ISLAND NEWS PAGE

Western And Central Districts

The Guardian, Charlottetown, Mon. Jan. 20, 1964. 3

BUREAU

Pension Fund lacking Contribution By Gov't

Teachers Fed. Governors

of a teacher left ‘Jlie prtfiession before becoming eligible for pension. Under the act the first.- two years’ contriibui‘-ans are left in the pension fund.

In recommending reject- ion the committee 5 . that the request should not be presented to the executive councii “until such time as the government. in addition to guaranteeing the pension fund. has agreed to contribute annually at minimum of e per cent of e total sa‘ary of teachers. which con- tribution to the fund we have been requesting since 1959."

The report came after the committee. comprised of Miss Mabel Mamheson. Davis Lind- slone and Reginald .\'iacDonalu'. studied the pension plan on the Island as well as the superan-

the aid

‘ nuation acts of the other prov-.

main speaker at a weekend-

inces. The teacher members of

Heber Bell Dies At 71

The deatfn occurred min

5. i I 0 I I afternoon at the Prince Edward Reject Souris Resolution on or -.1. 3 _ 7'5 H'.IIISb0.!'O Street. in his 72nd ‘ The 9.15.1. Teachers‘ Feder-iiresolutnon the Board of Gov-lurday. that the resolution be"°§,’,‘ Ben was we" know . gs at-ion Board of Governors has ernom took the advice of liholrcjected. rajmading circles ‘:,m"g‘ .5, rejected a resolution. by the teacher representatives of the! The proposal had asked that served with the Can‘adian V” .; Sourts Local to petition the Superannuation Commission wholthe '1-eachetr suparanmmjon “ma, Ranwms for ‘ 44' i governmenttoamenxi the Teach- had studied the proposal. 'I‘he",ic; be amended to 3.110“, 311 years retiring in 1958 :sm;°c0n_ ers‘ Sutperanniuatiiori Act. committee recommended at the monies paid toward the pen- duCm'._ Voting as to live against the special direntou's' meeting Sat- §i°n fund to be munded in TU" He was a son of the me M.-

and Mrs. Alex Bell of Murray Harbour and was a longtime member of the Masonic Lodge of Montague.

He is survived by one daugh- ter. Shirley. at home. and four brothers. Orin. his twin: Dan- iel and Robert all of Murray Harbor. and Clifford in Cam- bridge. Mass.

His wife Etta predeceased him three years ago. and three bro- thers and three sisters also diet! several years ago.

His remains are resting at the MacLean Funeral Home. where funeral service will be held Tues- day afternoon at 2 o'clock. In- terment will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.

BLOOD EXPERT DIES ‘ PRETORIA «Rents-rsl — Pro- fessor Adrlanus Pijper. 77. one

slmg;-lE.i.‘gEDEG ‘of South Africa's most brilliant

, medical scientists who gained '" .-world renown for his research into red blood cells. died Sun-

V . UARDIAN meeting of the Summerside local} the commission were appointed Davis _Lidstone. principal of of the P.E.I. Teachers Federat-‘ by the government to assist -Summerside High School and ion. adminisiermg the 3

THIS FAMILY PHOTO of the Pendergasts was taken May 31. 1958 when the entire family of seven sons and two daughters returned from many parts of Canada to at-

'A LEGEND IN HIS

tend the ordination to the priesthood of the second youngest son. Arthur. Front

row. left to right are. Edward. Winnipeg. CPR electrician; Patricia. Mrs. Ray Stanyer,

OWN LIFETIME’

‘Big Jim’, Islander Of 1963

By RALPH CAMERON Big Jim Pendergasl! I Islander of the Year! . An heroic figure of a man‘ tramping across the pages the 20th century to leave an im. .

Boston street car motorman fol miles along the Dawson Trail in! Maritime tour of a spectaculari

Richmond.B.C.; Mr. and Mrs. Pendergast; Frances. Mrs. Thomas Mcswiggan, Brockville. Ont. Reginald. Goose Bay. Lab.. teacher; Back row, left to right, Aus-

a sourrloiigh in the Yukon; fronil a search for gold that ended in

ally to a life of retirement witn

er. hoxnr. sportsman and writ

‘the prize rings of America fin- success.

of: out idlt-iiess Farmer. goldscek- ‘m'YhAR DREAM

A onetime school teacher he

perishable imprint on the an-. or. That is the saga of Jim Pen-! ‘ale’ made the New Anna" I‘*"“"

nals of this province and be- come a legend in his own time.

From an Island farm to the athlete he was always in top P°P“I31' Facing Plant 0‘ "5 ‘I33’- sidewalks of New York; from al condition and once tramped 400 Another time he promoted

large Number Of Nominations Made Iask Oi Judges Difficult

Seeing yourself as others see! you, would be a pleasure indeed‘ for the candidates for Islander of the Year honors offered foi consideration to the j u d g e 53 through letters of nomination.

The nominations. 44 in all. ranged over the full spectrum of no life. included men and women. the rich and poor. the prominent and little known. But all the letters had one common denominator — all showed the respect and warmth of feeling Islanders hold for fellow Island-

s.

With so many nominations so- lidly backed with detailed ac- of the candidates‘ ac- complishments. the task facing he judges choosing among them as the most out- Itanding in I963. was not easy.

After several hours in seclu- sion the three judges J o h n S. Wright of Summerside. Miss

Quald of Sourls selected James '1‘. (‘‘Big Jim") Pendergast for the tribute.

STRAIT SWIM i Several letters were received. suggesting Mr. Pendergasl for: the Islander award, all tinder- lining the prominent role he play.

ed in establishing the NO1‘lhlInl- Lnna

berland Strait Swim as a major

In the final analysis the judg- es felt that this accomplishment. established Mr. Pendergast as

However. as the panel stated in its cltatlon. “Our selection was I difficult one". It was oniy

. MIrguertte Godfrey 0| rahflold. who. as chairman of the MI:-Ihfleld Women‘: In-

0-0 campaign in the school district that has become widely known to Islanders through 2 great Imount of publicity it has re celvcd.

said one letter: '‘—The wot-it that Mrs.

nd and In preserving the lives 0' our Islanders".

Many letters pointed out the flfllltllll was I community el foirtt but credited Mrs. Godfrey W h

to the win-

i'ci‘::isl.

ncss racing track a byword

A powerful man and a great 3m°"3 h°"59m°“ ‘md the m°5‘

ning of a national award. the Carol Lane Safety Award.

Robert L. Cotton of Charlotte town, whose philanthropy has made him widely known through I’.E.l. One letter of nomination said simply "1 think he has gi- ven more happiness and plea- sure to people all over the Is- land. young. old, rich and poor than any other citizen."

"He has done a great deal for P.F1.1.", said another. “First. he was instrtimental in bringing in- to being home beautification. Then he endowed the Bunbury Nurseries which enabled peo- ple of ordinary means to secure shrubs and flowers to adorn their homes".

Dr. A.A. (“Gusl MacDonald of Souris. a medical doctor who "is a humanitarian of the high- est nrrler and one who could carry _\‘(\lll' honor with dignity".

Anolher sponsor wrote: “How many of its cven hope to accom- plish even half of the work he has done during the past year. much less the past 60 years‘.

he Iellcr continued: "A call from him when you need him is like having 3 friend as well as a doctor come to ur house.‘

Mrs. Fred one of Sher- oorl received‘ many nomina lions includln _ from Dr

Iiilschmanova. difecm-' of lhe Unitarian Service Com-

enthuslastic and effective leadership of Mrs. Os- borne. this USC branch export- ed more than 20.000 pounds of ‘Instant Warmth‘ overseas in 1963 — an almost unbelievable achievement when you consider that the all-Canadian objective was 225,000 pounds for 1963. Your province with a population of 100.000 thus contributed one- tcnth to the over-all goal, and I am convinced this would never have been achieved with- out someone of Mrs. 0sbome‘s

caliber at the helm. Now in many thoughts and hearts of people around the globe. the

name of your province is linked with the most genuine concep- tion of Canadian generosity for- ever." Mrs. Evelyn Cudmore of Char- lottetown has long been a lead- er in community affairs and a wide range of charitable endea- vours. Her contributions to the Island and the well being of la- landers were well recognized In several letters of nomination. Summing up her contributions one letter stated: “M . Cud- more‘s dedicated work with U18 Red Cross is well known to ever! Islander. Her instructions and guidance in water safety have resulted in the saving of many

lives and she has enriched the

lives of hundreds of young girls

throughout the province by her

exceptional leadership in the irl uide movement."

Sister Mary Henry. director of the Catholic Welfare Bureau is. a sponsor writes: “A woman who has dedicated her life to helping others". regardless of creed or colo .

Another writes: "She gives her time and energy freely to alleviate the condition of under privileged people and. unlike many others. does this work without receiving any remuner- ation whatsoever."

Brig. W.W. Reid of Charlotte- town recelved enthusiastic sup- port for his work over the years with the youth of Prince Ed- ward Island and for his partici- pation and dedication in a wide range of worthwhile community activities.

"He has done a tremendous job" in developing character in so many‘Island young people. “You cannot have any worth- while strength unless it is in the character of the people. His life has truly been an example of the better way."

And there were many. many more.

BACK TO TERMS

But the judges kept coming back to the terms of reference they were asked to used in de termining the Islander of the Year for 1963: "that man or wo- man who. during 1963, used the best means available to serve I worthy Island purpose".

They. of necessity had to pass on those whose contributions, although impressive and great. took place over I period years. and look for an outstand- ing accomplishment during 1983.

Their final decision to name Mr. Pendergaat. fit all the qual- ifications listed in the terms of reference.

Mr. Pendergast now join: Prlnde Edward it most exclusive club made up of those few who have received the hon- or of the Islander of the year Award.

TO RECEIVE PLAQUE

“B Jim“ is the fifth mem- ber joining Lt.-Col. E.W. John- atone. 1&9; Capt Cart 1-‘. Burke. IMO; Dr. Frank Maukinnon. 1901 and Dr. EM. Found. 1962.

Tribute will be paid Mr. Pen- dergast It I meeting of Rotary Feb. 3 when he will be present ed with the award by Lieuten- ant-Governor W..I. MacDonald. A large plaque will be inscribed with his name and displayed in I prominent place during 1900. He will receive as I keepsake 4

6 -

l

l

smaller version of the plaque.

tin, Kensington, farmer and Sun Life insurance agent; William, Winnipeg, Man., de- tective branch of the police department; Father Arthur,

barrel jumper and figure skat- er from New York.

Last year at the age of 83 he made a 40-year-old dream come true when he successfully pro- moted the first Northumberlanu Strait swim.

Back in the era of ring im- m o r t a l s be once fought the great Jack “Twin” Sullivan.

Seven Mile Bay: T h o m a 5. Saint John, N.B., manager Sun Life of Canada branch. E u g e n e “Casey“. RCMP. Springhill, N.S.

of the era — Boston. where he became a motorman on e Boston Street Railway before the days of the elevated. He left there for a visit home and in 1904 went to New York where he was a clerk in Siegel Coop- ers department store.

It was only a short stay in the Empire State and Jim was soon rolling again. This time he was

chairman of the P.E.I. Teach-. ers Pension Commission. was the

partment but finally came "out“i of the Yukon in 1911 stop‘, for a while in Vancouver andl San Francisco. There the sight' of the great P and O liners sail- ing for Australia lured him bull the call of the Island was strong- er and he came home. 1 He finally settled down the homestead and in 1924 mar-i ried the farmer Gertrude Cullen‘ of Sherwood and they now have- nine children. Asked how many’ grandchildren he had Jim rc- plied “Oh, there‘s quite a few‘ and called on his wife to learn there are about 20 of them.

FREAK ACCIDENT a freak accident in

ice and broke his hip 1949. Then in 1954 he finally gave in and retired. With his son taking over the running of the farm Jim an Mrs. Pendergast moved into the city where they

ter Street and have lived here ever since.

Nearly 40 years ago while re- turning to the Island from a vi- sit elsewhere Jim conceived the idea of a swim across the North- timberland Strait. '‘It looked like a natural to me and I could see it of publicity to the Island." ed the idea and started talking about it to all who would listen.

It is little wonder Big Jim has become a legend even while he lives to enjoy his reputation. It is no wonder he was chosen Is- lander of the Year.

He has had a lifetime of acti- vities, a mind full of curiosity about distant fields and now a scrapbook full of lovely memor- les. To th in 'm is proud to add the honor which has come

him today.

MOVING MOUNTAINS

There was nothing that day back on September 8. 1879. to tell the proud parents of a baby - oy that the child was destined to go through the world either moving mountains or walking over them. Jim was born on the farm near Kensington that his father had bought.

It was on the Malpeque Road, but the east side of the m aln highway had seen a great influx of Irish settlers and that section of it had become known as the Paddyland Road.

Jim went to school there and when he was 17 attended Prince of Wales College. After that he taught school for four years in Miminegash and Pleasant View. He en became great friends with a youngster who used to come over from ' h —- Joe Bernard. who later became lieu tenant governor of Prince Ed- ward Island.

HEADS FOR YUKON

He gave up schoolteachlng in the fall of 1901 and headed for that popular Mecca of Islanders

accompanied east by the pro- .ssional barrel jumper who gave demonstrations in near}

all Maritime Provinces cen- year the big swim was staged. ll tr

es.

After spending the famous winter of 1905 on the Island he headed for the Yukon in the spring of 1906. Btit first he re turned to Boston and went from there by train to Seattle and thence on a three-day boat trip l.o Skagway. -

Jim says by then there was a good trail to Dawson with road- houses every or 40 miles. With his brother William he tramped the 400 miles over the White Pass winter trail. 1/Its best day's travel. he recalls,

s.

ty. he states. but it “still had the dancehalls and gambling places". it also had a telegrapn line and the night he arrived the word was flashed along the wire of the big San Francisco earth- quake.

Prospecling for gold through the following years. he finally made a strike along Coal Creek after being grubslaked by the Dawson City newspaper for a 10 per c e n t interest. Later claim was held to the late Sena- tor MacRae who was a onetime campaign manager for the poli- tical battles of Prime Minister Bennett.

Jim remained in Dawson City for two years with the fire de-

c-— 3‘ O

SUCCESS OF STRAIT SWIM

' WAS DECISIVE FACTOR

The following citation of three judges following

T. (“Big Jim") Pendergast formerly of Kensington.

now of Charlottetown. as of 1963:

Our selection was a influenced by our terms 0

indicated that consideration had to be SW0“ *0 What the candidate of our choice did in 1963 to serve a

useful Island purpose.

The outstanding accomplishment of Mr. Pend- ergast in 1963 was his effort in promoting the Northumberland Strait Swim which brought much

favorable publicity to our

to promote this major sporting e ve nt “Big Jim" although in his 84th year travelled across Canada and sold his belief in the idea of the swim to sports enthusiasts all over the country.

The panel of judges

words of one of his sponsors, “he has been an ambas- sador of goodwill since his first tri in the early days of the Gold Rush.’

Always a man of excellent character,_ Jim Pend-

ergast devoted his lifetime

clean s

used the!

means available purpou n 1963.

f reference which clearly

rt in Prince Edward Island and his con- tribution, by his good example. to the character building of the youth with whom he was in close contact. cannot be overestimated.

A long career of active participation in sport and sports promotion is now given provincial recog- nition by his being chosen as the man who best

was issued by the panel their selection of James

the outstanding Islander

difficult one. necessarily

province. In his effort

recognized that. in the

p to the Yukon

to the promotion of good

to serve a useful Island

. mention here.

Finally it paid off and the listen- ing suddenly turned to talking: the talking to action; and last

TRANS-CANADA TOUR

But before it came off Jim made a trans Canada tour to tell everyone he met about the plan. Mrs. Pendergasf says ‘‘I thought we were going to visit our children. but the swim seem- ed to go along with us."

While away Jim gave count- less interviews to news report- ers and appeared on radio and television. Always he plugged the coming event. He freely ad- mits no one man could have staged the event by himself and gives all the credit for its suc cess to others he wanted to But is the story Big Jim Pendergast. It is about him and for him alone.

He was a tremendous athlete in his youth with his talents ranging from hammer throwing to jumping. boxing and wrestl- ing. In boxing he was no strang- er to Madison Square Garden way back in 1905 and was long remembered in Boston for his easy win over the flashy Austra- lian Bill Warren.

Locally he won the all-around title at the Caledonian Games in 1901 and in the following five years won a flock of medals and titles from Boston to Seattle. Much later. in 1920. he won the Maritime crown as h a m m er thrower in Moncton, N.B.

Big Jim Pendergast is I lot of Islander.

his so ' l . backyard he slipped on a small genus N50 “mm that’ ' of '

bought a home at 171 Dorches--

bringing a vast amount

About 10 years ago he reviv-

outlined th e provincial Teachers‘ Suiperannuation Act. comparing it with the pension acts of other Canadian provinces; Mr. Lidstone pointed out tliatl since 1947 the Prince Edward Is- land government has contribut- ed nothing to the pension fund. !

provincial government, of} other provinces do contribute tol

fu . .

the nds their respective! provinces. Mr. Lidstone said, and un 17 years ago the P. ..

an

government had contributed amount equalling two and one half per cent of the salaries ofl the teachers. I

Two members of the Sou-ris Local of the Teachers Federat- ion Board of Governors. Alfred Morrison an d George Mullaliy, were present and urged the. Summenside Local to support when a - acher leaves the profession. all the money the teacher has paid ed to

into the pension be return

the teacher

Five Per cent of a teacher’s e per year goes into thel

their first two years as a ment- ber oi’ the federation has been retained by the fund.

EM

WESIERN BRIEES

IN BOSTON J. A. Noona-n. Alberton. ls spe ding some time with rela-

ct, a num- ber of years ago. - l DISCUSSION HELD

Following the report of the= committee, e ‘eting wast open for discussion which con

day. He invented the diffraction method for diagnostic treatment of red blood cells and an Amar- at s for the method was built and marketed.

tinued for quite some time with many questions being asked ofl the commissionets. all of WIIICI1 ; were answered to the full sat-; isfaction of the members it was ‘ . _ r

At the conclusion of this dis-l cussion a recorded vote was‘ taken which resulted in the- commrissioners’ report, and re- commendation, being adopted by a vote 38 to five. meant that the Board of Gov- ernons had rejecttezi the Souris resolution sponsored by A-ltfired orrison for presentation to the government.