lMy wife and I returned home after a period of ten years in the USA. My good old friend of over forty years Billy Stewart, spoke to D.L. one day on my behalf. Send him along, said D.L., and that was the beginning of thirty-three years of service, and mutual friendship. I started is as a helper with the late John Lemon, making outside cases. In the course of a month or two, D.L. set me to work making caskets. During the thirty-three years I worked there, it may surprise you to learn that I, as well as the other casket makers, made caskets for cus- tomers in every province in Canada, also in Newfoundland and the West

Indies.

The company had three warehouses. One in Sydney, N.S., B. L. Louden in charge; one in Dartmouth, N.S., with Cecil Zinck in charge; and a smaller one in Athens, Ont., Kinsella in charge. A car load of caskets was usually in the process of being made-ready for shipment to one or the other of these points, during the time when orders direct from undertakers would slacken up a little. A car load would be between 50 and 60 caskets, depending upon the number of small caskets in the shipment. The firm has always been noted for the fine quality of their goods. Quality and workmanship has ever been the watch-word.

They manufacture between fifty and sixty different styles or pat- terns. The covering material consists of broadcloth, plush, brocaded plush, velours. These coverings are in a variety of shades and colors. The interiors are made up of silks and satins of various styles and shades. The hardware is of superior quality. While I was working there I have seen as many as 80 to a 100 caskets on the racks in the large outer room next to the trimming room. But they would not be there very

long.

The company deals in metal casekts and vaults in addition to their own product. When embalming fluid came into general use, they began the manufacture of that product, and made a success of it too, and the following will verify that. The two types of ombalming fluid were ex- hibited at the Paris Exposition in the year 1915, and received first prize for both types.

D.L.’s son, L. M. MacKinnon, entered the business with his father for some years previous to 1918. He carried on the business up to the time he was overtaken by a stroke. Since that time his two sons have continued the business. When I entered in their employ, there were about 5‘0 mployees on the pay roll. But time brings changes in all lines of human endeavour; in all phases of life. The Montague Furnishing 00., did not escape its scope. The introduction of metal caskets, and much keener competition has had its effect, and the company was ob- liged to reduce their staff.

D.L. took a morticran’s course of instruction, and was thereby en- abled to instruct his men who have succeeded him in that very necessary vocation, A. D. MacLure, Alfred Lowery, Bruce MacPhee, and L.M.’s son, Eric B. MacKinnon. I have heard numerous comments on the capable manner in which they do their work. We desire to see our loved ones look as natural as possible as we gaze for the last time upon their mental remains. A mortician’s vocation requires courtesy, understanding and sym- pathy. You will find all that in the men of the Montague Funeral Home. A fine up—to-date Funeral Parlor has been built recently, which adds to the comfort and convenience of those who are obliged to use it.

Down through the years The Montague Furnishing Co., Ltd., has been a great boon to Montague and the surrounding districts, for it has given employment to a large number of people, and it has been the means of putting a large amount of money in circulation. Can you wonder at me wishing to give their horn a little toot? Why, of course not.

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