Williams Lake Tribune NEWS EXCHANGE OF THE CARIBOO 12-51 Felker, GEO Volume 20 --- Number 5. WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. Thursda January 31, 1952. Single copy 10c, $2.50 per year. Hundred Attend Annual Board Of Trade Dinner Ninety-eight persons sat down last night to the Board of Trade’s annual dinner in the B 1ks Hall, to witness the instal- lation of officers, hea¥ the outgoing president’s report and listen to guest speaker Judge Retiring president R. M. ‘Bob’ Blair welcomed the members and guests te the banquet. In referring briefly to the activi- ties of the Board during the past twelve mouths, Mr. Blair said there had beep nine general meeting held and the average attendance had been fifteen. The first business undertaken by the Board in 1951 was the sponsor- ship oi the Rottacker Fire Fund in the early spring. This fund, raised to help those who had lost their belong- ings in the disastrous blaze, amouut- ed to $1502 when it was closed, he stated. Three times the Board had acted as hosts to visiting groups of busi- nessmen that resulted in a lot of goud publicity for the district. These, in order of their appearance were the Goodwill Your of the Vancouver Board of Trade; the meeting of the Council of Assuciated Boards of Trade, and the stop-oyer of the Cariboo-Okanogan Trail Association members on their tour from Weed, California, to Prince George. Of the meeting of the Council, the retiring president pointed out that this had resulted in the formétion of a British Columbia Chamber of Commerce, which meant the individ- ual boards would have an even sreat-) er voice in provincial matters, The latest letter from ©. D. Ful- ton, M.P.. stating that the proposed Federal Buildirg was expected to be} Henry Castillou. put out for tender in May, indicated that the Board’s long fight to have this project completed was finally nearing an end. On the subject of roads, Mr. Blair went over the action of the Board in sponsoring a protest meeting of the Boards of Trade and Junior Chani- bers of Commerce of Prince George, Quesnel and Williams Lake. “Some people say this meeting didn’t accomplish anything,” Mr. Blair said, “but I do not believe that it was any coincidence that the De- partment of Pubie Works called for tenders for the 9.2 miles of road from Lac La Hache north on the same day as the meeting was held.” SWORN IN Following his report, Mr. Blair tured the meeting over to Rev. J. Colelough, who carried out the swearing-in eremony, installing C. F. Roberts as the new board president and Doug Stevenson as Yice-presi- dent. . BACK TO ATR FORCE The war is getting closer — Bud Devine, manager Planer Mills, leaves Saturday to re- enter the R.C.A.F. Mr. Devine, who came here last spring, was a P.O. instructor in the last war and has been called back to serve again as an instructor. He will take a refresher course at Cal- gary before receiving posting. He received his notification of call-up last Sunday. NEW BOARD OF TRADE a of Williams Lake | permanent | FIREMEN SAVE BUILDING IN YEAR’S THE WEA Friday, Jan. 25 2 4 2 Saturday 9: 13 MOST SERIOUS FIRE || xo:0s 2629 Tues y 38 44 Local firemen were faced with Lae 37 49 their toughest job of the year on 2 At 9 a.m the temperature reading at the airport was 25°. Lowest reading at the PGE station from Saturday to this morning was 10° above on the 26th. Federal Grant For Hospital Work Here Announcement of a federal grant of $2000 to War Memorial Hospital Was made by National Health Minis- ter Paul Martin on Monday. According to Al Ferrier, cook at; | The grant was made to assist in the Lakeview Hotel, who with his! te cost of building the five-bea wife and three children occupy the| Children’s ward which was construc- ted in 1949, ‘ Saturday when they successfully battled a blaze in the attic of the building on Railway Avenue that houses Williams Lake Taxi office and Cariboo Gold and Jewellery Ltd. Damage to the old frame building, confined almost entirely to the roof, is estimated at $2500. Water dam- age to stock in the jeweilery slore is estimated at $1200. Both losses were covered by insurance, The fire, which started in the walls of the upstairs apartment, could have been smouldering for several days, according to Fire Marshall A. E. Levens. apartment the fire was first discoy- ered: about-11¢20: a.m. Delay of the grant was caused by He had just finished filling the| certain alterations that had to be hopper of the Kiteen sawdust, buru-| completed after the ward was huilt, er when his wife remarked that the 45 comply with fire niarshall’s regu. Largeste slice of the village finan- cial pie will go for improving village streets and snow removal. Commis- sioner John Anderson, who is in charge-of this work, estimated it will cost $2500 for gravelling and grad- ing with the balance being set aside for snow removal. To date it has cost the village $400 for snéw removal (taken into this year’s budget) and the PWD has in- formed the commissioners that it is not responsible for removal of the mound of snow é¢long Oliver. but they will pick it up for around $600. (Until this ruling «ame down, it had always been considered that the re- moval of snow on Oliver, which is an arterial highway, came under the provincial government’s responsi- bility.) > , hopper must be empty because she jatione, could hear the crackling sound this, type of burner makes when the fuel ‘The federal grant is matched by a| supply is down tar enough to allow provincial one of at least the same air into the outlet as well. amount. Se far $1500 has been re-| It can’t be,” Mr. Ferrier replied,’ ceived -from Victoria. \ “I just filled it.” Then, as he turned| ‘The addition includes, besides the to look at the stove he saw flames] child¥en’s ward, 4 new nurser burst out of the wall behind the] lavatories and an X-Ray developing | stove and above the doorway. room. | The Ferriers managed to get most of their belongings out and be- lieve that $20 would cover their lo: When firemen arrived the smoke was pouring out of roof gables and | any outlet the fire could find. In jorder to get their hoses on the : flames, the men had to stand in the choking smoke and cut their way Drop Two To Bears through the roof and upper walls. At no time did the blaze threaten| Stampeders continued their losing to get out of hand, but the volunteers |.Streak in Central B.C. hockey play) were on hand just in time. It is esti-| 0% the weekend when they aropyed mated that in another fifteen min-|\.|>.Zames at Vand ‘hoof Sunday Lost utes the, whole building woaid usve elwh, 7-2 ane 9-1. ~ t been a mass of flames. pidyévs here didn’t want to offer| Repairs to the building will be) anything but their playing as an| Stamps Continue Losing Streak, PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE ~ The following is the message of C. F. ‘Bert’ Roberts. incoming president of the Board of Trade, which he gave at the annual banquet last night: “The Board of Trade is one of the few organizations that the government recognizes, and as such it does a great deal of work for Williams Lake and District. I would like to make it clear that the Board of Trade is a non-political organization. We are here solely to help the citizens, businessmen and ranchers of this district, and I think we can if we have the co-opera icnof e eryons. I would like very much to see at our meetings a representative from the - Village Commissioners --- not to heckle or argue, but to work with us. There are many other organiz- ations we would also like to see represented. We are lucky to live in the centre of what is the third or fourth largest in- dustry in Lritish Colum- bia --- that is cattle ranch- ing. It is the backbone of our economy and we are indeed fortunate to have it here. I would l:ke to see the Cattlemen’s Associa- tion represented. We will also have this coming year an increase in our mighty tourist and travel trade. The Hart Highway 1s supposed to open in June and will provide an qutlet from the Peace River country, which will encourage people to use our own highway. Our neighbors to the north are expecting great in- dustrial developments. The huge aluminum project, although much of its business will go by water, will also bring people over this road. The discovery of oil at Fort St. John will bring increased traffic through our town to the north. It is up to us to concentrate on catering to these travellers using the Cariboo Highway --- to make them welcome to our town. I would like to mention the sawmill and logging industry, which is q great asset to any community. Ido not know how. many mills we have in this dis- trict, but I know their number has grown considerably in the past two years and will continue to grow in the future. Their payrolls in any district is appreciated and The Board of Trade should do everything possible to help them. I would just like to say one more thing. Alone, we (the Board) cannot coniinue, but with the support of everyone, the people of Williams Lake and District, I am sure we can survive. . ‘Bert’ Roberts Cc. F. completed early next week, accord- ing to Stephen Demcoe, manager of the Lakeview. The building is owned by the hotel. The taxi office and Greyhound deot were moved to temporary quar- ters in the Cariboo Saddlery huild- ing, in the premises formerly occu- pied by the 5 to 5 Variety Store. Water Chief Hazard At Prince ’Spiel - “We weren't good enough mud- ders’,” was Skip Tony Woodland’s explanation for the failure of his strong rink to bring home any of the silverware from the Prince George annual bonspiel. Terming it the worst conditions he had ever curled under, Tony said the extremely mild weather had com- letely ruined the ice and the ’spie! wound up with curlers throwing their rocks down the ice for all they were worth with spray cascading in front of them. As a result, the curl- ers staying through the finals were those with the weight and muscle to stand the punishing grind. | From perfect ice on Saturday, the | sheets deteriorated to a point where the ice was covered with water and | nea melted through to the mud be- low in spots. It was the first time the ice had been lost at the Prince ‘spiel since 1938, and must have been doubly disappointing to the ‘speil organiz- ers, Mr. Woodland said, because It was easily the largest the northern centre had ever held. Sweeping the rocks into the house was out of the question, but one j rink deveioped a new twist ahen the j players used their brooms behind | the rocks to help them along the ice | with waves of water. No one object- ed to the unorthodox method, and besides there is nothing in the rule book covering the situation. The Woodland rink won four and | lost four in the play. ‘PRINCE HOOP TEAM , FAILS TO SHOW UP | Lack of transportation awe given as the reason Prince George basketball | Players couldn't keep their date with | the Elks here last weekend. alibi, but from the reports of league, officials who made the trip, the ref- ereeing in the northern centre leit hiuch to be desired. The first. three goals in: Saturday night’s game were scored on offside plays and this type of refereeing ontinued to the point Sunday where the local coach Wil? Moore refused | to play. Another incident that caus- ed a near-riot occurred when Buck- ley Eagle, standing on the sidelines, finally took offense at the way the refs were handling th grabbing one of the officials started to express his opinion in a physical manner. Reg Norberg and Frank Latin ‘ored for the locals in Saturday's game and the lone Sunday counter was picked up by Reg. THE WEATHER — IT’S WONDERFUL It was hard to find anyone com- Dlaining about the weather this eek. From Sunday the thermometer almost 50 above. The thawing conditions have caus- ed some tie-ups in transportation. Hardest hit has been CPA, with no flights landing here since Saturday. Reason is the fact that there hasn't been a bulldozer available to pull the airport rollers and pack the snow as it melted. Greyhound buses ran from two to four hours slow northbound for two éays — managed to maintain their schedule otherwise. Station agent George Mableson re- ports the PGP is maintaining sched- use with only the odd minor snow slide on the line. Dripping water on the curling sheets at the arene has resulted im closing of the rink, Last play was ‘Tuesday afternoon. Skating was stopped in the main arena Wednesday io-prevent cutting up the ice. Arena officials report the ice is standing up well and should be in good shape for the weelkend’s hockey games. If there is any complaint about the weather it is that the thaw is too| early and that freezing conditions to follow will make travelling extremely I les the few fans who had not heard | urday’s game will be honored nex! . Week when Wells comes to town, - - ( of the cancellation. Tickets for Sat-| ing the early ‘spring’ and overcoats The locals played a pick-up game hazardous. But the people in town are enjoy- have been, for the most part, discard- ed in the afternoon sun, | has ranged from the low thirties to, Commissioner Mae Johnson found the snow had presented another haz- ard when he couldn't find his side- walks to give an estimate of repairs necessary. He told the Board how- ever he would require about $3000 and this amount was approved. Commissioner Borkowski, who has charge of four smaller depart- ments, said he would require $800 for cemetery improvements, which would include weed removal in the old section and placing top soil in one section of the new part of the cemetery for lawn seed. He alsu stated it was his intention to try and arouse some interest on the part of the groups that have plots in the ola section in helping with maintenance First White Woman Yo Arrive At Kaslo Dies Here At 88 Mrs. Stella M. Keenan, of Lac La Hache, one of the pioneer settlers o7 the Interior, died in War Memorial Hospital January 25 following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Keenan was 88 years of age. Born in Norfolk, Ontario, Mrs. Keenan came to Kaslo in the Koot- enay Valley in 1892. She was the first white woman to set foot on the townsite, which her brothers, George and Dave Kane, had taken up. In those days the only entrance to that country was by wagon from Spokane, Washington. She was the first school teacher in Nelson and later taught in Kaslo. it was here she was married in 1896 to the late J. D. Keenan and the couple made their home there until 1918. Since then Mrs. Keenan resided in Victoria, Vancouver and Squamish, coming to Lac La Hache to make her home nine years ago. « She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. M. M. Wright of Lac La Hache Mrs. Stella Abbey of Los An- geles. Nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services were conducted at Lae La Hache Tuesday by Rey. J. Colclough. Quesnel Beats Prince, Ties Up Loop Lead Quesnel pulled the surprise of the hockey season yesterday when they defeated Prince George Lumbermen by a score of 9-2. Another late report uid the score was 13-3, but in any case, the margin was a good substan- tial one. With this win the Kangaroos tied up the league leadership with the Lumbermen, both teams having won tive, lost one and drawn one. Both clubs have five more games to play and will meet once more in league play. This end Quesnel comes to Williams Lake for the first meeting of these two clubs since league play commenced. Here's the present stand- ing of the league. we Appoval Given Annual Budget For Village Work Commissioners approved a $9,720 budget at their meeting Friday night which should leave a margin of $3000 between expenditures and estimated revenue during 1952. costs. (This was tried last year witb- yout success.) On the basis of an estimate pre- pated by the Jumor Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Borkowski asked for $350 for the public bedch. The work contemplated would include fencing the area; purchase of material fur tables and benches, wiring and stuc- co for the changing house. Labour for this work is being donated, The Jaycees also wish to purchase tar- paper to carry out an experiment in attempting to destroy the weed beds in the lake. This consists of placing the tarpaper on the ice before break- up and then covermg the paper with a heavy layer of sand. In theory the weighted, paper Sinks into the lake as the ice melts and smothers the weeds, = PARKS Mr. Borkowski stated that a start would be made this year in devélop- ing the triangular-shaped parcel of ground at the top of Oliver Street. The preparatory work would include Jaying a lateral water main and sev- eral cut-offs and general grading work. Cost was set at $500. An amount of $70 was asked for the School Traffic Patrol to tinance the patrol’s annual banquet and pur- ehase of crests. A type of warning safety stands for the street crossing is included in this. Commissioner Stan Goad in charge of the water system, stat- ed he would require about a thou- removal aparatus and fixing the water intake with 2 screen. However he stated that this expenditure could {oe carried by water revenus® vould not require ta he budgeted for out of general funds. In addition to the expenditures lister, grants for the War Memorial Society of $200; the Library of $200 and one to the Fall Fair Association for $100 were approved. PLANE CHARTERED FOR CATTLE HUNT An unsuccessful four-hour plane search for between 40 and 50 head of cattle that square miles of territory east and south of Williams Lake was carried out Tuesday by pilot Dick Sellars of i Skyway Air Services Ltd., Langley, ‘and Ronald Waite, former Cattle- men’s Association secretary. covered about 150 The light plane was hired for the search by Hugh Cornwall, in an ef- fort to find a shortage of stock in- volved in the receut deal that was completed on the former Clare Ford Ranch. This ranch, covering about 4,000 deeded acres plus Crown grant range, was recently purchased by J. ‘Buzz’ Potts of Ellensberg, Wash- ington, from the Cowan Estate. About 400 head of cattle went with the ranch. Reporting on the search, Mr. Waite said they saw no sign of stock and the four-foot snow heightened fears that any animals foraging on this range had perished. The searen- ers saw little sign of moose or deer on the flight either. This was the second time Mr. Sel- ars had been hired to fly.on a search for lost stock. His first trip was ror the Douglas Lake Cattle Company. Settle Question Of Short Term On the question of which of the three newly elected Village Comm sioners will fill the balance of former commissioner C. H. Poston’s unfin- ished term, the ones concerned have settled the question among them- selves without recourse to B. C. Bracewell, deputy minister of muni- cipalities: Commissioner John who was headed by a scant one vote margin by Commissioner Borkowski, will take the unexpired term. This jeaves him with one year to serve and Commissioners Borkowski and W OD L Points Prince George. 5 1 1 11 Quesnel oo BL Lad Vanderhoof 4° 0 4 8 Williams Lake oo 8 0 Johnson with two, sand dollars for installation of taste- .