and Natural Resources was to appoint someone to command the fire fighting group.

On October 17 at a social function at the Legion Home, tribute was paid to all who had, helped in fighting the fires. Representatives of the Provincial and Federal Governments, army, civilians and Legion mem- bers from all over the Island were in attendance. Civil Defence Co-ordi- nator Simons was Chairman. Praise and appreciation was expressed by many to all who had helped, including the members of the Ellerslie Legion and the Ladies Auxiliary, who rendered untiring assistance along with the facilities of their building.

On October 21, the Disaster Fund paid $20,000 ($10,000 of which had been donated by the Provincial Government), to 21 people who had sus- tained losses in the fires. The fund was administered by a committee com— posed of Lieutenant Governor Walter Hyndman, Honorary Chairman; Hon. Henry Wedge, Honorary Vice-Chairman; Cyril Williams, Chairman; Earle Colwill, Vice-chairman; Dean Crosby and J.A. Hankinson, treasur- ers; Budd Williams, Secretary; Archie Martin,VLA; Ewen Nicholson, Red Cross; Lorne Burleigh, Department of Welfare. Committee members were WC. MacKay, Harold Phillips, R.C. MacNeill, D.S. Montgomery and

William Noye.

Fire still burned underground for months in some places. In early winter, thin wisps of smoke and steam could be seen emerging through the snow. The following ballad was written shortly after the fire——

THE FOREST FIRE

It was in the month ofAugust, Nineteen-sixty was the year.

In the Middle West Prince woodland There developed a great fear.

The summer was the driest That any could recall. The farmers were harvesting earlier

Than in any previous fall;

But the farmers were interrupted

By a madly raging fire

That sped towards their grain-field With a persistence that would not tire.

104 Roors & BRANCHES