Georgetown Stories: 1933-35 96

Montague and since then have been clearing out the gutters. Just now they are working on parts that had been done before, but we understand that some streets which had not been broken up for years will also be attended to. The tractor is run by Mr. Prosper while Mr. Collings is in charge of the machine. The roads are drying up and while cars have been traveling from Charlottetown, they have so far been experiencing much difficulty in getting through. During the latter part of the week one took all of seven hours to make the trip and had to be hauled out of potholes several times.” (Patriot, May 2, 1934)

The Brick Store on Water Street

“Staging at the front of the Hughes building on Water Street has lately been erected as it has been found that the brickwork calls for some repairs and Mr. Roach of the town has been engaged for the job. An old paper, the King’s Coung Advertiser, of Aug. 8, 1878, gives some very interesting particulars about the construction of the building (When the Sanderson warehouse was being made ready for moving in the early spring many old papers and documents came to light.) The building was erected by Messrs. MacDonald and Westaway and part of the story in the Advertiser goes as follows: ‘The walls are built of English brick, the first story being 18 inches (?) thick and the remainder 14 inches. All the face work is steam-pressed brick; on the front facing the street it is constructed of Nova Scotia freestone. The construction of the magnificent building was designed and supervised throughout by Mr. William MacDonald of this town, and it is fair to say that he is deserving of the greatest praise for the thorough and substantial workmanship displayed in every respect. The cellar wall and brickwork was built by Mr. James Jenkins of Little York. The stone cutting was done by Messrs. Corbett and Rivens of Charlottetown, the plastering by Mr. Angus Wilson of Cardigan Bridge and the painting and glazing by Mr. Henry of this town. As regards the latter it is done remarkably well and contributes in a marked degree to the elegance of the interior of the structure. The cost of the building is estimated at $10,000.” (“Georgetown Observations”, Patriot, May 5, 1934, slightly edited.)

Owning of the Georgetown Libgg

“The opening of the Carnegie Branch Library at Georgetown took place Thursday evening. This branch is the eleventh under the Carnegie Library Demonstration. An excellent Library Room, in which provision has been made for heating and electric lighting, has been secured. His Worship Mayor McLaren presided at the opening. Addresses were delivered by Premier MacMillan who spoke of the value of the new Prince of Wales College and of the Carnegie Library Demonstration; Captain Wallace Morris of the Church Army; Rev. C U McNevin who stressed the fact that the library is for the use of the people of the rural communities as well as of Georgetown; Miss Nora Bateson, director of the Demonstration, who pointed out that the library was supposed to supplement all other activities and that the great interest now evidenced in libraries indicated that Nova Scotia and New Brunswick would soon consider rural libraries and that when the three year period is up in P.E.I., the Province would doubtless take over the libraries. Others who spoke were J. Howard Macdonald, M.L.A., Wade Hughes and Mrs. McLaren on behalf of the Women’s Institute which, she said, had done much to assist in having the library established. She expressed satisfaction on seeing the objective achieved and stated that 14 years ago a small library had been started in Georgetown. There was a large attendance at the meeting and much interest was evidenced. The library room, located above the post office, was opened for inspection. Miss Isobel MacPhee is the librarian.” (Guardian, July 14, 1934, edited.) [The Patriot report of June 15, 1934, added that the Lavandier brothers had done the shelving; Joe Johnson, the tinting and painting and Mr. Batchilder had made the chairs.]

The Max Hilchey Stog

Written at the time of his funeral, June 13, 1934

“Max was really a war casualty for he had served overseas with the Second Heavies under the command of Col. Prowse and had been seriously injured. Ever since his return home he has not been well and has spent much of his time in hospitals all the way from Halifax to British Columbia. About a month ago, he was