May 2003 - Vol Three, No.6

Happy May Day!

The Hospital for Women, New Westminster

"THE WOMAN’S HOSPITAL

A Worthy and Beneficent Local Institution -- Scale of Charges Lately Reduced -- Appeal for Aid

At the last regular monthly meeting of the board of managers of the Woman’s Hospital, it was agreed to reduce the scale of charges as follows: In the operation and general wards, $6 per week; maternity ward, $8 per week, and a private room for $12 per week. This reduction was made, believing that the objects for which the hospital was opened would be better accomplished, and a greater number benefited, and it is also the desire to place the charges at the lowest possible figure, that the benefits of a trained nurse may be within the reach of all.

Owing to these changes, and feeling that the motive which prompted the reduction would commend itself to the thinking public, the board of management felt they would be justified in appealing to the public for a little financial aid, especially as St. Luke’s Home, Vancouver, is the only similar institution on the Mainland, as no provision is made in the Royal Columbian Hospital for female patients, and other hospitals will only admit certain classes of female patients. The only class not provided for in the Woman’s Hospital is those suffering from contagious diseases, and the limited capacity of the building and the class of patients treated renders it unwise to admit such cases.

In cities through the eastern Provinces and territories, where the general hospitals do not provide for women, it is customary for institutions of this kind to receive some little assistance from the different organizations for charitable and philanthropic purposes, and any assistance from the various lodges and societies in the city would be greatly appreciated and would help put the hospital on a cash basis, which is most desirable if the work for which it was opened is to be overtaken. Towards, this end, donations of money, or anything useful in the work, such as counterpanes, sheets (3/4 size), towels, pictures, etc., would be thankfully received and acknowledged by the Board. It is hoped that many small offerings may be received in this way, which, put together, will be of the greatest assistance in the work.

It may be of interest to note that Miss Phair, late of Toronto General Hospital, is now in charge, Miss Pearson (the former principal) feeling unable to continue the work, and having resigned the position. Miss Phair has had several years’ experience in hospital work, and is competent to take charge of any case that may come in for treatment. Arrangements have been made whereby patients from a distance, who find it necessary to come to the city a short time before requiring the nurse’s care may be accommodated at $5 per week.

The hospital is conveniently situated on Third avenue, on the street car line, and has a telephone in the building.

Any of the members of the board of management or those in charge of the hospital will be pleased to give all possible information and show visitors the premises, whether intending patients or otherwise.

Reference to the advertisement in The Columbian will give the address of the officers of the board."

Source: The Daily Columbian, 11 June 1896, page one.

Delta’s Dykes

Recently the Archivist at the Delta Museum and Archives put together a thorough and informative display concerning the dykes that protect the municipality from flooding. The following short item appeared in The Daily Columbian, on 27 August 1897, when the dykes had just been completed:

"Delta Dyke Completed

Mr. A. R. Green, C. E., who has just returned to the city [New Westminster], has been employed as the engineer in charge of the construction of the Delta dyke, a large undertaking, but successfully accomplished, and to the entire satisfaction of the committee appointed by the Municipal Council to review and pass upon the work.

It is understood that this dyke has been constructed at a cost of over $60,000, and that, too, without the municipality having received any financial assistance from either the Dominion or Provincial Governments. The original estimate of the length of the dyke was fifteen miles, and the actual length of the works as completed is within a fraction of that figure.

Within this dyke, which extends from the high land opposite Annacis Island around to the Chewassen [sic] Indian reserve, near Point Roberts, the area of farming land is about 16,000 acres. A good many hundred acres of land, which before the dyke was built were valueless, are now fit for cultivation. The residents of Delta are to be congratulated on the success of their dyking operations."

Advertising

People in the news have for a long time been used to promote products. Here’s an example from The Daily Columbian, 23 March 1897, page two:

"I have found your Tutti Frutti Gum a most satisfactory means of re-enforcing the voice and throat after unusual effort. It seems to me that every public speaker, singer and elocutionist should always carry a package of it.

GRENVILLE P. KLEISER,

Dramatic Reader and Impersonator,

Toronto, Ont.

Save coupons inside of TUTTI FRUTTI wrappers for latest books and prizes."

The Klondike Gold Rush

"Klondike Sailings

The C. P. N. Co.’s steamer Tees called at Vancouver, yesterday, on her way to Skagway. When she left, she had about 100 passengers and their outfits, 21 horses, and 800 tons of freight, including 877 sacks of bacon for the United States relief expedition.

The barque Richard III, which has joined in the rush, also left for the north, to-day, with 150,000 feet of lumber, 40 horses, 16 head of oxen, a large number of dogs, and hundreds of tons of hay and general freight. There were also sixty passengers, including a party of Los Angeles miners, who had intended leaving, yesterday, on the J. L. Card. On the big freighter, also, was the little twin screw steamer Gemini, which will be conveyed, in sections, to Lake Bennett. The Richard III will be towed by the tug Lorne."

Source: The Daily Columbian, 10 February 1898, page four.

This item caught my attention as I had not long ago watched on television the re-enactment of a group of miners headed for the Klondike.

More Advertising

Modern career counsellors probably don’t even have a listing for "phrenologist," not surprisingly. But one of the dictionaries at our house, the Doubleday Dictionary, 1975, defines phrenology as "the estimation of character and intelligence by the conformation of the skull."

"PHRENOLOGIST

PROF. LANGDON gives a phrenological examination, including chart, 50 cents. Come and see. Parents, bring the children. Mrs. Moffit’s, 59 Sixth Street, opposite Central Methodist Church. Positively last week.

Hours, 4 to 9 pm."

Source: The Daily Columbian, 04 June 1897, page three.

Subscription, Privacy Policy

To SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE, send e-mail with either SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line and mailto:gwens@dccnet.com.

Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gwen Szychter, M.A.

P.S. Here's a favour you can do for me: If you liked this newsletter and found it helpful or just interesting, please pass it on to a friend or colleague. Thank you.