Alvah deserves to be listed as one of our Montague captains. R. K. Clements sailed with Captain Buchanan in Wightman’s vessels. Alfred Gillis had considerable experience on Wightman's ships. So, now you see, that Montague had her ships and seamen too. A number of them had “deep" sea experience, sailing to South American ports. They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters. These see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. Psalm 107:23, 24.

Long before commercial fertilizers were used on the land, lime was used to renew the soil, and two men here in Montague supplied that need to the farmers, who had no lime kiln of their own. Manoah Rowe was the first. His kiln was where Mrs. (Dr) Albert J. Fraser’s home stands, at the junction of Main and Queen Streets. John MacKenzie, uncle of Norman MacKenzie, Cardigan, built that house and lived in it for a time. He built it out of a barn he purchased from Donald Mac- Leod (tanner). The writer remembers seeing the old kiln. The next man to carry on that business was Moses Peardon. Mr. Peardon’s kiln was located near the waterfront on the south side of the river. It was not far from the Peardon home, which is owned by Alvah Allen. Lime was re- quired in the building trade, as well as for the land. All the houses were plastered in those days. A man named Mack Brehaut worked at the plastering trade here for quite a number of years. Wallace Campbell, Lower Montague, was another man who worked at it. I believe that he worked at it in the USA. Ronald MacDonald, Flash MacDonald’s father, was the last Montague man to ply that trade here. He and his family lived in the “Sally Munroe” house, south and next to the old Baptist Church. Both buildings have been torn down.

THE FIRST ELECTRIC LIGHTS IN MONTAGUE

This was an innovation for the Village indeed, and a step in the right direction. The initial power plant was located in Norman J. MacDonald's grist mill. it was operated by N. J. MacDonald and his son Eugene. The next step was to form a company and become incorporated. The Hon. D. A. MacKinnon was a lawyer at that time, and he framed an incorporation act, which in due time was delivered to the company. The one who received it laid it safely away in a drawer for safe keeping. But having failed to read it, they did not comply with the rules and regulations of the Act, which in the first place required them to call a meeting for the purpose of appointing directors to carry on the business. Finally that mistake was overcome, and they got away to a real start. This was previous to 1899.

In 1899, according to the Prospectus which I have before me .a new company was formed known as The Montague Electric Light Company, Ltd. The officers were as follows: J. W. Carruthers, President; Directors, His Honour A. C. MacDonald, Lieut—Go 'ernor, W. Leith Poole, Dr. A. E. Smith, V.S., William MacMillan, Daniel MacGregor, Nathaniel Mac- Laren, Daniel F. MacDonald, Secretary-Treasurer. The Charles Keith grist mill property on the north stream was purchase, and the present power house was built, and the dynamo was moved to the new building. Water rights were secured and a higher dam was built. The company ran a line to Lower Montague. A cable was laid across the harbour, and Georgetown was supplied with lights. As time went on the demand for electricity became greater, and naturally the prospects "brighter”. The Montague Electric Light Company, Ltd., had a gold mine within their grasp. Whether they realized it at that time or not is mere speculation. No one living today can put us straight on that score, as far as the writer knows. Personally, I think it was a mistake to sell out to the Maritime Electric Light Co.

My reason for saying this, is the evident success which this com-

pany has had. They have greatly extended their power lines. Today they supply electric power to Montague, Georgetown, Cardigan, Lower Mon-

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