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Resampled001B6E94 A Weekly Newspaper Circulatingin the District of West Vancouver--Ambleside, Hollyburn, Cypress Parle, Caulfeild, Whytecliff, Etc. Weston, Dundarave Newsstands 6c per Copy EIGHT PAGES HOLLYBURN P.O., WEST VANCOUVER, B.C., FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24th, 1928 ~ No. 47 Garden Time Approaches Poets and philosophers tell of the satisfaction obtained from cultivation of flowers and vegetable gardens, but the practice is not as general as could be wished. In many places there is much less gardening than there was some years ago. People have too many things they want to do with their spare time. In many cities and towns, however, the garden movement has been pushed as a community proposition. People have been urged, in a systematic way, to decorate their grounds with handsome shrubbery and flowers, and some of these communities have developed an amazing amount of beauti- fication. Such towns become noted, and every minute of time put in on those flower beds is no doubt paid for in the higher value of real estate that is established in such a town. Home pride is the motive that can best be relied upon to promote the gardening movement. People will usually do what their neighbors do. If you persuade one or two families on a street to spend a little more time and money beautify- ing their places this season, the majority of their neighbors would, within a year or two, fall into line and do the same thing. The children of the modern community do not have enough share in home tasks, and it would do them good to have some regular labors in a garden, and they could well do a great deal of its work. But the older folks cannot expect the children thus to labor unless they also are willing to do some stunts with the spade and hoe. The season for the resumption of gardening activity has about arrived. It would be a good move to join the Horti- cultural Association. Doing so would help strengthen the association and would be of great practical value to any in- terested in gardens and gardening. The Horticultural and Agricultural Association has done a tremendous amount of good in West Vancouver in provid- ing anincentive,. torose pursuits. ~e special lecturers they~ have brought here and the two exhibitions they sponsor each year are practical helps to those interested in gardens. The efforts of this association should receive every possible sup- port, not only of the individuals of our community, but also of the many organizations and associations operating in our midst. It is not too much even to expect special treatment at the hands of the council, as the work of such a body en- genders civic pride, increases real estate values, makes the district more alluring, and produces those qualities in family life which make for real contentment. Starting with our next issue, we will resume the articles on "Gardens and Gardening" written by Mina G. Hutt, and we would remind our readers that any questions on gasden problems will be answered by the author. Don't Hog the Road Of axioms relating to safety first there are no end, and the reiteration thereof seems to be merely a weariness of the flesh when we read the daily toll in the press of deaths and maimings following too speedy or carelessly driven auto- mobiles. During all time the language has been full of safety first proverbs, and we even have one relating to matrimony. But never, surely, in the history of mankind have these been so necessary of observance as just now, when t'here are more automobiles to every ten in the population than ever before. The necessity, however, of keeping hammering away at the obvious remains; who can say how many lives have been saved through the eternal monotony of warnings sounded by the press. So it is better to be safe than sorry. This year we anticipate a record automobile traffic along our Marine Drive. Last Sunday we saw the advance guard, and 'twas busy enough then, but as the year advances we shall see, particularly on Saturdays and Sundays, a constant stream of cars running up and down the Drive. There are thousands on this continent, in good health and full of the joy of life, who before the summer is over will be in their graves as pa«of the universal toll following car accidents. We do not want any such accidents in West Van- couver, and we need not have any if we use a little precaution and a little common-sense. It is in the hope of averting any such accidents that we would draw the attention of our readers to the following axioms: Half the road belongs to you, but take a quarter if it is to save you and your charges from possible injury. Don't be a smart Alee and consider sounding your horn at a hidden corner superfluous because you have your car "under control." That is egotism of the rankest kind. Walk on the sidewalk. If you have to walk on the road, keep to the left so that you will face oncoming cars and the easier evade t'hem. Don't try to hog the road, whether you are walking or driving. Life is short. and eternity is long. Safety Firstl TAX RATE FOR 1928 REMAINS AT 45 isHLLS The annual estimates came up before the council on Friday night and were approved. The following tax rates for the year 1928 were fixed: General rate ............. 1.90 General loan................ 22.26 School loan.................. 3.57 School ordinary.......... 17.27 $45.00 TOTAL ROAD EXPENDITURE NOT TO EXCEED $25,000 Engineer Duncan was instruct- ed by the council at their special meeting on Friday night to bring in a report on the required road improvements covering the en- tire district and based on a total expenditure not to exceed $25,- 000. The municipal solicitor re- ceived instructions to prepare a bylaw for the said amount for submission to the electors at an early date. New Engines for Sonrisa In view of the report and re- commendations of the surveyor to-the Board of Marine Under-,'+ writers of San Francisco, the 'ouncilon Friday night instruct- ed the ferry superintendent to call for tenders for a new Diesel engine for "The Sonrisa," the same to be in his hands not later than Monday, 27th February, at 12 noon. Railroad Officials Discuss P.G.E. The press has of late contain- ed reports of the possibility of the C.N.R.'s taking over the P. G.E. Raihvay. These have been~ strengthened by the fact that Samuel Morrison, C.N.R. district engineer at Vancouver, has just returned from a trip over the provincial line. Mr. Howard A. Dixon, chief engineer of the ivestern region of the C.N.R., left for Winnipeg last Friday night in company with W. A. Kingsland, general manager of western lines of the Canadian National. While in Vancouver,he met the P.G.E. directors, but refused to discuss the object or the results Toll Charges Lowered North Shore motorists will hear with interest the recent an- nouncement of the Grouse Moun- tain Scenic Highway and Resort Company Limited that toll charges on the road have been reduced to $ 1 for a single trip of an auto with passengers, aml books of tickets may be obtained for $8, or 60 cents per trip. These rates are in effect now aml will remain so until 31st May. The highway has been open for traffic all winter and the winter sports on the mountain have proved a great attraction to the people of Greater Vancou- ver. It is expected that the cut in the toll charges &vill result in still further enhancing the pop- ularity of this resort. Financial.Statement for 1927 The balance sheet of the municipality for the year 1927 has been printed, and an examination of the figures contained therein furnishes interesting&reading, compared with the statement as at 31st December, 1926. Current assets were up approximately $56,000, due chiefly to the fact that there was held in trust funds in the bank the proceeds of $60,000 worth of Eagle Lake water debentures, the work for which they were issued being now in course of construction. Public parks were up $80,000, the cost of purchase of Ambleside Park, for which bonds for $30,500 were sold. Roads and bridges showed an increase of approximately $70,000, prin- cipally as a result of road surfacing bylaw No. 331, in con- nection with which a bond issue of $65,000 was disposed of. The building of Inglewood School was responsible for the increase in school property, and the bonds issued therefor, plus the bond issues referred to above, represent the increase for the year shown in bonded indebtedness on the debit side. The total assets exceeded liabilities by $699,691.06, or an increase of $36,660.68 over previous years, after allowing for the outstanding liability to the bank of $35,000. As a set-off against this temporary indebtedness, there was due from the government $8,129.32, while it is anticipated that the balance will be taken care of by the sale of lands within the public utilities area now served by the high-level bus route established this year. Turning to receipts and disbursements, 81.57 per cent. of the total levy was collected, as compared with 83.66 per cent. in 1926, when the levy was $30,000 less. The sinking fund to meet principal and interest charges on the bonded indebtedness is in a very satisfactory condi- tion, the amount over requirements at par being $65,313.32, as compared with $39,375.38 in the year 1926. The ferries in 1927 carried 780,187 passengers, an increase of 87,428 over 1926, due to the half-hourly service inaugurated on 15th April and since maintained. This increase in the service raised the ferry deficit $3,861.91, which is very small when it is considered that the half-hourly service cost approx- imately $ 1,000 more per month to operate, and in addition there was a reduction in fares made and certain restrictions in the use of tickets abolished. When the very short and cool summer and its effect on ferry traffic is placed against this increase in the deficit of $3,861.91, it will be realized that the half-hourly service in a normal summer would in all prob- ability have reduced the deficit instead of increasing it. The statement shows that the finances of the municipality are in good shape. West Vancouver Destined to be a Great Centre of Music and Art The following communication from one of our readers is self-explanatory. The suggestion, or the policy, outlined will, if followed up, prove a distinct asset to the district. We give the matter prominence in the hope that it ivill create general interest and, if necessary, co-operation. (By Balcaskie.) That the municipality as a beautiful residential centre is recognized and assured can not be contradicted. A few more short years of improvement and still more beauties expo'sed to the discerning homeseeker, the steady inflow continuing and increasing, he would be bold indeed who &vould prophesywhat shape the future activities of the residents take. For the last seven years music has been steadily advancing, and naturally so, with our bright sunshine, our everlasting land- scape and seascape pictures, ivhat is more natural than to join the birds and sing or play. Already ive are favored with two adult choirs holding honorable positions in competitionat the B. C. Festival and a galaxy of solo singers, much in demand both at home and in U.S.A. The latest production,the Empire concert by the Ladies'hoir, I venture to state, could not be su&gassed in any town or city in Canada. Here a new note was struck, blending the intensely patriotic and spectacular with beautiful musical effects, every member ofthe choir participating with credit to themselves and theirchoir, as well as with great pleasure to their audience. Theyounger generation are not less gifted than their elders. Inthe Boys'hoir a few outstanding voices have been discove&ssi.They have already made their bow to the public, and we nowawait the initial appearance of the Girls'hoir, and believethe sweet trill of young voices will delight the ear of a WestVancouver audience at an early date. To extend the scopeof the musical activities amongst the child&an, without callingupon the ahea&ly overburdened Board of School Trustees, afew interested citizens have formed themselves into a club,the suggested name to be "The 51usic and Arts Club," theirfirst &luty being to assist in the tuition of children giving evi-dence of budding musical ability, either vocal, choral or in-strumental. Such a club could be extemle&l aml used as a centreto fulfill a very useful purpose.