The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

M.' W e naiteN T With Which Are Incorporated The Bowmanville News, The Newcastle Independent, And The Orono News VOLUME 88 BOWMANVILLE, ONT., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10th, 1942 Tisure of Canada Hinges Upon Solution of National Unity Problem Rev. Harold Young Speaks To Men's Canadian Club On Canada's Problems All talk of Canada ever attain- ing a dominant place in the af- fairs of the world will be only "poppycock" if we do not come to grips with some important real- ities, Rev. Harold Young, pastor of St. Paul's Avenue Road United Church, Toronto, told members of the Men's Canadian Club at their banquet in the Balmoral Friday night. "I may be accused of 'threshing old straw' but there is a problem which has existed in thise country since 1867 and about which little has been done. I think it is the core problem at the beart of all of Canada's problems. It is Na- tional Unity, and unless we start some improvement we might as well say 'goodbye' to all ideas of greatness. "Perhaps at the root of it all is our geography. No other coun- try in the world is situated like us. We are a thin population. The curse of this kind of geographical situation is the people at one end of the country do not know any- thing about the people at the other end. The Maritimers don't know British Columbia. We in Ontario know little about the prairies. For most of us still it is an event to take a trip to either coast. Contrast this with England where a few hours will take you anywhere. "Then the problem is aggravat- ed by the economic situation. Can- ada is practically divided into five sections, Maritimes, Quebec, On- tario, Prairies and British Colum- bia, which in another part of the world would be separate coun- tries. Each one has its own econ- omic problems. Here in Ontario we have become in a few years an industrial centre. The Windsor- Sudbury-Montreal industrial tri- angle has mushroomed. In the West you have an economic life based on farming. The problems cf the pure wheat farmer and the problems of the man with a fac- tory are vastly different. It is perhaps, an unfortunate thing that so much of our wealth is centred in the East. The British Colum- bia people say Toronto and Mont- 1 are 'milking them', 'bleeding em white". 'The head office of nearly all insurance companies in Cana are in Toronto or Mont- real. 'We buy a ticket to travel -East and the money goes East'. The complaints and resentment in British Columbia over this is simply astounding. Out of this you get cordial dislike. Perhaps the best way to illus- trate the racial mixture existing in the West is to cite the ex- perience of the Winnipeg Free Press when printing a front page of New Year's greetings this year. They decided to print 'Happy New Year' in the language 'of every subscriber on the subscription list. T h e r e were - 147 different languages. "We talk about Can- ada being a melting pot!" he said. "Instead of the war having in- creased the spirit of national unity the situation has been made worse than ever. The tragic out- corne of the conscription issue has (ContInued on page 7) No General Demand From Soldiers For Sunday Picture Showvs West Durham Ministerial As- sociation met at St. John's Rec- tory, Bowmanville, on Dec. 7 with a good attendance. These officers were elected. .Hon. Pres.-Canon C. R. Spencer, Bowmanville; Pres.-Rev. W. P. Rogers, Bowmanville; Vice-Pres. -representative of Salvation Army; Sec.-Treas. - Rev. H. C. Linstead, Courtice. Concern was expressed over the proposal to open the motion pic- ture theatres to menibers of the armed forces on Sunday after- noons. The meeting was told that there was no general demand for this from the soldiers themselves. In view of the undesirable situa- tion which might arise if the pro- posal were adopted, it was decid- ed to explore further what might be done to direct public opinion on this issue. An excellent paper was given by Rev. John McLachlan, Clarke, who dealt with Russia's great ex- periment in socialism. The speak- er pointed out that tremendous progress had been made over Czarist Russia in many fields. Ad- vancement was particularly noted ¯ education, science and industry. - e religious situation in Russia was touched on. It was pointed out that there is both freedom of worship and freedom o! anti-re- ligious propaganda in Russia; and that, whereas this anti-religious propaganda formerly kept many from the churches, the situation bas in recent years been changing - , for the better. Quotations from V the words of British church lead- ers were given showing that the Christian conscience is today call- ing for widespread social reform. The paper was concluded with the reminder that Russia's experiment so far seemed to lack the one es- sential to all true and permanent advancement, namely a sound re-- ligious basis. Miss Marjorie Bradt, Guelph, was guest of Mrs. Wally Braden.1 Ray McLaughlin Was Largest Buyer At Holstein Dispersai Sale Montvic Renown, a yearling Holstein bull, brought $14,100 at the dispersal sale of G. M. Cle- mons, Brantford, held Dec. 5th. This is the highest price ever paid for a Holstein sold at public auc- tion in Canada apd is the highest price paid on the North American continent since '1926. He was bought by Curtiss Candy Co., Chicago, Illinois. The average for the 38 animals sold was $1,052, a mark that has been exceeded at a Holstein dis- persal sale only once in Canada and twice in the United States. The top female brought $1,350 on the bid of Smith Haven Farm, Woodstock. Eleven animals went to the United States. Buyers were present from Alberta, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, and Quebec. A capacity crowd of approximately 1,000 at- tended. R. Ray McLaughlin, Oshawa, was the largest buyer of the day, taking six head in all. He bought five richly bred Rag Apple heif- ers, all daughter of Montvic Rag Apple Nobleman ranging in age from eight to twenty-one months, at an average of $762, with a top of $910. He also secured a Rag Apple three-year-old at $900. Mr. McLaughlin's herd bas supplied breeding stock -to many dairy herds in Durham County. Local Commander Was First to Enter Germany After Last Great War Fred Williams, historical writer in the Toronto Globe and Mail, brings to light an important event of considerable local interest in Friday's issue which reads: Twenty-four years ago to-day (Dec. 4, 1918) Canadian troops entered Germany, and it is worth recalling that it was our troops which inaugurated the occupation of the Rhineland. The point of entry was the little hamlet of Poteau, several miles west of Vielsahm, where a few days pre- viously Sir Arthur Currie had es- tablished his headquarters. The first and second divisions of the Canadian Army Corps took part in the occupation. They had left Mons the middle of Novem- ber, and had had a trying march, being at times ahead of their food supplies and forced to forage on the country. The unit which had the honor of being the first body of Canadian infantry to invade Germany was the 2nd Battalion (Lieutenant-Colonel L. T. Mc- Laughlin, C.M.G., D.S.O., of Bow- nanville). The second section of his battalion, commanded by Mieut. A. Hunter of Simcoe, cross- ed at 7 a.m. The vanguard, com- manded by Major Roscoe Vande- water, D.S.O., of Foxboro, follow- ed at 8.30, while the main body of the battalion made the crossing at 9.15. The ceremionial crossing by Sir Arthur Currie, accompanied by Major-General Sir A. C. Macdon- ell, K.C.B., commanding the lst Canadian Division, and Brigadier- General W. A. Griesbach (now Senator of Edmonton), command- ing the lst Canadian Infantry Bri- gade, took place at 11 a.m. The 3rd (Toronto), the 4th (Central Ontario) and the lst (Western Ontario) Battalions followed in that order.. The remainder of the first and second divisions crossed later in the day and on succeeding days. Then the Canadian Corps con- tinued the . march - to the Rhine, which great river was crossed at Cologne and Bonn on Dec. 11, and thé Canadians spent Christmas in Germany. After the first shock of seeing foreign troops on their soil the Germans became friendly, and when the Canadians left for home they were missed, having acted like gentlemen, and in marked contrast to the concuct of the Germans who ravaged Belgium and France. Ontario Veteraný are proud to boast that they we the first British troops to enter Ger- many, and many are sorry now that they did not wait to "finish the job." Speaking in Knox Presbyterian Church, Guelph, on Sunday even- ing, at a service which laid spe- cial stress on music, Dr. G. E. Rea- man, head of the English depart- ment of the O.A.C., Guelph, and former superintendent of B.T.S. here, said that music appeals de- finitely to the emotions and acts as a cathartic, taking off the poisons from our system. The idea of music as a physic is something new, but certainly a lot of the modern variety is just about as bard to take.-Arthur Enterprise. A Christmas worship service and program was presented at Trinity Union on Monday night under convenorship of.Jack Dunn. Bert Johnston,. Art. Brooks and Jean Davey assisted im the service o! worship. An excellent duo piano number "Nola" by Mrs. J. Albert Cole and Ileen Balson was much .appreciated. Ada Clark read the ,Christmas story "The Innkeeper's Daughter," and Joan Woolley delighted the .audience with her piano solo. Business per- iod was presided over by Doris Dudley. Committee bas been ap- pointed to draw up ~a slate o! officers for 1943 to be presented next week. Replacing the usual recreation period a sing song o! Christmas carols was enjoyed. John Rickard Heads Durham Shorthorn Breeders'_Group Durham County Sh or thorn Breeders' Association held its an- nual meeting in the Department of Agriculture office, Bowman- ville, on Dec. 5th, with President Cyril Mumford in the chair. The foliowing officers were elected: W. F. Rickard, Newcas- tie, honorary president; J o h n Rickard, Newcastle, president; Morley Beath, Oshawa, vice-pre- sident; S. Charles Allin, Bowman- ville, secretary-treasurer; E. A. Summers, Bowmanville, assistant secretary-treasurer; John Baker, Hampton, field man; and Russell Osborne, Newcastle, sales mana- ger. The directors are H. Earl Os- borne, Bowmanville; E. F. R. Os- borne, Newcastle; H. E. Leask, Seagrave; W. T. Baker, Hampton; John Howden, Columbus; Cyril Mumford, Hampton; Russell Rich- ardson, Ashburn; Garnet Rickard, Bowmanville; and John Baker, Hampton. The auctioneer selected for the annual sale is Duncan Brown, of Sheddon, and his assistant is El- mer Wilbur, Hampton. The financial statement read by the secretary showed that the total receipts of the 1942 sale along with a balance in the bank from 1941 amounted to $5,556.01, d i s b u r s ements were $5,483.92,1 leaving a balance of $72.09. It was decided to hold the an- nual Shorthorn Sale on March 4, 1943. Russell Osborne and S. C. Allin were appointed to secure stables, and R. Osborne, Cyril Mumford, Morley Beath and S. C.1 Allin were appointed to look after1 the advertising. Breeders paying 1943 fees at the meeting were Cyril Mumford, Walter Chapman, J. R. Duff, W. J. S. Rickard & Son, W. F. Rick- ard & Son, A. O. Parker, Russell Osborne, Eari Osborne, A. J. Howden & Son, Morley Beatb, Lew Richardson & Son, Robt. Par- rott & Sons, J. E. Leask, Chas. Fothergill, W. L. Morrison, and S. C. Alun. Ladies Register at Alex McGregor's Drug Store For Blood Donor Clinic Twenty-four residents of Bow- manville and district journeyed to Oshawa Tuesday night and at- tended a special Evening Clinic at the Red Cross Blood Donor Clinic. A record was established for attendance, there being 122 registered, the highest number since the clinic opened. Bowmanville residents included Ernest G. Twist, Walter Woolley, Alfred Robinson and Clifford Godwin of the public school teach- ing staff, Clarence Goodman, Ray A. Fry, Harry E. Bartlett, Elmer Henning, W. G. Pascoe, Len Bar- ton, Robt. E. Noble, Chas. Hore, and Howard Cowle. The others were Howard Cryderman, Walter E. Rundle, Carl Down, Allan Down, R. R. 2 Bowmanville; Ed- ward Beck, Brenton Darch, Mat- thew Marchant, Leslie Welsh, Farewell Blackburn, and Olaf P. Hertzberg, R. R. 4 Bowmanville; and Rev. A. F. Gardner, Tyrone. Registrations are now being taken for ladies. Cards for your signature which signify your in- tention of attending Monday or Thursdày morning clinics may be obtained at Alex McGregor's Drug Store. More donors and volunteer drivers of autos are needed. G. F. Ann.s President of Men's Canadian Club G. F. Annis was elected presi- dent of the Men's Canadian Club of Bowmanville when the organ- ization held its election of officers at the Balmoral Friday evening. G. F. Annis Other officials included W. H. Carruthers, honorary president; F. C. Hoar, vice-president; and G. R. Elliott, secretary-treasurer. The Executive Committee con- sists of, three past presidents, W. F. Rickard, Dr. J. A. Butler and Geo. W. James. The membership committee is composed of A. M. Hardy, R. R. Stevens, W. J. Berry, O. Rolph, C. R. Carveth and K. Courtice, with power to add to this number. The auditors are F. O. McIlveen and L. W. Dippell. The club starts its new year in January and many interesting and instructive meetings are being planned by the executive. Federation of Agriculture Could Be Instrument of National Unity R. J. Scott Addresses Annual Meeting Durham Federation at Orono With an attendance which nor- mally would have been near 300 slashed to 60 due to poor road' and weather conditions, The Dur- ham Federation of Agriculture held its annual meeting in Orono on Thursday evening. R. J. Scott, Belgrave, president of the United Farmers of Ontario Co-Operative, introduced by Dr. J. B. Reynolds, Port Hope, told of the Federation's two great re- sponsibilities: first, to express farmers' wishes and needs to gov- ernment, and, second, after con- sultation and study with govern- ment, to interpret and express to our farm people their place in this war economy. "The Federation of Agriculture is dominion-wide and should help to bring the Eastern and Western farmers together," he said. "This was evidenced by the agreement to increase the price of wheat from 70 cents to 90 cents. ' "It was instrumental in the establishment of an Advisory Committee to the Wartime Prices and Trade Board, and has taken part in frequent negotiations with the Food Administration of the W.P.T.B. and the federal depart- ment of agriculture on the beef price arrangements covering a period of six months. A produc- tion program has been planned by the Ontario Hog Producer sec- tion of the Federation and organ- ization work is underway. "Working with the dairy farm- ers, subsidies were secured on the following: six cents per pound on butterfat from the federal govern- ment; two cents bonus on cheese Ted Tice Promis Jerrys - Peuue Lions Receive Letters Of Appreciation For Cigarettes and Gifts Cigarettes are not only 'smokes' for· the boys but they are one of the finest morale builders possible is the conclusion one reaches after reading letters received by the Lions Club from Bowmanville boys overseas. "Not only are the cigarettes useful but it reminds us that the people at home still remember the boys over here," is a paragraph from a letter written by Lieut. Bill James, 14th Army Tank Bn., C.A.O. To be remem- bered by the folks at home is a, comforting thought which means so much to them and seems to be the keynote of every letter receiv- ed. Another comment from the same letter, which is found in many others, reads: "When I first came over here I met quite a num- ber of the local lads and they were all full of praise for the Bowmanville Lions' Club and their splendid work. It's too bad we haven't more public-spirited societies in the town." The girls are coming for their share of gifts from the Lions as well. S N Margaret A. Hutchin- son, 317085 S.A.M.N.S., O r i b e Military Hospital, Pietermaritz- burg, South Africa, wrote: "It's an event to get a foreign parcel in these parts so you can imagine with what excitement I opened the bottle of Tweed perfume which the Lions Club of Bowman- ville so thoughtfully sent me. It arrived last week in perfect con- dition and I deeply appreciate the.ir kind thought. I am not quite sure to whbm I should write s may I ask you to pass on my sin- cere thanks to the proper con- mittee. It's an exhilarating and thought-provoking experience to live in a foreign countrybut we do get homesick and it's thenwe find comfort in the letters and kindnesses of familiar friends at home. Though I am firmly estab- lished in the army routine with its somewhat irksome regimentation, I have enough spare time tarbe- come acquainted with these mar- vellously kind and generous peo- ple, to observe all the nteresting little differences in their mode of life and to enjoy the ever-changing natural beauties of the country, and I think I amrn most fortunate to have been able to come. With every good wish for the success of the Lions Club, and 'many thanks for their lovely gift." From Betty Flaxman, RN., Hairmyres Hospital, East Kil- bride, Lanarkshire, came the fol- lowing: "I would like to tbank the members of the Lions Club fo the Winchesters. You've no idea just how welcome Canadian cigar- ettes are to us over here. We don't seem to be able to get used tothe English brand somehow. I hope to keep some of then long enough to take with me on my leave ta London. Here's hoping we have good weather. It certainly rains in this part of the world. We'ru getting more used to it now but we've missed the Canadian sum- mer. Thank you again ever sa much for the "fags". If the sol- diers appreciate them as much as we do they're certainly glad there's a Lions Club in Bowman- ville." Pte. M. E. Tabb. C36523, 2n3 Cdn. Div. Ord. WlShop, Group 3 R.C.O.C., CAO., wrote: "Many tha.nks for the 300 cigarettes They sure came in the nick o (ContInued on page 6) from the provincial government, and pressed for 20 cents per pound on contract price; and on milk, 25 cents per cwt. plus 10 cents increase in price from the distrib- utor. "The Federation pressed for continuance of free freight on coarse grains and secured thel promise that it would be contin- ued indefinitely. The Federation urged and helped to obtain con- tinuance of the subvention policy on fertilizer after July 1, 1942," stated the speaker. President J. Forbes Heyland ex- pressed appreciation to Mr. Scott for his informative address. He then reviewed the work of the Durham Federation and asked for suggestions as to what work they would carry on during the com- ing year. Dr. J. B. Reynolds told how the Federation had sponsored Radio Forums and had assisted in plan- ning organization meetings to en- large the field of interest. He stated twenty counties now con- tribute, twelve are organized and prepared to contribute, and six have committee activities. E. A. Summers, Durham Agri-i cultural representative, stressed, the necessity of increasing hog1 production by better care andj management of the spring litt'rs. Walter Reynolds, secretary-treas- urer of the Durham Federation, presented the financial report. The officers will be elected at a later meeting. Bowmanville lst Wolf Cubs met Dec. 8th. There were 13 members present but we would like to see more attend. Plans were made for a Christmas party to be held on Dec. 22. Meeting closed with games. Deputy-Reeveship Goes To Sid Little CouncillorsBack Little interest was evinced in Bowmanville elections Monday, with less than half the eligible voters making the trip to the polls. In the contest for the deputy- reeveship, Sidney Littie, one-time member o! council, made a come- back and defeated the 1942 Dep- uty-Reeve W. J. Challis by 116 votes. Little polled 503 votes against Challis' 387. All six 1942 councillors were re- turned and polled the following votes: A. W. G. Northcutt 628,1 Glen L. Martyn 487, Owen Nicholas 430, W. R. Harrison 405, J. H. Glanville 404, W. J. (Casey) Martyn 387. The order is the same as that of last year with the exception that Nicholas, who ranked sixth in votes last year moved up to third place this year with Casey Martyn dropping from third to sixth. The two other aspirants, Norman Allison and Maurice Crook, polled 372 and 338 votes respectively. They were de- feated candidates last year. There will be two new faces in council this year. R. O. Jones, who received an acclamation as Mayor, and S. Little. C. G. Mor- ris was returned by acclamation as Reeve. Bowmanville will be represent- ed at Counties Council by Reeve C. G. Morris and Deputy-Reeve S. Little. It is believed when the new year rolls around Morris will make a bid for the wardenship. More Furnishings Are Needed For Soldiers New Recreation Centre Additional furnishings for the Soldiers' Rest Room, which has ofbeen moved to its new quarters at the c orner o! King and Silver, are es New Batehof ~ing presided over by J. Living k Arrives In Africa Monday night. on the clude dining room chairs, easy chairs, chesterfield, card tables, Dr. Harold Siemon floor lamps, bread and butter Writes From Africa plates, cups and saucers, odd spoons and forks, and a toaster. D-. and Mrs. C. W. Siemon re- There are others and another list ceivd a letter from their son will be given in a later issue. Capt.- Harold V. Semon, No. 4 The Girls' Service Club, through Mobile Neurosurgical Unit, BN- Miss Joint, has offered to donate tisl Army, who is in Africa We $40 towards curtains for the room quote extracts: and the room committee will look 15q10 I142 after the purchase of the material Dear Folks at Home: and hanging of same. A donation of $1.00 has been received from At the moment I'm reclining iMrs Roland Bates. a hospital bed having succumbed The room will be left open 24 to a mild form of dysentry which hours of the day for a month to has become quite a problem in this see how it will work out. part. I've been here two days and expect to be discharged to- morrow, being practically cured. B Here One It was a nice rest although the Bau Lie One diet wouldn't make me very fat- Week - Like Snow clear tea alternated with bovril in June The Next for two days. To-day, however, I started on a light diet and feel mucb better for it. For the first time in four months I have some news for you. bananas were available in Bow- saw Nurse Margaret Hutchinson manville the latter part of last sawNue argaret togtchmso îweek- but they are all gone and we had dinner together. I now. It's "Yes, we have no ba- heard indirectly that she was mn nanas" for a while. the vicinity so I obtained an over- for a caef night pass and took a tour of her The sipment came from Mexi- town and lodged myself in a hotel co and local dealers reported a there. I didn't get in touch withb ready sale. One dealer hbad six her the first night so I stayed two bunches, another two. The bana- nights. The second night I had nas were hucb smaller than those dnner with her and then we went sod before the war anid some o to a picture. (im getting o!o the bunches were uinripe. othe habit o! sayingti out of It is expected alhother carload S'show'). 'movie or will arrive in Toronto this week- shw ). tysend and the local dealers are hop- Ts- ing to get a share of this ship- ada than it is England. All the ment. One merchant told The cars are American and they seem Statesman he would like to be to have enough gas to play around able to keep them in stock if only with although they don't produce for the reason that there is a 2- any. It's o.k. for their visitors year-old child in the Bowmanville though and I've had quite a few rural district who is suffering rides in cars since I've been here- from an unusual disease and his as a matter of fact I drove a big prescribed diet includes bananas. Buick the other day which was Out of this merchant's quota last quite a thrill. week the family in question The scenery here is marvellous bought eight pounds for the little and very little of the land has bov,. been cultivated. I saw the 'Valley Interruption of shipping ser- of a Thousand Hills" on the way vices cut off the usual supply of to see Marg. H. It is vast and this fruit and a year ago the ship- majestic but I imagine the Cana- ments started to dwindle. They dian Rockies can equal it. I got a finally disappeared and custom- couple of pictures of it from the ers were disappointed on so many bus which I hope turn out o.k. occasions that eventually they I rode down on the train with gave up hope and listed the fruit a Canadian girl who introduced as one of the articles of diet which me to a Canadian couple when must be removed from the list we got to the station. I was very until after the war. fortunate to meet them because Supplies fron Mexico are in- they have been grand to me. It adequate to meet the demand, and was early in the morning but they usually when they arrive they are insisted I come up to the house as green as the shamrock, but for lunch. After much persuasion they ripen in time. Bananas to (you can imagine!) I accepted- many are a luxury, but there are as a matter of fact I stayed all that others who require them for rea- day, that night, and the next day son of diet. Since the drought -so I haven't done too badly. developed there have been in- They were out to see me in the stances where urgent appeals hospital yesterday and they want have been made for this fruit to me to come in and spend a few save some sick patient whose days convalescence with them- wanng strength depended upon so I'm going to ask for leave and the dealer's ability to provide I think I have a good chance of bananas. Usually these w e r e getting it, the two days I spent forthcoming, but the customer with therm were the happiest since who bought them just for a treat I left Canada, I think. It was just has been out of luck. like being set down in the middle Bowmanville dealers were ra- of a Canadian or an American ther proud of their banana display family with all its customs and the latter part of last week and its pleasant little comforts such said their meagre supply was as electric toasters and proper quickly taken up by callers who lighting. expressed delight and surprise We played tennis in the day- when the once popular fruit again time and bridge at night. He took appeared as part of their stock- snme to the Mayor's to a party in-trade. (quite a social achievement in this ._ _ city apparently) and were just all round swell to me. Charley, their doubts in their minds where they native boy, thinks I'm a swell guy will go. I'il have seen quite a bit and won't let me lift a hand to do of this world before I'm finished anything. -so far I've seen nothing to com- The boys are speculating whe- pare with our country. This coun- ther they want to settle here af- try is very nice in some ways. ter the war-that is the English Love to all, boys. The Canadian boys have no Harold. Development of Ajax Munitions Plant Outlined By AlexRussell Fire Chief L. Hooper Issues Timely Warning Fire Chief Lucius Hooper has been instructed by Premier G. D. Conant to in- spect all places of public en- tertainment in Bowmanville to make sure that no fire hazards exist and that proper fire prevention measures have been taken. This order is issued in view of the recent terrible disaster in the Boston night club when 490 persons lost their lives. Chief Hooper has also re- quested us to warn citizens against using inflammable decorations and avoid the risk of lighted candles on Christmas trees now that electric bulbs are prohibited on Christmas trees. Everett V. Hoar Writes From Dawson Creek at 30 Degrees Below Zero Dawson Creek, B.C. December 2, 1942 Dear George,- Having a few minutes on my hands I decided to drop you a few lines to tell you something of Dawson Creek and surround- ings. This is really a frontier town, all buildings are frame, and there is no local water supply. It has to be hauled 7 miles by thresher tanks. A stove is built right into the tank to keep water from freezing. It is a strange sight to see a team pulling a tank on sleigbs with smoke coming out of a pipe on the tank. Water sells for 85c per barrel at restaurants and houses. The people are 75 per cent for- eign descent, mixed witb some Indian blood. There is a strange advertisement on a livery barn which reads: Rickety Rigs, Reck- less Drivers, Runaway Horses - not very encoumaging to hire a horse and rig there, eh? It was 350 below zero yesterday and we had quite a time getting trucks started in the dark of the morning. Sun does not get up till nearly 10 a.m. Last week the chinook took away most of the snow and melted ice on Peace River causing it to dam up against a temporary bridge and took away a section of the bridge. However, it is repaired again and trucks are again winding their way north- ward. We get good meals here. Break- fast menu consists of half a grape- fruit, cereal (porridge or corn flakes). hot wheat cakes and sy- rup, bacon and two eggs, prunes or apricots, toast and coffee, with oranges and apples on every table. I am quartered in the Staff House and it is really comfort- able. We have spring beds and mattresses, with sheets and pillow cases, blankets, also hot and cold water and shower; rest of plumb- ing is outside variety. We have two "Bull Cooks" who work 12 hours each. Their duties are to keep fires on in stoves and jacket heater, sweep and scrub floors and make our beds. We have about 6000 army trucks here now and another 4000 on the way. The U. S. Army furnishes both drivers and trucks to haul the freight. Thr are 30 freieht sheds along Tribute Is Paid By Director of Personnel io Safety Program "Safety before production" is the motto of the D.I.L. plant at Ajax, Alex Russell, director of personnel there, told Bowmanville Rotarians gathered for their luncheon-meeting at the Balmoral Friday noon. "Because of this, and despite the hazards of the employment in which they are engaged there are comparatively few lost-time acci- dents among the employees," he stated. The peak for lost-time accidents, he stated, was reached in March 1942, when there were 40. Since that time there has been a steady decline as can be seen from the figures for succeeding months, as follows: April 30, May 24, June 17, July 10, August 12, September 4, and October 8. "Not one of the accidents which took place last month could be termed an ex- plosive accident. All were due to material being dropped, slipping, and other causes," he said. In 1941 the frequency of acci- dents in the chemical and ex- plosive industry on this continent was 15.39. During the last three months of this year the frequency at Ajax was but 7.7. The aver- age severity rate in that plant is .87 as compared with 1.53 for the entire industry. "This remarkable record is due to the continued efforts of the management and the employees," the speaker said. "Systematic surveys are made at regular in- tervals to spot hazards while em- ployees are educated through the use of posters, pictures and the plant newspaper. First aid classes are held to instruct employees in the case of an emergency." These factors have in large measure counteracted the fact that the majority of those employed were never in industry before, and had no previous training in the work they are doing. Shortly after the decision to open the plant, Mr. Russell said, representatives of the firm travel- led from coast to coast picking out engineers who were sent to the British Isles to study the operation of similar plants. Little Time Lost The first load of lumber was dumped on the ground, where the plant now stands, on February 26, 1941, and work on the erection of the first building was commenced on March 1, of the same year. The dormitories and dining hall were erected first and on March 26 the catering firm served the first meals. Workmen were living in the dormitories, which were mere shells at that time, two weeks af- ter work was started. By the end of May there were 1,200 men engaged in construction work and due to frost conditions it was not possible to use mechan- ical equipment. As a result 40 teams of horses were secured and 18 million feet of lumber were drawn every two weeks. The first operating buildings were those handling caps and detonat- ors as they are shipped out to other plants. On June 1 the supervisory oper- (Continued on page 6) 'ere ar eu regni nu u six siding at rail head. Each shed Young Local Musicians is 200 ft. long and 50 ft. wide. Six Prize Winning Pupils At Recital In Oshawa Several Bowmanville talented young musicians took part in a recital in St. Andrew's Church, Oshawa, on December 3rd, of the Toronto Conservatory of Music prize winning pupils under aus- pices of Oshawa Music Teachers' Association. -Reg. G. Geen, president of the association, acted as chairman and kept everyone in good humor with his comments and interjections. The program included the follow- ing selections by Bowmanville and district pupils: Piano Selections - "The Roses Dance," played by Patsy Ann Smith, winner of the Dr. Grant Bird award; "Monkeys in the Trees," played by Margaret Drum- mond, winner of Mrs. Reta Dud- ley's prize; and "Waltz in E. Mi- nor" played by Glenn Tamblyn, winner of the Bowmanville Ro- tary Club prize. Violin Selections - Two French Fold tunes, "At the Clear Running Everett V. Hoar Fountain" and "Whence, O Shep- herd Maid,". were played on the of these sheds are required for violin by Ray Dudley, winner of spare parts for army and con- the R. G. Geen prize. Collette struction vehicles. They contain Ferguson, winner of the S. Collis extra parts from the small half- award, also contributed "Minuet ton delivery truck to the large In G" by Beethoven as a violin 6 wheel driver jobs for the freight solo. haul. It is very cold in the sheds Vocal Solos - Joyce Woodley, except one where perishable foods winner of Mayor Gifford's award, are kept. This food has to be haul- was heard in the number "Lady ed in heated vans. April," while Eleanor Wight sang There are two U. S. Army Offi- the selection "Merry Month of cers quartered with us. One has May." "Hark, Hark The Lark" a radio and we are able to hear and "Corne and Trip It" were the the news every night -over CBC selections chosen by Jean Magill at 7 p.m. (10 p.m. your time). The who won the prize awarded by time changes at Dawson Creek. Acting Mayor C. G. Morris of Well George I will bring this Bowmanville. rambling letter to a close by wish- ing you and your staff, also my Mr. and Mrs. Milton J. Werry, many friends in Durham, the com- Oshawa, are receiving the con- pliments of the season. gratulations of their many friends Yours sincerely, and relatives in Oshawa and dis- Everett V. Hoar, trict on' the occasion of their forty- c'o R. Melville Smith Co. second wedding an n i v e r s a r y, Dawson Creek, B.C. which occurred on Saturday. Mr. P.S.-No use "Dreaming of a and Mrs. Werry spent the week- White Christmas" out here, it's a end with their daughters in To- stern reality. ronto.