RESTIGOUCHE IN HISTORY MAY 7/08
(1983)
Protesters await outcome of talks
All was quiet on city streets this week as demonstrations by New Brunswick workers, upset with Quebec workers holding jobs in this province, have ground to a halt while awaiting the results of two separate meetings being held today.
Demonstrations had resumed on Monday of last week and continued every morning until Friday when it was learned that major forest product companies had announced that woodworkers on the North Shore would be recalled earlier than in previous years and that any new jobs created will go to qualified New Brunswickers.
The demonstrations resumed after workers felt that talks between New Brunswick and Quebec were going too slow.
However, members of the truckers and woodcutters' union are meeting with their Quebec counterparts in Quebec today while members of the construction trades are attending a similar meeting in Edmundston. Both governments are also being represented at these meetings.
Justice Minister Fernand Dube had agreed that talks were taking a long time but noted that he had instructed his staff to try and solve the problem as soon as possible. "We want immediate action," said Dube.
The unions want free movement to work in Quebec such as that being enjoyed by workers from that province coming to New Brunswick and while demonstrations last week were not violent like the one on March 29, large numbers of workers showed up at the Interprovincial bridge to show their displeasure.
On Monday of last week, protesters paraded though city streets using skidders which had been parked behind Lounsbury's Garage since the demonstrations began in March.
On Tuesday morning, a similar parade was held and a charge of assault was laid after a skidder came close to hitting an RCMP photographer.
More charges resulted later at the bridge when some of the workers attempted to block traffic….Police then ordered the skidders out of town and these vehicles were escorted out of the city shortly after noon.
The demonstration resumed last Wednesday when about 300 people marched on foot through city streets. They went to the residence of Justice Minister Fernand Dube on Athol Street and some of them attempted to leave placards on Dube's front lawn but were prevented from doing so by RCMP.
On Thursday, protesters again marched through city streets and then returned to the bridge to verbally harass drivers of Quebec vehicles. Campbellton city RCMP reported that demonstrations in Campbellton Friday morning lasted from 7 to 10 a.m. About 100 protesters met at the Interprovincial bridge linking New Brunswick and Quebec. No cars were stopped and no disorderly incidents were reported.
For the third time, members of the RCMP's tactical force was [sic] brought in for last week's demonstrations and the cost to the province for these 100 men has gone beyond $1 million, according to city detachment head, Staff Sgt Roy Rushton.
Indian Band Centre burned
Damage is expected to total well beyond $100,000 as the result of a fire which Saturday night gutted the interior of the Band building on the Restigouche Indian Reserve.
Harvey Martin, head of the reserve's Amerindian police detachment, said that arson is suspected and one man was being held in custody on Monday in connection with the blaze. The suspect is a resident of the reserve.
Police Monday were awaiting the arrival of a chemist from Montreal who was to attempt to determine the exact cause of the blaze.
Prince's welcome planned
Mayor Richard Tingley, chairman of a special committee co-ordinating the visit of Prince Charles and Princess Diana on June 19, said today that plans for the royal visit are presently being worked out.
"Specifics of the visit have not been adopted and approved by Buckingham Palace as of yet," Mayor Tingley noted, but he added that he hoped to have plans finalized by the middle of this month.
Fifty years ago
(1958)
Bridge construction begins next week
A start is expected to be made as the construction of the Campbellton approach to the bridge linking this town with Cross Point, Que. by the end of next week, it is announced here today. With the signing of agreements between the federal government and the governments of New Brunswick and Quebec regarding the costs for the bridge, the last obstacles have been removed in the long-awaited bridge project.
During the past week, agreements have been reached by both concerned and the federal government, in which they agreed to participate in sharing the costs of the bridge. The approval of the New Brunswick Government had come some time ago, and an agreement signed, but the signature on the Quebec agreement was authorized last week.
The contract to build the Campbellton causeway has been awarded by the federal Dept. of Public Works to Ralph Sharp, a local contractor, at a cost of $99,000.
Meeting endorses rink directors
A largely-attended meeting of representatives of numerous organizations in Campbellton last night strongly endorsed the stand taken by the directors of Memorial Gardens in their dispute with the mayor and town council regarding the allotment of a public grant to the rink company. At a recent meeting of the town council, the rink directors were advised that no grant would be made to the rink this year, contrary to the custom of past councils. Last night's public meeting was held in the Legion Hall and was under the sponsorship of the local legion branch. President W. A. MacMillan presided at the meeting.
In addition to their endorsement of the rink directors' stand, the meeting last night sent a request to Mayor C. E. Tingley to ask that a special meeting of the town council be held, as soon as possible, so that the public could be present to discuss the matter of financial aid to the Gardens. At that time, a brief will be presented to the council, outlining the stand taken by the organizations and their representatives.
At the meeting, severe criticism was levelled at the mayor and council for the stand they have taken on the matter of financial aid to the rink. Strong opposition was voiced by all speakers at the prospect of having the rink taken over by the town. As explained by R. W. MacDonald, the rink was built following the war as a memorial to the heroic dead of this community. "Steps were deliberately taken," said Mr. MacDonald, to have the Gardens directorate set p so that all groups in town would be represented and so it would be kept clear of town politics and thereby perhaps become a political controversial subject."
Mayor Charles E. Tingley in a radio address here last night strongly defended his stand and that of the town council regarding the Memorial Gardens. Involved, he declared, "is a principle that is the very foundation and essence of democratic law and order." Mr. Tingley declared that "if the town is to be called upon to pay for operating the Gardens, then it must have control over the contraction [sic] of such accounts."
Seventy-five years ago
(1933)
Stream driver loses life
Heavy rains and rising waters throughout New Brunswick and Eastern Quebec were responsible for two deaths and train cancellation yesterday.
Meagre reports received here last night stated that Orsen Irvine of Upsalquitch had been drowned while at work on the NBIP drive on Tracy Brook. No definite details of the accident could be procured but it is understood that a landing collapsed and the unfortunate workman slipped into the icy waters of the stream and was swept beyond assistance. No word regarding the recovery of the body has been received.
New Christ Church Parish Hall dedicated
The formal opening of the new Parish Hall of Christ Church was held on Monday evening. The rector, W. E. Fuller, dedicated the hall and the ceremony was attended by a large congregation.
The new hall, which is located in the basement of the church, is the result of extensive renovation carried out during the last six weeks. It provides accommodation for the Sunday School as well as weekday activities. A commodious kitchen has been provided and fitted with a new range, a gift of the Ladies' Guild.
New building
Work commenced on Monday morning on the excavation work that is necessary preliminary to the erection of a new building at the corner of Roseberry Street and Gerrard Street by Joseph Elias.
The building, which will front on Roseberry Street directly opposite the CNR depot is being designed for stores and possibly offices and apartments may be accommodated.
Mr. Elias has not completed his plan for the building but the application for permit to build will be completed shortly.
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