Prince JSeorgeS^Uze^i
An Independent Semi-WMkly Newspaper Devoted to th� mr�r�st of Central and Northern % �h Columbia
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}8; No 24 (Three Sections) ~ p,inee George, B.C., THURSDAY, March 24f 1955 $4. �^ er year fi* f�r copy
p57AOOO Homesite Scheme Wery Possible* Says Mayor
I /v^oycr (joraon oryanr qnnounccg snomy oerore noon to-
Lf,at there is "every possibility" the city may embark on a 51,000 residential development' scheme in partnership with [Dominion and Provincial Governments.
I His announcement came following a meeting at City Hall knight with the official of the Central Housing & Mortgage Lpnration.
I Only three possible stumbling blocks exist today betweer [slow municipal development rate for a 144-homesite arec [Central Fort George and a rapid large-scale project which LlcT&c the district supplied with every conceivable type oi Lie) wifen a matter of months.
1. Tke"-westcoast officials of Central Mortgage I & Housing Corporation must obtain approval to the I'project from head office in Ottawa.
2 The city must file, a sub-division plan of the | area which is acceptable tfcKCM & HC and the pro-I vincial government' \^
3 A market survey must be undertaken in order [ to prove that the area would not lie vacajnt after the I protect is undertaken. \
The last two items will be dealt with by the cityirrunediat-l said Mayor Bryant. ~ . "x^
f'l was very encouraged by our talk with representatives for [other participants in the proposal," he stated following the feting with Provincial Housing.Commissioner J. E. Brown and Lorn CM & HC SUDervisor T. B. Pickersnill
[he la.-l iw" liL'ius win im wean lihytho city immediately, saic [�or Bryant.
[1 was very encouraged by oui It with representatives for th< fcr participants in the propos Fiii' stated following the meet I with-Provincial Housing Com jsioner J. E. Mrmvn and west I cm & 11C supervisor T. ,B Kcrsgill.
Is envisioned in its preliminary Its the project would supply I largo homesites with water, led roads, concrete sidewalks Km sewers, sanitary sewers, wotUghti'am] a power distribu/ I system. '
lomesitps in the area would Ian estimated $.1800 but would [included in any .CM & HC piL'ii^f mi any house built in I Class A A residential zone. [he. area chosen for the land pnibly project i.s.the site of the per CaiKidiari Army divisional ^quarters unit in Central Fori rge.
I overlooks the Xcchakc Rivei hwoujdljc provided, .with it?
";x -CLARK, Aberdeeh-borr '�ei-cd accountant who has ;' -> years in Canada anc : jcars in prince George, is incoming president of Prina rse Rotary Club. Now clut >ui'ei'i he will take office ir
.lune. ____--\Valiy West Studio:
pans To Attend ncouver Meet
tJCnSl livo Rotarians from we Gcpfge will, attend the 'an-!,�'�foronco of District 151, 1 � iwnnational from March �"'� in.;VancouVer, Jack Nich-�.. I'l^Mi-nt of the local Rp-.utl1'. said-today. fcJl|ng the delegation from x cf. Jvi11 ljc president-elect ;,":1,.,'lk Lin'l Secretary Cy tl> ,uh'� wiu hc Joined by iii VT1 Plnt �Martln Caine. Jack ."���'!'' and Cliff Warner.
T\T]k?}'IVCS~{V0� fi3 other in u " Alaska and n�rth-
1 auonl ;!fhineton sta^ will "UC11(1 Die conference.
�h'n'i r11' Owon of London, cdi1 n,lo0s autl1011 and form-, ? of the London. Daily �*� make the principal ad-t'he si,m "'"/q-once, speaking tivo 'r Thc World-Corn-u oi Co-operative^! '
�v"o? rf;"UV01'n6r George Ma-sklo ' "yajlup, wash., will lut al the sessions.
>wn parks.
Lots in the area_average G6 to r5 feet wide and 115 to 120 feet leep. All homes to be built there nust contain at least 920 square eet on the ground floor.
PITLK
Persons" purchasing property in he land assembly area would not �2 given full title to their home-ite until the house had reached he first-floor stage. �
Purchasers would be given one ull building season in which to rect their homes, and if they ailed to comply with this stipulation the land assembly group vould buy the property back at ost.
-Total rost of mnnir-lnnl sprvirps
Lumber Pours Info City As
Jack Frost Prolongs Season
Thousands of feet of lumber are pouring into Prir -George night and day as the district's primary industry tal advantage of a winter-logging reprieve made possible by l<
Already the district has "stolen i five-day march on the average /�early road closure date of March :9 and there will be no let-up un-il break-up.
-. 'iThis� could be the best late vinter and spring, climatically [peaking, that we have had in nany years," said one lumber-nan.
"Low temperatures are extend-ng beyond the usual. period of haw and each clay the sun is ;limbing higher in the^sky and jetting hotter. This means that vhen break-up does come, there vill be enough heat in the sun
0 make it a short and snappy me."
Another city lumberman said hat cold weather at this time of /ear is just dandy but he thinks n-esent temperatures are a bit on he low side. Planer deliveries at lis mill amounted to nil during he daylight hours yesterday be-:ause of intense cold.
Still another likes to see the umber pouring in five days after otal road closures are usually in �orce, but he said the weather 'makes it pretty tough getting :he planer going in the morning."
In other years a winter's-end ike this one would have meant �ecord inventories along "Planer Mill Row", but an unusually brisk A'inter market and good planing weather have combined to keep stockpiles fairly low. Only one
Red Cross Campaign Reaches $3550 Here
With. 75 per cent of the city :anvass completed, $3550 has been :ollected during the current Red :ross fund "raising campaign, Mrs.
1 O. Albiqs, Red Cross president,' innounced .this morning.
Objective for the Prince George listrict is $5000.
The country returns are just iegiririing to come in now. "We ihould be well over the top when ill returns are in," Mrs. Albins said. .
Some 150 canvassers, most of hem housewives, have been can-/assing the city area since the nonth long campaign got under-vay on March 1.
)ig city planing mill has stock-jiles approaching the usual spring >ize.
.Private truckers are also gstft-ng a break from Jack Frost. At his time last year they had been �estrlqted to partial loads for 1.0 lays*and no loads for two days, ind a long, hard break-up was thead of them.
The reprieve from spring shut-lowns in the lumber industry is expected tft^Jast for a few more lays at th�*|j^ry least, with present foreca&wf$jeralding continued :old weather.'
n the area would be $351,000, o /hich $134,000 would be repaid tc he senior governments by th< ity over a period of 10 years.
Remaining 5217,000 would b< ecovered in the price of ' th< lomesites.
The city must be able to giv< ome tangible assurance to CM & IC that total absorption of home ites in the area would come ir lot 'more than five years.
All sites would be sold on i irst-come-first .serve basis at th( ixed $1800 price.
'KOFITEEKIKG
In order to prevent profiteering f the sites get scarce and con ractors buy some of them on i luild-and-sell basis, the end pric� f all homes must be approved bj he land assembly group befon onstruction is started.
Stipulation on the single build ng season construction period is o prevent speculation with the ites.
Lots in area are owned by tht irincipals. The city owns 31, tht Xpminion Government 30, and thf 'rovuTcial Government 83.
City^ngineer George Harforc /ill be instructed to prepare a iew sub-division^ plan of the am mmediately. At^the same time lie city will go aboutMhe business f collecting evidence^to show nat the big project is warranted
Cety Takes Initiative With
New Residential Land Policy
City of Prince-George will take the initiative in the sale if residential building sites and will no longer await an applica-ion for certain lots before putting them on the auction block.
1 lit ui;w jjujjvj \jl xauu saico u
;xpected to serve a dual purpose
1. It will cut into the profits oi and speculators who have tied uj arge tracts of ground in anc iround the city in the hope oi selling out at a fat profit wher lerviced building sites become ;carce.
2. It will permit the city's plan lcrs to cjiannel residential devel ipment into compact areas when icrvices can be supplied in an ef icient and economic manner.
In effect the new policy wil :onsist of once-weekly land auc ions, of serviced building sites The auctions will take place a: :ity Hall and upset prices will b( ive thirds of assessed value.
City council Monday empowered Mayor-Gordon Bryant and City Clerk D. T. Williams to administer the new land sales policy. They will choose eight residential building sites each week.for thisupurpose.
All the sites will be serviced >y light and water facilities and vill be accessible by unpaved oads;
Mayor Bryant and Mr. Williams /ill have the ..authority to reduce he numbeV of sites offered week y, or stop the sales completely, E public response does not meas
AWARD WINNERS in B.C. Regional Drama Divsiion are H. S. "Bunny" Hum, Nelson, for many years provincial director of school and, community drama, who receives Canadian Drama Award for meritorious service in field of drama, and Joanne Walker, Vancouver, holding trophy awarded her UBC Players' Club Alumni for best play, "The Crucible." Miss Walker also receives best actress award in provincial festival at Vancouver.
Bill Henderson learned in a 'wir Monday his ticket, Number 3339? had drawn Carey's Cottageviri th Irish" Hospital, Sweepstakes.;^ *^&#ffl�iil�WF500 pounds sfe ling '($i3VSrat the present rate c exchange) for- drawing, the luck horse.
The jovial cigar-smoking, yarc man has been buying tickets fo Dver 25 years but this is the firs time he has drawn a horse.
Racing correspondents give hi Irish horse a good chance of mak ing a first place showing in tru Liverpool race Saturday.
Carey's Cottage is a distant rela live of Lovely-Cottage.,_which woi at 25-1 in 19-16 and Sheila's Col :age, which won at 50-1 injl948.
While he has never ^raced ii England, the horse has won tw< races, one over three miles, it Ireland last year!
This year the Irish horse ha: *un eight times and only onc< aeon out of the first three.
Ra'cing correspondents rate hin is a safe jumper and.an out am nit stayer that can't be ignored. , Mi\ Henderson, who is unmar �ied, ^has lived in the Princ< George district since 1941 and ir Prince George since 1945.
For the past nine years he has )een employed as yard foremar it Prince George Planing Mills.
A sport enthusiast, he seldon
Viillyard Foreman Draws Horse In Grand National
^X^A 59-year-old millyard foremanfstands to win $14O,( aturday^ if the horse he has drawn in the Grand Natic teeplechase makes a first place showing in the big race
billow River Pioneer U ies In California . Jj
A pioneer of jC�rft|^I.fi.C. whot nvt to Willow 6iver district inp 13,vIra W. Lewis, died ip/a'< cramehto, California, hospital c March 4%-- � /' , _, -
Mr. Lewis who was 78 years r age, is survlved>by four Saugh- 1 �s, Mrs. J. Richardson of Long-;w, Wash.j^Mrs. Joe Sheiner of F asef Lake, B.C., and Mrs. Bob r nsom'and Mrs. Frank Barron v Ja^per^ Alta. fi
Man, Woman Carried To Safety Following Early Morning Fire
Two persons were carried to safety in their night attire, and a third suffered burns on his right arm as the result of a fire which broke out in a converted army dwelling at 1388 Fifth Avenue Wednesday morning.- ��
ire up to .expectations. . ' �
Along with whatever sites a hosen for:auction by the may nd city clerk will be offered ai iroperty applied for by prospt ive purchasers and approved f ale by city council.
Members of the city coun< aid Monday that such a land sa tqlicy is necessitated by the fa hat many people are under tl repression that the city has i erviced lots available.
This impression is usually n iispelled by speculators.
l^ost of the lots, serviced ai inserviced, which the city nc >wns, were received through irovincial land grant last year.
The municipal land grant-can s an' unexpected and unwelcon low to lot speculators who hop< o make a killing this yeai\
Land speculators will prpbab are their asking prices back he level established at the ne ypc city auctions in the hope th hey can unload before anoth ear's taxes come due.
The hew policy will also let re state prices find their owri lev etween the factors of supply ai emand. Prices are in a state lux at the moment because tl larket }ias been relatively id ar some months. .
. �
ley Jorgerson were trapped in iide thdir closed bedrooms wher lense smoke from a nearby livinj �oom poured'into the adjoining �ooms of the house.
The victims, clad only In night �6\vh and underwear, were car �iea by firemen to the nearby lome of Harold Assman.
Douglass Leimerre, -yvho arrivec lere from Montreal only threi lays' ago, was another victim o he early morning fire.
Mr. Leimerre said he discover :d the fire at about six o'cloel vhen he got up to put some coa n the stove..
"The next thing I saw, flame; vere pouring out of the fron �oom," he said. -
"I thought I criuld put the fin >ut rriysefi:,\sorl:ran into the bath �oom and filled a basin-with wat
"I had $144 inside the couch, bu : couldn't get near it.
"When I saw the flames com ng up the wall, I thought it was ime to phone tHe fire depart nerit."
Mr. Leimerrc said he suffercc )urns to his'right arm when h< rieel to put out the flames him ;elf.
Firemen answered a call to th< T'ifth Ayenue dwelling at 6:3; t.m. and Jbund the door still lock
They ^ere forced to break i lumber of windows to gain entrj nto the house.'
Neither Mrs. Leimerre nor Mr Forgerson were injured in the fire >ut firemen carried the lightlj :Iad victims to safety to avoid un leccssary exposure in the sub ;cro weather. '
The city fire depaptment-cairu n for some high praise from the ire victims. "They were verj >rompt. About a minute and i mlf after I called, they were ir he house."
The fire victims also expressed heir gratitude to Mr. Assman foi lis help during the morning fire
Th�> fire is holipvprl to have
i ne city will not actually pur-lase the unit itself,' but will jcommend that the British Co-mbia Power Commission do so. Cost of the big new Fairbanks-'orse 10-cylinder engine, with merator, is $69,500. , Latest addition to the power jnerating facilities here will be ientical with a unit just installed i the power commission's build' ig adjacent to the city-owned lant.
Under an agreement between le city and the commission, the ty retains the right to recom-end purchase of a specific marine, while the crown corpora-on makes the actual purchase. This stems from a section of le agreement which gives the ty the right to buy all commis-on-installed equipment here at ^depreciated,value if no definite an "Tor a hydro development is
oldier-Serrler Died n Hospital Wednesday
A well know'n and xpopular old mer whose farm home 25 miles est of Prince George on th( anderhoof highway was a popu ir stopping place for teamster; id travellers in the early days led in Prince George and Districi ospital on Wednesday. He was Henry Benjamin Mas ri, 85, a veteran of the Firsi forld War, who was admitted tc aspital two weeks ago and hac sen in failing health for several jars.
He came to this district in 192C id for 28 years lived on the farm ; purchased through the Soldier Htlement Board. He often claim-I to be the only soldier settler
Central B.C. who completed lyments under the scheme. The large dwelling he built on s holding was a landmark for ( years on Highway 16 and a equent rendezvous of hunting id fishing parties from Vande.r-Dof and Prince George. Mr.,Mas-i's fund of stories and anecdotes :ted as a lure to his guests and ften caused them to overlook the urpose of their ^Isit.- _
Five years ago Mr. Mason sole is farm, ,-ahd in 1953 the bli vkite building /was destroyed b
^fiice Having to""PrtnSe G&�rg t year: ago Mr. Mason had live itr Ewart Street with a bachelo ompanion. ;
Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Em la Corless, and a daughter* Mrs '. Twogood, both of Troy, N.Y.
The remains are at Assman'! 'uneral Chapel and funeral ar ingements will be announcec hen instructioins are receivec �om Mr. Mason's daughter.
U.S. Firm GeiTSscond Diesel Order From City
National Steel & .Metal Corporation of Los Angeles got its second big Qty of Prince Geocge order within six months last Monday when council named the American company as its choice to supply a new 1136 k.w. diesel-generator unit to meet this area's mounting power needs.
offered to this area by the end of the present year.
National Steel, which deals largely in reconditioned Fairbanks-Morse machines obtained as war surplus, underbid F-M's quotation on a new unit, and the bid of another reconditioned plant. . <
The new unit must be installed by next fall if the city is to have any power reserve late this year.
It is believed there will be no hitch to power commission acceptance of the city's recommendation for purchase of the National Steel engine.
Willislon Here On Tour Of Interior
British Columbia Education Minister Ray Williston will arrive here tomorrow on the first step of a post-session provincial tour which will take him to. seven cities and villages throughout the interior.
While here it is expected the minister will unfold some of the details of the proposed new $600,-000 provincial government building which will be started this year.
The Fort George MLA will be here tomorrow,- Saturday and Sunday, and will return again on April2, address a public meeting in the Elks' Hall on April 4 and return to Victoria on April 8.
He will be in Crescent Spur on March 28, McBride on the 29thf' Valemount on the 30th and Kain. oops on the 31st. y^
April 1 will see him at Salmon Arm and he will bev-ih Smithers on April 6 and 7,y^
Soer War Veteran Died Here Monday
A native son of Norway who; served with the British army in he Soyth African war, Oscar Sletten, 78, died in Prince George and District Hospital on Monday and was buried yesterday in the city cemetery.
A frequent patient in the hos-pital during the past few years, he -was last admitted' a few days prior WttrtteaBT v ' '
Mr. Sletten was a bachelor anc old-age pensioner who lived in The Cache district - of Prince George for many years. He came to this city in 1930, and was' employed by Lars E.. Strom when the latter owned the Rush Transfer. Later he worked for Strom Lumber Co. Ltd.
Born on April 29, 1S76, in Gud-brandsdal, Norway, the late Mr. Sletten left his homeland before the turn of the century and went to England where he offered his services as a volunteer scout for the Imperial Army, and served in South Africa throughout the Boer War campaign.
When the war ended hc returned to Norway for a short period and then went to the United States. He came to Canada in 1910, living in the vicinity of Medicine Hat, Alberta, before coming to Prince George 25 years ago. . ------
As far as is known, he has no relatives in Canada.
Funeral services Wednesday were held in Assman's Funeral Chapel under the auspices of the Eiks Lodge with Lieut. Chapman officiating.
Pallbearers were Pete Hoyba"kK E. Froese, William Webster, W. L. Kapphahn, C. MacAuley and H.
started when a lighted cigaret was eft on the couch. .
Damage was confined . to one �oom and is estimated at about .300.
A chimney fire broke out at the lome of Mrs. O. Clapperton at >:45 yesterday morning, but resulted in no damage to the house.
Off The Wires Today
(Canadian Press, Thursday, March 24, 1 955)
Police Crack Down On Gambling At Two B.C. Centres
PORT MOODY�Twelve Vancouver men were charged Wednesday wijh aeing inmates of a gambling house raided here Monday by RCMP.
Police Chief A. W.. Kruger named the men os Sandy Desantis, Clemens I. Reiffer, John N. Reiffer, Metro Sawchuk, George Brennan, Roddie Mc-.eod, George E. Harrison, Harvey Sander, Douglas H. Pipe, William Slamon, Edward Gri and Edward Bernstein.
PORT ALBERNI�Forty-nine men were convicted and two acquitted ond learly $1,00*0 in fines livied here. Wednesday, aftermoth of an R.C.M.P. �aid on the Centre Sports Club.
Convicted of keeping a common gaming house were John Simon ond 'aymond Haslam. Both were fined $100 and costs.
Forty-seven persons were convicted as patrons of the gaming house ind fined $10 and costs.
Court Hears Story Of Fatal Hotel-Room Brawl
VANCOUVER�Story of a fierce fight with a jagged-edged broken wine jottle was related in police court Wednesday at the preliminary.murder hear-ng of Joseph Roy, 32.
Roy is accused of.the throat-slashing murder of Maurice Lizotte, 27, in j.skidroad hotel March 3.
First witness called by the crown, Benoit Bisson, 40, talking through a M-encFTlnterpreter, told of a vicious and swift fight between Roy and Lizotte n Roy's room.
Fort St. John Moves To Secure Cheaper Power
FORT ST. JOHN�Move to have B.C. Power Commission take over distribution of power and light here faltered recently when Canadian Utilities ltd. called for tenders for new construction, as their present plant.
The move to have the Power Commission take over from privately-owned ZUL started when the Commission moved into Dawson Creek.;
Commercial rote per kilowatt here is 7.1, compared with 2.03 at Dawson. Zreek.
OUESNEL�Inquest opened here Wednesday into the death of Raoul Legace, 22S of New Brunswick, found dead Tuesday afternoon, He was found beside a' fallen tree.