December 3, 1867

HALIFAX FISHERMEN STARVING

The poverty levels in West Halifax are the worst that have been seen in many years. Despite various reports of an improved fishing season, the fishermen at Ketch Harbour and Prospect are described by the Globe as being “utterly at a loss to live” with many said to be literally starving.

The public authorities are being called on to arrange meetings so that the wealthy citizens and prosperous farmers may come to the aid of the fishermen.

The news of the destitution among the fishermen in Halifax comes Hon. John Rose (Finance) admits in the Commons that the Government has not paid any fishing bounties since July 1.

In September, the Government doubled the cost of fishing licences for American vessels in Canadian waters from 50 cents per ton to $1 per ton with the expectation that the additional revenues would be used to extend the bounties paid to fishermen in Ontario and Québec to fishermen in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia as well.

In October, Hon. Peter Mitchell moved to extend those bounties with Order-in-Council 1867-0084 but the Cabinet has so far not acted on the report.

15 YEAR OLD DEAD FOLLOWING CHARVARI

15-year old Thomas Chamberlain has died after being shot in the leg a few nights ago while participating in a charivari in Guelph, Ontario. Following the wedding of a man named Foster, “the boys” had assembled outside his house on two or three consecutive nights for the charivari.

Joseph Foster, the father of the groom, treated the party but the group refused to disperse and it was then that a shot was fired from a window in the Foster house, hitting Chamberlain.

The Fosters fled the house immediately after. Foster Senior, who was on bail for sheep stealing, has been arrested. Foster Junior and his wife remain at large.

NIAGARA BY-ELECTION

Angus Morrison (Conservative, Niagara) has left Ottawa for his home riding in order to aid Hon. Stephen Richards (Crown Lands) who is seeking entry to the Ontario Legislature through a by-election. Tories in the riding are said to be upset at having lost their local representative, Donald Robertson to resignation and are not placated by Richards’ decision to stand as a Conservative despite being a well-known Liberal.

It is hoped by those who wish to see Richards in the Legislature that Morrison’s intervention will soothe the tempers of the local Conservatives.

RED RIVER RESOLUTIONS DELAYED

Hon. William McDougall has postponed by one day the moving of the resolutions to allow for the incorporation of the Northwest into the Dominion.