i NEWS EXCHANGE OF THE CARIBOO os ‘Volume 23 — Number 26, WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. Thursday, June 30, 1955, Single copy 10c. $2.50 per year. Highway May Open Saturday Night NEW BOAT FOR OLD ROUTE Falls with sightseers. Air Mail For Williams Lake Scheduled To Start July 4 Williams Lake -will receive air mail service twice a day, commencing July 4th of Trade tis week, Air mail will be carried on both north an southbound flights of Can- adian Pacific Airlines, the letter from the deputy postmaster-general stated. : Word of the mail service climaxes an extensive campaign by the Board that has been carried out ever since the airline service of CPA was first inaugurated here on a permanent basis. Main contention of the post office department in the past has been that inauguration of «a mail service on the line would he far too eostiy. The board has maintained though that as Jong as an airline is servicing this centre and at the same time carrying mail on to Quesnel, a delivery hardship was being sus- tained, since a great deal of first accord Millworker Drowns At Micleese Lake First drowning accident im the district this season claimed the life of Albert Listander, 50, mill worker of Marguerite, at McLeese Lake Sunday afternoon. Listander was one of a party of four men who work on the west side of the Fraser and were spending the afternoon at Lagerquist’s resort on the popular lake. Listander went in for a swim with the intention, it is believed, of crossing the lake. TH was only 30 feet from shore when he apparently got into difficulties, turned back and sank from sight in front of his companions on shore. The men launched a boat immedi- ately, but the victim never came to the surface. The accident occurred about 12:30 p.m. Police were summoned to the scene and recovered the body by dragging just after six o'clock. Listander’s companions were John Szumutku of Rockford, Sask., Ern- est Nelson and Teddy M. Johnston. both of Marguerite. A coroner’s inquest was called yesterday afternoon but the inquest was adjourned for two weeks pend- ing notification of witnesses. Police have heen unable to trace any‘ close relatives of Listander’s. ° Miss Lillian Crapelle was guest of honour at a surprise party held at the home of Mrs. Mrs. F. Nicholson last Saturday. Lillian is leaving to make her home in Edmonton. She was presented with an embossed leather photograph album from her many friends. = to word ived hy the Board = : class mail was being sent through by air to Quesnel and returned the fol- lowing day by mail truck. Mail hand- led in this manner actually took longer to reach Williams Lake than mail carried from the same point by regular surface service. Fraser Claims Life Of District Woman Victim of a drowning accident in the Fr last Friday was Marjorie Hicks, ser River near Prince George year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs F. Hicks of Buffalo Creek. Miss Hicks had been employed as a waitress at Prince George. Other victim of the mishap was Robert Yargeau, who suffered shock. According to police, Yargeau’s ea drove off a riverside road into the river. Miss Felicity Rafferty of Riske tary and Mrs..L. Creek is the guest of Dr. and Mrs. J. B. Ringwood for the Stampede. PERMITS GRANTED Two commercial building permits and granted Tuesday night by commis- two residential permits were sioners. Largest was for the addition to War Memorial Hospital, yalued at The other commercial one was for an addition to Jan Mikler's furniture shop valued at $2,000. The residential permits were granted to Werbert Ness and R. Clorec for $7,000 each. Red Cross Branch Names Executive For Coming Year Jack Fisher, staf! member of the $29,123.40. local branch of the Bank of Com- merce, was elected president of the Williams Lake Branch of the Can- adian Red Cross at a meeting of the group last Thursday. Tom Denny, long an active work- er as chairman of the disaster com- mittee, was named honorary pres dent and Ferd Bass honorary vice- president. Mrs. Tom Mart is secre- Moxon treasurer. Chairman of home nursing is Mre. L, M, Lunn and Mr. Denny is again disaster committee chairman with Hope Patenaude co-chairman. Chai man of women’s work is Mrs. G. Smith, Highlight of the meeting was a discussion of the work of Red Cross, | with officials from Vancouver head- ing the panel. The visitors included Col. C. A. Scott, provincial commis- sicner; Mrs. A. G. Mercer, provincial Miss L. MacMillan, director of Out- post Hospitals, and Miss W. Jen- ner, executive secretary of the as- sociation. One of the main topics of discus- sion was the importance of an active membership in Williams Lake. Miss MacMillan, who has travelled over much of the world in the nursing pro- fession,. stressed the need for keep- ing the loan cupboards filled, to pro- vide clothing and bedding in cases of disaster. Locally, Mrs. Leonard, Matron of War Memorial Hospital, has consented to take charge of the cupboard. Miss de Satge, recognized as a top authority on nursing in Canada, said that in a town of this size there should be a school of home nursing, which would undoubtedly help the community in many wa A visit of the Red Cross mobile blood clinie will take place in W liams Lake in the near future, Col. Scott told the meeting. He then de- seribed the tremendous work of the association in co-operating with the public to provide free blood trans- fusions to the sick and injured, and urged the support of the public here when the clinic arrived Ceremonies Set Just two years after the ceremony was originally planned, the famed Bella Coola road to the coast will be declared officially open on July 18, According to Bella Coola Board of Trade president Clifford Kopas. ~ In a telephone interview with The Tribune Tuesday morning, Mr. Ko- pas said the ceremonies would take place at a point about 55 miles from the coast sea port town, where two bulldozers pushing the rocky link through the mountains from ejther end met-early in 1953. At that time the coast residents Six Local Cadets |Fo Vernon Camp Six local members of the Williams Lake Cadet Corps left today to take part in a seven-week training army jet course at Vernon. Attending from here are B. Smai- lenbere, T. Baker, J. O'Dell, A. Me- Intosh, S. Robinson and J, D. Mac: Lean. Bella Coola Road Opening For July 18 had high hopes of finishing the work early that summer and a ‘tentative opening date was set for July 1, 1953 It was then moved to August as it became apparent that heavier rock work was going to be encountered than had been anticipated. The work dragged on and community funds ran out. Then the Bella Coola board took its problem to the government and a sizeable grant of money was made to complete the work. It is is planned to unveil a small plaque on the rock wall at the 1 toric meeting place, Present will be Evan Jones, deputy minister of high- Ways, as well as representatives of the Vancouver Board of Trade. Board of Trade members here will mak an effort to get a caravan togethe for the trip. Following the afternoon cere- monies, the Parties will travel to Bella Coola for a banquet, and then a cairn will be unveiled on the shores of the Pacific to the memory of the first white traveller fo make the Journey overland. Alexander Mac- kenzfe reached this spot on July 19, 1793, Rain Spoils Opening Day Of Stampede Seattered showers this morning forced cancellation of two street events and drastically curtailed en- trfes in the horsemen’s parade. Actually the rain held off for the pakade itself, but just as the horse- mén neared the end of the route a regular downpour chased onlookers ofthe street. Official,opening of the show was delayed due’to the rain, although Stampede officials said the shéw would definitely go on as soon as the rain eased off. Heading the parade this morning wais Stampede -association president Slim Dorin, twice holder of the pro- viitial best all-round cowboy title. Behind him was the old stage coach cattying Hon, Ralph Chetwynd, His Honour Judge Henry Castillou, who is plso honorary president of the as- soclation, and former association président Ben Abbott A husband and wife combination won the best-dressed cowboy ana cowgirl wards. ‘Red’ and Dionne Allison of Dog Creek were named by judges as best dressed and will lead thé main parade tomorrow morning. The ‘baby-buggy’ race along Oliver Stfeet scheduled for this morning will be held tomorrow at 10 a.m. Thé main parade leaves the marshall- ing grounds-at 10:30. At 9:30 school students will hold a square dance on the street. Missing from the parade will be the Wells Boys and Girls Band. Ryery effort, was made to: get them. 42a ee soLecaks se Repairs Being Rushed On Major Breaks From Here To Quesnel Trayel may be resumed north on the Cariboo Highway by Saturday night, according to word received this morning from District Engineer Jim Pomero: Mr. Pomeroy was in com iy. munication last night with De- partment of Highway officials to the north, who set the Satur- day night date as the earliest highway could-be completed. But it won't resemble the familiar road in many places between here and Quesnel where temporary bridg- es and detours will mark the places- where quiet creeks went on a devas- tating rampage Sunday, swollen by torrential rains. 5 North of Quesnel Stone Creek tore out highway and railway bridges at 9 a.m., taking with it the main tele- phone lines. To the south Sisters Creek, Cuissan Creek and the creek at Dragon Siding created major breaks and Quesnel was isolated ex- cept from the air. : ‘ Breaks in the~ Pacific Great Wastern line may take 10 days to put in shape to handle traffic. 150 Fo This is the break that_will be last to be bridged. ‘Timbers are being stretched across the 150-foot gap and the broken lengths of six-foot pipe are being filled with rock and used as piers and abuttments. It is estimated that there were 17 washouts on the highway between Prince George and Soda Creek. Bert Loyd, who piloted a Chileotin ways plane over the area Monday said that mills near the Quesnel possible time all repairs on the = There are five breaks between here and Prince George. = Most spectacular of the breaks oc- curred at Australian, where six-foot concrete pipes through the highway fill failed to relieve the flood waters. The big pipes were shooting water out like giant monitors, and behind the fill the pressure gradually grew.” The pent-up waters reached the ‘top went out. Tons of water tore through the Yorston Ranch on the banks of the Fraser, sweeping away the old ranch house and barns and outbuila- ‘mgs. The break occurred about 5 p.m. Residents of the ranch had been evacuated earlier in the day. ot Gap River Bridge at Quesnel.were under water. The top of the burner at Pa- cific Western Planing mills could be seen jutting out of the swirling water, and as he watched a loa lumber floated away. A new division at West Quesnel was pa flooded. At Australian about 150 feet of P.G.E. track was hanging crazily in the air where the fill had been wiped out by the highway break. Supplies Scarce Department ‘of — Highways crews | Mostof-them used Wells-Quesnel road made «this im= possible. Department of Highways officials are trying to get them shut- tled down for Saturda: Victoria Accepts Hospital Tender Tender of Overton Bros., for con- struction of an addition to War Mem- ovial Hospital, was accepted by the Department of Health & Weltare last Friday according to a wire re- ceived by directors here. The contracting firm, builders of Skyline elementary school in town year, commenced work on the strneture Wedesday morning of this week. Amount of tender submitted Overton Bros. was $29,123.40. by Commissioner Scores Lack Of Equipment For Village Work Without their own equipment and not-enough employeee to handle the work of the town, it is little wonder that Williams Lake is lacking in carrying out any improvement plan, Commissioner Herb Gardner stated at Tuesday night’s meeting. Mr. Gardner did a little compar- ing with our neighboring centre of Quesnel to illustrate his point. Ques- nel's total revenue, including that from their water system, amounts to $90,000 a year, or just double that of Williams Lake. But Quesnel has a village clerk and two girls in the office and some four men working outside. In addition Quesnel is also building up a supply of public works equipment; now has some six pieces and recently added a $14,000 grader In comparison, we have our lage clerk with no assis permanent outside man, and the vi lage equipment consists of a second hand grader that has been waiting for repair parts during most of its time under village ownership, and a ‘eat’ that the Department of Trans- port has left in their charge. Mr. Gardner insisted that this sort of thing wa of services they should he able to expect, the village was going to have| ot; ; to start building up a supply | equipment to handle the work. n't good enough, that if} the people were to receive the type | ne =O Wnams Leake amis Prince George districts and highway construction crews Were rushed into restore services. By Tuesday night repairs were effected north of Quesnel and the towh was again in contact with the outside world. By that time potatoes and canned milk were becoming scarce and gasoline consumption was be- ing checked closely. Some idea of the suddenness of the highway disruption can be gain- the battle to ed by the experience of members of! the local golf club who were due to play at Quesnel Sunday. Several went north Saturday and at least one car went through Sunday morn- Others following though were unable to get over the highway and had to turn back. This problem of residents of one town finding themselves marooned in a neighboring community was general among the ing. three centres., Hnes-to-get-pack- {home, although there was an added | problem here when the local airport | became too waterlogged for the DC3’s to use. Closest airport was Dog Creek, and regular and special fights have been landing there since Mon- day, with passengers. being shuttled along the Dog Creek-Williams Lake road by taxi. Airline agent Al Stewart reports that 100 passengers boarded at Dog Creek in the past three days north- bound and 79 came in, The company ran two special flights Tuesday morning from Dog Creek to Prince George and return. Confusion over road conditions have been general because of inter- mittent failure of telephone com- munications. The lines were out to the north most of yesterday. At the same time rumours kept flying about washouts to the south, but none of these had any founda- tion in fact. West Road Out With the Fraser rising six inches at Prince George, the swollen waters carried so much debris that ferries ‘were taken out of service. Replace- ment of service though would not help the travel situation north though, as District Engineer Jim Pomeroy reports that there are sev- eral washouts on the road to Quesnel on the west side of the river. With visitors arriving for the Stampede, the local accommodation problem has been aggravated by tourists and people going back home to the north who have found them- ves stranded here. The majority of those on holiday turned around to go back and Monday night people were travelling as far south as Clin- ton before they could find overnight accommodation. Unusual result here of the wash- outs to the north was the absence of mail deliveries from Ashcroft. Two trucks owned by the Quesnel carrier firm were at Quesnel when the wash- outs occurred and a third one was undergoing repairs *at Vancouver. First truckload of mail to arrive on a temorary basis was brought in by Carsons yesterday at noon. No serious road washouts have heen reported in this immediate dis- trict. To the west a small creek north of Hanceville went on the rampage Sunday and covered the Chileotin road with three feet of water. No break-through oceurred though and cars were hauled through. The waters ed. At two points farther west where flooding also oc- curred, Department of Highways equipment is standing by to help ve- hicles through. This is also the case on the Horsefiy road. Bailey Again Wins Pistol Crown Sharpshooting Walter Bailey, president of the Cariboo ociation of Marksmen, last weekend successfully defended his provincial pistol title at Vancouver, The veteran competitor r: noup a score of 1658 out of 1800 in .22 and -38 competition contests over 25 and 50-yard dis- tances, With the silver badge and gold medal emblematic of the B.C. championship goes the opportunity to go to the national handgun match- at Oltawa with fore paid both ways. However Mr. Bailey does not expect to make the trip. i Gertrude Backstrom, a Ho- in slow and timed quiam, Washington, housey ed Bailey in two matches. Game Warden Joe Gibault was in 5th place in the B.C. aggregate and took a bronze medal (3rd) in the 9 mm. rapid fire. Shooting in the marksman class, Terry Wheatley of Miocene took thrée bronze medais. ; In the team competition the Cari- hoo marksmen were well down the j line. Fourth man on the team was . Perey McFarland, e top- the services of of the road when the fill suddenly: ~