August 2003 - Vol Three, No.9

SUMMER GREETINGS!

Happy B. C. Day to all subscribers who are residents of British Columbia! The first Monday in August is a holiday in other parts of Canada as well, although, of course, it has a different name elsewhere. I hope everyone is enjoying the summer.

A Unique Event at Ladner

"Ordination at Ladners [sic]

The Presbytery of Westminster met on Tuesday, the 25th inst., at Ladner’s Landing, for the purpose of ordaining the Rev. J. C. Cameron, B. A. The Presbytery met in the Church at 5 p.m. and examined Mr. Cameron in Hebrew and Greek, church history, and systematic theology.

The examination was very satisfactory, and the Presbytery met again in the church at 8 p.m., and, after a sermon by Mr. McElmon, the moderator, Rev. E. B. Chestnut, put the prescribed questions, which were satisfactorily answered, and by prayer, and the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery, Mr. Cameron was solemnly declared set apart to the work of the holy ministry.

Thereafter, the Rev. E. D. MacLaren, B.D., of Vancouver, gave suitable counsel to the newly ordained minister. Rev. Thos. Scouler, of Westminster, then gave suitable advice to the people, urging upon them the necessity of standing by their young minister, and in every way upholding his hands in the work to which he had been set apart.

There was a large congregation present, and all the people seemed most enthusiastic over the settlement.

The meeting was closed by the Moderator engaging in prayer and pronouncing the benediction."

Source: The Daily Columbian, 28 June 1895, page four.

A Useful Website

Here’s a useful and completely absorbing multi-purpose website called "Online Conversion -- convert just about anything to anything else," which you can find at http://www.onlineconversion.com/

All sorts of nifty possibilities, including converting Roman numerals, which is located under "Miscellaneous." Who remembers how to do that? Who among us is old enough to have been taught how to do that in school?

Unemployment Insurance

For everyone not old enough to have experienced this practice, the following is an explanation that might be interesting:

"UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

Unemployment Insurance becomes an actuality in Canada from July first. For the workers who are subject to periods of unemployment through no fault of their own it will mean the difference between being on relief or charity and the self-respect of having provided for their own welfare thru [sic] a plan of insurance savings.

The plan is one of co-operation between the employer, the employee, and the Government. Each makes a contribution based on the weekly wages earned by the employee. To the amount contributed by the employer and the amount deducted from the employee’s wages, the Government adds one-fifth of the total, and pays for the cost of operation. These contributions are similar to insurance premiums, and accumulate against the day when the worker, either male for female, becomes unemployed. Then, in a very short time the worker begins to receive weekly cheques which will continue for a limited period of unemployment.

This, briefly, is the Unemployment Insurance Plan, which becomes a law of Canada, just as it has been a law in Great Britain for more than thirty years. With the experience of the British Act as well as the examples of other countries to draw upon, the Unemployment Insurance Commission has created a plan which should operate with the least inconvenience to the employer and to the greatest possible benefit to the workers.

A unique and simple system of making contributions to the Fund through the employer purchasing special stamps from the Post Office and affixing them each week in a book designed for the purpose, is the record of each worker’s contribution, as well as the employer’s. In this way every worker can find out exactly at any time where he or she stands in respect of unemployment Insurance.

There are some classes of workers who are not eligible for Unemployment Insurance, and there are certain conditions which affect all workers. Both employers and employees should familiarize themselves with the terms of the plan which will be made available by the Postmaster.

A part of the plan is the opening of employment offices throughout Canada where workers may seek jobs and employers can seek workers. These offices will be opened as rapidly as possible to facilitate the most effective utilization of Canada’s labour force during the war and in preparation for the return of workers to peacetime employment after war work has ceased."

Source: The [Delta] Optimist, 03 July 1941, page four.

By the way, I still have my U.I. book, issued while I was working at a summer job during my university years.

A Genealogy Website

One of our subscribers brought to my attention a new website called "Canadian Genealogy Centre, for which the url is http://www.genealogy.gc.ca/index_e.html

Since the site is still being developed, it’s too early to tell whether it will be useful. That may take some time, so it may be worthwhile to check back periodically. Thanks, Margaret.

Life in Prison

"The City":

"The following is the prisoners’ daily bill-of-fare at the City lock-up, and it shows clearly enough that they do not fare so badly: Breakfast -- beef stew with potatoes, black tea with sugar and half a pound of bread each; dinner -- bean soup with beef or mutton, black tea with sugar, and half a pound of bread; supper -- boiled rice with sugar, black tea with sugar and half a pound of bread. Note -- When anything is left from regular meals, it is put in the stew for breakfast."

Source: [Vancouver] Daily News-Advertiser, 14 March 1895, page eight.

Comment would appear unnecessary.

1906 Census for the Canadian Northwest

For anyone living in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, you may be interested to know that the Vancouver Public Library now has a microfilm copy of the 1906 census of the Northwest, that is, the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Subscribers living in other locations may want to check with the major library in their respective area for the availability of that Census. Thank you, Margaret.

Rare First Nations Reference

"LOCAL GOSSIP":

"The Indian village of Tchewassan [sic], near Point Roberts, was partly destroyed by fire last week. Five houses, with their contents, were destroyed and great damage done to the thriving young orchards adjoining. Indian Agent Devlin visited the scene and supplied the unfortunates with bedding and food, and the department will probably assist those who require it in rebuilding their houses. Mr. Devlin estimates the total loss at $1,800. The sufferers by the fire, he says were all hard-working Indians. A defective chimney flue was responsible for the blaze."

Source: Vancouver Daily World, 23 May 1895, page eight.

Self-Promotion

One of the lessons that I’ve learned from self-publishing is that marketing never ends. And this bit of promotion also benefits the Delta Museum and Archives in Ladner.

On Saturday, August 16 at 1 p.m. I’ll be leading a walking tour of Port Guichon, in West Ladner. At one time a distinctly separate community, this area still retains a significant number of original houses from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Cost is $10 per person, unless you’re an early bird and pay before August 9, in which case you receive the bargain price of $8. Pre-registration through the Delta Museum and Archives at 604-946-9322 is required.

I look forward to seeing some of you.

Website Update

Some time before the end of this month, Volume Two of "History Helps," will be available on my website. You can find it at http://www.ladnerslanding.com/History_Helps.html

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