150 years ago
April 11, 1872
Farm for sale
The subscriber offers for sale his well-known farm on the north bank of the Chateauguay in the township of Godmanchester, containing 93 acres, of which 60 are improved, and the rest under hardwood bush, including over 2000 maple trees with sugarhouse, furnace, and everything complete. The improved land is divided into 14 fields, well fenced with cedar rails, and in the highest state of cultivation. The farm is within two miles of the Village of Huntingdon, and conveniently situated in every way. – Alex McNaughton, Huntingdon.
125 years ago
April 15, 1897
Huntingdon Village council
The fire and light committee reported that Mr. Tache, having agreed to give electric lights for the streets up to 2750 candle power as shown in the first distribution, instead of 2640 candle power as provided for in the bylaw, they would advise that the distribution as made stand, as this would give 10 or 11 lights of 16 candle power for the public buildings. They also recommended that the new hose reel be purchased. Their report was adopted. The council decided to submit the plan and specifications for the electric light system to Prof. Herdt of McGill college before adopting the same.
100 years ago
April 13, 1922
First census
Fifty-one years ago this month, the result of the first Dominion census was announced. It comprised five volumes and represented the labours of 3,000 employees. It was taken under direction of the Minister of Agriculture. That year the population of the country was 3,845,761, which was of course concentrated in the East. The populations of the principal cities show they had enjoyed a tremendous growth in the past fifty years; Montreal was first with [an increase of] 56,092, Halifax had 29,582, St. John, N.B. 28,305, Hamilton 26,716 and Ottawa 21,545.
75 years ago
Wednesday, April 9, 1947
Union official disagrees with Gleaner editorial
“It is hardly realistic to speak of companies as operating purely in order to provide employment for their workers. Under the present way of things, a company operates, even expands, if it stands to profit; otherwise, it shuts down, even though this means depriving hundreds of families of their livelihood. This was the experience of workers before the war. Out of this experience comes the determination of the unions and their members to maintain and improve their purchasing power, which in itself is a strong protection against the coming of a new period of depression and unemployment. It should be remembered that the workers are also the customers. If their wages are not sufficient to enable them to buy back the products they make, then the mill can not operate. Through collective bargaining, in good faith, through a sense of social responsibility, and ‘long-view,’ the Canadian textile industry can and will continue to prosper. The danger is through short-sighted profiteering, and refusal, by employers, to recognize the needs and rights of the workers, the men and women whose skills make profit for the employers. Workers cannot afford to depend on the ‘spontaneous generosity’ of employers, but must unite, organize, and bargain collectively, in order to improve their lot.” – Leo Roback, United Textiles Workers of America.
50 years ago
Wednesday, April 12, 1972
A local man has been cited as the province’s premier apple grower
Normand Lussier, owner of N. Lussier & Sons orchard at Rockburn, was named Apple Grower of the Year by the Quebec Association of Apple Producers recently and received the Golden Apple Award trophy. The honour was conferred Mr. Lussier for having the best-kept orchard in the province. Three agronomes [sic] from St. Hyacinthe agricultural research centre inspected local orchards during the growing season. Pruning methods, orchard cleanliness, and general upkeep were the prime factors judged, Mr. Lussier said. The trophy was presented March 7 to Lussier’s son Gerald at a ceremony at Saint-Hyacinthe.
