NARRATIVES OF SASKATOON

1882-1912

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supply of water was drawn upon several times, and was instrumental in preventing the spreading of several fires which occurred. This summer, 1904, saw great activity in the freighting of material from Saskatoon to the Elbow of the North Saskatchewan River, to build the Canadian Northern bridge at that point. All the piles, timbers, cement, plant, and even coal for the engines were unloaded off cars at Saskatoon and taken in wagons to the bridge site. This gave employment to numer- ous teams. Many of the new settlers earned good money. The piles and timbers for the C.N.R. bridge at Clark's Crossing were also unloaded at Saskatoon and floated down to the bridge site. The contract for the piers of the traffic bridge was let and work began in August, John Gunn and Sons being the contractors. A vast improvement in train service was inaugurated in October. A straight passenger train was started, previously the train was a mixed one carrying freight as well as passengers, resulting in slow and irregular service. At the elections for Town Council held in December, 1904, the can- didates for Mayor being M. Isbister, Robert McIntosh, and Thomas Cop- land, the voting resulted in 64, 47, 45, Isbister being elected. To use as a nuisance ground the Town Council purchased 94 acres fronting the river to the south of the town, paying twenty dollars an acre for it. This ground was not used for the purpose for which it was bought, but was cleaned up and now is a valuable park under the Parks Board, and is within the city limits. There was a general desire expressed at a meeting of the citizens of Saskatoon that some measure should be taken to obtain an outlet for the subsurface water, which underlay a portion of the town. In the con- struction of permanent buildings it was found impossible to have satis- factory basements on account of this water. It was decided to put a "cellar" drain from the corner of Twentieth Street and Second Avenue down the avenue to Nineteenth Street, Then on to the river. For some reason, possibly financial, this was not carried out till the water and sewer pipes were laid. On this route there are now three pipes, drain, water pipe and sewer. In 1905, during the passage of the bills to create the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, Premier Haultain, of the North West Terri- tories, had stood four-square for all the provincial rights-natural resources and control of education-for the new provinces. So had Walter Scott, but the large subsidy given in lieu of the public lands was accepted by him, and he supported the bills. Haultain was passed over, and Scott became the Premier. Haultain now led the Opposition, or the Provincial Rights party, as it was called. The election for the Provincial Legislature was about to take place. A convention was called for the 3rd October of the Provincial Rights party, which I supported. Being president of the association, I acted as chair- man of the convention. The names submitted to the convention were: F. R. Oliver, Dr. Munroe, Dr. Willoughby, J. R. Wilson, Jos. Caswell and W. A. H. A'Court Some who were nominated withdrew their names before the ballot. After several ballots had been taken Dr. Munroe received a clear majority. One of the aspirants, Dr. Willoughby, was grievously dis- appointed. Accusations of unfair combinations and defective representa- tion at the convention were freely indulged in, and I was particularly blamed for his defeat. As far as I was concerned I was absolutely innocent of any effort to cause his defeat. I knew of no combination, and I was particularly careful to avoid using any influence on the delegates in favor of any one candidate. Many of them had approached me seeking advice, but I refrained from indicating any preference. The Phoenix, some time previously had been sold by Norman, whose health had given way, to a company in which Dr Willoughby held controlling interest. The night of the convention, after Dr. Munroe had been chosen as a candidate, the Phoenix was sold to Mr. J. A. Aiken, a supporter of the Liberal cause, and our party was left without a local paper to advocate our views. W. C. Page 68

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