PAGE FOUR gm THE GUARD-lAN

Authorised as Second Clsss Mail Post Office Depsnrnent, Otuws. The lllsnd (iusniisn Publishing co.

President uni Assoclsts Editor. In: A Burnett. Associate Editor. Frank wuhu.

GIICUIATION "Covers I-mm Edwsrd lsisnd like the dew"

f'Ths Strongest Memory 1: Weeks: files tho Weakest Ink". cnAn.l.o'r'rl;'rowN. WEDNESDAY. AUG.

From Small Beginnings

13,

It has been said that generations have gone into the making of the lawns of Eng- land; and the same can be said for our Provincial Exhibition and Old Home Week. now enjoying the most successful year of its history. On its present site the Exhib- ition is sixty-two years old, but as far back as 1823 livestock fairs were being held on the Market Square in Charlottetown, and in that year the Government of the Island stepped into the picture. It offered two pounds for the best' carcass of ox meat shown, and one pound for the best beef carcass. The prize-winners tipped the scales at 658 lbs. and 394 lbs. respectively. A few years earlier, in 1820, what is be- lieved to be the first exhibition of Island products was held at Crapaud. The ad- vcrtisement referring to this venture an- nounced that "the inhabitants of Crapaud and surrounding country are anxious to open a market with Ramshag (now Wal- lace, N.S.) to exchange sheep for spinning wheels and chairs." Exhibitors from Cum- berland, N. S., were assured that their ”young cattle would meet with purchasers for cash or barter."

The exhibitions in Charlottetown were open to competition from all parts of the Province and until 1863 were held under the auspices of the Royal Agricultural So- ciety; after that they were continued under a Board of Commissioners appointed by the Government. The cattle show was held for some years at Holland Grove (the block bounded by Prince. Fitzroy, Euston and Great George Streets), afterwards in the vicinity of Government House grounds and

” later in a field owned by the Hon. John Longworth at the Charlottetown end of St. Peters Road, where annual shows were held up to the year 1881. After the erec- tion of the Drill Shed (Armouries), from 1867 to 1888, the exhibits of grain, veg- etables and other farm and industrial pro- ducts were shown in that building. At the opening ceremony in 1888, Judge Hensley, chairman of the Board of Commissioners. announced that a group of citizens had been incorporated under the name of the Char- lottetown Driving Park and Provincial Ex- hibition Association, and that they had purchased the property known as the Ken- sington grounds "upon which it is con- templated to erect large exhibition build- ings in the near future, with a view to making ample provision for the growing re- quirements of the Province." The Legis- lature in the same year voted an annual subsidy of 82,000., The driving park was made ready for races in the autumn of 1889, and the Exhibition buildings were ready for the show in 1890.

Since that time a great. many improve- ments have been made, and the Exhibition now ranks second to none in Canada. com- bining as it does a variety of entertainment and educational features which this year is drawing unprecedented crowds from far and near. Much of the success achieved has been due to the close co-operation be- tween the management and the Provincial and Federal Departments of Agriculture.

In recent years the Old Home Week feature of the Fair has proved a big added attraction to summer visitors. Nowhere in Canada is one more likely to meet old friends, or make new ones, than at the racetrack or midway in Charlottetown; and from the human interest angle this is the most important story of all. But it can- not be told here. It is a story that is be- ing related piecemeal at this season, in thousands of letters, postcards and tele- phone calls to friends and relatives every- where,--refreshing the hearts of other Islanders abroad with the latest news and gossip, and spreading the name and fame of our fair Province to the four quarters of the globe.

Beginners in I. 0. '

The new Social Credit Government of British Columbia. notes the Winnipeg Free Press, is new in every respect. Not a single member of it has ever held cabinet office before. 'Pre'mler W. A. C. Bennett has long been a member of the Legislature but never schieyed office in the former coalition Gov- eminent, which is one of the reasons for his revolt against the Conservative Party. Tilly Rolston, the new Minister of, ucstlon, also was a Conservative mem-

of the last Legislature and: disap- f pointed ssplrsnt "for cabinet rank. Apart

the new Government of eleven persons are strangers to elected office. Two of them, Attorney-General Robert W. Bonner'and the Hon. Einar Maynard Gunderson, Min- ister of Finance, are not members of the new Legislature and will have to find seats for themselves in the near future, pre- sumably with the resignation of two newly- elected Social Creditors.

The elevation of a Government without any governmental experience in the Legis- lature sets a new precedent in 'British Col- umbia, paralleling in this respect the ad- vent of the late William Aberhart's Social Credit Government in Alberta. The pol- icies and fortunes of such an untried ad- ministration are quite incalculable. It can be said with assurance only that Social Credit does not figure in the Government's policy but only in its label.

As indicated by the presence of Premier Bennett, Mrs. Rolston and Mr. Bonner, the new Cabinet represents for the most part a successful revolt within the Conservative Party which the label of Social Credit has largely taken over in British Columbia. Mr. Bennett has become Premier of the third largest province by a political accident without precedent in Canada, with only about a quarter of the first-choice ballots of the June election and with only 18 or 19 seats (one seat beng still doubtful) in a Legislature of 48. Most of his Ministers did not know one another until they were summoned to Government. House to take office. No clear line of policy has been in- dicated.

"To shake down such a diverse and in- experienced group into a cohesive team and

the Free Press, "will require all Mr. Ben- ,nett's evident political skill. Probably it- will be put to the final test of another elec- tion during the next year or so. Mr. Ben- nett may well court an early election, con- fident that it will give him a majority but the other Parties, fearing that result, prob- ably will not desire a poll until they can re- organize their affairs after the defeat of last June."

EDITORIAL N()ll:S i A marked improvement in quality in the Women's Institute handicraft exhibition was noted this year by the judges. This would seem to reflect the gain in skill of last year's exhibitors but at the same time opens up the possibility of interesting furth- er groups of beginners. I '0 0 I A good beginning for the lobster sea- son on the western shore is reported. The supply is certainly the major factor be- tween now and Oct. 5. Gear wrecking storms such as spoiled the season on the north shore are decidedly unlikely. C I G Good vision does not mean being able to see. A man lay injured on a Hamilton street, disregarded by passers-by until a blind woman ”saw" him with her cane. She quickly called help and the man was taken to hospital. 1 I O A truly delightful picture is called up by the report of a hunger strike in an Indian jail in protest against forcible shav- ing of the prisoners' moustaches. The rea- son given for shaving was that it would stop the prisoners ”arrogantly twisting their mouslaches while abusing the jail author- ities." O O O The best that Islanders can do for their visitors pales in comparison with Danisl; hospitality. When an American tourist ordered chicken with garlic at,a restaurant there. happened to be no garlic. A Dane, dining at the next table, is reported to have hopped in his car, driven 10 miles home, dug some garlic, driven back and presented the condiment to the chef. O O 0 To arrange facilities for overseas press- men and co-ordinate arrangements for re- porting and photographing the Coronation of H. M. Queen Elizabeth II, a special com- mittee has been set up. Specially repre- senting Commonwealth newsmen are Sir Henry Turner, general secretary of the Commonwealth Press Union and Mr. Tre- vor Smith, of the Melbourne Herald cable service. Sir Henry was secretary of the Commonwealth Press Conference when it was held in Ottawa in 1950 and has many contacts with the Canadian newspaper world. 0 O I Herbert George Wells, English writer. died this date 1946. He began writing at an early age and after a few years con- tributed regularly to magazines. He won recognition with ."The War of the Worlds", a serial. He evolved a type of novel based on scientific facts and vivid imagination, usually set in the future. His social-science novels are about middle-class marriage pro- blems but he was also a prophet of world organization in such works as "Mr. Brltling Sees It Through". His ruling theme in these and in his popular histories was the

to survive in the Legislature," comments i

.ll,

l-um

THE GUARDIAN. CHARLOTTETOWN , p;

A

Cooling Recollection

. .5 9 V 1&5 'QU,1jYt

PUBLIC FORUM

This column is open to the discussion by correspondents of questions of interest. Thu Guardian does not necessar- Ily rndorse the opinion of uu I cspondenis.

THE GAELIC MOD

Sir.-The Gaelic Mod held at St. Amfs. Cape Breton, on August 7. 8. and 9 is over. In Cape Breton will long be remembered due to the fact that it was boycotted by almost. 900- of the MacNeils of Victoria and Cape Breton counties.

In its issue of Aug. 9 a Sydney, N.S., journal stated: ”Rain on Thursday all but washed out the Clan MacNeil day but the program was interwoven in today's celebra- tion". Clnn MscNell day was :1 "washout" in more ways than one. The members of the MacNeil clan were conspicious, - not by their attendance, but by their absence. Indeed it may be said that all the MacNells present could be count- ed on the fingers.

Robert Lister MacNcil. the re- putcd 45th Chief of Clan Muc- Neil of Barra came from New York accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Nell F. MacNell-Neil F. Mac- Neil was formerly connected with the New York Times. His fore- bears were all natives of Cape Breton, but he was born in the U.S.A.

A few days before the Mod opened, the director - who is also the president, director or

executivc of the "Gaelic College" - he has only a smattering of Gaelic-awoke to the realization that if the MacNells cold-should-

cred the Mod. the U.S.A.-born MscNeil chief would not receive a traditional welcome. - no sworn-

ing or milling throngs of clans- men to greet him.

He accordingly wired Mr. John M. MacNeil of Iona-acting war- den of the Municipality of Vin- toria county, inviting him to st- tend the Mod and to extend greetings to Robert Lister MacNetl. The Acting Warden, the councillor for Iona district. who is also a member of the large group sup- porting lhe claim of Colin Mac- Neil of Vernon River. P.E.I.. wir- ed a. refusal.

Normally it. would be expected that a MacNell chleftain visiting Cape Breton Island would call on his clansmen at ions and Grand Narrows, - here the population is almost 10074: MacNell.

Robert Lister and his party in- stead were taken directly from Port. Hnwkesbury, to Bsddeck. the shirctown of Victoria County.

On arrival at Baddeck they were greeted by a group of distinguish- ed "Clsnsmen"; who strange to relate, bore the names of Mc- Curdy, MacMlllan and Carroll. The latter gentleman we suspect. to be of Hibernian descent.

on the opening day of the M . -- "Clan Macllell Dsy" - things were I little better. Mr. Neil F. Mncblell of New York who came from the U. 5. city with Robert Lister presided as chairman. and his wife presented the guest of honour with n. "MscNeil tsrtsn rug; and A press report tells us that "the MscNell of MscNell presented Nell MacNell with an honorary certificate." In other words, you scratch my bsck snd I will scratch yours.

Florid and exaggerated reports in the press the following dsys stated thst "Mscmlls were pre- sent. from all over the land," which was true in s literal sense. - but did not connnte s lsrgu attendance.

o&o

The Age-old story,

Is thy nsma in all the esrthl who hsst set thy glory shovo- the heavens. . . when I consider thy heavens. the work of. thy fin re, the moon and the ItsrI."w ch ti-on hue nrdslned: what is man. that thou in mindful olthim? and the son of run. that than visited him? Thou modest

in have ilomhlion over the we

need for man to impose his mastery on his own creations. ' - i

from these two. all the new members of

0&I ' '0 Lord our nun," how smuone '

Old Charlottetown (And r. n. 1. )

THE HEATHER. BELLE

"The new steamer tl-leather Belle', built for the Island Steam Navigation Company by Mr. James White. Mount Stewart, under the inspection of Richard Sloggett, Esq., Lloyd's surveyor. arrived in the city this mofning. She is moored at the Steam Navigation Company's wharf. and is profuse- ly decorated with bunting. She sits buoyantly on the water, and is a genuine attraction for her beauty of model and solidity of construction.

”ln dimensions. she is 120 feet Iong, 20 feet beam. and 8 feet in

depth of hold. Her width over her guards is 34 feet, and her length on deck, over all, is 124

feet. She is built of the very best material. Her frame is of juniper, and her planking is hard- wood. She hss spruce topsldes. pltchpine cliups, and her frame is well straightened by diagonal iron straps and diagonal wood knees. She will be fitted up with one man's cabin. will be supplied with lhelbest. accommodation for pass- engers and will have capacity for carrying five hundred persons. With new and improved machin- ery snd a 75-horsepower engine, it is calculated the new 'l-leather Belle' will attain a speed of thir- teen knots. She will be command- ed by Capt. Hugh MacLean. hi the nld 'l-feather Be.-lle', with Mr. Taud- vln as engineer. and will be men- aged by Messrs. Hughes Bros. Judging from the beautiful appear- ance of her hull, the plans of her cabin arrangement, etc.. we feel safe in saying the steamer will he the finest of her size ever con- structed in the Dominion." -The Examiner, June 14, 1883.

The attendance of I MacNell from 13.0. and another from Manitoba. plus I handful from Sydney, with the United States visitors thrown in for good measure. served to make it literally true that Mac- Nells were present "from all over the land" - but those who would naturally be expected to be in- terested, - the MncNells residing in the area. on both sides of the Strait of Berra-remained aloof.

The Mod is overl There was a good attendance of Francis. For- sythes, MacLeods and MacDon- slds, but few. - very few Mac- Nails; and they did not represent the real MacNell spirit so strong- ly manifest in Cape Breton to- day.

I am. Sir. etc..

- ANGUS J. MACNEIL Iona. Victoria Co.. N.5.. Aug. 11, 1052.

FIBHERMEWS VENTURE

. l

SAINT JOHN, N.B. - (GP) - The saint John branch of the New Brunswht Fish and Game Pro- tective Auoclation is planning to erect s; 325.000 building at Lily Luke. Itpwill be 3. combined head.-

-wrlghts or to produce the

7A. A? 70353 Gum

8 FROM DAFFODILb The waves beside but they Out-did the glee:

A poet. could not but. be gay.

In such a jocund company:

I gazed - and gazed A but little thought i What wealth the show in me had” brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood. They flash upon that inward eye which is the bliss of solitude:

And then my heart with pleasure fills.

And dances with the daffodils.

,William Wordsworth.

them danced.

sparkling waves in

1..., B. Shaw Fund lOLliIVi'E Journal)

A well-meaning effort of some admirers of George Bernnrd Shawl to raise a memorial fund bearing his name has fallen flat on its face in the mud. It is worth considering the probable reasons for this de- velopment which some people will think an affront to the great man's name and fame.

The com:-nit.t.ce had 250.000 pounds as its objective. and that is a lot of money either in sterling or dollars. It was proposed that the fund be used to help maintain as a shrine. Shaw's old home at Ayot St. Lawrence. to present his plays, and to assist young authors and composers. After nine months less than 1.000 pounds had been se- cured. and the whole scheme may be abandoned. Already. says Lady, Astor. an official of the fund. it has been decided to drop the idea of keeping up the Shaw house for the use and ediflcation of the pub- llc. Shaw himself was a wealthy man. but his eccentric will left the bulk of his estate to further a vague and wholly "impractical idea of re-designing the English language- an idea that made no progress at all while Show was still alive i to back it with all his prestige.

It. may well be that the camp- aign to raise a quarter of a million pounds as a Show memorial came up against a strong feeling that Show himself might have done something to this end-he coul have endowed his place at Ayot St. money to aid struggling play- Shaw plays. And. remembering Shaw's mannerisms and habits. it will not occur to them that modesty was the restraining factor.

It. is true. moreover. that al- most lnvnrisbly there is a lapse of interest in a writer upon his death and for a period of years-Ind

quarters and rzcreatloml centre.

sometimes forever. That. might. be

f thy hands; than hsst tall things on us foot. . . lard mar lard how exalisnt in play

minis in Isii the earth!

COMPLETE INSURANCE SERVICE

W.K. llogers Agencies Limited ' . room: 540 and so , lei quash s'r. I f cuanwrrszmwn, r. 1:. t. - . ncsnrs maoucngur Pkovtncn

.it.s vigorous growth and prolific

gram.

strawberries has solved the problem of bird' raids on his berries. wouldn't be practicable for 3; large patch. but it works keeps on hand a number of glass jars such as marmalade and pick- les come in. when a cluster of bar- ries foxms. but is not enough to tempt the slips the jar over the cluster

writer's work does not come speed-

Lawrcnce. he could have left his.

1. Notes Bx

Among the many valuable hooks damaged by water in the fire at the Library of nuliuncnt, Ottawa, is reported to be a large book of bird paintings by Audubon. This would no doubt be a copy of the famous "Elephant. Edition," of which only 500 copies are believed to have been primed originally in Scotland. It is now an extremely rare work and has commanded high prices the few times it was of- fered for sale during the list 40 or no years.--I-lamiltlon spectator

With I cheerfl-ll-lip-boys-and-sh it enthusiasm. the department of agriculture nominates ragweed es the weed of the week. It is. says the circular, disliked by the farmer for

seed production, and by the city dwellers whose hay fever is due it- its pollen. July and August is the time of its flowering and seeding. and now is the time to get after it, The malevolent weed seeds so low on the stem that they are often missed by scythe or mower. For- tunately it is an annual. and if 2- 4-D acid is sprayed in the propor- tion of twenty-four ounces to 109 gallons of water, the weed is done for. city and rural authorities please tslce note.-Toronto Tele-

The owner of ;sn1a.li patch of It.

for him. He

yet ripe birds, he and leaves it lying on its side. one might think that the heat. of the sun would scorch the berries, but they seem to thrive well in the hcthouse atmosphere. and mature well under the very noses of the birds.-Dauphin Herald. J Curh lines in the main downtown area, of Winnipeg are now pretty well given over to parking meters The machines line the main streets and side streets of the buslnes dis- trlct. The i meters seem to have achieved the prime purpose of per-

especlally true of Bernard Shaw. who was so much in the news when alive. The historic valuation of a

fly, but it comes, and sometimes it. conslgns him to the abyss of forgotten men. But very often pub- llc interest revives, the man and his life and works become news again, and 18. new crop of critics probe for his literary secrets.

That has happened in endless instances. It may be that a couple of decades hence it will be easier than now to raise a Shaw memor- ial fund. that presently Ayot St. Lawrence will be another strat- ford-on-Avon. but first of all the Shaw legend must be given a chance to settle.