Looking back into the pages of the Tribune leading up to Christmas in 1934, several stories catch the eye of the reader. It is interesting to see what was happening in the town of Williams Lake and the outlying region at the time.
Bridge construction
Construction of a new bridge was to begin, connecting the town with the Chilcotin Road at the railway crossing. There was an old structure in place but the approach to it was considered dangerous because of the sharp curve near Borland House.
"It is now proposed that the little brook, the connecting link between Williams Lake and the mighty Fraser, shall be bridged at a point between Nedel's sawmill and the railway, the road by the powerhouse then running almost due south for the crossing."
Further west, a crew under the supervision of Dave Chesney and Gaynor Wise were working on the Chilcotin Road near Becher's, a section of the highway which, in the past, was not considered above reproach.
"A large percentage of the road work undertaken in the district is now being done without the aid of special machinery, the payroll thus distributed over a wider area, and thereby giving satisfaction to many who otherwise would have been deprived of the opportunity of earning."
Beef takes a jump
A telegram received by W. Pinchbeck Williams Lake from a Vancouver buyer offered him four cents for best steers, three-fifty for best heifers, two twenty-five for best cows.
Cariboo hydro project to start in spring
The Cariboo hydro-electric power plant to be built on the Swamp River by British capitalists will have an initial capacity of 5,000 horsepower, Cariboo Gold Quartz president Dr. W. B. Burnett said while passing through Williams Lake from Wells back to Vancouver.
Caught at the Lake
A Christmas party for the Anglican Sunday School was held in St. Peter's Hall on a Tuesday afternoon. The children played games and afterwards enjoyed a supper prepared by the ladies of the church.
When looking at the display of turkeys and other varieties of poultry at Roberts' Better Meats, the Tribune suggested the thought must come to all that Williams Lake was taking on the dimensions of a metropolis more and more, for seldom could such a variety of birds be seen outside of the larger city.
"And being all Cariboo products, they are first class in quality."
December grading tests
Right on the front page of the Dec. 20 paper, was a list of marks for Grade 7 and 8 students. Report cards were issued every two months at the time and the list included the median average grade for the class which was 562 and student names with a number beside each one. For example, Edna Foxgord had 722.
Horsefly happenings
A card party held at the residence of Mrs. McDougall given by Mrs. H.A. Pegnes for the benefit of the Badminton Club was an "unqualified" success and raised $15.00.
Mr. and Mrs. T.O. Hooker Sr. visited Horsefly from their Bay View Ranch on Quesnel Lake.
Several young folk from Horsefly attended the dance in Rose Lake held earlier in the month.
Friends of Mrs. B. Patenaude gave her a surprise party on the event of her birthday on Tuesday, Dec. 4.
Mrs. Harold Armes of Black Creek returned home from Kamloops where she was operated on for appendicitis.
Tatlayoko news
Miss Sylvia Weldson's brother, John Weldon, of the Anahim Lake country was visiting her at the home of K.B. Moore.
Grandpa Bellamy was more than proud of the arrival of two new granddaughters - one to Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Bellamy of Alexis Creek and the other to Mr. and Mr. James Shields at Minto.
The entertainment committee presented a sketch portraying the trials in the life of a ticket agent at the Community Hall on Saturday, Dec. 8. The annual election of officers saw Clay Holt as president, Louise Haynes vice-president, Mrs. Carlton secretary and Ken Moore treasurer.
