PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.

brought ashore at Alberton, the publication of the “Pioneer” stopped, and the business interests received such a shock that Mr. Mc- Kinnon deemed it injudicious to resume publication there. After due consideration, he again started his press at Montague Bridge, in Kings county. But the advertis- ing patronage of that place, proved to be in- suflicient to sustain the paper, and, after a year’s trial, Mr. McKinnon was constrained to remove to Summerside and to take up the ground that had been previously covered by the “Progress.” There he began the publi- cation of the “Pioneer” in September, 1880. He published a good newspaper and met with considerable encouragement and suc— cess. But he was, ere long, prevailed upon to sell his plant and subscription list to a company by whom the “Pioneer” has since been published in the interests of the Lib- eral party, its editors including Mr. B. D. Higgs, afterwards managing director and editor of the “Guardian,” Mr. John Molli- son, an ingenious resident of Summerside, Mr. John Pond, a vigorous Englishman from London, Mr. D. K. Currie, drawn from the business interests of Summerside, and the present incumbent, Mr. Bairnsfa— ther, a native of New Brunswick. In the past twelve or thirteen years there has been issued in connection with the “Pioneer” 3

121

weekly agricultural paper called “The Farmer.” '

Throughout its long career the press of this Island has been in active sympathy with all the movements, great and small, by which the condition of the people has been improved. During the discussion of the im- portant questions upon the settlement of which depended the fredom of the ten- ants from proprietary influences, the intro- duction of responsible government, the con- struction of the Prince Edward Island ~ Railway, the entry of the province into the Confederation and the establishment of free, nonsectarian schools, heat was engendered, and the press as well as the politicians in- dulged in personalities and recriminations such as would be tolerated in the quiet times which now prevail. The excite- ments. of the people affected the press, and the newspapers, while not always just or reasonable, assisted materially in the promotion of the people’s interests and the decision of many vexed questions upon just and reasonable principles. At the present time there is no acrimonious strife between the newspapers competing for popular fa- vor. Each seems to be most of all desirous of being the first to publish good news and the foremost to promote the best interests of the country.

BENCH AND BAR.

BY JOHN A. MATHIESON.

In the year I 769 Walter Patterson was appointed captain general and Governor in Chief of Prince Edward Island then, and for

thirty-two years thereafter, known as the Island of St. John.

By virtue of his commission he was em- powered. with the consent of his Council. to erect and establish courts of judicature with- in the Island for the hearing and determin- ing of all causes, civil and criminal, accord-