PRINCE GEORGE
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN ... THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1929.
Five Cents-
City Still Faces Taxation Rate of Sixty Mills
Of Finance Committee Now
� ***** �*�* **
On Budget
Be Reached At Special ffii Commits T. Be Held Next Week
i,�t what the mill rate will be in Prince George for the current ^ year
1 denond upon the action of the Snancl committee of the city council. members are now reviewing a tatement prepared by V R. Clerihue, Xa will probably reach their decision "7. t week. The statement of the city 1-k suggests the probability of a Snuance of the sixty-mill rate Ihich obtained last year. His estimate of the revenues for 1929 is brought cut at $99,189.36, which is a little over $2000 less than the actual revenues collected during 1928.
The taxable asessment values are chown at $1,033,624 which are very close to those of the previous year. A lew of 60 mills on this valuation would produce $62,017.44, but as the collection percentage is taken at 67 per cent the revenue from the levy collectable during the year is worked out at $41,551. Other revenues figur-ec upon include penalties and interest J1000: provincial grants, $15,700; electric light surplus. $2,437.66; trades licences. $5000; police court fines, $4000: fees and special taxes, $4000; and miscellaneous receipts, $1500; making a total of $75,189.36. To this is added cash on hand of $7000 and the sum of $17,000 as representing the collection of various tax arrears.
Of these various estimates of receipts that respecting the surplus from the electric light service is the only one shewing any material change from the previous year. For 1928 the surplus from the lighting service was S9428.50, an amount greater by $6990.48 than the estimated surplus shewn for the current year, The reason for this lessened surplus is largely found in the introduction of the twenty-four hour service, introduced late last year. The Inauguration of the service was very commendable, but it will be a matter of a year or two before any considerable market can be found for the energy made available during the daytime for power purposes.
The estimated revenues from the lighting services for the current year are shown at $38,800, an increase of more than $4000 over the revenues for 1928, despite the second cut which has been made in the light rates, but there have come substantial increases, in operation as the result of the continuous sen-ice. The chief advance is In fuel oil costs which are up nearly $4000. in wages which are up $1600, in lubricat-inc oils which are up approximately S700. and in maintenance costs. The nower plant expenses for the year total $19,400 as against $13,218.71 for 1928.
There is also a marked advance in the estimated cost of the distribution system chiefly under the head of materials an-J. supplies and wages. The cost o! materials and supplies last year came out of the proceeds of the electric light loan, but this year they '�ill have to be charged against current litrht revenues. The cost of the distribution system for 1929 is brought �"t at S5140, as against $1,549.46 for 1928, the chief increases being $1717 for wages and $1800 for materials and simniies
The total operating expense of trie service for 1929 is shown at $25,450. *s MMlnst, $16,067 for 1928, leaving the operating profit for the year $13,350. ?"t against this is charged debenture interest of $5730 nnd sinking fund
�H.Mvrrmts of $5182.34. thus reduc-ine the not surolus on the service to �2 437.Gfi for 1929.
The distribution of Mir tax levy has an interest in that 24.64 mills are
WirM for school purposes, 19.64 mills {^maintenance and 5 mills for debon-min '!T"'lrc- Of the remaining 35.36 "��", thnrp *re required for dpbonture �trvice 34.80 mill*, leaving1.56 mills 10me general rate. �hr, ,- are virtually no chances in ' llmntpd expenditures for the
\?�ice' fire or health de"art- amounts estimated being SJ the actual disburse-
r the year 1928.
K Ps4'n]qted revenue for the water-'ncrScneiTice is *iven ^ $15,500. an the loon a few hundred dollars over tacreaS *PCeiots- but there is a small for thp i '" operating expenses, that
S �mlns vear bein* *6220-as
1928- The aerating ooon , nt for 1929 is given
�4�io L I ^ is <*i�reable with 7e�7^s for d,eb.enture Interest, and ^"J r,sinkin* funds, so that the ^^fii rn �? to have a deficit of > oi $7061.G5 in 1928.
TOnlv minor changes in Works estimates whUh n�nrpislr?.2l-Renerftl Rtreet main-b�Uure L^ltr"^ �* *�*�<�. and de-services at $6,456.82, which
with sidewalk maintenance of $1370 accounts for the total.
The cost of street lighting is advanced $2700, but this, is chiefly a bookkeeping entry, it having been found that in the past the city lighting service was not given due credit lor the energy supplied for street lighting. The total cost of street lighting for 1929 is given at $7200,40 as against an approximation of $4490.-22 for 1928.
The cost of the school system of the city is estimated at $35,341 and included in this total is $2820 for interest and $2350 for sinking funds on account of school debentures.
While the suggested rate of 60 mills is very high it must be remembered that it does not attach to any improvements, and should the members of the finance committee be unable to afford any relief this year there should be a substantial reduction in 1930, and a sweeping reduction in 1931 if further bond issues can be avoided. During the present year the city will retire $15,000 worth of street improvement bonds, but charges on these will have to be met for nine months. But in 1930 there will come the retirement of $135,000 v/orth of bonds, $10,000 for street improvments, $80,000 for waterworks, and $45,000 for electric light. For the street improvement bonds the cost will have to be found in 1930 for eight months, and for the waterworks and electric light bonds the cost will have to be met for nine months, so that the full benefit of the retirement will not be felt until the rate is struck for the year 1931. The retirement of these bonds within the next two years will decrease the cost of municipal government by $18,118.62 with the further retirement of an additional $40,000 in bonds during the year 1932.
!
Prince George Band Organizes For the Year
G. A. Collison, of Vancouver Has Been Secured To Succeed Dr. W. H. Bayne As Leader
SerSes of Concerts Will Be Given In
The Theatre And Open Air
During the Summer
The Prince George brass band gives assurances of continuing as a first-class musical organization during the coming summer. The organization of this band was one of the most pleasing* developments in the progress of the city, and it is gratifying to know that the energy and enthusiasm which brought the band' into being will not be lost, "but that he band will continue as one of the best advertisements Prince George has had.
The difficulties in the way of keeping an organization of this kind together in a place the size cf Prince George can only be appreciated by those who have essayed such a task. With its members their band engagements are merely incidental to their other activities, and one great difficulty in the past has been the finding of other suitable employments for them.
The aDpreciation by the citizens generally of the value of the band is reflected in the action of the city council to make a monthly grant of $25.0.1 to it. This 'measure of rassistancf4! while not- as generous as many would like to see it. may be taken as an evidence of bettor things to come as 'ho band is enabled to extend its usefulness.
The officers of the band include John Ferguson, president; V. R. Cleri-bue, vice-president:' Dr. R. J. Hock-lnsr. secretarv-treavsurer; and G. A. Collison of Vancouver, has been en-iraged as loader. The new man will have a diiffcult nlaco to fill, cominp. nfler Dr. A. H. Bayne. who n-n-mized the band, but he ha* hnri a wide ex-'.-.prirncpd and is counted upon to make food. He plays both the cornet and the trornbone, and will nrobably alter-nc,tf with them in lendine.
The personnel of the band will be
stronger than ever. Most of the nlay-
*""> are voun"' and hove the enthusiasm
of vouth. which lifts their concert
rprfnrrpances nbovp the usual routine.
The cornet nart of thp bnni will be
'""orespnteri bv .Mex Kenntck. F. H.
Offcpnsill; F P. Bates. R J. Allen, .1.
�T. Fry. W. Stanley nnd Norman Rad-
� ley, and the men behind the t.rom- j
bones will be. Walter Smith. W. H.!
Mullett and W. F. Casher. V. R. Cleri- j
hue and Rudolf Kanatic have the
' ^ritone horns, with W. L. Homshy on
j the euphonium, and Louie Paul the
I-brass horn. The clarionet section
! will he comnosed of C. D. Orchard. E.
Madden pnrt E. Gabriel, the saxanhone
section of Henry Waldof. Jpck Quinn
nnri Les Guile, with Dr. H. J. Hocking
and A. H. Greensill furnishing the alto
: horns. President John Ferguson will
j continue to smile behind the bier drum
with Larrv Geernaert performing on
t.r"� sir*" drums.
On the sbowincr made last year the officers of the band expect a number of outside engagements durincr the summer, while for the entertainment
Race Meeting on Dominion Day to Be Big Feature
Celebration Committee Advises All
Horsemen In Alberta and B. C.
of Prizes Offered
If Weather Man Is Kind Programme
Will Attract Big Crowd From
Outside Points
The racing commitee of the Prince George Agricultural Association has prepared a tentative programme for a two-day race meeting to be held in this city on Thursday and Friday, July 1st and 2nd, in connection with the Dominion Day celebration. This committee is composed of A. E. Sibley, W. Sherman, J. C. Kelly, H. H. Brawn and J. C Pidgeon, and having made several starts they know how to draft a race programme as well as anyone in the interior.
As there will be little preparatory work to attend to at the track this year, and the local association has built up an excellent reputation for fair and generous dealing with horsemen, there should" be a substantial surplus remaining from the celebration.
The racing committee has sent out circulars to all of the known horsemen in British Columbia and Alberta advising them of the programme for the two-day meeting, so that they may prepare for the same. Most of those who had horses in the races last year will be here again in July, and several new horsemeri~~are expected to have their ponies on the track.
For the first day there are eight events on the card. The opener is the Indian five-eights mile, to be run at 1 o'clock, and followed by a three-eighths open race at 1:15. At 2:30 the local pony race with owners up will be run and at 3 the half-breed race, for B. C. owned horses, will be called. The respective prizes in these four events are $30. $80, $30 and $100.
The big race of the meet, the Prince George Derby, will be run at 3:30. This is an open race at 1% miles, for which a purse of $600 is offered. Three stakes races round out the bill for the first day. At 4 o'clock the Cariboo stakes, five-eighths mile open, will be called, for which a purse of $200 is offered. At 4:30 the Vanderhoof" stakes, at five-eighths, will be run for a $100 purse. In this race horses winning- money in the Prince George Derby or Cariboo Stakes will be barred.
The Telkwa Stakes, an open event at seven-eiehths mile, for $200. will be run at 5 o'clock.
For the second day the card will ooen with a named race at 1:30 for a purse of-.<;80. The restrictions with respect to this race will be posted on the evening of July 1st.
At 2 o'clock, the Giscome Stakes, for a distance of seven-eighths, will be run for a $200 purse. In this race horses winnings money in the Prince George Derby will be barred.
At 2:45 the Half-Breed race, for Cariboo and Skeena owned, horses, will be railed for the $150.00 purse. There must be five starters in this race or other restrictions will be imnosed.
At 3 a local pony '-ace. with owners un. will be run at three-eighths for a $50 purse.
At 3:30 the Quesn^l Stakes will be run. This is an open event at l'i miles for which a purse of $300 will be hung up.
There will be a second named race rolled, at 4:00 for a nurse of $80 at five-eierhths. The conditions will be po sted on the evening of July 1st.
Thp consolation rac� of the meeting v-ill be called at 4:30. It will be a five-eighths events noen to non-win-n�rs. for which a purse of 5100 is offered.
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WEATHER REPORT
R. B. Carter, local meteorological agents, predicts unsettled but warmer weather, with strong southerly winds and probable showers for the next two days. The maximum and minimum temperature readings for the week ending Tuesday. March 26, were as. fallows:
Wednesday ..........'.............. 55 37
Thursday............ ........... 46" 29
Friday :.................. ............ 49 28
Saturday ........... ............ 48 15
Sunday ....:........, ........... 48 18
Monday ............................... 46 30
Tuesday .................................. 49 33
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Clothes don't make the man, but after looking over the Easter display at Baird's most everyone would admit they help like everything.
Great Mining Future
For Central Interior
Douglas Lay Tells Members of Board
of Trade of Progress Made
During 1928
Strong (Development Companies Are Expected To Show Marked Results With Prospects
of citizens of Prince George it is proposed to inaugurate a number of concerts in the evening in the vicinity of the city hall. The first appearance of the band, however, will doubtless be in concerts next month in the local theatre the proceeds of which will be applied to the music fund.
G, A. Coliisoa, the new leader of the band, has been engaged in concert work since 1913, and has travelled extensively throughouc: the United States with military and circus* bands. From 1916 to 1919 he was on military duty, after which he- resumed his musical activities.
Douglas Lay, district engineer for the mining district reaching from Quesnel in the south to the northern confines of the province, and from, the Pacific coast to the Alberta boundary, gave a very optimistic review of the development which had taken place in his territory during the past year in the address made to the members of the Prince George Board of Trade yesterday afternoon.
Most of the men who listened to Mr. Lay have at times been interested in a financial way in the resources of this or of other sections of the province, and two of them were named by the speaker as having contributed substantially to the development to which he proposed to refer.
The salient feature of the year's happenings he described as the marked increase in the lode mineral production nnd the e.,:U'dordinary interest displav.u not only by the general public" but by the large operating companies in the suggested mineral wealth. The intertSu of the companies had apparently been justified in that they had secured options upon a very larqe number of properties. Mr Lay referred specifically to the interest .shown in the dlstiict by the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Trail vhich hai induced this company to supplement the work of its field force by keeping an examining engineer in the district throughout thp greater part of the past year.
Of the outstanding developments Mr. Lay referred to that which had taken place in the properties owned by the Duthie Mines Limited which included the erection of a 500-kilowatt power plant, to that at the Silver Cup mine, near Hazelton, where a 50-ton capacity flotation mill had been installed, the second mill of the kind in the district, and to the rehabilation which had been efected in the famous Bullion placer property of the Cariboo
section.
Of the load mining possibilities of the district Mr. Lay referred to this section of the province as one vast mining prospect, and he cautioned those interested in its development aainst overtaxing the individual property's nower of production In what might be termed the elemental stages of development. When speaking of their district they should remember that it represented a mineral field embracing approximately 100,000.000 square miles. It was only human that those interested in mineral development in any part of it should evince anxiety for the return of the money they had invested, but they should keep in mind that a mineral development is a slow process and that the moving up of a promising prospect to a producing mine required considerable time.
Speaking of the placer production of the district Mr. Lay said it had shown a falling off during the past year. This he attributed to the slowing down 'of the Trethaway dredging and the reduced production of the Cedar Creek and Hopp properties, but in the re-organization which had taken place he intimated the placer output of 1927 would probably be overtaken. Mr. Lay singled out Hixon Creek as one of the major mining possibilities of the future. He said he was referring to the creek as a whole. It was a. district in which Prince George is directly interested as two of its citizens had become actively identified with its development. In this connection he named Brian Briscoe and Dr. P. D. Carr who had been responsible for reviving interest in the section, the latter having secured an option on the property of the Quesnel Quart2 Mining Company which had operated on the creek many years ago.
One of the most pleasing features of the past year's development had been the employment of the highest quality of engineering skill. He referred again to the Duthie development of the Henderson property on Hudson's Bay Mountain and to the re-organization which had taken place in the Duthie company during the year which had ^brought about racjical changes in the management. The Henderson property he regarded as of no small importance as for many years it had represented the backbone of lode mining in the interior and its future appears to be very bright,
The Silver Cup mine at Hazelton and the Ferguson mine on the Ingen-ika, the latter being under development by the Ingenika Mines Liimted, were mentioned as accounting for no small measure of the interest now attaching u> the mineral possibilities of the district.
Mr. Taylor, of the Topley-Richfield property came in for generous com-
mendation for the activities he had displayed in the development of the Topley field and the sound judgment shown in the choice of engineering assistance. The diamond drill had been extensively used in the prospecting of this property and of late the energies of the management had been directed to reaching the ore bodies disclosed in the drilling. He had not been on the property for some time but he was given to understand the result in following the disclosures of the diamond drilling had been very gratifying. Mr. Taylor's latest interest had been with the Owen Lake property. In all he understood Mr. Taylor had been interested in the development of some sixty claims, and he had shown himself to be a very shrewd mining man who considered the assistance of eminent mining engineers esesritial to his success.
Of other properties which he predicted would add to the mining importance of the district Mr. Lay mentioned the Rocher de Boule, near Hazelton, and the Cronin and Babine in the Babine section. It was a very lare district, and no one could predict just what the developments might b"e during the course of a single year. Even within the past two weeks he said two discoveries had been brought . to his notice which might prove of very great importance. These were discoveries of coal, and he ventured the opinion that very shortly a much greater interest would be taken in the coal possibilities of the district, due to the increased uses which are being found for coal. Mr. Lay referred in this connection to the activities of the British company which had acquired the option upon the coal properties of the Copper River Coal Company, and which had purchased outright the Telkwa company, which had the only operating colliery in this section of the province. Mr. Lay said he was not sufficiently intimate with the intentions of this British company to comment upon them, but he felt confident the interest they were displaying in the. district would mean a very important development.
At the close of his address President H. B. Guest proposed a vote of thanks to the speaker which was accorded with every manifestation of pleasure. !
School Teachers Open Convention Tuesday Morning
Central Interior Teachers To The
Number of Sixty Will Spend
Easter Holidays Here
Reception and Dance Will Be Held
In Their Honor By Prince George
Teachers Tuesday Night
Some sixty public school teachers are expected to arrive in the city over the week-end, to attend the second annual convention of the British Columbia Central Teachers' Institute which opens in the Prince George high school at 10 o'clock on Tuesday morning, and carries through on Wednesday.
After registration of the visitors has been attended to a formal welcome will be extended by T. S. Carmichael, president of the institute. At 10.30 Inspector Gamble will address the meeting on recent legislation respecting schools, and will be followed at 11:00 o'clock by Miss M. Wilkinson, who will discuss the teaching of reading to beginners, with a demonstration class. The discussion will be by Miss Jones and Mrs. Ashby.
At the Tuesday afternoon session Principal A. Noble, of the high school, will deal with the teaching of literature in the senior grades, with discussion by Miss Arland and Miss Smart. At 3 o'clock there will be a round table discussion on school matters, which wjll be participated in by F. G. Cook, Miss Marshall, Miss Mil-llgan and Miss Monroe.
On the evening of Tuesday the visitors will be the guests of the Prince George school teachers at the Prince George Hotel, where a reception will be held in their honor, followed by a dance.
At Wednesday morning's session LeR. Stibbs will address the institute on the project method of classroom teaching, which will be illustrated, and the discussion will be by Messrs. Keith and Chapman. At 10.50 Mr. McGowan will deal with the teaching of mathematics in grades 7, 8 and 9. and the discussion will be by Mr. Moore and Mrs. Edgerton.
T. S. Carmichael will open the if-ternon session with a talk on the essentials of good teaching and testier and at 3:00 o'clock the institute will proceed to the election of officers for the ensuing year.