The Chilliwack Progress from Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada • Page 1

i THIRTY THIRD YEAR, VOL. No. 41 B. FRUIT MEN IN CONVENTION HERE Prominent Fruit Men of Province Meet to Discuss Matters of Vital Interest. Chilliwack is today the meeting place 'of one hundred and fifty directors and delegates of the British Columbia Fruit Growers' Association, who are holding the thirty fourth annual meeting of the association.

A full quota of fruit men are present, representing fruit district, in the province, and the convention is fulfilling the promise made on the first day, of being one of the best held by this organization. The deliberations of this body have been earnest and with the definite aim of solving some, at least, of the great problems confronting the fruit men of this province, and doubtless much good will be the result of this important gathering. After being welcomed on Wednesday afternoon to the' city by Mayor C. A. Barber and Mr.

Fred Menzles, president of the Board of Trade, the meeting was taken up with the receiving of the report of the president, Mr. Lionel E. Taylor, the report of the executive and of the secretary treasurer, Prof. A. Barss, the discussion of the report of the execntive, and the report of the resolution committee and discussion thereon.

The evening session was taken up with the report of the credentials committee and further discussion of the resolutions. Today, interesting and valuable addresses were given in the morning session on the subjects of "Fruit Storage Problems" by R. C. Palmer, assistant superintendent. Dominion Experimental Farm, Summerland, B.

"Marketing Problems," a review of the 1923 season, by J. A Grant, Prairie Market Commissioner, Calgary, "Taxation of Or 4'hard Lands," report of special committee on taxation, by L. E. Taylor, chairman. In the afternoon an address particularly of interest to growers in this valley was given by H.

D. Locklin, horticulturist, Western Washington Experimental Station, Puyallup, Wash. "The Present State of Fruit Pest Control Work," was dealt with by W. H. Robertson, provincial horticulturist; Victoria, and a report of the Canadian Horticultural Council was given by L.

E. Taylor. Tonight, Colonel It. D. Davies, chairman of the Land Settlement Board, Victoria, is giving an illustrated lecture on the subject: "Sumas Reclamation Works." Friday will be given over to the discussion of resolutions, unfinished business and new business, with an address by Col.

B. Scott, director for District No. 8, Salmon Arm, on the Bubject of "Organization for the Coming Year." Weather and roads permitting, a drive will be taken by the fruit men in the afternoon to the Sumas reclamation area, the trip to be the direction of Col. Davies, organized by members of the Board of Trade. In addition to the members of the executive, the directors and delegates, there were present at the sessions, Hon.

E. D. Barrow, minister of agriculture: Dr. Wornock, deputy minister of agriculture. The address of the president was as follows: Ladies and gentlemen: It is, I believe, customary for the president to review at the annual meeting, the important events which have taken place in the fruit during the previous year.

The report of the executive and directors which will be placed before you deals with the main activities of a more general nature. I venture to say, that during the 34 years that this association has been functioning, there has never been a year of more momentous happenings in the fruit industry, and there has never been a time calling for greater exertion on the part of everyone to work together for the common good. It is necessary to remind you of the perilous condition in which fruit growers found themselves at the close of the 1922 season when the net returns were found to be far below the cost of production. You are all fnmlllnr with the steps taken with regard to the marketing problem. As a result of lengthy investigations, which I was privileged to take some part in, and after propaganda work carried out by Prof.

Macklin, Mr. Sapiro and Mr. Boyd Oliver, it was decided, after very careful investigation, that the principle of the co operatvie marketing of our produce on a commodity basis was the only one through which we might hope to solve our difficulties. The growers of tree fruits in the Interior adopted this principle whole heartedly and actually 85 per cent, of the total tonnage was signed up by the Associated Grow ers of B. C.

on 5 year contracts. A larsJ percentage of the vegetable growers also signed tip similar contracts, and the tomato growers in ChiUttiiaick CITY NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS Mayor Barber Re Elected by Accla luution For Second Term Contest For Aldci nicu, Mayor C. A. Barber was returned for a second term by acclamation at the city nominations on Monday, as were also Chairman C. R.

Denike and Trustee Dr. Collier of the School Board. Messrs. J. F.

Semple and A. II. Turvey were elected by acclamation to the two vacancies on the police commission, caused by the retirement of Mr. H. J.

Barber, and the resignation of Mr. R. J. Mcintosh. For Aldermen the 1923 council was nominated, T.

H. Jackson, R. K. McCammon, C. B.

Reeves, J. L. Stark and C. J. Whittaker, who together with Mr.

T. P. Knight make six candidates for five seats and voting is taking place today. addition formed their own commodity association which I will refer to later. The berry growers were not quite so successful in forming a collective organization, but a big step was made towards this by the formation of strong local organizations on the Island and Mainland which it is hoped will shortly adopt the principle of the co operation and by sinking local differences come together as one organization.

It is possible that too much was expected from the co operative organizations the first year. The task undertaken was a gigantic one considering the short time available in which to organize so as to be able to handle the 1923 crops. Some may say that action was too hasty, but the situation was so serious that it was felt by the best able to Judge that a chance must be taken at once to put over co operative irTketing with no half measures. From the outset all commodity Were raced with hav "1HPse or the largest crops In the history of the fruit and vegetable industry, in itself a serious problem, in addition competitive markets also nrnmisori v. similar, condition, and finally, there "oo general depressed condition of the world's markets In "all commodities with reduced buying power of the consumer.

It is true that the Prairie crops promised to be a record and tile Old Coimtrv frnlt failure but it mmi that the record Prairie crop followed ul comparative crop failure and the returns from ih. 1923 record rrnn hfH to reach the Prairie farmers by the time most of mr tt sold As regards the Old Country ii "er'lnlns would have gone well had other sections of Canada and the United States been as well organized as we are, and some control of distribution would have been attained. It may be cold comfort to us who have received much iu0 cost of production to say that we have done better than the East with our berries and than the States and me noutn witn bur tree fruits, but this cold fact is nevertheless true and we can only attribute it to our co operative organizations, whether we ship through these organizations Or thrOUEh Iniinnpnrion) firms. As president of the British Columbia Fruit Growers Association which represents the industry as a wnoie, I do not wish it to be thought I would use any influence I may have to furthering the interests of co operative organizations to the detriment of independent shippers. I have publicly stated this on Beveral occasions.

Personally, I believe in co operation but I am absolutely opposed to any form of ana consider that every man has a right to his own convictions and is entitled to all the assistance and protection our association can offer. There Is nn rinnlit that ail ers are disappointed with the prices ciciveu or anticipated and it should be our special endeavor to uuniuer now our organizations can be improved and in what ways we can lower our cost of production. easy enough to offer destructive criticism and this seems to have become almost a pastime with many growers. Constructive criticism is more difficult to obtain, and there is not enough of it. It seems to be a widespread custom in this country to elect officials and almost immediately to start criticising and even villifying them.

This is not confined to fruit organizations by any means and it seems to me that the knowledge of this practice often deters many of our best men from accepting office. Let us therefore try and adopt a mr.ro hla ,..,1 those we entrust with the running oi our anairs, ana i am sure we shall be rewarded with more ef Continued on page four. CHILLIWACK, B. THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 1924 MANV SPEAKERS AT ANNUAL MEETING Wide It a ne of Subjects Discussed With School Inkucs In Lead I arge Attendance. Questions connected education bulked large at the annual meeting of the electors of the municipality held following receiving of nominations at the municipal hall on Monday afternoon, and strangely enough the department coming in for the most attention was the one in which the most of the attendance is engaged, in a practical way.

Mr James Builey was elected to the chair, and after the auditor's report had been read and adopted, Reeve J. A. MacLeod briefly addressed the meeting on the position of the municipality and the expenditures of the year. Reeve MacLeod maintained that Chilliwhack was holding its place among the districts of front rank in the Lower Mainland. Something over 90 per cent, of the taxes had been paid and arrears reduced.

In 1921 the municipality carried au overdraft of $15,000 in the bank; in 1922 this was reduced to $8000, and at the end of 1923 the amount had been further reduced to. $3000. Touching on' work done the Reeve reported that the gravel yardage delivered was double to that of previous years, while the cost per yard in 1922 was 97 cents, the coBt last year was reduced to 73 cents. The care of indigents was becoming a problem and called for a considerable expenditure, and he suggested that municipalities of the lower mainland co operate in dealing with the problem in the establishing of a suitable place and maintaining these public charges. He believed it would prove much more efficient and better method und would cost less.

During the past yea." the tax rate had been reduced one. mill, and he did not look for an increase this and believed the rate could be kept at present point at least. A portion of the $10,000 odd over the amount of debentures issued to cover cost of hard surfacing of Yale road, had been paid out of gen era! revenue during M23' and FiKtiThornto a in lhe hoped that the balance would be taken care of during the present, year. Mr. MacLeod drew attention to the lower cost per mile of paving procured through the extending of the contract beyond the original plan.

Asked as to his position with respect to further work Mr. MacLeod said that he was in favor of extending the hard surfacing to Rose dale, provided the government would agree, and that the contract be awarded on a competitive basis and the cost reasonable. The people of Rosedale section had been promised the work and he did not intend to break faith with them. In thanking the electors for their confidence in re electing him for another term, the Reeve said Judging from the list of candidates he would bu supported by as intelligent a body of men as could be found in the municipality. Messrs.

J. J. Bathgate, ex Reeve J. A. Evnns, D.

W. Johnston each appealed briefly for the support of the electorate promising to give their best service if elected. Councillor McCutcheon said that nomination day one day in the year when the council was asked not to spend money, but were queried as why they spent money. On the other 364 days the request was for expenditure, and if all requests for expenditure were ac ceeded to the amount would exceed all bounds. Considering the financial returns derived from farming during the past few years he was very much surprised that taxes came in so readily.

The amount received from the government was now considerable, amounting this year to about $20,000 or practic ally the amount spent on the public works of the municipality. Mr. McCutcheon then dealt with the accusation of which he said had been leveled at the council, that of patronage. When he went on the council he found that foremen who had been friendly with members were in some cu es employed, but he also found that they were competent workmen and there was no Just cause to urge their dismissal. On the question of indemnity he pointed out that the work and time now involved was much greater than in previous years, and the financial compensation was not too great.

Mr. McCutcheon claimed that his geographical position required that he share his support with col leagues near by and thought that Sardis and East Chilliwack should share their support. Mr. J. C.

Robertson referred to his many years of service on the school board as fitting him for the position of councillor, and the vot ers had the record of those years on which to judge his fitness. If elected he would give his best ser ACCLAMATION EOR REEVE MaclEOD Nine Councillors and Five School Trustees in the Running Election Saturday. Reeve J. A. MacLeod was re elected for a third term by acclamation on Monday and Police Commissioner H.

W. Storey was also re elected. For Councillors there are nine candidates: Messrs. J. C.

Calhoun, W. M. Wells, J. F. McCutchcon and G.

N. Ryder of the 1923 council and Fred Thornton, D. W. Johnston, J. C.

Robertson, J. A. Evans and J. J. Bathgate are the new aspirants.

Councillor I. W. Clark did not seek re election. Five are to be elected. For the School Board, Trustees .1.

J. Keenleyside, ChaB. Parker and A. C. Ferguson are seeking reelection, with Mr.

H. M. Eddie and Mr. R. Bustin, as new men in the contest.

In this case three are to be elected. Polls will open at 9 a.m. and close at 7 p.m., at the following places: Municipal hall; community hall, Sardis; Atchelitz hall, Atche litz; Stuart's store, East Chilll wack; Siddall'g store, Yarrow; old school, Rosedale; Fairfield Island school. vice. Councillor Ryder believed from information he had that so far as the work of the council was concerned that there was general satisfaction.

In selecting councillors he advised that geographical position be not considered. Referring to the dyking problems and costs Councillor Ryder referred to the interview recently had with Hon. Dr. Sutherland and was hopeful that government assistance in dyke protection would result. In any event he predicted that dyke costs would probably increase this year as certain work would be imperative.

Gravelling contracts had been let later last year and in his opinion proved a good move, although some contracts had not been finished. Questioned as to why more dragging of roads had not been done, Mr. Ryder 8a id that a great deal had been done and he believed it would be good policy to increase this amount. field, he bald, for the reason that the ratepayers in his section felt that they did not have representation on the board. Councillor W.

M. Wells said he had been coming before the electors for some years; he had always needed their votes, and would again need their votes on Saturday. ABk ed as to cost of dyke protection and if he thought costs should be paid out of general revenue, he answered that in his opinion a portion of the expenditure should be borne by the district at large, as all derived benefits from the protection. Chairman J. McConnell of the board of school trustees found his position on the board one difficult to fill, he said, having had no experience, but he believed that the trustees had made a very good showing.

He then made a comparison of costs as between 1922 and 1923, showing that his board had not exceeded the limits of good business in this department. Trustee Zink said he believed in Keeping taxes flown and had op posed the salary" Increase to teachers. Chairman Keenleyside of the high school board reminded his hearers that last year he had argued that experience was not necessary to ef ficient service on the school board, and after a year of experience he was still of that opinoln the only qualification necessary was intelligence. He then stressed the value of education and good citizenship as compared with wealth as a legacy to the children of the district. He had opposed the proposal of a school supervisor as advanced last year, and was still of that mind, but had, however, become convinced that a school nurse was necessary.

Many children, he claimed, were suffering from overwork, lack of nourishment and inattention, which could be largely overcome through the services of a school nurse. He deprecated the value of the present system of medical inspection for the amount expended, being quite ineffective compared with the service of a nurse. The home work question, was getting serious he stated. Many children are failing to stand the mental Mind physical strain of continuous study. He was not wholly opposed to home work provided it was a continuation of the day's study, and not a preparation for the next day's work.

The speaker paid a high tribute to Principal Woodworth as to his character and industry, but was inclined to think he was handicapped in some particulars through not being a family man. Referring to the high school purchase the speaker said that the city had spent $17,952 before the agreement was effected and it would cost Continued on page six. ELECTIVE OfflCERS REPORT ACTIVITIES The Finances and Administration of City and Schools Clearly IVult With. City finances and matters affecting civic administration were reported to be in a very healthy condition by the Mayor and Council at the annual public meeting held in the city hall on Friday evening. The report of the Board of School Trustees was also 'of a satisfactory character.

The meeting was exceptionally well attended, the various representatives were given a good hearing and no criticism was voiced. The reason for advancing the date of meeting was given by the Mayor is affording the ratepayer a better opportunity of becoming familiar with civic matters and formulating any changes believed derirable, before the day of nomination, as after that date it was too late to bring about changes in the personnel of any of the civic bodies. Mr. P. H.

Wilson was elected to the chair and City Clerk P. J. Brown read the city balance sheet, while copies of a statement of the receipts and expenditure, including schools, were distributed. The balance sheet showed current assets to the amount of $36,349.23 made up as follows: Cash in bank tax arrears 1923, $5, 116.35; arrears 1922, interest on arrears tax certificates, tax sale property $8,530.14. Current liabilities: Trust accounts taxes on account school account balance accrued interest on debentures poll tax account a total of $10, 776.18, leaving a current surplus of $25,573.05.

The debenture debt stands at $271,163, against which there is the amount of $49,645 in sinking funds which is invested. The total revenue for the year was $98,730.90, of which sum $50, 021.79 was paid by the tax payer in 1923 taxes, and in addition $4, 189.65 in arrears, and together representing 93 per cent, of the taxes levied. The balance the revenue was derived from government grants, including schools of $18, 9S0, liquor, racing, motor and other fees, as well asylocal collections of trade licenses, poll tax, road tax, police court revenue, etc. Expenditures totalled $81,748.08, leaving a cash balance in bank of $16,982.82. The principal items of expenditure were: Interest and sinking funds schools public works administration drainage street lights fire department including hydrant rentals, $2, 208; police donations and grants $1,010.

Aid. McCammon reviewed the financial standing of the city briefly and was of the opinion that a reduction in the tax rate might be made for 1924. Aid Reeves outlined the work done on streets and sidewalks in detail, and expressed himself as being favorable to the construction of sidewalks of gravel and heavy road oil where feasible. Where this type did not meet the requirements, he favored cement construction. Aid.

Jackson dealt with the surface drainage of the city pointing out that the drains laid ten years ago at a cost of $10,000 were rapidly getting into a state of disrepair. Two years ago a start was made In the construction of a more permanent type of drain, and during the past year this policy had been continued with most satisfactory results. The council did not have $10,000 to spend for this purpose in any one year, and had to be content with doing a portion each year, beginning first at the two natural outlets at the western limits of the city and working east. Ratepayers not already reached by the re constructed system would have to be patient. Aid.

Jackson made reference to the new street lighting contract which would be dealt with by the council for 1924. A statement of public and high school affairs was presented by Ihuirman C. Denike of the City Board of School Trustees. An attendance of 416 at the public school filled every available room, includ ing the old room and the extra room at the high school. Should the high school room be not available it would be necessary to provide accommodation, In which event he was favorable to the construct! of a couple of units of new school, to be added to as required.

At pres ent there were ten teachers on the staff and he did not anticipate a change. The consolidating of high school interests with the municipality was the only action possible in the in terest of the pupil and the tax pay er, and ho believed the arrangement arrived at a very satisfactory one Five high school teachers and an enrollment of 197, an agricultural science instructor, domestic science teacher and a manual training in Continued on page seven. .50 A YEAH HOSPITAL AUXILIARY MAKES TINE SHOWING Energetic JJody Is Tireless in Behalf of Local Institution Furnish ed Home. Any member of the Chilliwack Hospital Auxiliary who attended the annual meeting of that body on Monday afternoon, could not fail to feel proud of belonging to such an organization, an organization of women, working in unanimity for one good and useful purpose, the maintaining of the hospital, an institution which is a matter of pride to every citizen of the city and valley. This year, in addition to looking after, and supplying the regular needs of the bospital itself, the Auxiliary added cheerfully to their responsibilities by offering to furnish the new nurses' home, erected by the board to fill a long felt need.

This cost the Auxiliary ia actual cash, about $1030.00, but the work involved with the planning tor, and the careful and discriminate buying of the furnishings, meant hours of thought and real work. Too much credit cannot' be given to the president, officers and conveners of committees, for this. The president, Miss Elva Grossman, in her address, spoke of the creditable accomplishments of the past year, as being the result of several work by many members. By consistent and earnest endeavor, the money which had been used for the furnishing of the home, had been realized, and so was on hand when the need arose. During thirteen years' activity, the Auxiliary had spent on an average $600 for hospital supplies; the total spent on buildings at the fair grounds amounted to $1110; and during twelve years, the sum of $4079, an average of $340 had been made by serving meals at the annual fair.

The response during the past year particularly, had been most gratifying, and as president, she wished to thank all who had made the work of the Auxiliary possible and successful. A perusual of the annual statements of the secretary and treasurer for the year, will give the reader an idea of the scope of the organization. It Is indeed an organization to which it la an. honor to belong, and worthy of the support, by membership and assistance, of every wom. in the valley, as well as truly worthv of the general support of the public.

The President reported as follows Madame President and Members: I have the honor to present the thirteenth annual report of the Chilliwack Hospital Auxiliary for the year 1923. During the year eleven regular five executive and one special. meetings have been held, with an average attendance at the regular meetings of eighteen. The members in good standing number 98, which Is an Increase of 22 over the previous year. Seventy nine letters and twenty one cards have been written.

The purchasing and sewing com mittee, Mrs. Fox and Mrs. Day, have had many varied requests through out the year, which they have filled in an entirely satisfactory way. In addition to the regular supplies of linen, cork linoleum was laid the remainder of the halls in the new wing; the nursery supplied with individual baths, covered soap dishes, and a serving table was placed in the operating room. The.

convener of the flower committee, Mrs. Endicott. has sent flowers to all members who were sick during the year and paid many visits as well. The Auxiliary Is grateful to the Ladies' Aid of the Union Church, Rosedale, for their assistance with the upkeep of a ward in the hospital, also to the Ladies' Aid of Yarrow for their generous donations from time to time of fruit, eggs, etc. Miss Scott Grey, former matron of the hospital, was presented with an attache case as a farewell gift from the Auxiliary.

Miss Watson was also presented with a small farewell gift. A very enjoyable tea was given by our president and Mrs. Grossman in honor of Mrs. Hip well, nee Miss Elliott of the nursing staff, the members taking the opportunity of presenting her with a wedding gift. In September, Miss Morrice, the present matron of the hospital, was welcomed by the Auxiliary.

Fruit and flowers were sent to the hospital as usual at Christmas and five cards sent to former members who have moved from the district. Funds sufficient to carry on the work of the Auxiliary were raised in the following manner: By the an nivarsary tea in March, which was very successful, the receipts being $138.96, which includes $20.50 dues paid at the tea; by catering for the firemen's dance on Easter Monday which netted the Auxiliar by serving lunches at fair grounds on July 1, $168.4 5: serving dinners at fair time, by catering for Board of Trade banquet, re Continued on page eight..