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The WEST VAN. NEWS A Weekly Newspaper Circulating in the D istrict o f West Vancouver-- Am bleside, Holly burn, Weston, Dundarave $1.00 per year. Caulfeild, Whytecliff, Cypress Park, Etc. Newsstands 5c per Copy Vol. II EIGHT PAGES HOLLYBURN P.O., WEST VANCOUVER. B.C., FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th, 1927 No. 24 The Ratepayers' Meeting The Ratepayers' meeting last night drew a large attend­ ance. That so many were present testifies to the interest that is being taken in the proposed new law to widen Marine Drive and build a new bridge over the Capilano. Due to the fact that the Council is waiting for data from the engineer on the subject and so have not come to any definite decision on the construction work in question, it was stated by some that in their opinion the time was not yet ripe to discuss the bylaw. On the other hand the meeting certainly obtained some valuable information from Councillor Ray, chairman of the Board of Works, as regards the widening of Marine Drive, which was the main subject discussed. Councillor Ray stated that Marine Drive had cost the ratepayers $11,000 in repairs last year due to its narrowness resulting in a continual break­ ing up of its edges by motor vehicles, that the repair bill would never be less in this or succeeding years, nor would it ever be a satisfactory road until it was widened. So far as he had been able to discover and without the engineer's data to go upon, an additional 4 feet of width from the eastern boudary of the municipality to Whytecliff would cost the ratepayers $9,000 in sinking fund and interest charges, and they would then have a 20 foot road which would be of sufficient width and one that would cost practically nothing in repairs. If the engineer's data proves this to be the cost of such widening, then it would certainly be good business to have the work done at once, and there is no doubt that every ratepayer will vote for the necessary expenditure. As regards the Capilano Bridge the main difficulty appears to be the great difference in the engineer s estimates. The present bridge is entirely unsatisfactory. It has almost been destroyed once, and in these days when nature seems bent on treating the world to unusual exhibitions of her latent powers, we certainly cannot afford to take chances a moment longer than necessary of finding our main arterial connection with the mainland in the same condition as the P. G. E.--two per­ fectly good ends without a middle. Join a Night Class The Board of School Trustees announce that arrangements have been made to hold classes in woodworking, dressmaking, shorthand and typewriting, book-keeping, basketry, and mil­ linery and a minimum number of ten is required to form a class in any one of these subjects. All applications for enroll­ ment must be in the hands of the secretary of the School Board by September 21st. Night Schools were first established here last year, and the School Board is to be congratulated on again arranging for their being held this year. Everything which helps to make our district self-contained and obviates the necessity of our residents travelling to the city for education or any other object is a step in the right direction. We have nothing against Vancouver, where after all most of us get our living, but the well-being and the growth of West Vancouver depends more than anything else on our spending our money in West Van­ couver. Before the establishment of night classes here our residents had to go to the city schools, and a good deal of time was wasted in travelling backwards and forwards and frequently in very disagreeable weather. Busy all day at their regular occupations as practically all of them were, it meant a rush to get home and back again to the city, and it was usual­ ly a late hour when they finally reached home. They came tired to the night school and tired to the office or store next morning, and their work suffered accordingly all round. All this has been obviated by the holding of night classes locally'. The instruction given is on a par with that in the city schools, and a wide range of subjects is this year available for those who wish to take advantage of the opportunities offered. Last year the classes were a great success, and a good deal of very creditable work was done by those who attended them. It is to be hoped that this year a sufficient number will enroll to enable classes to be formed in every one of the proposed subjects. Ratepayers' Meeting Well Attended In response to widely publish­ ed notices by the West Vancou­ ver taxpayer's association, the New Ambleside hall at the cor­ ner of Fourteenth and Marine Drive was filled on Tuesday night. The meeting was called to ord­ er by the President, Mr. Phillip Chapman, who explained the ob­ ject for which the meeting was called, saying that it was merely with a view to discuss matters of important interest to the Tax­ payers, more especially that of the proposed by-law regarding the expenditure of some Three Hundred Thousand Dollars on Capilano Bridge and widening of the Marine Highway. He urged at considerable length, the neces­ sity of discussing these propos­ ed expenditures before the Reeve and Council undertook to act upon the passing of such a by-law, saying that he thought the Taxpayers should have a voice in the preparation of that . by-law, and invited a free and open discussion of the matter. Prior to the Chairman's ad­ dress, the minutes of the previ­ ous meeting were read and con­ firmed, also a report from the staining Committee on Parks with reference to the creation of a permanent Public Parks Board. A letter was read by the Sec­ retary inviting the Reeve and council to be present at this meeting, and a reply thereto was read frrom the Reeve regarding his inability to be present. One of the ratepayers asked the question as to how much the Provincial Government was con­ tributing towards the proposed improvements?--the reply was that the Government was provid­ ing fifty per cent of the pro­ posed outlay. Another member wished to know what is meant by "widen­ ing of Marine Drive?" the an­ swer was "making the drive a uniform width of twenty feet" it being explained that twenty feet was ample for cars to pass in safety. It was explained at the meet­ ing that the Government was not yet committed to the expendi­ ture, so that any serious consid­ eration of the proposed expendi­ ture was evidently quite prema­ ture. On a motion by one of the members the rules were suspend- ded in order to allow non-memb- LETTERS TO THE NEWS MUST BE SIGNED We are in receipt of a letter from one of our readers signed "Yours in Waiting." The letter deals with transportation mat­ ters. This does not bear the sig­ nature of the writer. It is the inviolable rule of the West Van News that all such communica­ tions must give the name and address of the writer, not neces­ sarily, of course, for publication. A nom de plume may be used. BILLIARD CHAMPION MAY GIVE EXHIBITION HERE There is a possibility that Sid Boys, the Western Canadian champion, will be seen in action in West Vancouver. Chet Shields is in communication with the player, and it is hoped that sat­ isfactory arrangements can be made to bring this brilliant ex­ ponent of the game of billiards to West Vancouver. ers to participate in the discus­ sion, and as a consequence the following resolution was sub­ mitted and carried unanimously: "That this Association request the Reeve and Council to call a public meeting of the rate­ payers for the purpose of dis­ cussing the details of the pro­ posed By-law before the fram­ ing of the same, and do recom­ mend for their serious consid­ eration, that the proposed im­ provements should be the sub­ ject-matter of Two separate By-laws,--One for the Capil­ ano Bridge, and one for the re­ surfacing and widening of Marine Drive." The matter of a City Ferry landing; Improvements for ferry passengers at Ambleside wharf during wet weather; The much vexed question of ferry service around the five o'clock hour; and Municipal Park reserve, were matters that caused considerable discussion, and were evidently disposed of satisfactorily to the meeting. Councillor Ray, chairman of Public Works, who was present at the meeting was asked to the platform and gave a very lucid explanation of the cost and main­ tenance of road work. His re­ marks seemed to be of particu­ lar interest to the audience and evidently the information he im­ parted was very enlightening. FOOTBALL CLUB ORGANISED FOR WEST VAN. BOYS Meetings were held this week in the Canadian Legion rooms to consider the formation of a football club for West Vancou­ ver. The suggestion aroused con­ siderable interest and enthusi­ asm among the youth of the dis­ trict, and it was unanimously decided to enter a team in the Lower Mainland Juvenile Foot­ ball League, Senior Division for boys under 19. The Club will be known as "the West Van. Rang­ ers." The team will hold their first practice tomorrow (Satur­ day ) at 2 o'clock at the HolI> - burn School grounds. The following are the officers: Honorary President--Reeve V. V. Vinson. President and Manager--Robert McVean. Secretary-Treasurer -- J. B. Foreman. Assistant Secretary--J. Earley. Trainer--J. D. Wemyss. Captain--Stan. Stronge. Vice Captain--Dug. Reid. The following players have signed up: A. Burns, Stan. Stronge, J. Harrison, F. Cullin, J. Earley, Bill Davie, F. Colpitts, Dug. Reid, S. Gray, G. Archer, Jack Normand, R. Seeds, E. Rhodes, E. Grout, E. Neville, Rex McClain, Blair Edwards, B. Ferguson, Les Bowman, Bruce Hay, and Jas. Cripps. West Vancouver is evidently going to have a good team, as in the above list there are a number of excellent players who can be relied upon to give a good account of themselves. The of­ ficers are all football enthusi­ asts and are hard workers in any project they undertake. Messrs. McVean and Wemyss as manag­ er and trainer respectively have of course, the most responsible positions, but they are assured of hearty support from the play­ ers. Each of the boys has put up a cash membership fee, but, of course, other financial support will be needed. Subscription lists have been prepared, but any who wish to contribute may leave subscriptions with any of the above officers or with Harry Hodgson at the West Van News office. Acknowledgment of such subscriptions will be made in this paper. BRITISH ISRAEL ASSN. MEET WEDNESDAY -- SEASON'S PROGRAM TO BE OUTLINED The British Israel Association of West Vancouver is holding a social evening next Wednesday at 8 p. m. in Ambleside Hall. A cordial invitation to be present is extended to all those who are interested in the movement. This will be the first meeting since the anniversary meeting last July, and it marks the beginning of the second year of the estab­ lishment of the association in West Vancouver. It is intended at this social to make arrangements for the winter programme. For infor­ mation phone West 436X3. PROFESSOR BUCK TO TALK ON "GARDENS AND GARDENING" Professor Buck will give a lec­ ture on "Gardens and Garden­ ing" on Tuesday, September 27th in the new Ambleside Hall, 14th and Marine. In the ab­ sence of the Secretary Mrs. E. A. Ford, who will be out of town until October 5th, any informa­ tion can be obtained by phoning the president, W. McQuaker, West 89L or Mrs. Reid, the treas­ urer, West 649R. CHANGE IN MAILS AT HOLLYBURN P. O. Due to the winter schedule of the P. G. E. having come into effect last Monday, changes have been made in the time of the mails which are received and despatched from Hollyburn P.O. in the afternoon. The mail which formerly arrived at 3.13 p. m. now arrives at 1.53 p. m., and will be ready for distribu­ tion not later than 2.30 p.m. The outgoing mail is despatched at 3.01 p. m. instead of 4.20 p. m. Build More Modern Houses While Indiscriminate and reckless building of modern houses for speculation is one of the worst things that can happen to any district, it would appear that in West Vancou­ ver we have erred on the other side. There is no doubt that during the past year we have lost and are still losing desirable residents because no modern houses were to be had, and for one reason or another they did not feel like waiting until they could build themselves. A few of our residents have built houses for sale and practically in every instance they have been sold as soon as, or before, they were completed. Under the present existing conditions we would commend to our people the opportunity now offered of building modern houses for sale. We do not suggest that it should be done on a large scale, or an opposite condition of affairs will result. But we think that any who build reasonably sized modern up- to-date houses will have no difficulty in selling them. If some of our builders try out this plan, they will be help­ ing the municipality to keep those would-be residents who come knocking at our doors, and will at the same time find themselves steadily employed in their chosen occupation.