A new bi-weekly feature looks back at noteworthy, interesting, or light-hearted happenings in our area 100, 75, 50, and 25 years ago, from the pages of The Journal.
100 YEARS AGO
March 15, 1919
Work may be resumed in Highland Valley in near future
Arrangements have been made by the manager … whereby he and his associates will acquire large interest in the Highland Valley Mining & Development Company’s claims in Highland Valley. Development work will begin on a generous scale, and all requirements needed in the mill will be provided. “Prospects for the company are now brighter than they have ever been,” Mr. Keffer [manager] says in a communication. “We expect to begin work as soon as the snow is gone, and push it for all it is worth.”
Local and otherwise
Would the person who borrowed the Ashcroft Journal wheelbarrow kindly return same.
March 22, 1919
Advocates auto tax for roads
Speaking on the budget, Mr. F.W. Anderson, member for Kamloops, stated that he was pleased with the emergency vote of $1,500,000 for public works in addition to the regular vote for roads of $1,614,000.
He strongly urged the road building system adopted in the states of Washington and Oregon, where the automobile tax has been “cearmarked” [sic] and will be used to retire road improvement bonds. Mr. Anderson is in favour of an auto tax based on horsepower. He stated his belief that an increase in the auto tax would be protested by car owners unless the money derived from the tax were spent directly on the roads.
75 YEARS AGO
March 23, 1944
Ration book distribution hours are announced
Places, dates, and times have officially been set by representative Geo. Chattaway of the ration board for the distribution of No. 4 ration books in Ashcroft. Distribution will take place in the ARP office one door north of the Harvey Bailey General Store.
When consumers are issued with their No. 4 ration books they will find that they contain 11 sheets of coupons as against 12 in the current No. 3 books. The new books will have one sheet of tea or coffee coupons; one sheet of sugar coupons; one sheet of preserve coupons; two sheets of butter coupons; four sheets of meat coupons; one sheet of spare “H” coupons; and one sheet of spare “K” coupons.
Neighbourly exchange of rationed goods has been permitted since October 28 [1943]. However, some ration book holders have incorrectly taken this to mean that they may tear unused coupons out of their ration books and give them to friends. The Wartime Prices and Trade Board again points out that it is against the law to accept loose coupons.. Consumers must not accept them from friends and retailers must not accept them from customers.
Estimated cost road work at Cache Creek $125,637
In answer to questions in the legislature raised by R.H. Carson, M.L.A. for Kamloops, the minister of public works stated that a survey had been made and estimates completed for improvements to the highway easterly some 12 miles from Cache Creek. To bring this part of the Transcanada Highway up to standard it was estimated would mean an expenditure of $125,637.
50 YEARS AGO
March 20, 1969
Ashcroft welcomes the announcement: Lornex to be developed
To be largest base-metal mine in Canada: Will require $120 million capital investment
Rio Algom Mines Limited and Lornex Mining Exploration Ltd. on March 14 announced approval of plans for the financing and development of the Lornex copper deposit in Highland Valley, 26 miles from Ashcroft. Design and construction planning will begin immediately to permit actual construction as soon as contracts are complete. Rio Algom has stated that construction will take just over two years and will provide employment for some 900 people. During actual operation approximately 600 people will be employed.
25 YEARS AGO
March 15, 1994
Food Bank hours reduced
Starting this month the Food Bank will be open only one day a month at the Community Resource Centre. It’s been a year now since we’ve been in operation and we find the need for our services in our small communities just as great as in a large city. There are a few people who express to us their deepest gratitude. It is for those people we strive to keep the business going.
editorial@accjournal.ca
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Accident response praised
Editor, The Journal:
After attending the accident scene on Hwy. 97 last Friday, I find myself obliged to comment on the response of various agencies from the RCMP thru the Provincial Ambulance Service, Ashcroft Hospital, the recovery personnel, and the volunteers there. All these people carried out their duties in an exemplary fashion.
This accident had the potential to be a catastrophic event and their response showed that the capability is there to ensure that while in this case the injuries were not as numerous as could have been, if a catastrophe were to happen it can be dealt with in an efficient manner.
J.C. (Jack) Jeyes
Area Manager, Ashcroft/Cache Creek
Ministry of Transportation and Highways, South Cariboo District