ket took place in 1929, the full force of hard times was not felt here until 1931, when farm prices hit an all time low. Young people seeking employment had to work for very small wages, and in many cases just could not get employment of any kind.

Those people who did not have a little money saved and who had a large family to keep had a hard struggle during the depression years. They depended on the merchants who operated a large business to give them credit until the fall, when they sold what they had and honestly .lttempted to pay their accounts in full. The general store operated by John P. Bradley had been destroyed by fire in 1922 and was not replaced. 'l‘he Bradley property was bought by J. P. Carragher, and he built a store on the old site in 1936. During this interval groceries and tobacco were sold by Bennett Trainor and Mrs. J. W. MacKenna. People had to depend on the larger stores in Victoria, Crapaud, North Wiltshire, and Emyvale to get the rest of their needs.

The following items will give some indication of what farmers were receiving for their products: (Quotation from The Charlottetown Patriot, January 23rd, 1932)

Roops Meat Market Specials

boneless ham, sliced, lb — 21c round steak 1b. —— 18c rolled roast beef lb. — 16c

Queen St. Meat Market

sirloin steak lb. — 20c t - bone lb. — 20c corned beef lb. — 15c chicken lb. — 18c

(Ch’town Patriot, Jan. 30th., 1932)

The Debating Club, organized by Father Pitre in 1931, held de- bates in the school hall, weekly during the winter months for several years. These meetings brought older and younger people together and got them involved in lively but. friendly discussions which were both edu- cational and entertaining. If credit for making these debates a success i'ould be given to any one person, then that person should be Gordon Waddell.

In the late thirties, times began to improve slowly, and if money and the necessities of life were in short supply for a time, then the spirit of neighbourly association and dependence that was a necessary part of community life in those years, is a treasure that seems to be lacking in times when people are more financially independent.

The tractor made its appearance on the farm scene in the forties and was destined within the next decade to replace the horse almost entirely.

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