CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, ETC. It was not long before the old pioneers began to worry about the spiritual and moral wellbeing of their children, if not of themselves, and it would seem that many of them were deeply religious people, consequently in the very early years churches and missions were erected for this purpose. ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH. This is an Anglican church and is situated a little off the westerly end of Mt. Newton Cross Road, not far from the West Saanich Road. It was erected on a piece of land given by William Thomson.
Although Thomson, as we have stated, was brought up as a Presbyterian, he and his family have attended service there for five generations and many of the Thomsons and other old pioneers are buried in its cemetery. The church is built of California redwood. It was dedicated and consecrated by Rt. Rev. Bishop George Hills, June 3rd, 1862, and thus holds the enviable record of being the oldest building dedicated to the worship of God in Saanich. The first Saanich child christened in the church was Richard Thomson; the first wedding, according to the church records, took place August 10th, 1863, "Thomas Skitch-Cecilia Luxmore, Married in the District Church, South Saanich, in the Colony of Vancouver Island, according to the rites and ceremonies of the United Church of England and Ireland." Signed Richd. L. Lowe, Offic't'. Priest." The first preacher was the Rev. Richard Lowe.
Other ministers in the early days of the church were Rev. F. B. CribbelL Rev. J. Cave Brown and the Rev. R. Reynard. The latter is the first one mentioned as being Curate of the Parish and possibly the first one to live in the vicinity. OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CHURCH. Roman Catholic. Saanich was first visited by Rev. Father Lempfrit, O.M.I., in May, 1850, and Saanich became a permanent mission in 1859. The first church was a combination chapel and residence erected by Rev. Father Jagob O.M.I., on the East Saanich Reserve in 1860. Rev. Father d'Herbonnez built a chapel on the Southwest Saanich Reserve. Rev. Father Mundart took over the Saanich Mission in 1875.
He lived for a year in or under the trunk of a fallen tree, then he built a chapel at West Saanich in 1876. This building still stands and is now being used as a hall. Father 55 Mundart was recalled to Victoria in 1906 and for some years Saanich was served as a Mission from Victoria. In July, 1893, Rev. A. J. Vullinghs assumed charge of the Mission, which he served until July, 1909. It was he who erected the Church of Our Lady of Assumpton about 1894. After he left, the Mission was entrusted to the Marist Fathers. The first of the Fathers to come was Rev. Father E. M. Scheelan, who also had charge of Cobble Hill, Crofton, Sooke, Sidney and the Gulf Islands. Father Demers, who later became a Bishop, is mentioned by many oldtimers. He could have been one of the priests who came out from Victoria during the period it was served by the city church as a mission. The present Priests in charge of the North and South Saanich area are Father Philip Hanley and Father William Mudge.
SHADY CREEK CHURCH. The old Shady Creek Church was built by a group of Methodists on the old, or :first, East Saanich Road, which ran somewhere between the present East Road and the Pat Bay Highway, and a little southeast of the creek which gave it its name. Although the exact date of its erection is not known, it was probably in the year 1863. The site was on the old McMillan farm. Among the negroes who settled in Saanich were some deeply pious and religious folk. One of them, Charles Alexander, was chief instigator in the building of this church. He also acted as local preacher together with another named Shakespeare.
These were augmented by Ministers who came out from Victoria. Among the early pioneers to attend this church were the Michells. Deans, Andersons, Dawsons, and others. The present-day Shady Creek Church was built in 1895. It is situated on the East Saanich Road, and the cemetery is almost on the bank of Shady Creek. The land for this church site and the cemetery was given by Robert F. John. The congregation of this church later joined the union and it is now under the auspices of the United Church of Canada. Many of the old pioneers are buried in this cemetery. John Davis was the first.
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH (Anglican) was the :first church built in North Saanich. It was built in 1884 and dedicated and opened for service by Bishop Hills in 18 8 5. The Rev. William Henry Gregory was the :first incumbent. It is situated on the corner of Mills Road and the West Saanich Road, very close to the beach and probably less than a hundred 56 yards away from high water or tide mark. It also has a cemetery and many of the oldtimers are buried there. Before this church was built, Anglican services were held in the old Institute Hall on Wain's Road.
NORTH SAANICH METHODIST CHURCH. The first service under the denomination held in North Saanich was at the home of Samuel Brethour. They also held services, later, in the old Institute Hall on Wain's Road, alternating with the Anglicans. The church was built in 1891 on a piece of land given by Samuel Brethour, Jr. It was a unique church, facing on East Road, opposite Mills Road. It had a spire or pointed tower sixty feet high. Two of the Brethour family are among the original trustees. Rev. Joseph Hall was the first Minister in charge. Prior to the opening of the Church, a Rev. Mr. Pollard used to come out from Victoria to give services at the places mentioned.
He was assisted by local preachers. One of these helpers was named " Hoisting Gear." The North Saanich Methodist Church was demolished about 1935. These are the pioneer churches of Saanich. As the influx of settlers increased more denominations came with them and many new churches were built. Some of them are of recent years and it could be said that if Saanich is lacking in religious instruction it is not through lack of a place to go to hear the gospel preached.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS Before the conventional school districts were formed in North and South Saanich, the school on Mt. Newton Cross Road, that was mentioned in the history of W. Thomson, must have been taken over by the Colonial authorities and operated by them for a few years until the school districts were outlined and their boundaries defined. The teacher was a young man by the name of C. N. Young. This school was closed when the Saanich School District was officially formed. Some years later another school was built on Mt. Newton Cross Road and another in the Keating area, and the school first erected after the district was formed became abandoned also.
SAANICH SCHOOL DISTRICT was formed the 25th June, 1869, and William Turgoose gave a piece of land for the erection of a school. It was situated on the corner of what is now the White Road and Veyannes Road. This was the first 57 public school in Saanich. Fanny C. Butler was the first teacher. W. Thomson, the first Chairman of Trustees, and T. Michell first Secretary. In 1872 Inspector John Jessop made his first report and complained about the lack of attendance. Seeing some of the pupils were seven miles distant, this can hardly be wondered at.
NORTH SAANICH SCHOOL DISTRICT. In 1872, Saanich was split into two districts. The boundary line was from Saanich Arm to Bazan Bay. It was later altered and placed a little more south. A school was built on what is now Mills Road. The first teacher was Henry Brethour, who opened it for tuition in August, 1873. The following year Henry Brethour went to the mainland for a short period, then back to Ontario for more study. After teaching school in Kansas for a year and a half he returned to North Saanich and resumed his teaching duties again. He also taught at the Literary Institute Building on Wain's Cross Road, alternating his duties between the two, half a day at each place. Some oldtimers claim that Miss Mary Della Armstrong taught at the Literary Institute. This could have been while Henry Brethour was away east.
WEST SOUTH SAANICH, May 27th, 1880, saw the erection of another school in South Saanich. This was situated on the corner of SI uggett and West Saanich Roads on a piece of property given by Messrs. Sluggett and Stelly.
SIDNEY SCHOOL. This was built in 1894. Sidney was fast becoming a village and the other school became overcrowded. The schools mentioned here can be said to be the pioneer schools of the district. The old Saanich School has long since been demolished, but the other three buildings remain, but are no longer used for their original purpose. There are now two spacious High Schools in the districts we have mentioned, together with primary schools, and the district is now a part of School District No. 63 , which has interlocked it with the old Lake District. For a time there was a private school for boys at Brentwood. It was a preparatory school named Brentwood College. It was razed by fire in 1947. The Brentwood Chapel was endowed by it. Services are still held in this church.
AGRICULTURE The Hudson's Bay Company were quick to recognize the need to grow foodstuffs near their posts or settlements, not only for human consumption, but fodder for their horses as well, consequently four farms were established in the vicinity of Victoria, under a subsidiary company of the H.B.C. An account of these will be found in other writings. Suffice it to say that with the exception of one of them they were not a complete success. On the other hand the early settlers in Saanich were soon able to demonstrate the fertility of the soil and it was not long before they were selling their products to the householders in Victoria.
The growing of grain was the first venture on any large scale, then dairying, sheep raising, poultry and hogs followed in quick succession. To improve their livestock some of the farmers imported pure blooded stock even as far away as England. This practice has been maintained until the present time and it is no idle boast to say that Saanich has within its bounds some of the finest herds of cattle in B.C. and can compete with the best in Canada at any exhibition. It was not long before the farmers branched out into specialized crops. Hop growing was the first. It has been narrated elsewhere who introduced this plant. It was a thriving business for a couple of decades but insufficient rainfall, coupled with competition from the Fraser Valley rendered the continuing of this crop unprofitable. As will also be noted elsewhere, seed-growing and nursery propagation was commenced in the 1870's.
This branch of farming or horticulture continues. Grapes were introduced and quite an acreage was planted to this crop at one time, but our climate is a little too moderate for this fruit and again the competition from California was too keen. Tree fruits were introduced in the very early days of settlement and many fine orchards were soon dotted around Saanich, and it has been proven that apples grown in Saanich are comparable to any grown elsewhere. In later years it became difficult to compete with the Okanagan fruits.
One simple reason was the fact that the Saanich fruit was from older varieties and planted long before the Okanagan orchards. Soft fruit was a " natural," many of them growing wild. Almost immediately cultured varieties were introduced and gradually grew to be a commercial venture. Bramble fruit (blackberries) was indigenous also, but not of good marketable quality, so a European variety was introduced and grown commercially. The acreage has dropped off in recent years, but like the broom plant, it also went wild. In the early years a bramble fruit called Loganberry was introduced to the Island from the USA.
It is a cross between the bramble and some other cane fruit. This fruit, together with the strawberry, are now the main commercial soft fruit crops. Stone fruits, especially the cherry, were also grown very successfully and many fine orchards were planted. Here again competition was too keen from other areas and many of the old plantations are either neglected or rooted out. A certain amount of income is still derived from stone fruit crops. The holly tree was brought in by the early settlers and holly tree farming in recent years has increased considerably. Vegetable growing was also practised in the very early days and market gardens are still very much in evidence. Potato growing is another major source of income to some Saanich farmers.
Bulbs are another specialized crop grown commercially in Saanich. They were first grown as a field venture on the old McTavish farm by the W ooldridges in the early thirties. The outbreak of war gave it impetus, the import of bulbs from Holland being stopped. Now many acres are devoted to this crop and in addition to the sale of bulbs, thousands of bunches of cut flowers are sold to Eastern points each year. Air transport is used extensively in flower shipments. Digitalis is another specialized plant grown in Saanich, but only a few farmers are engaged in the production of this herb. There may be other species or crops not noted, but from the foregoing it can be observed that Saanich soil and climate lends itself to almost any variety of plants with the possible exception of bananas, yet the inhabitants of Saanich often refer to it as the "Banana Belt of Canada."
SOCIETIES NORTH AND SOUTH SAANICH AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY SAANICH FAIR. Just a little over a decade passed and the pioneer farmers of North and South Saanich decided it was time to show the rest of the Province their skill in husbandry. In late 1867 and early 1868 an enthusiastic group of farmers met and decided to form an Agricultural Society. This they did and named it "The North and South Saanich Agricultural Society." In October of 1868 a fair was staged on the farm of Robert Brown in North Saanich.
It was called "The Saanich Fair." Thus in the centennial year of 1958 this Society carries on under the original title and the Saanich Fair has been held continuously through its ninety years of existence. The first President was Robert Brown and the first Secretary, G.S. Butler. The second Fair was held at Bannockburn, the farm of William Thomson. His machine shed was used for the smaller exhibits and William Thomson was the President. The next two Fairs were held in the school grounds on Mt. Newton Cross Road then it moved to its present location at Saanichton where it has been held ever since. The land for the new location was given by Henry Simpson and an Agricultural Hall was erected in 1875. In the early years the Steamer Maude used to make a special trip to convey visitors to the Fair. It usually left Victoria at 9.30 a.m. and the pleasant trip took about two hours to reach Harrison's wharf at Saanichton.
The Fair continues to be one of the most popular events of the Island. In the early days a huge marquee was erected and a license obtained to serve beer and liquor. Also a grand ball was staged in the evening. For some years horse racing was part of the entertainment. This is no longer indulged in but an outstanding horse show has taken its place and for a number of years Highland Dancing has been a featured attraction.
In 1953 it was decided to promote this Fair from a Class C to a Class B Exhibition. After three years of probation it became recognized as such. It was a bold undertaking but after the required years of operation under that status the 1958 Exhibition was the largest in attendance and entries than ever before. From a small prize list of around two hundred dollars it has now crept up to the six thousand dollar mark. It will have been noted in former pages the names of many of the pioneers who were members 61 and directors of this society, and fair, and they would be proud of the achievement of their offspring, for the scions of the Thomsons, the Simpsons and the Michells and others are active workers, members and directors. Mr. A. Doney is the President for 1959. His wife is the granddaughter of H. Simpson.
PLOUGHING MATCHES. In addition to staging a Fair, the Agricultural Society was used as a forum to agitate and suggest improvements for farming and other matters vital to this new country, in addition to sponsoring ploughing matches, and the like. The first ploughing match was held on the farm of Henry Simpson. The location shifted each year. In 1872 it was held at Royal Oak November 6th. According to the report in the Daily Colonist it coincided with copious showers. The Judges were Wm. Reid, Wm. Turgoose and S. Sandover. In the "Swing Beam Class" Wm. Snyder, J . T . Mcllmoyle and P. Imrie carried off the prizes in that order. In the "Wheel Plough" class John Durant got the only prize. In the "Amateur" class Wm. Thompson 1st, J . Greig 2nd and Labelle 3rd. In the "Boys" class Alex Thomson was first and Wm. Simpson second. Lieut.-Governor and Mrs. Trutch were in attendance and given hearty cheers when they arrived. It is reported that they sat down to a sumptuous dinner at 4 o'clock and that it was laid in Smallbone's best style. (Smallbone was host of the Royal Oak Inn.)
SOUTH SAANICH FARMERS INSTITUTE. This Association became a local of District A of the Farmers Institute of British Columbia. They relieved the Agricultural Society of the responsibility of attending to the economic welfare of the farmers' problems and other events leaving the latter to concentrate on the Fair. The Institute was registered on the 4th of April. 1913. The first President was G. Stewart and the first Secretary Philip Holloway. The first Board of Directors were Messrs. Dean, W. D. Michell. Cruse, Lemon and Radcliffe. W. D. Michell, son of pioneer Thomas Michell, in after years became President and held the post for twenty-five years. His son, Willard Michell, holds the office now and has done so the past few years. In recent years the membership of this group has declined chiefly because every commodity group has formed an association of its own but the Farmers' Institute still remams a clearing house for the 62 problems which affect all farmers in general and despite the paucity of its present membership it is still energetically maintaining the job of the watch dog of the farmer. Space will not permit us to summarize all they have done for the farming community of North and South Saanich but we must mention that they were responsible for the formation of the Saanich Fruit Growers' Association.
SAANICH FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION. As we have noted already the climate and soil of Saanich proved to be ideal for the growing of fruit and it was not long before it became a commercial venture and the local market soon became flooded , with the resultant scramble for customers. This resulted in chaos both in prices and sales. After a year or two of discussing the problem the Farmers' Institute decided to form a Co-operative to collect and market their fruit. On January 10th, 1917, it was organized and registered under the Agriculture Marketing Act. Its first President was H. E. Tanner and the first Secretary-Manager, J. H. Sutton. It was a success from the start and even though it passed through some troublesome years it survived and today is in a strong and healthy position and rendering an indisputable service to the fruit growers.
Midway in its career trouble arose among its members and a separate organization was formed. After a few years of operation it ceased to function and the members returned to the parent body. This organization receives and markets for its members all soft and stone fruits . In favourable seasons much of it is shipped to the Prairie market. In the 19 5 3 season nearly 40,000 crates of strawberries and almost 8,000 crates of logans and some 200 crates of raspberries and almost the same number of blackberries were shipped to the Prairies, plus a large tonnage for jam and wine sold locally in B.C. Gross sales of this Association in 1958 amounted to approximately $350,000.00. This Association in turn helped to form the Fruit Growers Wine Company and a Jam Factory. The latter through lack of support and supplies failed while the former eventually became absorbed by a Mainland company.
ORGANIZATIONS SOUTH SAANICH WOMEN'S INSTITUTE. This Institution was formed April 3rd, 1913, and on February 19th, 1914, it became officially incorporated under the Agricultural 63 Society Act and numbered No. 18 on the Institute's Roll. The first President was Mrs. Henderson Lawrie and the first VicePresident, Mrs. R. E. Nimmo. Secretary-Treasurer Mrs. P. T. Lemon and the first Directors Mrs. W. D. Michell and Mrs. Rosa Tanner. They held their meetings in the Temperance Hall. Their rendezvous is still the same place but they are now co-owners of the Hall. In addition to performing the usual functions and duties of their Institution these members assisted their male counterpart in all their social functions and in the raising of funds for general purposes and in addition they have been responsible for the maintenance of a ladies section and directorate for the Agricultural Society. Their membership is not as large as in former years but they are still a very active group.
The President at the time of writing is Mrs. Speck and the Secretary-Treasurer, Mrs. H. Young. A branch of the Womens Institute was formed in West Saanich in 1916. Meetings were held in the West Road Hall, at the corner of West Road and Keating Cross Road. The first President was Mrs. R. J. Parsell and the first Secretary Mrs. Robert Petch. In later years the meetings have been held in the Institute Hall on West Road which was built for this purpose in 1924. The President at time of writing is Mrs. Wm. Parker.
SAANICH BULB GROWERS' ASSOCIATION was incorporated 27th October, 1937. The name was changed 2nd February, 1949, to the Vancouver Island Bulb Growers' Association. It is responsible for the collecting, shipping and general economic welfare of the bulb growers. As the acreage in this crop gradually increased to other island areas it became necessary to include the whole Island.
VANCOUVER ISLAND HOLLY GROWERS' CO-OP ASSOCIATION. This association got its impetus from the Saanich Growers but like the bulb growers they found it necessary to include the rest of the Island. The acreage in this type of farming is also expanding. It was incorporated November 25th, 1950.
ISLAND FARMS DAIRIES CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION. This Association also takes in the whole of Vancouver Island in its membership. Its beginning and foundation is interesting. In the depression of the l 930's George Malcolm a son-in-law of Henry Simpson was operating a dairy farm on part of the old Simpson estate. The producer price of milk was so low it was almost impossible to get any revenue out of his dairy by selling milk to distributors, so he decided to distribute his own milk. It was an immediate success and it was not long before he had to supplement his supply by buying from other farmers . Then a group of South Saanich farmers under his leadership formed a private company under the name of Registered Jersey Dairies.
The business prospered and outgrew the limited capital at their disposal and in 1942 they sold out to a group of Vancouver business men who incorporated it under the name of Island Farms Ltd. This put the dairy farmers back to the producer price basis again and contrary to George Malcolm's idea of eliminating the middleman. The farmers again decided to gain control of this business so they re-purchased it and on January 4th, 1944, it became incorporated as a producer co-operative under the title of the Island Farms Co-operative Association. It was later changed to its present name and is entirely owned by the farmers themselves and operated by them. Their peak membership was eightyseven. This has shrunk to fifty-six yet they are receiving 25 o/a more milk. They own a completely modern plant on Blanshard Street, Victoria, plus $150,000 worth of the latest equipment. Some of the descendants of the old pioneers of Saanich also pioneered this venture.
THE TEMPERANCE SOCIETY. Just what year this Society started functioning is hard to determine. At first it would seem that a Mrs. Oates, who lived on the corner of East Road and Tanner Road, held meetings at different places in an endeavour to lure the young people from the vice of intoxicants and the evils attending its indulgence. From these meetings evolved the idea of building a hall where people of temperate habits could meet for social intercourse. A piece of land was secured at the corner of Central Saanich Road and the East Road and a hall was built thereon by volunteer labour. In 1894 an Indenture was made and Harry Tanner, Alfred Gale, William Michell and Andrew Stewart were the trustees named. Anyone wishing to rent the hall could only do so under the stipulation that no intoxicating drinks could be consumed either in or on the premises. As the years went by other societies were formed in the district, causing a diversion and the membership dropped. William Michell was the last surviving trustee. Before death he gave the executors of his estate instructions to transfer the Temperance Hall to the South Saanich Farmers Institute and the South Saanich Womens Institute as joint owners. For years the Womens Institute had an interest in the building due to the fact that they contributed in 1919, $450 towards the cost of building an Annex.
In 1917 the ornamental trees on the lot were planted by Messrs. Prof. Stephenson, H. Tanner, W. D. Michell, Cruse, F. Young and Lemon. This was to mark the 25th anniversary of the Society as a constituted group. In 1949 in accordance with the wishes of the late and last trustee W. D. Michell, the Hall became the property of those mentioned and is now called the Institute Hall but it is still the Temperance Hall to the old timers still living.
ROYAL ORANGE LODGE. This lodge or fraternity obtained its warrant on the 24th of July, 1890, which makes it the oldest fraternal society in North and South Saanich. Their first Worshipful Master was Julius Brethour. Today this post is held by A. H. Hemstreet and Norman Foster is Secretary. They built a hall at Saanichton which is usually referred to by the name "Orange Hall." The membership is not as large today as in earlier years but they are an active group and have recently renovated the old hall. An interesting feature of this hall is the supporting beams. They are hand hewn and about fifteen inches square and about thirty feet long. They were hewn by John Otto mentioned elsewhere. One wonders at the craftsmanship but it is said that this man hewed a spar 180 feet long true to a line.
SAANICH PIONEER SOCIETY. The forerunner of this Society was called the Pioneer Club and was formed in 1870. For some reason it became inactive for quite a few years then in 1923 under the stimulus of R.E. Nimmo who was married to a grand daughter of W. Thomson, it was decided to reorganize, which it did on March 11th of that year at a meeting held at the home of Fred Turgoose. It was decided to take in members who had lived in Saanich prior to 1886. The first President was Alex Thomson with E. John as Secretary and R. Thompson as Treasurer. On account of the cut off date R. E. Nimmo was not able to join. It was later changed to twenty-five year residence and after two years R. E. 66 Nimmo became Secretary, a post he has held ever since.
Currently W. W. Michell is President and Mrs. Priscilla Bethel, Treasurer. Their first objective, apart from their social aims of promoting sociability and contact, cherishing memories and preserving records was to build a log cabin reminiscent of the log cabin homes of the early settlers. The site chosen was on the grounds of the Agricultural Society. The first log was laid by Dr. S. F. Tolmie, one time premier of British Columbia, February 8th, 1933. It was formally opened on July 1st of the same year with a pageant. A dream or objective of ten years was finally realized. The Society is still very active and this work is an example showing that the present members are fulfilling their obligations.
It is interesting to note that Alexander Thomson, the first President of this re-formed group was the first white child born in Saanich. Inside the Pioneer Cabin the walls are lined with photos of the old pioneers together with many of the tools, guns and other mementos of the pioneer days. The 1958 Centennial Year has spurred the executive and membership of this Society to a more vigorous effort to obtain more detail and relics of the past so that they may be handed on still further to posterity.
MOUNT NEWTON LODGE No. 89 A.F.A.M. This Lodge obtained its Charter on June 17th, 1920, and the first regular communication was held on August 12th, 1920. They used the Orange Hall for their meetings for some years then on February 23rd, 1929, they laid the cornerstone of the new Temple. This building is situated on a piece of land given by Mrs. N. Derrinberg and close to Saanichton. It is one of the most imposing halls in the district. J . Munroe Miller was the first Master of this Lodge and F. F. Forneri was the Secretary. The latter at one time was publisher of the Sidney Review. William Ibbetson was Master when the new temple was dedicated. At present it is presided over by Harry Peard. Claude Jeffery is and has been Secretary for many years.
SAANICH BRANCH CANADIAN LEGION No. 37. When in 1926 Earl Haig who had been Commander of the British and Empire Forces in the First World War came to Canada and integrated the many veteran organizations into a national body and affiliated with the British Empire Service 67 League, the veterans of Saanich immediately formed a branch of their own. They held their first meetings in the barber shop of J. Gilman on Second Street, Sidney. Later they held their meetings for many years in the Orange Hall at Saanichton. During the Second World War the old school house on Mills Road was used by the Canadian Legion War Services as a Club. After the cessation of hostilities this Club was turned over to the local Legion Branch and meetings were held alternately between here and Saanichton. Finally the meetings at Saanichton discontinued and the old schoolhouse on Mills Road is now their headquarters. Here perhaps some descendant of an old timer is pleasantly sipping a beer where his antecedents learned to read and write.
The first President was Alan Calvert and the first Secretary R. McAulay. As the years have passed and Saanich became more densely populated and villages such as Brentwood have sprung up, many and varied organizations have come into being such as Community Clubs, Parent-Teacher Organizations and the like. There are also two Chambers of Commerce, South and North Saanich. At Sidney there is a Rotary Club, Knights of Pythias, Kinsman Club and also a Masonic Lodge. They are all contributing to the good and welfare of the community and enhancing still more the community which the old timers carved out of the wilderness.
MUNICIPALITIES
SAANICH MUNICIPALITY was founded on 1st March, 1906. Mr. F. Turgoose was returning officer and at a meeting called on March 8th, the nomination of seven men was secured, thus no election was needed. On March 10th they were sworn in and Thos. Brydon was selected to act as Reeve. The first clerk was H.O. Case. In 1908 the Municipality was divided into six wards, later a seventh was added. At first there was strong opposition to its formation and during the debate it was suggested that the Lake and South Saanich Districts be left out. In the light of later day events it would have been wise had this proposal been acceded to. It is today a thriving, thickly settled municipality and ere long will outnumber Victoria in population and completely dwarf it. As we shall see, Ward Six later seceded from Saanich. 68 NOR
THE SAANICH MUNICIPALITY. The agitation for this corporation approximated that of their southern neighbours. Had they been a little sooner then perhaps South Saanich would not have been grabbed by the other and a real Saanich Municipality would have been formed on the traditional lines. The history of this Municipality is a short-lived one. Formed in 1906 it collapsed in 1911 . The first Reeve was Geo. Sangster, with F . C. Norris the first Secretary. The last Reeve was W. R. Armstrong. The Councillors we have mentioned elsewhere.
CENTRAL SAANICH MUNICIPALITY. For some years an agitation had been conducted, against the ills real and imagined, by the residents of Ward Six and Five of the Saanich Municipality. This agitation was led by a farmer on Mt. Newton Cross Road named Sydney Pickles. The other Ward dropped out, but Ward Six was finally successful and granted leave to form a separate corporation, and the date of the incorporation was December 12th, 1950, and it was gazetted December 14th, 1950. It met as a Council January 16th, 195l.
Sydney Pickles was the first Reeve and Mrs. P. Warren the Secretary. On the first Council were Lorne Thomson and W. W. Michell (sons of old pioneers) , H. Andrew and R. Lamont. The present Reeve is Rupert H. Brown and Secretary, W. Woods.
VILLAGE OF SIDNEY. As we have seen the village of Sidney was built on the farms of the Brethour family. It was they who first conceived the idea of a village or townsite in that area and by insuring that the terminus of the railway would be there, their idea became a reality. By 1951 the residents had become civic-minded, as Sidney had grown to the proportions of a good sized town. There was not much opposition to its incorporation as a village, consequently this was consummated on the 26th of September, 1952. Appropriately enough, J. J . White, who as we have noted, was married to a Brethour and who had, down through the years, been such a prominent person in the business and community life of the village, became the first Chairman of the Village of Sidney Commissioners. The Secretary was Allen Hymers and the other Commissioners were Harold Fox, A. G. Gardner, George Baal, H. Tobin. The present Chairman is Dr. C.H. Hemmings and the Secretary, A. W. Sharp.
SIDNEY VOLUNTARY FIRE DEPARTMENT. While the sawmill was in operation, the firefighting equipment of this company was used in the near vicinity of Sidney Village. The outlying district had no protection. After the mill ceased operating, a volunteer fire brigade was formed. It has been performing this duty for twenty-three years, not only for the village of Sidney, but also for the surrounding unorganized area. For nineteen years a Sidney businessman, G. A. Gardner, has been the Fire Chief and under his guidance it has become a highly-efficient unit.
CENTRAL SAANICH FIRE DEPARTMENT. Like its neighbour at Sidney, this is also a voluntary unit. It was formed almost immediately Central Saanich came into being. The first year H. McNichol and A. Bolster were the Fire Chiefs in that order. Then a grandson of an original settler of the Lake District, Vic. Heal, became Chief and it is largely due to his interest and ability that it has become also a highly-efficient unit. Of course, neither of these units would be of any value or asset to the services of the community without the willing co-operation of the volunteers who make up the brigades. Too much praise cannot be given these organizations for freely devoting their time, labour and, perhaps, at some risk. for the benefit of us all.
HOSPITAL RESTHAVEN HOSPITAL This hospital is aptly named. It is built on an island ( or at least it is at high tide) , in the middle, almost, of Shoal Harbour, near Sidney. The structure was erected in 1912-1913. At first it was intended to use it as a club, some say· a hunting lodge. Then a Dr. Cummings used it as a mental sanitarium. Neither of these original purposes was successful. During the First World War it was taken over by the Government and used as a convalescent hospital. After this it came into the possession of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. In the last four or five years they have completely remodelled the interior of the building, with the result that today it is a modern and highly up-to-date general hospital. with a normal capacity of fifty ' beds. The majority of the patients who have gone there for treatment are high in their praise of this worthy institution and there is no question it is a boon to the district of North and South Saanich.
COMMUNICATIONS and TRANSPORTATION THE PRESS DAILY COLONIST. Ever since this paper was published under its different titles by that old time bellicose editor and publisher Amor De Cosmos, it has been part of the daily lives of the settlers of Saanich. For years it was their chief contact with the outside world. Other papers have come and gone but this one still commands their chief interest. THE DAILY TIMES came later and now vies with it for leadership.
SAANICH PENINSULA AND GULF ISLANDS REVIEW. This paper was first published under the title of the "Sidney and Islands Review." It is more commonly referred to as the "Sidney Review" but its coverage is the district we have been writing about and the adjacent islands. It is a weekly and covers all local items and happenings of the community. It has a high rating as a member of the Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association. The first publisher and editor was W. H. Bohannon and the price $150 a year. The first issue appeared December 13th, 1912, so ere long the publisher and staff will have to start growing whiskers for its semi-centenary. Many and varied are the sentiments expressed when a newspaper or periodical is launched but those expresed by Bohannon are, we think, unique. Among other expressions he avers that "This paper is sent out in a Spirit of Friendship and Brotherly Love." This is a high ideal for the present Editor and President, J . S. Rivers, to follow.
THE MAIL Early transportation on the peninsula was by horse-drawn stage. Henry Simpson was the first to operate such a stage. In addition he had the mail carrier contract. He was paid $250 a vear for performing this service. The district had more post offices in those days than there are today. There was the Turgoose P. 0 .. at what is now Saanichton, then the YoungP. O. in the Keating District. On the west side was the Sluggett P.O. Further north there was a Hagen P.O. at Mt. Newton Cr'oss Road, and farther on again a Wain's P .O., then across the Shoal Bay, one at the Brackman Mill, then one in Sidney. With the inauguration of the Rural Mail Delivery, these have now dwindled to three-one at Sidney, Saanichton 71 and Brentwood. Some of these post offices were adjuncts of a store or tavern business, the one at Shoal Bay in particular being part of a store adjacent to the mill.
TELEPHONES This service was introduced to the public in general in January, 1910, by the B.C. Telephone Co. The first exchange was in the home of F. Young at Keating. A few months later an exchange was installed at Sidney. There were eightyeight subscribers on the two switchboards at the start. At the time of writing both exchanges are being switched to an automatic dial system and the original eighty-eight telephones have now grown to 2,618. Miss Enos of the Sidney Exchange has been chief operator for many years. She started with the company in 1920 and took command at Sidney in 1926. Miss McNally has been chief operator at Keating since 1942, but her career as an operator commenced in 1929. Permanent offices and exchanges were set up in 1912 at Sidney and in 1917 at Keating. Two new automatic control stations have recently been built for both places.
ELECTRICAL SERVICES Electricity as a public utility was introduced to the Saanich Peninsula in conjunction with the building of the Inter-Urban Railroad in 1912 and it gradually became accessible to all residents of North and South Saanich. Street illumination was introduced in the village of Sidney, August 29th, 1913. This power was and is still being supplied by the B.C. Electric Co. This company bought out the old Gas Company in Victoria, as well as the Victoria Electric Illuminating Co. in 1897.
TRANSPORTATION VICTORIA and SIDNEY RAILWAY. There was great excitement in Saanich when the proposal to build the railway was mooted and there is no questioning the fact that the completion of it gave the district a big boost; but first we must mention another business adventure that started because of it and one might say for it: A man by the name of White was asked by an eastern firm, who styled themselves the Toronto and British Columbia Lumber Co., to look into the possibility of establishing sawmills in British Columbia. He sent his nephew, J. J. White, over to Vancouver Island to scout the possibilities over here. This young man went out to Sidney 72 and became acquainted and friendly with the Brethours and, by the way, struck up an amorous friendship with Miss Brethour and eventually married her. The Brethours encouraged this company by giving them five acres on the sea front and in turn young White persuaded his uncle to start the sawmill. This mill secured the contract for lumber supplies needed by the proposed railway.
The Brethours not only gave land for the sawmill, they also gave land on the sea front for the railway terminus. These two gifts of land took in a greater part of today's Sidney waterfront. There was an ulterior motive in their generosity. A strong agitation by some of the other settlers was put forward for the terminus of this railway to be located at Shoal Bay near the Brackman Mill. Beside the mill a store and post office was located there and a nearby blacksmith named Ryan and a shoemaker by the name of Reed, but the Brethours, who were prominent in the promotion of the railroad won the day. The railway was incorporated on the 23rd of April, 1892, and the Provisional Directors were Julius and Henry Brethour and Robert Irving.
The first train was run May 12th, 1894, and according to the British Colonist of that date it took a number of pleasure loving citizens out to the Annual Ball of the North and South Saanich Agricultural Society. The formal opening took place June 3rd, 1894, by Messrs. Paterson and Riley (later a senator). The engine used firewood to generate steam. This was supplied by settlers along the tracks and because of this was dubbed the "Cordwood Limited." The old timers who remember the old V. 8 S. recall with nostalgic tales of this old railway. Well they might for it literally changed them from a pioneer to a modern community and eliminated the long and tedious journey to Victoria. In 1919 through lack of business, competition and such, the line was abandoned and its affairs were wound up in 1922. J . J. White was the first agent in Sidney and Samuel Brethour Jr. the first agent in Victoria.
INTERURBAN. The B.C. Electric Co. built a line out into Saanich with the terminus at Deep Cove. It was opened June 18th, 1913. While it could be said that it induced other or more settlers out to Saanich it was not a success and ceased to operate in 1924.
CANADIAN NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY. In 1915 this company took a notion to make an extension out to Sidney. This line lasted till 1935 then it also was abandoned. A part of this track is still used as far as Lake Hill. By this time motor buses and cars and trucks were operating and with better roads the passing of these modes of transportation was not so sorely missed. Much of the road beds of these railways became roads such as the Interurban Road, Wallace Drive, Veyaness and Lockside Drive. The Vancouver Island Coach Lines now take care of the passenger transportation and Saanich Freight and Sidney Freight Companies of the freight carrying.
BUSINESS BRACKMAN-KER MILL. This mill was built by Henry Brackman in 1878. As we have seen earlier, he had bought eighty acres of land from Roberts. He did not seem to take kindly to farming, so he sold his farm to George Menagh, and it is claimed he went to Canoe Cove and planted some oyster beds. Here he met up with James Bryden, a miller by trade. It is quite possible it was Bryden who persuaded Brackman to build the mill. Henry Brackman had been fairly successful in his Cariboo mining ventures. He had the money, Bryden the know-how. The mill was built on a piece of land on the McDonald farm at Shoal Harbour and near a cliff, from which a wharf could easily be anchored, and a deep sea basin. The mill was an immediate su~cess. Soon after a young man by the name of Ker was taken into the business. He soon became a partner, and it was largely through his ability that the business grew into the huge Brackman-Ker Milling Co., with other mills in Victoria, Vancouver and New Westminster. It is now amalgamated with Western Canada Flour Mills Ltd., one of the main milling companies of Canada. The Brackman Mill was possibly the first steam Grist mill in B.C.
THE SIDNEY ROOFING COMPANY, makers of asphalt roofing and other products commenced its operations in the village of Sidney, whence its name. As its business grew the company moved to Victoria and again to Vancouver. 74 THE BAZAN BAY BRICK AND TILE COMPANY is another industry of the Saanich district. It commenced operations in 1911 and is now under the ownership of the DeeksMcBride Company, a Vancouver firm. Actually the making of clay products in Saanich was commenced by the farmers themselves chiefly to make tile for their drainage purposes. They used horse powered machinery for the different jobs.
This was not an entirely successful venture. In 1909 a Mr. James T. Reading who was skilled in the business started an independent clay products business on McTavish Road, taking over the equipment of the farmer group. Then in 1911 two men by the name of Wise and Warner formed a partnership at the present site and engaged James Reading as manager by contract. Later Mr. Reading again became sole owner then again it passed to others already mentioned. This venture like most building businesses, or those engaged in the various lines, had its ups and downs but today or at time of this publication it is doing a thriving business. Other smaller sawmills and other companies have come into existence from time to time and passed on. For instance there was once a Canning Company in Sidney. J. J. White with one of the Brethours ran this until they sold to a Mainland company. The most outstanding business enterprise in Saanich today is that operated by the Butler Brothers. These boys are grandsons of pioneer Butler. In the space of twenty years they have grown from a small logging and gravel pit concern to a million dollar business with a large fleet of ready mix concrete trucks, a complete line of builders' supplies, a machine agency, extensive logging operations at Sooke and stores in various parts of the Province.
POLITICS. In the early days politics in North and South Saanich were taken far more seriously than they are today. The elections, as can be seen, were rather crude affairs in the light of present-day proceedings, yet the bait offered the electors was more forthright and not so subtle as in these days. The boundary lines have been altered from time to time. At first party politics did not enter into the provincial elections, but gradually they crept in and Saanich was looked upon as Conservative, yet for a time it was represented by a Liberal, while today's representative is Mr. W. J . Tisdalle, a Social Credit adherent. In federal politics Saanich is now linked with Esquimalt-Saanich as a riding. Our federal parliamentary member is Major-General G. R. Pearkes, V.C. , who has represented the riding since 1944. At present he holds the Cabinet position of Minister of Defence in the Conservative (Diefenbaker) Government.
PURCHASE OF SOUTll SAANICH AND NORTH SAANICH FRO:M: THE INDIANS by .TAMES DOUGLAS - 1852 NUMBER 1 - NOR TH SAANICH SAANICH TRIBE - NORTH SAANICH Know all men that we, the chiefs and people of the Saanich Tribe, who have signed our name and made our marks to this deed on the eleventh day of February, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, do consent to surrender entirely and forever, to James Douglas, the agent of the Hudson's Bay Company in Vancouver Island, that is to say, for the Governor, Deputy Governor and Committee for the same, the whole of the lands situate and lying as follows, viz.: commencing at Cowichan Head and following the coast of the Canal de Haro northwest nearly to Saanich Point, or Qua-na-sung; from thence following the course of the Saanich Arm to the point where it terminates; and from thence by a straight line across country to said Cowichan Head, the point of commencement, so as to include all the country and land with the exceptions hereafter named, within those boundaries. The condition of or understanding of this sale is this, that our village sites and enclosed fields are to be kept for our own use, for the use of our children, and for those who may follow after us; and the land shall be properly surveyed hereafter. It is understood, however, that the land itself, with these small exceptions, becomes the entire property of the white people for ever; it is also understood that we are at liberty to hunt over the unoccupied lands, and to carry on our fisheries as formerly.
We have received as payment ( amount not stated) . Witness to signatures: (signed) JOSEPH WILLIAM McKAY, Clerk, H.B. Co's Service R. GOLLEDGE, Clerk. HOTUTSTUN ( meaning Rainbow.) his x mark and 11 7 others. (Information from Martin Cooper). 77 APPENDIX II NUMBER I - SOUTH SAANICH SAANICH TRIBE - SOUTH SAANICH Know all men that we, the chiefs and people of the Saanich Tribe, who have signed our name and made our marks to this deed on the sixth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, do consent to surrender entirely and forever, to James Douglas, the agent of the Hudson's Bay Company in Vancouver Island, that is to say, for the Governor, Deputy Governor and Committee of the same, the whole of the lands situate and lying between Mount Douglas and Cowichan Head, on the Canal de Haro, and extending thence to the line running through the centre of Vancouver Island, North and South. The condition of or understanding of this sale is this, that our village sites and enclosed fields, are to be kept for our own use, for the use of our children, and for those who may follow after us; and the land shall be properly surveyed hereafter. It is understood, however, that the land itself, with these small exceptions, becomes the entire property of the white people for ever; it is also understood that we are at liberty to hunt over the unoccupied lands, and to carry on our fisheries as formerly. We have received, as payment, Forty-one pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence. In token whereof, we have signed our names and made our marks, at Fort Victoria, on the 7th day of February, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-two. Witness to signatures: (signed) JOSEPH WILLIAM McKAY,