125 YEARS AGO: OCT. 7, 1899
Electric Light: The Ashcroft Trading Co. and J.H. Clements, the druggist, are installing the electric light in their respective establishments. Every business house on Railway Avenue now uses the electric light. . . The Ashcroft Water, Electric and Improvement Company are extending the water main and electric wires on Bancroft Street to accommodate the skating rink.
Curling Club: The curling club meeting last week was a business one from start to finish. The committee appointed to solicit members had obtained the names of 23 anxious to become curlers, at a tax of $15 each. The stones will be ordered in the east at once and will arrive before they are needed. It is to be plainly understood that the $15 fee does not give any personal ownership in the stones; they are solely the property of the club. Preparation for the erection of the rink have already commenced, and it will be completed before the cold weather.
Ashcroft’s Exhibit: Big, jovial Doc Reynolds — he’s not the exhibit, though a leading attraction — never tires of standing at a very artistic display which his home district has sent down [to the New Westminster Fair] for the district prize. He is ever telling the inquiring visitors of the wonders worked by irrigation, and all or nearly all the varied assortment of fruits, vegetables, grain, etc., are the product of irrigation. There are 36 varieties of apples, and some of them the most magnificent specimens ever seen in the hall. One variety particularly has a single apple weighing 23 ounces, while not one of the dozen or more weighs less than 21 ounces. They were grown by Archie Clemes, of Spences Bridge. The Ashcroft potatoes, which are famous the province over as the best produced, are a leading feature, 16 varieties being shown. Squashes weighing nearly a hundredweight are there, and many other vegetables.
100 YEARS AGO: OCT. 4, 1924
Clinton News: It is reported that Clinton is to have a new jail and police residence in the near future. This is certainly a move in the right direction.
Walhachin News: Miss Gladys Thompson is getting up a dance in the Hall on Saturday in aid of the school library fund. As a special attraction, as much as possible of the music will be furnished by radio. Mr. MacIsaac’s new Marconi of the very latest type will be used, with Mr. Edwards’ power amplifier and loud speaker.
Clinton Race Meet: The Clinton Races of last week proved an exceptional treat for all those who attended, as well as a pleasure for those who took part. The weather was threatening at first but proved good all through the events. Financially the races were a success, exceeding all expectations, although it is said the committee did not get the local support that should have been given in an event of the kind. Supper for the dance was supplied by the Ladies’ Aid and the music by Spencer’s Orchestra of Williams Lake, which was excellent to say the least.
Bids For Transprovincial Highway: Tenders for the completion of the Hope-Spences Bridge link of the Transprovincial Highway will be called for within two weeks. The contract price will be approximately $1 million, with an additional $250,000 required for a steel bridge across the Fraser River at Spuzzum.
75 YEARS AGO: OCT. 6, 1949
Spences Bridge: The tea and rummage sale held in the Community Hall on Saturday last was a success, the sum of $80 being raised, including several cash donations. This all goes toward the Halloween party and the annual Xmas Tree. . . Accidents are in the news hereabouts this week. An Alberta car with three occupants landed upside-down in Mr. Rauch’s back yard last Thursday, when it failed to make the turn at the north approach to the bridge here in town. Luckily no one was hurt.
Around Your High School: (By L. Louie) Due to the lack of school attendance last week, we were not able to bring you your weekly school gossip. . . Grade VII and VIII held a Box Lunch Social on Tuesday. It was designed to raise funds to finance a bazaar which they are planning to stage sometime in November. The girls made up the lunches and put them in variously decorated boxes. Then they were auctioned off. (That is, the boxes — not the girls.) George McAbee, the Jr. Red Cross president, was the auctioneer. All funds are for the Jr. Red Cross.
Permanent Auto Licence Plates Under Study: British Columbia’s motor vehicle branch is studying the idea of issuing permanent automobile licence plates, but if the plan is adopted it will not be until 1951. The reason: production of 1950 plates, yellow figures on black background, now is under way at Oakalla Prison Farm. Officials believe an early change would prove unnecessarily expensive.
50 YEARS AGO: OCT. 2, 1974
Ashcroft’s Temporary Court House Opened: Friday last was a memorable day in law enforcement in Ashcroft, when new and spacious quarters for court hearings was officially opened. The building also houses judges’ room and witness room. The government agent will also have new accommodation in the building. This move is temporary, the building being leased from Safety Mart Stores. The ribbon cutting ceremony was performed by Bill Hartley and Mrs. Reta Fooks, a locally-born old timer.
Drylands Arena To Be Officially Opened October 5th: One week hence and the arena will officially open its doors. Contractors are hurriedly putting finishing touches to the building. The cement surface, which has been critically acclaimed as one of the finest surfaces in the Interior and on par with the Vancouver Coliseum, has now been cleared for its first sheet of ice. Piping and utilities are ready for the arrival of the 600-ton Cunico ice plant, which is being shipped to Ashcroft. Bookings have been received from many organizations, including the forest service, which is hoping to hold its annual zone hockey match in Ashcroft. Requests for arena use are also received from non-winter sport organizations. It may well be that the arena will see a live stock show, a horticultural and machinery exhibitions, and if the many fanciers of wrestling are correct, a wrestling match.
Rock Face To Be Blasted At Cache Creek: In a phone call from Alex Fraser MLA on Monday we learn that blasting of the rock face on the old Cariboo Highway leading to the Drive-in Theatre at Cache Creek will start almost immediately. The job will cost approximately $50,000 and will be carried out by the Dept. of Highways crew. Agitation for this improvement has been going on by residents in the neighbourhood for some time, and will make travelling this narrow strip much safer.
Letters: Dear Ashcroft and Cache Creek: I opened the Sands Theatre April 5/74 and from day one it has gone downhill. We made the place a clean and comfortable place to come to relax and enjoy a movie, started a theatre group for you the people of Ashcroft and Cache Creek and tried to bring in live entertainment. My first live show which was the Allan Moberg Show was attended by 58 people, at $2.50 per ticket. A damn lousy turnout. I had $1 night for a full week on the idea that we could possibly improve attendance and at the same time give you people a chance to get out very inexpensively. The result of that was the poorest attendance for one week that I had since I opened. I am presently promoting another live show called Teen Angel, a very popular group from the coast who have wherever they have been playing performances to full houses and at $5 to $8 per ticket. We are charging $3 per ticket. You people of this area cry about nothing to do. I am trying to give you something and you’re throwing it back in my face. What do you want? Brian O’Hearn.
