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The WEST VAN. NEWS A Weekly Newspaper Circulating in the D istrict o f West Vancouver--Amb/eside, H olly burn, Weston, D undarave $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, NOVEMBER 4th, 1927 fe. No. 31 The Cost of Progress West Vancouver has now reached the most critical point in its history. Until recently it was only a place of great possibilities. If certain obstacles could be overcome, its dev­ elopment as one of the finest residential districts to be found anywhere was assured. It has now ceased to be a place of mere possibilities and has taken up its position as one of the sections of Greater Vancouver about whose future there is no doubt. Its destiny as the premier residential district of the Vancouver Metropolitan district is apparent to all who have eyes to see. West Vancouver is established. Until quite recently the development of the municipality was along the usual haphazard lines, which have characterised the growth and spoiled the appearance of many other places. Streets were placed in the customary checkerboard fashion except for certain irregularities introduced by sub-dividers in order to get more lots from their acreage. Study of con­ tours for the purpose of obtaining easy grades for streets was never thought of. Consideration of town planning methods to produce pleasing effects was not then fashionable, indeed, everything was made subservient to the one idea of getting as much money as possible from each subdivision. Thus was spoiled some of the most beautiful property to be found anywhere. Fortunately there is a large area of equal beauty still left. We are the guardians of that area to see that it is developed along the lines best calculated to secure the most attractive arrangement of which the ground is cap­ able, compatible with the best arrangement as to streets which will best serve the convenience of the people who may be fortunate enough to have their homes here. As most of our readers are aware, action towards this end has already been taken by the municipal council. We duly appreciate this action, and have every confidence in the good intentions of those in power with regard to this matter. Municipal councils, however, only exist from year to year, and it is up to the ordin­ ary citizen to see to it that each succeeding council shall hold in view the aspirations of the people in this regard. Important as the matter of town planning is, it is a mere detail among the problems that face the district. Very few appear to realise where this municipality is heading, and the requirements that must be met in the near future. We have developed from the strictly rural and village state which existed here up to a couple of years ago. In that brief period we have doubled our population and immensely in­ creased the value of our lands. Our streets are stretching their tentacles to every section of the municipality, and that which yesterday was thick forest is today traversed by mod­ ern pavements, alongside which new bungalows are springing up like mushrooms. We are faced with city conditions and must adopt city methods. In certain sections sewers are fast becoming an absolute necessity. A permanent fire department is also necessary right now, and would more than pay for itself in reduced insurance rates. More streets must be opened up and paved. Proper sidewalks and boulevards cannot much longer be delayed. Police protection must keep pace with the growth in popula­ tion, and a new department with a full time building inspector must come into being in the near future. These are some of the things that must be done--and there are others. The desirability of having all these improvements will be conceded on every side, but they have to be paid for, and this means higher taxes. We fear there will not be the same unanimity about paying the bills that there is as to the necessity of the expenditure. Unfortunately we are all so constituted that we hate to pay big taxes, and more unfortunately still, no magic method of establishing improvements without cost has yet been discover­ ed. To make this municipality the up-to-date place, such as the fates have decreed it must become, money--large amounts of it--must be spent, and taxes must increase. There is no way out of it unless we let the district stagnate and go to weeds, a condition which no self-respecting West Vancouverite could even think of tolerating. We must go ahead and--we must pay the piper. After all, why should we object to paying? If one buys a new suit of clothes or a new hat, or any of those things which, though not absolutely necessary to our existence, are consider­ ed essential to our comfort and self respect, he not only ex­ pects to pay, but does so cheerfully and willingly. On the other, hand, if as a community we need better water supply, more accessible beaches, better transportation, and better lighted streets, why not have them and pay the bill as cheerfully as we do our tailor's bill ? To think that we can keep taxes down to their present level and at the same time progress is ridiculous. It just can't be done. Of course we ai-e not advocating exti-avagant expenditure. It is necessary to go carefully, and to get the most the market will give for every dollar we spend. Only let us get what we need when we need it and pay the increased taxes smilingly. Let us not, however, be railroaded by specious argument or by our own conceit into buying something we can well do without. Let us be progressive, but--let us be sane. Big expenditui-es are necessary for progress, but economical spend­ ing--and there is such a thing--is what is needed most in West Vancouver today. COUNCILLOR LEYLAND AGAINST RE-SUBMISSION OF BY-LAW At a special meeting of the council last week Reeve Vinson stated that he was in favor of again submitting the by-law for $220,000 for improvements to Marine Drive to the electors at the January elections, and it was decided by the majority vote to follow this action. Councillor J. B. Leyland ex­ pressed strong objection to the reeve's suggestion. He stated that the ratepayers had express­ ed their opinion when they de­ feated the measure last Wednes­ day, and, although he regretted that fact, he was of the opinion that it would be very out of place to submit the by-law again so soon. BIG INCREASE IN FERRY TRAVEL That the half-hourly sendee on the ferries has been a step in the ldght direction and is receiving the support of the pub­ lic is evidenced by recent ferry l'eturns. Last month 62,334 pas­ sengers used the fei'ries, as a- gainst 50,479 for October 1926, or a total increase of 11,855. For the ten months ending 31st Oct­ ober, there is an inci*ease of 61 ,- 207 passengers ovei; those car­ ried during the cofi'esponding period in 1926. Councillor Ray Reports on U.B.C. Convention Makes Recommendations Councillor Ray, chairman of the Public Works committee, attended the convention of B. C. Municipalities held in Nanaimo, and in his report to the council mentions several items of speci­ fic interest to West Vancouver, amongst which were the follow­ ing: AUTO INSURANCE The resolution concerning auto drivers compulsory insurance was laid over for discussion with the councils to send in a recom­ mendation to the executive of the B. C. U. M. In considering this matter Councillor Ray said that, if it is put into effect, the profit of the insurance company would be doubled without corre­ sponding value to the citizen, but if the legislature would pass an act whereby the insurance com­ pany must pay a minimum sum to the injured party, whether his fault or not, it will be a very good thing to recommend. As an alternative, Councillor Ray suggested that the compul­ sory insurance be made through the Compensation Board, and worked out in the same way in which the board operates at pres­ ent. Claiming that this method would give justice without the parties having to meet big legal expenses. TWO YEAR TERM FOR REEVE Councillor Ray recommends that the council go on record as endorsing the principle of elect­ ing the mayor or reeve for two years, and that a plebiscite to (Continued on Page 8) " Lest We Forget." Next Friday is Armistice Day, the day nine years ago when "cease fire" sounded all over a world that for four years had been rent in pieces by the greatest war of all time. On Armistice Day we strive to keep green the memory of those who "sleep in Flanders fields" and many other fields as well on land and beneath the sea. There are, however, others in our midst who are not so fortunate, the wrecks left by the war. They are suf­ fering in our military hospitals every day, dropping off one by one as the long deferred call at last comes. We do not see them because sickness or loss of limbs prevents their leaving the hospital until they are borne to the soldiers' plot. There are others, many others, who are struggling along with enfeebled minds or bodies or both, and trying to make a living amongst our able-bodied population. A few complain and appeal to the sympathy of the public, but the great majority silently fight a braver fight than they ever fought in France. One has to be one of them or go into the quarters of soldier organisations to hear the truth, and very often there they say nothing or pass it over with a jest. In these days theirs is the hardest fate of all. Only those connected with organisations who are trying to help them know how hard their case fre­ quently is. The proceeds of the sale of poppies, which takes place at this time of the year, go to help them and their families. In West Vancouver a committee of seven composed of five members of the local branch of the Canadian Legion and two members of the Duncan Lawson Chapter, I.O.D. E., dispense, after due investigation, the money so obtain­ ed. Our residents can therefore rely on it being properly used and only expended in bona fide cases of distress among ex-soldiers and their dependents. The poppies and wreaths are made in the Red Cross workshops in the province by disabled soldiers, who are given employment in this way. West Vancouver residents have been very generous in the past, and it is hoped that this year there will be a full and ready response to this appeal. A house to house canvas will be made this week by the I.O.D.E., and, when a member of the order calls on you at your house or store buy at least a poppy, if not a wreath. You can rely on it that in helping in this way you are doing an act of real charity, for, whatever your opinions on the war, every cent you give will go to help broken men and their de­ pendents. Musical Society Opens Season The Musical Society is opening its season this fall with a miscellaneous concei't at Hollyburn Theatre next Thui-sday evening. The society has been holding regular practices for some weeks in prepai-ation for this event, and an evening of the best music is asured to all those who attend. In the few years that it has been in existence the Musical Society has established an enviable record throughout the province, and no single oi-ganization in our midst has done more to advei-tise West Vancouver to the outside world. The concert given by the society in Wesley Chux'ch last winter was broadcasted, and drew the highest encomiums from musicians in Vancouver and across the line. It has won the shield for lai-ge choirs at the B. C. Musical Festival more often than any other organisa­ tion. Its success has i-esulted in putting West Vancouver on the map as a musical centre, and has been the means of a num­ ber of music lovers from outside points taking up their resi­ dence here. That, of course, is the material side of the question, which in these sti-enuous days of competition in all lines and in everything is the fii'st thing that is considei-ed. But that such a condition exists is the main l-eason for the existence of the society and why it should receive our heartiest support. Thinkei-s fi-om the Orient,sevei-ely criticised our Western civil­ isation recently on the scox-e that the gi-eat px-ogress of which we boast is only material, that no advance has been made by us in the cultivation of the mental and spiritual side of life. And we have to admit that this criticism is largely true. We bow our heads too often to the money-maker and the captain of industry and pass by those who lead in the arts, which after all, with the higher religions are the really elevating influenc­ es which i-aise civilised man above his savage brother. Of the arts none has a better or a higher influence than good music, and it is just this need which the Musical Society is supplying. This brings home to us another fact, that the pi-imary object of a musical education is not the winning of medals and shields, but the cultivating influence to be gained therefrom. The society is therefore entitled to our support for the good work it has done and is doing in our midst, and it is to be hoped that next Thursday evening our i-esidents will show their appreciation by turning out in full force at the Hollvbui-n Theatre.