Good Samaritan knocks man down: Ice on the shoulder of No. 8 Highway turned what was intended as a “Good Samaritan” act into a near tragedy last Saturday. H. Graham, of Wyman, was returning home after being a good neighbor and giving a friend a tow with his car. During the towing process, the chain broke and Mr. Graham stopped at the side of the road to tie it on to the back of his car to stop it rattling. Rev. J. W. Robson, of Charteris, saw him working at the back of the car and pulled onto the shoulder to stop and give him a hand. Mr. Robson’s car, according to Mr. Graham, skidded on the ice and sent Mr. Graham flying. Taken to Pontiac Community Hospital for examination, Mr. Graham was X-rayed, but no damage was disclosed other than a sore right leg.

The hospital corner: The major role a modern hospital plays in a small community cannot be overestimated. A few hours on Friday, January 5, 1951 (not Friday the thirteenth either) reveals the following incidents at Pontiac Community Hospital.

A local resident while washing walls met with a painful accident when a needle became lodged deeply in his hand, and not visible at all. The needle was successfully removed under a local anaesthetic. Minutes later little Barbara Brownlee was admitted with first degree burns to her face, neck and right arm. With the application of one of the newer ointments and dressings changed frequently, Barbara will make a splendid recovery. Then a patient from Ladysmith who had the misfortune to fracture her right wrist had the fracture reduced under general anaesthetic and a Plaster of Paris cast applied. By this time school was out and a little boy fell and came to the hospital with a laceration over his left eye. Stitches were required under a general anaesthetic. The foregoing is a typical afternoon and without the facilities which are available here the service rendered would not produce the satisfactory results which are now so apparent.

Shawville Rotarians to feed on oysters: The Shawville Rotary Club held its first meeting of the new year at the Pontiac House on Friday evening. In the absence of the president, Dr. R. G. Docks, the chair was taken by the vice-president, Dr. A. F. Fokes. Plans were made for an oyster supper at the restaurant of Asa Smart in two weeks’ time. A committee was appointed to look into the possibility of making an outdoor rink or of completing arrangements for hours at the covered rink so that the younger children would find opportunity for skating. It was also moved to hand over to the hospital board the sum of $500, recently voted, to be a part with other donations to secure a modern-equipped operating table for the hospital.