Minute books.

Stock shots

CALL NUMBER: T0692:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], [196-] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. William Blackman describes his father, a miner who came from Ohio. William was born in Pennsylvania, and he describes how his father went west to Strathcona, Alberta, as a packer. He describes the family as they traveled across Alberta, including time at the Pocahontas Mine, until settling in Mile 49, which was then the end of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railroad. He describes the area around Cranberry Lake at that time. He describes the family homestead around 1906. He discusses several of the old timers who surveyed the land around that time. Mr. Blackman describes a winter where the temperature got down to 60 degrees below zero in 1915 and 1916. He continues to describes winters and how the weather was tough and working for a lumber company. He describes the now abandoned town of Lucerne; the activities there; the CPR; and the lumber industry. He describes journeys down the Canoe River including the geography. TRACK 2 Mr. Blackman offers anecdotes about the hot springs off the Canoe River and then describes lakes in the area and more on the Canoe River. He describes Swift Creek and the boating activity there. He describes the river from Mile 49 to Golden and how some of it was impassible. He describes several ways to get into the area, mentioning the towns and geography, including trading routes. He describes Athabasca Pass; the CPR; the Yellowhead and general difficulties of passing through the area. He discusses Indian reservations at Tete Jeune. He tells an anecdote of an Indian, Johnny Moullier, who came through the area who walked from Mil;e 49 to Chu Chua in 1916. More anecdotes about people carrying things along the Canoe River in 1908.

CALL NUMBER: T0692:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], [196-] SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Blackman discusses an expedition up north on a survey party to the Peace River Country in great detail, including anecdotes about the experience, people who worked on the survey and the jobs they did, and the geography in detail. TRACK 2: Mrs. E. Blackman describes how her father, Arthur 'Curly' Cochrane, worked as a cook on the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway in 1911. She was born near Montreal and she describes her family, their farming practices and the family homestead. She describes Tete Jeune as it was when she was a child. She discusses the produce on the farm and nearby; farms. She discusses the area between Dunster and McBride. She discusses the variety of berries in the area, which they would sell to the railroaders. She discusses the post-WWII boom in the area.

CALL NUMBER: T1675:0021 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Social Credit and economic development in British Columbia, 1952-1972 PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-06-16 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.A.C. Bennett discusses the administration of public finances in British Columbia during the years he served as Premier. Economic conditions in B.C. when Social Credit came to power, 1952. Anecdote about meeting an old trapper in the Peace River country. Bennett's plan for developing British Columbia. John de Wolf and reaction to the takeover of B.C. Electric. Bennett's belief in making the capitalist system work for the people. Politics as the only real science. TRACK 2: Comments on the nature of the British Columbia economy. The roles of resource industries and tourism in the economy. The lack of secondary industry in B.C. British Columbia's place in the world economy. Story about a trip to the Iron Curtain. Attitude toward the United States and the issue of continentalism in North America. Cooperation with the federal government on various projects. The Columbia River Treaty. Economic development in B.C. as a consequence of post-war prosperity. Populism. Problems associated with maintaining Social Credit's hegemony in B.C. under W.A.C. Bennett's leadership. CALL NUMBER: T1675:0022 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Financial policies of Social Credit in British Columbia, 1952-1960 PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1960 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-06-17 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.A.C. Bennett discusses Einar Gunderson's loss of a legislative seat, 1953, and his subsequent role in the government. Assuming the Finance portfolio. Comments on close friends and confidants during his early years as Premier. Comments on literature written on the subject of his years in power: Ron Worley's "The Wonderful World of W.A.C. Bennett", Paddy Sherman's "Bennett", Martin Robin's "Pillars of Profit", Pat McGeer's "Politics in Paradise". Political philosophy. Reduction of the public debt as the keystone of Social Credit policy during the early years of power. TRACK 2: Explanation of the process of eliminating the public debt of British Columbia. Debt reduction and its relationship to Socred development policies. Reasons for concentrating on the policy of debt reduction. Direct liabilities vs. contingent liabilities. The bond-burning ceremony at Kelowna, August 1, 1959. The development of parity bonds. The genesis of the B.C. homeowner's grant. CALL NUMBER: T1675:0023 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Government finance and transportation policies of the Socreds PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-06-18 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.A.C. Bennett discusses the budgetary processes of his Social Credit government. Treasury Board and "Little Treasury Board". The budget as an instrument of government policy. Balanced budget vs. deficit financing. Elimination of nuisance taxes. Political popularity vs. high principles as factors in the formulation of government policy. Budgetary growth and economic development. The advocacy of unpopular policies and the defeat of the government in 1972. TRACK 2: Plans for the expansion of the PGE Railway. The role of the railway in Bennett's plan for the development of British Columbia's north. Bennett's "Northern Vision". Oil and gas discoveries in B.C.'s Peace River District. Frank McMahon, Westcoast Transmission Company, and Bennett's efforts to build a pipeline in British Columbia. Meeting with presidents of oil companies in Victoria. Establishment of the Toll Bridges and Highway Authority, 1953. The construction and financing of highways in B.C. The background to the establishment of the B.C. Ferries Corporation. CALL NUMBER: T1675:0024 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Provincial and Federal Social Credit policies in Canada, 1952-1972 PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-08-16 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.A.C. Bennett discusses relations among the B.C. and Alberta Social Credit parties and the federal Social Credit party. Social Credit's ambitions in the federal field in Canada. The contest for the leadership of the federal Socreds between Robert Thompson and Real Caouette, 1961. Motivations for Manning's support of Thompson and Bennett's support for Caouette. British Columbia Socreds and their support for the federal wing of the party. The Albertan influence on the federal Socreds. Anecdote about the possibility of Ross Thatcher joining Social Credit. TRACK 2: The role of Orvis Kennedy within the Alberta Social Credit movement. Evaluation of the leadership of Solon Low. Bennett's lack of interest in becoming directly involved in federal politics after he became Premier. Anecdote about a federal Socred meeting at "The Market" in Montreal. Evaluation of Robert Thompson's leadership of the federal Social Credit party. Reasons for Thompson's failure. The effect of the Diefenbaker 'sweep' on the federal Socreds' fortunes. Reasons why Bennett supported Caouette. Anecdote about addressing a large audience in Caouette's home town of Rouyn, Quebec. Reasons for the lack of success of the Social Credit party in federal politics in Canada. CALL NUMBER: T1675:0025 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Relations with federal governments in Ottawa, 1952-1968 PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1964 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-08-16 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.A.C. Bennett discusses further aspects of his relationship with the federal Social Credit party in Canada. The role of the Social Credit League. The Social Credit party's influence on government policy. Federal Liberal and Conservative governments were jealous of Social Credit's achievements in British Columbia. Reasons why B.C. did not receive substantial financial aid from Ottawa during Bennett's years as Premier. Criticism of federal government's "tight money" policies. TRACK 2: Bennett's government cooperated with Ottawa on major projects. No difference in dealing with a Liberal or Conservative federal administration. Lester Pearson and the Columbia River Treaty. The B.C. government's proposal for a Bank of British Columbia. The Senate Bank Committee Hearings. Anecdote about a meeting with Paul Martin. Reasons why the original proposal for a Bank of B.C. were not successful. The present Bank of British Columbia's indebtedness to Bennett's government. CALL NUMBER: T1675:0026 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Background to the Sommers Affair PERIOD COVERED: 1930-1960 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-08-17 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.A.C. Bennett explains how he acquired his home in Kelowna. The purchase of his hardware store from David Leckie, 1930. Reasons why he did not seek nomination as campaign leader of the Social Credit party for the 1952 election. The background to the Sommers Affair. Bennett hired a private detective to investigate Sommers when he first heard rumours of irregularities. Reasons why Sommers had been chosen as a cabinet minister. Sommers one of the Socreds' best debaters. TRACK 2: Bennett comments on Liberal "friends" who leaked information to him. He reads from a public opinion poll commissioned by the Liberals in 1968 which rates the chances of success of several possible Liberal leaders in B.C., including John Turner. Robert Sommers' personal weaknesses. Gordon Gibson Sr.'s charges against Sommers in the legislature and the later by-election in Lillooet. Anecdote about a lively by-election campaign meeting. Bennett does not regret appointing Sommers to the cabinet. Further comments on Gordon Gibson Sr. Comments on persuading Chief Justice Sloan to become forestry advisor to the Bennett government. Evaluation of Attorney-General Bonner's handling of the Sommers case. CALL NUMBER: T1675:0027 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The Sommers Affair PERIOD COVERED: 1956-1960 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-08-17 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.A.C. Bennett discusses further aspects of the Sommers Affair. Asking for Sommers' resignation from the cabinet and the appointment of new ministers. All-night sittings of the legislature. The calling of elections. The election of 1956. The effect of the Sommers Affair on the outcome of the election. Bennett's battle with the newspapers. Views on the press. Reasons for the Social Credit victory in the 1956 election. Further comments on Sommers, the court case and the Attorney-General's handling of it. TRACK 2: Reaction to the Sommers case. The impact of the Sommers Affair on the Social Credit government. Comments on possible dissension within Socred ranks. The handling of forest management licences by the Bennett government. Comments on the outcome of the Sommers case. Further comments on Robert Bonner's handling of the Sommers Affair. Loyalty as a possible weakness of W.A.C. Bennett. History will vindicate Sommers. CALL NUMBER: T1675:0028 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Federal-Provincial relations, 1952-1972 PERIOD COVERED: 1952-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-10 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.A.C. Bennett discusses aspects of federal-provincial relations during the years he served as Premier, 1952-1972. Relations between the provinces and the federal government improved during the period. Loyalty to a united Canada. Enjoyed dealing with C.D. Howe in Ottawa. Comparison of the four Prime Ministers Bennett served in conjunction with: St. Laurent, Diefenbaker, Pearson and Trudeau. TRACK 2: Anecdote about an experience at an official dinner in Paris regarding France's relationship with Canada and Quebec. Discussion of further aspects of federal-provincial relations while serving as Premier of B.C. Response to references in the memoirs of former Prime Ministers Diefenbaker and Pearson. W.A.C. Bennett's style of politics. Comments about Pierre Trudeau's stewardship of the federal government. The incident of Trudeau referring to Bennett as "a bigot". CALL NUMBER: T1675:0029 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The failure of the Victoria Charter, 1971 PERIOD COVERED: 1965-1972 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977-10 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: W.A.C. Bennett discusses his attitude towards bilingualism in Canada. Review of the Canadian constitution. The background to the meeting in Victoria in June, 1971, at which the Victoria Charter was issued. Reasons for the failure to accept the charter. Quebec's lack of trust in the rest of Canada. Explanation of the formula for amending the Canadian constitution under the Victoria Charter. Individual rights versus national or regional interests as an issue in federal-provincial relations. Criticisms of a centralized federal system. [TRACK 2: blank.]

The item consists of two reels (one main reel and one duplicate reel) of unedited negative footage of Premier W.A.C. Bennett on an election tour of B.C. during the provincial election campaign, September 1963. Bennett is shown making speeches, riding PGE trains, shaking hands and generally "campaigning" in North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Vancouver, Quesnel, Williams Lake, Dawson Creek, Peace River dam site, Fort St. John, Prince George and Nanaimo. Highlights include Bennett setting off a large explosion at the dam site and touring the mills and roads.

RECORDED: Dawson Creek (B.C.), 1986 SUMMARY: Vic Michetti hitchhiked into Dawson Creek in 1963 and signed on with the railway. Vic did not plan to stay long, but as of 1986, he could still be found working in the Dawson Creek office.;

CALL NUMBER: T4036:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1953? SUMMARY: An unidentified woman (with an English accent) near Pouce Coupe talks about isolation, local customs, and "moonshine".

CALL NUMBER: T4036:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], [1953 or 1954] SUMMARY: In a 1953 or 1954 speech, "Ma" Murray talks about the "menace" of the Alaska Highway opening the region to Anglo-Saxon settlement.

The file contains photocopied information about two Peace River trips, one from 1911 by John W. Mercer and the second in August-September 1987 by Mercer's daughter "Bobs" Kirkham (Alice Katharine Mercer), granddaughter Tinkey Turner and Mathlene Leiding. J.W. Mercer traveled from Vancouver to Edmonton via Pine Pass and the Athabasca River locating coal and gas claims in 1911. In 1987 his daughter's party travelled from Norwick, Vermont to B.C. to retrace his route.

SUMMARY: [No content information available.]

The item consists of two reels of documentary film. It shows an expedition through northeastern British Columbia by Mary Gibson Henry, Pennsylvania botanist and plantswoman. Mrs. Henry was interested in the legendary "Tropical Valley" of northern B.C., where the warmth of hot springs supposedly fostered vegetation not otherwise found in the region. The film was shot in the summer of 1931, during the first of four such journeys she made in the period 1931-1935. Mrs. Henry was accompanied by her husband, Dr. J. Norman Henry; four of her children; topographer Knox McCusker (of the Dominion Topographical Surveys Branch); Dr. B.H. Chandler, a surgeon friend; and outfitter S. Clark, as well as various wranglers. The second and third reels of this three-reel film show the party of 16 travelling by pack-train, crossing rivers, caching food, and fishing, as well as some camp scenes. At an encampment of "Grand Lake Indians" on the Tetsa River, they engage Charlie Macdonald, the chief's son, to guide them to Toad Hot Springs on the Toad River, but they do not proceed north to Liard Hot Springs. On the return trip south, stops include St. Paul's Lake, Henry River, and Lake Mary and Lake Josephine [named after the Henry's daughters]; these place names do not seem to have become official. Following the Peace River, they arrive at Hudson's Hope (having travelled 800 miles in 79 days), and continue down river to Taylor Flats.

Reel 1 of this film is missing, along with the actual title and credits.

This series contains an inventory of the mature and immature timber on Crown Land within the confines of the Trans-Mountain Oil Pipe Line Company right-of-way prepared by C.D. Schultz and Co. for Canadian Bechtel Ltd. and submitted to the District Forester, Fort George. Internal evidence suggests that there were originally at least nine more folios to this report.

This series contains an inventory of merchantable and immature timber on Crown Land within the confines of the West Coast Transmission Co. Ltd. gas pipeline right-of-way by C.D. Schultz and Co. for Canadian Bechtel Ltd. submitted to the District Forester, Prince George.

SUMMARY: "The Road To The Yukon" features interviews by CBC reporter Bill Herbert with people who lived along the Alaska Highway, from Dawson Creek, B.C. to Dawson City, Yukon. Part 1 of 9 presents a description of Mile 0 at Dawson Creek, then proceeds to Fort St. John, where Herbert interviews Dan Murray, publisher of the Alaska Highway News, and broadcaster Georgina Keddell about early Fort St. John. This episode ends with comments about Mile 144 and Mile 200 before introducing the topic of the next "installment", Fort Nelson.

The file consists of a bound photocopied copy of "The Peace of the North; the story of a frontier country and a great river" by James Lawrence Ruxton. File includes a map used in the work and photographs used by Ruxton in developing his manuscript.

SUMMARY: Dick Batey reports on the progress of construction on the Pacific Great Eastern Railway's northern extension from Prince George. Includes an interview with P.G.E. construction engineer J.C. Anderson; John Dennison of Northern Freightways; Dawson Creek commissioner Gordon Kitson; Prince George mayor J.R. Morrison; Ed Cuthill; Mr. Spicer of Fort St. John; Frank Roneghan of Pacific Petroleum; and Margaret "Ma" Murray of the Alaska Highway News. This is the third program in a CJVI series on the P.G.E.

Unedited footage. Shows "instant" resource towns in British Columbia, their industrial facilities, and the amenities available to workers and their families, including housing, shopping centres, schools, company stores, etc. Includes footage of the open-pit mine at Phoenix; the town of Mackenzie, north of Prince George; the mill town of Woodfibre, including its ferry service; and the forestry town of Gold River on Vancouver Island.

The film consists of a documentary about the Northeast coal development. It depicts the City of Tokyo and Vancouver officials signing the Northeast Coal Development Agreement and Premier W.R. Bennett with Japanese official. It also shows various modes of transportation, mine installations from Prince George to Fort St. John, cargo shipping routes. and town sites for employees.

Documentary. The story of the Northeast Coal and Transportation Development. City of Tokyo and Vancouver officials sign Northeast Coal Development Agreement. Premier W.R. Bennett with Japanese officials. Various modes of transportation. Mine installations from Prince George to Fort St. John. Cargo shipping routes. Townsites for employees.

Series consists of a diary of Monica Storrs' experiences as a mission worker with the Anglican Church in the Peace River district, 1929-1939.

RECORDED: Comox (B.C.), 1965-08-03 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Rupert Williams describes how he came to Canada from Britain in 1905; homesteading in Alberta; working on a ranch; and a job in the civil service. He tells stories of how he went with h;is old boss prospecting to Mica Mountain; traveling to the mountain; unwillingly smuggling liquor through Peace River crossing; the frozen Peace River; prospecting for gold and trapping. TRACK 2: Mr;. Williams goes on to talk about Finlay Forks; a Hudson's Bay Company factor named William Fox; homesteading; a man named Bob Ferguson with whom Mr. Williams went to Mica Mountain with; another HBC factor named Bed Benson; Colonel Hardesty; Grande Prairie; the fake prospector who told the story about Mica Mountain; the land office.

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977 SUMMARY: An oral history interview with Robert Ohland. He talks about his family, his parents decision to go to farm in the Peace River region, the journey to the Peace in 1928, farming, Taylor flats, other settlers, the store, building a house, supplies, garden crops, clothing, berries, neighbours, naming of Baldonnel B.C., missionaries, foot wear, and life during the depression.

The item is a release print of a promotional film from 1964. It depicts the history of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway, and a look at the area through which it passes. Shows inaugural run from North Vancouver to Fort St. John, Oct. 1958, (with Premier W.A.C. Bennett aboard) and driving of the Golden Spike at Fort St. John, Oct. 5 1958. Also includes footage of the Williams Lake Stampede, Peace River grain fields, oil/gas drilling and refining; also the operations of the PGE (North Vancouver rail yards, winter operations).

The item is a promotional film from 1964. It shows the history of the PGE, and a look at the area through which it passes. Shows inaugural run from North Vancouver to Fort St. John, Oct. 1958, (with Premier W.A.C. Bennett aboard) and driving of the Golden Spike at Fort St. John, Oct. 5 1958. Also includes footage of the Williams Lake Stampede, Peace River grain fields, oil/gas drilling and refining; also the operations of the PGE (North Vancouver rail yards, winter operations).

The file consists of two reports by William Plenderleith from 1937. The first is titled "An Experiment in the Reorganization and the Administration of a Rural Inspectoral Unit in British Columbia." The second is a typescript copy titled "Report on Education in New Brunswick", with appendices dealing with the Matsqui - Sumas - Abbotsford Administrative Area and the Peace River Plan.

The file consists of a photocopy of a report on trip taken in August, September and October 1923 by John M. Holzworth in Northeastern British Columbia in the interests of the United States Biological Survey on the subject of mountain sheep and caribou distribution.