Feb. 22, 1995
25 Years Ago
Power system being readied for takeover by Hydro Quebec: Nearly 2,000 residents of upper Pontiac are getting a new power network as Hydro Pontiac moves forward in many areas of operation.
By the end of this year, customers in the Waltham-Allumettes area now served by Hydro Pontiac will become . . .
customers of Hydro Quebec. An all-new distribution system will come with the changeover.
When the job is complete, Hydro Quebec will take over responsibility for distributing power in this area, a job that has been handled by Pembroke Electric Light since that company was established in 1906.
The 2,000 customers affected will continue to receive their power from Hydro Pontiac’s power plant near the mouth of the Black River at Waltham. This power will continue to be transmitted first to Pembroke and then back to upper Pontiac.
Annexation bylaw dead: The four-year war between the Municipality of Pontiac and the municipality of Bristol is over.
By a vote of five to three at their Feb. 14 regular meeting in Luskville, the councilors of Pontiac voted to annul the 1991 bylaw to annex 1,100 acres of land away from Bristol.
Judge Paul Martineau decided in Pontiac’s favour but then Minister of Municipal Affairs Claude Ryan appealed the decision.
Last November’s election in Pontiac ushered in a slate of councilors who were opposed to the annexation. After a thwarted attempt in January, these councilors succeeded last week in getting enough votes to make their new anti-annexation bylaw pass at the council table.
Feb. 25, 1970
50 Years Ago
Tourist Association elects C. Beriau: The directors of the Pontiac Tourist Association meeting in Campbell’s Bay Monday night named Charles Beriau of Otter Lake as vice president.
This post had remained open since the inception of the organization early this year.
The treasurer, John Hitz of Ladysmith distributed receipt books to all directors present and others will be mailed to those who were not in attendance.
A tourist map is being prepared for the printers and will contain advertising for anyone in Pontiac who is interested.
Bryson Carnival has an old fashioned treat: A tremendous treat for the kiddies at the Bryson “Carnaval” was a real old time sleigh ride through the snow on sleds upholstered by straw and tarps and drawn by horses.
Linda Walsh and Noella Lance were crowned Queen and Princess at Bryson “Carnaval” last weekend.
Mar. 1, 1945
75 Years Ago
Local News: Citizens of Fort Coulonge turned out in force Saturday to welcome Private Orville T. Lavigne, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Lavigne wounded at Caen on July 24, 1944 and now granted leave. He is still under the doctor’s care. The crowd overflowed the station platform as the train pulled in. After Mayor Hugh Proudfoot read an address of welcome, a long parade of decorated cars and trucks escorted Pte. Lavigne through the town to his home. At the Lavigne home a reception was held for the returning hero. He was presented with a substantial purse of money. Attached to the Mount Royal Fusiliers, he was seriously wounded at Caen and sent back to hospital in England. He spent three months in the hospital and two months in a convalescent home.
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Loken of Campbell’s Bay have given three sons to the Canadian Army and Air Force. Sgt. Charles Loken and Flt. Sgt. Robert Loken are in England. The eldest son, Glenn E. Loken is now attached to headquarters staff at Kingston.
On Thursday evening, the Shawville Boy Scout Troop was entertained by the first Shawville Girl Guide Company at a skating party. The party left the rink at 9:30 and returned to Shawville High school where pictures were taken by Mr. John Howard. Games were then enjoyed by all and refreshments served by the Girl Guides.
A delegation consisting of Paul Raymond, Buckingham, vice-president of the Union of Boards of Trade of Western Quebec, Hector Belec, president of the Fort Coulonge Board of Trade and representatives of the county council of Pontiac, Herman Cahill of Chapeau and Michael Kennedy of Allumette Island; and Messrs. G.A. Howard and G.G. McDowell of Shawville paid a visit to Hon. Antonio Talbot, Quebec Minister of roads last week and asked that the provincial department of roads continue servicing route no. 8, Pontiac County’s main highway. The delegation was accompanied by Mr. E.C. Lawn, Liberal member for the Pontiac.
Brig. Gen. William C. Chase, commander of the U.S. First Cavalry Division, led his flying squadron into Manila encircled Santo Tomas internment camp and liberated approximately 3,000 prisoners, mostly American women and children.
Japanese radio reporting two days of bombardment by American fleet on Island of Corregidor, indicates that American assault is near.
Feb. 19, 1920
100 Years Ago
Local News: The hockey match advertised to be held at Shawville rink on Friday night last was cancelled by order of the village council to prevent, to some extent the further spread of influenza, which has become quite prevalent in this district of late.
Mr. John Greer of Bryson who for some years past conducted a grocery business in that town and was a young man highly thought of in the community, died on Saturday after a short illness.
A pleasant call it was we had last Tuesday from our old friend Alex McDonaud who removed from here about 15 years ago and settled in Vancouver and some years later came back to the prairie country and took up farming near Broad View, Sask.
Alex noticed quite a change in Shawville since he left here. He misses a good many old faces and recognized but few of the generation who have leaped the gap between youth and maturity during that interval. He thinks the material progress made by the village is very creditable.
Sir Robert Borden who has been in England for a short time and is reported to be somewhat improved in health, has sailed for Canada but it is understood he does not intend resuming the responsibilities of office for some time to come.
Another former Shawvilleite who dropped in to see THE EQUITY last week was Mr. Alex N. Wilson who for a good many years has been a resident of B.C. where his son Manson is a prosperous dairyman. Alex informed us that for some time he has followed the occupation of engineering and it was in an establishment where he was thus engaged early last summer that he lost the index finger of his left hand and also nearly lost his life as the result, blood poisoning setting in and a long spell in hospital becoming necessary. For eight months after the accident he had been unable to work, but of late his condition has much improved.
Feb. 21, 1895
125 Years Ago
Local News: The photo gallery in the Pontiac House here has been opened for a short time by a first-class photographer. Those in need of work in this line should not delay in leaving their measure.
It is rumoured that a prominent firm of pork packers of Montreal intend to purchase a farm near Renfrew, buy skim milk from the creamery patrons and go largely into hog raising.
Ad: The double action oscillating washing machine eclipses all others in the market today. It does its work perfectly and completely doing away with the washboard and hand rubbing altogether besides being so easily operated that a child can use it without fatique. Wm. S. Clarke, Morehead P.O., Quebec.
Ad: Furs! Furs! Men’s coats, beaver, otter, Prussian lamb and cloth caps, also ladies’ muffs, caps, storm collars, kid gloves and mitts. E. Holstein, Shawville.
Ad: One car each sugar and herrings. 30lbs of bright yellow sugar for $1.00. No. 1 Labrador herrings direct from the fisheries. Try them, they are first class. C. Fred Hodgins.
H.T. Hurdman, M.D., C.M.. Her Majesty’s coroner for the Judicial District of Pontiac after taking a post-graduate course in the foremost hospitals of the land, has returned to Bryson and opened an office in the residence of Mr. Wm. B. Clarke on Main St., nearly opposite the post office.
The Enterprise says that a new society under the name of “The Sons of Rest” has been organized in Eganville. The objects of the order are to chew tobacco, not pay for anything they buy and never work. A fine of ten cents is imposed on any member who disgraces the order by working.
Compiled by Bonnie Chevrier
