125 YEARS AGO: DEC. 24, 1898
Christmas Tree A Success: The promoters and committees who managed the children’s Xmas tree presentation last Monday night deserve great credit for the interesting programme that was furnished on the occasion, and the able manner in which the details were followed from the beginning to its close. The ladies and gentlemen should feel justly proud of their shares in affording such an enjoyable entertainment for young and old, and we voice the godly sentiment of the man, the anniversary of whose natal day makes all Christendom rejoice, who said “Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not.” Those words were spoken over 1,800 years ago, and may they never lose the tender feeling they inspire in the hearts of all good men and women. With each recurring Christmas it is a pleasure to see the happy smiling faces of children assembled around the ever popular Christmas tree, and witness their joy when they receive from old Santa Claus the expected Xmas gift. The town hall presented a very pretty appearance, being gaily decorated with evergreens and bunting, and reflected credit on the artistic ability of the decoration committee. The distribution of presents was commenced by old Santa Claus himself in full regalia. Mr. James Haddock, who has represented the old Xmas tree benefactor so well for a number of years, with credit to himself and a pleasure to the youngsters, resigned his commission on the last occasion and transferred his insignia of office, an Arctic costume, to his son. Henceforth Mr. Arthur Haddock will assume the character and be known as Santa Claus junior.
Foster’s Store: F.W. and Fred Foster left on Thursday morning’s train for Victoria to spend Christmas with the family. Mr. Foster has had a very large merchandise business at both Clinton and Ashcroft the past year. There are few better stocked and no more nicely kept stores in British Columbia than Mr. Foster’s Ashcroft store, of which Mr. James Haddock is manager.
Turkey Dinner: J.D. Gillis, of the Columbia Meat Market, has just received a consignment of turkeys, etc. for the holidays.
Merry Christmas: The Journal takes this opportunity of wishing all its readers A Merry Christmas.
100 YEARS AGO: DEC. 22, 1923
The School Children’s Xmas Tree Entertainment; Record Crowd Gathers In Town Hall To Enjoy School Children’s Closing Entertainment: The hall was packed almost to capacity on Thursday night, the occasion being the Christmas tree entertainment given by the children before closing for the winter holidays. The training of the children for the various items was no doubt a task on the part of the teachers, which called for a great deal of patience and perseverance during the past few weeks. And the manner in which the programme was carried out without a single hitch, proves the time and care that has been put into the work. The Christmas trees were very beautifully decorated, and at the close of the programme Santa Claus (Mr. Jack Fraser) bounded in with a jingle of bells and some witty remarks, and distributed candies and oranges which had been donated by the P.T.A. to every child in the hall.
Barnes Creek Water Dispute Settled In Court; Court Grants Injunction Dealing With Rights On Barnes Creek: Concluding a six-day trial in Supreme Court, Vancouver, Mr. W.A. MacDonald has awarded Charles H. Gibson, owner of the Barnes and Parke ranches, an injunction restraining the Interior Cattle Company Limited and its manager, Thos. D. Mitchell, from diverting water from Barnes Creek. The defendant company and its manager, according to his lordship’s judgement, are entitled to water in accordance with the Water Act from Oliver and Elijah Creeks. The contest, stated the judge, was in reality between ranchers of the lower and upper bench land adjoining the Thompson River. Gibson, according to the judge, has the prior right to waters of Barnes Creek and the defendants, through Mitchell, diverted water at a time when Gibson was not receiving his full allowance.
Hold-up Men Sentenced: Messrs Sullivan and O’Brien, the Spences Bridge hold-up men, were sentenced in New Westminster recently to 10 years each in prison, for the bad job they did.
Boston Flat Irrigation: Work on the irrigation scheme on Boston Flat is progressing rapidly. Some of the lumber for the flume and other works is being secured from Mr. Evans, Venables Valley, and some from Walhachin.
Day After Christmas May Be Public Holiday In B.C.: The B.C. executive of the Retail Merchants’ Association is endeavouring to secure a whole holiday throughout the province on the day after Christmas, Wednesday, Dec. 26. It is probable the lieutenant-governor-in-council will be asked to proclaim the day a public holiday.
75 YEARS AGO: DEC. 23, 1948
Walhachin Christmas Tree: All the children had a wonderful time on Saturday evening. After the parents and children were all in the hall, games were engaged in, led by the teacher Miss Olive Lister. Then the arrival of Santa, after which each child was given a present handed to Santa by Mrs. W.A. Ferguson. Last but not least came the supper of cocoa, sandwiches, and cake. And so ended another Christmas Tree celebration.
Rink In Operation: Largely through the efforts of two or three interested parents, we have the old skating rink in operation for the present season, and ideal ice weather is prevailing. W. Louie has been soliciting [for funds] for a few days with very gratifying results, and Ted Evans has been engaged as caretaker.
Influenza: Several local residents have been suffering with a bad bout of flu for the past two weeks, among them ye editor and Sam Harrison, who have both lost a number of pounds.
Narrow Escape: Johnny Hansen and his family, of Bridge Lake, had a narrow escape from serious injury this week, when his car turned completely over on the 20-Mile Hill near Maiden Creek, due to icy road conditions. None of the passengers, including four children, was hurt at all severely, and they were able to continue their journey by taxi.
Train Derailment: Five or six passenger cars of the southbound P.G.E. train were derailed at a point three miles south of the 70-Mile House early Friday morning, Dec. 17. There were no casualties. The passengers remained on the train as guests of the railway for almost 12 hours.
No Milk: There will be no delivery of milk on Christmas Day. Take extra milk the day before.
Winter Weather: We are in the midst of a real winter, the thermometer dropping to four below [Fahrenheit] one morning. People up north laugh when we say “four below”.
50 YEARS AGO: DEC. 20, 1973
“Master Plan” Calls For New Health Board To Serve Region: The implementation of a master plan which would include the creation of a regional health board is perhaps the key recommendation in a 69-page study report to be digested by the Thompson-Nicola Regional Hospital District members. The report stresses the need for coordination of existing services and of planning where there has been none before. “The health system is basically reactive rather than proactive,” states the report. “In the future, the system will be expected to engage more and more in preventive education, early diagnosis, and preventive treatment.” It is recommended that the regional district hospital board be expanded to become a regional health board, responsible for general policy-making and planning with respect to total health needs of the region. All health services, including hospitals, community health centres, public health units, mental health units, and voluntary organizations should come under this board. District committees and institutional boards would report and make recommendations to the regional board.
Walhachin Rumour: Murmurings are that we can expect the Peter Kiewit noise-makers to move in any time. Just in time to knock the decorations off the Christmas tree, perhaps? I recently met a very interesting man by the name of Ron Anderson, who will begin campaigning in the Kamloops Cariboo riding early in February. He shares my idea that the mountain behind Walhachin is NOT the only one in British Columbia suitable for making ballast.
Those Dogs!: The Journal has received several complaints and a request to “put something in the Journal” about those barking and yapping dogs in town. Ashcroft has for the past few years had a mining group of residents who do shift work and these people cannot sleep with dogs barking at all hours. So there you have it folks — DO SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR DOG.
