Structural Material 97

Wilmot Valley Hall now used as a machine repair shop on the farm of Brian Waugh, Wilmot Valley.

Between the years 1960 and 1963 there is no record of any activity in the hall until November 25, 1963 when a meeting was called. It was moved by Elmer Waugh and was seconded by Horace Huestis that the hall be of- fered to the Trustees of the School Board. The hall was bought by Colin Waugh and was hauled to his property. It is now used as a repair shop for farm machinery by his son, Brian Waugh.

FARMERS’ INSTITUTE

In 1936 a Farmers’ Institute was organized and the farmers of Wilmot Valley took an active part in its operation for the next twenty-five years.

Rev. J.W.A. Nicholson, who moved from Nova Scotia to take up the pastorate of North Bedeque United Church was a firm supporter of this group.

The Institute was organized on much the same lines and for the same purpose as the Co-operatives of today. Its purpose was to buy feed and farm supplies in large quantities at wholesale prices and sell them to the members at cost.

The farmers placed their orders and paid cash when the goods arrived, thus making no problems with bad debts. Meanwhile the Institute was allowed thirty to sixty days to make payment to the suppliers. The first manager was Ralph MacCaull, who had this office from 1936 to 1947. He was followed by Harry Waugh, Jr. for a short period and then by Horace Huestis from 1947 until the Institute closed, about 1960.