish Hall on Monday evening. The dance was supposed to last from 9.30 p.m. to 1.30 a.m. but so thoroughly was everyone present enjoying themselves that it was carried on longer.
Parker’s Orchestra was in attendance and their music could not have been improved upon, A buffet supper was served at eleven o’clock and the table prettily decorated with flowers and large artificial shamrocks.
A new feature of the supper was its war-time menu of no cakes but so delicious was the nut and date bread served with the coffee that the more elaborate supper was not missed.
Wasa news … The Box Social and dance given by the Wasa School in the Dining-room of the Wasa Hotel for the benefit of the Canadian Prisoners of War on March 8th, was a great success, both socially and financially. Over one hundred persons were present and as the school had secured the Chenuz Orchestra to furnish the music, dancing began at 9 p.m. and continued till 11.30 p.m. when the sale of boxes began.
Mr. Baker acted as auctioneer and throughout the sale the spirit of high patriotism prevailed, the price of boxes ranging from $4.50 to $15.00, the proceeds surpassing the highest expectations of the school. Miss Johnson and her pupils were more than satisfied that they had the net sum of $114.50 to forward to the Prisoners of War Department at Vancouver; when the proceeds were announced, the hall rang with cheers and dancing was resumed till the wee small hours of the morning.
For sale … Binning’s Store and Residence—Store next to Rex Theatre, residence on Armstrong Ave., has six rooms & bath, full cement cellar, furnace, fuel & laundry room, connected with sewer, also good garage on property.—See Binning.
