Item
St. Croix Courier
Jan 5/1933
Dream of Years Realized in New St. Andrews Rink. 800 attend Official Opening in Shiretown Monday Evening. When Winter Program in Splendid new Rink is Begun with Fitting Entertainment. "Plucky Bill" Given Warm Praise. By Dr. J. F. Worrell.
St. Andrews, Jan.3. The new skating and hockey arena at St. Andrews was officially opened on Monday, Jan. 2nd. At 11 am Mayor Kennedy raised the flag in the presence of a large number of spectators. As the bunting unfolded and floated out on the breeze to the strains of "God Save the King" not a person but felt a thrill of joy as he was brought to realize from the material evidence before him that the dream of years had at length come true; not a person but felt a glow of satisfaction that every obstacle overcome, the efforts of the past few months had been consummated and at last the little town of St. Andrews could boast a rink of which many a larger place might well be proud.
At 8 o'clock Monday evening an appropriate program was carried out within the rink. The dome-like structure over the entrance was brilliantly lighted with colored incandescents and the interior of the rink was decorated with Chinese lanterns. Just within the entrance, and beneath a model aeroplane with swiftly revolving propeller, waited the reception committee consisting of Santa Claus and his assistants with barrels of apples and other confections.
At the lower end of the rink a raised platform with enclosing curtains could be seen and promptly at 8 o'clock the curtains were drawn aside disclosing Mayor Kennedy and A. W. Rigby, president of the St. Andrews Athletic Association. The Mayor spoke as follows:—
"I have been asked as Mayor of St. Andrews to say a few words tonight on the occasion of the opening of this magnificent rink, and I feel highly honored and pleased to do so. In these times of depression, which you know we in St. Andrews feel, but happily not to the extent that the rest of the Province, and you might very well say the rest of the world feels, it is a happy tribute to the sponsors of this rink and the town and surrounding community. I have been requested to mention no names in connection with the erection of this spacious and excellent rink, but let me say right here that we all know the driving force and live wire who has made it possible. To him we give our utmost support and commend him also for giving to this small town such a building of its kind that would be a credit to a town or city of much larger population."
"Let me also say that it has passed the lips of many of the citizens of the town, as well as quite a few to my knowledge of citizens, of other communities, that it could not have been accomplished in any other town they know of, and by that they mean the loyal and energetic work of many of the citizens of this town who day after day, without charge, gave their services that the rink might be successfully erected and in time for the present winter season. This is generally accepted and I know that not only the rink management but the people of the town, as well as the people of Chamcook and Bayside, gratefully acknowledge it. Incidentally I might say that the erection of the rink has been greatly helped by the volunteer work of men from Chamcook and Bayside."
In concluding my remarks let me welcome you here tonight and ask that you lend your hearty support to the sponsors of this rink, which you see for yourselves is a very excellent one, and one that would be a credit to any community, and that I, with yourselves, trust will be financially successful and stimulate healthy sport in this community. I am sure wit the community spirit prevailing here this will succeed."
"This morning at 11 o'clock the flag was officially raised on the flagpole of this rink, and with the concluding ceremonies of this evening the rink will be officially opened. May it prove financially successful, and may the hockey team it produces go a long way in giving St. Andrews a name on the sport pages of the press of the Province. To them we give our hearty support."
At the close of the Mayor's address Mr. Rigby in a few well-chosen words expressed the thanks of the association for the support they had received from the townspeople during the building of the rink.
An amusing set of tableaux depicting the building of the rink was shown, and this was followed by a hockey game between two local teams, the "Bachelors" and the "School" which resulted in a win for the latter team 1 to 0.
As there was no charge for admission no accurate way of determining the number present was possible, but it was estimated that there at least eight hundred in attendance.
In the hopes of inspiring sports enthusiasts in other parts of the county, or in other parts of the province, that they do likewise a few words explaining how this undertaking was carried out may not be amiss.
The history of skating rinks in St. Andrews during the past few years is really the history of the dreams and schemes, discouragements and successes of one young man. From the time of the inauguration of hockey in a small building on Water Street where the ice surface was probably less than half regulation size and where room for only a few spectators could be provided, on through the succession of outdoor rinks adding improvements from year to year, up until the present, when he sees his hopes realized, this young man has persisted in the idea that a real rink could be built by the people of St. Andrews, and that some day it would be built. A quiet, unassuming chap he is, who will accept no credit for what has been done, but says it was just his idea, that was all—that the rest of the boys did as much as he. At college he was called "Lucky Bill." A more appropriate pseudonym would be "Plucky Bill." When he announced that the time was now propitious for the building of a covered rink practically every person whose advice should be worth most tried to discourage him. It meant tearing down the appurtenances of the open-air rink upon which $1000 had been spent last year, but this meant nothing to Bill. He had no convincing argument to use to prove the project would be successful. He simply felt it must succeed. And herein lies the solution of the whole proposition. This young man had his finger on the public pulse and he knew.
In making an estimate of the cost he allowed practically nothing for labor and here is where he knew his public as his advisers did not. When Bill began the work his position resembled that of Napoleon on his return from Elba - just himself and a handful of the most faithful. But ere he reached his "Paris," the completion and opening of the rink on January 2nd, 1932, he had an army behind him, an army whose spirit was sufficient to overcome any amount of labor, expense or inclemency of weather.
Great credit is due to Frank Gilman, who constructed and erected the framework, and Gus Rigby who took charge of the finishing and whose advice and labor were invaluable.
Many names might be mentioned of those whose unsolicited assistance contributed so greatly towards the success of the enterprise, of those who donated liberally in cash, or of those who toiled there day after day in the muck and dirt with no other hope of reward than that of a sense of duty well done. But after all it is Bill's rink. And the people of St. Andrews and of the surrounding districts, who also had their share in the work, feel that as long as there is a stick of this building standing, it will stand as a monument to the pluck and enterprise and public spirit of one of our native sons.
The building is 200 x 86 feet outside and has an ice surface ? x 76. Heated seating spaces will accommodate about one hundred and there is standing room on the sidelines sufficient for six hundred more.
St. Croix Courier
Jan 12/1933
Photo of new arena.
St. Croix Courier
Feb 2/1933
Greatly Improved Shiretown Senators Defeat Locals 6-3. Eddie Kervin arrived two weeks ago from Moncton to coach.
St. Croix Courier
Feb 23/1933
Senators Eliminate Cubs from Intermediate Series
St. Andrews Six, Led by Graham-O'Neill Combination, Score 6-5 Victory over Fredericton Cubs for Right to Meet North Shore Winners.
Editorial: It is apparent that the public at large are beginning to realize the great value of tourist business to this province, not only to those towns and those particular lines of endeavour which benefit directly, but to the province and the nation at large. (Exchange situation now places Canada in advantageous situation)
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
32nd President of the United States (March 4, 1933 to April 12, 1945)
Nickname: "FDR"
Born: January 30, 1882, in Hyde Park, New York Hyde Park, New York Died: April 12, 1945, in Warm Springs, Georgia
St. Croix Courier
March 16/1933
Shire town Items. First appearance. In addition to ancient gossip column. Just a mention of the Grammar School, Children's Carnival, sports team. Nothing much.
St. Croix Courier
March 23/1933
Cars now begin to take on rounded look.
G. H. I. Cockburn, MLA, defends Govt. Record in Masterful Budget Address in Legislature. Nothing on tourism.
St. Croix Courier
March 30/1933
Do You Recall these Names in St. Andrews?
Memories of Person and Events Familiar to Shiretown Residents 75 Years Ago Revived
Sir,
A number of years ago a resident of long standing of the town of St. Andrews started a retrospective review of the quaint residents of that town with intended purpose of having the town clerk, Eber S. Polleys, add his embellishments of their respective characteristics thereto, as he was more familiar with them than any other person and fully competent to do so. But alas, the matter was postponed too long and the clerk had passed to his final reward.
Through destiny this legacy was passed to me to complete a task beyond my ability to perform successfully. I only wish it had been deputed to more competent hands.
Most of the persons mentioned lived in the town 75 years ago and more, and will be remembered only by those old residents who still linger on the threshold.
First, I will mention "Angelo Birch," a Maltese sailor who drifted in on the flood tide and was stranded in the town. Unable to speak English, he was cared for by the charitable people, and remained a fixture.
Our next was "Andy Sampson," an old man in those years, who did a little farming on a portion of land located on the left of the road to the present cemetery, and who placed great confidence in his "priceless" mare, she who balked whenever it suited her. On each occasion he would threaten her destruction by aid of a pitchfork.
Then there were "Wallace McLean," a son of the old auctioneer of that name; "Jimmie Somers" and "Whisker Thompson," both of whom were familiar, and odd customers, and "Cornaby Morrison," "Paddy McDonald," the town crier, with his bell in hand, advertising auction sales, at which "great bargains may be expected."
Among the women I refer to Sally Bacon, Mrs. Burns, Mrs. Herrington, Mrs. Cumberland, and Mrs. Wallace.
Among the colored population George Cole, Joe and Sarah Alexander and son, Peter; George Stewart and Black Betsy; and to complete the list Odbur McMichael, who conducted a barber shop and lunch room near the Market Wharf.
Among some of the businessmen of that time may be mentioned Henry O'Neill, John Bradford, Robert Alexander, Henry Stentiford, John Wilson (blacksmith), Edward Pheasant, Michael Clark, Denis Bradley. I might continue indefinitely, but that is sufficient.
I recall the fire of 1856, which destroyed the row of buildings on the south side of the Market Square, and some 14 years later, the burning of the old Town Hall and the Pheasant Hotel stables.
Finally there comes to my mind the birch trees near the first marsh, the elm and poplar trees near the head of Water Street; the "Rose," "Thistle" and "Shamrock" locomotives of the St. Andrews and Quebec Railroad and Jack Saul, engineer.
In 1866 the Fenian raid threatened, which proved such a fiasco, and at night the whole town was thrown into excitement through misunderstanding of signals to be given should an attempted landing be made by the disloyal foe. The landing of the British 17th Regiment to protect the citizens and the advent of the Saint John Volunteers for the same purpose; when H. M. S. "Duncan" ran on the sunken reef between St. Andrews Island and the American shore.
I have endeavoured so far as my memory serves me, to complete the article given me to finish. There are many anecdotes that might be mentioned in connection with the peculiar characters referred to, but are omitted purposely as possible that was not intended by the original author, and inspired by the most kindly feeling for all.
—A Native Son
St. Croix Courier
April 6/1933
Andrew Allerton retires as general manager Eastern Lines of CPR, March 31. Born in England.
St. Croix Courier
May 4/1933
"Hotel Vista" formerly Victoria Hotel, St. George.
St. Croix Courier
May 18/1933
Joe Cashman manager Algonquin.
Leonard Tilley 1933-35
Premier of New Brunswick
Conservative Jun 1, 1933
St. Croix Courier
June 1/1933
Editorial: Against current ban on liquor advertising in New Brunswick. Advertised nationally. Repeal of prohibition in US imminent.
Rural Cemetery Burial
G. Horne-Russell, Artist
Lot 170-73B
June 27, 1933
St. Croix Courier
June 29/1933
G. Horne-Russell dies. Buried Rural Cemetery. Many items around this time on Roosevelt returning to Campobello, beauties of Campobello.
St. Croix Courier
July 27/1933
Editorial: This island called Dochet. Correspondent refers to "local tragedy on the island" that gave rise to name. Protests against usage.
St. Croix Courier
Sept 7/1933
Algonquin closed Sept. 5.
St. Croix Courier
Oct 3/1933
What Saxby Gale did to Grand Manan.
St. Croix Courier
Oct 21/1933
Charles Mallory appointed high Sheriff Charlotte County. Photo. Pleasant face.