SR

: Abbotsford

4

umas and Matsqui News |

Ty Ea 2 .

Eighteenth Year, No. 38

Abbotsford, B.C., Wednesday, Sept. 18, 1940

$1.20 per Year

€lectric Storm

Concentrates
On MSA Area

LIGHTNING IGNITES BARN,
KILLS STOCK, DISABLES
POWER, LIGHT SERVICE

An unknown number of light-
ning bolts struck in the MSA Area
during the unusually severe elec-
trical storm that illuminated the
skies for nearly four hours late
Wednesday night and early Thurs-
day morning of last week.

Fortunately loss was far less
than the severity of the storm led
many persons to expect.

A barn and the season’s cut of
hay as well as a wagon and
equipment was destroyed at 1la.m.
‘Thursday on the farm of Mrs. M.
K. Stech 3800 block Huntingdon
road, Over-all dimensions of the
barn were 50 by 50 feet and it
was 35 feet high. There were be-
tween 45 and 50 tons of hay stor-
ed in it and the blaze which fol-
lowed the bolt lit the sky with a
fiery glow that could be seen for
several miles despite the storm
and occasional downpours of rain.
A score of neighbors were attract-
ed to the scene and Cpl. Soles of
the MSA detachment of B.C. Po-
lice arrived within a few minutes.
.Barn was insured but not the
hay.

Further west on the Huntingdon
road it is reported that a cow was
killed on the farm of G. Kum-
mel, while a green fir was struck
on the McCallum road about half
a mile north of the Huntingdon
road. A twisting strip of wood
sofme 20 feet long, a foot wide and
about four inches thick was torn
from this tree as well as many
smaller strips and slivers. One of
the latter, about five feet long,
is in THENEWS window, having been
brought in by John Stech.

A costly 250 KVA transformer
jin the BCER sub-station at Kil-
gard was struck and a day was
lost at the Clayburn Company
plant while it was being replaced.
The 20-foot transformer was bulg-
ed out by the impact to an ex-
tent that surprised even the re-
pair men.

While fuses were blown on some
two score pole transformers in
various parts of the district and
BCER repair crews had a busy
time trying to make replacements
and resume service on these lines
before night fell again Thursday,
service was never totally off in
the Area. Ruskin power plants
were reported to have been struck
twice.

Freak damage was caused by
one bolt which struck the south-
east corner of the partially-com-
pleted home of R. H. Pringle,
4092 Nelson road (Hazel street),
Matsqui, near the Abbotsford
limits. Tar-paper underlay for
shingles was tattered and board
sheathing gouged on the exterior
while the bolt followed a nail in-
side and gouged. down a 2x4 stud
to the floor where it left a pile
of slivers. Only other damage was
in the far corner of an adjoining
room where a violin and case were
shattered. There was no fire, This
bolt and one which struck a
transformer near the home of G.
E. Leary, 1116 Mountain View
road, roused the neighborhood, or
at least most of those who were
not already watching the storm.
HEIFER KILLED

On Matsqui Prairie a heifer be-
longing to Coun. Lloyd Beharrell
became frightened during the
storm and broke out of its pas-
ture onto the CNR right-of-way

where it was killed by a passen-
ger train.
Numerous bolts appeared to

strike on various parts of Sumas
Moutain but only one fire was ob-
served to result and this blazed
for about an hour despite torrents
of rain.

The storm, which began Wed-
nesday midevening with distant
heat lightning following two or

(Continued on P ight)

SET DATE FOR
COUNTRY STORE

Members of Abbotsford Women’s
Auxiliary met at the MSA Gener-

cording to the

Plan To Press
For NPAM Unit
for This Area

MANY AREA MATTERS
ARE DISCUSSED AT
TRADE BOARD MEET

War Savings Stamps and Cer-
tificates to the amount of $6000
have been sold in Abbotsford, ac-
last official total
received, it was reported by Sec-
retary. Milton Switzer at the

monthly meeting of Abbotsford &
District Board of Trade held on
Monday night in the board rooms

of the Canadian Legion hall. E.
A. Barrett, chairman of the
board’s committee, reported on the
booth arranged at the CFV Fair
and other activities of the com-
mittee.

Seventeen members turned out
for the first meeting of the fall
Season and President H. B, Beetle-
stone expressed gratification at

4 Another
over, the bomber crew steps out.

THE BOMBER IS BACK

oe

raid on Germany

Another of Britain's non-stop
blows has been delivered at Ger-
many’s black heart.

TRA
761 CANS OF

FOOD PUT UP

BY INSTITUTES

A noble response to the ap-
peal of the B.C. Division of the
Canadian Red Cross asking wo-
men’s organizations to preserve
surplus fruit and vegetables this
fall, has been made by three
Women’s Institutes in the MSA
Area,

On Wednesday week,
of the and
Upper Sumas Institutes held a_
canning bee at the Whatcom
Road Hall. They rounded up,
prepared and cooked no _ less
than 349 cans of frult and vege-
tables, including corn, peas, ap-
ples and prunes. Earlier a mem-
ber of Sumas W.I. put up 212
cans. With 200 cans prepared by
Poplar W.L, this makes a total
of 761 cans by the three groups
alone.

last

the attend but d an
effort be made to bring the total
paid membership, now shown by
the scroll displayed at each meet-
ing to be 70 members, up to the
100 mark before the year-end.
NPAM UNIT

Discussions ranged from the
noise made by B.C.E.R. midnight
freight train switching operations
and the whistle-blowing night C.
P.R. freight, to the formation of
a militia unit in this Area.. The
secretary will refer the former to
attention of the companies by
letter./A special committee com-
prising A, S. Towell, Harry Day,
Lang. Sands, Thos. Ruben and L,
Zink will endeavor to secure ac-
tion on the Non-Permanent Ac-
tive Militia subject if only to gain
authority for initial formation to
take official P-T and squad drill,
possibly with co-operation of the
Pro Rec instructors, Enthuslasm
was lent to discussion of the lack
of a NPAM unit in the MSA Area
through -the showing by Thos.

Ruben of the excellent moving
Pictures of Pro Rec activities
elsewhere.

HIGHWAYS

Gratification was expressed that
the findl link in a paved cross-
valley highway between Abbotsford

F. V. M. P, A. BUYS
$27,000 IN BONDS
OF 2ND WAR LOAN

The Fraser Valley Milk Pro-
ducers' Association on Monday
presented its cheque for $27,000
to buy bonds in Canada’s Second
War Loan. The money represent-
ed some of the accumulated earn-
ings of the owners of big and.
small herds of dairy stock, who
from years of experience know
the value of co-operation and see
in the War Loan a first-class op-
portunity for united service.

THEATRE GROUP
PREPARES FOR
ACTIVE SEASON

Abbotsford Community Theatre
held its first meeting of the sea-
son in the Parish hall on Monday
evening. Several plays were dis-
cussed and plans laid for a busy
season. A one-act play was chos-
en to be presented at a War Sav-
ings Committee concert early in
November,

Award Medals
And Prizes At
Club Field Day

AWARDS MADE TO YOUNG
OWNERS; TWO RECEIVE
MEDALS FROM C. MYNORS

The annual Gifford Calf Club
field day was held on Friday at
the Gifford fair grounds. There
were 22 calves in the club this
year. Those winning prizes with
their charges in the Guernsey
club were: Amber Arthurs, An-
nie Murphy, J. McLennan, N.
Smith, Heather Blacklock, Myrtle
Ellison and Betty Whitson. In the
mixed club prize winners were:
Daphne Layton, Helen White,
Douglas Rennie, Alice Johnstone,
D. Thompson, L. Smith and
Herby Steele. In the yearling class
awards went to: Heather Black-
lock, D. Layton, M. Ellison, B.
Whitson, H. Steele. A. Johnstone,
J. Rennie, A. Arthurs and H.
White.

Mr. C. Mynors presented ‘two
medals, one to Daphne Layton for
the best calf in club, and one to
Heather Blacklock for best year-
ling.

An enjoyable dance was ‘held
that night with over 200 attending.

NIGHT SCHOOL
CLASSES START
ON OCTOBER |

Night school classes for the
MSA Area resume on Oct. 1,
Principal E. W. Burton of Philip
Sheffield high school, who is in
charge, announces. First classes
will be the choral group at Mats-
qui under Mr. Busby anda sewing
class under Mrs. A. McDonald at
Philip Sheffield high school. These
two classes open Tuesday night,
Oct. 1. Mr. Mellado of the high
school staff requests all persons
interested in woodwork or metal-
work instruction turn out on the
evening of Oct. 3 or Oct. 7. The
Matsqui Women’s Sewing Class
under Mrs. Westlin will commence
on Monday, Oct. 7.

Smith of Poplar, from their son,
with the CASF for more than a

“Hitler Not Scaring English,
They Get More Determined”

Letter From Poplar Man With C.A.S.F. Describes Spirit of
Courageous People Under Murderous Attacks by Germans

Letters from our own MSA boys who are overseas with the Can-
adian Forces combatting German-Italian aggression paint an inspir-
ing picture of the spirit and fortitude of the British people in the
face of the uncivilized attacks being made upon them by the Nazis,
Portions of a typical letter, one received by

Mr. and Mrs. T. D.
Lepl. Ivan D. Smith, who has been
year, are reproduced below and

more than bear out the BBC broadcasts which daily keep us in
first-hand touch with developments in Europe.

28 Parishes
Represented
Here Sunday

DEANERY PLANS GARDEN
PARTY AS FAREWELL TO
RETIRING ARCHBISHOP

There were 28 parishes repre-
sented by over 100 delegates at
the Laymen’s Conference held at
St. Matthew’s church, Abbotsford,
on Sunday. Ninety-three of the
delegates formally registered for
the conference which was held
under the direction of the Angli-
can Churchmen’s Féderation of
the Diocese of New Westminster.
Good discussion periods were en-
joyed and many points of view
aired by the laymen.

St. Margaret’s church at Brad-
ner also participated in the event,
services there being taken by the
visitors with Bob Leckie of Van-
couver in chara,

The next rally of laymen of the
diocese will also be the annual
meeting and takes place at Christ
Chureh Cathedral, Vancouver, on
Octoer 10.

Deanery of Yale is honoring
Archbishop de Pencier at a Gar-
den Party being held at Chilli-
wack on Wednesday, Sept. 25, be-
tween 3 and 5 p.m. It is in the
nature of a farewell affair.

Harvest Festival service will be
held at St. Margaret’s church,
Bradner, _on Sunday morning,
Sept. 29, and at St. Matthew's,
Abbotsford, on the morning of
October 6. ’

RECEIVE BEAUTIFUL
PRESENTS ON SILVER
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Lepl. Smith writes from an
English town apparently not very
distant from London, scene of
the most recent German bombing
outrages. ~
LIKE A GAME z

“The last few days have been
a little more exciting; have had
a few good ring-side seats at
Some of the air battles. It does
me good to see the way our Air
Force puts the Nazis on the rum
I get a big kick out of the way
the English react to an air raid.
I was in a rather large town two
days ago and the sky was full of
Planes and the empty cartridges
were falling like rain, It looked
to me as though half the popula-
tion were out watching it instead
of being under cover; it was like
being at a game, everyone cheer-
ing the RAF, ©

If Hitler thinks he is scaring
the English people he has another
think coming; they only get more
determined. It is really thrilling
to see a couple of hundred planes
going at it; the noise is terrific.
It never takes our Air Force but
a few minutes to chase them back
and then people go about their
business or pleasure as usual.”

Lepl. Smith's letter was written
over a period of several days and
consequently gives a good aver-
age, of the life of Canadian sol-
dier in England. Food does not
Seem to be scarce and the Eng-
lish people are most hospitable to
Canadian soldiers.

CHICKEN DINNER

“I quite often get asked out to
dinner, and meet some very nice
People. Since I started this let-
ter I had to go out on a town
Picket. While there I was invited
to dinner at a lawyer's home and
had a wonderful chicken dinner
with lots of fresh vegetables and
beer... Monday, Aug. 5, I went
to a concert in London and they
were broadcasting to Canada over
the CBC..I was wondering if you
were listening in,”

Mr, and Mrs. Perry Dawson
celebrated their silver wedding an-
niversary on Sunday at an after-
noon tea. Guests included Mrs.
Sutcliffe, Mrs. Huggard, Miss Ada
Dawson and Mr. Harold Cullerne
of Vancouver. Mr. and Mrs. Daw-
Son were recipients of many beau-
tiful pieces of silverware and in
addition a walnut tea wagon from
Mrs. Dawson’s mother, Mrs. Sut-
cliffe; and a chesterfield
from their daughter, Helen.

i ees

STOP PRESS!

As the final pages of THE NEWS
were going to press today, public-
ation of the Proclamation on page
five was ordered and it has been
necessary to hold several local

suite

stories over until next week.

Legion War Services
Active In 50 Troop
Centres In Canada

Nine of the 39 new military
camps being established through-
out Canada for the training of
men called up under the National
Registration scheme will have the
complete facilities of the Canadian
Legion War Services, it is an-
nounced by Lieut.-Col. D. EB, Mc-
Intyre, D.S.O,, M.C, general mana-
ger. The Legion, Salvation Army,
Knights of Columbus and the
YMCA have Mutually agreed to
divide the work and arrangements
have been made to avoid overlap-

ping and

and Mission had been ed
with the surfacing of the Clay-
burn-Matsqui section. The meeting
Was also encouraged to hear that
(Continued on Page Eight)

Up to Little Man
To Put War Loan
Over Last Hurdle

Canada’s Second War Loan cash
subscriptions, according to awire
from Ottawa reaching THE NEWS to-
day, reached a total of $272,346,200
on Tuesday night. Across Canada,
banks, dealers and brokers report-
ed the number of individual trans-
actions on Tuesday was the larg-
any day since the open-
This indicated an increas-
asure of support from the
Canadian subscribers for

smaller
which the minister of finance, Hon

al Hospital on Tuesday afternoon] J. L. Isley, appealed at the Open-
with the vice-president, Mrs. C./ing of the week. Tuesd ay night's
F. Weir, presiding in the absence] figure showed. $27,653,800 required
of Mrs, J. A. Taylor. Principal/to be bscribe@ before the ob-
business concerned preparations| jective is reached. The books of
for the annual Country Store/the loan will be held open for a
night at the theatre which will/further period to permit every
be Oct. 10. Upper Sumas W.I. will] Canadian who can to subscribe.

provide the entertainment this
year. New kitchen range at the
hospital was inspected and the
members were greatly impressed
by its remarkable economical op-

Chartered banks have made spec-
lal arrangements to accommodate
borrowing up to eighty per cent.
of the punchase price at the cou-
pon rate of the bonds for a three-

eration and convenience.

This U.S. Naval Secret for British Only

{

The intricate mechanism of the gun on one of the over-age U.S. destroyers being turned over
to the Royal Navy is here being exnlained to a Royal Naval rating by one of the American sailors
who manned the destroyers during their transit from the United States to Eastern Canadian ports.
The mechanism is of a new secret type and the official censor has decided that Herr Hitler should

months period.

know nothing about it.

unnecessary
ture of funds. With the addition
of these centres the Legion War
Services will be active in a total
of 50 troop concentration points
throughout Canada alone. Great
Britain, Newfoundland and Ice-
land have long had Legion of-
ficers carrying on auxiliary work
among the Canadian forces.

At the new camps, in which it
is expected more than 300,000 men
will receive military training, the
Legion will Operate the
ment-erected canteen and recrea-
tion huts, will supply free sports
equipment and entertainment, en-
velopes and note paper, books and
Magazines. Gifts of cigarettes and
other comforts for those confined
to hospitals will also be provided
and a weekly moving picture ser-
vice will be established

expendi-

govern-

MISSION STAGES
OUTSTANDING FAIR

With over-flowing stock barns,
a strong poultry showing and 1500
entries in the fruit, vegetable, flor-
departments, the

al and school

46th annual fair, held by the Mis-
sion

City Agricultural Association
outstanding. The exhibition
opened by D, W. Strachan,
M.L.A. R, G, Sutton, district ag-
riculturist, and G. E. W. Clarke,
district horticulturist, both des-
cribed it as an exceptionally good
exhibition, The entries were more
numerous than in former years in
all classes but women’s needle-
work,