August 8: Port Arthur
Members of the Ladies Auxiliary of Organization of Resources Committee attended the Food Resources Convention in Toronto about preventing food waste. Port Arthur City Council received a report from the delegates and passed a resolution on food economy, in this case on using grains for food purposes only and not to produce alcohol, a Canada-Wide regulation that came into effect on August 10, 1917 (for more details please see Food Control).
August 8: Port Arthur
With so many working men overseas or otherwise involved in the war, there were difficulties getting enough labour to bring the crops in on time. Here, the Premier of Ontario, Mr. W.H. Hearst, sent a telegram suggesting that City employees be released from their duties to go harvest the crops.
August 8: Port Arthur
According to the report of the Garden Club in May, the gardening effort would be rewarded by a judging of the gardens. Here, the Market committee is authorized to buy lumber to build stands for an exhibition of Garden Club produce on Labour Day.
August 13: Port Arthur
Both Cities were frequently asked to contribute funds or utilities for local recruitment offices, as they do not seem to have been fully supported by the Dominion Government. Here, the No. 10 Forestry and Railway Construction Depot is asking the Port Arthur City Council for $150 ($2,445.00 in 2017 dollars) to assist in recruiting.
August 13: Port Arthur
Both Cities were also asked to fund or donate equipment for the military, in this case, one or more aeroplanes.
August 14: Fort William
Mr. H.J. Paddington was Superintendent of the Cleansing Department, a position that put him in charge of the Roads division and the Scavenging (waste) division. This work was essential to the City of Fort William. He has asked for, and received, a 10% war bonus. This may have been a pay bonus for staying with the City in an essential service when he could have left and enlisted in the war.
August 24: Port Arthur
In December 1915 and January 1916, both cities discussed a request from the 94th Battalion to fund musical instruments for their battalion band. By 1917, the 94th had been redistributed and absorbed into other battalions to serve as reinforcements on the Front. It’s unclear what the agreement between the battalion and Port Arthur was, but the City definitely felt they should get the instruments back. They plan to communicate with the proper authorities “at once in regard to getting the instruments for the 94th returned for the use of the Port Arthur City Band.” This leads to further questions, since the City of Fort William also paid half of the cost of the musical instruments.
World War One Thunder Bay Centennial Project 