Genealogy, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, Pioneer,Saskatchewan history, Temperance Colony, Temperance Colonization Society, Pioneers,John N. Lake, John Lake, Saskatoon history, Saskatoon Gen Web, |
another important question had to be settled-the location of the Univer-
sity of Saskatchewan. We immediately braced ourselves for this fight,
and, as will be related in due time, success crowned our efforts.
The inauguration of the city was to take place on the first of July,
1906. The Town Council was to cease at that date. Nominations for
Mayor and Council were set for twenty-first June, when I was elected Mayor
and eight Aldermen with me, all by acclamation. Only two of the old
Council consented to nomination. The city had by by-law been divided
into four wards, the aldermen elected being for-
Ward One-R. B. Irvine and Jas. H. Thomson.
Ward Two-John Ashworth and Wm. Hopkins.
Ward Three-W. H. Coy and F. A. Blain.
Ward Four-W. J. Belland Thus. Copland.
A great celebration was held on the first of July when the advance
from Town to City status took place.
A census had just been taken and the population of Saskatoon was
given as four thousand five hundred. it had been indifferently taken, and
we considered the number was understated.
A writer for the Toronto Globe visited Saskatoon at this time, and on
his return writes of our city as follows: "One's credulity is always being
taxed to the uttermost regarding the reported triumphs and achievements
of the West in these thriving days, but really more when one stands in the
streets of the thriving town of Saskatoon and was told that it was practi-
cally naked prairie four years ago. The town is moving with a swiftness
that is phenomenal even for the West. Old towns like Portage La Prairie
and Prince Albert have waited a generation before installing a system of
waterworks and sewerage. In this Saskatoon is abreast of these and all
the other numerous towns of the West that are this summer introducing
these prime factors in health and comfort. At such a rate of speed we dare
not make any prediction as to what Saskatoon will not have done by a
generation from now."
In truth, the citizens, in a spirit of uncontrollable optimism, and re
lying upon the fact that money was free and the Union Bank had almost
pushed a loan of $2OO,O00 into their hands, had sketched a very liberal
scheme of public utilities-water and sewer system as well as an electric
lighting plant. We started with plans which were estimated at something
short of $200,000.
In laying out our plans for the Power House it was decided to install
three hundred horse-power for the Electric Plant, and to construct steam
power for our pumping. making the Power House large enough to double
that capacity when necessary. We were aiming at making provision for a
population of fifteen thousand, which was considered ample for many years
to come.
A movement was started to build a Hospital, a public meeting was held
and a committee appointed to canvass for subscriptions. In a short time
nine thousand dollars was subscribed. It was suggested that the city
should aid by adding dollar for dollar to what was raised by public sub-
scription. At a Council meeting one evening I suggested to Dr. Munroe
that if he made a motion that the city build an Hospital as a Municipal
enterprise that I would support and advocate the proposition. On the
19th September Dr. Monroe's by-law was passed by the Council and it
was submitted to the people and passed, only seventeen votes being polled
against the bylaw.
It was decided by the Council to procure a report regarding the possi-
bility of developing power from the Saskatchewan River, and Mr. Mitchell,
Consulting Engineer, of Toronto, was asked to prepare a report on the
proposed scheme. This report was not received till July of 1907. In it be
declared power could be obtained for 4,300 horse power at a cost of
$697,000.00, and that it could be sold by the city at from $25.00 to $35.00
per horsepower. This report caused considerable comment amongst the
citizens. It was recognized that one of the chief factors in attracting in-
dustries was cheap power, and in order to achieve this object the Council
Page 73
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NARRATIVES OF SASKATOON1882-1912Genealogy, Saskatoon, Pioneer, Saskatchewan history, Temperance Colony, Temperance Colonization Society, Pioneers,John N. Lake, John Lake, Saskatoon history, Saskatoon Gen Web, Saskatoon Genealogy BY MEN OF THE CITY PREPARED BY A COMMITTEE OF THE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OF SASKATOON PUBLISHED BY THE UNIVERSITY BOOK-STORE |
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