ZEN
Vol 23, No. 1
Radio Reception Poor On Account Of Weak Stations
Junior Chamber of Commerce
Believes Local Station
Best Solution
Prince George, B.C. Thursday, January 4, 194(\ �
#2.00 a Year
BRITISH DESTROYER VICTIM OF GERMAN MINE
Some time ago a committee was formed by the Prince George Junior Chamber of Commerce to investigate and remove if possible some : of the noises which, so seriously affect radio reception in the city. The aim of the committee was to lower the average noise level to permit satisfactory reception. The efforts of the committee �{ mot with some success and in several | instances .they were able to remove loud I interference in certain localities. How- | ever, while it has been possible to im- j prove recepton in some neighbourhoods, ' the results as far as improving recep- j Lion generally have been disappointing. !
The" reason for this became apparent during the visit of Mr. MacKinnon of the Canadian' Broadcasting Corpora- ! tion. While he was here Mr. MacKin- \ non measured the noises of a motor wSiich completely blanketed the dial of a radio. The average strength of that noise as measured was less than one millionth of a volt. An attempt was then made to measure the strength of the signals from broadcasting stations on the air and'these were so weak that measurement was impossible.
The question naturally arises: just what is the significance of a noise level of one microvolt? First, when one realizes that it was (years before radio engineers were able to develop a radio that would pick up a signal of one microvolt strength, then it becomes obvious that the general noise level is exteremely low in this city. Second, the fact that no radio signal could be measured shows that our radios are operating at full sensitivity most of the time and in this way amplify the noise out of all proportion. No radio, no matter how sensitive, can bring in a program through interference which is greater in intensity than the strength of the signal frounj the radio station.
If the signal strength Is, for example, ftve microvolts and our noise level approximately seven microvolts, then our problem would not be so difficult as it would be a case of reducing tile noise level to three or four mlcrovalts which would leave a substantial signal for radio receiving sets to work on. As it is, the signal-strength is so weak, that we are at the mercy of every tcT^e of inteatferenoe regardless of how weak the noise may be. This explains in part why commercial noise fllterers are in-
Silent reminder to the courage of British seamen, the bulk of the nune-struck destroyer Gipsy lies awash off the east coast of England. Twenty-nine of her crew went down with the ship; the remainder bravely sang sea chanteys as they awaited rescue. Naval authorities are surveying the wreck for salvage possibilities.
B.C. Mining Output Up Nearly Half A Million
Zinc Reaches All Time High in Volume)�Lode Gold Again
Increases�Fort St. James Mercury Property
To Produce This Year.
The value of mine production in British Columbia for 1939 is estimated to.be #64,939,300, an increase of #453,749 over 1938. The increase is due largrely to greater production of lode gohi, coal and copper, which have offset estimated decreases in silver and lead, according to figures released today by Hon. W. J. Asselstine, minister of mines, from Victoria. The following table is an estimate of mine production for 1939 as compared with 1938:
Description
Gold, ounces........................
Gold, lode, ounces ................ 557,522
Silver, ounces ........................ 10.861,578
Copper, pounds ......._........... 65,769,906
effective in suppressing the noises of lPLead' P�unds .................... 412,979,182
appliances suoh as vacuum cleaners.!Zinc- pounds ...................... .298,497,295
etc., to a satisfactory level.
Mr. MacKinnon stated that the noise level of Vancouver was twenty or thirty times greater than our own but the signal strength was many times greater than the noise level and the reception was unaffected generally by the hurrounding noise.
Coal, ton (2240 lbs.)............ 1,309,428
Structural Maaterials Miscellaneous Metals
s /
TOTALS ..............
1938
Quantity Value 57,759 $ 1,631,015
19.613,624 4,722,288 6.558.575
13.810,024 9,172,822 5.565,069 1.975.249 1.395.985
Value
$ 1,489,248 21,223.748 4,230,304 7.315,250 11,868,750 9,192.000 6,120,000 2.0GO.OOO 1,500.000
S64.485.551 $64,939,300
Piacer gold production appears to be ^perhaps clearer than at the beginning .srected to close down during the year. The gold mining Industry, in spite of certain operations closing down, has been able to show a marked increase in production. Leaa and zinc prices have depreciated somewhat during tiie year, and with the advent of war, capacity production Has offsetrT6~~a~l?r6at extent, the anticipated decrease. The mining industry has had a very prosperous year and nas maintained production at a hign level.
Dividends for the year are estimated to be $11,157,870.
Employment and the purchase of supplies will compare . favorably with 1968.
The ostlook for mining in 1940 is
were uncertain and still are, though now we are at war, onj of the great
uncertainties has
removed, an-
we can perlv..ps mere clearly evaluate the prospect of tlv: industry for the new year.
British Columbia, is in a much better position to play her part, not only as a province within the Dominion, but as a part of the British Commonwealth of Nations, than she was when the last Great War broke out in 1914.
In 1914 the metal markets of the world were so upset that prices could not be obtained for months. At the beginning of this war base metnl prices were pegged on the Lc-ndon Metal Exchange within ten days after the declaration of war � with the object of controlling metal prices during the conflict. It is a high tribute to the mining industry that the large pro-ducers of' base metals have agreed to prices which will give them a small but reasonable profit when the opportunity existed to capitalize on the war and so obtain high prices for their products.
It is anticipated that during the new year placer gold will show an increase in volume and valu* The Cariboo and Ablin camps are likely to maintain production, whereas the new Turnagain river area and the Manson area are ex-Lode gold mining is expected to main-pected to show substantial increases, tain its high rate of production during the new year. New producers have come into operation during 1939 in the Zcballos area and there is still marked activity in the search for and development of gold properties in spite of the possible influence of war.
Base metal mines are operating at capacity and with slightly better average prices now prevailing should show Increase in botti volume and value for the year. Copper should show a substantial increase in value as our operations are not producing metal within
General Hornby |� Boosts British Settlement Plan
Addresses Meetings Across Canada in Effort to Speed Up Immigration
Brigadier-General M. L. Hornby, who is well known in Prince George and throughout British Columbia as an indefatigable worker in his ambition to people Canada with adequately financed and especially chosen British settlers, is consistently carrying on the j good missionary work across Canada.
Since October .22 the genera 1 has
made many public addresses in all the
provinces Irom British Columbia to
Nova Scotia, as well as interviewing the
cabinet ministers of their governments
and those of the Federal government
son behalf of Britten immigration to the
; Dominion.
On December 13 he addressed the i Giyro Club of Moncion, New .Brunswick, j and on December 20 gave his address in Halifax, Nova Scotia, making first-page publicity in the three Halifax daily newspapers where his views for the advancement of the welfare of Britishers and Canadians alike were fully reported. ,
In all his addresses General Hornby stressed the "after-the-war" problems of both Britain and Canada, saying in part:
"I believe there never'was a time when an increase in the British population in Canada was of greater importance than at the present tune because of the generally disturbed conditions throughout the word and the threat to democracy.
''There is no doubt that at present the all-important work before us is bhe prosecution of the war to a victory. But we must remember there is to be an 'after-the-war.' All our industries are now being geared up to a high level of. production.
"What is going to happen when hostilities cease? What is there to absorb the increased production of our factories and industries? I believe there is no form of activity that can absorb them unless it be immigration and settlement," he claimed.
The Great War Imperial Army General recalled that perhaps the most prosperous era Canada ever had was the period of the greatest British immigration, to Canada during the first quarter of the present century.
General Hornby contended the matter of bringing British settlers to Canada should be one given immediate consideration by the provincial and Dominion governments if it was to ever become a matter of national policy. He strongly urged the adoption of a definite plan so the amount of finance required could be estimated.
The British Parliament has definitely allocated la sum for sending people to Canada and the Dominions Secretary had "clearly stated" that if the amount of-imoney now granted by Parliament was insufficient to enable the British Government to play a part in any approved settlement schemes the government would take the necessary,steps to make more finances available. General Hornby pointed out.
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Residents Greet Advent of 1940 In Happy Mood
Many Pre-Dancc Parties, Open
House Festivities Cause
Much Merriment
Prince George residents welcomed 1940 in brilliant style when a capacity crowd congregated at imidnight in the Princess Ballroom on the occasion of the Army �fc Navy Veterans' annual New Year's ball.
Many pre-dance parties were held in private 'homes and two larger gatherings assembled at the Prince George Grill and Shasta Cafe. After partaking of a bounteous repast in bath cafes the participants made many New Year visits before winding up at the dance:
At the Shasta Cafe the party was entertained by Gus Lund with a showing of local scenes projected on a big screen at t'he end of-the dining-halL This was highly appreciated, more par-icularly because of the fact that all the principals In the films were well known residents of the city and vicinity.
die of tlie highlights of the evening was an egg swallowing contest staged during the merry rounas of visits between a popular doctor and equally popular C.N.R. executive. The incident saused much lherrtonerit, and although the mayor as referee pronounced the doctor winner by three eggs, the decision was not ac^eped unanimously, paricularly when the hostess discovered the remains of three eggs on her kitchen floor. Also causing doubt as to the bona fides of the contest was the assertion by some onlookers that each contestant had an egg or two hidden away in his coat pocket. However, the mayor's decision still stands, and it is understood that backers of the rival contestants are arranging a return contest to take place in the near future under regulations that will leave no doubt as to the real champion egg-swallbwer of Prince George for 1940. The contest will in all probability be delayed until the profiteering price of eggs caused by the heavy run on them for the contest in the early hours of 1940, drops again when new supplies begin coming into the market.
When the contest is renewed betting is expected to be keen on the sporting proposition as to whether a bow man can bag a lion.
Many complimentary remarks were heard as the various parties made their rounds of calls with regard to the
quite
elaborate electrical decorations residences in the city, of Yuletide decorations
W.M.S. KNOX UNITED ELECTS 1940 OFFICERS
the province and therefore are obtaining foreign prices. Fort St. James Mercury ' It is anticipated that early in the new year a mercury deposit in northern British Columbia will be brought Into production, and while it will not De the first mercury producer in British Columbia, the prospects are that it may be the first successful operation. The industry is still maintaining the diversification achieved in recent years when is a healthy sign for the future
The December meeting of the W.M.S. of Knox United Church was held last Thursday afternoon atthehecne of Mrs. Mallis. when the following' ogicers were elected for 1940:
Supply Secretaiy�Mrs. P. Moffat.
Associate Helpers' Secretary�Mrs. C i. Alexander.
Community Friendship Secretary� Mrs. J. Mallis.
Auditor�Mrs. P. Moffat.
The remaining1 offices will continue to be. held by last year's officers.
Rev. W. E. Fullerton was present and installed the officers of the 1940 executive in an impressive service.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, January 25, at 3 pan., the place to be announced later.
RED CROSS MEETING
At an executive (meeting iast night it was decided to hold the first annual meeting of the Prince George branch of - the Red Cross Society on Frday, January 26.
on the outside of homes has definitely "caught on" in Prince George was amply demonstrated, and doubtless will increase in elaborateness as times goes on.
Among the more popular "open house" affairs doling bhe New Year's festivities'were-those of Dr. and Mrs. C. Ewert. Mr. and Mrs. V. Morgan, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Wood. Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Walker. Mr. and Mrs. Day" Boss, Mr. and Mrs. James Scott, Mr. aftu Mrs. E. H. Burden. Air. and Mrs. J. A. F. Campbell and Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Matheson.
Submarine After
Canadian Troops
Canadian troops abroad one of the transports carrying the second contingent of Canada's first division in the present war to Great Br-tatn stood by the life boats for a full day last week when a German U-boat was located near the convoy. It was reported that destroyers dropped depth charges, but it is not known whether the raider was sunk by them, >v�
and especially for the post-war iyears to come.
One phase of the industry which must not be overlooked in the new year is the importance of prospecting for the maintenance of the industry. Exploration and development must also continue during tihe war period, otherwise the post-war years will show the effect of any slackening' off in prospecting, exploration and development. Prospecting, exploration and development of gold properties should receive
special attention, especially with view to bringing into operation new j properties in the post-war years. Prospecting ,and exploration for base metals and miscellaneous metals and minerals should not be overlooked, but in this connection the outlook is not as clear as in the case of gold properties. Base rnietpls and miscellaneous metals are sold chiefly on world markets ana i this must be taken into consideration j in the. search for and development of ' new properties.
GREETINGS
124 Pacific Building Vancouver, B.C. December 27. 1939.
The Editor
Prince George Citizen
Prince George,. BlC.
Dear Mr. Editor:*
I once more take advantage of the circuation of the Citizen to send a word of greeting for the coming year to my constituents.
The (year will begin in the midst of a war-torn world. Although "far removed from direct attack by our enemies, parts of Canada will suffer by reason of the war; and I fear that fateful days lie ahead of the nation when the struggle ends.
In spite of the sacrifices of war, however, I wish a Happy New Year to the people of Cariboo. May our various governments take steps, even during the progress of bhe war, that will make it possible to secure material community prosperity when war is over. With this hope in mind, I wish every possible happiness and joy to all any constituents. Yours faithfully GRAY TDKGEON