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Member Societies and their secretaries are responsible for seeing that the correct address for their society is up-to-date. Please send any change to both the Treasurer and the Editor at the addresses given at the bottom of this page. The Annual Return as at October 31st should include telephone numbers for contact.

Members dues for the year 1988/89 were paid by the following Members Societies:

Alberni District Historical Society, Box 284, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 7M7 Atlin Historical Society, P0. Box 111, Atlin, B.C. VOW lAO BCHF - Gulf Island Branch, do Marian Worrall, Mayne Island, VON2JO BCHF - Victoria Section, do Charlene Rees, 2 -224 Superior Street, Victoria, B.C. V8V 1T3 Burnaby Historical Society, 5406 Manor Street, Burnaby, B.C. V5G 157 Chemainus Valley Historical Society, PC. Box 172, Chemainus, B.C. VOR 1KO Cowichan Historical Society, P0. Box 1014, Duncan, B.C. V9L 3Y2 District 69 Historical Society, P0. Box 3014, Parksville, B.C. VOR 2S0 East Kootenay Historical Association, PC. Box 74, Cranbrook, B.C. V1C 4H6 Fraser Lake Historical Society, PC. Box 57, Fraser Lake, B.C. VOJ 150 Galiano Historical and Cultural Society, PC. Box 10, Galiano, B.C. VON1PO Golden & District Historical Society, Box 992, Golden, B.C. VOA1HO Ladysmith Historical Society, Box 11, Ladysmith, B.C. VOR 2EO Lantzville Historical Society, do Susan Crayston, Box 76, Lantzville, B.C. VOR2H0 Mission Historical Society, 33201 2nd Avenue, Mission, B.C. V2V 1J9 Nanaimo Historical Society, P0. Box 933, Station ‘A’,Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5N2 Nanooa Historical and Museum Society, R.R.1, Box 22, Marina Way, Nanoose Bay, B.C. VOR2RO North Shore Historical Society, 623 East 10th Street, North Vancouver, B.C. V7L 2E9 North Shuswap Historical Society, P0. Box 22, Celista, B.C. VOE 1LO Princeton & District Pioneer Museum and Archives, Box 687, Princeton, B.C. voxiWO Qualicum Beach Historical & Museum Society, c/o Mrs. Cora Skipsey, P0. Box 352. Qualicum Beach. B.C. VOR2T0 Saltspring Island Historical Society, PC. Box 705, Ganges, B.C. VOS 1E0 Sidney and North Saanich Historical Society, PC. Box 2404, Sidney, B.C. V8L 3Y3 Silvery Slocan Historical Society, PC. Box 301, New Denver, B.C. VOG iSO Trail Historical Society, P0. Box 405, Trail, B.C. V1R 4L7 Valemont Historic Society, PC. Box 850, Valemount, B.C. VOE 2AO Vancouver Historical Society, PC. Box 3071, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 3X6 Affiliated Groups B.C. Museum of Mining, PC. Box 155, Britannia Beach, B.C. VON 1JO City of White Rock Museum Archives Society, 1030 Martin Street, White Rock, B.C. V4B 5E3 Fort Steele Heritage Park, Fort Steele, B.C. VOB 1NO The Hallmark Society, 207 Government Street, Victoria, B.C. V8V 2K8 Nanaimo Centennial Museum Society, 100 Cameron Road, Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2X1 Lasqueti Island Historical Society, Lasqueti Island, B.C. VOR2JO

Second Class registration number 4447

Published fall, winter, spring, and summer by the British Columbia Historical Federation, PC. Box 35326, Station E, Vancouver, B.C. V6M 4G5. A Charitable Society recognized under the Income Tax Act. Subscriptions: Institutional, $16.00 per year; Individual (non-members), $8.00. Financially assisted by the Government of British Columbia through the British Columbia Heritage Trust.

Back issues of the British Columbia Historical News are available from Micromedia Ltd., 158 Pearl St., Toronto, Ontario M5H 1L3 - Micromedia also publishes the Canadian Magazine Index and the Canadian Business Index, Indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index. British Columbia Volume 22, No. 2 Cover Credit Historical New Spring, 1989 The Cartoon illustrating Port Journal of the B.C. Historical Federation Essington School 19 14-1920 was drawn by Earnest Harris of Contents Vancouver. This author/artist has FeatureS Page had works published in the Table of Contents & Editorial 1 Vancouver Sun and Province and has provided work to be included in King Edward High School a future issue of the Historical by Win Shilvock 2 News. Port Essington School was Writing Competition one of several pre-fab buildings brought in from the Lower Mainland Mining Camp School to create instant facilities in by Christine F Dickinson 4 waterfront towns up the coast. Lost Opportunity: All Hallows School for Indian and White Girls, 1884 - 1920 by Jean Barman 6 Jjft0j’jj The University Club of Nelson & The Provincial University Question, 1903 - 1910 The response to the appeal for ar by Ron Welwood 10 tides on the theme “Education” was The Lunos Trail: From the Precipice on overwhelming. Material received Hotnarko River to Nimpo Lake would fill 60-70 pages. Those cho by R.C. Harris 14 sen for this issue tell of educational activities from Vancouver to Atlin, Education in the Cariboo Fifty Years Ago Galiano to the East Kootenay. We by T. Don Sale 16 hope that you will enjoy the selec Some Early Schools of British Columbia tions, and can look forward to others by Douglas Harker 18 in coming issues. The publications committee notes Skookumchuck Soliloquy with regret that the cost of prepar by Malcolm McPhee 20 ing the Historical News has risen. Gems from Archives 22 In an endeavor to avoid raising sub scription costs we must increase the One, Two, Three, Alary: Vancouver School Grounds number of subscribers. We challenge by Neil Sutherland 23 you, the reader, to each sign up a Discovery Reenactment ‘92 new subscriber or local member. by Greg Foster 25 How about giving a gift subscription to a family member or a friend? It Book Shelf: Book Reviews costs only $8 per year for subserip Distant Neighbours tions to be mailed anywhere in Review by Linda Hale 28 Canada. Mail your application to- Workers, Capital and State in British Columbia day for a gift subscription. Make Reviewby Logan Hovis 29 cheques payable to the B.C. Historical Federation, and send to: They Call Me Father: Memoirs of Father Nicolas Coccola Subscription Secretary Review Ron Weiwood 30 5928 Baffin Place Trees of Greater Victoria Burnab B.C. Review by Clare McAllister 30 V5H 3S8 Hastings and Main: Stories from an Inner City Neighbourhood Thank You. Review by Neil Sutherland 31 Naomi Miller News Publishing Committee Report & News & Notes 32

Manuscripts and correspondence for the editor are to be sent to P0. Box 105, Wasa, B.C. VOB 2K0 Correspondence regarding subscriptions are to be directed to the subscription secretary (see inside back cover)

B.C. Histm’icai Ne 1 The mammoth brown-stone structure that was built in 1905 at King Edward High School the corner of Oak Street and 12th Avenue in Vancouver served many of by Win Shilvock the educational needs of the city until the mid 1970’s when it came to a blazing end in the biggest fire ever seen in the area. Over the years it functioned with five different names. Until 1909 it was called the Vancouver High School and College when it was renamed King Edward High School. In the early 1960’s it ceased to operate as a high school and became affiliated as a Special Programs Division with the new Langara College. The most illustrious period for this spacious edifice was the 53 years when it was the King Edward High School (KEHS). It’s not known for sure, but it’s estimated that there must have been at least 8,500 King Edward High School Building. circa students who trod the wide 1906 hallways and studied in the confessor for problems. The Prelims gentle and kind, but tough enough classrooms which could hold 40 and Juniors were divided likewise. not to let anyone get away with students and which occupied the Each teacher taught a certain tomfoolery Her admonition to the ground and second floors. The third subject and once an hour loud bells ‘27 Matrics was, in part, “Cultivate floor; or attic, was big enough to sounded and students would move kindly feeling and do kindly acts - handle rifle shooting for the Cadet to another room for instruction. observe the laws of health and be Corps and a comprehensive library In the centre of the school was happy - grow up into clear-thinking, was the envy of most other schools. a large auditorium, complete with able-bodied, clean minded, staunch Half a century is time enough stage, and it was most impressive Canadians.” to generate many tales, but this when students from the “Fairview John Marr, home teacher for little story will cover only my stay Shacks” which housed the Class 3, was a considerate, at KEHS - 1924-27 - with emphasis University of British Columbia next soft-spoken man who taught Latin. on the Matric, or final year. door, paraded in to use it for He must have writhed in agony as It took three years to travel lectures. University seemed an we shredded Caesar’s efforts to the course through chemistry, awesome thing, a long way off; to a divide Gaul into three parts, and his biology, physics, Latin, English, Prelim.. This activity ceased when feelings were reflected somewhat in French, botany, mathematics and UBC opened for business in Point his final comments to the class, “I home economics. During this time a Grey on September 22, 1925. can hardly say that you have not-too-serious pecking order existed Mr. G.A. Fergusson was the distinguished yourselves in with the students being divided into principal. On the surface he scholarship.” He was a good Prelims, Juniors and Matrics. The appeared to be an austere person teacher; and although we never school motto, ‘Ad Summum” (To the but he was really a softie who had found out, he must have been highest), encouraged everyone to the ability to attract a lot of good pleasantly surprised when all but take a broad outlook and every year teachers. He was a veteran of the one passed the final government a great school spirit was engendered 1914-1918 war as were some of the exams. in the several hundred students male instructors such as Johnny The portly mathematics occupying 31 classes. MacLeod, Percy Tees and Buck Yeo wizard who handled Class 4, A.W. The Matrics were divided into (mentor to Class 1), all of whom Ross, was a good friend to everyone, five classes headed by a “Home were heroes to the boys. even those who couldn’t fathom the Teacher” whose job it was to account Miss A.B. Jamieson mothered intricacies of analytical geometry for his/her charges at the beginning Class 2 and was, perhaps, the most He was always good for a laugh as of each day and often act as beloved of all the teachers. She was he walked around with the front of

B.C. Historical Ne 2 his dark blue suit covered in chalk Gaul Memorial Fund at UBC is in dust which wafted over him as he his honor. endlessly inscribed figures on the Every form of extra-curricular blackboard. activity was available at King Ed. Writing Class 5 was composed of 30 The 101st School’s Cadet Regiment; girls who were exposed to home Basketball; Grass Hockey; Tennis; Competition economics, taught by their home Rugby; Football; Ice Hockey; Soccer; teachei Miss Mabel Allen. The boys Swimming; Track and Field; didn’t know her but the girls Literary and Debating, and a yearly thought she was wonderful. Annual was published. Winners of the 6th Annual Competition for Writers of British Little Miss Cameron taught A Parent-Teacher Association, Columbia History will be honored at French and had twice been to Paris. which had been formed in 1916, was the B.C. Historical Federation She adored drawing the Garde de active and had a membership fee of Conference in Victoria in May. His Lion on the blackboard but was near “. .. 25 cents. It aimed to .promote Honour David Lam will present the apoplexy when a wag drew the educational standing and never has Lieutenant-Governor’s Medal for Union Jack atop one of the this been more necessary than at Historical Writing in Government flagpoles. We couldn’t converse well the present time when the House on the afternoon of Friday, in the subject but we could write it educational world is in more or less May 12th. All winners will be given and were able to conquer most of the a chaotic condition.” It does seem their Certificates of Merit and mone irregular verbs, pass the final exam, that history repeats itself tary awards at the banquet on May and go on to two more years of it at No great attention was given 13th. Selection of winners was a dif U.B.C. to graduation after three years of ficult task for the judges who were The school had a system of high school except it was the custom faced with more books than on previ Prefects, headed up by Miss to hold a Matric Dance to celebrate. ous years and a very high quality of Jamieson and Mr. Marr, and was When government exams were the entries. composed of seven girls and eight finished went all their own way to The 1989 Writing Competition boys. Their job was to maintain a anxiously await news of a pass or is now open for submissions. Any semblance of order and listen to any failure. These results appeared book with B.C. historical content, moans by the students. From this after a couple of weeks in the published in 1989 is eligible. group came an interesting story Vancouver Province and Sun Authors or publishers are urged to newspapers. Individual marks were Six of the Prefects in 1926-27 send in books as soon as possible af mailed later from Victoria. were Chuck Teeple, Percy Williams, ter publication. Those submitting Geoff Inkstei Aif Morfitt, Bobby Sixty-two years can exact a books should include name, address, Gaul and Win Shilvock. Although heavy toll on people and it’s telephone number, selling price of the six had varied interests, a bond probable that not too many of those the book, and an address from which of friendship evolved and they 158 young people who matriculated the book may be ordered if a reader formed a club called the Hexamis - a from King Edward High School in has to shop by mail. word comprising part of the Greek 1927 are around today. For those word for six and the French word who are, it’s hoped some may read Amis. The club carried on for many this little tribute to them and King Send entries to: years after KEHS days and in 1928 Ed and recall a few memories of when Percy Williams went to the those fun days. British Columbia Historical Olympics, the remaining five bought Federation him spiked running shoes which, Winston Shilvock went from King do Mrs. Naomi Miller unfortunately, were half a size too Edward High to LJBC, where earned a B.A he Box 105 large. Percy was very superstitious & B. Comm. degree. In 1948 he served as and wouldn’t allow them to be President ofthe UBCAiwnni Associaiion - He Wasa, B.C. exchanged. Instead, he filled the has made Kelowna his home since 1949. VOB 2K0 extra space by wearing woolen socks ***************** rather than the light, silk ones worn ** ** * *** ** ** *** ** by sprinters. Thus it was that in Amsterdam he won the 100 and 200 metre races wearing oversize shoes and woolen socks. Not long after Bobby Gaul died following an injury received playing Varsity rugby. The Bobby

B.C. Historical News 3

B.C. Historical News

from on Discovers stage the brother had the received Wells Trustees For North, young the two months

his with travelling remembered out he for set cents. 50 had the to Before Trustees. 3

Bruce distances. Charlie he from game, emerged which with arrangements all teacher and other

long to had and the on creeks travel an in gambling all-night involved a hiring of the leaving matter

for those obstacle were who an lived he become to himself allowed month salary, the for teacher’s

Winter regular. conditions always food his bill. winter pay Unwisely a $60 and provide instead to offered

for not Attendance some was pocket he $100 hoped which would promise, their in Victoria retracted

slates. on stone a as labourer. in had Wells his officials time a result, within short

of doing most diligently, their work had where he been Creek, working a As high. extremely was example,

they at desks Seated worked of from mines one on the Spruce for heating, for of The cost cordwood

and hygiene history, sewing. into came Wells, named town Hulet expensive. would province prove

geography, grammar, drawing, for looking a were year when old, 20 the of north the school far in

composition, spelling, arithmetic, thereafter found what they they a to operate and to find, hard that

a program of full reading, writing, Shortly Trustees. 6 temporary be would a that teacher obvious

the conditions taught were students to elected it the replace were became long though Before

the cold. the Despite difficult

D.S. J,H. McDonald and Brownlee, building. a providing

an in out perimeter keep to attempt St. J. Clair In Blackett, November for assumed the responsibility

the snow was around banked concerts. 5 if community the the school,

and to stoves kept had burning, be dances of with charity a and as running the expenses incidental

of in let walls two light, plenty to school be would and supported have pay to a send teacher, qualified

was its and spacious white canvas land to the sales, and businesses promised in Victoria Government

with tent the sawdust. 1 ° Although mines, from the Atlin been collected At first arrangements.

half rough the lumber, other and in revenue had government $50,000 necessary all make the

half was the covered floor of with at a in than least year less that, to and its viability, demonstrate

Gold One Office. Commissioners the despite to that, fact resentment Government Provincial the

the previously been by occupied There was teacher. bitter than on was rather the community

in large had tent the which the a search in onus the for and easy an assistance task, not was

the were lessons do to pupils their offering and no grant, promised though, school, a Establishing

time new in This premises. 9 teacher on the back holding cordwood, Trustees. 1

a Atlin new School opened with the cost about quibbling of were School as temporary elected

the in and position year its second a to school. establish They efforts were Russel, and A.S. J.H. Cross,

the take Smith over to arrived of way the in all placing obstacles Clair Blackett, J. businessmen, St.

In K.C. 1900, fall Miss of the Government the was Provincial prominent three and J.D. Graham,

in search the on of creeks. ajob community the that in sentiment Commissioner Gold held was with

foot and blanket on setting roll out a widespread There was a meeting in August Consequently,

his time wasted up packing in no he resigned. that permanence. community’s

he gold still so had and fever, the by reprimand official offended so the of a as school symbol

he that in found June, ended Wells he found, but be was could a of teacher the value recognised future,

year the the school When walls. a a as until volunteer work to for Atlin’s making plans ambitious

to were and through able snow blow been willing had Stephenson post. were who leaders, community

wind shrank, cut the boards rough hold the to a for clergyman legal Besides, children. camp’s

its as and There no was insulation, was it out not that point to the quick of needs the for educational

for use. winter quite unsuitable who in were Victoria, officials from to provide matter an urgent became

was lit, it but badly built and poorly a was complaint there Immediately it winter coming the for the north

not only was schoolhouse makeshift Fred Stephenson. Rev. to by in stay plans made businessmen

The abandoned building. 8 assumed were temporarily and teacher of miners numbers significant

an in and classes held were the duties and of as assembled, year, that the of summer late

to 35 increased Enrollment pupils had been children 18 the In meantime thousand. several of community

of first Atlin the School. teacher found. In be could no a still teacher become had 1899, Atlin in

by as offer to $15, another the position accept willing the season Government’s opened mining time the the

the say Needless to they was than he to more augment decided by 1898, when and August, in first broke

B.C. year in teaching Even sum. Agassiz, meagre accept to this B.C. of Atlin, the in area discoveries

a a spent teacher and Certificate, Teaching willing a in for gold looked vain of important The news

F Dickinson by Christine

Camp School Mining a community on Pine Creek 6 miles away. When the weather became too cold, lessons had to wait until the spring.’1 Often too, boys especially would be required to work at mining or in the family business. A permanent school building was not provided until September, 1902. After 3 years of lobbying, Trustees and parents were finally satisfied that their children were being adequately provided for. For a contract price of $1600 a one room schoolhouse was built. Complete with a basement for recreational use in bad weather a cuppola atop, and large windows on two sides, the Atlin school was a source of great community pride.12 M.J. Reid & Pupils; Atlin School - circa 1906. Earlier that same year the Board Courtesy of Atlin Historical Society of Trade had successfully persuaded the Government to increase its by southern newspapers. families. Others migrated to grant, so that a more highly Dr. Henry Esson Young, who southern cities to enter business, a qualified teacher could be hired. As became Atlin’s political variety of trades or the professions, a result Miss E.I. Miller a vivacious representative in Victoria in 1903, and one, the young Walter Owen, energetic young lady, who had had took a particular interest in the became Lieutenant Governor of high school experience, arrived to school and its students. His wife, British Columbia. take charge.13 formerly Rosalind Watson, a The 1902 schoolhouse has been Finally in comfortable university graduate, had been a removed from its original site, but it surroundings, and with a well high school teacher in Victoria, and remains standing. School qualified and experienced teacher, she willingly involved herself with enrollment remained fairly steady the Atlin School began to develop a the Atlin School. She acted as and it served its original purpose good academic record. With 37 sub-examiner for high school until 1968. Today it serves as the students it was difficult indeed to entrance examinations,’4 and Atlin Museum, and welcomes cope with eight different classes, but reassured authorities in Victoria thousands of visitors each year. it was not at all an uncommon about the school’s solid academic situation in rural schools. Older footing.’5 In 1907 Dr. Young Mrs. Dzckenson Is a graduate in Honours students helped younger ones, became the Minister of History from Victoria University in and Education in Wellington, New Zealand. She lived inAtlin enthusiastic learners were keen to the McBride Government, an for 12 years during which time she assisted finish their work so that they could appointment which meant that with the development oftheAtlin Historical listen in on lessons being taught to Atlin could no longer feel powerless SocletyArchives. She now lives In Houston, the class ahead. in its dealings with Victoria. B.C. where she is on staff at Houston Scamdwy SchooL As with many other public schools As the years passed many at the time, school examinations teachers arrived to play their part were often held oraiiy and in public. in the education of a handful of 1. Atlin Claim, 19th August 1889 Parents and Trustees could witness young Northerners. The women a ma 3. Atlin G’obe, 28th September, 1899 a display of students’ competence in frequently married, which effectively 4. ‘ha such activities as reading, spelling, ended their professional careers, but 5. Atm ClaIm: 28th October & 16th December, 1899 6. Ihid.llth November; 1899 mental arithmetic, and recitation. most of the men, and some of the 7. Wells, H,M. Baek Dor to the KklIke, P9rt 6 in The community was satisfied that women went elsewhere to teach, all The AIara SpImnmn, September, 1960 p.35 8. Atlin Chum, 28th october & 11th November, 1899 the Atlin School was finally the richer for their Atlin experience. 9. Ibid., 1st September; 1900 well-established. In Novembei Hulet Wells, however, never did 10. &itidsCotunibia, Pth& Wc.¾s Repit, 1900, in Sional Papers, 1901, p.491 1905 every Atlin student had return to teaching. He eventually 11. Brum, Charles, Letter in AlSo Historhul Soety written work exhibited at the settled down and became a lawyer. film. 12. Atlin ClaIm, 30th August, 1902 Dominion Exhibition at New Similarly Atlin students pursued 13. ‘hid., 23rd August 1902 Westminster. The quality of the a great variety of careers. Some 14. lbid.17th june, 1905 work produced by the Province’s remained to become miners or 15. 11th November, 1905 most northern school was admired trappers, and to raise their own

B.C. Historical News 5

RC. Historical News

so obligation, world. this to Central all deep stretch a on basin the shut so the of along work in -

the around peoples indigenous of England, Good been had The bottom at “almost the at Rev. John

atcentury last convert to ‘ivilize t ’ and to back themselves, of a went so conversion. purpose Native report the

the of impulse great the missionary felt of south of spheres Norwich. for influence marked They out

in Hallows All School originated miles denominations Ditchingham, at few a had various house the

a lost of opportunity. story out the across spread mother their landscape so surrounding province,

is It British in As Columbia. relations gentle missionaries had the contrasted sharply view. of with

Native-European of troubled history the from steep of church’s mountains, point sense good which base

the encapsulates for many ways school his the the made location the at was sisters setting its

in and studied, girls these Sillitoe’s lived choice Yale of Bishop decaying.” as to Equally disquieting

where at Yale, Schools Canyon. Hallows’ the the in Fraser community “gradually

of All The story girls. white Yale, of nestled community and the 1884, was boom isolated passing

the other Indians, Native young in the by themselves for sisters the fend to time in the arrived

comprised the of groups one for sisters the transcontinental left and railroad, were resources, However

history; provinces the of component limited financial diocese’s the construction major a of new of portion

significant a to is grasp existed outdistanced had the the for base operations of initiatives

separation such understand why Sillitoe’s a a was Bishop as centre bustling of activity of many 1884,

To year. after after year day, the in Yale former the arrived goidrush autumn time the of they town

day physical proximity than close in Indian for By school becoming familiar girls. open diocese, a his with

rather apart miles a been million Norfolk in the to was when 1880s, Hallows of order All the bishop

might They have each other. to the of of Chilliwack. as sisters At Anglican three out beginning the

talk o even not they Indeed, did in mix. sfar as the along 1879, Fraser invited he from England almost River

i not did they Columbia, but British Nicola the to Columbia mainland British the on south east Valley and

school in aeboarding same the shared Anglican northwest bishop arrived new a after Lillooet, stretching to

girls young of groups area Anglicans war, claim Thus two shortly European ways. to into the

World first the the to of end the Lytton younger the 1880s since generation and of education giving 1867,

the from of third a considered, century; a For the missionaries Yale Road Cariboo lying was between

circa circa pupils Indian All Haflows; All pupils 1901. 1897. Raflows;

- -

)

•,

_ .

fit’

Jean by Barman

1884-1920

Girls, Indian and for White School Hallows All

opportunity: Lost sides, is Yale by mountains.” railway and government officials published in England, another at Yet the sisters persevered, even and medical doctors, and of the school itseIf various Anglican taking in washing to acquire the establishment Vancouver families. news magazines, and oral funds needed to school a handful of Typical of such pupils were the two interviews - it is clear that Indian local Indian girls. Then the bishop daughters of J.F. Armstrong, and white pupils led very different proposed a solution which Government Agent at Fort Steele. lives at the school. The opportunity determined All Hallows’ unique Motives for attendance varied. provided by close physical proximity charactet Among projects initiated Edna Rich, whose father was a in conditions of geographical in his original spate of enthusiasm Ladner businessman, may well isolation to learn to live together had been Columbian College for have gone simply because their was not taken, except in the school’s white girls in New Westminster. It neighbour T.E. Ladner, had first years. Only then did a certain had collapsed for lack of funds, but already sent two daughters, amount of social contact exist. For if the sisters would take on this making it “the thing to do.” instance, a first-hand account additional responsibility they could Many of the Indian pupils who described Christmas 1889 as acquire much needed physical came to All Hallows were recruited celebrated by “twenty of us Indians facilities by using funds promised by local Anglican clerics, although and Half-breeds, and only two Columbian College by an English increasingly parents became aware young ladies,” one of whom was missionary society. While the white of the advantages of their offspring “going to be Father Christmas, and girls’ schooling would then by receiving some schooling. As one she is followed by four Christmas financed by pupil fees, that of their pupil later recalled, she was sent spirits.” The visiting examiner the Indian counterparts would be “to learn white people’s ways.” next spring examined “the children supported both by ongoing Some were sent for lack of of the school, [including] several donations from parishioners in alternatives, as when mothers intelligent pupils of white British Columbia and England and became ill or died. Girls came parentage,” as a single pupil body. by an annual operating subsidy primarily from the Lytton area, The impetus to Indian and white from the federal Department of although some were from as far pupils becoming physically Indian Affairs. The sisters agreed, away as Shuswap, Salmon Arm, separated was a letter appearing in and arrangements were made to Lillooet and Chilliwack. the New Westminster newspaper purchase “Brookside,” the spacious For Indian girls in particular, the late in 1890 “raising the question of home and grounds formerly transition from an affectionate mixed classes” at All Hallows. occupied by the railroad contractor environment centred on family and While Bishop Sillitoe pointed in Andrew Onderdonk. band to boarding school was not rebuttal to the “mixed classes” Thus All Hallows became a easy. Very likely knowing no attending the province’s public reality, eventually enrolling 35 English, they were immediately schools, he in effect acquiesced to Indian and 45 white pupils ranging forced to exchange familiar clothing the demand that white boarders be in age from six, and even younger in for garments provided by the school, treated in a manner consistent with the case of Indian girls, through the consisting in winter of chemise and their higher station in life. late teens. Many early white pupils drawers of unbleached cotton, heavy Thereaftei they would not only be were the daughters of Anglican red or grey flannel petticoat, long “lodged in a separate building from clergrmen from across the province, woolen stockings, high leather the Indian children,” but “have a who were sent primarily because All boots, dark blue serge longsleeved separate dining-hall, a separate Hallows’ religiously based dress, red pinafore, and red cloak sitting room, separate instruction replicated what their for out of doors. While new pupils accommodation in- the schoolroom, parents, almost all of English had their own sleeping area in order and a separate teacher.” origin, had themselves experienced. “to acquire habits of cleanliness and The concept of separation was Other girls came for lack of order” they soon moved into a consistent with assumptions held alternatives. For example, shortly dormitory of eight to 25 girls. both by the sisters and by the after settling in the Okanagan Thereafter came an unceasing federal Department of Indian Valley, the writer Charles Mair routine whose infringement brought Affairs. The order of All Hallows reported, ‘There is no school here as such traditional European also ran schools in England, and yet which is a draw-back, but there punishments as being ‘sent to bed there poor white girls were “trained is a fine school at Yale, kept by early, put in the corner,” or deprived for domestic service, were confirmed, lay-sisters of our church, and we of “Sunday pudding..” Once in and were employed in performing shall send Mabel, and perhaps school, Indian pupils had little the household chores of the main Bessie, there in spring..” In time choice as to whether or not they school,” at which girls of “proper” All Hallows became fashionable and wanted to be “civilized..” background were educated for their attracted numerous daughters both From the surviving evidence - anticipated roles as social leaders. of prominent local figures, such as including the order’s magazine Similarly, the Department of Indian

B.C. HisLorical News 7 Affairs considered that, while were very wise in keeping us schools in the whole Dominion, Indians could through proper separate because we didn ‘t begin to eleven reached the Sixth Standard, schooling be assimilated into the have the nice things the other and flue of these eleven are credited dominant society, their “uncivilized” children had because our people to Yale Mission School.” Examples state made it almost inevitable that couldn’t afford it.” White women of individual progress were they would enter at society’s bottom are much more blatant in their frequently reported in the various rungs. Boys should be trained to be assessment of the relationship. church publications. For instance, farmers or semi-skilled labourers, “Whites and Indians were never three years after arriving without a girls domestic servants. However together; that I can tell you.” “We word of English, Mary “is now in odious such notions might appear to didn’t think about mixing in those the “Third Canadian Reader; “and us today, a century ago they made days.” To quote another, “there in the compound rules, weights and perfect sense. Status at birth was was no contact at all.” And yet measures in arithmetic; she can still considered critical in another, “we weren’t allowed to also say the Church Catechism determining status in adulthood. speak to them.” A fifth pupil has perfectly.” Talent was also While individual advance was summed up, “we weren’t allowed to encouraged in other areas, and possible, it was not to be assumed look at the Indian girls, were not Rosie in particular was repeatedly but rather depended on personal even supposed to look at them in commended for her “light easy ability and perseverance. chapel which was the only place we fingering” on the piano at selections Complete physical separation was ever saw them.” ranging from. Mendelssohn and imposed. The next year the same During much of each day Indian Beethoven to “all the school songs examiner as in 1890 examined the and white girls were very differently and drill.” two groups of girls separately and occupied. As part of Indian pupils’ Then, in the first years of the new emphasized how the white pupils training “either for household century, the lives of Indian and were “clearly being educated for occupation at home, or for domestic white girls diverged further apart at refined Christian gentlewomen.” service, they were responsible for All All Hallows, as the rough parity That Christmas, unlike a year Hallows’ daily operation. As a which had up to that time existed in previous, one of seven white pupils white pupil bluntly put it, “they the classroom disappeared. Two remaining at the school alongside were the servants, they did the factors interacted: schooling for 25 Indian pupils reported work.” Indian girls rose earlier children in the dominant society somewhat wistfully concerning a than did their white counterparts so became more sophisticated, while party held around “the Indian that they could do an hour of opportunities for young Indians Christmas tree.” “We were not “Housework” before the joint chapel were curtailed. allowed to go to it, only to peep service at 7:30. Whereas white At the time of Hallows’ foundation through the open door for a little pupils spent the hours from 9 to 3 public education had been relatively while.” Bishop Sillitoe’s wholly in the classroom, Indian simplistic, few children remaining in mother-in-law visited the school in girls had to fit in another hour of the school more than half a dozen 1895 and reported back to an housework. While white girls went years. Gradually public schools had English church magazine that “in for an afternoon walk and then ‘p become more attractive. More and accordance with the wishes of the to dress for dinner;” their Indian more children continued on to high English parents, the white children counterparts set the table and lit school and studied for external and the Indians do not mix.” the lamps. Not unexpectedly, at examinations. To remain Eventually the only activity shared each annual Prize Day Indian girls competitive, All Hallows had to in common was daily chapel service were especially commended in such raise its academic standards for but even then, to quote a white areas as “Bread-making” and white girls, which it did by pupil, “the seats are on either side, “Laundry-work.” appointing a Queen’s University and the Indian school in red caps At the same time, the sisters graduate as “headmistress” in and pinafores sit on one side and insisted on seeing their Indian 1899. The results were soon the Canadian school in white veils charges as academically capable apparent. In 1907 an All Hallows’ on the othen” human beings who on an individual pupil came first in British Columbia The recollections of both white and level could make great strides. In and sixth in all of Canada in the Indian pupils confirm the entirety of the classroom, Indian and white entrance examination to McGill separation. As put by an Indian girls were treated similarly. From University. The next year another girl at the school from 1894 to 1893 federal authorities required pupil received the first gold medal 1900, “we didn’t mix at all.” that Indian pupils be assessed awarded in Canada by the Royal However, to defend the sisters annually, and girls at all Hallows Academy of Music. whom she clearly admired, she put did exceptionally well. In 1900 The gulf between the schooling of the case in favour of class-based came the observation “that out of Indian and white girls at All segregation: “I think the sisters 1,000 Indian children in boarding Hallows was further widened by the

Historical Ne B.C. 8 changing policy of the Department useful kind that girls could learn, home to England. of Indian Affairs, which increasingly and would be of more practicat value Today, two thirds of a century viewed Indians as inherently to them in late life than advanced later, the buildings once housing All inferior. As put by the federal school studies.” An Indian pupil Hallows have disappeared, torn minister in charge of Indian Affairs, summed up the change in her down to make room for an auto Clifford Sifton, the Indian “has not disappointment that, when the court. Only a plaque in the local the physical, mental or moral inspector if Indian schools turned up Anglican church commemorates its get-up to enable him to compete” in late 1908, he “did not ask us to existence. Yet the school remains with “ the white man.” Reflecting read,” as was previously the case, alive, not only in the memories of growing racism in the larger but rather inspected “the blouses, or both Indian and white families society, the earlier goal of dresses or other things (including whose mothers and grandmothers assimilation gave way to a policy of cedar baskets) we had made.” attended, but for the sisters of All separation, in effect, to tucking Indian and white pupils at All Hallows at their mother house in Indian people out of the way on Hallows might have been living and Ditchingham. Still active in girls’ isolated reserves. Opportunities studying a million miles apart. schooling, they fondly remember for academic achievement, such as During these same years the their British Columbia adventure as existed at All Hallows, became of factors leading to All Hallows’ a high point in a long history of themselves undesirable. In the eventual collapse were becoming service. words of the Department, “to apparent. The demand among All Halllows School also remains educate children above the establishment families for elite important historically. As the only possibilities of their station, and to private education which had led to school across Canada enrolling both create a distaste for what is certain All Hallows’s growing popularity Indian and white girls in the same to be their environment in life would also resulted in more accessible facilities, it held the promise of be not only a waste of time but alternatives, such as Vancouver’s bringing together two races during doing them an injury instead of Crofton House School “with all city the critical years of the conferring a benefit upon them.” advantages culturally.” Public high late-nineteenth century. The The federal government had never schools were also being opened at opportunity was lost. All Hallows offered Indian schools sufficient more and more locations around the never fulfilled its potential, and its funding to provide education province. Then came the severe failure to do so provides useful comparable to that accorded the economic recession beginning in insights into both the school itself children of the dominant society, 1913, followed by the onset of war a and the larger society in which it and it had only occurred in unusual year later. Numbers of fee-paying functioned. cases, as at All Hallows where the white girls fell, which then made fees of white families subsidized the Indian school’s finances Jews Barinan is a member ofthe Canadian general upkeep and capital costs. tenuous. In 1910 the federal Childhood History Project centered at the Now finance was further restricted. funding policy had been officially Universsty ofBritish Columbia. She is author The new policy soon rebounded on of the book - “Growing Up British In British changed. As a consequence the Columbia’ (U.B.C. Press 1984.) All Hallows. Instead of the earlier Indian component of All Hallows concern to prepare girls would run at a deficit until sufficient ** * ** *** **** *** ** academically as well as monies were secured, via charitable occupationally to survive in the donations, to construct more larger society, if they so chose, the spacious facilities for Indian pupils. emphases shifted to acquiring Not only did the war make such “some practical handicraft which virtually impossible, but the sisters will stand them in good stead when themselves were becoming more and returning to their homes.” No more emotionally exhausted by longer did they learn to do laundry their endless struggle against using the appliances likely found if seemingly impossible odds. A going out into domestic service, but school for Indian boys had been instead used “such simple, homely constructed at nearby Lytton a few contrivances as they would likely to years previous, and in 1918 the have to use in after-life, as, for Indian girls were transferred there, instance, boiling their clothes in funds so far collected to be used to coal-tins to which wooden handles construct a new wing. By then the have been attached.” On this number of white pupils had particular practice, the local Indian dwindled to a handful, and two agent commented approvingly “that years later All Hallows School at work of that sort was the most Yale closed, the sisters returning

B.C. Historical News 9 The University Club ofNelson and The Provincial University Question, 1903-1910

by Ron Weiwood

University Site Commissioners, British Columbia. circa 1910

Nelson’s post-secondary education the province for at least two months ly held! Thus the University move roots began with Notre Dame prior to 31 December 1891 consti ment came to an abrupt halt and re College 1952-1963) which later be tuted the first Convocation, provided mained in a hiatus for a little more came Notre Dame University of they had signed the register in the than a decade. Nelson (1963-1977), British Provincial Secretary’s office and In November 1903, at a meeting Columbia’s second degree-granting paid a fee of two dollars. One hun of the University of Toronto Alumni institution. N.D.U. was later trans dred and twenty-five graduates be Association for the Kootenay formed into the David Thompson came Members of Convocation of the Boundary district, it was decided to University Centre (1977-1984). University of British Columbia. extend an invitation to all universi While the City was justifiably proud The University’s governing body ty graduates to hear an interesting of her university which survived consisted of a Chancellor Vice- academic paper on marine biology more than three decades, few people Chancellor and Senate. Its first and discuss the possibility for a se remember the efforts of a dedicated meeting, by 1a would have to be ries of similar meetings during the group of Nelson citizens which was convened within one month of the winter. The following month, on 3 largely responsible, at the turn-of- first regular election by Convocation. December 1903, after the reading of the-century, for the formation and This meeting was to be held on 2 the papel the assembly of Alumni location of the University of British July 1891. Unfortunately a quo and guests moved to form a Columbia. This group was the rum failed to assemble because of University Club in Nelson. A com University Club of Nelson. illness, travel difficulties and a con mittee was appointed to draw up a The realization that British flict with Dominion Day celebra Constitution and report back on 12 Columbia required a university was tions, so those members present re December. At that meeting it was recognized early in the province’s solved to adjourn the meeting until proposed that “all graduates and history when the University Act 9 July 1891. However, the undergraduates of Universities of (1890) and its Amendment (1891) Attorney General ruled that since recognized standing shall be eligible became statutory law. All gradu the meeting had lacked a quorum for membership” in “The University ates of any university of Her such a motion was out of order and, Club of Nelson” and that “the pur Majesty’s dominions who resided in therefore, no meeting could be legal- pose of the Club shall be the discus- B.C. Historical News 10 sion of matters affecting or interest ted to The Honorable Richard members that if a provincial univer ing its members” (the initial state McBride, Premier of the Province sity were out of the question, then ment, “...interesting the members and Minister of Education. Copies assistance should be provided to as university men” was amended). of the resolution were also forward students; and, furthermore, that if a Apropos of the newly formed ed to politicians and other organiza percentage of the public domain was University Club’s objectives, R.J. tions such as the University set aside there would be less trouble Clark’s paper “On the Prospects of Graduates’ Society of Vancouver. It establishing a university. Mr. a Provincial University in B.C.” was should be noted that the University Robinson replied that it was still too delivered at this December meeting. Club of Nelson was constantly lob early to start a provincial university The format of each monthly meet bying politicians and influential or but he alluded to the fact that ing was rather consistent through ganizations as well as issuing re McGill University would soon be es

the years - discussion of “The leases to the news media about tablishing a site in Vancouver and University Question” and then the various aspects of the University that aid to B.C. students presently presentation of a paper by one of Question; and that their cause had attending eastern universities was the members which was often fol been taken up by the Member of the a possibility. In response to the en lowed by spirited discussion. Legislative Assembly from Fernie, dowment question, he did acknowl During these early months the WR. Ross, who had introduced the edge that less than one-fifth of pro University Question dominated the university issue to the legislature in vincial revenues went to education agenda and was the subject of February 1904. The government and that British Columbia was pay lengthy debate. A resolution to es did not act on the subject during ing less proportionately than al tablish a provincial university with that session. most any of the other provinces. extensive land grants was unani Later in the year the Club formed In the early months of 1906 two mously adopted in January 1904. its University Committee whose Bills were introduced to the This motion was later expanded sole purpose was to deal with the Legislature enabling McGill and on 12 March 1904, it was re University Question and to develop University to establish college(s) in solved. procedures for presenting this topic the province. These Bills were the “That the University Club of to the populace. The Committee’s subject of heated debate both in the Nelson beg to recommend to the report, tabled at the December Legislative Assembly and in the Government ofBritish Columbia: meeting, recommended that five press. At its meeting in May, the That immediate steps be taken to percent of revenue from public lands University Club of Nelson discussed provide by endowment for the estab should be set aside by the govern the issue of petitioning the govern lishment, equipment and mainte ment as a university fund and that ment to set aside endowment lands nance in the near future of a provin this fund should be administered by for a provincial university. The cial University: That such a nine member board (all university Club’s press release was submitted endowment, to be ample for the graduates and British subjects). to legislators, various educators and needs of such a university, should Two hundred copies of a petition clerical officials It was even dis consist of the revenues from not less embodying these suggestions in cussed at the Methodist Conference than ten million acres of land; cluding the reasons for establishing in Montreal. In March the That, in the meantime, the gov a university were printed and dis Vancouver University Graduates’ ernment should establish as soon as tributed to the Premier, all universi Society had submitted its protest to possible, a thoroughly equipped ty graduates in the Legislature and the proposed Bills by asking the School of Mines, and should add to other interested parties. Premier to revive the British it, as fast as possible, departments A timely paper by Rev. J.T. Columbia University Acts for the teaching of all branches of Ferguson on the “Location of a (1890,1891) and to set aside public applied science which are of special University” was read at the 11 lands as a University endowment. value in the development of the in March 1905 meeting. He concluded Evidently all the publicity from dustries of this province; that “...the majority of recently es various sections of the province had We beg to point out that in the ab tablished universities have been some effect on the McBride govern sence of such institutions a hard placed at or near large centres of ment because a University ship is inflicted upon the boys and population” (University n.p.). This Endowment Bill was introduced to young men of British columbia in conclusion became one of the com the Legislature in 1907. Upon re asmuch as they must either leave mon themes reiterated by the view of the proposed legislation, the the province to secure such training University Club in later years. University Club of Nelson informed as will qualify them for the leading On 21 October of the same year, a the government that its members positions in any profession or sub special meeting was called to meet were disturbed that the proposed mit to permanent disqualification with the Superintendent of land grant of two million acres did for such positions.” Education, Mr. Alexander Robinson. not include revenues derived from This communication was submit- It was pointed out by the Club minerals, coal and timber thereby

B.C. Historical News 11 rendering the grant inadequate for niodern university in a creditable de the Commissioners would be ready its intended purpose. The Bill, as gree of efficiency” (Arthur 12). His to receive suggestions and recom presented, was passed in April. paper concluded with a petition to mendations. Even though the members of the the government to enlarge the uni In early March a lengthy newspa University Club could take some con versity endowment to “. ..give the per article on the “University solation from the fact that they may university the revenues from timber Question Down to Date”, written by have helped to influence the govern and minerals on the two million FC. Wade, K.C., was printed in the ment, they were not satisfied with a acres of land already granted...” Vancouver Province. The article im partial victory and to appoint a Board of Governors plied that the university movement, At the meeting of 9 November to choose a site and draft a dormant between 1891 and 1904, 1907, Dr. E.C. Arthur, a founding University Bill to be submitted to had been revived by the University member and organizer of the the next session of the Legislature” Graduates’ Society of Vancouver. In University Club of Nelson as well as (Arthur 14-15). fact, the Vancouver organization, a member of its University A new British Columbia University which began three months after the Committee, read a lucid paper on Act was indeed introduced and University Club of Nelson, only had “University Endowment and passed in March 1908 (it repealed its first regular meeting on 15 Organization”. This paper was lat the Acts of 1890, 1891). A short March 1904 and after its fourth er printed as a fifteen page pamph while later, on 28 May, the Club gathering in 13 May there were no let and distributed to Members of held a special meeting with the further meetings until February the Legislative Assembly and the Minister of Education, Hon. HE. 1906. Very little mention was press. His Memorials prophetically Young. The Minister explained, in made by Wade of the major role stated that detail, the government’s objectives played by the University Club of “For three years this club has concerning the establishment and Nelson and its members felt that striven for an endowment at the out endowment of a provincial universi this omission should be brought to set that would forever place the pro ty He also related the difficulties the public’s attention. R.J. Clark, vincial university when established, encountered in carrying the universi former Secretary to Nelson’s beyond the necessity of appealing ty bills through the Legislature and University Committee and now a from time to time...to unsympathetic “... he expressed warm appreciation Vancouver resident, was asked to party governments for additional for the steady support received from take on this task. Clark’s timely aid, the institutions in the mean the University Club of Nelson, the article, succinctly outlining the his time frequently suffering irreparable only organized support he had re tory of the Club’s activities since injury. (Arthur 5-6) ceived from any part of this prov December 1903, was published on He then went on to list two points ince” (University n.p.). the same day as the Site connected with the organization of a Newspaper accounts of the sum Commission’s hearings in provincial university. mer of 1908 implied that the govern Vancouver. “First: the location. The modern ment would soon appoint an inde By April, the following appoint tendency is to establish universities pendent commission to recommend ments had been made to the in or near the largest centres of pop the location of the university. Commission: Dr. R.C. Weldon ulation. The city of Vancouver being However, it was not until February (chairman), Dean, Dalhousie by far the largest centre of popula 1910 that the University Site University; Canon G. Dauth, Vice tion in British Columbia, I think we Commission Act was passed by the Rectoi Laval University; Dr. Cecil must concede that the university Legislature. According to the Act, C. Jones, Chancellor University of should be located in or near that the Commissioner’s were to be New Brunswick; Dr. Walter C. city... “...disinterested educationalists non Murray, President, University of Second: the site... The Province resident in the Province of British Saskatchewan; and Dr. Oscar D. owns a large tract of land at Point Columbia...” who were authorized Skelton, Professor, Queen’s Grey, near Vaiwouve which I am and empowered “...to select as a lo University. Between 28 May and told by competent authority contains cation for the University that city or 28 June 1910, their busy itinerary some ideal sites for a university. rural district best suited in their included visits to Victoria, Nanaimo, (Arthur 8-9)” opinion.., for University purposes, Vancouver North Vancouver Dr. Arthur’s objective treatise ex which selection when niade shall be New Westminster, Chilliwack, plained that a large endowment final” (433-434). By the next month Kamloops, Vernon (some members would help provide for buildings, the University Club of Nelson had went to Kelowna, Summerland and equipment, library and salaries. asked the Minister of Education if Penticton), Revelstoke, Nelson, and “By this wearisome quotation of sta the University Commission had been Prince Rupert. tistics I hope that it is clearly estab appointed and, if so, who were its At the Commission hearings dele lished that very large revenues are members. Additionally, the Club gations from each community usual required to establish and maintain a particularly wished to know whether ly included local politicians, Board

B.C. Historical Ne 12 of Trade representatives and other Club, according to Farris, might rep business career in Nelson he had individuals interested in promoting resent but one percent of the city’s employed 15 watchmakers, all of their respective areas as the ideal population ... yet it could claim a whom were physical wrecks when site for the university. The majority large measure of credit for the uni they came to him and all of whom of these presentations stressed versity about to be established. The went away well men. Of six me growth and development (good for University Club of Nelson was orga chanics he had now, several had local business) or the quality of life nized in 1903, and at its second worked at the coast and claimed (climate, scenery and sports). In meeting it took up the matter of the they could do far more work here... fact, deviations from these themes establishment of a provincial univer A.M. Johnson... For two years he were ra’e and the suggestion that sity, and urged it in season and out was in Victoria, and could not work, the site be elsewhere than in their of season, during the ensuing years. forgetting in the morning what he region was scarcely stated. This, (City’s 4). had toiled to memorize the night be howevei was not the ease of the He further stated that he heartily fore. He came to Nelson, worked University Club of Nelson. agreed with all of the advantages of more hours a day and passed with Consistent with its many years of Nelson mentioned by the previous ‘remarks’. (City’s 5,8) correspondence to Victoria, the Club speakers and that should Nelson be The commissioners, after careful remained objective and steadfast in selected as the university site, none examination, reported to the dealing with the University would be more pleased than the Lieutenant-Governor in Council on Question. At its meeting on 11 Club’s members. Dr. J.T Ferguson 28 June 1910 that they “...have se June 1910 two resolutions present and Dr. Arthur then presented lected as the location for the ed by the University Committee lengthy and detailed arguments University the vicinity of the City of were unanimously adopted: supporting the two resolutions Vancouver”. In a supplementary re 1. That we favor placing all facul passed by the Club earlier that port, they stated that “The ties as near to one another as possi month (Dr. Ferguson spoke on loca University Site Commissioners are ble, and deprecating the scattering tion and Dr. Arthur on placing uni strongly of the opinion that the offaculties over the province; versity departments in close proxim University should not be placed on a 2. That it is desirable that the ity to each other). Their lucid site which may in time be complete university be placed as near as pos presentation was perhaps the best ly surrounded by a city...” and they sible to the largest centre of popula brief presented to the were “. . .of the opinion that the most tion. (University 57) Commissioners (Harris 124). suitable site is at Point Grey” (B.C. On 17 June 1910, at the In response to the University Sessional M13). Commission’s public sessions in the Club’s presentations, Mayor Selous At long last the University Club of Nelson Court House Mayor Harold feared that Dr. Ferguson’s “very Nelson’s dream of an established Selous proposed Nelson as the site clever document” would greatly in provincial university was close at for the university. He suggested fluence the Commissioners and that hand. At the 8 October 1910 meet three reasons for this proposal: a it was an injustice to the city ing ... an academic discussion is large tract of available land, accessi which he felt had been stabbed in sued upon whether the club should bility to both rail and water trans the back, he would ask Dn Arthur disband, having witnessed the ac portation, and a healthy climate. to state the membership of the complishment of the object for which WB. Farris, the representative from University Club, and the number it has worked incessantly since its the Nelson Board of Trade, reiterat who voted for the resolutions sub organization in December 1903... ed the advantages of suitable site mitted” (City’s 8). The Concensus of opinion among and climate, then added winter and At this sitting the Commissioners those present was that the accom summer sports to the list. Being a invited further comments about the plishment of this mission properly member of the University Club, he climate. Some interesting but exag marked a stage in the history of the also pointed out that a resolution gerated and humorous statements club, at which profound satisfaction favoring location of the university were made. could properly be felt; but there still near a large centre of population Rev. J.1? Westman... From the cli remained a wide field for usefulness was passed at a meeting he did not mate point of view, there was no for the Club, in fostering university attend. Farris stated “...that he doubt whatever that the Kootenay ideals and in contributing to the dissented, and he wished to say was better for the students than the community life as in the past. that in this case, the mayor and coasts and four hours work here ac (University 8 1,83) himself represented ninety-nine per complished as much as seven hours The University Club of Nelson con cent of the people of Nelson” (City’s work there... tinued discussing educational is 4). J. 0. Patenaude, jewelei said that sues for another five years until its Dr. E.C. Arthur President of the he could do three times as much last meeting on 2 January 1915. University Club, in his introductory work as a watchmaker in Nelson as There is no indication in the minute remarks stated that although the he could in Montreal. During his books why it ceased at this time,

KC. Historical Ne 13 but one can speculate that many of hers, and the cooperation of non 8. University Endowment Act, 1907 ch.45. Victoria: King’s Printer,1907. its patriotic members became in partisan government officials, the volved in the Great European War. University of British Columbia be 9. University Site Commission Act, 1910, oh. 51. Victoria: Kings 1910. For seven years the members of came a reality Printer the University Club had constantly 10. B.C. Sessional Papers. University Site Ron li@lwood is a Public Service Librarian Ceununisslon Reixurt. Victoria: King’s Printel submitted to the provincial govern 1911. ment, politicians and other civic offi at Selkirk College as well as a Kootenaian.a affieionado He 38 a long standing member of 11. “City’s Claims Placed Before University cials letters, telegrams, petitions Nelson Heritage Adviso,y Committee. Commission - University Club Presents Its and communiques concerning the Views.” NelsonflailyNewsl8June 1910:1,4-5, 8. establishment of a provincial univer 1. Arthuc EC. MemoiialsofUniversityClubof sity. They fully assumed and ex NeJiwithAddshi Endowment and 12. Clark, R.J. “Correspondence: University Site.” Ornimtisn of Psusinc5ai University. VaswouvProvincv2 June 1910:7. pected that their intercessions Nelson, B.C.: WH. Jones, 1907. would be considered by the politi 13. Harris, K. Cole. “Locating the University of 2. B.B. Laws, Statutes. etc. AnA& Res,tlng British Columbia.” B.C. Studirs 32 Winter 1976. cians who would listen to men and McGill Unfvemit eh28. Victoria: Kings’s 77): 106-125. women of reason and vision. It nev Printeil 1906. 14. “Provincial University - Club of Nelson Graduates er occurred to them that their views 3. An Act to hicorpe*-ate the Rqt’al hsstitution few the Send Memorial to Premier.” Nelson Daily News Advaswmnent ofLeamingdBritish Colunibia, cli. 14 February 1905: 1. might be cavalierly dismissed. True 38 Victoria, King’s Printer, 1906. to the society in which they lived, 15 The University Club of Nelson. Minutrs. Book 1 the members were treated with civil 4. British Columbia University Act, 1890, ch. 48 3 December 1903-13 November 1909, Book 211 Victoria: Queen’s Printer, 1890. December 1909-11 October 1913t ity by the government of the day and their petitions were considered British Columbia University Act, l908 cli. 513. 16. Wsde F.C. “University Question Down to Date,” Victoria: King’s Printer, 1908. VaisswiPnwinew2 March 1910:10,16. with due deliberation. This was an idealistic era, an appropriate cli 6. British Columbia Univrssity Amendment Act, 1891, cli. 441. Victoria: Queen’s Printec 1891. I am greatly indebted to my wife, Frances, who re. mate for provincial university pro searched and took notes fram many newspaper articles 7. British Columbia University Site Act, lOll, ek5 relating to the University Question. tagonists such as the University Victoria: King’s Printei 1911. Club of Nelson. Thanks to its mem

‘TNELUNO5TkJL ‘s° , HOTNARKO RIVER The Lunos Trail TO IMPO LAKE from the Piecipke on Holnarko River to Nimpo Lake j(:j by R.C. Harris /(oo)

‘ . ‘Z: Csb %.nMr The Coastal and Interior Indians and directories as Sumaas, Sumas, I . recognized the Bella Coola Valley as Lumaas, Lunas, Lunes, Lunos, 000,g??at a route between the sea and the Luno’s, and more recently as Loomis. / _cn..F--”, E”.ç4ie.a Interior plateau of British Columbia, The simplest phonetic spelling, severs a e They led Alexander Mackenzie this Lunos, became general. way in July 1793 on his exploration After a few years, Jake and his to the western ocean. In all, the brother-in-law Tom Engelbretson, Conbeo Nit Indians developed four or five ways moved up on to the plateau and pre up from the deep river valley to the empted land in the broad valley of plateau. The southernmost of these Dean River (locally Salmon River, or however the trail was shown on a routes, a 20 mile bypass, was even “Islako” to the Indians). Their pre Water Rights Branch map as “(Old tually named after Jake Lunos. emptions were on the main Chilcotin Lunos Trail (now in disuse)”. Jacob Johnson Lunaas arrived as Trail to Tatla Lake and points east, Happily, it was recleared by the one of the large group of Norwegians and lay between Towdystan Lake Public Works Department in the who settled in the valley, and found and Cariboo Flats. Jake Lunos kept 1930’s, and the west half was ed Hagensborg, near Bella Coola, in his part of the Bella Coola Trail open cleared again in the 1970’s by a lo 1895. It seems that some of the at the time when the country was be cal ranchei acting for the Forest less familiar Norwegian names were ing mapped, and surveyed into Service. not easy to transcribe, and Lunaas District Lots; naturally, his name be The first detailed mapping of the appeared in documents, voters’ lists came attached to the trail. By 1922, main route from Bella Coola to the B.C. Historical News 14 Cariboo Gold Fields was by Lt. H.S. Nimkop and Nimpoh, due to the About 1910, the Pacific and Palmei; RE. His report, including ends of the two north arms being Hudson Bay Railway considered a lithographs of two of the four maps several miles apart, see accompany location up the Hotnarko, which drawn, was printed at the Royal ing map. After passing the first would have intersected the Lunos Engineers Press, New Westminster north end of Nimpo Lake, the trail Trail, The railway company adver November 1862. headed due east to join the main tised weekly in the Bella Coola Leaving Hotnarko River at the Chilcotin Trail where it crosses the Courier with a reduced map of their mouth of Kappan Creek, below Salmon River at the Fishtrap (in proposal, and prepared a set of top Palmer’s “Precipice”, the Lunos Government Reserve L1637), a relic ographic maps of the country to be trail climbed gradually along the of the days when the fishery was crossed. A right of way through the east bank of Kappan Creek as far managed by the Indians. Indian Reserve at Bella Coola was as the second north fork, where a Immediately east of the Fishtrap purchased. A cut location line, laid series of switchbacks took it up on is an historic marker in front of a out with curves and tangents, can to the plateau, east of Table small hill where packer Alick still be seen on air photographs, Mountain. McDonald and party dug a protec crossing the plateau and heading Palmer’s “Plan No. 3” Shows that tive earthwork and took refuge in towards the Kappan and the lower he did not follow the first three the Chilcotin War of 1865. Their Hotnarko, but the Lunos Trail was miles of the Lunos Trail, which he work can still be seen as a depres never disturbed by any construction. names “Southern Route to Sutleth”. sion in the hilltop; it is peaceful In 1922, the Lunos Trail was The northern route continued, a lit there now on a warm summer after used during surveys for highway lo tle north of east, to Nacoontloon, noon looking out over the meadows, cations to Bella Coola. Neither of (now Anahim Lake), before turning swamps, rushes and glacial the proposed locations was used south up the Dean River valley to mounds, watered by the slowly when Highway 20 was finally con wards Sutleth. In general, the lat moving Dean River. nected as a through route, via ter was the route adopted by the Sutleth or Sitleece was an Indian Heckman pass, in 1955. Dominion Telegraph between 150 camp on the Chilcotin Trail about The Lunos Trail remained undis Mile House and Bella Coola in where the Nimpo Lake post office turbed, scarcely known outside a 1912. and general store now stands. few local residents for many more Palmer climbed up the talus and Continuing south to Towdystan, years, but John Spittle, Chairman rimrock (his ‘Precipice’) to the nose Hunlene’s cabin was passed (1922 of the B.C. Historical Federation’s of Table Mountain, presumably to map) in Indian Reserve No. 3 (east ‘Historic Trails and Markers examine the lie of the land, then of L999). This may have been the Committee’, reports that it was con headed east along the rim of the Indian hunter for whom the magnif verted to a mining exploration road plateau and rejoined the regular icent Falls below Turner Lake were about 10 years ago. trail. His viewpoint later became a named. topographic survey station, and is “J. Lunos House” is shown in the R. C. Hams is a Profrssional Engineer who shown on the current 1:50,000 map southwest corner of the Legal has lived and worked in B.C. since 1960. He 93 C/5, in feet, as “3926”. Survey plan of Lot 549A, has been Construction Manager fin- 70 bridg es including the Port Mann and Laing The Lunos Trail continued east Towdystan. Here, the Chilanko Bridges. His hobby is researching historic over the flat and swampy plateau, Trail branched east from the trails. He has shared his findings on trails keeping along the glacial ridges Chilcotin Trail. The Distric Lots inprevious issues oftheB.C Historical News north of a string of small lakes, mentioned in the text will be found and haspromised more articles for the for then crossed the divide to the on current topographic map 93 C!6. Salmon River basin (shown on pro Jake Lunos’ trips between ** ** ****** ** *** ** vincial maps as part of the “Summit Towdystan and Bella Coola are re 1. B.C. Dfre&or Williams, 1895,1899 Henderson, of the Cascade Mountains, as de ported from time to time in the 1910 fined for administrative purposes”). ‘Bella Coola Courier’, a four page 2. Voters’ Listi 1898 3. B.C. Ses1ona1 Papers Minister of Lands Report, Turning a little south, and always weekly newspaper which published 1925. p. D55: ‘...the old Lunos Trail, used between reaching for the good ground, the between 1912 and 1917; for exam Towdestan and Bella Coola. trail crossed the headwaters of ple: Maps wfth LunusTrsiF Nansa1 Pelican Creek, and passed by the 1915 June 19th: 4. C. 1913. “Pacific and Hudson Bay Railway? Topographical Map? Sheet No. 1 / Scale 2 miles = 1 north shore of Wawa Lake. A legal “Tom Engeibretson and family, inch.” Contour interval 100 ft. Bells Cools to plan of the country beyond this lake John H Schafer and Jacob J. Lunos Alexis Creek. 5. 1922. “Map of Dean River (watershed)? (showing shows “Lunos Cabin” in Lot 577. came down with their pack trains a portions of the Bells Coola River, and Adjacent wa This would be about a day’s travel week ago yesterday, from Tudistan, tersheds) ? To accompany report on Coast Project for Jake from Towdystan. back #94 ? Water Power Investigations 1922 / Scale 2 of Anaham Lake.” (Note the miles = 1 inch / Field Engineer D.W Hodseon.’ Until the 1930’s, Nimpo Lake was old spelling, and present pronuncia 6. 1926. “Totla-Bella Coola Area? Coast District? 1 inch to 4 miles”. V. Dolmage. GSCPublieatkxi No. mapped as two separate lakes, tion, of Anahim). 2103.

B.C. Historical News 15 Education in the Can boo Fifty Years Ago

by 7 Don Sale

At the start of the great depres J. sion of the early thirties a consider able number of young people who had recently completed their high school education found themselves with no hope of finding gainful em r- - . ployment within the foreseeable fu ture. Few if any had the necessary money to gain a university educa tion. It was soon realized that in 100 Mile house - circa 1868. spite of the current economic depres The part of the building with the open door was the sion there were still a large number location of the author’s first school —1934-35. of children in British Columbia and Many young enthusiastic teach School Van bearing the wording that these children needed an edu ers had the beginning of their teach ‘Diocese of Cariboo’ made a regular cation. In order for them to receive ing careers in the numerous one call enroute north, Miss Gill was an adequate education teachers room schools located throughout the the driver and Miss Vaughan was were needed. Here was a slim vast Cariboo-Chilcotin District dur the teacher. chance of employment if the proper ing the pre running water, pre elec In September 1935 both teacher qualifications could be obtained. tricity, and pre telephone era. The and pupils became ensconced in a There were in existence at that School Law of the 1930’s called for a new one room school building locat time two Provincial Normal Schools minimun of ten pupils in order to ed in a meadow two miles north of (one in Vancouver and the other in start a school with an average Exeter Station as this was the most Victoria) where future teachers could monthly attendance of six to be central for the three families then enroll. The year at Normal School maintained in order to keep the attending school. As much of the passed all too quickly where school open. In order to comply surrounding land was owned and ‘Master’ teachers in each subject im with these regulation sometimes lo controlled by Bridge Lake Estates parted their accumulated knowl cal boundaries were changed and an official trustee replaced the nor edge to their students. At the end pupils were imported to keep a mally elected three trustee land of June 1934 with certificate in school functioning. holders. Lord Martin Cecil contin hand the massive hunt for emloy As the first one room school at ued in that capacity. ment as a teacher somewhere in 100 Mile House had not yet been Perhaps the most important British Columbia took place. built the old bar room in the partial event of the year was the annual Provincial Inspectors were visited, ly vacant old 100 Mile House Road Christmas Concert in which each trustees were contacted and dozens Tavern was pressed into service and and every pupil participated with of letters were written to all possible cleaned up to serve as a schoolroom. their parents as audience. For locations in British Columbia where It was necessary to improvise and much of December all subjects were a teacher might be needed to fill a at the same time to try to concen correlated to making this social vacancy. “Teacher Wanted trate on the basic 3R’s (Reading, event a success in spite of many Advertisements” were answered as Writing and Arithmetic). At the handicaps. Parents are apprecia soon as they appeared in the news same time a young teacher from the tive and do enjoy seeing their chil papers. city had to get to know his pupils dren on centre stage. In my case Mr. A.R. Lord, who who were well versed in country life. In the winter the windows of the was the Inspector of Schools for the Both pupils and teacher were re school were iced over while hoarfrost Cariboo, appointed me teacher of ceiving an education. History was caked any exposed nails. At one 100 Mile House School at the salary available at first hand and the at time the temperature had to dip to of $780 per annum. The late Lord mosphere of the old building made 35 ° below zero (F.) before the Martin Cecil (later Bishop Martin this subject readily conducive to school could be closed due to cold Cecil and still later Marquis of learning. weather. Pupils travelled in pairs Exeter) was the Official Trustee for In late spring on a Friday after usually on foot or on horseback and the newly created school district. school hours the Anglican Sunday watched each other for possible RC. Historical News 16 signs of frostbite on the cheeks. The outdoor clothes of the pupils were parents and trustees and always snow at the low temperatures made hung on pegs near the stove to dry felt the warmth of welcome. a crunching noise with each step Rogers syrup pails containing soup, Incomes in those days were scant taken. milk, or cocoa were placed on the but what delicious homemade When the main 100 Mile House stove top at recess or just after in or bread, headcheese, home produced Lodge closed for the winter season I der to heat up for lunch. It was nec meat and many more delectable lo occupied a small room upstairs in essary to check to see that the lids cally garnered items were served the old historic original 100 Mile were loosened or there would be a during these memorable visits! Not House building. Meals (breakfast loud pop and the lid would fly up to be forgotten were the feeds of ven and dinner) were enjoyed in compa wards towards the ceiling. ison, wild ducks, geese, grouse and fly with the winter staff. A box All grades from one to nine in on one occasion porcupine which lunch was eaten at school with the clusive were taught at Springhouse tasted somewhat like chicken. pupils. The evening’s preparation School after which pupils had to Each one roomed school celebrat of homework was done with the take correspondence or board in ed the closing of school for help of a coal oil lamp. Williams Lake or elsewhere if they Christmas in its own way. Frequently in the long winter wished to continue their education. Springhouse was no exception. evening a rubber or two of bridge At the time of my teaching tenure Here again in the form of a tradi would be played in the end room there were three trustees - Mr. E.C. tional Christmas Concert each and where Charlie the store keeper had Harris, Mrs. Edith Stafford, and every pupil had a prominent part in his living quarters. To complete the Miss Marie Sorensen. the various songs, drills, plays and foursome we were joined by George In those years the roads were tableaux. Following the concert the the carpenter and Ben the handy not paved, so frequently following a desks which were on runners were man. rain or spring thaw they were cov moved out of the schoolroom. The Fishing was an enjoyable recre ered with a thick layer of mud parents and friends in attendance ational pastime. Both Canim Lake (gumbo) which condition added to enjoyed an old time social and and Lac La Hache proved quite lu the problem of pupils’ footwear. dance. Music was provided by two crative with Kokanee and Rainbow A sturdy truck driven by G. prominent local fiddlers - Jimmy trout being enjoyed frequently. In Place carried freight and mail from Isnardy and Antoine Boitanio who winter ice fishing was quite an at Dog Creek, Alkali Lake, and was Springhouse’s postmaster and traction with skaters carrying Springhouse to Williams Lake every after whom the shopping mall in lamps to scare the fish to holes cut Tuesday and made the return jour Williams Lake is named. in the ice where they were skillfully ney every Wednesday. My tenure as teacher at speared. The pioneers of the Cariboo Springhouse was brought to a sud In January 1937 I was trans Highway were saddened by the de den end in 1939 with the outbreak ferred to Springhouse School which struction of the historic 100 Mile of World War Two. The five years was located 17 miles southwest of House buildings by fire in April spent in the Cariboo had provided a Williams Lake on Dog Creek Road. 1937. good beginning to my forty year teaching career. There was a cer Springhouse received its name from When artificial light was re tain magic about a one room school - St. Peters Spring where the gold quired in the school a coal oil and a a togetherness, an eagerness to seekers could stock up with fresh gas lamp were used. A single line learn, a thorough knowledge of each water enroute to Barkerville. The telephone, battery operated, used individual pupil, common local inter area of Springhouse is wide open the Morse code to call the person ests and a common concern being prairie and subject to snow drifts wanted. A “howler” was conve only a partial list. during the winter. niently placed above each phone Springhouse School was a one set. As a result of the Cameron Report Springhouse School was fi roomed log schoolhouse originally Passenger transportation on the nally phased out in 1952. The built in 1917 from logs felled, Cariboo Highway between Ashcroft building was moved log by log about limbed, trimmed, and ‘snaked’ out and Quesnel was arranged by the two miles down the road and reas of the nearby bush by two of the dis genial and popular Clarence sembled with a view to making a trict’s pioneers - Charlie Harris and Stephenson and his employees of satellite museum to Williams Lake. Ingvard Johnson. Between the the Interior Transportation Stage At present it serves as living quar cracks a mixture of moss and mud Line. Teachers looked forward to ters to one of the employees of made the building air tight and travelling this route at each break Springhouse Trails and now at snug. The school was heated by a in the school year. huge oil drum stove which rapidly some seventy years of age boasts In addition to boarding with electricity. devoured cordwood lengths of 24 to Mrs. Stafford and family I made The demise of the one room 30 inches during the winter. Damp regular visits to the homes of all school has invoked a note of sad B.C. Historical News 17 ness. An era has gone forever yet it will long remain in the memory of Some Early Schools of many teachers who laboured as pio neer educators in the Cariboo British Columbia Chilcotin half a century ago.

UPDATE: 1989. by Douglas Harker Today, as a result of the Cameron Report, the Cariboo developed land adjoining when pur Chilcotin is referred to as School chased for St. George’s. District No. 27. It is served by a When this writer came to live in Hunter returned to England af large fleet of modern school buses as B.C. in 1933, there was a plethora ter two years. His interest was it extends from 70 Mile House in the of small private schools in and bought by John Harker and his south to McLeese Lake in the north, around Vancouver and Victoria. brother Douglas. The school had and from Anahim in the west to Their premises were usually an old about fifty pupils and a mass of Horsefly in the east. family residence crudely adapted to debts. The Harker bothers, also provide classrooms, gymnasium English immigrants, paid little The author is retired and living in and playing field. Money to buy more than $1000 each for the privi Nanaimo where he is very active in many equipment was often donated by a lege of ownership. community activiiies, including the Nanaimo well-to -do parent. These schools Centennial John Harker became Museum Society. He is currently were the Corresponding Secretary for the B.C. not recognized by the Board of Headmaster and held this position Historical FideraEon. Education, had no funds except for thirty years. He was a man of what came from inadequate tuition sound judgment, engaging person fees, and were not inspected gov ***************** by ality and vast humour. Under his ernment-appointed inspectors (un wise direction the school flourished. less the school principal was able to There was never a year in its entire make a private arrangement.) history when the enrolment was Teachers were often unqualified or less than in the previous year. The possessing a qualification unaccept school has steadfastly resisted the able to the Provincial Board. advance of co-education. Once, dur On the ‘plus” side was an ing the Second World War, some abundance of dedication. The men evacuated students were billeted at and women who started such St. George’s but when they were schools, and their staff members, found to be girls, other arrange were not concerned with hours of ments were made for them. work. They willingly toiled seven The Harkers had some rare luck days a week for salaries which were in the acquisition of playing fields. abysmally low even by depression- A substantial acreage of the nearby day standards. They are still re University Endowment Lands was membered with respect and affec owned by the Jesuits of Upper tion. They proved that devoted Canada. They had been granted 37 teachers are a more important fac acres to build a seminary in that tor in education than buildings or area but plans changed and it was equipment. built elsewhere. In 1935 the Jesuit Of the interdenominational Fathers, pleased to see their land Vancouver private schools operating used for educational purposes at that time only Crofton House, St. agreed to a long term lease first of

- - George’s and York House have sur two, later five, acres, for a rental of vived. Captain Danby Hunter came $300 a month, and eventually to from England in 1931 and founded their sale. Parents and friends St. George’s School that same year. helped clear the land at minimal He picked as good a site as could be cost. found in the city of Vancouver. The Today St. George’s numbers Mather House at 3954 West 29th some 650 students. The Junior Avenue was still a country residence School and boarders are now housed on a tree lined avenue with ten in the former Convent of the Sacred square miles of thickly wooded, Un- Heart, a Roman Catholic School for

B.C. Historical News 18 Girls established in that same tree- more accurately a private seminary opened in 1883 by that same tire lined avenue some ten years before for young ladies) was started in less prelate Bishop Sillitoe, and so the opening of St. George’s. A splen Yale, a rough, tough little town in called to mark a visit to New did Senior School with every possible habited mostly by miners preparing Westminster from Canada’s amenity has replaced the old for their assault on the goldfields. Governor-General, the Marquis of Mather homestead. All Hallows School, as it was called, Lorne, was built on the grounds of One of the most distinguished of started as a school for Indian girls the Bishop’s residence at Sapperton. the schools that did not survive was and came about in this way; Bishop The bishop had migrated from his Athione School, opened in 1940 by Sillitoe, first Bishop of New chaplaincy at the British Legation Violet Dryvynsyde. This remarka Westminster horrified at the lack of at Darmstadt where he moved in ble lady emigrated from Australia, teachers for local Indian girls, sent court circles and had as his close was widowed in 1940 and left with out an appeal for help to friends in friend the Grand Duchess of Hesse, a daughter aged eleven and a son Britain. The year was 1883. It was to New Westminster at that time a aged five. She refused an offer to answered by the All Hallows com city of less than 2000 souls, It had teach at St. George’s where her hus munity of High Anglican nuns in the been described in a letter to the band had been a brilliant teacher of Norfolk village of Ditchingham. London Times as: English and French. Instead she Three of them, well educated, culti no place for European gen started her own school with three vated ladies, came to Yale at their tlemen. It has a dense forest full of pupils in the Kerrisdale district of own expense and started All panthers (!) wolves, deer and Vancouver. Two of the three were Hallows in the West, first in the va grouse. But beside the shooting of girls, though she intended Athione cant parsonage adjoining St. John’s these, there is nothing else to do. to be a boy’s school. She lived to see Church, then in an abandoned CPR The life of a miner is nothing but a it flourish with an enrolment of 250 hospital, and finally, in 1888, in the round of swearing, striking and boys, an enviable reputation for aca palatial home of CPR contractor gambling. The most bare-faced im demic excellence and sound disci Andrew Onderdonk. The house set morality goes on publicly and pline, and waiting list. Like her in many acres, contained a magnifi knows no shame...” 2 cent mahogany curved bannister, husband she died in harness and The good Bishop, however down which the more adventurous her school closed in 1972. found New Westminster “a very girls used to slide. The Onderdonk Another fine school that died lovely place” and made many con with its founder was North Shore stable was converted to a chapel.’ tributions to its educational and re College in North Vancouver. In So successful were the nuns in ligious development. Fees at Lorne 1947, PT. Dale, its only headmas their educational methods that well- Collegiate were $4 per week for tei lost a long struggle with illness. to-do families in New Westminster room and board and “use of furni The school could not continue for began to seek admission for their ture”, a further $1 for tuition and lack of funds. At this writing (1989) own daughters, and in 1890 a new an annual $2 for fuel. For these some of the Old Boys still hold an wing was built for white girls. They sums, meager even by the stan annual reunion dinner, a notable paid $30 a month for board and edu dards of the day, ‘areful instruc tribute to the school spirit engen cation. Tennis courts, basketball tion was given in Reading, Writing, dered by North Shore College. court, hockey and croquet fields were Spelling, English Grammar, Vernon Preparatory School was now added. In this unlikely setting, Analysis and Composition, established in 1913 by the brothers in a village where taverns outnum Bookkeeping, Philosophy, Mackie who found a perfect site for it bered any other type of business, Geometry, Commercial and in the beautiful Okanagan Valley. with the mighty Fraser rushing by Advanced Arithmetic, Algebra, The elder the Reverend A.C. Mackie their door and towering mountains Mensuration, Latin, Greek, Bible, came from England, built and hemming them in, the girls dressed History Liturgy, and Ecclesiastical opened the school in the village of in white frocks and violet sashes History.” German and Music were Vernon in 1913. He was joined by (Mrs. Sillitoe’s name was “Violet”) extras. his brother Hugh three years later. greeted the Duke and Duchess of From the Archdeaconry which They worked together for thirty York, later King George V and Bishop Sillitoe re-named St. Mary’s years. Two of Hugh’s sons were Queen Mary, who had their train Mount, the Bishop kept a close eye killed in the Second World War. In stopped for an hour at Yale so that on Lorne Collegiate, operating night one term four students died of polio. they might visit the famous All classes himself and encouraging the In spite of such cruel blows of fate, Hallows School. playing of team sports. A letter the Mackies brought to Vernon In 1916, when the school could from the school’s Football Club ex “Prep” an immaculate reputation. no longer keep pace with the de pressed “thanks to the Right In the 1880s, when Vancouver mands of modern education, it was Reverend Bishop of New was still an unincorporated village closed. Westminster for the most generous named Granville, a girls school (or Lorne Collegiate School, also and acceptable gift of a football.” B.C. Historical News 19 The Bishop responded: “The sooner cently published book gives a graph ing one hour. Their food.. described you wear it out with kicking, the ic account of life in the Kamloops in Resistance and Renewal as better I shall be pleased.” We to Indian Residential School, opened in burnt, lumpy porridge, salty fish day perhaps have something to 1893 by the Oblates of Mary and blue milk.. ,was atrocious and learn from the manners of Lorne Immaculate. Until the coming of minimal. The children received only Collegiate students and from the the white man, education among two hours each day of academic scope of their curriculum. The the Shuswap had been a family re work. The rest of the day was school closed after four years, una sponsibility. Children remained at spent on chores. The reader is re ble to meet expenses. Despite its home until puberty and the idea of minded of Nicholas Nickleby and short life at least two of its students being removed from parents and Mr. Squeers. In British schools, too, rose to great heights in the govern family was unfamiliar and repug it was an era of strict discipline. ment, Richard McBride, premier of nant. Missionaries of that era how Doubtless the missionaries believed British Columbia from 1903 to 1915 ever seemed to regard Indians as they were whipping away the devil. and Ernest Millei member of the barbarous heathens to be sternly Kamloops Residential Indian British Columbia cabinet and presi moulded into civilized behavior. The School closed in 1960. Over the en dent of the Council. The high stan Missionaries’ aim, albeit well- suing years Indian control of Indian dard maintained by Lorne intentioned, was the complete de education has steadily increased. Collegiate School was in no small struction of the Indian traditional measure due to its principal, Mr. H. way of life. Doulas Harker is a resident ofPender Fiennes-Clinton M.A., brother of the It is not surprising most Island. He retired in 1971 from headmaster- famous Father Clinton, who rebuilt Indians regarded the regime in ship ofSt. Georges School St. James Church after the Great their residential schools as harsh ** *** *** ***** ** ** Fire. and cruel. Children underwent se

A type of education very differ vere punishment for the least infrac 1. Historic Yale -Vancouver Section B.C. Historical ent from that offered by any of the tion of the regulations, were forbid Association. 2. Pmt& Pilgrims Grove institutions of far described in this den to speak their native language 8. ChurchmansGazette 1888. article was imposed on native and made to feel ashamed of being 4. Realsiance and Rrnewal Celia Haig.Brown, Tillacum Indians in early Indian residential Indian. They rose at 6:00 a.m. at Libra, schools. Celia Haig-Brown in a re tended Mass said in Latin and last-

Shookumehuk Soliloquy

by Malcolm McPhee

In the late twenties and early A job as a dishwasher-flunkie at myself at Skookumchuk, and thirties for one to become a teacher New Lake Logging Camp was my “Hallelujah!”, I had my first teach required a real desire, money, or the only alternative. The salary of ingjob. ability to supplement one’s income $40.00 per month plus board kept The little school where I spent by various means, or a great faith in my body and soul together. my first two years as a teacher was the future. So when I stepped forth Later in the fall, the teacher at built in a clearing, quite remote, but from Normal School (young people Skookumchuk, a little village in the convenient for a scattered communi today ask: “Normal School? What’s southern part of the East Kootenay, ty. It stood alone, very much a part that?”) with my diploma in hand, I not far from the present day loca of the natural country-side. One re confidently expected that the combi tion of the Pulp Mill, accepted a alized this fully when a student, nation of a least two of these ingre transfer to a teaching position in who happened to sit near a window, dients would automatically assure Fernie. The news travelled quickly spotted a party of about five wolves me a position as a teacher. But af to New Lake. Armed with a glowing drifting through the school yard. ter writing forty four applications recommendation from Mr. TM. Fortunately for us all, it wasn’t re and attending twenty two inter Roberts, the Mayor of Cranbrook, cess, or a new door would have been views, my hopes were dashed, and with the offer of hasty transpor opened in the school. Three local Nothing was available at the time. tation by car from Rev, Ralph hunters combed the area for these Hardy, our minister, I presented animals, but without success. B.C. Historical News 20 The periodic visits of the doctor variety of terpsichore: schottisches, Buick roadstei was pressed into to country schools was an interest square dances, and more modern service more than once. On a return ing if somewhat “anxiety produc steps. During one schottische, I trip to Skookumchuk from ing” event. Even in those days inoc was pressed into participating by a Cranbrook, my passengers and I ulations were not at the top of the very energetic farm lady. She liter were facing a long trip home on icy list of “fun” things to do. Dr. ally took command and in the spins winter roads. One of the passen Green, Sr. was occasionally accom my feet never touched the floor. The gers, Mrs. West, was just out of hos panied by Mrs. Green, who filled in dance ended and I bowed out, dizzi pital, returning home because the as a nurse. On one visit, I noticed a ly, with a new respect for all worn baby she was expecting had decided look of consternation on her face ankind. to wait a little longer; in other during a student’s check-up. I was After the Christmas holidays words, a false alarm. The other horrified to see a nose with a many of the children wore their passenger, Miss Helen McClure, “healthy” trail of mucous streaming Christmas clothing gifts to school. was the teacher from Ta Ta Creek down the child’s face. Constant One little girl had the misfortune of School. On Eager Hill, north of sniffing reminded one morbidly of dropping her new mitten down the Cranbrook, the car skidded, slipped the ebb and flow of ocean tides. My hole in the out-door privy This re toward the ditch, and overturned. I clean handkerchief and a hasty quired a bit of consideration. The was partially stunned by the im blow relieved the situation. selection of a long stick with a pact of hitting my head on the Christmas concerts, as every forked end, and a bit of dexterity, steering wheel. When the fuzziness country school teacher will recall, brought the needed result. The started to clear I found the car still were the highlight of the school year treasured article was returned, at running, with wheels spinning on for students and adults alike. The which point my responsibility end top and gasoline dripping inside. small school was transformed. A ed. Visions of an emergency baby deliv passed through my mind stage was constructed with donated I was fortunate to find a home ery unthinkable lumber, curtains were provided to “away from home” with the among other equally the ignition add drama to the scene, and the Camerons. I was made very com things. I switched off of the car to check the Christmas tree was elaborately dec fortable, and settled into my new and rolled out great re orated by an appointed committee. abode quite painlessly. The other passengers. To my climbed up to Hours of rehearsing went into the Camerons had a large log home lief they had already help. The tow- concert production. which could accommodate a small the highway to find on the The children, of course, were community gathering with ease. truck driver who arrived a couple the stars of the evening. Parents Their daughter, Bertha Moore, was scene gave Elizabeth of she landed on all four sat proudly as their offspring per secretary-treasurer of the school shoves and West, with the help of formed the little number or two as board, so it was quite natural that wheels. Mrs. motorist, was returned signed to them, sometimes labori the family home would be open to an obliging time to attend her ously, with much prompting. various events. On one occasion safely home, in birthday something Unanticipated occurences added a there was a party at the Camerons. brother’s party, not to miss. bit of hilarity to the occasion. One People came, children, babies, and she was determined born about two weeks boy had the misfortune of stepping all. My room and bed were selected The baby was - girl, Marguerite. between the planks and had to be to settle six sleepy children of vary later a little helped up, unscathed, to continue ing sizes while the party was in Meanwhile, Elizabeth rallied to his performance. progress. When the evening ended the occasion sufficiently to transport and me to our respec The most important and antic and people had departed, I made Miss McClure of residence. Later, ipated part of the evening was the my way to bed. This was in the tive places was patched up for appearance of Santa Claus and the days before pampers, and I found to Elizabeth opening of gifts. The children them my chagrin that I had a very sod $12.50 selves had previously selected their den and uninviting bed. Mrs. After two years as teacher at cost-limited gifts from a catalogue Cameron came to my rescue and Skookumchuk I returned to and, if ordered early enough, they placed me into another room for the Cranbrook, my home town, to join came already gift-wrapped and night. the all-female staff , nineteen in ready for Santa’s personal presenta As a young school teacher in a numbei at Central School. I held tion. rural school setting, I was confront this position until 1942 When I en An occasion such as this was a ed with a variety of “first-time” ex listed in the Air Force to train as a welcome opportunity for socializing, periences. One that stands out viv pilot. so food and a dance would invaria idly in my mind revolves around my The fact that I was a teacher bly follow the concert. Country capacity as a taxi driver from led me into instructing classes in air dances were lively, non-alcoholic af Skookumchuk to Cranbrook or vice gunnery and bombing. I joined a fairs. Everyone participated in a versa. Elizabeth, my little 1919 special duty squadron as air gunner B.C. Histodeal News 21 __

overseas, flying from the east coast of England. After the war ended, I attended U.B.C. to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree. I later resumed my teach ing career in Cranbrook, first at Mount Baker High School and then ‘/ as principal at Tenth Avenue Elementary, Laurie Junior High, €? ; and finally, until retirement, at et/, T.M. Roberts Elementary - the >3. C whole teaching experience encom passing a span of over forty years. irn5i.’

c - Malcolm McPhee taught from 1933 to -a’ Z 1974 in the Cranbrook area. He is a former president of the East Kootenay Historical a’ - -a.- .26’WZ

c7// 25424 .m cY.Zz Gems From /ZL w -d’ 9 Archives * / J c

The letter on this page is the . first of a series — Gems from & J’ Anhiv. You see a photograph 4’ ht. (reduced) of an actual handwrit 2i ten letter complete with ink 7a % is an application to blots. This 7 /üa Ay the Cranbrook schoolboard writ ten in 1910. m/ /iZi ,z% 9 w Perhaps you have a souvenir of e long ago that virtually tells its own story It could be a picture, , - / -z a dance program, a poster a list _1’€-? cZz- for a music recital, a menu, a .z% 7Z ,22zt’ ) .2.- newspaper clipping or ??? For a 2.t (z2,/ ci- news clipping please name the 7Ct - 71& /i 74W paper and date (or approximate date) of the source. Make a good quality photocopy of your archi - val treasure and send this copy with whatever relevant details you have to: (4) sy The Editor - B.C H. News Box 105 / -d - Wasa, B.C. Jh VOB 2K0 d

B.C. Historical Ne 22 ‘One, Two, Three, Alary;’ Vancouver School Grounds Between the 192O and the 196Os by Neil Sutherland To many children, the most im showed some of the sharp differenc it back into play for all. Other boys portant events of the school day es between them. To eyes accus lounged in clumps. If the ball came took place on the school playground tomed to the present rich range of arching down their way, these before school and during recess, children’s clothes, shoes, hairstyles, clumps dissolved as the boys raced lunch hour and after school. In in and so on, all pupils in this earlier for the ball. The lucky victor booted terviews conducted for the Canadian era would appear very drab indeed. it as hard as he could across the Childhood History Project, we have Even in the middling levels of socie field and another clump dissolved asked many people who grew up in ty, children bathed less frequently after it. On the girls’ playground, Vancouver to describe their child than they do today. More children many youngsters bounced lacrosse hood, including their play time, for then than now did not bathe at all. balls, and one could hear amongst us. One large group of our inter Children had fewer clothes and other chants, “One, two, three, viewees spent their childhood in changed them less frequently. alary”. On the smaller play Cedar Cottage and another large Some boys wore heavy boots, often grounds younger children played group in Kerrisdale. Despite the with metal plates around the toes tag, hide and seek and other class differences between these and with “blakeys” on toes and games. neighborhoods, children in both ap heels. Despite the admonitions of Seen from afai all the move parently employed their school teachers and nurses, some wore ment that characterized the play yards in very similar ways. only cheap “runners” in the summer ground appeared kaleidoscopic but Vancouver generally provided and when it was dry, and ‘qum in fact much of what went on was substantial concrete and brick boots” when it was wet or snowy A highly structured. Although most schools for its pupils. Well main few wore runners whatever the children arrived at school well before tained, many stood out as the most weather. Some were unkempt and the bell, on all but the worst days, impressive buildings in their neigh even dirty, while others wore clean they played outside. Only those borhoods. The front of each school but threadbare clothes. One of the privileged (and sometimes jealously presented its best side to the com latter recalls always having “hand- despised) pupils who had minor munity; the building was set back me-down clothes” and boots that at housekeeping or administrative behind low fences which protected first were too big, for a time just tasks to perform were admitted to lawns and shrubs. At about eight right, and then, “for another inter the corridors of classrooms before o’clock each morning a janitor or a ininable while, they were too the bell. On very wet or very cold pupil monitor raised the flag in small.” Unlike the children of the days the children might gather or front of the school. Since most had employed working class or middle be compelled to gathei in the base above-ground basements, those us classes, such children “had nothing ment play areas of those schools new . . . after Woodward ‘s 95-cent ing the main entrance of the school - which had such facilities. Since day.” Nor did they weai to cite but forbidden to pupils - climbed a set of basements were usually dark, noisy wide granite steps and entered on one fad of the 1930’s “Lindbergh” and unventilated, children tended to one side of a double door. Most helmets, with their plastic goggles avoid them if they could. schools also had and straps that did up under the a boys’ entrance Whether they played inside, or and a girls’ chin. entrance, generally at outside, however, the rigid struc ground level. Behind the school lay As the time for the first bell ap tures of the “culture” of childhood the main playing field. Since inten proached, each school yard in the dictated who used which part of the sive use made grass impossible, city became a noisy scene that could field or basement, and what went this part of the playground was be heard for a couple of blocks in all on there. In large schools, each lev usually covered with packed earth directions. In the Fall, for example, el - primary (grades one to three), and gravel, which meant that those most boys in the upper grades as intermediate (grades four to six) who fell on the playing field often sembled on the field. Some boys and senior (grades seven and eight) tore their skin or pitted their knees. raced continually after the soccer - had a core group who dominated Although the children in both ball, trying, as they said, to get a the activity that the season dictat neighborhoods appeared socially “kick” in. Sometimes a group of the ed. They also controlled the best bit more or less integrated in their older boys tried to keep the ball to of the playground that custom as play, even on the playground they themselves, passing it within a fair signed to children in that grade or displayed characteristics that ly tight circle. A single mistake put level. Most other children played B.C. Historical Nc 23 the same game close by. girls played, separately if there At about five to nine, those equipped with bell towers or Both boys and girls played were enough of each sex, otherwise schools bells sounded a warning many of the traditional games of together, a transformed softball electric other schools a senior pupil childhood. Both sexes played tag, game called “scrub”, which may ring. In the duty teacher circulated tag ball, dodge ball, and andy- also have been an adult game but or the corridors and on the andy-eye over. On wet days in one which children learned from through grounds ringing the brass hand bell. their separate basements they each other. (“I loved baseball and At the bell, monitors collected the played a version of tag sometimes enjoyed it best if boys and girls sports equipment. The children called ‘British Bulldog”. Both boys played it together”.) Both boys and rapidly to the inside or out and girls also employed traditional girls played “single basket”. moved side assembly point for their class starting rhymes and chants: “On Around the edge of the play There they lined up in pairs; your marks”; “Liar, liar”; “Cry grounds, some children stood in es. in front, boys behind. The baby”; “You’re getting warm”; pairs, some girls holding hands, or girls younger children held hands with “Stick and stones’ “Nyah, nyah, in small groups. (“We spent a lot of their partners. Many of the girls nyah!” time observing . . . and talking an already-reserved place about people”.) Except for the bold moved to Both boys and girls also had line. Since the front was a est of the grade sevens and eights, in the their separate games. Girls played position, those who these pairs and small groups were much-coveted singing games. They skipped sep it reserved it by placing composed of children of one sex only, wanted arately or in a variety of games - lunch bags or other posses and most children of each sex were coats, “Dutch’ “Double Dutch” and so on or even lined up well separated either by rule or by cus sions there, - of increasing complexity. They of the bell to ensure their po tom on the schoolgrounds. Some ahead bounced balls - “there were lots of At the bell, the boys raced groups talked loudly, argued, sitions. games with lacross balls” - on the tussled either for first posi laughed and the boys particularly up and sidewalk or against the wall of the the girls or for the very but also some of the girls, hit, tion behind school. They played with jacks and in the lines. (In some pushed and shoved each other play last position balls together. (“I loved jacks”.) classes, the “toughest” fully and sometimes not so playful upper-grade They played hopscotch “with fa claimed this latter position as and wrestled in ‘play” fights. boys vourite things sewn together”. ly, right.) The principal, Others talked quietly, gossiping, a matter of They played “house” and “initials “. or duty teacher ap sharing the secret knowledge of vice-principal, Boys played “conkers” with horse stared - or even roared - childhood, telling jokes and some peared and chestnuts “to see who was the King children into silence. He or she times “dirty” stories. (“Why did the of the chestnut bashers”. They then signalled the classes one by the little moron... ? “; X “Do you played with marbles or “alleys” to march into their classrooms. want to hear a dirty story?” Y: one (such as “steelies” and “cobs”) in the children progressed inward, “Yes”. X: ‘A white horse fell into a As such games as “round pot’ ‘dd or many were already planning how mud puddle”.) Occasionally these even”, ‘poison”, “stink”, or with would spend their recess, only pairs or groups of children would they marble boards. They played with an hour and a half away! milk bottles tops, using their “stick promenade the whole schoolyard, so Note: Some material in this ers” to increase their supply. They that they would know what was go paper appeared in my “The chased and shot at each other with ing on everywhere, or to spot a par of Formalism”: finger-guns, while making appropri ticular member of the opposite sex. Triumph Schooling in Vancouver ate noises in their throats. They A few children, also at the edge Elementary the 1920’s to the 1960’s,” played handball, murderball, “two of the playground, stood alone look from B.C. Studies. 69-70 (Spring-Summer finger whacking. tagball, and pie”. ing on. If there was a “special” 175-210 and in “Everyone In the school basement particularly, class of some sort in the school, its 1986), seemed happy in those days’ the they played a game called, various pupils were generally ignored by culture of childhood in Vancouver be “ship ahoy ‘ ‘ships and sailors the “regular” pupils. (“They didn’t ly, tween the 1920’s and the 1960’s coming in”, or ‘piling on”. talk clearly or walk right; they “History of Education Review 15 didn’t socialize with us’ “One boy More boys than girls played ad 3 7-51. 1 am indebted to both with c.p. talked funny and other 1986), aptations of adult games. Thus the many interviewees and the kids did not want to talk with my school taught children to play soc Humanities teacher circulated Social Sciences and cer, softball and basketball. On him”.) The duty sometimes carry Research Council of Canada for their their own, boys played soccer with from field to field, its clapper. If generous help. out any of the inhibiting rules of ing a brass bell by of the primary adults; there were, for example, no she taught one might also try to join works at the University “off sides” in their play. (Soccer grades she Neil Sutherland the “loners” to this or an of Briti8h Columbia on the Canadian was our ganie!” Both boys and some of other group. Chilhood History Projoct. Historical News B.C. 24 Discovery Reenactment ‘92 Captain Vancouvers Yawl Returns to Note: The commemorative maiden voyage described in the following article was made in British Colunthia Coast honour of Dt W Kaye Lamb, noted Canadian historian, editor of The Vo’vage of Georee Vancouver 1 791-1795 (The Hakluyt by Greg Foster Society, London, 1984), and advisor to Discoveiy Reenactment ‘92. The mission was accomplished in a spirit of respect and appreciation for his long, scholarly labours on the Vancouver expedition.

Yachtsmen making the passage Lieut. Peter Puget estimated they Bonaventure” hosted over 1,000 en up British Columbia’s famed Jervis had surveyed 315 miles in 11 days. thusiastic persons ‘pulling an oar Inlet in mid-August 1988 were tak Numerous incidents of lasting in with Capt. Vancouver” in harbour en back two hundred years at the terest and scenes of enduring gran excursions during the 3-day event. sight of a 25-foot (7.6 m) pinnace deur were described by the explorers a live exhibit co-sponsored by the plying its way under oar and sail during this very full 11-day cruise, Discovery Reenactment Society and among the distant reaches. It is a which included their surprise meet the Maritime Museum of British credit to the historical consciousness ing with the Spanish captains Columbia, with the Victoria Real of Northwest mariners that few Galiano and Valdes off Point Grey. Estate Board as Festival host. failed to recognize this graceful 8- We latter-day explorers recorded Needless to say, the return of the oared 3-masted vessel (actually a equally memorable events as we original boat crews to the shipboard ships’ yawl), or to appreciate her sought to test the feasibility of us community of 100 men on the presence in these waters. The ing such boats under similar condi Discovery, was probably less shat Union Jack fluttering from the miz tions in the same waters. For us it tering than our arrival at the crowd zen may have helped. was a crucial reconnaissance expedi ed, horn-tooting, steam-blowing, col This strirring expedition was the tion, exploring the conditions to be ourful wharves of the Inner Harbour maiden voyage for the “Elizabeth expected during Discovery from the remote, silent (and

Bonaventure” - a reconstruction of Reenactment ‘92, in which hundreds wet) arms of Jervis Inlet where the

the yawl-pinnace from “Discovery” - and perhaps thousands of persons awesome mist-shrouded heights the first of the British Columbia of all ages will have the opportunity plunge to unfathomed depths. boats being built to reenact the orig to participate in a hands-on-oars Vancouver called its aspect “equally inal charting of our Northwest in memorial exploration of our coast dreary” to Howe Sound, character shore coastline as a bicentenary line from the bottom of Puget Sound ized by a “natural gloominess’ commemoration in 1992. And a to north of Vancouver Island. The finding that “the cataracts here proper shakedown it was. 4-month commemoration will be di rushed from the rugged snowy Constructed to carefully re vided into sections or ‘passages” mountains in greater numbei and

searched lines and specifications varying from one to ten days - much with more impetuosity . . .“ Puget

from the late 1700s’ the yawl seeks as the original - and the Jervis trip waxed somewhat more poetic and to replicate the craft reserved for gave us a taste of one of the longer enthusiastic, describing the Inlet Captain George Vancouver’s own stints. “trending to the Northward in a personal use during the monumen Our itinerary was somewhat dif winding Direction & running up be tal survey begun in 1792. ferent. Starting from Galiano tween two Inaccessible Ridges & Discovery’s yawl, in company with Island where the yawl was high Snowy Mountains down which her launch, were the first European launched in mid-July, we proceeded immense Water Falls rushed from vessels to penetrate Jervis Inlet in north to Nanaimo, crossed the the very Summits whose Fury, the search for a Northwest Passage. Strait and mostly rowed the 50-mile largeness and Romantic That original expedition in the length of Jervis to Chatterbox Falls Appearance is beyond any descrip

ship’s boats - the ninth of thirty-one at the head of Princess Louisa Inlet. tive Powers I possess. We pulled as that were sent out from Discovery & The return voyage took us down close as possible to one of the larg

Chatham in the first season’s work - the Sunshine Coast to Vancouver est. The Sea was in a perfect Foam began south of the present interna where we were received with warm & to look up .. . was absolutely tional boundary and progressed hospitality aboard HMCS Discovery awful and I may add terrific.” northward charting the lower in Stanley Park. Then skirting the The “Elizabeth Bonaventure” re “Guiph of Georgia “(sic), “Bit rrard ‘s banks to Tsawwassen, we recrossed turned to Galiano Island having Canal”, “Howe’s Sound”, and the Strait, sailing with fair winds to covered 364 nautical miles in 12 “Jarvis”s Canal” before returning to the 11th Annual Victoria Classic days underway, filled with magnifi the ships anchored in Birch Bay. Boat Festival where the “Elizabeth cent sights, memories, and respect KC. Historical News 25

News B.C. Historical

daunt Strait glassy acteristically

of stewardship and

seamanship,

be- cooperation peaceful the coast,

an of unchar the waters in mirrored

traditional

craftsmanship, ship,

people the native with encounters

sun blazing the with steady pulling

scholar world:

the part of this

life, educational animal and plant

did of days Neither class place.

be outmoded that

never

can

“ships” of classification scientific charts,

this world-wonder- of majesty the

in four

and interest respect

motes

of reliable legacy a us left they

in drinking the Passage, while all

pro the Reenactment if

enough

weathers, all in way northward

Northwest a or of the nals prospects

be it will Perhaps

plishment. their mapping sail, and oar Under

jour the original in discrepancies

accom his duplicate to

begin

cannot

boats. their

over as crew, intrepid we speculated

on civilization nearby

dependence took to they

passages - tidal

. .

our of ing spirits the but gear, not

and & clothing, food

modern

tables,

intricate such in vessels large their

sleep and dampened clothes some

& current tide charts,

our

with

we to maneuver

unable rations, short -

have Inlet may the rain Days in of

done, and said is all

After breeches.

on working and pressing time with

it, of too. made cessful they job

for big our too

become we lest

responsibilities, scientific matic and

suc a

and

very explorers early

. . .

reminder timely

and

gether.

diplo weighty

carrying

. complexity, .

of our shoes the into step to children

to expedition great

his

held

who unsupected of coast a chart to ders

their and the for chance themselves

captain for

the

respect of

out cant, or under record, of voyage longest

seized experience without previous

was

Bonaventure”

“Elizabeth in the engaged home, from away

or with to from age seventy seven

the on

seat

captain’s The

a world Half heritage. regional our

in of ranging sexes both Volunteers

firsthand.

heritage of roots the at lying roic dimensions

trip. Jervis legs

of the gressive

our

Northwest and earn

learn

he of drama a

reveal expedition - nal -

on pro the yawl crew helped groups

opportunity real in

life a

part

take origi of the journals the truth, In

dozen a Nearly for. prepared

as we this more to appreciate

come 1792. in here ing

were than we the Reenactment plan

We will closely. us

touches

which work were who expeditions Spanish

of popularity and the practicability

one and reenact, to history

fying

and

British the

from both oning

demonstrating even toward further

an edi is It it. to

responsibility

own

reck in our boys still of them most

went The summer’s shakedown

our consider as

home

our

now explorers distinguished our for -

oar. pull an to one way than more

is that a coast

exploring

wake, their

respect our is greater Even home.”

is There expedition. Vancouver

in respectfully

will we

later

safely me brought she always

the on labours Lamb’s scholarly

years

hundred

two

commemoration,

danger

from escaped repeatedly -

Dr. of in honour was our mission

In diligence.

and

fortitude

ample us before Vancouver Capt. which

it As was, in historical research.

ex enduring an

and

nations,

tween in of vessel type old a 200-year for

his adventures and from the coast,

in Inlet Jervis 1988. from August returning on his experiences own from nals,

in Passage, Welcome full

under

yawl sail

Discovery’s jour the from expedition anecdotes

us with by wet regaling clothes

and blisters off our our kept minds

have He this Inlet would August.

—... ..

Jervis to returned Bonaventure”

as the captain’s “Elizabeth seat

the in been have he racks”, would

bar to not been “confined had Lamb

If Dr. help and advice. continuing

to his and work his debt past to in

greatly are reenactment-oriented -

or museum-, academic-, whether

for ning commemoration 1992 -

plan in and ship, engaged those

author in and long career research

of his beneficiaries Canadians are

All deeds. great of keeper

and light- the shipmate is which

scholarship historical the mature

exemplifies 1984), London, Society,

(The Hakluyt 1791-1795 Vancouver

of George The Voyage the 4-volume

of editor and historian Canadian

distinguished Lamb, Kaye Dr. W

our resources. magnificent the enthusiasm of even very young “on exhibit” at museums. For in gram throughout British Columbia, midshipmen alternately helping at stance, one of the large cutters will particularly those in waterfront the oars and learning to lay a be planked this winter at the communities with historical! straight course athwart the tide. Washington State Historical Society recreational/outdoor education objec Vancouver’s boat crews generally Museum in Tacoma, and a jolly boat tives. got underway at 4 a.m. and contin and cutter are the object of a demon The Society is incorporated under ued their charting work until 10 or stration workshop at the Oregon the Society Act of British Columbia, 11 p.m., often experiencing difficulty Historical Society Museum in and is authorized to receipt tax- locating suitable camping spots. Portland. In addition to the survey deductible contributions as a regis We did well to breakfast by 9 a.m., boats being built by the Discovery tered charity under the provisions of were usually finished for the day by Reenactment Society at Whaler Bay the Income Tax Act. All support to 7 or 8 p.m., and with the aid of on Galiano Island (a Spanish date has come from private individ charts had no difficulty finding de launch is on the stocks), the Society uals wishing to assist this notewor sirable havens to pitch our tents is cooperating with interested com thy project. Copies of the Discovery and set up our camp stove. It must munities, schools, and organiza Reenactment prospectus are availa be admitted that, regardless of tions throughout coastal British ble to persons or organizations in terrain, pulling boat crews sleep Columbia to reproduce boats for par terested in furthering the Society’s well! ticipation in the ‘92 commemoration goals of heritage education. The yawl is clearly a thorough and on-going historical/recreational bred, as is the reconstruction of programs. Write To Discovery’s launch presently operat Primary purpose of the ing in Puget Sound.. . and the cut Reenactment is to provide an active Discovery Reenactment Society ters, longboats, launches and jolly educational program for the P0. Box 43, Whaler Bay, boats either on the building stocks Bicentennial focusing on our early Galiano Island, B.C. or on the drawing board. All are maritime history traditional sea VON 1PO. based on outstanding British and manship, and appreciation of our Spanish examples of these types rich coastal heritage, including our Article contributed by Greg Foste from the late 18th century carefully long-established native culture. practicing shipwright & historian since reconstructed from the source analy Curriculum development is under 1970, in charge of the “Pacific Swift” sis of Research Director J.E. “Ted” way, and pilot projects throughout tallship project at Expo “86. Mr Foster is one of the organizers of the Discovery Roberts and the author’s experience the Northwest region are working Reenactment Society, and currently building historical watercraft over out the practical aspects as the serves as its Executive Director He and the last twenty years. In contrast boats become available. his wife Shay were crew members to the naval whalers familiar to The Discovery Reenactment aboard the yawl “Elizabeth most B.C. mariners, the ships’ boats Society was organized in 1987 by Bonaventure” during her maiden voyage to Jervis Inlet. for the Reenactment are taken from experienced open boat mariners, older, safer, more wholesomely - outdoor education specialists and ****** ********* ** modelled craft representing the marine historians, to provide an av zenith of the boatbuilder’s art. All enue for widespread international are pulled double-banked, which al participation in this distinctive ear lows shorter oars and nearly twice ly chapter from our maritime heri the number of rowers as in single- tage. The venture is characterized banked boats. In addition, the de by cooperation between many or signs are of moderate proportions, ganizations and communities in sea-worthy and safe, with adequate Canada and the U.S., and seeks to beam for good stability in all condi complement the excellent programs tions. Under sail or oars - even in currently offered by our maritime gale force winds and rough seas - museums. Response from all quar these ‘sniall ships” are an eloquent ters has been even more enthusias testimony to the reliability of time- tic than anticipated. Given proper proven designs developed in the con coordination, it is apparent that the text of a long and rigorous seafaring Reenactment in 1992 will be a ma tradition. jor commemoration in the history of The new year will see a number of our province, whose influence will be boats added to the Reenactment felt for many years to come. The di fleet here in British Columbia as rectors are seeking contact with key well as in Washington State and persons representing organizations Oregon. Many of them will be built which would benefit from this pro-

B.C. Historical News 27 Bookshelf

Books for review and book reviews should be sent directly to the book review editor, Anne Yandle, 3450 West 20th Ave., Vancouver, B. C. V6S 1E4.”

Distant Neighbours: a MacDonald to conclude that funda cessful businessmen. The profes Comparative History ofSeattle and mental differences of approach laid sions and their respective roles were Vancouven the groundwork for very different cit largely outside the scope of the in Norbert MacDonald; Lincoln and ies. quiry Consistent with the author’s London: University of Nebraska The economic focus evident in perspective, Distant Neighbours of Press, 1987. $25.95 the early chapters remained keyed fers little indication of what it was throughout the book, although its like to be a member of the labour For much of the past thirty relative prominence varied. The force in either city. years Norbert MacDonald has been chapter “Critical Growth Cycle” for While economic matters were of intrigued by numerous aspects of example, outlined the rapid expan central importance to MacDonald, he the development of Vancouver and sion of both cities from 1900 to 1910 did not concentrate on them to the Seattle. His articles published in principally through an analysis of exclusion of all other matters. the Pacific Northwest Quarterly, the standard economic indicators. Woven through the text were tantal Pacific Historical Review, the Statistics on population growth, ur izing segments dealing with the po Canadian Historical Review and ban and interurban railway line ex litical and social life of the two cities. B.C. Studies informed readers of his pansion, residential and commercial A collection of 48 carefully chosen finding and conclusions, particularly building construction and real estate photographs in the centre of the on topics of an economic or demo transactions were assembled to de book provide glimpses of everyday graphic nature concerning one or scribe the two cities. The implica life as well as a brief visual record of both of the two cities. In Distant tions of this economic expansion for the changing skylines of the two cit Neighbours MacDonald greatly ex city government and urban planning ies. Municipal politics in both cities panded the scope of his inquiries were also briefly examined. came under close scrutiny in the and tackled the difficult task of writ Similarly, the chapters on the two chapter “Thirty Years of Municipal ing a comparative history of wars and the depression were pre Politics” which covered the post Vancouver and Seattle. sented primarily from an economic World War II period. Of particular Working within a chronological standpoint. MacDonald stressed interest to residents of Vancouver is framework, MacDonald set out on the different economic impacts of MacDonald’s account of the influence several different avenues of inquiry war related industries to account for of the 1929 Bartholomew report on to explore the central unstated ques part of the difference in the develop Vancouver’s urban planners for dec tion, “Why did two communities ment of the two cities. In the chap ades afterward. Similarly, with such marked similarities of set ter on the 1930’s MacDonald con Seattlites will be able to recognize ting and resources develop so differ trasted the different levels of the influence of John Olmstead on ently? The opening chapters pursue involvement in the local economies their city. a search for early indications of dif undertaken by the respective federal Unlike the “popular” histories ferences. The motivations of the ear governments. Taken as a whole, MacDonald referred to in his intro liest pioneers and the settlement the reader gains an overall although duction, this volume is carefully re patterns and the land ownership somewhat episodic sense of the searched and painstakingly docu policies in the two communities were course of economic development in mented. The task of writing a examined. Excellent maps enable the two cities. Intriguing subjects comparative history of two cities in the reader to gain a clear under such as the role of the business elite one volume means that the author’s standing of the overall layout of the unfortunately were not pursued stroke must be broad and areas in “frontier villages” which ultimately throughout the book, but rather were evitably will be excluded. For exam became Vancouver and Seattle. analyzed only for the three decades ple, the role of women in creating These findings, viewed in relation to prior to 1915. This is particularly these cities is largely ignored. The the respective roles of private, semi regrettable as MacDonald offers a careers of prominent women such as public and public agencies and major top down view of the two urban econ Helena Gutteridge, Helen Gregory financial players including the two omies concentrating primarily on the MacGill and Ella Johnson pass un transcontinental railways, lead major corporations and most suc noticed. Race relations are touched B.C. Historical News 28 only lightly and only in terms of con stressing conflict based on ethnic di farm labour and the expansion of the flict. The power of the press in form visions or gender, while important, white collar workforce are discussed ing each city is tacitly acknowledged should not be given a greater ex in one or more selections. Given the but not fully explored. Labour histo planatory value than class conflict. emphasis on class, it is unfortunate ry buffs will find little for their mill. A second theme underlying the that there is no discussion of ranch Nevertheless, Distant Neighbours editors’ selection of materials for the ing and the “landed aristocracy” enhances our growing understand volume is that sociological theory that emerged in the interior of the ing of the two cities. MacDonald’s and historical research need to be province around the turn of the cen book will be avidly sought by per used together. Theory without re tury. Granted, the editors did not sons interested in the process of ur course to historical evidence is prob commission pieces for the book; but ban development in North America, lematical; or “a sociology without the topic should have been at least in cross-border studies, in the settle history is suspect” (p. 7). The es alluded to in the article on the struc ment of the far West and in either of says are collectively present as ture of the 19th century state. As the subject cities. works in historical sociologr (or soci an argument for a general, rather ological history since several of the than a class approach, the book is LindaHale contributors are trained as histori less than satisfying. The attitudes ans) with historical evidence used to towards class as an analytical tool Linda L. Hale, member of the illustrate the validity of theoretical differ widely from author to author. Vancouver Historical Society is cur constructs. To a lesser degree, origi The positions range from closely rently writing a book with Marjory nal research is used to refine and de argued academic discussions to the Land entitled The Other Side ofthe tail theory. The primacy of theory is simple unspoken and uncritical ac Stoiy: Canadian Women Journalists stressed: “history which is not socio ceptance of class conflict so common 1 890-1 945. logical is basically deficient” (p. 7). ly embodied in strike chronicles. The individual essays in the col The degree of historical ground lection do not uniformly support the ing also varies widely from one se broader assumptions put forward by lection to another. Several of the the editors. While this problem is pieces do little more than reorganize readily admitted, the suggestion is previous work according to the needs offered in the preface that the wide of a theoretical position. While a re Workers, Capital, and the State in range of approaches will demon view of the literature is useful, a to British Colwnbia, Selected Papers strate the overall strength and use tal reliance on secondary sources edited by Rennie Warburton and fulness of “a single, broad, theoreti does not qualify as good history. David Coburn. Vancouver: cal perspective” (p. vii). Articles on Other contributions, particularly University of British Columbia, the role of the state in creating a le James Comley’s work on the salmon press 1988. Pp. 288. galistic native identity and over fishers are based on extensive pri views of the mining industry prior to mary evidence and demonstrate the The general reader and the nov 1920 are presented alongaide stud potential value inherent in the mer ice in British Columbia labour histo ies of specific strikes and arguments ger of history and sociology ad ry are advised to approach this col for the inclusion of managers, cleri vanced by the editors. Patricia lection of essays with caution. cal workers and school teachers Marchak’s discussion of recent While many of the individual selec within the bounds of the working changes in the forest industry can tions contain valuable information class. Broadly speaking, the arti also be highly recommended. and reflect the wide spectrum of po cles fall into two major groups: those Indeed, the strengths of the book sitions on the left, the overall work which address the major themes of lies in the individual articles. The is presented to advance the value of the collection and those which serve complexity of the working class and class theory and class conflict in in to maintain a general sense of the myriad divisions that exist with terpreting the history of the prov chronological development without in it are frequently well presented. ince. Using the widest possible defi necessarily contributing to a consid Fragmentation resulting from eth nition of the working class - “all ered class analysis. nicity and differing methods of em those who work for wages and who Consequently, the success of the ployment - wage work, piecework, do not control or profit from. their collection must be measured against contracts, or independent production control over the means of produc two different standards: the stated - is examined in the context of an tion” (p. vii) - the editors argue that and the demonstrated. As an over tagonisms within the working class the basic nature of the province “has view of recent writing on class rela as well as in conflict between class been contained and moulded by the tions and labour history in British es. Unfortunately, some of the ex needs of capital and the demands of Columbia, the book is informative in planations for conflicts based on race labour” (p. viii). By extension, this terms of broader trends and specific or gender are less than convincing. position presupposes that theories studies. Logging, mining, fishing, Some are not even solidly based on economic analysis let alone class. B.C. Historical News 29 For example, one author describes AreMyBrother(1981) and Cariboo to St. Eugene near Cranbrook. Here the blatant racism of early British Mission: a History of the Oblates he was responsible for the Kutenai Columbia labour organizations as (1982), may now add this latest vol Indian missions and was instrumen • . a product of developing, but not ume to her list of well-researched ec tal in settling several disputes be yet mature, working-class conscious clesiastical histories. tween Indians and whites. His ness .. “ (p. 80). Such an explana Whitehead’s lengthy Memoirs relate the often told story tion derives more form a Whiggish Introduction (73 pp.) provides the where he chided his natives: “You view of progress than any objective reader with an insight into the see White people taking the mineral class based or economic analysis. To politics and culture, contact and con of your country under your paraphrase Kurt Vonnegut: I’ll be flict prevalent during Coccola’s mis eyes...Why don’t you locate some better in the morning, really. sionary years. Twenty-three well mines as the Whites do, then we Given the diversity of the con selected photographs separate the will build” (a church). The ore de stituent parts to this book, the con Introduction from his Memoirs. Both posit discovered by Indian Pierre in clusion is necessarily in the form of a of these sections have detailed end- 1893, led to the claiming of the fa gloss. The “single, broad, theoreti notes and the book is completed by a mous St. Eugene Mine at Moyie. cal perspective” is so all encompass comprehensive bibliography and an The revenue from its sale enabled ing in its definition of class as to be extensive index. Coccola to build a beautiful Gothic nearly meaningless. Indeed, in Only two editing flaws were no church at the mission as well as pro their final summation, the editors ticed by this reviewer: a slight mix vide Pierre with a new house, cattle, retreat from their strong initial posi up in the endnote reference numbers farm implements and $5.00 per tions and advance public education to the Preface; and an individual month for life. as the collection’s primary contribu who was cropped from a group pho After eighteen years among the tion. In this regard, the final sen tograph of Kutenai Indians (but re Kutenais, Coccola was transferred tence of the conclusion bears quot mains listed in the photo caption). north to New Caledonia in 1905. He ing: “The dissemination of However these are only minor. continued to work as an advocate for knowledge about the episodes in Father Nicolas Coccola was born his beloved Indians whose life style this volume is intended to be a small in Corsica, 12 December 1854. As a was being threatened by the devel contribution to the education of those youth he desired to serve in the for opment of the railroad, a precursor involved” (p. 285). This is an admir eign missions and dreamed of mar to white settlement. The first able goal in and of itsell but not the tyrdom. At the age of nineteen he strong stand taken by Coccola on fulfillment of the promises made to entered the seminary and after four behalf of Indian cultural rights the reader. years joined the Oblates of Mary occurred when he went to Ottawa Logan Hovis Immaculate. In 1880, political un and interceded on their behalf rest in France precipitated his de against the cannery operators of the Logan Hovis is an industrial his parture to St. Mary’s Mission in the Skeena River who blamed the torian, based in Vancouve, Fraser River Valley of British natives’ fishing weirs for the deple Columbia. It was here that Coccola tion of salmon stocks. He continued learned to speak English from the his missionary work until 1934, his Indian boys, “especially when they eightieth yeai when he was placed quarrelled”. He was ordained a in semi-retirement and directed to They Call Me Father: Memoirs of priest in 1881 and under the vow of write his memoirs. Coccola then Father Nicolas Coccola, edited by obedience he soon departed for served as chaplain to the patients Margaret Whitehead. Recollections Kamloops. This was his first post and nursing sisters at the Smithers of the Pioneers of British Columbia, ing in a missionary career that Hospital until his death at the age Volume 7. Vancouver: University of spanned 63 years. of 88, 1 May 1943. British Columbia Press, 1988. Pp. Although stationed in This book is recommended to xi, 203; illus.; bibliography; index. Kamloops, the itinerant missionary anyone interested in the history of $29.95 covered a vast area of the Cariboo the Roman Catholic church’s Interior region of the province by missionary activities in British They Call Me Father is the seventh horseback or by other means. Columbia or in the cultural changes volume is a series of editions of docu During the early years of his priest experienced by the native people ments important to colonial and ear hood he visited many Canadian around the turn of the century ly provincial history. These Pacific Railway construction camps. Memoirs of a Roman Catholic mis His self-taught medical skills ena Ron Welwood sionary priest were written “under bled him to serve both the physical obedience” to his bishop. The editor as well as the spiritual needs of his Ron Welwood is Assistant Margaret Whitehead, whose previ Indian and white flock. Librarian at Selkirk College, in ous publications include Now You By 1887 Coccola was transferred Castlegan

B.C. Historical News 30 Trees of Greater Victoria; a unparalleled insights into what oth Heritage. A field guide to the ers are generous enough to tell us Neil Sutherland arboreal riches of Greater Victoria. about their lives. Historians acquire University ofBritish Columbia by G.H. Chaster, D.W. Ross and evidence of a sort that rarely ap WH. Warren. Victoria, Heritage pears in the documents they study. Neil Sutherland is a former Tree Book Society, 1988. 92 p. Both audiences will enjoy reading President of the Vancouver $14.95. Hastings and Main. Carnegie Historical Society Community Centre’s Oral History This slender volume has 34 Project collected over fifty life stories pages of full colour illustrations. of short-term or long-term residents Five pages each show one species, of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and three pages each show three between 1980 and 1985. A few of species. Some show the tree in the twenty whose stories are includ Gift spring bloom, and also in fall colour. ed in this collection spent much of There are excellent diagrams of their lives in and around the neigh Subscriptions special areas, such as Beacon Hill bourhood (‘We moved from Cordova Park, Eastern Saanich and Oak Street to just behind the Mar Hotel Bay. Street location of varieties, on Alexander Street. Mother ran a Your B.C. Historical News whether on private or public proper rooming house there . •‘9. Others staff aims to present you, the ty is made clear. Botanical and tell of mostly harsh lives led in saw reader, with a good variety of common names are thoroughly in mill towns, logging camps, fishing articles from many parts of the dexed. villages, and Indian reserves else province. The Summer ‘89 issue A hundred different species of where in the province. (“When I will feature Texada Island, trees are identified, references in was real small, about four or five, Phyllis Munday, the Spiral cluding Government House, Royal every time my brother went fishing Tunnels, Burgoyne Church and Roads, a variety of small parks, with my father i’d go along in the a B.C. born inventor. The Fall and, of course, Butchart Gardens. big dug-out canoe”). Still other re Issue looks at the 1930’s Residents and tourists alike will count events from their lives in pris through the eyes of a Park enjoy this carefully produced, and on or internment camps, as service Warden, bank clerk, beginning informative volume. men in Europe or Asia, or as vete teacher, loggers and sawmill rans of the great political events of workers, and others. Spring Cku McAllister our times. (In Regina in July, 1990 will be an Okanagan 1935, “the riot police came out on Special.

Clare McAllister is a long time the double, three lines deep. And So — with a promise of good member of the B.C. Historical they came out swinging. Without reading each quarter — why not Federation, Gulf Islands and warning. They charged and started give a gift subscription to a Victoria Branches. beating people. ‘9 Although the set friend or family member? Only tings for these life stories range $8.00 per year to anywhere in RS. In an accompanying lettei around the world the people who re Canada, $11.00 out of the coun Mrs. McAllister states informally ‘1 count them have much in common. try. Make cheques payable to feel so fortunate - having this su They are neither sentimental about the B.C. Historical Federation perb book production - I was fearful their pasts nor do they apologize or and mail to: of over praise or too much enthu give excuses for any part of their siasm - so perhaps i’ve diluted or re lives. (“i’m still alive and my health Subscription Secretary duced my praise too much.” Book is just as good as before I started 5928 Baffin Place Review Editot that alcohol, so i thank the federal Burnaby, B.C. V5H 3S8 prisons for what they have done for me.”) Each narrator tells his or her story with a lively sense of self. (“i’ve been a bit of a hustle,; you Name______Hastings and Main Stories from an know. Not a bad hustle,; but i nev Address Inner City Neighbourhood. er went on welfare during the Vancouver New Star Books, 1987, Depression.’9 Indeed, when 160 p. $9.95 papel $17.95 cloth. Katherine Kosta explains that she Postal Code “survived on my own guts and my Good oral histories serve two own mentality” we know that she is Gift from audiences. Readers with a general speaking for them all. And we are interest in the topic receive glad we made their acquaintance.

B.C. Historical News 31 News Jean Barman sends a message of thanks to those read ers who responded to her appeal in the Winter 1988 & NEWS for information on teachers in British Columbia Notes prior to the inception ofNormal School in 1901. She is, howeve, still gathering material and wishes to borrow photographs ofteachers ofthat era. The Beaver Valley and Pend d’Orielle Historical Society is restor Her address: ing a 1912 log schoolhouse on a site Jean Barman, Dept. S & E Studies, University of B.C. one mile east of the Champion Lake 2125 Main Mall, Vancouver; B.C. V6T 1Z5 turnoff on Highway 3B. The curator wishes to know if there are any log schoolhouses older than this one. And he is seeking a few old desks to recreate the realism of the school. Answers or offers of help should be sent to: News Jack Bell Box 696 Publishing Committee Fruitvale, B.C. VOG 1LO Report ** **** ****** **** **

At a recent meeting of the Committee, Nancy Peter; our HOT OFF THE PRESS, efficient new Subscription Secretary, reported on the A Researcher’s Guide to British excellent cooperation which she has received from Branch Columbia: Nineteenth Century treasurers. This is a tremendous help. Directories, a Bibliography and We are concerned about our rising production Index. 162 p. $14.95. This was expenditure. It costs $6.40 to mail four issues of the prepared by the: NEWS to each of our 1100 subscribers. As Federation members only pay a $5 subscription, the source of our Public History Group problem is easily identified. Rather than raising University of Victoria subscription rates, however, we are launching a P0. Box 1700 subscription drive. The more magazines that we publish, Victoria, B.C. V8W 2Y2 the lower the unit cost. We hope that each of our readers can help by persuading a friend to subscribe. Orders may be sent to George Committee is looking for new members, Young at the above address. Finally, the including a new chairperson. Ifyou have some background This new cataloguing of resourc in publishing and / or an interest in helping to maintain es for researchers lists the directo the standards of this magazine, PLEASE VOLUNTEER ries up to 1900. It lists material re TODAY! ferring to long vanished communities, and cross references Ann W. Johnston towns that have had name changes. Most of the source material is held in local universities, archives or li braries though some out-of-province institutions are mentioned. Note Historians can discover at a glance We distribute about 1100 copies of the Historical News each quartei the dates of directories which are 900 to members, 120 to non-members and 85 to Institutions. Of available for the community or dis these 32 copies go to other provinces, 26 copies to U.S.A., and one trict being researched. or more to England, Scotland, West Germany, Japan and Australia. ***** *** **** *** ** B.C. Historical News 32 THE BRITISH COLUMBIA HISTORICAL FEDERATION

Honorary Patron: His Honour, the Honourable David C. Lam, CM, LL.D., Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia

Honorary President: Dr. W. Kaye Lamb Officers

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Past President Naomi Miller

Editor Naomi Miller,Box 105, Wasa, B.C. VOB2K0 422-3594 Chairmen of Committees Publications Assistance Helen Akrigg, 8-2575 Tolmie Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6R 4M1 Committee 228-8606 (not involved with Loans are available for publications, Please contact B.C. HistoricalNews) Helen Akrigg prior to submitting manuscript.

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