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eak-a-Cold ns Drug Store «= Ontario The Peoples' Meat Market We sell everything you want in choice, clean, oe palatable, nutritious and satisfying meats. If you want it good BERT MacGREGOR m Will do the rest. : Ring up Phone 72. 1 presented--Port Perry, Prince Al: communities were 'bert, Greenwood, Solina, Derryville, : Epsom, Sunderland, Norwood, Black- 8 Hood, Georgeen Hood. In spite of the excellence of this Finally Chairman H. G. Hutcheson was able to make the announcement as to rules of contest, and the first name was written on the board, his number announced for the benefit of the judges (who were behind the scenes and not allowed to see the players,) and then the fun began. Each contestant played two numbers. "Tyrkey in the Straw," "The Irish Washerwoman," 'The Girl I Left Behind Me," "The Arkansaw Travel- ler", "Flowers of Edinburgh", these {and other old favorites came in rapid succession. Not a little enjoy- ment was given to the audience by the "tuning-up" process. Each fid- dler had his pet way of doing this, and if the audience thought of any improv t in method or position, and Rubbers f° ¢ ! : a of our Reindeer Flour. It makes great bread. Tey ap . $4.75 per cwt. ' stock is always complete. Almost anything you need in this line you can get here, We have a few pairs of heavy rubbers left which ~ going to sell at cost rather than carry them over. bo ; 'your opportunity : Our stock of Clover and Field Seeds are all in now. If you buy early you will be sure of geting what you want. It ~~~ won't cost you any more and it may save you money. J. F. McCLINTOCK PORT PERRY, ONT. + we are This is the fiddler was quite likely to get the benefit of that wisdom. A figure of unusual interest was that of George Heatley, Sunderland, P.0., who thought 81 years of age, gave a very good account of himself and had a merry twinkle in his eye. 'Another old man was Thos. Clarke, of Norwood. While 71 years old Wm. VanNest of Solina, captured the | audience" but "did not convince the judges. Having all had their turn, the judges demanded a re-hearing of some of the players, and when the audience was asked whether the extras should be one or two numbers, the "vote was unanimous for two selections. In point of fact it turned out to be three selections from each repeator, as the audience would not let them go without. Some of the fiddlers got warmed up upon this second trial and did better than at first. Others were a bit tired and did not do so well. But they were a good lot of players, with B#| plenty of vim and courage, and gave the audience a good half dollar's i worth of enjoyment. The grand final came when eight of the players gave the "Irish Washerwoman"--playing this closing number all together. - As musical critics would say this selection was ; played wonderful to behold, the speed and tenacity of the players as the : torrent of dancing notes came tumbl- ing from the fiddling bows. The winners of the event were: 1st prize--15 Jewel Gold Regina Watch, Henry Franklin, Port Perry | 2nd prize--Mantle Clock, Percy Man- © tle, Green 3 and knife, Alonzo Niddery, R. R. 2, Port Perry. = The following is a list of fiddlers who took part in the contest. Henry Jrunifin, Pon 'Perry. Percy Mantle, Resuwood Alonzo Niddery, R.R. 2 Port Perry. Wm, VanNest, Solina John Vyse, Derryville. Aft s marching to the north we billeted at a small hamlet. 'Bray, which was to be our rest camp during the first few months of. our stay at the now famous Vimy Ridge, which was the scene of one of the greatest victories of the Canadians during the war. y For those that were unable to be there I would like to give a short pen Distr of the Ridge. The ridges south of Port Perry are the nearest likeness to Vimy Ridge than anything I have seen since coming home. The only difference being that the long slope of Vimy laid to the west. You can readily conceive the advantage that the Germans had held over the Allies for over two years, having 8 general view of our lines, and every movement to the rear. =. The British and the French had on two different occasions tried unsuccessfully to capture the ridge, the number of corpses that we came across bearing mute evidence of the price they had to pay, Things were quite quiet around here now after what we had recently come through and when we took over the line from a Battalion of London Territorials we thought we were going to have a rest, but were soon to be disappointed. As before men- tioned our ranks were very thin, with one Company's trench strength totalling only twenty-six rifles, which necessitated hold- ing the line by posts placed a quite long intervals. On enquiring of the troops that we were relieving as to the activities of the enemy in front of us (which was the usual thing for relieving troop to ask) we were told that things had been pretty quiet, and as we could see no evidence of it being otherwise we felt we were going to have it soft. But no such luck for the Canadians for as was often said "where they were there was always something doing." About 10 p.m. on our second night in, the Germans laid down a barrage of heavy trench mortors on our right Company's front- age, which was occupied by the twenty-six men, using about six guns and continuing for a good hour. When the smoke had cleared away not a semblance of a trench was left on this part of our line, and only six men that weren't killed or wounded. We had lost more men in that hour than the troops that we relieved had lost during the six weeks they were in the line. How we wished for the Canadian Artillery to have been be- hind us. (They having stayed at the Somme in support of the 4th Canadian Division) for we knew that the Hun would have paid dear for that "Stroffe". However that was taken as our in- formal introduction to Vimy Ridge, and it was only early Novem- ber, 1916. Nothing very exciting occured during the rest of the winter apart from the general routine of holding the line, with the exception of a couple of trench raids. Our six days front line, six days closessupport, six days front line again, and then six days in reserve at Bray. During the latter six days our time was taken up by having a general clean up, which took the greater part of one day to get the mud off our clothes and equipment, then a bath and change of clothes with a fresh consignment of nits, Pay parade came next when we drew the large amount of 15 francs, three dollars in our money, followed by a few days drilling like recruits, and up the line again for another eighteen days. y We were having considerable wet weather at this time of the year, and coupled with considerable artillery fire, the trenches were becoming channels of mud through which we had to wade knee deep. The line that we were holding consisted of a number of saps running out from our front line into "No Mans Land" at the end of which were outposts held only at night, some of them being a distance of only 35 yards from the enemy outposts. At this point I would like to give you a little idea of some of the hardships that some of your boys had to go through on a so- called quiet front. (Scouts were supposed to have it soft with nothing to do but sleep and clean up on the rations.) The sentries on outpost duty left the front line just before dusk which on short days of November and December meant about 4.30 p.m. After wading through mud to their knees and some places near to their waists with only leather boots for footwear, they re- mained at their post until 8.30 a.m. with out relief. Picture for yourself, standing in a ditch of mud all night peering into the inky darkness of "No Mans Land" watching for a lurking enemy, and for six nights in succession, We did not have sufficient men to make a complete relief, the few remaining men being'used for ration parties, etc., and doing sentry duty during the day. The only time during those eighteen days that the men were allowed to take off their boots was a few minutes in the morning to rub oil on their feet to prevent "Trench Feet" caused from wet or cold, only a limited number removing their boots at one time. One of the raids that I had reference to was made by a Battalion of C. M. Rs that were on our right flank. It was a de- cided success considering that it was the first one of its kind ever attempted up to this time. Our Artillery played a "prominent part by laying down a perfect box barrage, holding the enemy back on three sides while the raiders went back to the enemy's third line, capturing a number of prisoners and suffering very few casualities. ~~ : About the first of February our division was taken of the line for its first rest since coming to France one year previous. It was at this time that the now famous Ontario County Battalion, the 116th came to ce, to take the place of the 60th Battalion, 'which was being 1 up. After having spent about four week "at Marl-de- (Bray Ares) ve started back for the 'over the trenches a little to the north and evastated village of Neiuyille St. Vaast, It ! the first baptism of fire, the Bn. remaining three ions of the brigade this time I had the pleasure of sharing hap who is now a neighbour, although we had § five hundred miles apart: However it was not until after I had come to live in this community, and happened to be talking old times, as is the habit of (8, that the discovery days and weeks that followed extensive prepara- made for the great s that was to take g unaware. Guns, | : on and ammunition dumps ie valleys to' the west of the ridge 'were literally alive with guns, most hour of that never to be for- || onel's command, "Quick March," the Battalion ck fields south of Albert (Somme area) into the we It was late October, ks greatly depleted "from two strenuous en- the enemy around Courcelette and the Sugar Re- only two glad to leave, as even in war a change is the Dai Sb ? GRICULTURAL surveys prove that the farmer who banks a monthly milk or cream check soon be- comes independent of financial wor- ries. The dairy cow--the milk check --the bank account form an inde- structible chain which defles "hard times" and business depressions. Since 1873 the Standard Bank of Can- ada has catered to the needs of the dairy fi , rendering efficient ser- vice to his business. ; OF ADA. PORT PERRY BRANCH---H. G. Hutcheson, Manager Branches also at Blackstock, Little Britain, land gotten Easter Monday morning. Never before in' history had so many gung been trained on an enemy on such a short front, the artillery alone numbering around 1000 guns, big and small, be- sides numerous trench mortors and thousands of machine guns. The main secret of the Canadians success was the secrecy with which all these preparations were made. The only noticable ex- citement on the part of the enemy was on the Saturday night previous to the battle, while we were digging a jumping off trench in "No Mans Land." Numerous lights were shot up and the Hun light artillery laid down a heavy barrage for a few minutes, but soon quieted down. -During Easter Sunday while we were lying in a wood north of Mount St. Eloi, the most of our time was occupied with letter writing, "A Just Before the Battle Mother" letter, to many for whom it was their last letter home. This day was doubly signifi- cant for myself as I was celebrating my nineteenth birthday. At dusk the bugler sounded the "Fall in" and with battle order only, we moved up to the line and took up our position in the jumping off trench. It was here that the ordeal was hardest to stand, that of writing, and waiting for zero hour to come. Everything was quiet, with the exception of spasmodic outbursts of machine gun fire, and numerous very lights from a nervous enemy. It started to snow quite heavy which added to the discomfort of the waiting troops. Time was drawing close and at 5.07 a.m. ten years ago on the ninth of April, hell was unchained as those thousands of guns fired as one. The smaller guns laying down a barrage of shrapnel on the enemies trenches, while the bigger ones were playing on the German Battery positions. It was only two minutes until the barrage lifted to the second line of trenches, and we were over the op, with Lafayette Farm at the top of the ridge as our objective, which was gained about 2 p.m. It was here that we were able to see and realize the fruits of our. victory, for as we. looked across the beautiful valley to the east towards Avion and Merricourt it was like a garden of Eden. It was not long to be so, for in the days to follow fresh victories were gained-in the taking of these towns where our line remained - until the final great advance of 1918. It is a significant fact that although the Germans broke the Allied line both to the north and the south of the ridge, no attempt was ever made by the enemy to regain such a stragetic view point as the ridge and offered. The almost impossible had been achieved, and by troops who had only a short time previous been recruited from every walk of life, many of whom had never known the meaning of "Form Four until the war cloud had burst upon Belgium and France in . It was through this great feat of arms of the Canadians, that General Byng, who was their leader, and later to be made Ba Byng of Vimy, was given his title. They did not give their lives in vain, Their loss must surely be our gain. e Hace MRS. M. A. JAMES DIES IN HER 83rd YEAR There passed to rest on Saturday afternoon, April 2, Mary Jane Bray, beloved wife of M. A. James, editor of The Canadian Statesman, in her 83rd year. Mrs. James was born in Pick- ering Township and was the second daughter of the late Jonathan and Sophia Cole Bray, North Darlington, Fifty-three years ago she was united in marriage with her now sorrowing husband, who for nearly fifty years has been publisher of The Statesman, Mrs, James was a very quiet, retiring woman, a homglover and one to whom her children and home held first place. She was a life long member of the Methodist Church, and when able was seldom absent from its ser- vices. Besides her husband, who is in feeble health, she leaves three sons, M. A. James, of Cleveland, Ohio; Norman S. B. and George W. James, who succeeded their father in the publishing business in Bowmanville eight years ago, and two daughters, Mrs. (Dr) William A. White and Mrs. James T. Phillips, both of New York City, who have been with their parents owing to their illness, for the past month. Dr, James Bray, 288 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, and Samuel and Frederick Bray, of Darl lington, are brothers. : Oshawa Reformer. m-- Mp ; RAGLAN NEWS fai | _A very pleasant gathering was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Avery, on Wednesday, Evening of last 'week when the members of the reer YP ee extension table. dress was read: To Mr. and Mrs, Carl Avery, Dear friends--We, your neighbors, friends and acquaintances have gath- ered here this evening to express in a sociable way, our good wishes for your happiness and prosperity. Having known you for many years we have always found you a good neighbor, a genial friend and a will- ing helper in the Sunday School and we, the people of Raglan are pleased' to think that you and your young and attractive bride have decided to re- main in our neighborhood and con- tinue to be one of us. In order to express our esteem for you and our sincere wishes for your future happiness and success in a practical way, we ask you to accept this table. The following ad- Raglan Friends. a , DESTROYED BY FIRE On Saturday last, Mr. Milton Har- ran's house was totally destroyed by fire, both house and contents being a complete loss. Mr. Pengelly's house which is next door was also damaged, but the loss will not be serious in this case. It is not known what was the origin of the fire. Fortunately Mr. Harran carried in- surance sufficient to partially cover his loss. "The Shirley Women's Institute are giving an Easter Supper, followed by « play-"The Country Doctor." Date later,