74 PAST AND PRESENT OF

the. next decade. A fresh start is begun. There is an abundance of work, farming and fishing for industrious people and a field for industrial life yet unexplored.

The present century began under auspi- cious circumstances. Improvements were made of much practical value. For our har- bors a new steam dredge was built. This will overtake the work of the greater perfect— ing of the harbors for shipping. The Belfast and Murray Harbor Railway and Hillsboro bridge, one of the largest in Canada, were constructed, providing further means of transportation for the people in the south- ern part of the Island. The erection of a suitable central railway station has been commenced which will be a benefit to the whole province. The Post Of- fice and Savings Bank building has been modernized in its interior arrangements and is in an up-to—date style. Lobster, trout and salmon hatcheries are sending out millions of fry in our waters. Breakwaters at Rustico, Stanhope, New London and Canoe Cove have been built and extended and a govern— ment pier purchased at Charlottetown. A geological survey of the Island was made.

Commerce is greatly increased and banks are becoming more numerous. Our public buildings are being better equipped.

The people have built many comfortable, roomy houses and appreciate the merits of neat surroundings. their lives are pleasant and they offer openhandhospitality. They are sturdy, honest and progressive. Professional men spring into prominence and many are going west. -Some of the more serious take much interest in matters theological, ques- tions of church discipline and doctrine still puzzle them. They seek to have their chil- dren well taught, not only in literature, but in social accomplishments.

Queens is proud of its sons who de- voted their lives to the public service of the province in the legislative halls in Charlotte- town and Ottawa. Queens is proud of its militia, whose record is excellent, and some of whom took part in and gave up their lives in the African war. Queens is also proud of its toilers on the land and its toilers on the homeless deep, its natur- alists, mercantile and professional men.

The colleges of Prince of Wales and St. Dunstan’s are very creditable institutiOns of learning, and commercial colleges have taken strong hold on our young people who are preparing for a business career.

The daily and weekly press is a power in the land. The telegraph and telephone ser- vices afiord modem means of sending mes- sages hither and thither.

Dissatisfaction with the world in which we live and determination to realize one that shall be better are the prevailing character- istics of the modern spirit and the Island is a good place to carry out this object. Mean- while making home life pleasant and adding to household convenience on every farm, giving good education to our children and accomplishments, remembering that our forefathers expected their children to inherit their homes after them, even following the best of all possible pursuits, the cultivation of the earth.

The experience gained by dealing with the land question, responsible government, free education. universal suffrage. when studied out will be of much value in deal- ing with new questions which must certainly arise to be grappled with as we progress.

The ladies’ organizations play a more ac- tive and important part than ever and always are a factor for good in our Isle.

The fate of the county is linked for weal