Timeline: December 1916

 

Fort William City Council met several times in December but did not discuss the war or war effort.

 

December 4: Port Arthur:

Port Arthur City Council receives additional correspondence from Major Stetham regarding training accommodations for the 141st Battalion.

December 4: Port Arthur:

Here, Port Arthur City Council authorizes a reception for Col. McKenzie at the Lyceum. Col. McKenzie, also a doctor and former mayor of Fort Frances, was in charge of the 141^st Battalion.

December 4: Port Arthur:

As arrangements for the 141^st Battalion continue to be made, the Special Committee to the Battalion is authorized to meet with the Sailors Institute regarding use of the Institute’s hall.

December 11: Port Arthur:

A letter from W.B. Evans of the 52^nd Canadian Infantry Branch, regarding the capture of machine guns by the 52^nd which will be presented to the City of Port Arthur.

December 11: Port Arthur:

Port Arthur City Council authorizes Christmas gifts to be sent to former Aldermen Cain and Wilson, now serving “Somewhere in France”.

December 18: Port Arthur:

Telephone and electric light services was frequently provided free of charge for military purposes. Here, Port Arthur City Council authorizes a request made by Col. McKenzie for the installation of a telephone in his office at the Armoury.

December 18: Port Arthur:

Port Arthur City Council receives a letter from J. J. Carrick regarding the use of the Customs Building as training quarters for the 141^st Battalion.

December 29: Port Arthur:

Here Council authorizes the Special Committee in charge of accommodations for the 141^st Battalion to purchase a stove and pipes for the Immigration Hall.

The end of the year marked an upcoming municipal election.  The Fort William City Council saw some changes in 1917. Eight of twelve councillors returned with Mayor Harry Murphy returning to the position. Joining council in 1917 were Councillors John George Macdonald, John J. Flanagan, John King and Sidney M. Barabe.

In Port Arthur, seven of twelve councillors returned with Mayor Donald James Cowan returning to the position. Joining council in 1917 were Councillors William Marrigan, James Smith McNulty, Bert Tourtellot, William Alexander Wright and Arthur Melville.