1906

New Bay

Amongst the arrivals by the Dahome was Mr. R. SMITH a candidate for the Methodist Ministry, and the Rev. M.W. POWER who celebrated last Mass at St. Patrick’s on Sunday.

The Rev. Mr. SMITH, a young man from England, came here on Friday to take charge of New Bay circuit. He is now the guest of Mrs. P. MOORS. Ensign BRACE, S.A., also came and went to S.W. Arm to look after the corps there.

Northern Rambler

New Bay

August 24 – Yesterday the Salvation Army had their Sunday school picnic, and a very enjoyable concert at the close of the day.

Rev. Mr. SMITH is collecting for an organ to put in the church, and already has about $40.00, which is very good, all things considered.

There is a young man from Norris Arm visiting his friends here, and we should be not surprised if in the near future he claims one of our bright young ladies to be his helpmate for life. There is also a young man here on his way to S.W. Arm, to teach school and take charge of the Methodist services for the coming year. Rev. Mr. MADDOCK, of Exploits, is here just now, too.

The Methodist are expecting to have their annual Sunday school picnic the first week in September.

Scribbler

New Bay

Sept 8th – We are having stormy weather of late. On the 4th, Captain N. KEAN of Brookfield, B.B, ran in here, having had a very rough time outside. One sea swept his deck, and took away with one crash seven puncheons of blubber and other things. He left here for home on the 6th. Mr. KEAN was well fished and reported a good deal of fish down the Labrador shore.

Mr. George ALLAN, bookseller, who was here for several days also left on the 6th for Leading Tickles. Mrs. OSMOND, of Moreton’s Harbor, is here on a visit to her many friends.

The Rev. Mr. SMITH spends a week at S.W. Arm and S. Arm. He is energetic and likely to do good work. He has received the new organ, and to-morrow it will be heard sounding some our Methodist hymns for the first time in the annals of New Bay Methodism. The firm of Ayre & Sons kindly sent along the instrument they thought would suit, and it is generally conceded to be very appropriate for a small church. If any of your readers would like to give Mr. SMITH a small donation they will find him at New Bay and he will be very pleased to accept any aid in this direction.

As yet we have no school teacher. This seems to be neglect on somebody’s part.

No fish here and no bait. Captain Charles WARFORD of South West Arm is home from the Labrador. He hails for 300 qtls.

Yours sincerely,

Northern Rambler

New Bay

Sept 15 – Just a word about our Sunday School picnic and entertainment which came off on the 14th inst. The day was not all that could be desired as a gale of wind was blowing with occasional showers of rain making it somewhat unpleasant. Nevertheless teachers and scholars mustered and decorated the field with flags, and after partaking of a good tea enjoyed themselves with various games and pastimes. At night a very nice meeting was held, the programme consisting of recitations, solos, addresses, duets and singing by the children. The Rev. R.S. SMITH played the organ. Altogether it was one of the best entertainments every held here. After the meeting the Rev. Mr. SMITH let off some fireworks which he had secured when at South West Arm. This was quite a novelty in the history of New Bay, it being the first time that fireworks had been seen here.

Eye-Witness

New Bay

Oct 1st – There are just a few items of news about New Bay, which causes us much pleasure to write, and may be interesting to many readers of your paper. The first and best of them is that “The Amelia” the last of all New Bay schooner to return, arrived safely this morning, and fairly well loaded. Besides bringing fish her safe return has brought joy to many aching hearts. She has long been on her way home and as she was so long putting in a appearance some who had loved ones in her, were very much relieved as they saw her enter the Cove, and knew their people were safe. An explanation was soon given. One of the men needed the services of a doctor, and having put into harbor, she was unable to leave for a week on this account. As each of the other schooners have done fairly well, and this one has ________ hundred qtls., the few people who live in New Bay are busy, either “washing or drying”. Being Monday this applies to clothes as well as fish.

Some of the men who do not wash clothes, and have not any fish to dry spend some of their time in squidding, this although it may lead to better things can by no means be called an enviable occupation. But as it is squids in the evening, and cod in the morning it is not to be despised. It appears, that to some sharks, squid is a dainty, for one of our men has just landed one, which had fallen too far in love with some squid, which was on a trawl. Our weather recently ahs been splendid for the fish, until yesterday, when it changed and a very heavy rain descended which lasted for some hours.

Although most of the people are busy with the fish, still it is very quiet and inclined to be hum-drum, excepting on Fridays, and on this, the day of weekdays, the place is connected with the outside world by the S.S. Clyde, generally termed “The Steamer.” It really is refreshing to watch her coming in the bay and unload passengers and freight, to hear the brisk tones of command, and see the smart manner in which the command is obeyed.

There is a most wonderfully interesting package, which always I brought by the steamer, and which is the reasons why so many folks are glad to hear the blowing of her whistle. I refer to the mail bag, which contains as may be expected such a large variety of “double ells,” called by some folks “Love Letters.” But when young people only have letters one per week they may be excused if they are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the bag at the post office. Surely if there was a telegraph office in the neighborhood it would be patronized to a large extent possibly by some who had forgotten to tell “Him” something.

Shore fish is not very plentiful, but one or two large ones have been caught.

Occasionally the monotony of the place is broken by the appearance of a schooner. For instance last week we were visited by the Gladys, in which was brought freight for a new store, which is just being opened alongside the government wharf.

New Bay

Oct 13th – An incident of a serious nature occurred here this Saturday morning. Mr. P. MOORS, had been on business to the other side of the cove and upon his return landed at a small wharf, which instantly fell with a crash, plunging Mr. MOORS into the water among the debris. Fortunately Mr. MOORS succeeded in obtaining foothold and emerged from the sea, the sea meanwhile emerging from his ears and boots. He received nasty bruises upon his thigh and legs, which we all hope will shortly heal. We congratulate Mr. MOORS upon his escape. We are have very wet weather, but as our roads have just been repaired, the inconvenience is not as great as it would have been.

On Sunday Oct. 14th special Thanksgiving Services held in the Methodist Church to openly give thanks for success and safety of our men.

N.B.C.

North West Arm, New Bay

Oct 12th – Just a few words re our Sunday school. It is not often that N.W. Arm is mentioned in your paper, therefore to some of our friends it may be pleasant to know that on Wednesday, the 10th, we had an entertainment, to obtain help for our Sunday School, also to help to pay for some new lamps. The entertainment consisted of Recitations, Dialogues, Solos, etc. The Rev. R. S. SMITH presided, and favoured us with two recitations. It was a very pleasant evening, and much praise is due to the Superintendent, Miss C. OSMOND, and her helper, for the manner and style of the children, during the evening. Much time and pains in the training of the children resulted in a good collection, sufficient for our present needs.

The road between Thimbles and North West Arm is now open, the Rev. R. S. SMITH being the first to use it on his way here from Leading Tickles on Tuesday the 9th inst.

Correspondent

New Bay

Last week Donald MACKENZIE, Esq., with a party of miners who had been working for a few weeks in this neighborhood, arrived here and spent a few days leaving by the “Clyde” on Sunday, for St. John’s.

This morning “The Thistle,” arrived with freight for another of our store keepers. On the Thistle, there is a good crew at least the cook says they are good crew, but just now some of them are suffering with boils and so can sympathize with Job. Others have a severe hoarseness called a Hallelujah cold, the result of a revival last night. After unloading she sailed away to S.W. Arm.

By the way, I saw in your issue of Sept. 25 a reference concerning a road between S.W. Arm and New Bay. I am pleased to be able to say for the information of your Correspondent, I understand that on Monday next Oct. 8th, it is decided to commence to make the road. I think its places of connection will be S. E. Arm and Indian Cove. In the district at present we have one schooner belonging to Smith Co., trying to buy fish; it will probably make a load.

The Methodist here are trying to push ahead. A Sewing Circle has been formed of which Miss E. MOORES is president and Rev. R. S. SMITH, secretary.

A fisherman here, named Peter MITCHELL has caught a cod which weighs 80 lbs. caught on a trawl.

Reader

1907

New Bay

The Rev. R.S. SMITH was out in the storm, with oil skin pants, etc., etc., measuring a piece of land intended for Church site at Leading Tickles. He says “ awful storm was raging while I was at Leading Tickles. One schooner is a total wreck. Many of the stages are blown down; and, what is worse to us, the old house which was used last year as a school-house was carried by the wind into the water, and is lost.”

New Bay

Editor Free Press

Dear sir, - Some time ago a protest was sent to a member of the Government about our work on the new road to Cuckold’s Cove (?Cottrell’s Cove), and the Church, and connected with the road to Fortune Harbour. We were charged with recklessly wasting the public monies. The protest was sent back with a request that a meeting of the Board be called, and the matter _______. The Board simply repudiated the protest, and unanimously agreed that the Chairman was not trying in any way to be “all”, but that the Chairman and members were working as one.

As to the new road, we maintain that is the best. It is comparatively level, while the other is hilly, and in winter, is scarcely safe. In a very short time people will be using horses and oxen, and it will prove a great boon to this country.

Roads, Mr. Editor, are not things we can roll up and put in our pockets. They are open to inspection, and ours will favourably compare with any around these small places. Our men work well, and give good value for the money expended, and no one will dare, over his own name, to say differently.

I am sure the road to the church is a credit to the people. It has just been opened and is graveled. Mr. Jacob MANUEL kindly allowed us to take off the corner of his garden free, and the Board put a paling fence around the part given. We would like to thank our old friend, Mr. MANUEL for his generosity. We know others who tried hard to get paid for a piece of wilderness land, never occupied by any one. True it takes every kind to make a world.

We would like to say, in conclusion, that we covet fair and open criticism, but envy and malice no one desires; it is an offence to one’s nostrils.

Yours truly,

P. MOORS

New Bay, Dec 19th

P.S. – I wrote over my own name. If any one wishes to contradict me, he will certainly do the same.

New Bay

Jan 27th – Perhaps some of the most interesting minutes spent by some of your readers in the outports are the first few after the Free Press has arrived …..

A letter from New Bay attracted attention, but has not yet attracted contradiction. That “roads are not things we can roll up and put in our pockets,” is evident, and perhaps it would be a good thing if an inspector of roads in the outports was appointed. Your correspondent knows several chairmen of “Road Boards” and in most cases it is his opinion, that their remuneration is similar to that of “Paddy the Piper,” “more ‘kicks’ than ha-pence.” Although there has been much said about men wasting time when working for road money, I question if any one here will publicly hold the argument.

Advertisement

WANTED at New Bay, a competent foreman for the construction of a new Methodist Church. Applications, stating pay required per 10 hrs day, to be made at once to Rev. R.S. SMITH, New Bay.

Sunday Travelling

Editor Free Press,

Dear Sir, - If again I be allowed to refer to Sunday traveling I trust your many readers will bear with me; it will doubtless be my last.

I have been asked why I wrote at all and why I said the clergy could stop he Sunday traveling.

Well to say the least, it is a nuisance to have the rest of the Sabbath constantly disturbed and to have to travel and ship freight regularly on that day. There are those here who have to bear the most severe censure because under existing circumstances they ship their freight by S.S. Clyde on Sunday. Why, sir, we know those who are not allowed to be members of the Methodist church, not allowed to take any part in S.S. work, no part in Missionary meetings, not even to be a member of a committee for building a church – have been told by the ministers that they were a curse to the church and the place, charged with being worthy of fine and imprisonment for asking a question at the proper time and place, and why? Because they have the misfortune to ship a little freight on Sunday by S.S. Clyde and yet, as we have said previously the clergy will accept the half-rate fare and travel Sunday when necessary, taking with him all that he needs, even if it be a rifle, a bag of fur; and all the members of the church will do likewise, the Supt. of Sunday School, the teachers and Church leaders. Every clergyman who has been on the Exploits circuit since Rev. H. SCOTT to Revs. MADDOCK and SMITH knows that what we say is correct and will not dare openly contradict. They have known the narrowness of the matter, but desirous of showing the Jews a pleasure have let it stand over.

We repeat, if it is possible to stop the Sunday traveling the clergy are the best men to lead the way. Why Sir, if the public saw that their ministers were really in earnest in this matter they could move the multitude at will and the companies would respect their wish and unite as far as possible with them in putting an end to this curse. Our good friend, Rev. Mr. SMITH said it was not true that the clergy accept the half-rate fair and went as the rest, but they do and we do not blame them there, but they should not censure others who travel at full rate and ship freight, paying full price. Certainly if it is wrong for the congregation it is wrong for the clergy and if the shepherd lead the way who will blame the sheep if they follow.

Trust, Mr. Editor, you will pardon me for trespassing in your valuable columns, I remain,

Yours sincerely,

P. MOORS

New Bay, Sept 27th

Sunday Travelling

Editor Free Press

Dear Sir, - We have read Rev. R. S. SMITH’s remarks re Sunday Travelling, but think it premature to give our name just now.

The two points in question are, - “Can Sunday Travelling be prohibited?” and “Can the clergy of every denomination working unitedly obtain the desired end?” We maintain they can.

If there have been steps taken towards the much desired end by the clergy of any denomination, the write would be very pleased to hear about it, and nothing would give him more pleasure. IF we have blamed unnecessarily we shall be too pleased to apologize under our own name, when the offence is clearly shown.

Yours sincerely,

Vertas Vincit