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St. Croix Courier
Jan 4/1968
Jonesy awarded Centennial Medal. Youthful looking photo. Brief bio.
LG: The Hon. Wallace Samuel Bird (1917-1971) Born in Marysville, New Brunswick. Appointed 1 February 1968 at age 51 until his death (in office) 2 October 1971.
St. Croix Courier
March 7/1968
Tidal Power Studies Continue.
St. Croix Courier
March 28/1968
Excerpt from Speech to Legislature by Bill Cockburn, significant part of which focuses on need to develop tourism in Charlotte County. "The second topic I would like to mention is tourism, the status quo, its neglect by this government, and its potential for Charlotte County. Tourism ranks today, as it has for sometime, as one of the most productive industries of New Brunswick, and indeed, balancing return against expenditure, probably the most productive of all.
And this remains so despite, not because of, the Government of the day. The increasing influx of tourism into and through New Brunswick is due to one thing only, the increase in tourist travel generally, and by any standard the percentage of such travel being attracted to New Brunswick, or using this Province as a gateway, has declined through the past years. With little being done to develop this industry it is more than holding its own, and its possibilities with proper development are staggering, and could by itself hold one of the major necessary keys to the future of this province. And yet, despite what is now happening, and the fantastic potential that tourism offers, it has been continually placed in second class category by this Government. They have ignored the urgent need of a department of Tourism, the fullest promotion and development of New Brunswick as a tourist domain.
There are, Mr. Speaker, basically types of tourists, those who come to vacation with you and those who pass through with another destination in mind, and both are important in New Brunswick. The First must be attracted and must be offered facilities and services to reward his coming and to cause him to return. The second must be greeted, accommodated and informed to an extent that hopefully, they will be directed to what they are actually seeking within this province, or, at least, they will remember and possibly return. And an adequate highway program is a must to either category.
Now, Mr. Speaker, what about the traveller who enters New Brunswick. Nothing that I have seen or experienced in New Brunswick would really impress me as a visitor, and first impressions at points of entry in this province extend from so-so to horrible, and that includes, Mr. Speaker, my hometown. It is true that there are some excellent facilities and developed areas in this province, but they are spasmodic at best, seasonal only and utilize but a fragment of the attractive potential of New Brunswick.
And there is no immediate hope in sight. Once again, this government has overlooked tourism, as witness the recent budget of only one million for its promotion and development, or only one three hundred and twenty-second of the attention to what really should be a priority program.
For what is needed, Mr. Speaker, I will use Charlotte County as an example, and with a few exceptions the same would apply across the province. And Charlotte serves well as an example, for with the Port of St. Stephen ranking as one of the largest in traffic volume in all of Canada we welcome a large majority of all visitors to New Brunswick, and with our inland waters and wooded areas, our historic points and the town of St. Andrews, we probably offer a variety of potential tourism meccas unexcelled by any other County of this province.
Promotion is needed to a far greater extent, professional promotion able to sell what is offered and directed at those areas from which the greatest return could be anticipated. An official welcoming and information service immediately adjacent to the point of entry, where the traveller is appraised of the fact that entering New Brunswick mean something more than Customs Inspection, and where facilities and local products are brought to his attention and required accommodation made available, an attractive setting for a proper first impression of his importance to this province, and at US border points possibly built in conjunction with all Atlantic Provinces, a suggestion of many years standing just recently revitalized by the St. Croix Courier. The expansion of existing facilities and recreation areas, some of year-round usage, and the creation of a Southern New Brunswick National Park of which two areas of Charlotte are ideally suited. The physical clean-up of points of entry and the combating of water pollution to create a setting conducive to creating that so important initial impression of the Picture province, and with special assistance, and directives if necessary, to those Towns which are points of entry insofar as massive land purchase and clean up, and water pollution abatement, are now beyond their normal financial abilities. A closer liaison with and check-rein on private accommodations to assure that our visitors are getting the accommodations and services advertised at an appropriate price. And lastly Mr. Speaker, a highway transportation system that meets the needs with the least possible inconvenience and delay. Especially is this important with those who are just passing through, if there is any hope of having them stay or of having them return. New Brunswick is losing many of these by inadequate highways, and it is a more than coincidental that travel on the Bluenose Ferry from Bar Harbour, Maine, to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, has increased with the decline of New Brunswick Transportation facilities. And indeed, a second boat is now being considered for that run as potential tourist business from the New England States, with a destination elsewhere in the Atlantic area, avoids New Brunswick travel conditions.
These, Mr. Speaker, have been just a few of the requirements and briefly outlined, of what is needed to fulfill the tourist potential that is all around us. Here lies the greatest possible return for development expenditure and it remains delegated to a minor category of Government activity. I can only ask, when is this government going to wake up to the fact that this potential does exist, and give priority to what is one of this province's brightest hopes.
St. Croix Courier
April 4/1968
McGaw speaks in Legislature. Broad tourist, Regional program Advocated.
A program of tourist promotion and recreation for the province is being urged on the government. The program was outlined by county MLA Leland McGaw in the legislature this week. The program would concentrate on the travelling tourist and the visiting sportsman as well. Among the items proposed are:
Establishment of a game bird sanctuary. Bounty of ? and bears. Fishing privileges for old pensioners. Completion of the highway between Beaconsfield and Woodstock. Construction of a road to Chamcook Mountain. Provincial parks for Grand Manan Island and Campobello, and a picnic station in the Lawrence-Station Brockway area on Highway 3.
A partial text of Mr. McGaw's address is as follows:
Mr. Chairman, as a representative for County of Charlotte, I feel a deep sense of responsibility for the needs of my constituents, and will propose and support legislation believed by me to be in the best interests of our people. I believe it is the wish of our people that we, as elected representatives in the opposition, do not oppose certain forms of legislation just for the sake of opposing, but for the best of all mankind support that which is good and discard the bad when possible. Mr. Chairman, it is through our services that the people of our province find more than just a basic existence. It is our duty to improve the lives of our people, and in my speech I will endeavour to make some suggestions to towards improving the situation. I may at this time deal with a number of items connected with the Department of Natural Resources. I strongly urge the government to take immediate action to improve the fish and wildlife potential of this province by means of constructing and operating a game bird sanctuary somewhere in this province, with a view of raising and releasing game birds each year thus providing a sportsman's paradise designed to bring thousands of dollars to guides and outfitters each year. Mr. Chairman, this is an industry that we don't have to go abroad to offer tax concessions to foreign investors; all we have to do is to develop that which is already ours. Contrary to the views of the department, it is my opinion that a bounty should be placed on wildcats and bears. It is the hope of many people in my area that the department will realize they made a mistake and will correct the situation at once. The number of our deer that were found this past winter killed by wildcats should be proof enough for the department to change their views on the matter. It has been suggested by some blueberry growers that anybody opposing the bounty is not having his crops destroyed every year. It has been estimated that one bear can eat and destroy 400 bushels of berries, a loss the growers cannot afford. I would point out Mr. Chairman, that the poor people are the ones that would trap and hunt these animals for the bounty and perhaps if it were the more wealthy and influential people it would be easier to convince the government that bounties are necessary.
Listening to some conversations, one would believe that the wildcats were protecting the deer. It believe that a certain amount of money collected by this department should be spent to restock our fish and game birds; however, under present conditions it would appear that the revenues collected by this department must have been spent for some other cause.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to suggest that the government grant our old age pensioners permission to fish our trout streams without having to purchase a licence. I think it would be a gesture of courtesy to our older people who have contributed so much in the past to making our province a better place in which to live.
It is the wish of many farmers and woodlot owners, Mr. Chairman, that the government enforce present legislation or pass new legislation to prohibit the illegal picking of fir tips and the cutting of Christmas trees on private woodlots.
I have a plan in mind to help correct the situation, and would welcome an opportunity to meet with the Honourable Minister of Natural Resources to discuss this matter at the earliest possible date.
I would urge the Department to consider the completion of the road to resources from Beaconsfield to the Woodstock road; several miles were built by the progressive conservative government before 1960 and several miles have been constructed by the Georgia Pacific Paper Company leaving only a few miles in the centre to connect the two and thus provide a scenic drive for tourists and residents as well as for fire protection. At points on this road, there are several picnic areas that should be topsoiled back 50 or 100 feet from the fireplaces and riverbanks for fire protection also making them more attractive to our people.
Mr. Chairman, on the subject of tourism, one could go to great lengths to explain the possibilities for expansion and development in this province. However, one has only to check such places of rest as the Oak Bay Causeway to realize that we must endeavour to construct and promote more provincial Parks and tourist attractions.
In the county of Charlotte, I would suggest the reconstruction of a road reaching to the top of Chamcook Mountain, one of the highest points in Charlotte County, providing tourist attraction as well as enjoyment for the residents of New Brunswick. I would like to suggest the expansion of existing and construction of new provincial parks on each of our three islands. Grand Manan, Deer, and Campobello, also a picnic area developed in the Lawrence Station and Brockway area on Route 3.
Mr. Chairman, I was pleased to hear of a Department of Highways being created. Passing over a number of rural roads in this province, one would be left to winder if anyone was in connection with the supervision of these roads. As one of the hon. members on your right said: we don't like to seem critical but judging from his speech they must have all the good roads and bridges in Northumberland County, as I am sure they don't exist in Charlotte County.
It is my own personal belief that the rural roads of this province have deteriorated to a state comparable to that of horse and buggy days, with high culverts, mud surfaces and our bush-cutting program at a standstill.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to draw the attention of the Hon. Minister of Highways to the practice of his Department in Charlotte County of bulldozing rocks, dirt and bushed along woodland fronts on the roadside, creating almost impossible access to properties, as well as unsightly piles of rubble, an eyesore to passing motorists.
Mr. Chairman, with this government plan to compel local junk dealers to clean up their unsightly premises, it is another case of "don't do as we do but do as we say." Together with my fellow members from Charlotte, I strongly urge the government to reconsider their decision to bypass St. Andrews with the construction of a new piece of highway from Waweig to Digdeguash. With the removal of the Grand Manan boat from the shiretown, and the intention of a new highway to bypass the town, it would seem that the government was determined to cut off the tourist trade entirely, on which they are dependent to bolster their economy.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to draw the attention of the government to take immediate steps to fulfill their election promises to the St. George area with the construction of an industry and a frozen food and processing plant, which would mean livelihood for the community and a cutback in cost to our blueberry growers, who have in the past hauled berries to PEI for cold storage.
I would suggest that the government get busy with the construction of the $100,000 provincial building promised to the people of St. Stephen lst year; also, the construction of a hospital for Grand Manan which was promised last year prior to the last provincial election.
I strongly oppose the practice carried on by the government, such as we witnessed in Charlotte County this winter with the importing of a demolitions contractor from another county to tear down the old shoe factory in St. Stephen. I am sure the government gave very little consideration to the people of Charlotte when they engaged workers form another county. It would appear they are at a very low ebb in the government's eye when they were not considered capable of tearing down an old building.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to direct a few remarks on education, in particular, as it affects my constituency of Charlotte.
We are pleased to note that you have designated on your priority list of schools to be constructed a new 24 room school in St. Stephen. Our concern is that it may be constructed during the coming year, as preliminary plans were made over one year ago.
We wish to ask if this school is to be constructed this year, and if it is, to be available for 1969 as previously promised.
Although the day of the rural school is over, we wish to bring to the attention of this House that we still have forty or more one, two, or three-room rural schools. We trust that while new schools are on the horizon, these will be maintained and staffed at a level equal to the other larger schools in the county.
We are concerned, as are many people, with the large number of students being hauled on buses considerable distance in order to receive educational opportunities; yet the travelling puts these students at a disadvantage: long rides, crowded buses with a mixture of elementary, and secondary students on the same bus doesn't allow for satisfactory safety conditions.
Are we so busy moving students that they are in danger of becoming merely administrative units rather than individuals to be educated?
Are huge complexes, long bus rides, lengthy days the real answer to equal educational opportunities for all? How well are these "units" known by the teachers and their principal?
We would like to remind you that we have a unique "island" situation in our area—even to the extent that some students have to travel by boat to receive their high school education. We refer, of course, to White Head. Much is made of student-teacher ratios. yet the major concern here should be class size. When considering ratios. perhaps we shouldn't be lumping all teachers and administrators together but look at the actual number in the classes. In many cases, we have classes well over 35.
The Department of Education wants schools to start or implement new programs, yet with the "quota" system used for teachers, we lack even a guidance officer for our three school districts.
The soundness of our party's suggestion advocating the ward system for the election of trustees has been borne out by the amendments being made to the Schools Act at the present time. The status of school boards in relation to the educational system should be reviewed in the light of tremendous powers in the hands of the Minister and Department. In fact, the local administrative officer—the "District Superintendent—seems to have been overlooked in setting out the Schools Act and Regulations.
More grants made to the crucial area of libraries are evident in the light of the quota of some 80 cents to 1 dollar per student being allowed at present. The library is and should be the resource centre of every school, yet very little money is being allocated for this area.
Mr. Chairman, may I at this time make a few brief comments on the situation regarding our university students?
Due to the fact that all other public forms of education are financed by the government, it is my opinion that sufficient funds should be allocated to our universities to prevent any further fees which are among the highest in Canada. The situation is compounded b the fact that summer job opportunities are very scarce in our province for university students.
Mr. Chairman, as a representative for Charlotte County, I intend, during my term of office, to fight for fair share for my county of the monies spent by the various departments, and when this practice is carried out by the present government, I will fee that I helped to accomplish what is expected of a member by his constituents.
In closing, Mr. Chairman, I would like to make one comment to the Minister of Finance: I would like to see a balanced budget during his term of office as, in a little boy's terms, "deficit" means when you have less than nothing.
TRUDEAU, Pierre Elliott
Prime Minister of Canada
Liberal 1968.04.20 - 1979.06.03
St. Croix Courier
May 30/1968
Richard Hatfield Provincial House Leader. Says Trudeau had better stick to kissing the girls.
St. Croix Courier
June 6/1968
4.6 million project to clean up St. Croix River.
St. Croix Courier
June 13/1968
New Brunswick Registered Nurses Association at Algonquin. June 19. Terrazo, Tile and Marble Assoc June 22. Annual golf tournament June 29. New Brunswick Barristers July 4/6.
Manager Harold Hannum. New Brunswick Senior Ladies Gold Aug.21-23. Maritime Seniors Golf Aug.24-28. Maritime Professional Engineers Aug.26-31 last group for year.
St. Croix Courier
June 27/1968
Dedication of St. Croix Island as National Historic Site June 30. Effort made to erase use of Dochet's Island in Charlotte County. Prob. corruption of "Theodosia," lady associated with Island. Once "Dosie's" Island—but changed to Dochet's to sound more French, in keeping with past.
Shiretown Items: "Well, it certainly was a real treat to have Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians here in person at the Saint John Dunn Arena." Presenting Guy with gift Mayor Hachey said Bill O'Neill had planned for 20 years to get you here. 2,500 or more guests from all over province and Maine in attendance.
St. Croix Courier
June 27/1968
Guy Lombardo Praises Border Hospitality. Photo with WQDY Staff. 8 years ago in Saint John.
Charlotte County had the privilege last week of welcoming one of North America's greatest popular musicians. Guy Lombardo brought his famous Royal Canadians to St. Andrews for an invitational ball which saw upwards of 3,000 persons vying for the privilege of dancing to the band's special arrangements. Officials at the Sir James Dunn Arena, where the event was arranged, hailed the ball as an outstanding success and one of the greatest social events of the season. Before leaving the area, Mr. Lombardo stopped off in St. Stephen for an interview over Calais Radio Station WQDY, conducted by Station Manger Danny Hollingdale and the Program Host J. J. Healy of Milltown. During the interview, the band leader outlined many of the highlights in the development of his family which has produced three outstanding musicians of which Guy Lombardo is the greatest.
Commenting on Charlotte County, Mr. Lombardo said that the people of the area had been "most hospitable and I enjoyed so much being here for this event." He said that he looks forward to future engagement sin the area and that his musicians agree that it is a marvellous spot to stop.
The ball was not Mr. Lombardo's first appearance in New Brunswick, as he played here about eight years ago at a function in Saint John, he said. "We always look forward to a New Brunswick appearance," he added.
Work for the band musicians today is as hard, or harder than ever before he said. He added that in order to keep a proper perspective, the musician must look at the country at large as part of existence.
St. Croix Courier
July 4/1968
Lt. Governor Helps Dedicate St. Croix Island National Monument.
St. Croix Courier
Aug 8/1968
Tourist Entries at St. Stephen Show Increase of 9 percent. Month of July.
St. Croix Courier
Sept 19/1968
Shiretown Items—Only a Memory
That's all that is left of the whole O'Neill corner block of buildings and all you hear up and down the street is regret. The outbuildings, yes, they were possibly ready for retirement, but the main corner buildings were a landmark, and even people from Saint John were remarking "you just didn't let them get torn down. Why St. Andrews makes its living from its tourist attraction by its old buildings." Residents who have lived here all their lives are just sick and many who adopted the place not so long ago are finding that they feel like they had lost one of the family. We agree progress must take place but this may prove a good lesson to many people who could not see the point when Ian MacKay suggested a by-law to preserve our historic buildings and our past. Williamsburg and Sturbridge have them, why not St. Andrews? The front street will never look the same again! A good many people in St. Andrews and throughout the County are bemoaning the tearing down of the concrete block school here known as Prince Arthur of Connaught. This, in its way, was a landmark too although only built in 1912. None of us want to stop the clock, but only to preserve our charm and tourist potential. Portland, Maine, has never looked the same since they took down the fieldstone Union Station, and put a prefabbed cardboard box one story rambling shopping center. Think what St. Andrews would look like if one by one, the buildings on the front street are razed! (Rose Haughn)
St. Croix Courier
Sept 26/1968
Shiretown Items: Danger Kingsbrae may be torn down now that Mrs. Pillow no longer able to come to St. Andrews. Rose Haughn: Word has got out that Kingsbrae, that beautiful showpiece home of Mrs. Howard W. Pillow, of Montreal and St. Andrews, is to be torn down. Rumours get around and every gathering one goes to is sorrowfully discussing the prospect. This home was built in 1900 by Sir Donald McMaster and stands in a command position at the head of King Street looking out over the waters of Passamaquoddy Bay with a view of Pagan Point. Mrs. Pillow purchased it in 1932 and it has been the focal point for all house and garden tours since then. A collection of rare antiques and dishes were housed in it while the family graciously enjoyed its pleasant rooms and sloping gardens. We deeply regret that Mrs. Pillow is no longer able to come to St. Andrews and enjoy this lovely place. That the building's very existence seems threatened we deplore. Surely the provincial government does not intend to tax our landmarks out of existence.
But CP Wharf getting repairs. "This is one of the best kept wharves I know of along our coastline and one of only three remaining of a great number tha dotted the shoreline during the heyday of wooden ships."
St. Croix Courier
Oct 31/1968
Marijuana Discounted as Problem Amongst Border Teenagers. Matter Unknown to Police. If Marijuana is being used by students in the Border Area, officials here disclaim any knowledge of it.
St. Croix Courier
Oct 31/1968
Studies underway for Plan. Charlotte said major tourist Area. Rose MacKay Haughn. "Charlotte County has been chosen as one of the Areas for extensive tourist development," said Hon. William R. Duffie, Minister of Natural Resources, speaking at the annual dinner meeting of the St. Andrews Chamber of Commerce held at Shiretown Inn here." Continuing, Mr. Duffie said "Tourism has changed greatly over the past few years. At first a protected area with a chance for tenting and rough picnic table was sufficient. As the trend grew and trailers became more numerous, electrical outlets, for the tenders lavatory and kitchen facilities were added. Today even this is not enough, there must be a larger complex offering a wide variety of vacation entertainment within a reasonable distance of the complex. The area between the border at St. Andrews and the extending to the City of Saint John could be developed into such a complex.
The minister stated that the government had been negotiating about Minister's Island, and were fully aware of the possibilities of Chamcook Mountain to tie in with the promotion and development already done by the St. Andrews and Saint John area. Aulac, in the east, and Edmunston in the north were also mentioned as under study for these new complexes. He also mentioned the Mactaquac site now being developed. Surveys have been made by the Atlantic Development Board and the New Brunswick Travel Bureau and a full-scale survey will be done this coming year by the statistic department of the Federal Government. "The way in which we spend our tourist promotion dollars in the immediate future will require considerable examination," said Mr. Duffie. There are many priorities and we must in the future continue to increase our investment in this industry. There has been too little research, trends are changing, and Canada is in need of factual information on every aspect of the tourist industry. The primary market for our tourists is within a 1,000-mile radius of our Province; a secondary market lies within a radius of 1,000 to 1,500 miles. More than 100,000,000 people live within these primary and secondary circles. This surely must be proof positive that the potential of this industry is unlimited. Our first objective is to attract an increasing number of visitors to our Province, and implement programs that will encourage these visitors to remain for a longer period of time.
Speaking of the new highway which by-passes St. Andrews at a greater distance than before, Mr. Duffie said: "the new highway is the product of our times—that will provide a more direct and much safer route than already exists today. This policy of by-passing communities is a requirement of modern transportation development. It is therefore up to you as individuals, and as a group interest in promoting your community, to co-operate with Provincial authorities to turn to your advantage the new location of the highway. It is the responsibility of the province to attract tourists, but it is very much the responsibility of the municipality's community groups, and individuals to promote their own locality."
Relocation of existing travel bureaus in this area will be important, and your suggestions will be welcomed in determining the most strategic location of new facilities. One other program that twill place St. Andrews on the tourist map as never before is our intention to direct tourists to specific regions of the province. The program will "package" the assets of each region and we hope and expect will encourage visitors to travel from one region to another. Another program designed to retain visitors longer will be more extensive training of travel bureau personnel with knowledge of all aspects of travel within the province.
They will be familiar with the attractions in St. Andrews as well as all other sections of the province no matter where they are stationed. We also propose to establish a communications network linking all provincial bureaus which will be able to offer a reservation service of benefit to both the travelling public and the * (continued p. 5)
Richard Milhous Nixon
37th President of the United States (January 20, 1969 to August 9, 1974)
Nickname: None
Born: January 9, 1913, in Yorba Linda, California Died: April 22, 1994, in New York, New York