May 2005 - Vol Five, No.6

History Helps, Volume Five, Number 6, May 2005
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PROVINCIAL ELECTION MONTH IN B.C.!

A Sobering Policy, that many of us will remember:

“Liquor Store to close on election day, January 16

To ensure a sober and temperate election, the Liquor Store will be closed all day on Saturday, election day.”

Source: The [Ladner] Weekly Optimist, 14 January 1932, page one.

The Queen’s Birthday, 19th Century Style

“CELEBRATION AT LADNER’S

The Queen’s Birthday was celebrated at Ladner’s Landing on Monday. There were about 300 people present, and in the afternoon the weather cleared up and a very pleasant time was enjoyed.

The judges were Messrs. W. H. Ladner, Fernihough and Rich, and Mr. Wm. McKee was sec.-treasurer, and it was mainly through his exertions that the success of the affair may be attributed.

Mr. Ed. L. Kirkland carried off the prize for 100-yard race and long jump. Jim, an Indian, took the boat race. There were a number of boys’ races and sports, including the feat of climbing a greasy pole.

In the evening there was a dance in Mr. Ladner’s shed which had been fitted up for the occasion.”

Source: [New Westminster] British Columbian, 27 May 1885, page three.

Royal Engineers

The October 2004 issue of “History Helps” included an item relating to the departure of the Royal Engineers from New Westminster.

There are also a number of websites that deal with the men of the North American Boundary Commission, that is, the Royal Engineers who came to British Columbia in the fall of 1858 and spring of 1859, to help cut the boundary between the United States and Canada. The Royal Engineers came by ship, around Cape Horn, some bringing their wives and children. Most stayed in British Columbia when the Royal Engineers disbanded in 1863. You can find the websites at:

Cheese Making at Langley

“Langley Cheese Factory

The new cheese factory at Langley is now only awaiting the machinery, which is expected to arrive any day, and the factory will be opened on May 15th. The factory is conveniently situated on Mr. Oakes’ farm, about four miles from Fort Langley.

Mr. Lelivere, who is the sole proprietor, has engaged Mr. R. C. Abbott, formerly of Lakefield, Ont., but late of Chilliwack, as manager for the coming season, at a high figure. By the work done at Chilliwack, last season, Mr. Abbott has proved himself to be at the head of his profession, as will be seen by the following extract from the Chilliwack Progress of October last:

‘Mr. R. C. Abbott, manager of the Union Cheese Factory, of this valley, captured the two first prizes on best factory cheese, at the Victoria fair, and first at Mission City. The patrons of the Union Cheese Factory have reason to be proud of the cheese that has been manufactured this year by their able and efficient manager, Mr. R. C. Abbott, who came here from the east last spring.

In examining this season’s out put, we find flavor good, body close, texture good, color uniform, appearance and finish neat, altogether a nice lot of cheese. The factory is clean and tidy. Mr. Abbott, as also the patrons, naturally feel proud at taking two first prizes for their cheese at the Victoria exhibition this year.’

Started under such favorable auspices, the Langley cheese factory ought to find an eager market for every pound of its product, and prove a success from the first, which it doubtless will.”

Source: The [New Westminster] Daily Columbian, 25 April 1896, page four.

Odd Fellows Lodge

I’ve come across many references to the Odd Fellows in my research. Here’s a website where we can learn more about this organization, http://www.ioof.org/.

Ladner’s Chinatown

“LADNERS NEWS”:

“ Mr. C. E. Woods was here, laying out the tenements rented by Mr. W. H. Ladner to the Chinamen. The lower part of the village appears to have been handed over to the Chinese.”

Source: The [New Westminster] Daily Columbian, 24 March 1892, page one.

The Trip of a Lifetime

Any subscribers who live in Delta and receive the local newspapers know that I write a bi-weekly column for the South Delta Leader. I try to make historical items relevant, not always successfully, I’m sure.

In a recent column (April 13) I wrote about the battle of Vimy Ridge in World War One and the Vimy Memorial, which I’ve since had the incredibly good fortune to see in person. That trip is also the reason why this issue of “History Helps” is being sent out so late.

Some websites have good information about the battle and the site, both of great importance in Canadian history:

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Gwen Szychter, M.A.

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