Item
St. Croix Courier
Feb 4/1954
History of the pollock fishery in Passamaquoddy Bay.
St. Croix Courier
Feb 11/1954
St. Andrews Site of First Art Colony in Canada.
The development of the first bona-fide art colony in Canada—at St. Andrews by the sea, New Brunswick—is emphasized by an exhibition of some of the most exciting at work in recent years, to be revealed soon in a Valentine to James Joyce, by Nuala (Elsa de Brun) opening Saturday, Feb. 13 at the Carstairs Gallery (11 East 57th Street) here.
Nuals is a Gaelic name bestowed upon the artist by some of her Irish friends. Her work is modern art having a unity with the past of the illuminations, like the Book of Kells and the Persian miniatures. Much of it has a deeply religious significance. These "Statements of Line and Color" in appreciation of the great Irish writer and his famous book, Finnegan's Wake, were mostly done by Nuala at the new frontier for artists, in the region originally called the Parish of the Westerly Isles, a name loved and now resurrected by the artists as their description of St. Andrews. In that very beautiful, colorful and somewhat remote part of the maritime Provinces, Nuala was one of a group of artists, writers and others in the arts who have discovered the charm and sprit of that congenial community, long famous as a fashionable summer resort, for Canadians and Americans alike.
Among them is David Walker, former aide-de-camp to Lord Tweedsmuir, whose recent novel, "Digby," has been sold to a Hollywood film studio. Mr. Walker now occupies the house where Georges Simenon, the French writer, lived for some years. Others in the active and creative colony, include Robin Watts, the eminent portrait painter, and his wife, a fine designer. Mrs. Ernest Frederick Eidlitz, New York socialite and photographer who is a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and the American Photographic Society, spends much time at St. Andrews and it was she who interested Nuala in working there. Mrs. Eidlitz has a fine collection of modern paintings and is to build a house for her collection on one of the beautiful spots in St. Andrews.
Miller Brittain, who lives permanently near St. Andrews and exhibits annually there and frequently in the United States, is another fine painter whose work is exhibited in the town. Gordon Reed and his wife are an architecture team who have done some splendid places in various parts of Canada and the US. For the past two years Myrna Loy and her husband, an official of the United States State Department, have stayed at St. Andrews. Lily Pons and her husband, Andre Kastelanetz, also visit there. Dr. G. Helen Mowatt of St. Andrews has done excellent work in developing native crafts.
Charming land and sea-scapes and a pleasant climate long ago attracted the Canadian Pacific Railway empire-builders, Lord Shaughnessy and Sir William Van Horne, and many other outstanding Canadians whose homes are still maintained in and around St. Andrews, and it has been for many years an exclusive watering-place for North Americans and Europeans and some South Americans. But it had been an artist's haven before this re-discovery. (piece here on George Innes and Horne-Russell: rest of photocopy missing)
St. Croix Courier
Feb 25/1954
Leigh Williamson elected Mayor. Defeats Fraser Keay. "In his campaign Mr. Williamson promised to try to secure reasonable water rates from the CPR which owns and controls the town's water supply."
St. Croix Courier
April 1/1954
Premier Fleming outlines 10-point development program for New Brunswick, 6 of which is "Encouragement to tourist traffic with a view to enlarging same with good accommodations and good will to be stimulated."
St. Croix Courier
April 8/1954
NY Rangers in town for exhibition and game. Final 17-15. "The score, 17-15, indicates the wide-open type of game that was played and even Johnny Bower, the goalie, raced the length of the ice to score on his rival."
St. Croix Courier
April 8/1954
Early steamboats on the St. Croix. By Vincent Short. With special reference to Lafayette and Eagle.
St. Croix Courier
April 29/1954
2,200 Delegates Expected at Algonquin Hotel. Mgr. D. A. Williams. "In addition to conventions, Mr. Williams said prospects for a full season are indicated by the advance bookings of vacationers from Eastern Canada and the US."
-300 members of Sportsman's Pilot Assoc.
-Maritime Hospital Assoc.
-Cdn Transit Assoc
-Moore Business Forms
-Lions District 41B
-Barrister's Soc. of New Brunswick
-New Brunswick Medical Soc.
-Cdn. Dental Assoc
-Cdn Construction Assoc
St. Croix Courier
May 6/1954
Algonquin Figure Skating Club presented Ice Fantasies. Believe First presentation of Club.
St. Croix Courier
May 20/1954
David Walker received second consecutive GG Award. For Digby—light, humourous novel.
St. Croix Courier
June 3/1954
500 Lions to hold convention at Algonquin June 20-22
Summer Skating at St. Andrews Arena—something new for this part of country. "Devoted chiefly to those aspiring to pass the various tests conducted by the Cdn. Figure Skating Assoc." Only venue east of Ontario and Lynn, Mass.
St. Croix Courier
June 10/1954
Behind the Scenes at the Algonquin
Heads of Staff Photo. A. Didier, Chef; N. E. Kennedy, Asst. Mgr.; D. A. Williams, Mgr.; Miss Peppers, Housekeeper; Charles Dario, Maitre d'; Back row: F. R. Fields, Steward; H. McGee, Engineer; P. E. Monaghan, Acct.; R. K. Greenlaw, Head Clerk; E. O' Brien, Head Bellman. Missing J. R. Skinner, Golf Club Superintendent; Archie Skinner, Golf Pro. Presently entertaining Maritime Hospital Assoc. Opened June 7.
St. Croix Courier
July 8/1954
2 Men Drown at Bar Road near St. Andrews
A gravel bar used as a roadway during ebb tide in St. Andrews, and possibly not known too well by visitors, was the scene of a double drowning early Tuesday morning. The road, sometimes covered total by tide water, is known as the Bar Road, leading to Minister's Island.
The victims are Daryl W. Morton, 24, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Morton, Sussex, and Albert Francis Boutilier, 30, of Glace Bay, a gunner with the 4th Royal Canadian Horse Artillery Regiment stationed at Camp Utopia. Morton, a lineman for the New Brunswick Telephone Company out of Bathurst, was on the second day of his vacation when the mishap occurred. He had visited a few days with his brother Arnold in St. George.
It is thought that after the car in which the men were driving became caught in the tide, and they attempted to swim or wade ashore. Hiram Libby, Chamcook, noticed the car first and went by boat to find the vehicle abandoned. This was about 2:15 am. The bodies were recovered mid-morning about eight hours after their car became stalled and submerged. They were found some 300 feet from the car in a shoreward direction after the tide had receded on the flats.
Coroner Dr. E. A. Stewart, SG, ruled that no inquest would be necessary, St. Andrews detachment RCMP investigated.
Besides his brother Arnold, SG, who is employed on Deer Island, Mr. Morton is survived by his parents, brother Roy and Robert , Sussex, a sister Joan; his wife and young daughter Deborah.
The bodies were brought from St. Andrews to Macdonald's funeral home Marks St. St. Stephen and later sent to their respective homes.
St. Croix Courier
July 15/1954
Ferry Service Said Scheduled. For the first time in 17 years (1937) it is reported here a ferry connection will be established between nearby Joe's Point and Robbinston this week and a customs house established at the Joe's Point terminus. Operated by St. Andrews businessmen; provided by former Deer Island / L'Etete ferry. Round trips daily. Cut 35 miles off in 1/2 hour trip.
St. Croix Courier
July 15/1954
Shiretown, CPR End Tax, Water Rate Tiffs. History of conflict
Relations between the town and its biggest industry—the CPR—which have been strained recently over differences on assessment valuations and water rates, have been restored to an amicable normal within the past few days. The assessment question, which has seen Town Council and the CPR go to the court twice during the past two years, has been solved by compromise negotiations worked out between councillors, assessors and CPR officials. The water rate question—the CPR sells water to the town—has been settled in the same manner.
The assessment question here goes back to 1952 when Council approved a hike in assessment valuation of extensive CPR land and property holdings in the town. CPR officials attempted to seek a compromise but were turned down. They then took the case to "court"—the Charlotte County board of valuators under chairman Wallace Hyslop, of Moore's Mills. The court's decision, handed down last year, was in favor of the CPR and Town Council was ordered to refund $9,576.13 of a $14,401,43 tax bill the railway paid under protest. In 1953 Town Council ignored the courts' decision and raised the assessment valuation on CPR holdings once again. The CPR again took the case to court and the board of valuators last week handed down a second decision favorable to the CPR which ordered Town Council to refund $3,669.25 of a $15,371.10 tax bill the railway paid under protest.
This year, things are different. There is no further prospect of legal wrangling over the matter. Before the court's 1953 decision was handed down last week, CPR officials, counsellors and assessors had worked out a compromise solution to the problem, which leave both sides to the dispute in a happier frame of mind. Mayor Leigh Williamson, elected with a slate of councillors last February on a platform which in part called for negotiation rather than legal battling with the CPR, told the Courier this week that CPR properties—which has been reduced from last year—have been assessed for 1954 at $192,000. Taxes on this amount stand at $11,376. Here is a comparison between this compromise solution and the battleground valuations of 1952 and 1953:
Year Valuation Tax Bill
1952 $267,500 $14,401.43
(Paid under protest)
1953 $268,700 $15,371.10
(Paid under protest)
1954 $192,000 $11,376.00
In 1951 the valuation was $189,800 making the 1952 assessment a jump in valuation of about 40 percent. The 1954 valuation of $192,000 cannot be strictly compared with the $189,800 of 1951 as the CPR has sold some property in the town since the 1953 assessment was made.
The water rates question, which also proved a sore spot in relations between last year's council under Mayor Fraser Keay and the CPR has been solved. A new agreement, in fact, merely awaits the signature of mayor Williamson and CPR officials to make it official. Under a 1921 agreement between the town and the CPR, the CPR agreed to provide the town with water from its Lake Chamcook reservoir at 12 cents per 1,000 gallons up to 80,000 gallons per day, with the stipulation that the town would pay eight percent of any capital expenditures undertaken by the railway company to increase the capacity of the system.
As a result of such capital expenditures, the town was faced with a rate increase of 18 cents to 30 cents per 3,000 gallons. Attempted agreement between last year's council and the CPR failed and Mayor Keay campaigned in last February's election with a platform calling for, in part, the construction of a $300,000 town reservoir with borrowing approval to be sought from the provincial legislature.
Mayor Williamson and his slate of candidates campaigning on a platform of negotiation with the CPR on the water case as well as the assessment problem, have now come up with an agreement which calls for a rate of 25 cents per 1,000 gallons up to 170,000 gallons daily, and a clause which stipulates that all capital expenditures in connection with the reservoir system at Lake Chamcook to the town meter must be borne by the CPR. Both the CPR and the town have the option to break this agreement in the document which is scheduled to be signed shortly.
St. Croix Courier
July 15/1954
St. Andrews Plebiscite on School Question scheduled Aug.2. Drawing of proposed high school (now Vincent Massey) to replace crowded St. Andrews High School, which will be used for grades one to seven.
St. Croix Courier
June 22/1954
Ferry to open July 24. 8 trips daily. Photo of ferry July 29. First ferry service to Robbinston, since 1941. Luncheon at Algonquin before dual opening of ferry and travel bureau at Chamcook. Guests of honor included C. D. Howe and Saint John Dunn.
Archie Skinner voted top pro golfer in New Brunswick. Photo.
St. Croix Courier
July 29/54
Interior shots of CPR's new scenic dome cars.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 5/1954
Photo of St. Andrews Tourist Bureau at Cumming's Corner, Chamcook.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 5/1954
Visitors Mostly Old: TV Man Says More Activities Would Help Shiretown. Horace Sutton, 35, New York writer, radio and television personality.
A New York travel writer last week ate dulse, said something should be done to attract younger people to St. Andrews and described with pleasure a trip through a Grand Manan herring factory on a coast-to-coast television production watched by an estimated 10 million people. The broadcast, by Horace Sutton, 35, a New York travel writer, radio and TV personality, was the result of a brief trip to the province at the invitation of Robert Tweedie, Fredericton, director of the New Brunswick travel bureau.
Mr. Sutton said the province would attract more tourists if more activities were planned for them. He also admitted during the course of the TV show that dulse and fiddleheads—two New Brunswick delicacies he took back with him—had little or no attraction for him. "What has to be realized is that New Brunswick resorts are in competition—not only with those in Maine and in the States but all over the world," he said. "You need more activity, more events to draw the younger crowds, to keep them coming year after year. St. Andrews has the older people and they don't always keep coming back. I think that's what's happening now."
Mr. Sutton said that St. Andrews was a "perfectly beautiful resort town," but he was concerned about the fact that there was very little to do beyond the usual golf, tennis and swimming. He described his visit particularly to Grand Manan as fascinating. "I was particularly interested in the fishing industry. In Grand Manan, we went over a herring factory and had a look at the weirs in the bays. We saw the whole process from the time fish were caught to the time they were packed and were most intrigued by the business. While in Grand Manan Mr. Sutton stocked up with some items—dulse, net floats, lobster paste and specimens of New Brunswick handicraft, which he used on the TV show to describe his visit to the province.
Mr. Sutton said New Brunswick had a vast tourist potential four tourist traffic. Its local industries were a major attraction in themselves—fishing being an outstanding example—even if they were everyday matters for the people who lived here. The province shipped lobsters all over North America and a conducted tour of the industry would be of the greatest interest to many inlanders whose only normal chance of seeing a lobster was in a store or on a plate. Mr. Sutton's wife and two-year-old child remained in St. Andrews while me made a tour of Fredericton and the University of New Brunswick.
Two New Brunswick golfers named to Maritimes team: Mrs. Blair Gordon and Miss Cairine Wilson. Wilson has won New Brunswick title 5 times and NS once. Gordon New Brunswick title 3 times, and NS in 1952.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 12/1954
Lawn Party Held at Dayspring. Long list of notables.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 19/1954
Summer Home Directory Issued for St. Andrews. All names listed, with addresses. 62 Homes. Includes Algonquin cottages.
Balfour, Mrs. George, Greenock, Edward Street.
Ballantyne, Charles, Bellenden, Cedar Lane.
Ballantyne, James, Carleton.
Beattie, James, Coven Hoven.
Bishop, Mrs. J., and Mrs. B. Weeks, Bide-a-Wee, no. 3 cottage
Breeze, William, Pottery Creek, Joe's Point Road
Burns, Herbert D., Pansy Patch, Carleton Street
Christie, Miss Katherine, Wit's End, Joe's Point Road
Clark, A. R., York Cottage, Joe's Point Road
Clark, Mrs. H. H. R., Shepody Shelf, Joe's Point Road
Cowan, Charles, G., Dunedin, Queen Street
Cruickshank, P., Grimmer Cottage, King Street
Davis, Lady., The Lupins, DeMonts Avenue
Dodge, P. L., Berwick Burn, Joe's Point Road
Dunn, Sir James and Lady, Dayspring, DeMont's Avenue
Devlin, Brian, Deery Bay, Joe's Point Road
Dodge, J. D., Beech Hill
Eidlitz, Ernest Frederick, Sunbury Haven, King Street
Freeman, H. G., Tobermory, Joe's Point Road
Forgan, David, Berwick Brae, Carleton Street
Gill, R. T., Gill Cairn, Prince of Wales
Gordon G. Blair, Elbow and Brandy Cove Road
Guinss, W., Brandy Cove, Brandy Cove Road
Hall, Mrs. Frank, Maplehurst, Edward St.
Henley, T. B., Pipincot, Prince of Wales Street
Hope, Mr. Charles, Fenton Barns, Bar Road
Hooper, Mrs. George, Edward St.
Hosmer, Miss Olive, Linden Grange, Carleton St.
Hubbard, Gorham, Kirkside, Edward St.
Hopkins, Mrs. A., Lazycroft, Prince of Wales
Howe, Rt. Hon. C. D., Penryn, Saint John Road
Johnson, Mrs. Hobart S., Lazycroft, Prince of Wales
Jones, Hugh McK., Grenlea, DeMonts
Kitchen, Mrs. Albert, Red Cliff, Water Street
Laughlin, Mr. and Mrs. David, Caseia-Del-Mar, Water St.
McLaren, Lieutenant-Governor D. L., Algonquin Cottage no. 4, Prince of Wales
McKeown, Col. William, Invernenty, Harriet St
McGee, A. A., The Little House, Joe's Point Road
Markey, Mrs. F. H., Hillside, Carleton St.
Miller, Dr. G. Gavin, Cloverley
Maxwell, Mrs. Edward, Tillieutudlem, Bar Road
Murchie, Guy, Colinsfield, Reed Avenue
Paterson, Mrs. James, Cedar Lane
Payne, Robert G., The Anchorage, Parr St.
Pillow, Mrs. Howard H., Kingsbrae, King St
Plant, J., Algonquin cottage no. 2
Prentice, Miss Mona, Harbor Lights, Joe's Point Road
Purtill, J. T. K., O'Shea, Harriet St.
Quinn, William G., Deck View Cottage, Joe's Point Road
Redmond, R. M.,Bantry Bary, King St.
Shaughnessy, Hon. Marguerite, Fort Tipperary, Prince of Wales
Sams, Mrs. L. G., DeMonts Avenue
Smith, Miss Elizabeth H., Mary St.
Shuter, Mrs. George, Linden Lodge, Edward St.
Struthers, Mrs. Robert , Topside, King St.
Thompson, Mrs. F. W., Meadow Lodge, Harriet St.
Thorp, Harry W., Sea Urchin, Water Street
Vaughn, A. Murray, King St.
Walsh, L. O. P., Reed Avenue
Wilson, Norman, Clibrig, Saint John Road
St. Croix Courier
Aug 26/1954
Milltown textile plant closing after 72 years. Opened 1882. Photo.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 26/1954
Father and Son Combination. (Photos and biographies of Archie and James Skinner. CPR photo.)
Any true golfer feels he has a personal tie with the birthplace of the popular game, the Royal and "Ancient St. Andrews course in Scotland, but with the Skinners of the Algonquin Club at St. Andrews, the link is especially strong. James R. Skinner, right, father of the Algonquin pro, Archie, left, is greens keeper at this new world St. Andrews. The elder Mr. Skinner, who has been playing golf for more than half a century, learned the greens keeping trade at the original St. Andrews in his native Scotland, and now practices it by keeping the 27 holes at the Algonquin course manicured to perfection. He has been at the new St. Andrews course since 1920 and before that worked at other Scottish and Canadian courses. Son Archie, perennial New Brunswick champion, and recognized as one of the best teachers in the business, started at the St. Andrews course 25 years ago as an assistant pro. In 1937, after four years as pro at the Digby Pines course in Nova Scotia, he was appointed to the Algonquin job. Father and son are still working together, and whenever they can find some leisure time, they play together.
St. Croix Courier
Nov 4/1954
Sir James Dunn is Made Freeman of St. Andrews. Resident last 9 years—1945. Brief informal ceremony at Andraeleo Hall. 80 years old that day. Cuts cake. History of Freemen, why Dunn came here.
Multimillionaire industrialist and philanthropist Sir James Dunn, QC, was made a freeman of St. Andrews Friday at a brief, informal ceremony in Andraeleo Hall attended by civic, business, religious and Canadian Legion leaders of the community. He was the third person to be so honored in the town's 51-year history since incorporation.
Silver-haired Sir James, celebrating his 80th birthday the same day, was presented with a gold key to the town by Mayor Leigh Williamson, a birthday cake inscribed "happy birthday, Sir James, from the town of St. Andrews and Passamaquoddy branch, Canadian Legion" and a rousing, spontaneous rendition of For He's a Jolly Good Fellow by the 50 guests present.
Thanking the gathering for the honor bestowed upon him, Sir James said he first came here "because there was an airport (Pennfield) nearby" but stayed on after it closed because of "the kindly welcome I have received when walking down the streets here, the excellent service which I try to reciprocate, and an unequalled climate."
He said he would carry the key in his waistcoat pocket, if "it assists me to continue to open hearts to friendships which I have formed here." Sir James, who told the gathering he had been pleased and happy to receive birthday greetings that morning from, among others, Sir Winston and Lady Churchill, and Rt. Hon. C. D. Howe (a fellow sometime resident of the town) was also tendered the best wishes of citizens of Sault Ste. Marie, headquarters of Algoma Steel Corporation of which he is president and chairman of the board, via a telegram from the mayor of the Sault read by St. Andrews Con. William O'Neill.
During his short talk, Sir James, alluding to Pennfield where his aircraft is based, said he had been promised that some of the airfield's facilities would be restored to allow what he called "contact with the outside world to be resumed." He added that he had continually worked for at least a partial re-opening of the nearby airbase.
First man to be made a freeman of the town as present at Friday's ceremonies. He is F. L. Mallory, of St. Andrews, county secretary-treasurer, who was made freeman March 10, 1949, in recognition of over 30 year's service to the town as clerk and treasurer. Seven days later, Barbara Ann Scott was similarly honored following an ice-skating show presentation here in which she starred. Miss Scott subsequently spent a summer vacationing here. . . .
St. Croix Courier
Nov 4/1954
News Notes: grading, etc. begun on new high school.
Andraeleo Name Passes into Memory. Dedication Program Set for new Legion Building. Nov. 11 dedication ceremony. Hall purchase by Legion this year from Paul Roy. New name Legion Memorial Hall. Vets first located in hall of what is now Fundy Motors Garage, later in O'Neill's restaurant, at that time Bank of Nova Scotia offices. 1944 obtained quarters in Masonic Hall until present. Photo p. 2 Nov. 18.
St. Croix Courier
Nov 18/1954
News Notes: Famous Couple
Mrs. Frank M. Ross awarded honorary degree by alma mater UBC. "It is an interesting coincidence that Mrs. Ross's husband, Frank Mackenzie Ross, is also in the news this week. The Vancouver Sun, in a recent story, intimates that Mr. Ross may be the next lieutenant Governor of BC. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are well known to the people of Charlotte County, having lived at Bayside for a number of years in the home previously occupied by Mr. Ross' family. Both newspaper stories mention that Mr. and Mrs. Ross are summer residents of St. Andrews. We would go further than that to say that Mr. and Mrs. Ross maintain and operate one of the largest and best equipped farms in Charlotte County for 12 months of the year. Stocked at one time when Mr. Ross's father lived on the property with Pale Angus breed of cattle and Shetland ponies, it now boasts a fine herd of 75 pure-bred white-faced Hereford stock direct from the big Ross ranch in BC."
St. Croix Courier
Nov 25/1954
Mrs. Pillow donates 500.00 to arena fund. Dec. 2 Likewise Olive Hosmer.
"In addition to her support of the community rink Miss Hosmer has always been interested in the St. Andrews Band and for several years has been a generous contributor to its success."
On recent power outage: "Candles and oil lamps appeared in many places and, except for the lights of an occasional car, the world around us was in total blackness and caused many people to ponder just how peaceful the world was and how our ancestors lived in those days before even oil streetlights." News Notes. Irony
St. Croix Courier
Dec 9/1954
Rare Coins Found
Walter Stuart, a sidewalk superintendent of one of the construction jobs presently underway in St. Andrews, is the possessor of a large copper coin, which is 143 years old. It is solid copper and the manufacturer was the B and B Copper Coin Company of England and its inscription says only payable in London, Swansea or Bristol. The date it carries is 1811 and it is possible this coin could have been dropped by a member of a military company which at that time was established at Fort Tipperary. If anyone is in doubt as to the life of the copper tubing the plumber now installs in your house, this copper coin, which is practically as bright as new, is sufficient to prove its long life and durability.
Liquor stolen from Algonquin: 14 bottles, reported by hotel accountant J. A. Silcock.
St. Croix Courier
Dec 23/1954
Photo Gordon Williamson of New York son of William C. Williamson of St. Andrews and the late Mrs. Williamson has been appointed district passenger representative for the CPR at Atlanta, Georgia. Effective Jan.1. Mr. Williamson, who joined the railway in 1921 as a staff member of the Algonquin Hotel at the age of 17, transferred during the same year to the railway's operating dept. He served as operator and agent in the New Brunswick district until 1930 when he joined the port staff in Quebec City from where he sailed for 5 years as a rail traffic rep. on CPS liners. He joined the RCAF in 1941 and was discharged with the rank of squadron leader in 1946. In that year he rejoined CP as travelling passenger agent at Buffalo. After service there and at NY, he was appointed from the office in the latter city to his new position in the large southern territory of Atlanta. Mrs. Williamson is the former Mary Leighton of Woodstock, and their two sons, John and Peter, are students at UNew Brunswick.