JTnarsday, January 19, 1958. THE TRIBUNE, WILLIAMS LAKE, B.¢. ~ Letters to The Editor SOME FACTS ABOUT SCHOOL COSTS 7 January 18th, 1956. The Editor, The Tribune, Williams Lake, B.C. Dear Sir: The writer read with inter- est, in last week’s issue of The Tribune, Mr. Drinkell’s “‘Crack- er Barrel Forum” and also a letter from the Cariboo Cattle- men’s Association. It would ap- pear that these writers were not in possession of all the facts concerning the distribution of school costs. In another section of this paper is a table of com- parison of school costs in 1950 and 1955. The cattlemen contend that they, through land taxation, have had to assume the major share Of increased school costs. Ref- erence to the table of compari- son will reveal that this defin- itely is not correct. During. the past five years (which seems a reasonable per- iod to use as a comparison, as. the referendum is predicated for five years in the future), the amount of money required to meet the estimates or budget has increased by 149% ($292,- 017.00). Property tax, however, increased by only 54% ($33,- 664.00). The difference was “made up by Provincial Govern- ment Grants from Consolidated Revenue. Consolidated Revenue is @ fund to which everybody in “the proyince contributes, not just residents of this school dis- trict. = : In 1950 Property Tax took -eare of 31.70% of the require- ments. In- 1955 Property Tax took care of only 19:84% of the requirements, with Consolidated Revenue, or all the people of British Columbia, finding the remaining 80.16%. This indi- cates clearly that the Provin- cial Government has recognized the need for a more equitable distribution of the costs, and that the Government is doing something about the problem. The mill rate in 1950 was 13.77. In 1955, despite a 149% crease in costs, the mill was only, 14.84. Taxes did increase during this period. And they should have. Even had there been no increase in population, the economic fac- tors over which we have no con- trol, would have increased costs. Salaries, wages, cost of construc- tion, cost of material, cost of supplies and equipment increas- ed to a great extent. The table indicates that teach- ers’ salaries alone increased by 161% ($184,275.00). It is granted that increase in popu- lation caused a great deal of the inereased cost. In proportion, however, and if there had been no increase in population, the cost. would have increased far beyond the increase in taxation. The table shows the comparative teachers salary schedule, and this alone would result in far more than the taxation, even if Ro additional teachers had been engaged. ‘The cattlemen contend that in 1953 and 1954 the mill rate had exceeded 18.00 mills. This is true, but it must be remembered in- rate twenty-one years, =<school district held in a municipality. they are assessed and own name, vote. QUALIFICATIONS OF VOTERS PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACT 58.(1)(b) In rural areas the qualifications of electors entitled to vote on a by-law or question shall be those persons who are rate- Dayers of the rural area in the school district and are British Subjects of the full age of and those which are ratepayers of the rural area in the {iaee Se sesx > _58.(8) Any voter offering to vote on the by- law or question may be required. by the re turning officer to make a declaration in the form set out in subsection (1) of section 93 or in such form as may be legally prescribed for a municipal election in the case of an election Section 2 gives the following definition: “Ratepayer,” in the case of rural school dis- tricts or rural portions of a large municipal school district, means a person assessed and taxed in the rural area of the district for schoo] taxes under this Act. Lease-holders, such as those at the 100 Mile House and lessors of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway Co., are considered as ratepayers if under the Public Schools Act. Wives and husbands of ratepayers are not entitled to vote on money matters unless such wives and husbands are ratepayers in their Wives and husbands who have property registered in both of their names may both corporations taxed for school taxes that in 1955 the Government adopted a new educational fin- ance formula, which in this dis- trlet resuited in a considerable decrease in the mill rate. In 1965 the estimates were far greater than anything previous- ly suggested. Yet the mill rate decreased. It is true that in some indi- vidual cases, increased assess- ment has caused greatly increas- ed taxes. It should be remember- ed however, that the Govern- ment has instituted, last year, an assessment equalization plan. They admit thtat it will take about three years for this to show effect. Again, last year, the Govern- ment commenced a program of assessing accessible _ timber. These two changes in the taxa- tion formula must be given a trial. The government is certain- ly not going to make a change without first having studied all the effects of these changes. It would therefore seem un- reasonable to expect the govern- ment to call a halt to these more or less long range plans, and make a change, anytime in the near future; despite the strong- est possible protests of the peo- ple in this comparatively sparse- ly populated school district. On the contrary, they are more like- ly to feel that the people do not recognize the need for increased facilities, and if any hardship thereby results, that is the wish or error in judgment of the peo- ple. The children will therefore suffer during this obvious period of any possible legislation neces- sary to mske any change in the existing taxation formula. ‘That is the crux of the whole matter. The defeat of the refer- endum ean only result in hard- ship for the children during the necessary long period required for a change in, and implement- ation of, new legislation. It would seem thtat the cat- tlemen and property owners should bend their efforts to the other means, which would not effect the” children, to secure their objective of taxation relief. Few people would hesitate to support them then, but few peo- ple will support them now in a policy whick is at the expense of the children. : Mr. Drinkell objects to the giving of “carte blanche” for the spending of the large sum of a million and a quarter dollars. He is not perhaps aware of the procedure required after, and if, the referendum passes. The School Board, who are after all, a body of taxpayers, elected and entrusted with the duty of administering the affairs of the district, would then have to give very careful considera- tion again to what projects should be undertaken first. They would review the necessity and the estimates of the selected projects. They would then pre- pare a by-law which would re- quire three readings (or re-con- sideration) of the Trustees in at least two separate and distinct meetings. It would then be sub- mitted for review to the Depart- ment of Education in Victoria. If the two bodies confirm that the need is still there, and that the estimates are fair and just, then the School Board, for the fourth time, must reconsider the SEE @ New overall design @ New Segment Shift © New Lifetime Carrying Case Box 490 The Underwood Universal $99.50 The Underwood “Leader” A practical, personal writing machine—compact and moderately priced. student use. - Only $79.50 - The Underwood Deluxe $119.50 The complete line of Portables The Tribune Publishing Co. Ideal for family and © New Tan ‘Tone ». Styling @ New Finger Form Keys @ Famous Underwood Engineering Phone 56-R-3 . OLYMPIC SKI VICTORY After several weeks of ri, member of the Olympic team, serenading veteran skiers Art departure. LAC LAHACH ————___. Teams Win Two Home Games Two hockey games were play- igorous training at Mont Tremblant, in the Laurentians, Canada’s 10-member ski team left by plane for Europe with their Olympic hopes as high as their spirits. Youngest Anne Heggtveit, 16, is shown, left, Clarence Lloyd Servold, centre, kibitzes with Anne Heggtveit and Cinette Seguin. and Andy Tommy prior to their of Camrose, Alta., Servold has aging the senior team.’ Ray Wise coached the Pee Wees. ALLAN KARLANDER= was rushed to Williams Lake hospi- tal last Tuesday where he un- derwent an operation for appen- dicitis. Record Turnout Sees Kamloops Down Stampeders Trade Group Holds Annual Dance - Over 100 people attended the Forest Grove Board of .'Trade annual New Year’s Eve dinner and dance in the Communit ad here“on SUnday, Te Bes a8 Community Olah hed a| Largest crowd of ‘the yesr|ronciorest Giese. UW, << celey urh-ou ai Vv Wees played Clinton Pee Wees,/50?¢ {urp-out to the meeting |/jammed War Memorial prone | etal entertainment and miu- i ee 3-0, | Held Sunday evening in the ball. |last Wednesday night to see|_. : Winning A score of 3-0.| = sic featured the evening’s pro- ia a aM : te Tom Humble from the B.C.]what tuyned out to be one of Goals were scored by Hurry and Power'e ee tticet ‘ ts gram and everyone throughly Willy Voth and Don Wise. The | PWer Commission office in Wil-|the fastest games of the season little fellows played a real good game and with a little more advertising should draw a good crowd to their games. The senior game between Lac La Hache and Williams Lake slowed down towards the end of the game because of the snow which started falling in the se- cond period. The score was 5-2 for the Wild Horses. Percy Og- den and Bud Hamilton are man- po as Se Se question. If they then agree, and then only, do they borrow the money anid proceed with the calling of tenders and awarding of contracts. At each time that a-portion of the entire one and a quarter million dollar program is con- templated, this same procedure must be followed. At the same time, it should be borne in mind, that these trustees are the duly elected representatives of the taxpayers. They could prevent the borrowing or expenditure of one cent of the one and a quar- ter million dollars. They are in no way obligated to spend it. They are, however, given the right to raise and expend this sum, over a period of five years, if and when necessary, This ob- viates the necessity of going to the electors every time a new and completely obvioous and necessary need arises. In other words, the passing of the referendum will enable your elected Trustees to engage in, and execute, a planned program. Even the cattlemen’s association admits that the program is as sound as could be planned. It is therefore urged thtat the voter consider the question on its merits and not be swayed by angle, which is , and which may effect the children. In any event, it is your privi- lege, and your duty, to vote as you, yourself, see fit. Respectfully yours, C. B. Macqueen, - Secretary-Treas. School District No. 27. L&W FUEL SUPPLY Williams Lake Telephone 120-R for g taxation Spontaneous Service on Sawdust & Wood Cut in Lengths to Order attended the meeting to answer questions on various problems in the community. He informed the meeting that a maintenance crew would be in the area soon to put in new lines and poles. He also said that a man would be down this week to stop the static on the radios which has made it im- Possible to get any reception at all some days. The problem of obtaining a tink manager was left to the directors. At present the work on the rink is volunteer B WEINS had the misfortune to have his power saw stolen from the back of his truck while he was in Williams Lake on Friday, vii HORSEFLY NEWS ——_____ Women Attend Annual Luncheon The Horsefly Women's Insti- tute gave their annual Friend- ship Luncheon at the home of Mrs. Hazel Gibbons on Decem- ber 29. Twenty-four guests were entertained at a buffet luncheon followed 1} numerous games and contests which were greatly enjoyed by all. After these pleas- ant diversions the president of when the Stampeders met the Kamloops Baleos in an exhibi- tion game that was won by a handy margin of 9-4 by the the way up in hockey and others who leagues in their day, the Kam- loops club showed a lot of speed and class in the 60 minutes of play. Originally in the defunct Coy Cup league, completing the season with ex- hibition tours. ups, the visitors contributed de- feneeman Morton Jardine to the Stampeders, and the fans were particularly im- pressed by the teriffic job Jar- dine did between the pipes. their hearts out too against the competition, and looked in top form. foal period. The visitors picked their counter up early and it wasn’t matched until 13.03 when Reg Norberg scored on a pass from br Kamloops scored two quick ones. Al Hooker closed the gap on a pass from Eyres and when the visitors added another counter, Hooker again came through, this enjoyed ringing in the New Year. Livestock (continued from pags 3) blue brand beef at, steady or just moderately lower prices for the first half of 1956 with a prospect of stronger markets be- fore the end of the year, (2) Cow slaughter prices will just about parallel those last year — unless a change in government wheat. payment policy is an- nounced. (3) Cattle feeding this - winter should be proitasxi~ **2 === ticularly in western Canada- (4) Production and consumption of beef will be high — about the same level as last year. (5) Ex- ports may rise during the last quarter of the year. peers eee time scoring on an unassisted shot from the corner in the visitors’ zone. In the last half- minute Kamloops scored again and the period ended with the board reading 5-3. In the final period the visitor gradually put themselves out of Teach, running the score up to 9-3 before the locals came back witlf their final score. With less than a minute to go it was hard- working Doug-Norberg that sag- ged the twine, with Reg Norberg getting the assist. itors. C omposed of several lads on have performed in top the team is To balance up the the line- and goalie The Stamps regulars played The clubs only managed a apiece in the opening other Doug. Early in the second period the Institute, Mrs. Alice Stober, presented prizes to the winners. THE monthly meeting of the Horsefly Women's Institute was held at the home of Mrs. Alice Stober, ,Wednesday, January 4. Plans were laid for the year’s activities and Mrs. Bessie Lowry was elected vice-president in lieu of Mrs. Hazel Hockley, who has resigned temporarily. THE 0.K. SAWMILL resum- ed operations January 16, after several weeks shut-down. THE SQUARE-DANCES that have been under the professional supervision of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Standley these past months are gaining in popularity. Friday POWER OFF for improvement. work on Sunday, January 22 between the hours of Power will be off 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Area affected will be from Lakeside Auto Court south to 150 Mile night’s dance brought a record attendance both in adults and teen-agers. A luncheon was pre- pared and served after the dance by the young girls of the com- munity. MR. and MRS. 1. H. HUB-| BARD left January 11, for ine| coast where they will spend the remainder of the winter at their | home in Pleasantside. MRS. GUNNAR OLSON turned recently fron where she spent for of her health. She is- now reported to be feeling much better. ADDED DONORS Constable George Hubbard, whose exploits as Santa Claus to the Chilcotin Indian children we wrote of last week, tells us there were a couple of his ham- per donors missed in the story. These were- Doug Stevenson, Mackenzies Ltd., and the Ranch //. 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