Quesnel Cariboo Observer from Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada • A1

ew Yearns Greetings The War Week In Review oo OBSERVER By H. L. JONES Canadian Press Staff Writer Tiiree montlis ago, this was to have optimists the Christmas the Allies would celebrate in Berlin. Instead the boys from Canada and Britain and the United States and their. French, Polish, Czech and Belgian comrades on the western front are fighting grimly, mired in the mud and fog, facing heavy snow in some regions, battling to counteract the fiercest German onslaught encountered since the Caen fighting just after D-Day.

Field Marshal Von Runstedt picked his moment for counterattack wisely. Rarely has the vile weather with which the Allies have been consistently plagued been worse; and the Allied air forces which could win the present battle of Belgium wit liseveral days' consecutive flying time have been grounded almost since it began. Also the moment hardly could have been chosen better from the political standpoint. With hints of Allied misunderstanding arising over Greek and Polish problems, the sharp set-back which the U.S. 1st Army accompanying havoc wrought in General Eisenhower's redoubled the weight to be borne by- the United Nations' home fronts.

With his depleted reserves and in view of the multiple-front war which he "must fight, it is obvious the enemy does not intend his latest stroke as an attempt to win tlie war, but merely as ah effort to delay its outcome in western Europe. The play for in order to allow German scientists to develop further refinements of their V-weapons, and also to allow a space inu which Allied digerences might conceivably grow to disagreements whic hwould render a compromise peace an obvious one. portunity such''as usually comes but once in a war. The very magnitude of the German effort bears with it an accompanying danger; Von Rundstedt has committed such a weight of men and armor to his offensive that if his gamble fails the war will be considerably shortened, rather than lengthened. The Allies have the men, material and generalship in France and the Low Countries to deliver the' coup de gmce to the Germans.

So Christmas, lr44, finds the Allied armies pressing a vicious battle in the snow, fog and mud of the Western Sront, trying to halt the first major German push since D-Day. Allied leader's do not doiibt that they will halt it, but on just how long it will take them" to get back on the offensive in the Belgian sector may depend just how long it will take to beat the Nazis, Enemy Drive Slowed At the week's end hard-hitting troops hal slowed the flanks of the German drive into Belgium and Luxembourg. However, dispatches from the front said the Nazis had advance 15 miles due west of the Belgium town of Bastogne and had reached St. Hubert, which lies 29 miles northeast of the French city of Sedan. The Germans were reported to bs checked in the area of St.

Vith, Malmedy and Stavelot and all the three towns had been returned to Allied hands. However, the Nazis at the same time were broadcasting the capture of St. Vith and this may be so since Allied ques are late in getting out. Ono iront-line observer, Associated Pre.ss war correspondent Roger Greene, declared that it was loo early to say taht the German counterattack plan had failed if 1 it was intended'to sweep acro.ss the Meuse River in the first run. How- I ever, every passing hour gives the Allies a chance to build up then- defensive positions and General Eisenhower's counter-measures are stronger.

Washington military men believe that the Germans will hold back their final reserves of strength for while yet. These officials believe that the German High Command is waiting for apossibl opportunity to surround and destroy two or three Allied armies. Just how successful this plan can be only time' can tell. Bad weather grounded Allied air fleet.s, but at Llic week end they rose in and other bomber.j with fighter go to work on German communication and ply lines feeding the Nazi counter- ofiensivo for the first tirne in three days. Air power may play a decisive part In checking and turing back the German thdusr if the weather holds good, (SCO WAR, page 4) VOL.

XXXVI, NO. XXI QUESNEL, BRITISH COLUMBIA, SATURDAY, 30, 1944 $2.00 PER ANNUM Greyhound Lines To Operate Prince George to Coast Through bus service daily from Vancouver to Prince George wdl be provided commencing January 7, British Columbia Greyhound Lines announced last week. At present it is necessary to take a train from Vancouver to Ashcroft to connect with the northern daily bus. Tentative schedule under the which, we understand, has been approved by the Public Utilitiss Gommis.sion, will despatch a bus from Vancouver at p.m. and land it in Prince George 23 hours later, at 8:30 p.m.

the following day. The new service is being provided as a result of lifting of wartime restrictions on through bus service. Two years ago the government cut out many bus lines which allelled railways. Plans Go Ahead To Help Farmers Clear Land Commendable and constructive is the new policy of the British Columbia government which will provide for the setting up of machinery depots at strategic points throughout the province with a view to facilitating land breaking at a minimum of Bulldozers and other labor-saving devices will be secured and will be made available from these central points. A local committee, which in effect be a-, board of rof erees," make the allocations of the machinery, will function at each tre.

It will fix charges and impose such conditions as may seem to be reasonable and neces-sary. The back-breaking and heartbreaking labor that will be saved, and the time and money that will be saved by means of this practical plan can never be fully known. Now by means of government bulldozers and. other equipment, land clearing, even in the tough districts, wili be a relatively simple and non-costly operation. In a way, this progressive policy is in keeping with the times.

The spirit of the day is co-operative. The example is the allied array of armies, navies and air forces, backed by consummate organ- ing skill, concentrated in a single restoration of humanity on a decent basis. Smooth, precise team-play is necessary to victory. So with the forces of nature which are difficult of conquest but kindly when conquered, there is an approach which reduces the strain on men and women who take to the land and this approach is being arranged and Tribune. CBC Overseas Worhshop The success of CBC war correspondents broadcasting home to Canada has onlv been possible because of the work of skilled CBC Engineers in uniform like Paul Johnson, left, and Harold Wadsworth.

The men are pictured in the workshop of CBC's Overseas Unit in London as they-check and test their equipment, some of it battle- scarred from campaigns on the Gernian and Italian fronts. When the Canadian engineers found that new equipment couldn't be bought in Britain, they made up their portable sets from bits and pieces. In the field they handle facilities for CBC war correspondents like Matthew Halton, Peter Stursberg and Bill Herbert, reports are heard on the daily roundup at 4:45 and 10:15 p.m. Wells Man Shoots Selt Early Hours Christmas Morning Frank Johnson of Wells shot and killed himself in the early morning hours of Christmas day, at Wells. CBC ACTRESS Pictured here beside a CBS microphone in Hollywood is June Whitley, pert Vancouver actress who is home again to star in CBC productions after several years hi the United States.

Bofoi-e coming north to in CBC network productions on the "Vancouver Playhouse" broadcasts, June Whitley had been a leading lady on such well known Hollywood radio productions as "The Adventures of "I Was There," "Suspense," and Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre. Sho was a member of the Hollywood Victory Committee and the famed Hollywood Canteen. was -well known here, having worked for almost a year getting out birch to be shipped to the Coast. He had returned to Wells only a few weeks ago to make his home. According to the story from Wells no reason was known for his act.

Pie told his wife he was going to blow his head off, picked up a shotgun and went outside into a lane and discharged the gun into his head. Mrs. Johnson heard the shot and went out to him dead. He leaves two small children besides his widow. B.C.

Government Employees' Ass Holds Annual Meeting The annual meeting of the Quesnel Branch of the B.C. Provincial Government Employee's Association was held at the Court House on Thursday, December 21. Officers for the coming year were elected as follows: Stephenson Williams M. Trueman Corlett The executive is composed of the chair officers, with Miss J. Locke, PI.

Fullerton and W. A. Locke. Allen and Miss J. Locke.were reappointed agent and assistant respectively to handle the affairs of the Benefit Society.

Badminton Qiih To Start Play January 4 First night of play of the Quesney Badminton Club for the season be held at the Legion Hall Thursday night, 4. This will be llie games of the local Club for two years. Last year the members all prepared for Ihc when it was disocvered, due to wartime conditions, that it impossible to get shuttlecocks. A reorganization meeting will be held during the evening, and all member.s and those to join the Club are asked to be present. We understand Chas.

Edkins, who has been working as level man with the government survey on the now Hope-Princeton road, has taken over the position of bookkeeper with John Lazzarin at the Home Oil Co. here. Jack Fraser, popular member of the town's younger set, left on Tuesday's train for Vancouver to report to the Navy. We understand Mrs. Fraser and their young daughter will remain here for the present.

Before Jack left on Tuesday members of the Quesnel Volunteer Firemen's Association met at the Cariboo Hotel to wish him good hjck in his new undertaking. Former Prairie Resident Passes Away Tuesday The death took place at the local hospital Tuesday of John Hale, an elderly man who came to boo from the Prairies a few years ago and has made his home here since. He was stricken Monday night and rushed to the hospital, where he succumbed the next day hemorrhage. Little is known of Mr. Hale except he was an old-timer of the Prairie Provinces and had followed farming all his life.

As far as is known he has no immediate relatives. Funeral services were held on Thursday, Rev. J. H. Hobbins conducting the service, and burial took place in the local cemetery.

Fire Completely Guts Farm Home Ot Nick Mickler Fire completely destroyed the home of Nick Mickler and family on Thursday afternoon last. Mi-, and Mrs. Mickler were operating what is known as the Ainsworth ranch, a mile east of the Quesnel River ferry crossing. Mr. and Mrs.

Mickler and older children were outdoors Thursday afternoon attending to the chores about the place. When they returned they found the house in flames, and had in rescuing the baby, which had been left asleep in the house. The flames had gained so much headway that it was impossible to do anything. Tho family lost all their clothing and furnishings in the house. It is not known what started the fire, but it is thought to be a defective stovepipe.

Snow Blankets Cariboo Slows Up Road Traffic The Cariboo District has been practically snowbound for the past with intermittent snowfall up traffic all along the line. Stages and 'buses have been running as much as eight hours behind their schedules, battling the heavy roads. Private travel has been cut to a minimum. Farmers and townspeople, however, welcome the snowfall. To the farmer it means in the and to the less danger of frozen mains and pipes.

It is reported that frost had penetrated the ground to a depth of four.four feet before the snow came. illllilllllllllllllilllllllllfllllllllllllllllllililllllllllllllllllllllllllill News From the Capital FROM THE PREMIER'S OFFICE lllllllilllllillillilllilllllllllllllllllilllllililllliillllilllllillllllllilll Agricultural production in the Province for the year 1944 has reached the phenomenal total of approximately $100,000,000. This is perhaps the greatest development that has taken place in any of the four basic industries in British Cjlumbia, it was reported by Hon. K. C.

Minister Agriculture, figures for tlie four primary industries came under review. It is estimated-that the agricul- 3l production this year will total $100,000,000 and perhaps" more final figures are in. This is an Increase of $14,000,000 over last year's production.figures and indicates a terrific development over a 10-year period. In 1934, agricultural production was approximately $39,000,000. Hence this industry has grown by $61,000,000 in a 10-year period, or an average increase of more than $6,000,000 a year.

Production in the most valuable of British Columbia's industries, namely lumber, is expected to reach $124,000,000 this year as compared with $118,000,000 last year. This increase was due to a greater log scale, better returns on higher grade lumber and an increase in spruce output. The total production for the four basic industries for 1944 is estimated at $305,000,000, an increase of approximately $5,000,000 over last year. The increase is due entirely, to the gains made in the fields' of agriculture and lumber. Mines production is down to $50,000,000 as compared with $65,000,000 in 1943, while fishery production is downito $31,000,000 from The outstanding feature of this undoubtedly is the development of agriculture in the past 10 years.

This has been due largely to the leadership and encouragement given by the various measures and services instituted by the Department of Agriculture. "New Park Named The famous stand of timber on Vancouver Island which for years has been known as Cathedral Grove will be named the MacMillan Park. The Government has named this area in honor of Mr. H. R.

MacMillan, who made the px-eservation of this beautiful timberland possible through his donation of 332 acres of land. The government is now in the process of taking final possession and will shortly undertake a survey of the area with a view to making plans for park development. The very generous gift of Mr. MacMillan has caused widespread comment, the latest being an editorial in the Ottawa Citizen, commending such public-spiritedness to other citizens. Curling Club Ready For Season Schedule Members of the Quesnel Curling Club, favored by ideal weather, completed the flooding of the local rink during the week, and are now prepared for what promises to be an active season.

The executive states that players for eight rinks (men) have already signed up for the season. This year a. new scheme is being tried out at the Club. The rings in the "House" have been in solidly by painting the ice and then flooding. It gives the rinl; a gala appearance and at the same time makes it easy for anyone shooting to determine the position of the rocks in the "House." Eight skips will meet at the rink tomorrow morning to pick respective rinks from the membership, and play will get under way as scon as possible in the coming week.

NOTICE Pursuant to the provisions of Section 5, of Chapter 111 of the Revised Statutes of British Columbia, 1936, "Grazing notice is hereby given that all horses, branded or. unbranded, owned or claimed by any person or persons, must be removed from the Crown lands the exterior limits of the Cariboo Grazing District (approved by Order-in-Council No. 955, August 4th, 1923) on or before the first day of January of the year 1945, and must be kept from until the thirty-first day of March of the year 1945. During this period the Department will give consideration to applications of Livestock Associations, Farmers' Institutes and others, to shoot or 'dispose of wild and useless horses encumbering their'ranges, and any 'horse found on these ranges during this period may be shot or otherwise disposed of. under the provisions of the said "Grazing Act" and Regulations further notice.

Dated at Victoria, B.C., this 1st day of December, 1944. E. T. KENNEY, 18-21 Minister of Lands. A general meeting of the Prince George Branch, Navy League of Canada, will be held at the Elks' Hall, Prince George, B.C., Monday, January 15, at 8 p.m., for election of officers, etc.

All purchasers of Treasure Chest tickets are members. M. S. CAINE, Secretary. ICE RINK OPENED Work of flooding the local ice rink was completed during the week, and children are now amusing themselves at this healthful sport.

The rink this year has been looked after by the Quesnel Athletic Club. STRAYED onto the property known as Young's Ranch, Airs- tralian, in March, 1944, one 16- months-old black with white stockings on all four legs. No visible brand. If this animal is not claimed within 30 days after the first appearance of this notice, it will be sold by public auction to defray expenses of feed and advertising. Dated December 16, 1944.

KURT SEMMLER, Australian, B.C. Rev. J. H. Hobbins was discharged" from the hospital last week in time Lo conduct Christmas service at St.

United Church and spend Christmas with his family. There appears to be a dearth of wood fuel in Quesnel at present, many residents running around trying to caddge a half-cord to carry on with until they make arrangements for a substantial sup- plv. CARIBOO BRANCH, CANADIAN LEGION ANNUAL Year Eve AND FLOOR SHOW FLOOR SHOW STARTS 11 P.M. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31 Legion MEET YOUR FRIENDS AT TIIE LEGION HALL Avn WKi.rnMK IN TIIK. NF.W YEAR 3 QUESNEL ORCHESTRA NOVELTIES ADMISSION $1.00.