; 1/OVlfWcjfAL An Independent Semi-Weekly Newspaper Devoted to the Interest of Control ond Northern British Columbia Prince George, B.C., MONDAY, March 12, 1951 $3.00 per year per copy ATHERTON HEARING OPENS TOMORROW DIEFENBAKER WILL DEFEND Preliminary hearing into a manslaughter charge resulting L i fhe November 21 railroad disaster at Canoe River, where b2 persons on two trains met ttieir death in a head-on collision, ,ill open here tomorrow morning at 11 o'clock. Charged �^inn with the wreck is Alfred John Atherton, 22-year- �� open here tomorrow morning ar m o ciock. ^nargea in -onnection with the wreck is Alfred John Atherton, 22-year-old former C.N.R. telegrapher at Red Pass Junction. Record Small Crowd rmer C Arriving in Prince George by. functionary of the Progressive Conservative party and noted Saskatchewan attorney. H. W. Mclnnis has been ap- ointed Crown prosecutor. F. H. Keefe, general manager' Lf the western region for the' C N R., will arrive here today to attend the hearing. It is reported he will be called by the Crown to. stify. Stipendiary Magistrate P. J., .foran will preside at the hear-i ,ng and will either commit Ath- j trion for trial or will dismiss the Charge. Atherton, free on $5000 bail iSted by two city men, is ex ^cted to arrive on tomorrow norning's passenger train from khe easL Telephone Co. Will (pand FacHHtes Central office facilities in the .'rince George telephone ex-fchange building will be expanded �his year with the installation of fourth position of switchboard for local service. I I This is announced by North* Jest Telephone Company officials who state that the additional switchboard is expected to *e In service about the end of August. j e Company also Plan* to in-p additional outside plants in � farious parts of the exchange ! I Room for central office expan-I'on in the Fourth Avenue ex- fclbUjIdlng Was �w�7 moving the business ^ �ntral premls- St representative. as WSJ keen" increa8e *n the amoimta to 183 Sees Lumbermen Trounce Shamrocks In sub-zero weather, one of the smallest hockey crowds on record here watched Prince George Lumbermen walk all over Prince George Shamrocks rn an inter-league exhibition game played in the Civic Arena on Saturday night. Score, Lumbermen 22. Shamrocks 7. A Lumberman official termed the crowd the "smallest ever drawn by the senior team." "We found the turn-out especially disappointing in view of the fact that we publicized the game as one of the last chances the Prince George Hockey Association had this season to raise sufficient revenue to start the second year of their five-year pian $Ath a bang," the official said?'*'-. The Lumbermen official said he hoped to arrange a final exhibition series here before spring to bolster the Association's finances and provide fans with a final week-end of top-flight hockey. "We do not know yet who will be the Lumbermen's opposition but several outside teams are interested in pitting their squads, against us and a decision will be reached this week.". Me said that the Association had paid for about $8000 worth of fixed assets In the form of outdoor rinks this season and that although major expenditures for the five-year plan have already, been made, a bit of additional j capital would be needed to start off junior and juvenile teams next season. Saturday night's crowd of about 30 people saw Shamrocks go into a first period one goal lead with the score at 4-3 but Lumbermen opened up in the second period and dropped no less than 11 goals Into the Irish net Continuing their drive Into the third period, the seniors drew eight more points while Shamrocks were held scoreless. �� Ltd w Standard Road From Vanderhoof To 'can Damsiie Will Be Built By Mannix Co. � orTrTA I^**'09ln Vondernoof between R. Dikes, chief a /Vnght, ossistant engineer, of Fred Mannix & Pork, of the Department of Public Works, spokesmen informed Mr. Park of their road con-have two maintenance crews on the road with large power graders and other equipment when it becomes necessary. Mr. Park was Informed that the company will exert every effort possible to keep the road ln excellent condition during the entire* time they are operating in the district. He in turn assured the officials of every co-opera tion of � whlch � is -�f new " BreatK rPany also 8 roadbhh,nprove the� A Pacific Overseas Airlines plane crashed and burned on one of Hong Kong's many hills today shortly after taking off In a heavy fog for Siam, killing 26 persons aboard. Three American crew members and one British passenger, Kenneth Imple, were listed among the victims. The remainder were Asiatic crew members and passengers. The four-engine Douglas DC-4 Skymaster crashed five minutes after taking off for Bangkok. Typhus Hit* Koreoa Reds TOKYO, March 12 (CP)�General MacArthur's headquarters has received a report that typhus in Koi-ea has wiped out the equivalent'of two Chinese Red divisions �20,000 men. This report directly contradicts a statement from the Eighth Army headquarters in Korea only two days ago that there was no confirmed evidence of any typhus epidemics among Chinese and North Korean troops. Funcrol Wednesday The funeral of Frank Payne, well-known city old � timer who died In Prince George and District Hospital March 2. has been arranged for Wednesday afternoon from Assman's Chapel. P. G. E. Will Build N. Vancouver Link Definite word that tfte B.C. Government will extend the P.G.E. southward from Squamish to West Vancouver has been given Hie LesJsfotwv by Premie? Byron Johnson who indicated that work work will start in Hm near future. The Premier told the House that the 42-mil� link can be completed at a cost of between $8,500,000 and $10,000,000. Me said that to put in a proper ferry service between Squamish and Von-couver which would take core of present ond future needs would involve the expenditure of a lot of money and still would not be a completely satisfactory solution to the problem since trans-shipment by barge would take 9 to 12 hours longer than rail transit. Cold, Flu Hampers Red Cross Drive Cold weather and snow-blocked roads have hampered canvassing by Prince George Red Cross workers in the current drive for funds, it was reported at campaign headquarters here. An epidemic of influenza also took a hand in slowing the campaign, which has an objective of $4200. Only scattered returns have come in to date, but with the return of warmer weather the drive is expected to gain momentum this week. Mte>. Alex Cross, chairman of the canvassing committee, this morning reported the following early returns from collectors: Mrs. J. Evans. $211.90; Dorothy Creek Sawmills, $20; Cale Creek Sawmills. $23; Mrs. Austin. $67: Vets' Welfare Officer Coming Next Week H. H. Church, Veterans Welfare officer for this district, will arrive in Prince George from Quesnel on Wednesday evening, March 21, and will be staying at the Prince, George Hotel, it was announced at the Canadian Leg-Ion office here today. Mr. Church will remain in the city until the evening of March 24. He will be available for Interviews with veterans at the office of the Unemployment Insurance Commission, George Street. from 1:30 to 5 p.m. on March 22 and from 7 to 10 p.m. at his hotel. S. Loma, G. Miiier Funerals Tomorrow Funeral arrangements for the late Samuel Loma, whose death took place earlier this month in the city hospital, have now been completed- Last rites will be held at Assman's FuneraJ. Chapel to-rViorrbw'; March 137 an:30,; followed by interment in Prince. George cemetery. Also set for tomorrow is the funeral of George Miller, who died in the Europe Hotel last week. Services will be held In the funeral chapel at 3 p.m. Storm isolates Salmon Valley Salmon Valley residents woke last Sunday morning to face the worst snowstorm in the memory of oldtimers. A high wind piled drifts six feet high, and mill-workers were unable to use their cars to get to work. Due to breakdown of a Public Works caterpillar there was a delay in getting roads opened. However, a crew finally arrived with a second "cat" and the Salmon Valley road was opened for traffic. The blizzard combined with the flu, to partly close the mill and| school. The mailman made his rounds by foot on Sunday. Miss' Shirley Campbell was storm-; bound all week, but returned to school in Prince George on Saturday. Salmon River school Red Cross fund amounted to $8.27 last week. Undefeated Scotians Win Curling Title HALIFAX. March 12 (CP)� N'ova Scotia's first Canadian Curling championship in 24 years came to a brilliant climax Saturday when Don Oyler's rink from Kentville ran out an undefeated string of 10 straight victories. A three-way tie for second place necessitated play-off round Saturday night and British Col umbia took over the runner-u spot "Cover Saskatchewan an Manitoba. The title itself was decided in the ^all-important tenth round Saturday morning. RED JET PLAMES COLLIDE, EXPLODE TOKYO, March 12 (CP)�A lar explosion which involved ding Rimian-made jet lie Korean war spotlight today as Ion on the ground slowed baHwd retreating Commanitt. The Russian machine*, frying make a right turn while ehaeiitgj American Thuniferjet, ctmldn't ca fine enough, collided and e* British, Canadian and troops ore within five mile* of chon, 22 miles south of the 38tfc Hd and are advancing slowrf. Noted Band Nay Visit Prince George Prince George music lovers vill have an opportunity to hear ne of western Canada's finest uvenlle band groups early thfe summer if negotiations started! his week by the Rotary Club are-uccessful. Rotarians have agreed to spon-or a visit to this city of the- West Vancouver Boys and Girls Rant*. crack musical organization that as made a big name for itself n the lower mainland. Arthur V. Delamont, the bandmaster,, vas formerly in charge of the-amous Kitsilano Boys Band which won many prizes at bant ontests across the Dominion and made a triumphal tour of England several years ago. If present plans materialize, the band will arrive here by bus ami give two concerts in the Civic Centre on Saturday, June 2. While the Rotary Club wiE >ponsor the band's appearance in rince George, proceeds will rj>-o the Civic Centre Association, wording to a spokesman for the-ervice club. South Fort P.T.A. Dance Successful South Fort George Parent-Teachers Association held a welJ-attended dance in the South Fort Community Hall on Friday night. Silver Tone Rangers orchestra was in attendance and a jolly time was had by all. � An attractive lunch was served by members of the P.T.A. and a door prize was raffled off in the Course of the evening. Youth Gets Year For Forged Cheque Metro Lepecki, 24year-o!d Edmonton youth brought to Prince George under police escort more than a month ago to face "wortlir less cheque charges, was sentenced to one year in jail yesterday by Judge E. D. Woodburn , ^ pleaded gttlfty suing a forged cheque In the amount of $170 when he visited a city clothing store last October. Four months of R.C.M.P. vigilance throughout the northwest, resulted in the youth's arrest in Alberta. He was flown to Oakalla on Saturday where he will serve his 12 month sentence. Continuing Mild Intermittent light snow tonight and Tuesday, sa3's the weather ottlce, light wind* tomorrow, and �wonderful words after last. week's weather�continuing mild-Forecast low temperatures tonight and high tomorrow, 25 and 35 degrees. Hornets Cop Inter9 Puck Honors Here Henri Queuille Forms New French Cabinet PARIS, March 12 (CP)�French Premier Henri Queuille Saturday night formed a new middle-of-the-road coalition government, largely a carbon copy of its predecessor, the cabinet of Rene Pleven. It was the country's seventeenth ministry, and Queullle's own second, since the liberation of France. Like most others It combined Socialists, Roman Catholic movement Republican Popul-air and Queuille's own Radical-Socialists, a moderate Tightest group despite their name. Casualties Up OTTAWA, March 12 (CPI� The army today issued its fourth casualty list of the Korean war showing six men killed in action and nine wounded. The latest list brings to 17 the number of Canadians reported dead In Korean casualty lists. Giscome Hornets, league lead- In the second period ers in the district intermediate from Trask. puck loop, fought their way to the championship yesterday afternoon to win the third and final game of the play-offs against i decimated Shamrock team. Gis-�me plunged ahead yesterday rom the first period to hand the Irish a 7-3 defeat Shamrocks, with only eight on a pas* men dressed, were hard-pressed from the opening whistle and saw chances for the championship fade fast in the second period when Hornets Increased their lead by three goals. A week ago after Shamrocks had handily defeated Hornets on the latter's home rink their chances of bringing league suprem-J acy to Prince George looked \ good and even after losing the second game to Hornets here on Friday night most local fans figured them as the odds-on favorites. Hornets' powerful Backman-Sydia combination bulldozed the first tally into Shamrock's net early in the first frame but Simonski, powerfully built Irish rearguard, evened the count minutes later with one of his blue-line cannon-ball shots which caught Hornet goalie Glacier off balance. Vahl and Boyce put Giscome In the lead again before the bell and Sydla clinched the margin early Two more fast goals for Giscome by Sydia and 'McRae gave-the eastern squad a safe margin, which was only slightly threatened before period's end by a wild Irish rush which saw Corky Mof-fat draw blood off a pass from. Clarkston. Bizicki carried the Shamrock rally into the third period with a goal on a pass from Minty but McRae and Backman pushed the-Hornet tally to two more points, and a safe margin for the championship. February Saw Heavy Snowfall Temperatures here throughout February were only four degrees, below normal but snowfall of 26.3 inches was surpassed only by th* years 1925 and 1948 when more than 30 inches fell. Total snow for February was. more than twice as much as the normal figure of 12.3. Monthly precipitation of 2.63 inches was almost twice the normal of 1.43 inches. < "Old Sol'1 beamed down on local residents for a total of 96.4 hours, or 12 hours more than usual for February.